Open Heaven For Today 2024 – Open Heavens 3 February

Open Heaven For Today 2024 Saturday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Different Types Of Son 2

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TOPIC:Different Types Of Son 2

MEMORISE:-"I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:" 2 Samuel 7:14 

READ:Psalm 84:10-12(KJV)

10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 19-21

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

Yesterday, I explained that a son can become so close to the Father that he also becomes a friend of the Father.

This is true, however, among friends, there are favourites.

From the moment I learnt that it is possible to be a favourite of God, someone from whom God will never hide anything, I decided to get so close to God that I will become His favourite.

Do you also want to be God’s favourite? You must note that it will cost you something.

Many times, when we talk about how a Christian should behave, dress, and act, some people will say, 

“God is not that difficult, He is a God of love. Where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty.” 

I always say, 

“We shouldn’t quarrel about it, live your life the way you want to live it. It all depends on how close you want to be to God.”

For example, if all you want in life is to become an Office Assistant, then you don’t need to attend a higher institution.

All you need to know is how to run basic errands, and you will achieve your goal.

However, if you want to become a professor, then you will enrol in a tertiary institution and burn the midnight oil.

I want to be a professor for God, I want to get close to Him, and I want to be His favourite.

I don’t want to be just a servant of God, I don’t want to be just a son, I don’t want to be just a friend, I want to be a favourite, and by the grace of God, that is what you will be also, even though it is going to come at a cost.

Becoming one of God’s favourites will cost you your time.

Those who become God’s favourites spend more time with God than they spend with anyone or anything else.

Becoming God’s favourite will also cost you your appetite.

You must be ready to fast like no man’s business if you want to draw closer to God than majority of others ever will.

It will also cost you material things because you must hate the things of this world and prioritise the kingdom of God.

James 4:4 says friendship with the world is enmity with God.

Matthew 6:24 further says that you must choose between God and mammon.

You must reject mammon to become close to God. Are you willing to pay the price to become God’s favourite? I am

Action Point

Conduct a sincere audit of your relationship with God and commit to making the required sacrifices to draw closer to Him more than ever before.

HYMN 7:– I am Thine, O Lord

1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith,

And be closer drawn to Thee.

Refrain:

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,

By the pow’r of grace divine;

Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,

And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]

3 Oh, the pure delight of a single hour

That before Thy throne I spend,

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,

I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]

4 There are depths of love that I cannot know

Till I cross the narrow sea;

There are heights of joy that I may not reach

Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]

Open Heaven For Today 2024 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Different Types Of Sons 1

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TOPIC: Different Types Of Sons 1

MEMORISE:- So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." Galatians 4:31

READ: Galatians 4:19-31(KJV)

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 16-18

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

There are many categories of children and i will be discussing some of them today.

The first type I will look at are the ones referred to as ‘prodigal’ like we have in Luke 15:11-24.

By the grace of God, I will never become a prodigal son, in Jesus’ name.

I’ll encourage you to say the same prayer for yourself.

When God blesses me, I will not squander His blessings; I will use them for His work.

Some people believe that the only way you can show that God is blessing you is by showing off: wearing golden shoes and clothes, and walking as if you own the whole world.

These are the attributes of people that are referred to as prodigal sons, and I have made up my mind never to become such. What about you?

Another category of children that the Bible talks about are those that bring grief to their fathers.

The Bible says that a foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him (Proverbs 17:25).

I have equally made up my mind never to be one of such, in Jesus’ name.

Psalm 14:1 says that the fool is one who says that there is no God, and it goes on further to say that a fool is a corrupt person.

I acknowledge God in all that I do, and I refuse to be corrupt. I will never cause my Father in heaven grief. What about you?

If you go to Matthew 3:16-17 however, the Bible talks of 

‘My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.’ 

This is the kind of son I want to be.

I want to be the kind of son that God will look down on and say, “This one, I love him.” You can be that kind of friend too.

God has had sons who became friends over the ages.

Abraham was a friend of God (Isaiah 41:8), and I am sure He is also saying, “Adeboye is my friend.”

You can tell who will become a beloved child of God as well as His friend by how much time they are willing to spend in His presence.

The kind of sons that yearn for a close fellowship with God and desire to please Him at all times are the ones who don’t just read the Bible but also study and meditate on it daily so as to know God more and draw closer to Him.

Key Point

Sons who will grow to become God’s beloved and friends enjoy staying in His presence for long hours

HYMN 11:– I've found a friend in Jesus

1 I have found a friend in Jesus, He‟s everything to me; 

He‟s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul!

The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see

All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.

In sorrow He‟s my comfort, in trouble He‟s my stay; 

He tells me every care on Him to roll. (Hallelujah)

Chorus:

He‟s the Lily of the Valley,

the Bright and Morning Star; 

He‟s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. 

2 He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;

In temptation He‟s my strong and mighty tower; 

I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn

From my heart, and now He keeps me by His power. 

Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore, 

Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal: (Hallelujah)

3 He‟ll never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here, 

while I live by faith and do His blessed will;

A wall of fire about me, I‟ve nothing now to fear; 

with His manna He my hungry soul shall fill. 

Then sweeping up to glory, I‟ll see His blessed face, 

where rivers of delight shall ever roll. 

Open Heaven For Today 2024 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Becoming A Son Of God 2

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TOPIC: Becoming A Son Of God 2

MEMORISE: And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever." John 8:35

READ: Exodus 33:12-17(KJV)

12 And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 14-15

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

A son dwells in the house of God, he does not come and go, he dwells in the presence of his Father. 

Many people come and go from the presence of God. The sons are the ones that abide in His presence; wherever they go, they ensure that His presence is with them.

How do you remain in God´s  presence? First, you don`t joke with your quiet time with Him. 

That is when it is just you and Him in the morning, conversing. That is when you study your Bible and pray. 

You should start your day with Him and  become addicted to speaking to Him every morning. 

Beyond that, dont make any decision without first asking for His input. You should ask Him for which outfit to wear, which route to take on your way to work, and so on. 

When you live basically on His voice, you are dwelling in His presence continually. Psalm 10:4 says that those who dont have God in all their thoughts are proud and wicked.

God must be in all your thoughts. He must be the motivation behind everything you do. Everything you do must be done for His glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says:

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

A son is always seeking to glorify his Father`s name. He never wants to do anything that will make people say, 

"And you call yourself a child of God." 

As such, he lives conscious of whose he is. He doesn`t do anything that is outside the leading of his Father because he never wants to leave the presence of his Father.

When you read Mark 15:34-37, you will see that it was when Jesus saw that the Father had forsaken Him that He gave up the ghost. 

He could bear all the pain as long as God was with Him, but the moment He was that He was no longer in the presence of His Father, He gave up the ghost. 

That is how addicted you must be to God`s presence. If you are a son of God, abiding in His presence must be like breathing to you.

Reflection

How attached are you to One you call you Father?

HYMN 27:– What a Friend We Have In Jesus

1 What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Open Heaven For Today 2024 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Becoming A Son Of God 1

Click HERE for Previous Open Heaven Devotional

TOPIC: Becoming A Son Of God 1

MEMORISE:And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17

READ:1 John 3:8-9(KJV)

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 11-13

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

Yesterday, I distinguished clearly between being a son of God and being a servant of God.

I am quite sure that you choose to become a son of God rather than a servant.

How then can you become a son of God?

Being a son of God requires that you fulfil some obligations. A son is a major stakeholder in whatever the father does.

He takes whatever belongs to the father as his because he is not a servant but a son.

John 10:12 says that the hireling (servant) will not give his life for the sheep, but Jesus, the Son of God, gave his life for the sheep.

In the same vein, you must be ready to spend and be spent for the salvation of men on earth. Nothing must be too hard for you to do so that people will not perish in hell.

A servant can see souls perishing and turn the other way, but not a son; a son will go out and preach the gospel to them until they give their lives to Christ and remain steadfast in the Lord.

If you are not an incurable soul winner, your sonship is in doubt.

A son resembles his father. It is only what he sees his father do that he does. That is why 1 John 3:9 says:

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

True sons of God hate sin. Don’t mind those who tell you that once you have given your life to Christ, you can go ahead and commit sin – they are liars!

Real children of God have the seed of God in them, and that seed makes it difficult for them to sin.

If they fall into sin, that seed begins to bite them, and they become very sorry for what they have done.

They go back to their Father, like any genuine child will do, and plead for forgiveness. Nobody can keep committing sin on purpose and claim to be a son of God – that fellow is a liar.

A child that does not resemble his father is called a bastard.

It was recorded that Jesus loved righteousness and hated iniquity (Hebrews 1:8-9).

If you are truly a child of God, you will hate sin and love righteousness because of His seed within you.

Key Point

You cannot remain in sin and claim to be a child of God.

HYMN 23:– Take my life, and let it be

1 Take my life and let it be

consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days;

let them flow in endless praise,

let them flow in endless praise.

2 Take my hands and let them move

at the impulse of thy love.

Take my feet and let them be

swift and beautiful for thee,

swift and beautiful for thee.

3 Take my voice and let me sing

always, only, for my King.

Take my lips and let them be

filled with messages from thee,

filled with messages from thee.

4 Take my silver and my gold;

not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect and use

every power as thou shalt choose,

every power as thou shalt choose.

5 Take my will and make it thine;

it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart it is thine own;

it shall be thy royal throne,

it shall be thy royal throne.

6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour

at thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be

ever, only, all for thee,

ever, only, all for thee.