Open Heaven For Today 2024 – Open Heavens 5 February

Open Heaven For Today 2024 Monday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Holy Ghost Baptism And Power 2

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TOPIC: Holy Ghost Baptism And Power 2

MEMORISE:-"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

READ: Acts 4:1-13 (KJV)

1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 24-25

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

In the Bible reading for today, Peter confronted the Sadducees defending his faith and in the name of Jesus Christ.

However, was Peter this bold before he was baptised in the Holy Spirit? The simple answer is, “No”.

In Matthew 14:28-32, Peter was described as being ‘afraid’ after he saw the boisterousness of the wind.

In John 18:16-27, when servants recognised him as one of Jesus’ followers, he denied it and swore that he did not know Jesus.

This same Peter was now the one confronting Sadducees.

In Acts 4:10, the one who denied Jesus Christ said, 

“The same Jesus you crucified, God has raised Him from the dead, and it is through Him that this lame man is standing before you whole.”

He added that there is no other name given unto men by which anybody can be saved but by Jesus – he was now standing solidly behind Jesus Christ.

The Peter after Pentecost was different from the Peter before Pentecost. He was now bold and could speak about Jesus Christ to anyone regardless of their status in the society.

Acts 4:13 says that the boldness of Peter and John was beheld by the people around them. In other words, their boldness became very obvious.

What was responsible for this kind of boldness? The answer to this question can be found in Acts 4:8: 

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel…

Being filled with the Holy Ghost is the antidote for fear. If fear has been holding you back from fulfilling your destiny, it is because you are not yet filled with the Holy Ghost.

When you become filled with the Holy Ghost, you will look at the biggest obstacle in front of you and smile because you know that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).

Whenever fear tries to creep into your heart, start speaking in the Holy Ghost. Speak in tongues to the point where you ascend above the level of that fear.

The Holy Spirit gives you the boldness to surmount any obstacle that may be standing in your path, no matter how big it may appear.

Pray in the Holy Ghost every day, study your Bible, and have the Holy Ghost lead you.

Make the Holy Ghost your companion at all times, and fear will become a stranger to you.

Reflection

Are you constantly filled with the Holy Ghost?

HYMN 20:– Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

1 Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

 Ye soldiers of the cross;

Lift high His royal banner,

 It must not suffer loss:

From vict’ry unto vict’ry

 His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished

 And Christ is Lord indeed.

2 Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

 The trumpet call obey;

Forth to the mighty conflict

 In this His glorious day.

Ye that are men, now serve Him

 Against unnumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger.

 And strength to strength oppose.

3 Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

 Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you;

 Ye dare not trust your own.

Put on the Gospel armor,

 And, watching unto prayer,

Where duty calls, or danger,

 Be never wanting there.

4 Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

 The strife will not be long:

This day the noise of battle,

 The next the victor’s song;

To him that overcometh

 A crown of life shall be;

He, with the King of glory,

 Shall reign eternally.

Open Heaven For Today 2024 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Holy Ghost Baptism And Power 1

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TOPIC: Holy Ghost Baptism And Power 1

MEMORISE:-"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8

READ: Acts 3:1-8 (KJV)

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 22-23

Open Heavens 4 February 2024 MESSAGE:

Today’s Bible reading passage starts with ‘Now’ .This implies that after the incident that happened before, something new is happening.

Acts 2 tells us about the day of Pentecost and how everyone at the upper room was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now then refers to something that was about to happen in the lives of Peter and John as a result of that incident. Clearly, that was the working of miracles.

When you get baptised in the Holy Ghost, you carry divine power within you. You have the power to work miracles, heal the sick and raise the dead.

Unfortunately, many Christians become baptised and are satisfied with just speaking in tongues. You received more than that when you were baptised in the Holy Spirit; you received the power to go out and do the work of God.

Many years ago, I prayed to God for many weeks for power to do His work, but He didn’t respond.

At last, one night, He told me to keep quiet and began to ask me some questions. 

“Have you been baptised in the Holy Ghost?”

 I said, “Yes”. He said, “What is written in Acts 1:8?” I knew it offhand, so I quoted it to Him.

Then He said, “You received power after your baptism in the Holy Ghost.” 

I responded, 

“Lord, but I don’t feel powerful.” He replied, “Did I say the just shall live by feelings?” 

The next morning, a sick child was brought to me for prayers. I was afraid, but then I remembered the conversation I had with God the previous night, so l laid my hands on the child and prayed.

Not long after, I felt the child go numb, and I thought to myself, 

“Has this child died?” 

When I finished praying and opened my eyes, I realised that the child was sound asleep.

The mother said that the child had not slept in days, but now, she was sure that God had healed her child.

Go out and use the power that God has already given to you, if not, it will remain dormant. 

When I realised that I had been empowered by God, I was hungry to keep laying hands on the sick.

That is how l’ve gotten to the stage where many great miracles happen through me today.

I have been using the power God gave me since I was baptised in the Holy Spirit and it has been growing since then.

Action Point

If you have received the Holy Ghost baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues, begin to use the power God gave to you

HYMN 4:– All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

1 All hail the power of Jesus’ name!

Let angels prostrate fall.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all!

2 Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre,

and as they tune it, fall

Before His face Who tunes their choir,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Before His face Who tunes their choir,

and crown Him Lord of all.

3 Crown Him, ye morning stars of light,

Who fixed this floating ball;

Now hail the strength of Israel’s might,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Now hail the strength of Israel’s might,

and crown Him Lord of all.

4 Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God,

Who from His altar call;

Extol the stem of Jesse’s Rod,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Extol the stem of Jesse’s Rod,

and crown Him Lord of all.

5 Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race,

ye ransomed from the fall,

Hail Him who saves you by his grace,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him who saves you by his grace,

and crown Him Lord of all!

6 Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line,

Whom David Lord did call,

The God incarnate, Man divine,

and crown Him Lord of all.

The God incarnate, Man divine,

and crown Him Lord of all.

7 Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget

the wormwood and the gall,

Go spread your trophies at His feet,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Go spread your trophies at His feet,

and crown Him Lord of all.

8 Let every tribe and every tongue

before Him prostrate fall,

And shout in universal song,

and crown him Lord of all.

And shout in universal song,

and crown him Lord of all.

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

Click HERE for Previous Open Heaven Devotional

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.