Open Heaven For Today 2024 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – He Is A Rewarder
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TOPIC: He Is A Rewarder
MEMORISE: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him". Hebrews 11:6
READ: Matthew 10:40-42 (KJV)
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 1-4
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
Peter’s encounter with Jesus at the Lake of Gennesaret is a pointer to the fact that our Lord is indeed a generous rewarder (Luke 5:1-7).
He allowed the Lord to use his boat as a pulpit and was rewarded with such a great catch of fish that his boat began to sink; he had to call additional hands to help him manage his breakthrough.
There are many areas of service that attract God’s generous rewards.
One of such is partnering with God to advance the agenda of heaven; this was what happened in Peter’s case.
Another act that brings heavenly rewards is obedience to the Lord’s instructions.
You can see this in the story of Abraham, who obeyed God when he was instructed to get out of his father’s house to a place God would show him (Genesis 12:1-4).
He obeyed, even though he did not know where he was going.
As if that wasn’t enough, when he was eventually blessed with Isaac, the child of promise, he was asked to sacrifice him as a burnt offering, and again, he obeyed.
As a result of his obedience, God rewarded him with an everlasting covenant of blessing and multiplication (Genesis 22:15-17).
Another area of service that receives God’s attention for generous rewards is hospitality.
An example is the story of the Shunammite woman who was so generous to Prophet Elisha that the Lord rewarded her with a son – a gift money could not buy (2 Kings 4:8-17).
The story of the widow of Zarephath is another example of how God rewards hospitality (1 Kings 17:9-16).
She sacrificed her last meal and that brought about meals that sustained her family throughout a famine. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:2:
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
God also rewards people who host His presence in their homes.
According to 2 Samuel 6:11-14, God blessed Obed-Edom so much for housing the ark of the covenant that he became the envy of the king.
This is a great lesson to those who are reluctant to submit their homes as house fellowship meeting centres.
Such people don’t know the blessing they are missing out on by denying God the use of their space.
Beloved, as today’s memory verse declares, our God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek, serve, obey, and honour Him. Use this to your advantage today.
Key Point
God never overlooks anything you do for Him. He will always reward you.
HYMN 26: There shall be showers of blessing
1 There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
2 There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
3 There shall be showers of blessing:
Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honour Thy Word.
4 There shall be showers of blessing,
Oh, that to-day they might fall,
Now, as to God, we’re confessing.
Now as on Jesus we call!
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Saturday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Benefits Of Knowing Jesus
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TOPIC: The Benefits Of Knowing Jesus
MEMORISE: "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits". Daniel 11:32
READ: Philippians 3:7-11(KJV)
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Esther 6-10
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
The joy that comes from knowing God is immeasurable. However, joy is just one of the many benefits enjoyed by those who know Him.
From our memory verse, you will understand that those who know their God will be strong and do exploits.
As a Christian, you do not have to be fearful about the challenges that come with everyday life.
God has empowered you to overcome whatever obstacles you might encounter. The Bible says in Romans 8:37:
…we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Furthermore, knowing Jesus empowers you to walk in victory every day and to be bold in the face of trials (Proverbs 28:1).
Fear can paralyse a fellow, but God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Knowing God and understanding His perfect love for you enables you to live above fear. The Bible says in 1 John 4:18:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
After his encounter with the Lord, Paul was so full of joy from knowing the true God that he penned the words of today’s Bible reading, in which he confessed wholeheartedly that Jesus was everything to him.
Even after he had attained great heights in the Lord, he still longed to know Him better because he discovered that the more of Jesus he knew, the more joyful, fulfilled, satisfied and hopeful of eternal life he became.
I pray that you will experience this type of joy, in Jesus’ name.
Beloved, knowing Jesus increases your faith in Him, and as you increase in faith, you please God more.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith, it is impossible to please God. The joy of having eternal life is drawn from knowing Jesus. John 17:3 says:
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
To know Jesus is to know peace because He is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). Knowing Jesus is knowing prosperity and abundance (Matthew 14:14-2 Corinthians 8:9).
Knowing Him is knowing divine healing and, better still, divine health (1 Peter 2:24).
All these and more are the benefits of knowing our Saviour. Beloved, do you truly know Jesus?
Prayer Point
Father, give me the power to prosper indeed, in Jesus’ name.
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 your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Power To Prosper
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TOPIC: Power To Prosper
MEMORISE: "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18
READ: Deuteronomy 8:6-18 (KJV)
6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
7 For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Nehemiah 11-13
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
In today’s memory verse, the Lord reveals Himself as the source of power for prosperity.
It is the blessing of the Lord that gives riches without any sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).
Those who desire to prosper without sorrow will therefore pay attention to the path of prosperity He has set out in His word.
Today’s Bible reading also contains truths from God’s word that can deliver any soul from the bondage of poverty.
Your Father in heaven wants you to prosper greatly, and so, we will examine a few of these truths today.
Firstly, the Lord told the children of Israel that the land He was giving them was being taken care of by Him from heaven.
In other words, the land would yield its best to them because He was in charge of it, not because of their own efforts.
To emphasize this, the Lord described the land to them further, saying in Deuteronomy 11:12: A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
Therefore, to prosper in this world, you need to look away from the present economic situation around you and focus on the economy of heaven that is managed all year round by the Almighty Himself.
For the economy of your life to respond to the laws of heaven, you must be subject to the laws of heaven.
Many people get excited about God’s promises but fail to do their part, therefore, they do not experience the fulfilment of the promises.
God gives those who acknowledge Him as their Creator, Redeemer, and Lord the power to prosper. Do you regard God as your Creator?
Do you honour Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, or do you take His death for granted by going back to sin even though you have been saved?
For God to prosper you, you must honour Him as God indeed.
Today, He is asking you the same question He asked the Israelites in Malachi 1:6: A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear?
If you truly desire the power to prosper from God, you must ensure that your life honours Him.
You must also ensure that you fear Him and love Him with all your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37).
Prayer Point
Father, give me the power to prosper indeed, in Jesus’ name.
HYMN 26: There Shall Be Showers of Blessing
1 There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
2 There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
3 There shall be showers of blessing:
Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honour Thy Word.
4 There shall be showers of blessing,
Oh, that to-day they might fall,
Now, as to God, we’re confessing.
Now as on Jesus we call!
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Ever-Present Help
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TOPIC: The Ever-Present Help
MEMORISE: "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble". Psalms 37:39
READ: Psalms 46:1-7(KJV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Nehemiah 11-13
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
Many children of God do not fully comprehend the fact that our God is Omnipresent.
When you really understand this truth, your heart will be filled with resounding joy, irrespective of whatever situation you might be going through.
In Psalms 46:1, the psalmist revealed Him to us as the Present Help.
To reassure us of this, God spoke to us through His prophet in Isaiah 43:2, saying:
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
To further convince us beyond any shadow of doubt, God manifested Himself in the flesh and said to us in Matthew 28:20: …lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
How comforting and encouraging this is.
No wonder Paul was able to say in Romans 8:31: What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us, who can be against us?
The reason no one can be against you is that the presence of God is always there to chase any kind of danger and shame away from you.
It was the Present Help who saved me from the financial embarrassment of not having enough to feed the crowd that came for one of our conventions.
My wife came to me asking for additional money to keep feeding the crowd when the convention was just halfway through.
I did not have any money, but the Lord showed up in His usual way of proving Himself mighty in my life.
He sent people to me who met this need, and in the end, we had more than enough to feed the crowd.
Another time, I was almost stranded during one of my trips to a foreign country because my flight was delayed for one day, and I had spent all the money with me.
I prayed to the Present Help, and before I went to bed that night, I had more than enough for the rest of my trip.
In today’s Bible reading, you are encouraged to be of good courage because God is with you in spite of the enemy’s plans to harm you (1 Peter 5:8).
Beloved, to enjoy this divine comprehensive insurance, you need to belong to the family of the Present Help.
Give your life to Him and make a commitment to love what He loves and hate what He hates.
You will begin to experience His presence wherever you go.
Prayer Point
Father, thank you for always being with me. I am confident because you are always present with me.
HYMN 30: When We Walk With The Lord
1. When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2. But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay,
For the favour He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
3. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way,
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Tuesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – What Is Your Focus?
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TOPIC: What Is Your Focus?
MEMORISE: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2
READ: Colossians 3:1-4 (KJV)
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
From my experience as a lecturer before going into full-time ministry, I know that in a class, not everyone’s focus is on understanding what is being taught.
Some students are focused on the teacher’s clothes, some on how he talks, others on impressing other students, and so on.
What is worthy of note is that those who focus on less important things lose a whole lot in the end.
This same thing plays out in God’s kingdom; many Christians do not focus on the right things.
All some Christians want from God is a new car, a new house, a promotion and so on.
I pity such Christians because they might get what they are focused on but lose out on the more important things they have ignored.
Jesus Christ said that you should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
In other words, if you just focus on making it to heaven by being righteous here on earth, cars, houses and other material things will automatically come your way.
I am a living testimony of what Jesus said in this verse of Scripture.
I set my focus on the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and now, I can’t count how many of these other things I have.
The best part is that I am also on my way to heaven.
Why focus on things that are temporary instead of things that are eternal? Focus on the eternal things, and the temporary things will follow.
Many people never reach the heights that God has ordained for them because somewhere along the line, they take their focus away from heaven and start pursuing material things.
Their prayers change from, “Lord, help me to love You more” to “Lord, give me this and that.”
You need to remember that when the roll is called up yonder, none of these things will matter anymore.
Ask anyone who has had a near-death experience, and they will tell you that material things, as flashy as they may seem, are not worth all the attention given to them.
From now on, make Paul’s admonition in 2 Corinthians 4:18 your lifestyle:
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Reflection
Search your heart; what really are you focused on?
HYMN 10: In Christ Alone
1 In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
2 In Christ alone, who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
3 There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
4 No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
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