Open Heaven For Today 2024 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Your Arrows
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TOPIC: Your Arrows
MEMORISE: "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth". Psalms 127:4
READ: Psalms 127:3-5 (KJV)
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 20-24
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
Today’s memory verse says that children are like a young man’s arrows. Young men can shoot arrows far ahead of them to ward off the enemy or any dangerous animal in their path.
Likewise, your children are to go ahead of you into your future to make it more pleasurable.
If you train your children well, when they are older, they will take care of you in your old age.
My mother and father did not have formal education. My family was called poor, even by the poor people in our village. The day my father bought an umbrella, we all celebrated in our house; that is how poor we were.
However, even though we were very poor, my parents managed to send me to school. They sold their properties till there was nothing else to sell.
That was the best decision they ever took because sending me to school brought the family out of poverty.
Today, the name ‘Adeboye’ is known around the world because my parents used the money from selling their properties to pay my school fees.
Spend your money wisely; invest in your children because they are the arrows you will send to your future.
They will be there for you when you are old, and when you are long gone, the results of your investment in them will still be obvious.
There is an adage in Yorubaland that says that if you decide to build a house rather than build your child, the child you refused to build will sell off the house you built.
Choose to send your children to the best schools you can afford. Choose to spend quality time with them to teach them the basic principles of life and God’s word. No investment in your children ever expires.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 says that better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof. It is better to wear rags now and train your children than to wear! the best clothes and leave your children untrained.
It doesn’t matter what you wear today; if your children are well-trained, they will buy you the best clothes and cars and even build houses for you when they get older.
Beloved, training your children well is important if you want to enjoy long-term prosperity and peace of mind.
Reflection
Are you doing your best when it comes to training your children?
HYMN 28: Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Flee Fornication
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TOPIC: Flee Fornication
MEMORISE: "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body". 1 Corinthians 6:18
READ: Ephesians 5:3-8 (KJV)
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
The above passage says that God destroys fornicators; He destroys them Himself. If a believer does not want God to destroy him or her, he or she must avoid fornication by all means. When fornication comes knocking on the door of your heart, you must flee!
How do you flee fornication? First, stay away from anything that can lead to fornication. Don’t stay in secluded places alone with someone of the opposite sex. Don’t have immoral conversations with that fellow who claims to be your friend because evil communication corrupts good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33).
If someone is making sexual advances at you, run! Don’t give room for the fellow to try and convince you at all. When Potiphar’s wife was trying to get Joseph to sleep with her, he ran for his dear life (Genesis 39:7-12).
Beloved, there is no point in Christians entering into romantic relationships if the mutual intention is not marriage – a relationship like that is a time bomb, waiting to blow up its participants.
If you cannot tell your pastor that you want to go into a relationship with someone, then you must not go into that relationship. A child of God should not have casual romantic relationships, rather, he or she should have a fiancé or fiancée.
If you are mature enough to get married, and the desire to have sexual relations is getting so much that it is difficult to cope, then get married.
God sanctions sexual relations only within the confines of marriage. To avoid the destruction that comes with fornication, it is better that you get married.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 7:9,
“But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”
There is absolutely nothing worthwhile to gain or enjoy from fornicating; the result is always destruction. If you don’t believe me, ask Samson or Reuben. They will tell you that if they could reverse time, the only thing they would change about their lives is that they would avoid fornication.
Key Point
There is absolutely nothing worthwhile to gain or enjoy from fornicating; the result is always destruction.
HYMN 31: Yield Not To Temptation
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 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Purpose Of Marriage
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TOPIC: The Purpose Of Marriage
MEMORISE: "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him". Genesis 2:18
READ: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12(KJV)
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
Our memory verse tells us clearly that marriage was established primarily for companionship. God made a help meet for Adam, not a competitor.
Any marriage where the husband and wife compete against each other will not stand because Mark 3:25 says that a house divided against itself shall not stand.
Husband, your wife is a gift from God to help you achieve His purpose for your life. You must create the environment that encourages her to help you rather than compete with you.
If not for my wife’s help and the grace of God, I would not have achieved all I have achieved in ministry today.
Ask God to give you the wisdom to know what to do to get your spouse to help you.
I always encourage and give room for my wife to help me. I don’t hide things from her, rather, I hand some things over to her to handle.
After major programmes like our annual conventions, I buy her gifts to say,
“Thank you for your support.”
This encourages her to help me more in subsequent programmes.
Wives, stop trying to compete with your husbands.
Don’t follow the recent worldly trend that is seeking to overturn the roles of husbands and wives in marriages. Don’t turn your marriage into a competition where there is a winner and a loser.
One person’s win is a win for both of you. The more impact your spouse makes, the prouder you should be. In Proverbs 31:23, the Bible says that a good wife makes her husband proud.
Husband, if your wife is making an impact in places of authority, you should hold your head up high; it does not reduce you as a man; it enhances you. It shows that you know how to nurture talent well, and things flourish in your hands.
Let all involved parties play their part in ensuring a successful home.
If every footballer on a field tries to be the striker so that they can boast of the number of goals they score, who will be the goalkeeper and ensure that the opponent doesn’t score against them? The fact that you are a defender does not make you any less valuable than the striker. Play your part, and you will both enjoy the rewards of success.
Don’t leave your duty post to compete with your teammate and end up losing in life entirely. Handle your role, support your spouse, and your entire family will win at the end of the day.
Key Point
It is better to be a defender in a winning team than to be a star player in a losing team.
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 – Don't Kill A Wounded Soldier
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TOPIC: Don't Kill A Wounded Soldier
MEMORISE: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.". Galatians 6:1
READ: John 8:1-11(KJV)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
It is quite terrible that some people judge individuals who have made mistakes just so they can feel better about themselves.
Their goal is to boost their self-esteem rather than admonish the people who made the mistake of bring them to Christ.
The people who attempted to stone the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11 were just like this.
They did not expect that Jesus would put the searchlight of righteousness on them; He humiliated them as they planned to humiliate her.
When we correct someone just to show how righteous we are, we are attacking their self-esteem, adding to the weight of guilt they already bear, and making it more difficult to them to come to Christ.
God turns against people who condemn others to prove that they are righteous. When Jesus sees a fallen soldier in His army, He wants to help the fellow up.
If He discovers that other soldiers are throwing stones at the fellow to kill or her completely, He turns against those soldiers to defend the one who is wounded.
It is unfortunate that many Christians use their superiority complex to hand their own brothers and sisters over to the devil.
For example, who is a young Christian girl supposed to turn to if she becomes pregnant out of wedlock? Fellow believers or unbelievers? In most cases, her church members might call her a prostitute and make her feel unwanted, while unbelievers may show her care and understanding.
When soldiers are wounded, they need people to help them dress their wounds so they can stand up again. If the people they get help from are from the enemy's camp, they may never return to their own camp again.
This is why many backsliders keep going deeper into sin. They think that they will no longer find forgiveness and acceptance in the church, so they backslide completely. The Holy Spirit is still drawing them toward the church, but they are reluctant to go back out of the fear of being condemned by the people who should show love to them the most.
Beloved, if a fellow believer falls, don't condemn the person. Don't turn such a person into an object of gossip, rather, get other Christians together to pray and follow up on the fellow until he or she comes back to God. This was the testimony about Job in Job 4:3-4.
Beloved, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
Action Point
Show love to any believer you know that may require encouragement by calling or sending a message to say you will always be there for him or her.
HYMN 25: The Great physician Now Is Near
1 The great Physician now is near,
The sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus.
Refrain:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest name on mortal tongue;
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.
2 Your many sins are all forgiv’n,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus;
Go on your way in peace to heav’n,
And wear a crown with Jesus.
[Refrain]
3 All glory to the dying Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Savior’s name,
I love the name of Jesus.
[Refrain]
4 His name dispels my guilt and fear,
No other name but Jesus;
Oh, how my soul delights to hear
The charming name of Jesus.
[Refrain]
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Monday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Law Of Righteousness
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TOPIC: The Law Of Righteousness
MEMORISE: "He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour". Proverbs 21:21
READ: Deuteronomy 28:1-15(KJV)
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 4-8
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
The law of righteousness is one law that many people know but hardly comply with. It is simple; obey God, and you will excel (Deuteronomy 28:1).
Jesus put it this way in Matthew 6:33:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
If you seek God’s righteousness and seek to do things that are right in His sight, without a doubt, the material things that other people are seeking will begin to pursue you and overtake you. This is a law that cannot be broken.
When my father in the Lord, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, was alive, he used to say that it is what your father has that he will use to take care of you. Romans 6:16
says that whomever a person yields himself or herself to obey is that fellow’s master. This means that if someone obeys the devil and commits sin, the devil will take care of the fellow with what he has.
Also, if the fellow obeys the Lord and lives righteously, God will take care of him or her with what He has. The devil has nothing else to offer than to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10); if anyone obeys him, that is what he or she will get. If you obey Christ and live in righteousness, the same John 10:10 says that what He has to offer you is abundant life.
Beloved, there is absolutely no gain in sin. The things that look like the gains of sin are actually baits of the devil. When a hunter is trying to catch an animal in the forest, he puts the animal’s best food inside a trap.
When the animal tries to grab the food, it gets trapped. Beware of whose food you are eating. If you have to compromise on God’s word to get that food, it is only a trap for the devil to destroy your soul. Whatever hunters use to feed their catch is nothing compared to what they will take from the catch.
The devil will never give you anything without collecting more from you. Obey the law of righteousness, and you will enjoy the blessings of God.
Key Point
Righteousness exalts you, while unrighteousness debases you. Choose wisely.
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
‘Til 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, 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
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Law Of Association
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TOPIC: The Law Of Association
MEMORISE: "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners". 1 Corinthians 15:33
READ: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18(KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
The law of association is a very powerful law that every human being on earth must understand and apply correctly. This law is subtle in its operation, and many people don’t realise when it is working on them.
They don’t realize that the people they often speak to, greatly influence the way they think and act. This law states that an individual becomes like the people he or she associates with.
In other words, if a fellow associates with wise people, he or she will become wise. Likewise, if the fellow associates with foolish people, he or she will become foolish.
It is stated clearly in Proverbs 13:20:
He that walks with the wise shall be wise but the companion of fools shall be destroyed.
The elders in Yorubaland usually say,
“When a leaf stays long with a soap, it will also become a soap.”
You must carefully choose the people you associate with. If your friend is not someone you admire and want to be like, you should unfriend that fellow immediately.
Be friends with wise people that can challenge you, people you can discuss great ideas with.
Don’t be friends with people who gossip and are only interested in entertainment when you are together.
Another form of association is with the media. Some people spend a lot of time watching television and scrolling through social media.
Whatever you read or watch has a great influence on who you become. If you read and watch inspiring things, they will inspire you to become great.
Anyone who reads and watches immoral content will eventually become corrupt, as we can see in our memory verse for today.
What kind of content do you constantly consume? Whose content are you consuming on social media? Whose music do you listen to?
These things are a pointer to who you are becoming. When you want to change something about yourself, change the people you associate with.
If you want to get better with your academics, keep company with brilliant people and learn from those who have excelled academically, and you will see your grades get better.
If you want to be more fervent in your Christian life, find friends who read their Bibles, and pray regularly. Soon, you will also be doing the same.
Examine the kind of friends you keep and the kinds of content you consume. Are they a reflection of who you want to become? If they are not, change them now.
Point Point
Who and what you associate with will greatly influence your life.
HYMN 28: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
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