Open Heaven For Today 2025 Saturday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Produce Sons
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TOPIC: Produce Sons
MEMORISE: Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
READ: Philemon 1:10-18 (KJV)
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 8-10
Open Heaven For Today 2025 MESSAGE
In the context of today’s topic, a son is someone who I looks like you and has some of your traits. In 1 Samuel 22, David accommodated people who were vagabonds, and he later raised them to become valiant men like himself. Jesus Christ spent only three-and-a-half years with His disciples, but by the time He left, they had been so transformed that they were just like people who had gotten formal education (Acts 4:13). When someone has spent some time with you, can other people notice a positive difference in him or her?
The Bible says that if you delicately bring up a servant from childhood, that servant will later become a son to you (Proverbs 29:21). Childhood here refers to a time when a person doesn’t understand much about life. If you have people working with you, raise them like they are your children. Correct them when the need arises, teach them the things they need to learn and don’t give up on them while they are still working on their weaknesses. After a while, they will become just like sons and daughters to you.
Many people say that they cannot tolerate nonsense when, in reality, they are just impatient with people. Such people forget that patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Many of the people who support me today were initially rough around the edges, to put it mildly. However, the Lord helped me to train them. I didn’t give up on them, and after a while, they became like sons to me, handling sensitive assignments. If you want to be successful as a leader, you have to learn to invest in people.
In Yorubaland, an adage says that the one whose children will be many cannot be short-tempered. Sometimes, the reason people are lonely is that they have driven the children God sent to them out of their lives by their intolerance. There are many people with great potential out there that can become great if someone trains them. However, this is not to say that you should continue to tolerate people who persistently do terrible things or engage in criminal acts. After many warnings and efforts to change such people, if they refuse to change, you can handle the case as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 5:5. However, if people are generally of good behaviour but have some negative traits and are willing to become better, don’t use your impatience to throw them out into the world.
Key Point
Seek to produce sons out of the people God has sent into your life.
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,
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
his army he shall lead
till ev’ry 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,
each piece put on with 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 2025 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Don't Outgrow Corrections
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TOPIC: Don't Outgrow Corrections
MEMORISE: While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:15
READ: Proverbs 15:10-12 (KJV)
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
Open Heaven For Today 2025 MESSAGE
For every action or inaction, there are consequences. This is why you should consider it a great privilege when you have people around you who can correct you whenever you do something wrong so that you do not have to suffer terrible consequences. Unfortunately, some people do not listen to corrections. The Bible refers to such people as servants.
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. Proverbs 29:19
You can choose between being corrected by words or by consequences. If you are wise, you will choose to be corrected by words so that you can avoid the consequences that come with doing the wrong things. Those who are wise do not wait for people to correct them. Rather, they regularly ask the people around them for feedback to know if they are on the right track or not. In Matthew 10:15, Jesus Christ asked His disciples,
“Whom do men say that I am?”
In other words, He was asking,
“Based on my character and words, what is the impression that I give people about myself?”
Beloved, it is important that you regularly give people the opportunity to tell you what they think of you, especially when you are a leader. You can make it anonymous so that they can give you honest feedback.
It is quite possible for someone to grow to a level where people begin to say he or she is infallible, even in situations where the fellow knows that he or she has erred. It is important to avoid this pitfall and ensure that you still have people around you who will always tell you the truth. You should never outgrow corrections. Even when people criticize you with evil intentions, you can ignore their motives and listen to see if there is really something that you need to correct or improve on.
Beloved, you will avoid so many troubles in life if you are the kind of person who listens to corrections. If people correct you once or twice and they see that you got angry, they will leave you alone. This will be dangerous because, even though they can see you heading towards a ditch, they will let you fall into it. Even God will leave you alone after He has corrected you over something for a while and you refuse to listen (Romans 1:28). May God not leave you to destroy yourself, in Jesus’ name.
Reflection
When was the last time you effected a positive change in your life after receiving a correction?
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 2025 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Identifying The Jericho Wall 3
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TOPIC: Identifying The Jericho Wall 3
MEMORISE: The slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as being it to his mouth again. Proverbs 19:24
READ: Proverbs 6:4-11(KJV)
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 1-4
Open Heaven For Today 2025 MESSAGE
As I conclude my discussion on the forces that can obstructs a person's progress, I want you to know that the real wall of Jericho hindering people's progress may actually force or a relationship. No matter how much support such people get in order to progress in life, If they have certain bad habits or traits, they will still not make progress. Romans 8:31 says:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
When we were building what has now become Redemption City, I knew some people who worked with us who were lazy. If only they were hardworking, considering all the work that was done then, they would have been very wealthy by now. Nobody wants to give opportunities to a lazy fellow. This is because lazy people will eventually waste the opportunities that are given to them.
Another trait that can be a wall of Jericho to a person is talkativeness. Proverbs 29:20 says that a fool has more hope for tomorrow than the one who is always quick to talk.
Dishonesty is yet another trait that can be a wall of Jericho to a fellow and hinder his or her success. This is because nobody will trust people who lack integrity to handle sensitive responsibilities. Jesus Christ said in Luke 16:10 that whoever is faithful in a little will have more committed into his or her hands. If you say one thing and turn around to do something completely opposite, it will be difficult for you to have access to the things that you have been asking and trusting God for.
Beloved, be wise. Don't be the wall of Jericho in the path of your progress.
Action Point
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you let go of any habit or trait that can hinder your progress.
HYMN 24: I Want To Be Like Jesus
1 Earthly pleasures vainly call me;
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me,
I would be like Jesus.
Refrain:
Be like Jesus - this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long,
I would be like Jesus.
2 He has broken every fetter,
I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
I would be like Jesus. [Refrain]
3 All the way from earth to glory,
I would be like Jesus;
Telling o’er and o’er the story,
I would be like Jesus. [Refrain]
4 That in heaven He may meet me,
I would be like Jesus;
That His words “Well done” may greet me,
I would be like Jesus. [Refrain]
Open Heaven For Today 2025 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Identifying The Jericho Wall 2
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TOPIC: Identifying The Jericho Wall 2
MEMORISE: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33
READ: 2 Samuel 13:1-14 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.
3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 47-50
Open Heaven For Today 2025 MESSAGE
Today, I will continue the discussion I started yesterday on the factors that can hinder a person’s progress.
Sometimes, the wall hindering your progress could be someone you have a relationship with.
Many people don’t know it, but sometimes, even the people you love may be a hindrance to your progress.
In Genesis 12:1-5, Abraham took Lot with him when God called him to leave his family behind and go to a place that He would show him.
However, it wasn’t until Lot separated from him in Genesis 13:14-17 that God spoke and showed him the land He had promised.
The spiritual authority a person submits to can also hinder the fellow’s progress (1 Kings 13:1-24). This is why you must carefully choose your spiritual father or mentor with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
John 15:20 says that the servant cannot be greater than the master. Whomever you choose to be your master will determine how far you can go.
Prayerfully choose someone who is constantly growing so that there won’t be a limit to your progress.
Another kind of person that can be a wall of Jericho that is hindering your progress is your friend.
To a great extent, those you call your friends will determine how far you will go in life.
This was why Solomon warned his son in Proverbs 1:10-15 not to keep company with certain kinds of friends.
When I became born again, one of the first things I did was to change my friends. It was painful, but if I had remained in their company, I would never have come this far in life.
Amnon would have lived a long and good life as a son of David, but he ended up badly because he had the wrong friend. In 2 Samuel 13:3, the Bible says, “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab…”
There are some people who pose as friends but are actually like the wall of Jericho. If you have such friends, stay away from them because they are enemies of progress.
If you have a friend who you only gossip with, but you never pray or discuss the Bible, that friend will become a hindrance to your progress.
If you have friends whose pieces of advice are always contrary to what the Bible says and are always encouraging you to reduce your dedication to God, such friends are a wall of Jericho between you and God’s perfect plan for your life. Beloved, please run away from such friends.
Prayer Point
Father, please help me to stay away from friends that will hinder my progress in life, in Jesus’ name.
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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