Open Heavens Daily Devotional Messages, By Pastor E.A Adeboye.

MEAL OF REMEMBRANCE – Friday December 4th 2015
THE HOLY GOD – Thursday December 3rd 2015
THE GOD OF PURPOSE – Wednesday December 2nd 2015
OVERCOMING BY PRAYER – Tuesday December 1st 2015
KNOWING HIM IS LIFE – Monday November 30th 2015

MEAL OF REMEMBRANCE – Friday December 4th 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:55 AM PST

MEAL OF REMEMBRANCE

Memorise: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1^st Corinthians 11:24

Read: 1^stCorinthians 11:23-25, ²³For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

Bible in one year: Psalm 73-77, Hebrews 9:1-22

MESSAGE!

The Holy Communion is a very significant meal. Unlike regular meals, it is a meal of remembrance. When some people take this meal, they forget to heed the instruction in today's Bible reading, where the Lord repeatedly said "…this do in remembrance of Me". In other words, the meal reminds us of God's power of transformation. As you take the meal, God is saying to you:

"Remember who you were before, and what I have made you now; remember how you were dead in sin and trespasses, but the Holy Spirit has now quickened your spirit man. You were dumped and disowned before I received you and sealed you with the Holy Spirit. Remember how you thought you could buy salvation by being religious and buying things for your church before the Holy Spirit illuminated your mind and showed you the true way of salvation."

The meal of remembrance simply calls you to remember your past life and compare it with what God is doing in you presently.

When I consider just a few things from my past life, and compare them with what I see today, I cannot but be full of appreciation and gratitude to God, thanking Him for all He has done. Sometimes, while in the car, as I express gratitude to God, my driver would have to look back, wondering what is going on. Looking at my past, nobody would believe that I could become what I am today. After news about me reached the ears of my mathematics professor, he travelled all the way from Onitsha (South-East Nigeria) to the Redemption Camp, just to confirm if the Adeboye he was hearing about was that same little boy whom he taught mathematics. The first time he came, I was not in, but my wife was; so he met my wife and asked her if I was the one, and she confirmed it. He later visited again, and this time around he met me. As we discussed, in astonishment, he kept on saying, "Adeboye! Adeboye", and I replied "Sir. In all you do, don't forget who you were before the Holy Spirit took you up. As you take the Holy Communion, remember where you are coming from and where the Lord has taken you so far. See His goodness in your life and just thank and praise Him.

Action Point

Reflect over what your life was before you met Jesus and what it is today; thank God for all He has done for you.

THE HOLY GOD – Thursday December 3rd 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:53 AM PST

THE HOLY GOD

Memorise: But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3

Read: Exodus 15:9-11, ⁹The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

¹⁰Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

¹¹Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Bible in one year: Psalm 69-72, Hebrews 8

MESSAGE!

Holiness is an intrinsic part of God's nature; it is His very essence. Everything about Him is wrapped up in holiness. His love, mercy, power, justice, glory and all of His character reflect His holiness. Every action of God is designed to perpetuate Hisholiness. When He exhibits love, it is borne out of His holiness. If He is angry, it is because of His holiness. When He judges sin, it is out of His holiness. In His dealings with all His creatures, whether in Heaven, on earth or beneath the earth, one theme rings out: holiness. No wonder the seraphs in His presence keep repeating "Holy Holy, Holy". Isaiah 6:3 says this about them:

"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."

Similarly, Apostle John reports of the four beasts in Heaven who

Prayer Point

Father, let Your nature of holiness flow seamlessly through me every second from today.

THE GOD OF PURPOSE – Wednesday December 2nd 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:51 AM PST

THE GOD OF PURPOSE

Memorise: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:11

Read: Ephesians 1:9-12, ⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹²That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Bible in one year: Psalm 64-68, Hebrews 7:11-28

MESSAGE!

Our God is a meticulous God. He does not do anything without first planning for it. His plans are sometimes mapped out thousands or millions of years before they are executed. We need to learn from this character of God and apply its principles in our life. Before God created man, He knew that the first Adam would fall into sin, and so He began to make preparation for the second Adam. In the same vein, before you were created, God knew all the details about you. Because Heknew your strengths and weaknesses, He prepared the appropriate help you would need to succeed, even before your were born. If you can draw close to God, He will share a bit of His knowledge with you. Do most events take you by surprise, or do they occur as a fulfilment of what God had already shown you? Also, at what point do you plan for events and activities that you know would happen? For example, at what point do you plan for your children: is it long before they are born, just before they are born or after their birth?

Not only does our God plan, He also has a purpose behind everything He does. That is why Ephesians 1:11 says:

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"

We are products of His divine purpose. Believe it or not, everything and everyone created by God has a purpose (Revelation 4:11, Jeremiah 1:4-5). God has a general plan into which His specific plan for your life fits. You were created unique, and you are one of a kind. There can never be another you among all the billions of people on earth. The exact details of your life are in God's hands. Although God has a specific plan for everyone He created, it is unfortunate that only a negligible few ever get to know and fulfil that plan. Do you know why you are here? Do you know why God made you? Have you keyed into the purpose of God for your life? Are you where God wants you to be and doing what He wants you to do? You need to know that when God is working in you and through you, it is to accomplish His purpose and not yours, even though He grants you your own desires sometimes. Have you keyed into His plan for your life?

Prayer Point

Father, I submit to your plan and purpose for my life. Help me to recognise them, and keep me from straying from them.

OVERCOMING BY PRAYER – Tuesday December 1st 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:49 AM PST

OVERCOMING BY PRAYER

Memorise: And when he was at the place, he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation. Luke 22:40

Read: Luke 22:39-41, ³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

⁴¹And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

Bible in one year: Psalm 57-63, Hebrews 6:13-7:10

MESSAGE!

The moment you gave your life to Jesus Christ, a battle line was drawn between you and the kingdom of darkness. Unhappy that he has lost you to God's kingdom, Satan's main goal is to secure your return to his kingdom. One major tool he tries to use in accomplishing this mission is temptation. The devil and his agents will bring temptations your way to make you to do things that would break your relationship with God. This is where prayer comes in. prayer is one veritable tool that prevents you from falling into Satan's traps. This is why Jesus urged His disciples at the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Luke 22:40 says:

"And when he was at the place, he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation."

When you pray, the strength to overcome temptations is released to you. A Christian who fails to pray will sooner or later become a victim of the tempter. The extent to which you will overcome temptations is determined by how robust your prayer life is. If you have been raising and falling so often, check your prayer life and the way you study God's word. If you can improve on both, you will experience more stability in your faith.

One of the modus operandi of Satan is to show you dazzling sights that could tempt you to followhim. In other words, he presents an object of temptation in a bright and attractive way; repainting an evil thing in brilliant and attractive colours. For instance, a prostitute is labelled a commercial sex worker, in order to support the excuse that he or she is simply trying to earn a living, whereas the essence of prostitution is fornication and adultery. In tempting people, the devil and his agents make sin look attractive and inviting, almost with an air of irresistibility. Prayer deadens these illusions by painting sin in its real colours. Every time you pray over an object of temptation, it becomes less inviting and less attractive. As you pray, the desire to sin is brought under subjection. Through prayer, we obtain grace to walk in the reality of the truth that our flesh has been crucified (Galatians 5:24). Prayer strengthens our spirit man and keeps the flesh where it belongs: crucified and dead on the cross of Calvary (Romans 6:6). It connects your spirit with the Holy Spirit and separates you from the devil, by moving your focus towards Heaven and away from the allure of the world. How prayerful are you? No believer in Christ can triumph without using the weapon of prayer.

Prayer Point

Father, please give me the grace to pray like Jesus prayed while on earth.

KNOWING HIM IS LIFE – Monday November 30th 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:47 AM PST

KNOWING HIM IS LIFE

Memorise: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgement, and rightousness, in the

earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24

Read: Jeremiah 9:23-24, ²³Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

²⁴But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Bible in one year; Psalm 51-56, Hebrews 5:11-6:12

MESSAGE!

Life is not what many people think it is. It is not about financial or material abundance; neither is it about physical endowments. Life is definitely not about power, achievements or worldly wisdom. What then is life? Jesus answers this question in John 17:3:

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

True life is knowing God and Jesus Christ. In today's Bible reading, God instructs us not to boast of our wisdom, might or riches. He said if we want to boast, we should boast in what we know about Him. When you engage in such boasting, the essence is not to flaunt your knowledge like some people do today; rather, it is to rejoice in the fact that God has revealed Himself to you to that extent. Why should you take pleasure in knowing God? Why should knowing God be something you should be proud of? It is because knowing God can do certain powerful things in your life and in the lives of others around you.

"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

By the revelation of God given to Daniel, we are made to understand that knowing God produces strength and exploits. What kinds of exploits are being referred to here? When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and you daily increase in the knowledge of the Holy Trinity, you will not only have eternal life, but the life of God will also be channelled through you to others. For instance, you will lay your hands on the blind, and as the divine life flows through you to such a fellow, he will begin to see. When you pray for the barren, the divine life will cause her to conceive. This is life! When your life begins to bring joy to the lives of many others, that is life. The life of God flowing through you will make you the light of the world, causing those in darkness to see. The divine life will also make you the salt of the earth, giving good taste to a tasteless world. This life of God is not predicated upon the material world but on the relationship you have with the Lord. How is your spiritual life? Have you gauged your spiritual life lately?

Prayer Point

Father, reveal Yourself to me, and help me to respond to You the way You expect me to.