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

Open heaven for today, open heavens, open heavens 2017 - November 22 2017
Rccg open heaven 2017, open heaven, Open heaven for today - Tuesday November 21 2017
Open Heaven, Open Heaven for today - Monday 20 November 2017
Open Heaven 1 December 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye –Hold the fort
Open Heaven 30 November 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – OVERCOMING LIKE JESUS
Open Heaven 29 November 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Realities of selfishness
Open Heaven 28 November 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – KNOWLEDGE AND PRAYER
Open Heaven 27 November 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Effective impartation
Open Heaven 26 November 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – A Meal with difference
Open Heaven 25 November 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Descent is often unnoticed
Open Heaven 24 November 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Obedience Must be total
Open Heaven 23 November 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Christ Our Rest
Open Heaven 22 November 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – SEEKING PRE-EMINENCE?
Open Heaven 21 November 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – LOOK TO JESUS AND SEE HEAVEN

Open heaven for today, open heavens, open heavens 2017 - November 22 2017

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 02:06 PM PST

SEEKING PRE-EMINENCE? – Wednesday November 22^nd 2017-07

Memorise: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11

Read: 3^rd John 1:9-11(KJV)

^1:9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

^1:10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

^1:11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Bible in one year: Psalm 34-37, Jonah 2-3, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

All those who have accepted God's call to salvation should be aware that they have equally been called to a life of brokenness. The Christian life is a life that walks in the Spirit. Having crucified the flesh with its affection and lusts (Galatians 5:24, Galatians 5:16). The place of brokenness is the place of true service and reflection of Christ. While the fellow who is broken is dead to the flesh, the fellow who is carnal is still very much alive to it. There are certain traits will be visible in such a life, irrespective of the ecclesiastical position occupied. One of such traits is the desire to be pre-eminent in all things. Those who always want to outshine others must be extremely careful. It is good to excel, and God wants this for His children, but struggling for pre-eminence within the fold, just to gratify the flesh or feed your ego is a mark of not being broken.

In the early Church, there were people who liked to show that they were in charge, even when there were superiors set over them. Apostle John encountered Diotrephes and he had problems with him because of this trait (3^rd John 1:9). Those who like to have pre-eminence usually find it difficult to recognise or submit to higher authority. They want to be the ones calling the shots. They may have supervisors over them, and yet they will still want to be the ones that people take orders from. They run a parallel government to that of their superiors, and because their power base is illegal, they use lots of manipulation, coercion, intimidation and forming of unhealthy cliques to maintain their power. Such people are involved in every divisive and rebellious scheme being witnessed in the Church and in society today. Those who seek pre-eminence operate through charismatic witchcraft, and they are involved in very subtle mind-control. They want to be recognised and honoured first and above others. Their suggestion must always be taken or else you must be prepared for a fight. If you have those traits in you, you are very carnal and close to Hell's gates. If you struggle ands manipulate your way to gain pre-eminence over others, in Heaven's records you will be the last or even have no placement there. If you are involved in this manifestation of carnality, beat a retreat today!

Action Point:

Examine your life to see if you have any of the traits of a life that seeks pre-eminence. If you do, repent and take corrective actions.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

hymn 6

DEEPER, DEEPER

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Chorus:

O deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.

Chorus:

3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

Chorus:

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu'ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

Chorus:

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,

Holy faith and true;

In His pow'r and soul exulting wisdom

Let me peace pursue.

Chorus.

Rccg open heaven 2017, open heaven, Open heaven for today - Tuesday November 21 2017

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 02:01 PM PST

LOOK TO JESUS AND SEE HEAVEN – Tuesday November 21^st 2017

Memorise: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalm 121:1

Read: Hebrews 12:1-2(KJV)

12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

^12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Bible in one year: Psalm 28-33, Jonah 1, Hymn: Sing hymn 11

MESSAGE:

Looking at Jesus with the eyes of the spirit is so important to believers because it helps us to see ourselves more clearly. When you see Jesus and you take a look at yourself, it makes you to see yourself the way God sees you, and consequently, it propels you to make necessary adjustments. Also, you need to see Jesus so that you can access your help. In Psalm 121:1-2, David said he would lift up his eyes to the hills where his help comes from. When you lift up your eyes to heaven, you will behold Jesus. If only you can see Jesus, distractions will fade into oblivion. Many of us are separated from our Source because instead of looking up, we are looking sideways: we are looking for help from neighbours, colleagues and fellow men. These people are quite limited in the level of help they can render, no matter how highly placed, financially endowed or intellectually sound they may be. Making man your source beings limitations into your life. Even within your family, do you know that it is wrong to focus on your father or mother as your source? The right approach is to view God as your source of help, and to see every other person as a conduit pipe through whom God can channel His help. Open Heaven 20 November 2017. The right attitude to have in every home is to always channel the family's requests to God, and thereafter, allow God to channel His provision through whatever means He wants. Henceforth, get your family to focus on Jesus as the Provider, and He will never disappoint you.

Moreover, focusing our gaze on Jesus is a sure path that leads to Heaven. Hence, today's Bible reading says that we should look towards Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Jesus Christ is the One who began the Christian faith and He is the One who completes it. He walked the earth and successfully ended in Heaven. If you focus your gaze on Him, you will be able to follow in His steps.Open Heaven 20 November 2017. If you fellow His steps, what He did you will do, and where He ended you will end. The shocking news here is that we really do not have any alternative to doing this. If you do not look to Jesus, you will not see His steps, and hence, you will end up following the wrong path. This will result in you not ending your journey where Jesus ended His. May this not be your story in Jesus' Name. While here on earth, focus your graze on Jesus, and you will be able to see Him in Heaven.

Action Point:

Focus your gaze on Jesus by always asking yourself this question: What would Jesus do if He were in my shoes?

hymn 11

I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

Verse 1:

I have decided to follow Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

Verse 2:

Though none go with me,

I still will follow;

Though none go with me,

I still will follow;

Though none go with me,

I still will follow;

No turning back, no turning back.

Verse 3:

My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

Verse 4:

The world behind me,

The cross before me;

The world behind me, the cross before me;

The world behind me,

The cross before me;

No turning back, no turning back.

Open Heaven, Open Heaven for today - Monday 20 November 2017

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:40 PM PST

FASTING BOOSTS FAITH – Monday November 20^th 2017

Memorise: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21

Read: Matthew 17:15-21(KJV)

^17:15Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

^17:16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

^17:17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

^17:18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

^17:19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

^17:20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

^17:21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Bible in one year: Psalm 22-27, Obadiah 1, Hymn: Sing hymn 1

MESSAGE:

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

From the above scripture, we understand that since we are expected to do the works of our Master, we as true disciples of Jesus Christ are here not only to advance the Kingdom of God on earth, but also to destroy the works of Satan in the lives, homes and circumstances of people (John 14:12). To be effective in this assignment, you cannot approach the battle physically; rather, you need both divine revelation and spiritual backup from God. open heaven 21 November 2017. Let us take the disciples of Jesus Christ as a case in point. Matthew 10:1 says,

"And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."

At this point, the disciples were empowered by the Lord to heal all manner of sicknesses and diseases, and to cast out demons. Not too long after they were empowered, a demonized boy was brought to them for deliverance. They struggled for so long to cast out the demon, but they just could not deliver him. Finally, this case was referred to Jesus and He delivered the boy. The disciples thereafter went back to Jesus to find out what was amiss, and why they could not deliver the boy. In response to their enquiry, the Lord told them that they had manifested some unbelief, and that their prayer was not backed up with fasting (Matthew 17:20-21).

This experience of the disciples goes to show that when you are having doubts or even unbelief, and decided to truly seek God's face in prayer and fasting, such doubts, fears and unbelief would give way to faith. When you fast, it strengthens your faith and your prayer life is given a boost. open heaven 21 November 2017. We often attempt certain assignments without the backup of a commensurate level of faith, and hence we experience failures in such assignments. You can actually add fire to your faith and shut the doors against unbelief and doubt by spending time with God through fasting and prayer. Do you still harbour doubts, fears and unbelief in your heart about any assignment God has given you? Discard them now! God wants you to operate in the realm of faith and not doubt. Feed your faith with God's word, prayer and fasting, testimonies of what God have done, and shun all remarks contrary to the advancement of your assignment.

Action Point

Always ask questions! If you can ask the Lord questions on things you do not understand, He will provide the answers.

hymn 1

MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

Verse 1:

My faith looks up to thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine;

Now hear me while I pray;

Take all my guilt away.

O let me from this day

Be wholly thine!

Verse 2:

May thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire.

As thou hast died for me,

O may my love to thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

Verse 3:

While life's dark maze I tread

And griefs around me spread,

Be thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow's tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From thee aside.

Verse 4:

When life's swift race is run,

Death's cold work almost done,

Be near to me.

Blest Savior, then, in love

Fear and distrust remove.

O bear me safe above,

Redeemed and free!

Open Heaven 1 December 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye –Hold the fort

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:27 PM PST

HOLD THE FORT – Friday December 1^st 2017

Memorise: And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

Read: Luke 9:61-62 (KJV)

^9:61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

^9:62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Bible in one year: Psalm 81-88, Nahum 1, Hymn: Sing hymn 14

MESSAGE:

When you walk with God, not only must you be obedient, your obedience must also be complete. From the story of how Elisha stuck with Elijah till the latter was taken up to heaven, we learn that until you obey to the very end, certain blessings may not be received, and certain promises may not be fulfilled by God (2^nd Kings 2:1-15). This is very serious issue as it calls for endurance. Would Elijah have been ruptured if he had refused to go on to Jordan, after obeying God's instructions to go to Bethel and Jericho, and after several years of obedience to God in ministry? I very much doubt it. Similarly, if Elisha had not served and followed Elijah till the very end, would he have received a double portion of the Spirit on his master? I don't think so.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

Matthew 10:22

Beloved, to get very special blessings or rewards from God, you must be ready to serve Him till you take your very last breath. You must pay your tithe, obey Him, win souls, worship Him, and follow peace with all men until your very last second on earth. Heaven is not for those who run the marathon for years and give up just a little before the finish line; rather, it is for those who endure all things to the very end.

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62

In God's Kingdom, there is no room for half measures. It is either you are following Him to the end or you are not following Him at all. If you have decided to serve Him, Please don't stop to look back! Looking back can disqualify you, rendering you unfit for God's kingdom. Today, it is rare to get a committed worker or minister like Elijah, who would be doggedly determined to reach his goal without being discouraged, distracted or disillusioned. Have you turned aside from God's calling on your life? Are you busy making excuses as to why you cannot obey God, saying "after all, God understands"? Sorry, God does not understand you going back on your commitments. He does not understand compromises. If you are in such a state, come out fast and hold the fort to the very end!

Key Point

You cannot afford to stop your race to Heaven now, because you have put in so much to get to where you are today.

hymn 14

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

Verse 1:

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;

Let them flow in endless praise.

Verse 2:

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee.

Verse 3:

Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Verse 4:

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Verse 5:

Take my will and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Verse 6:

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Open Heaven 30 November 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – OVERCOMING LIKE JESUS

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:24 PM PST

OVERCOMING LIKE JESUS –Thursday November 30^th 2017

Memorise: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelations 3:21

Read: Revelation 3:21-22 (KJV)

^3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

^3:22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the

Bible in one year: Psalm 78-80, Micah 7:8-20, Hymn: Sing hymn 2

MESSAGE:

Man's surest source of rest is Jesus Christ because He never breaks His promises (Matthew 11:28-29, 2^nd Corinthians 1:20). In John 16:33, He assures us that as long as we are in this world, tribulations and problems will come, but because He successfully overcame them, He will see us through if we put our trust in Him. Therefore, because He overcame and we are following in His footsteps, we are also bound to overcome. Are you struggling with sin and expressing doubts on whether you can ever overcome like Jesus did? Fear not and do not doubt! You can overcome that besetting sin! The truth with such sins is that the one who keeps falling into them has not truly made up his or her mind to stop them. The Bible declares that sin shall not have dominion over you, and God cannot lie (Romans 6:14). If you are therefore falling into sin and you probe yourself a little deeper, you will find some level of tolerance for that sin, or some excuse you always give for why you cannot stop committing that sin, or even some iota of likeness for that sin. If the devil can find any of these in you, he will celebrate, knowing that any of these can keep you perpetually at the bus stop of that sin. If you are serious about stopping a bad habit, you will have zero-tolerance for it.

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

Revelations 3:21

God does not have double standards in the criteria He uses for allowing people into Heaven, or for giving them rewards for work done on earth. Jesus Christ is God's standard. So if you will enter into eternal rest in Heaven, you must meet with God's standard as exemplified by Jesus Christ. If you will be rewarded by God in Heaven, Jesus says you must be prepared to overcome the same way He overcame while He was here on earth. You can run the Christian race without stress when you follow in His steps. Have you taken pains to study the life of Jesus? Have you noted how He responded to temptations, sin, enemies, friends, difficulties, lack, needs, challenges in ministry, and betrayal by associates? God expects you to respond as Jesus did in all these situations. If you do so, you will be granted access to the privileges reserved for overcomers in Heaven.

Key Point

You cannot overcome if you fail to study Jesus Christ and respond to situations the way He did.

hymn 2

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Verse 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!

Verse 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.

Verse 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 thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Open Heaven 29 November 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Realities of selfishness

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:20 PM PST

REALITIES OF SELFISHNESS – Wednesday November 29^th 2017

Memorise: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. 2^nd Timothy 3:2

Read: Mark 12:28-31 (KJV)

^12:28And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

^12:29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

^12:30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

^12:31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Bible in one year: Psalm 73-77, Micah 6:9-7:7, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

On the 22^nd of this month, we saw that those Christians who always want everything to revolve around them and who always want to be in charge are yet to be broken. Another sign of not being broken is selfishness. The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, has forewarned the Church of God that selfishness will be the hallmark of sins committed during the last days. 2^nd Timothy 3:2 says,

"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,"

Selfishness is all about falling in love with oneself to a point where everyone and everything else is second place. The height of selfishness is when you love yourself to the point of idolizing yourself; this is a form of idolatry. The Holy Spirit reveals one class of such people in Philippians 3:19, where He said:

"Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things."

It's unfortunate that a lot of selfish people are mounting the pulpit of God today, parading themselves as ministers of the gospel. Such people do not serve the God of Heaven, but rather they serve their own stomachs. The goal and desires of selfish people revolve around the mundane things of this world. They can never be heavenly-minded.

Selfishness negates God's eternal word in Mark 12:30 which says:

"And thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

God says you should love Him with all you have, but selfishness says "No, how can I love you when I have not even loved myself enough." If you are a lover of self, you will always run into problems with God. To obey divine instructions and commands, you will often be required to displease yourself, and that is what a selfish person cannot do. If you are selfish, you will find it almost impossible to please God. A selfish person will hear messages on tithing but will find it difficult to tithe. Why? He would be calculating what he would lose if he gives up the tithe, and what he stands to gain from keeping these funds. A selfish person has no understanding of spiritual things. Are you controlled by love for God or by selfishness?

Key Point

As a young convert, you are allowed to focus more on yourself in prayer. However, as you grow in the Lord, you are to focus more on others.

hymn 6

HYMN 6: DEEPER, DEEPER

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Chorus:

O deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.

Chorus:

3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

Chorus:

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu'ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

Chorus:

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,

Holy faith and true;

In His pow'r and soul exulting wisdom

Let me peace pursue.

Chorus.

Open Heaven 28 November 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – KNOWLEDGE AND PRAYER

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:17 PM PST

KNOWLEDGE AND PRAYER – Tuesday November 28^th 2017

Memorise: But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1^st Peter 4:7

Read: Luke 21:34-36 (KJV)

^21:34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

^21:35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

^21:36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Bible in one year: Psalm 69-72, Micah 5:7-6:8, Hymn: Sing hymn 1

MESSAGE:

In Philippians 3:10, Paul expressed his burning desire to know Jesus. It is good to have your gaze focused on Jesus and equally important to know Him. Why? It is because what you know determines your position in life. Knowledge is power. Proverbs 4:7 says,

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge for personal or cooperate benefit. This implies that knowledge, wisdom will elude you. How open you are to learning new things demonstrates your readiness to be wise. Men of wisdom like Paul and Daniel were given to reading books. Daniel chapter 9 is a manifestation of how knowledge acquired from the study of books can be applied positively in actions that have serious spiritual implications. Daniel 9:2 says,

"In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem."

Today, not many people take time to read decent books on various subjects that can add to their knowledge base. For believers, this should not be so. If there are people who should be knowledgeable, it should be believers. We should be conversant with our environment, and we should stay very current.

In Matthew 26:41, Jesus established a link between watching and praying. What are you required to do while watching? You are required to gather information, and to know what is happening around you. God wants you to be informed. Why? Knowledge about your situation will help you pray more effectively with understanding. If you want to succeed as a prayer champion, knowledge is crucial. When you watch, seek knowledge or gather information, it will compel you to pray more often. Find out, those Christians who are prayer-less are often those without knowledge. They know too little, and so they do not see the need to pray. If people come to tell you lots of things or if they confide in you, it is because God wants you to stand in the place of intercession for them, rather than becoming a tale-bearer. Are you seeking knowledge? Is what you know making you to pray more?

Key Point

Daniel was provoked into an indefinite prayer and fasting exercise by what he understood from what he studied (Daniel 9:1-3). Is your knowledge compelling you to pray?

hymn 1

MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

Verse 1:

My faith looks up to thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine;

Now hear me while I pray;

Take all my guilt away.

O let me from this day

Be wholly thine!

Verse 2:

May thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire.

As thou hast died for me,

O may my love to thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

Verse 3:

While life's dark maze I tread

And griefs around me spread,

Be thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow's tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From thee aside.

Verse 4:

When life's swift race is run,

Death's cold work almost done,

Be near to me.

Blest Savior, then, in love

Fear and distrust remove.

O bear me safe above,

Redeemed and free!

Open Heaven 27 November 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Effective impartation

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:14 PM PST

EFFECTIVE IMPARTATION – Monday November 27^th 2017

Memorise: Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1^st Timothy 4:14

Read: Acts 14:21-23 (KJV)

²¹And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

²²Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

²³And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Bible in one year: Psalm 63-68, Micah 4:6-5:6, Hymn: Sing hymn 18

MESSAGE:

True leadership makes room for fresh leaders to be raised and imparted. One leader who succeeded in raising several other leaders was Paul. In Romans 1:11-12, he wrote to the believers in Rome, expressing his longing and sincere desire to be with them in order to impart some spiritual gifts to them. There is no better way to deploy the ministry of impartation than through fasting, prayer and laying on of hands. One of Paul's spiritual sons who benefited from the ministry of impartation was Timothy. When hands were prayerfully laid on him, Timothy received some spiritual gifts. We see Paul reminding him of these gifts when in 1^st Timothy 4:14 he said:

"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery."

Through impartation, there can be transfer of spiritual gifts from a man of God to the one being prayed for. Note also that fasting plays a key role in this. As leaders, when workers, ministers and other leaders are being raised, before they are commissioned into service, it is important to support them through the ministry of impartation backed by fasting and prayers.

"And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

Acts 14:23

After Paul and Barnabas had taken the gospel to several cities during their first missionary journey, they revisited these cities, appointing leaders over the churches they established there. It is worthy of note that in doing these, prayer and fasting were given prominence. This is why it is quite surprising to see some brethren who are slated for ordination engaged in normal activities as if there is nothing at hand, instead of separating themselves to prayer and fasting. In any case, the level of preparation before a spiritual activity will determine the extent of the blessings received by each person. Even for regular services in your local assemblies, it is important to prepare before attending such meetings. Whenever you want to prepare for any programme, do not forget to embrace fasting and praying.

Key Point

Preparation for a spiritual programme may mean seeking God's face towards the programme, giving and releasing offenders from your heart, avoiding distractions, and so on.

hymn 18

ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

Verse 1:

Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle
See his banners go!

Chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
Looking unto Jesus,
Who is gone before.

Verse 2:

At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.

Chorus:

Verse 3:

Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.

Chorus:

Verse 4:

Crowns and thrones may perish

Kingdoms rise and wane,

But the church of Jesus

Constant will remain.

Gates of hell can never

'Gainst that church prevail;

We have Christ's own promise,

And that cannot fail.

Chorus:

Verse 5:

Onward, then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
in the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
unto Christ the King;
This thro' countless ages
men and angels sing.

Chorus:

Open Heaven 26 November 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – A Meal with difference

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:11 PM PST

A MEAL WITH DIFFERENCE – Sunday November 26^th 2017

Memorise: And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. 1^st King 19:8

Read: 1^st King 19:1-8 (KJV)

19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

^19:2Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

^19:3And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

^19:4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

^19:5And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

^19:6And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

^19:7And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

^19:8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

Bible in one year: Psalm 56-62, Micah 3:1-4:5,Hymn: Sing hymn 5

MESSAGE:

In John 21:1-13, we have an amazing account of Jesus inviting His disciples to come and dine of a meal He had already prepared. The Lord Jesus Christ loves good food and He prepares the best of dishes in the whole universe. To catch a glimpse of how these meals in Heaven will be, just take a look at the bread and wine that is used during the Holy Communion. By the time the Lord takes them over and they are transformed into spiritual food, the elements of these erstwhile ordinary items will begin to do what no ordinary meal can do in the life of those who partake of it. In today's Bible reading, after the mass slaughter of the prophets of Baal, Jezebel sought to kill Elijah. He therefore fled for his life until he was so exhausted that he lay down under a juniper tree and slept off. Then two heaven-backed meals were set before him and he ate them. What was the result? 1^st Kings 19:8 says,

"And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meal forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God."

That meal provided him physical sustenance to the extent that his body survived without food and water for 40 days and nights! Medical science will tell you that it is impossible to live without water for three weeks, but Elijah did this after he took heaven-baked bread! Also, that meal revived him spiritually. The same person who was contemplating suicide was now able to ascend the mountain of God. Depression was completely gone away from him!

Do you know that the Holy Communion, which assumes a spiritual dimension after the Greatest Cook touches its elements, is capable of taking care of various sickness and diseases? Through it, you can be delivered from every power of darkness that is holding you bound! Through it, your debtors can be compelled to pay you what they owe you! By this Heavenly meal, you can break the yoke of besetting sins and live righteously before God. Through it, various impossible situations can be made possible. How often have you availed yourself of the limitless opportunities provided by the Holy Communion? How often do you attend a meeting where it is served? When you attend such meetings, do you release your faith along with your requests, or do you withhold your faith? From today, take steps to enjoy the heavenly baked meal that is the Holy Communion.

Action Point:

Never take the Holy Communion without prayerfully connecting it with a definite, specific request to God.

hymn 5

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

The Great Physician now is near,

The sympathizing Jesus;

He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,

Oh, hear the voice of Jesus!

Sweetest note in seraph

Refrain:

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;

The veil 'twixt you and God is riven,

Redemption wrought by Jesus.

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.

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!

Open Heaven 25 November 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Descent is often unnoticed

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:09 PM PST

DESCENT IS OFTEN UNNOTICED – Saturday November 25^th 2017

Memorise: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11

Read: Luke 22:1-6 (KJV)

22 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

²And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

³Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

⁴And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

⁵And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

⁶And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

Bible in one year; Psalm 50-55, Micah 2, Hymn: Sing hymn 9

MESSAGE:

To successfully run the Christian race, certain assignments cannot be delegated or carried out without your involvement. In Joshua chapter 7, Joshua delegated the assignment of fighting Ai to some of his men, and at the end of the day, they suffered defeat. Nothing kills like overconfidence! Have you ever wondered if Judas Iscariot was originally a thief? In Luke 6:12-13, the Lord prayed all night before selecting the 12 apostles. It is therefore most likely that he did not start out as a thief. However, even if he was originally a thief, nobody gets to the zenith of an evil deed suddenly. It is usually a gradual process. Backsliding is a process and not a sudden event. If you see a brother backslidden to the point of shamelessly going about with wolves, on closer examination, you will discover that he must have been secretly frolicking with sin for a while. He must have tried a sinful act the first time and "gotten away with it". This would have encouraged him to try a second, third and fourth time. Since he was not caught, he would gradually continue to practice such acts of sin more frequently, until his final descent becomes glaring for all to see.

"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed seedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."

Ecclesiastes 8:11

The devil does not usually come with a frontal attack against a child of God. He uses subtle, little issues that one will consider as nothing. Those things the devil says do not matter really matter a lot. When you do not see anything wrong in intimately hugging the opposite sex or touching their bodies at will, know that you have started backsliding. If you take a little money from the church purse in your care unnoticed, you have also started backsliding. If you do not cry to the Lord and ask for His help there and then, and you allow your descent to linger, before long, you will be openly fornicating or even selling Jesus for peanuts without feeling remorse. Examine yourself; how is it with your faith today? Have you backslidden in any way? If you have, run to the cross of Calvary for God to restore you before you get to a point of no return! God still loves you. Respond to His love now!

Key Point

The reason why you don't often get caught immediately you engage in an evil act is not because you are smart, but because God wants you to speedily retrace your steps and repent.

hymn 9

ON THE HILL FAR AWAY

Verse 1

On a hill far away

Stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus:

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

and exchange it some day for a crown.

Verse 2

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

(Chorus)

Verse 3

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see,

For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.

(Chorus)

Verse 4

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,

its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then he'll call me some day to my home far away,

Where his glory forever I'll share.

Open Heaven 24 November 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Obedience Must be total

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:05 PM PST

OBEDIENCE MUST BE TOTAL – Friday November 24^th 2017

Memorise: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1^st Samuel 15:23

Read: 1^st Samuel 15:16-24 (KJV)

¹⁶Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lordhath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

¹⁷And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?

¹⁸And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

¹⁹Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?

²⁰And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

²¹But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.

²²And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

²³For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

²⁴And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

Bible in one year: Psalm 44-49, Micah 1, Hymn: Sing hymn 14

MESSAGE:

In our walk with God, total obedience is the key to success. If you will walk with God, then you must be prepared to obey Him completely. If you decide to obey some instructions, delay your obedience to some or even flout some others, you will definitely have problems with God. If you doubt this, ask King Saul. From his experience, we can see that partial obedience is the same thing as full disobedience before God. Saul was sent on a mission by God with specific instructions which were clearly spelt out to him with these words in 1^st Samuel 15:3:

"Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."

But when he got to the point of executing the instructions of God, he obeyed some, ignored some and outrightly disobeyed some. 1^st Samuel 15:9 says,

"But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly."

He ignored and disobeyed some of God's instructions because he wanted to remain in the good books of his soldiers. What was the end results of this act? He was rejected and abandoned on throne, while God chose a replacement of him. May God never reject you!

A further lesson here is that it's not everyone rejected by God that He dethrones immediately. After Saul's rejection, he was still on the throne for years, while God was already relating with David as king. During this period, how did Saul rule over the kingdom? As a lunatic of course! Today, like Saul, many leaders and pastors have been abandoned by God in the position they succeed is no longer available to them. Never be carried away by anyone occupying any position. It is only God who knows those who are standing and those He has rejected on their thrones! Are you in obedience? Do you obey God completely? Beloved, obey every instruction you are given by God completely, and you can be certain that all will be well with you.

Key Point;

Disobedience robs you of the spiritual standing you require to succeed in your walk with God to a place of higher glory.

hymn 14

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

Verse 1:

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;

Let them flow in endless praise.

Verse 2:

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee.

Verse 3:

Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Verse 4:

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Verse 5:

Take my will and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Verse 6:

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Open Heaven 23 November 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Christ Our Rest

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 01:02 PM PST

CHRIST OUR REST – Thursday November 23^rd 2017

Memorise: Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Isaiah 3:10

Read: 2^nd Corinthians 1:19-20 (KJV)

¹⁹For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

²⁰For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Bible in one year: Psalm 38-43, Hymn: Sing hymn 2

MESSAGE:

There is a time to work and a time for rest. Everyone who labours very hard always looks forward to a time of rest. Rest is so crucial that even God Himself rested after spending six days creating the heavens and the earth. It is therefore not a mistake that God programmed sleep into our body system. He knows that after we have worked hard and are tired, we would need to rest the body in order to get back on our feet. Psalm 127:2 says,

"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."

Good sleep is indeed a blessing from God. However, rest from the body is not as important as the rest needed by the soul. If your mind is seriously troubled over an issue, even when you lie down on your bed, you will be unable to sleep. The only place to find rest for your soul is in Christ. No wonder He made a call for you to enter into His rest in Matthew 11:28-30. Have you been worried or troubled lately? Receive rest today in Jesus' Name!

"Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings."

Isaiah 3:10

One major reason why you as a true believer should be at rest is because of God's promises. According to our Bible reading, the promises of our God are very reliable. Romans 3:4 says that even if all men are liars, this cannot compel our God to be a liar like them; He will always remain true. Therefore, if He says your tomorrow will be alright, take it as a report card that you are getting even before sitting for the examination. If He said it, He will surely do it. God's word has integrity. Based on His word that cannot fail, I know my tomorrow will be alright. Irrespective of the raging storm, I will simply rest in Him. Beloved, let Jesus Christ be the One you lean on. Who or what you lean upon in the time of trouble is very important. If you lean on human beings, they will most likely compound your situation because every human being is prone to failure due to so many factors within and outside their control. In contrast, if you lean on the Eternal Rock of Ages, you can be assured of true rest, joy and peace.

Action Point:

Take every issue that is bothering your soul before the throne of grace today. Ask Jesus, the giver of rest, to give rest to your soul.

hymn 2

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Open Heaven 22 November 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – SEEKING PRE-EMINENCE?

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 12:59 PM PST

SEEKING PRE-EMINENCE? – Wednesday November 22^nd 2017-07

Memorise: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11

Read: 3^rd John 1:9-11(KJV)

^1:9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

^1:11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Bible in one year: Psalm 34-37, Jonah 2-3, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

Action Point:

Examine your life to see if you have any of the traits of a life that seeks pre-eminence. If you do, repent and take corrective actions.

hymn 6

DEEPER, DEEPER

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Chorus:

O deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.

Chorus:

3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

Chorus:

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu'ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

Chorus:

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,

Holy faith and true;

In His pow'r and soul exulting wisdom

Let me peace pursue.

Chorus.

Open Heaven 21 November 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – LOOK TO JESUS AND SEE HEAVEN

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 12:55 PM PST

LOOK TO JESUS AND SEE HEAVEN – Tuesday November 21^st 2017

Memorise: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalm 121:1

Read: Hebrews 12:1-2(KJV)

Bible in one year: Psalm 28-33, Jonah 1, Hymn: Sing hymn 11

MESSAGE:

Action Point:

Focus your gaze on Jesus by always asking yourself this question: What would Jesus do if He were in my shoes?

hymn 11

I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

Verse 1:

I have decided to follow Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

Verse 2:

Though none go with me,

I still will follow;

Though none go with me,

I still will follow;

Though none go with me,

I still will follow;

No turning back, no turning back.

Verse 3:

My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

Verse 4:

The world behind me,

The cross before me;

The world behind me, the cross before me;

The world behind me,

The cross before me;

No turning back, no turning back.