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

THE PEACE OF GOD – Monday March 21st 2016
BEWARE OF ENTICING MOCKERS – Sunday March 20th 2016
BACKSLIDING: NOT AN OPTION – Saturday March 19th 2016
FRUIT BEARING CHRISTIAN? – Friday March 18th 2016
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD – Thursday March 17th 2016
ARE YOU IN CHRIST? – Wednesday March 16th 2016
DWELLING IN THE SECRET PLACE OF GOD – Tuesday March 15th 2016

THE PEACE OF GOD – Monday March 21st 2016

Posted: 14 Mar 2016 01:13 PM PDT

THE PEACE OF GOD

Memorise: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your

hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Read: John 14:23-27, ²³Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

²⁴He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

²⁵These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

²⁶But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Bible in one year: Judges 5:1-6:35, Job 39:26-40:14

Peace is the result of one's communion with God. Peace is an inner rest that cannot be expressed in words. Every God given direction and instruction is accompanied by peace. This is why the Psalmist said;

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."

Psalms 23:2

When God leads, it is always in the path that guarantees peace and rest. Whenever you want to make a decision and you lose your peace, there is a need for you to re-examine that decision because, if you do not have peace concerning that thing, God may not be involved. All the battles of my life till date have been fought by God; I just fold my hands and bask in His rest. There are people running from one point to the other, until you allow the peace of God to come into your heart, God cannot be at work in your life. With the peace of God in your life, there will be achievements of many feats. With the peace of God in your life, triumphs in your pursuits are guaranteed. As disciples of Jesus, we must seek for peace of God above all things and this can be achieved when we make our ways right with Him.

"Acquaint now thyself with him and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee"

Job 22:21

We must return to the will of God so that there can be peace in our hearts. Let us set our hearts on the truth of the Word of God, even if it means experiencing social intimidation. Let us pattern our lives after the will of God. Let us focus on that which is true, noble and right. Let us keep our minds on the pure, lovely and admirable ways of life which please God, so that all things can work together for our good. We live in a world where there is no peace except in Christ alone. Nations are lifting up arms against nations; there is so much tension in world affairs. Suicide rates are on the increase. Terrorism is spreading like fire. You never can tell what the next person standing next to you is capable of, yet in all these things assured us that;

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"

John 16:33

Jesus is the author of peace. He is the Prince of peace, when He dwells in you, war and crises cease.

Prayer point

Father, please let Your place never cease in my heart.

BEWARE OF ENTICING MOCKERS – Sunday March 20th 2016

Posted: 14 Mar 2016 01:12 PM PDT

BEWARE OF ENTICING MOCKERS

Memorise: Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived

thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1

Read: Genesis 19:30-38, ³⁰And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

³¹And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:

³²Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

³³And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

³⁴And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

³⁵And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

³⁶Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

³⁷And the first born bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.

³⁸And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

Bible in one year: Judges 3:7-4:24, Job 39:13-25

There are many people who argue as to whether it is a sin to take alcohol or not. This is amazing; simply have to look at the fruit of an action before you know whether it is good or not. In our Bible reading, the acts of the children of Lot wouldn't have been possible if their father had not been drunk. So in his senseless state of mind, both daughters laid with him and conceived from his seed. The children born through this means became the Moabites and the Ammonites who become sworn-enemies of the children of Israel.

Wine is a mocker that leads to uncontrollable behaviour. I have seen very quite people who will never, under normal circumstances, say anything that will put them into trouble. But the moment these people come under the influence of strong drink, they become someone else. There are many people who have lost precious things under the influence of alcohol. Many have lost their wives as a result of alcohol. With a 'little shot' many have been poisoned through alcohol. There are people who have experienced fatal accidents because they were not in control of themselves. Some were duped because they were under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, the devil is always waiting for such times when people are out of their senses to strike. He allows some of them to suffer damages which they may never recover from.

"Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts"

Proverbs 31:6

Those who cannot stay away from alcohol will always be victims of wrong decisions. They will never be able to judge well. Men of integrity who value the life that God has given to them will control themselves and not allow the desire of the flesh to derail them.

Alcohol is an instrument of unrighteousness and you should not yield to it. If you love God, it will show in your attitude to such things. God wants you to abstain from the old wine of sin and embrace the new wine of life in the Spirit of God. This is the wine of the Holy Spirit which is totally devoid of the input of man. There is no addition of chemical that will do your harm. The new wine produces joy and happiness in the Holy Ghost, while the old wine of flesh produces death and shame. You will not be a victim of mockery in Jesus' name.

Key Point

It is a sin to engage in what destroys you.

BACKSLIDING: NOT AN OPTION – Saturday March 19th 2016

Posted: 14 Mar 2016 01:11 PM PDT

BACKSLIDING: NOT AN OPTION

Memorise; Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he

shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

Read: 2^nd Timothy 2:1-7, 2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

²And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

³Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

⁴No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

⁵And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

⁶The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

⁷Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Bible in one year: Judges 1:1-3:6, Job 38:39-39:12

Never attempt backsliding because of the few challenges you are going through, because you may never recover from the consequences. Backsliding is capable of destroying all that one has laboured for in the past. The seed father Abraham sowed when he decided to settle for an alternative is the cause of all we see today in the name of religious terrorism. Never consider backsliding because what you see as a pleasurable fling is always a death trap which will erode all you have ever worked for. As a child of destiny, you must avoid all forms of defilement that comes unannounced.

"The fear of the LORD is the fountain of life, to depart from the snare of death."

Proverbs 14:27

The ten virgins heard the cry announcing the arrival of their long awaited bridegroom and they knew that their moment of truth had come at last, but only a few among them were ready. The others had become passive. This is why we must be sober and vigilant so that we don't lost out when He comes in His glory. On that day, a lot of hidden secrets will be revealed. Those you thought were serving Christ will be left behind. For this reason, you must not allow hypocrisy or hidden sins in your life.

Backsliding is synonymous to rebellion. A hardened backslider has reached a state of no return. To backslide means to go in the opposite direction of what God has commanded. It is a dangerous adventure to work in opposition of God because it will always lead to destruction. Those who have backslidden will tell you about the torment they go through in the hands of the devil. The moment you feel you have fallen short of the grace of God, you need to immediately shut yourself from the world and seek His face for a time of refreshing. You need to retrace your ways back to your father before you become forgotten. You need to examine yourself before the devil begins to afflict you and all that is yours. Don't allow the devil to celebrate his victory over you. Satan will not celebrate over you in Jesus' name.

It is very important that we intercede for believers who are going through intense persecution and trails all over the world. We need to remember them daily in prayers so that God's grace will prevent them from backsliding.

Prayer Point

Father, may I never backslide in Jesus' name.

FRUIT BEARING CHRISTIAN? – Friday March 18th 2016

Posted: 14 Mar 2016 01:09 PM PDT

FRUIT BEARING CHRISTIAN?

Memorise: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life And he that winneth souls is

wise. Proverbs 11:30

Read: John 15:1-7, 15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Bible in one year: Joshua 23:24, Job 38:25-38

Jesus is the true source from which anyone can receive spiritual and physical sustenance. It is only in Christ Jesus that we can find peace. Fruitfulness and the essence of life. It is by staying connected to Him that we can produce fruits. This is why we need to allow God to work in us so that we can be productive in every aspect of our lives. As we show an attitude of total obedience to God by bringing our lives into conformity with what His Word says, we begin to bear fruits that are profitable to God. To bear fruit in the vineyard of God therefore, there is a need to allow the Word of God to permeate every aspect of our behaviour; it is until then that our behaviour will begin to affect the lives of others.

Anyone who chooses to bear fruits will eventually be happy that he did so, because in the time of harvest, he will be the first partaker of the products of his wise decision. However, when you fail to be fruitful in whatever the Lord has kept in your trust, there is no way you can be blessed, and if you are not blessed, there is no way you can increase. There are people who give so many excuses for not bearing fruits. They complain about what others have and ignore what the Lord has blessed them with. They focus on the exploits of others and ignore their own vineyard. You can determine how far you want to go in life by the fruits you bear today. This is the reason why you should not be weary in bearing good fruits.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not"

Galatians 6:9

The truth of the matter is that whenever God entrusts a duty to your care and you handle it carelessly, you do not only short-change yourself, you are also telling God that you are not capable of making success out of that opportunity He has given to you. This is why I am so passionate about soul winning, because I know the wisdom involved in looking for those that have been tagged vagabonds and prodigals and bring them back through grace to the Father. The greatest thing you can give to anyone is not money but salvation, because this is what guarantees other things. We have prayerfully identified people we can bring to the knowledge of Christ.

Prayer Point

Father, help me to be a fruit bearing vessel in Your hand.

A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD – Thursday March 17th 2016

Posted: 14 Mar 2016 01:08 PM PDT

A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

Memorise: And hast made us unto our God kings and Priests: and we shall reign on

the earth. Revelations 5:10

Read: 1^st Peter 2:9-10, ⁹But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

¹⁰Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Bible in one year: Joshua 22, Job 38:12-24

The problem with many believers is that they find it difficult to believe what the scripture says about them. We allow the devil to convince us, telling us that we are not as qualified as God says we are, and that we do not have the ability to do what the Word says we can do. God created us in His own image and gave us the ability to reign on earth. The capabilities and qualities required for us to exercise our priesthood were also given to us. However, many people are not exercising their positions as priests because they do not believe they are priests. They allow the opinions of others to determine how they live; they do not have minds of their own. People commit suicide on a daily basis because they know so little about themselves; they have no idea who they really are. As a child of God, you need to know that every word said about you in the Bible is ever dependable and reliable. It doesn't matter the circumstances surrounding you at any given time, you must always see yourself as God sees you. Always see yourself in a positive light. Like David, encourage yourself in the Lord no matter what happens. Every morning when you rise up, know that you are a victor and not a victim; there is much more to you than you can see. There is much more to you than you can see. The Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers before the giants, but in the mind of God the opposite was the case.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:"

Proverbs 23:7a

The perception of who you are is crucial to your walk with God. As a royal priesthood, you are an embodiment of beauty, power and royalty. You are an epitome of God's glory. You are created in the very image and likeness of God. All things created, visible and invisible are under your feet. This is why you need to take your place and not allow your life to be ruined by the devil.

Note however, that you do not have this right and liberty to reflect the image of God anywhere you are, if you haven't given your life to Christ. Holiness must be a daily lifestyle to you. The nature of royalty as given to you by God must reflect in your appearances and discussion. You can no longer hate those who hate you; you have to show love and forgiveness to those who deliberately do things to hurt you. You have to do according to the instructions in Philippians 4:8:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lonely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there will be any virtue, and if there will be any praise, think on these things."

It is when you do this constantly that you can become a partaker of the covenant privileges.

Prayer Point

Father, please let your glory never depart from me.

ARE YOU IN CHRIST? – Wednesday March 16th 2016

Posted: 14 Mar 2016 01:07 PM PDT

ARE YOU IN CHRIST?

Memorise: Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are

passed away: behold all things have become new. 2^ndCorinthians 5:17

Read: John 3:1-5 3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

²The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

³Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

⁴Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Bible in one year: Joshua 19:17-21:45, Job 37:21-38:11

"Are you in Christ?" could mean all the following; are you dwelling in the love of Christ? Are you being filled with God's Spirit? Do you love Jesus more than the mundane things of this world? Are you thirsty for the love and righteousness of Christ? Are you faithful and obedient of God's Word? When you are in Christ, there should be evidence of new things in your life. Those who don't have Jesus in their lives are always empty, but when you are in Christ, you become full. Those who do not have Jesus are always poor but the moment you allow Jesus into your life you become a possessor of the riches that only God can provide. Being rich is not just about driving the best cars and living in mansions or jetting across the world on a daily basis. There are people who can afford all these things but are not happy. However, when you abide in Christ, the kind of wealth you get from God is without sorrow. It is called true riches. Just look around you and see how the devil is tormenting the lives of many people simply because they have not come to the knowledge of the truth. Before I met the Lord, I was a victim of the devil's torment. With all my qualifications, I was constantly in one problem or the other until I graciously met with the Lover of my soul, Jesus Christ. The moment I met the Lord, I shut myself from the world and clung to Him alone and I began to enjoy victory in all the areas I had suffered defeat. There is someone reading this devotional today, I decree in the Name that is above all names; you will never know shame and defeat again in Jesus' name.

When you come into Christ, it doesn't matter how bad your past is, He will bring you out of the horrible pit you are in and clean you up. Those who abide in Christ always have new songs to sing and the Lord is committed to establishing their steps because of their trust in Him. I want you to make up your mind to settle for Jesus. He is the anchor of all creation. He is the focal point of global history. He is the reference point in world dates, the master of all situation and circumstance. Jesus is the solution to all problems and the answer to every question in your heart. Are you tired and weary? Have you been struggling alone? Is your case and report becoming hopeless? I want to assure you that, with Jesus Christ, everything will have a new beginning. There is no discrimination against anyone who embraces a new beginning in Christ. It is the beginning of a glorious future and the opening of a new chapter. This is why anyone who wants to enjoy all these will have to deny himself of those weights that distract, and follow Jesus all the way. It is a lie of the devil to think that God created some people to obey Him and others to disobey Him.

Prayer point

Father, I surrender my life to You, please help me to remain in You.

DWELLING IN THE SECRET PLACE OF GOD – Tuesday March 15th 2016

Posted: 14 Mar 2016 01:05 PM PDT

DWELLING IN THE SECRET PLACE OF GOD

Memorise: The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him: and he will show them

his covenant. Psalm 25:14

Read: Psalms 91:1-9, 91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

²I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

³Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

⁴He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

⁵Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

⁶Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

⁷A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

⁸Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

⁹Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

Bible in one year: Joshua 16:1-19:16, Job 37:1-20

The psalmist, in our Bible reading, expresses his trust in the Lord and in His protection. In such a time as this, when all systems are failing, this assurance is ever dependable. It affirms that God is for us and we can always find security in Him. It takes only the Almighty God to hide us from the enemy and this is why I am never afraid of the activities of the enemies, as long as I remain connected to God. It amazes me when I see what people do in the name of protection; I just can't help but pity them. How can you seek protection from the devil when it is the devil that is after your life? Any other source of protection outside God is a wasted effort.

This is why I do not understand how a true Christian lives in fear. How can my father be the Lord of Hosts and I will live in fear. As long as you are on the Lord's side, you have nothing to fear or worry about. The Lord is willing to fight all your battles if you allow Him. God is asking you to be of good cheer and not give in to doubt or despair because He has overcome the world and in Him you are more than a victor. When fear comes knocking on your door, let fear know that it is a wrong door because the scripture says in Psalm 27:1;

"The lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid."

When trouble comes knocking, just call upon the Prince of Peace. Send your problems to Jesus and victory will be yours.

You must make up your mind not to live in fear. You cannot achieve anything tangible within the atmosphere of fear. It takes courage to take your place in destiny. The only person you are permitted to fear is the Almighty God and this is because He is our creator. Once we give ourselves to the Lord and fear only Him, He will be committed to protecting us from our enemies. Let us run away from the spirit of fear, it is capable of short-changing us. Let us hold unto the Lord for our deliverance. Let us cry to Him in supplication for help and He will hear us and come to our rescue.

Key Point

They that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.