Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2020.

THEME: ACTIONS OVERSHADOW WORDS. 

MEMORISE:

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

John 13:15

READ: John 13:12-15

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

MESSAGE:

Many parents complain that their children do not obey them. Most times however, the parents are to blame. Children can see and hear more than you know; they absorb information from their homes both consciously and subconsciously. When there is a difference between the words and actions of a parent, the children become confused and will most likely follow the actions of their parents since ‘Actions speak louder than words.’

The best way to teach children is by example. Lead the way and they will follow. I recall an instance when my children were small. We had a visitor who came with his child. One of my sons went into my room, and wore my tie and came out to meet the little boy. He laid his hands on the boy’s head and said “fall down.” We all laughed, but I never forgot the lesson. The boy had observed that when I laid hands on people they would fall, but even beyond that, he noted that I always had my tie on when doing so. What attention to detail! 

That is how detailed children are in their observations. Hence, you must deliberately set examples. Paul, in Philippians 4:9 said:

“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

A father who cannot get his eyes off ladies will raise a promiscuous boy. A mother who constantly gossips will raise a gossip.

Start being the right examples to your children from now. You want them to read their Bibles and pray daily? Do the same. If you want your children to be kind to others, be kind too. When little children always see their parents punching away at their phones and hardly ever see them with books, it will take God’s grace for the children to enjoy reading.

Be deliberate about your cations, bearing in mind that your children can see everything you are doing, and they will also follow the same path. Set a worthy example; do the right things always.

KEY POINT:

Showing an example is a thousand times more effective than verbal teaching.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Luke 23,

John 18-19

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 20: NEARER, MY GOD TO THEE.

1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain:

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.

3. There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;

All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;

So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

5. Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Open Heavens Prayer Points

 Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Christian Discipleship 4

Special Note:

These prayer points are not written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, but by one of his numerous disciples, of Christ, who was inspired and mandated by the Holy Spirit, effective, January 1st, 2015,, to start writing these prayer points, based on the Open Heavens Daily Devotional, authored by Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

Some of the prayer points are deep spiritually and may not be understood by carnal minds.

If you want to be blessed from these prayer points, you must first, surrender Your life, to the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, by saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me all my sins. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal destruction in hell fire. In Jesus' name, I pray.”

Prayer Points:

1.Thank You, Father, for the salvation of my soul and for the honour and privilege to be chosen as a coach and mentor, for other growing Christians.

2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus name.

3.Father, let my relationship with my mentor, not be a one sided or parasitic one, but a mutually beneficial one, in Jesus name.

4.Father, give me the grace to sow into the life of my mentor and coach, seeds of appreciation, in cash and kind, as I am blessed, from time to time, in Jesus name.

5.Father, let me never bring shame, disgrace or reproach to my mentor and to Your holy name, in Jesus name.

6.Father, please, don't let me ever be rude or be disrespectful to my coach and mentor, so that I can always get the best out of him, in Jesus name.

7.Father, no matter the height I may attain in life, please, let me remain completely submissive to my coach and mentor, in Jesus name.

8.Father, let me be rewarded for all my labours of love in Your vineyard, in Jesus name.

9.Father, when You shall come for the elects, please, count me worthy to be among them, in Jesus name.

10.Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, and grant him divine health, more wisdom and understanding, in Jesus name.

11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus name.

12.Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.

13.Your Personal petitions.

( Philippians 4:6)

14.In Jesus name I pray.

(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

15.Thank you Father for answered prayers.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

# GodBlessOurNation   

These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus' name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye's book Ministry, in Jesus' name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2020.

THEME: CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP IV. 

MEMORISE:

 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:1-11

1Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

MESSAGE:

I have observed that when some people say they want a coach/or mentor, what they are actually seeking is a sponsor. Your coach and/or mentor is not under any obligation to finance you. If anything, you should be the one gifting him/her, taking his/her children out for a fun day, making yourself available to help in any way you can and so on.

You need their wealth of experience. Your relationship with your coach and mentor should not be parasitic but symbiotic- as he/she gives to you, you should also give back to him/her. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:11:

“ If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”

It is your responsibility to make your coach and mentor proud. Many times, I have had to answer for the behavior of my children-in-the-Lord, whether I was aware or not. It would be unfair to your coach and mentor if you misbehave, because it could bring about a bad public image for him/her.

Finally, even if you become richer, you must remain completely submissive to them. Jesus said the disciple cannot be greater than the master (Matthew 10:24). If that is the fellow that God has paired you with for discipleship, no matter what they do, you must remain submissive in line with the word of God, until their death.

Davide became more famous that Saul, but he never lost his respect for him, not even when Saul was trying to kill him. Samuel was the one whom God sent to tell Eli about how he would fall, but Samuel never felt that because he had been chosen to replace him, the old prophet was now to be ignored (1 Samuel 3:9-21).

Never dishonor your discipler. God would not have anyone disrespect His chosen vessels (Psalm 105:14-15) no matter how little and inconsequential you may consider the action. Learn from the mistake of Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12:1-15).

Yes, Jesus wants us to perform greater works than He did, but that cannot make us greater than He. Never forget: a disciple may achieve greater feats than his master, but cannot be greater than he (Matthew 10:24). 

REFLECTION:

Do you have a parasitic or symbiotic relationship with your coach and/or mentor?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Matthew 27

Mark 15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 17: MUST I GO AND EMPTY HANDED.

1. “Must I go, and empty-handed,”

Thus my dear Redeemer meet?

Not one day of service give Him,

Lay no trophy at His feet?

Refrain:

“Must I go, and empty-handed?”

Must I meet my Savior so?

Not one soul with which to greet Him,

Must I empty-handed go?

2. Not at death I shrink or falter,

For my Savior saves me now;

But to meet Him empty-handed,

Thought of that now clouds my brow.

3. Oh, the years in sinning wasted,

Could I but recall them now,

I would give them to my Savior,

To His will I’d gladly bow.

4. Oh, ye saints, arouse, be earnest,

Up and work while yet ’tis day;

Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,

Strive for souls while still you may.

Open Heavens Prayer Points

 Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Tuesday, November 10, 2020) 

 

Christian Discipleship 3 

Special Note:

These prayer points are not written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, but by one of his numerous disciples, of Christ, who was inspired and mandated by the Holy Spirit, effective, January 1st, 2015,, to start writing these prayer points, based on the Open Heavens Daily Devotional, authored by Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

Some of the prayer points are deep spiritually and may not be understood by carnal minds.

If you want to be blessed from these prayer points, you must first, surrender Your life, to the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, by saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me all my sins. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal destruction in hell fire. In Jesus' name, I pray.”

Prayer Points:

1.Thank You, Father, for not leaving me without guidance and counseling, for  without counsel purposes are disappointed.

2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus' name.

3.Father, release upon me the grace to obey and be submissive to those who watch and bear rule over my soul and spiritual life, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, help me encourage all those who have spiritual oversight over my life, that they may do it in joy and not in grief, that it may be profitable for me, when they shall stand to give account, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, let me never be unequally yoked with an unbeliever or fraternise with members of the kingdom of darkness, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, choose for me a spiritual coach and mentor, and empower me to obey all his counsels that are in tune with Your word, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, let every spirit of disobedience, headiness and rebellion, to Your word, and to divine counsels, in my life be consumed by Your fire, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, let every element of pride in my life be consumed by Your fire, and let my obedience be total and complete, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, uphold me and those that You have placed under my authority and guidance, till the end; let Your word have free course and be glorified in our lives, in Jesus' name.

10.Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, and uphold him by Your right hand of righteousness, till the end, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus' name.

12.Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus' name.

13.Your Personal petitions.

( Philippians 4:6)

14.In Jesus' name I pray.

(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

15.Thank you Father for answered prayers.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

#GodBlessOurNation

These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus' name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye's book Ministry, in Jesus' name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2020.

THEME: CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP III. 

MEMORISE:

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17

READ: Hebrews 13:17-17

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

MESSAGE:

As a Christian, you must be careful when making the choice of who to disciple you. Success in a discipline is enough reason for anyone to qualify as your coach or mentor. The first thing you should consider is the spirituality of the fellow- how is his/her relationship with God? 2 Corinthians 6:14 says:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

You must also be sure that the vision of the person’s life aligns with yours.

A close look at all the people God paired together for a discipleship relationship in the Bible will reveal that both had similar assignments- Samuel and Eli, Elisha and Elijah, Joshua and Moses, David and Solomon, Timothy and Paul among others. Allow God to lead you before approaching an yone to coach and mentor you.

After choosing a coach and mentor, always remember that no matter how great he/she is, the fellow is not God. Whatever he/she must be first sifted through the word of God before you adopt it. My Father-in-the-Lord always told us to ignore whatever he said that did not have a biblical backing.

You must be submissive to your coach and mentor, regardless of how much smaller he/she appears to be. My Father-in-the-Lord was not educated, whereas I had a PhD in Mathematics. When he said “jump” I jumped the highest I could, without analyzing his instruction with my PhD brain. As long as whatever he said was in line with the word of God, I did it without asking questions. You may even be more modern than your coach and mentor, still your obedience and admission must always be total in alignment with the word of God. 

Lastly, ensure you pray for your disciples as well (Hebrews 13:18). He that watereth should be watered also (Proverbs 11:23).

KEY POINT:

Let God choose your coach and mentor for you. Allow the word of God provide guidance in the relationship.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   John 14-17

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 18: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

Oh, let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire!

As Thou hast died for me,

Oh, may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

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.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold, sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Savior, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

Oh, bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul!

Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2020.

THEME: CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP II. 

MEMORISE:

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, Mark 3:14

READ: Matthew 15:15-20

15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

MESSAGE:

Availability is a key element is discipleship. A coach must always be there to answer questions and give advice. As a coach, you should always answer or return your coachee’s calls. Find time to be with them, even if it means taking them along with you on trips or to events. Just make sure you are always there for them.

There are certain things to consider before agreeing to coach and mentor someone. First, only coach and mentor people whose company you can enjoy. As we saw in our memory verse today, the first reason Jesus chose disciples was for them to keep Him company, and of course, also to work with Him.

It also shows that Jesus had seen great potential in the disciples and knew that as they worked with Him, they would become better. Don’t coach and mentor someone in you have not seen any potential. This is because it is that potential that will drive you to make sacrifices for the fellow. Don’t just coach and mentor someone because he/she is a relative; choose who you coach and mentor carefully.

You should also know that your followers are not slaves. Others may exploit their followers but as a Christian, you must follow Jesus’ example. He washed the feet of His disciples and even told them clearly in John 15:15:

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

Aside from that being the right thing to do, it will also model humility to them. However, Christian disciples must not take their disciplers’ humility for granted. Give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7).

Christ’s discipleship model should be the standard for all Christians.

REFLECTION:

Adopt Jesus Christ’s model of discipleship in grooming those the Lord has put in your care.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   Luke 22

John 13

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 20: NEARER, MY GOD TO THEE.

1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain:

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.

3. There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;

All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;

So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

5. Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Open Heavens Prayer Points

 Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Sunday, November 8, 2020) - 

Christian Discipleship 1 

Special Note:

These prayer points are not written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, but by one of his numerous disciples, of Christ, who was inspired and mandated by the Holy Spirit, effective, January 1st, 2015,, to start writing these prayer points, based on the Open Heavens Daily Devotional, authored by Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

Some of the prayer points are deep spiritually and may not be understood by carnal minds.

If you want to be blessed from these prayer points, you must first, surrender Your life, to the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, by saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me all my sins. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal destruction in hell fire. In Jesus' name, I pray.”

Prayer Points:

1.Thank You, Father, for the salvation of my soul and for creating me in Your image and likeness.

2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus' name.

3.Father, please, uproot from my life, by the power of Your word, anything that does not reflect Your image, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, let Your fire consume every spirit of disobedience, rebellion and self-will, in my life and destiny, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, please, give me a teachable, obedient and submissive spirit and heart, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, please, attach me with  mentors and disciplers  who will always be willing to tell me the truth, at all times, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, whenever I hear the truth, which is Your word, please, give me the grace to accept it, willingly, and  not to harden my heart against it, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, as a mentor and discipler, please, let my life and lifestyle reflect what I teach and preach, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, please, give me the grace as a mentee, to accept correction and chastening in good faith, at all times, in Jesus' name.

10.Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, and reward him abundantly for all his labours of love, in Your vineyard, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus' name.

12.Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus' name.

13.Your Personal petitions.

( Philippians 4:6)

14.In Jesus' name I pray.

(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

15.Thank you Father for answered prayers.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

#GodBlessOurNation

These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus' name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye's book Ministry, in Jesus' name.