Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. May the Lord mark you out His heritage shielded from the pestilence of wickedness, sustained by provision from the garden of the LORD, nurtured from the ever flowing river of mercy and goodness in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9TH, 2023.
TOPIC: WHEN GOD COMMENDS YOU
MEMORISE:
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
Psalm 145:8
READ:
PSALM 8:1-6
1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
MESSAGE:
Every now and then, God commends His children; He tells them that He is pleased with them. When this happens to you, don't become full of yourself because He is only being gracious. The Bible says that God is perfect and He expects perfection (Matthew 5:48). Ephesians 5:25-27 makes it clear that Jesus Christ is coming back for a bride without blemish or wrinkle. Are you perfect yet? If God says, "Well done, my son, you are doing great", He is only being gracious. In Job 1:8, He said Job was a perfect and upright man, but then in Job 30:1, Job said things that a just man shouldn't. When God scored him as just, He was only being gracious to him. In Numbers 12:3, it is written concerning Moses that he was the meekest man on the earth, but he was well known for his violent temper. God's commendation is only an extension of grace. You must never let it get into your head; if you do, you would soon realise that you were nowhere in the first place.
The Bible says clearly in Romans 9:15-16:
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
It is not the works and effort you put in that will make you justified. It is true that you must put in the effort; if not, you may not even get a chance at being commended at all, but the effort does not justify you. It is only God's mercy that justifies you. Never forget that. When God commends a person, the fellow's efforts will yield greater results than his or her actions. When you start seeing this happening to you, you must remember that it is only because God decided to have mercy on you. Don't begin to think that you are perfect, because you are not. Rather, thank Him for His mercy. Acknowledge your weakness before Him and even before people. Ascribe all glory to Him and not to your efforts because without Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5).
KEY POINT:
God's commendation is a call to be more humble and to work harder.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
JOHN 18-19
AUTHOR;
PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 31
WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE
1. Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won't you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!
REFRAIN:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story,
Wonderful story of love!
2. Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still He doth call today.
Calling from Calvary's mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E'en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!
3. Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who've gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS:
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
BEWARE OF PRIDE 2
Special Note.
These prayer points are not written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, but by one of his , 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.I worship and adore You, my Father, You're the Alpha and Omega, and You're the righteous and true judge.
2.Thank You, Father, for where You started with me, for where I am and for where You're taking me.
3.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and
forgive me; let Your mercy prevail over judgement of sin in my life, in Jesus' name.
4.Father, destroy in my life and destiny, every spirit of pride and envy, in Jesus' name.
5.Father, please, give me a humble and a contrite heart which You will not despise, in Jesus' name.
6.Father, help me not to compare myself with others and help me not to exhibit 'a holier than thou attitude, over fellow being, in Jesus' name.
7.Father, help me not to be proud of my achievements, over upcoming colleagues and friends, in Jesus' name.
8.Father, please, give me a humble heart, that I may be a carrier of Your presence, in Jesus' name.
9.Father, please, give me the grace to fulfill my destiny and complete my assignments, here on earth, in Jesus' name.
10.Father, bless your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye; and, bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), forever, 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 dates! 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, books ministry.
Note:
You may not add, subtract or rearrange these prayer points. The Holy Spirit is the author, though He used someone, who, out of humility has refused to take glory for it, by not putting his name. It is plagiarism to use, or pass as your own, someone's else writing or work. The original author of these prayer points is the Holy Spirit. So, share, but don't share His glory with Him in the process. Remain blessed, as you obey, in Jesus' name.
Psalms 107:6 (KJV) Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. May the Lord by His mercy deliver you out of every form of distress and shut that entrance by agents of darkness against your peace in Jesus mighty name.
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: WEDNESDAY 8TH, NOVEMBER 2023.
TOPIC: BEWARE OF PRIDE II
MEMORISE:
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12
BIBLE READING: 1 PETER 5:6 (KJV)
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
MESSAGE
Another way by which a person exhibits pride is by comparing their achievements with those of others. Our Bible reading yesterday (1 Kings 19:13-18) showed us that God asked Elijah to anoint his replacements. There is a big lesson to be learnt there. You must never have a 'holier than thou attitude' or feel you are doing better than others. You may be more talented or hardworking; however, you must remain humble at all times. The point at which you become proud is where your rising stops. King Saul is another example of this (1 Samuel 15:25-30).
Our Bible reading today tells us clearly that our humility is required before God promotes us. In other words, once you become proud, you become too heavy for God to exalt. You cannot rise without the grace of God, so remain humble, no matter how much you think you have already achieved (James 4:6).
The word of God says clearly that those who compare themselves among themselves are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12). There is only one true judge and that is God. The teacher is in the best position to see his or her students' mistakes. For example, if we were to ask Joshua, "How well have you done?" he most likely would have said, "Extremely well" since he achieved what Moses could not. However, God said:
Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. (Joshua 13:1)
God was essentially saying that Joshua failed because he could not finish his job. Don't ever think that you are perfect because, if we were to count iniquity, no one would be able to stand (Psalm 130:3). Just thank God for how far He has brought you and pray for others around you. Nobody is better than the other; we must prefer one another in honour (Romans 12:10).
KEY POINT
Once you start comparing your achievements to that of others, you stop growing.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 16-17
AUTHOR PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
HYMNAL: 10 - IN CHRIST ALONE
1. In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when striving cease,
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
2. In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied,
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death of Christ I live.
3. There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day,
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
4. No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Could ever pluck me from His hand,
'Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I stand.
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: TUESDAY 7TH, NOVEMBER 2023.
THEME: BEWARE OF PRIDE I
MEMORISE:
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18
BIBLE TEXT: 1 Kings 19:13-18 (KJV)
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou hear, Elijah?
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
MESSAGE
In our Bible reading for today, you will see that God told Elijah to anoint three people to replace him. This is because you can see pride in Elijah’s response when he says, “And I, even I only, am left..”.
There is only one “I AM” and that is God Himself (Exodus 3:14). This is why, when Jesus Christ called Himself ‘I AM’ in John 8:58-59, the Jews were furious that He compared Himself to God.
Of course, at that time, they did not know about John 1:1 and 14, which says Jesus is God who became flesh and dwelt amongst us.
The name I AM must be reserved for God and God alone.
When you search the Scriptures, you would discover that the words ‘l’, ‘me’, ‘my’, ‘mine’ are the languages of pride. That was the language of Satan in Isaiah 14:12-15.
When you find someone always saying ‘I’, ‘my’, you know you are most likely dealing with a proud fellow.
Beware of this because the higher you go, the greater the risk of you saying ‘I’, ‘my’, ‘me’ all the time.
We see an example in the strong and anointed man of God called Samson. In Judges 15:14-16, where the power of God came upon him and he killed thousands of soldiers with a jaw bone, he said, “With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men”.
There was no, “Thank You, Lord” to the One who sent down the power; it was all about himself.
Even when God had clearly restored his strength in Judges 16:25-28, when the enemies had caught him and plucked out his eyes and he wanted to pray just one more prayer before dying, what did he say?
And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. Judges 16:28
It was about him all the way. That is why, as strong and anointed as he was, he fell so low that he ended up blind and grinding corn for his enemies before dying with them.
KEY POINT
Beware of pride because it can make you fall so low that your enemies would begin to rejoice over you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
John 13-15
AUTHOR : PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 2: Amazing Grace
1 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
2 Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come This grace that brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home
3 The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.
4 Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease: I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
5 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; but God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.
6 When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun.
Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens:
Monday, November 6, 2023
While Men Slept 3
Special Note.
These prayer points are not written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, but by one of his , 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, my Father, for the precious blood of Your son, Jesus, that was shed at Calvary, for the remission of my sins.
2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and
forgive me; let Your mercy prevail over judgement of sin in my life, in Jesus name.
3.I refuse to sleep the sleep of death, in Jesus name.
4.Father, please, keep me awake spiritually, watchful and sober, until the coming of our lord, in Jesus name.
5.Father, let every spirit of lukewarmness in my life, be consumed by Your fire, in Jesus name.
6.Father, I have started well, please, let me end and finish strong and well, in Jesus name.
7.Father, let nothing compete with Your love and glory, in my life, in Jesus name.
8.Father, please, heal every inch of backsliding in my life, and wake me up from my deep slumber, in Jesus name.
9.Father, please, shine on me, and restore unto me, everything that the devil has stolen from me, in Jesus name.
10.Father, bless your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye; and, bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), forever, 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 dates! 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, books ministry.
Note:
You may not add, subtract or rearrange these prayer points. The Holy Spirit is the author, though He used someone, who, out of humility has refused to take glory for it, by not putting his name. It is plagiarism to use, or pass as your own, someone's else writing or work. The original author of these prayer points is the Holy Spirit. So, share, but don't share His glory with Him in the process. Remain blessed, as you obey, in Jesus name.
