John 6:11 (KJV) And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. May the Lord by His Spirit grant you and I the grace to give our lives to Him that we may have an abundance of His sufficiency and glory in Jesus mighty name.
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: FRIDAY DECEMBER 15TH, 2023.
THEME: PETER THE ROCK
MEMORISE:
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
READ: John 21:15-18
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
MESSAGE
In my study of what it takes to become a favourite of God, l saw in Luke 5:1-11, where the Bible tells us that after Jesus paid Peter a visit and performed that miracle of boat-sinking catch, Peter left all and followed Him. He didn't sell the fish he caught that day. However, all the other disciples also left everything they had and followed Him (Matthew 19:27), so there must be something extra about Peter. I saw a bit of this in Mark 14:54 when Jesus was to be arrested and the disciples, fled. The Bible says Peter followed afar off, but at least he followed. Where were the others?
Peter always followed Jesus because there was a rope permanently tied to Him and the Lord- the rope of love. The love Peter had for Jesus was like a magnet drawing him closer to the Lord daily.
As soon as Peter recognised the Lord after His ressurrection, he jumped into he sea to go and meet Jesus. He abandoned the great catch of fish that he had just gotten - again. Clearly, this shows that Peter was very much interested in the Lord, not what the Lord could give. He was interested in the Lord Himself. Those who become God's favourites are people who are not after what God can give them but after God Himself. They just love God with all their hearts - whether He gives them anything or not. It is this selfless love that made God choose Peter as His spokesman.
In Acts 2:14-40, on the day of Pentecost, who preached? Peter. In Acts 3:1-8 at the Beautiful Gate, who spoke to the lame man? Peter. When God wants to uproot Ananias and Sapphira - the first known pretenders in he Church, it was Peter He used. The Lord will not make you His favourite when He sees that your belly is actually your God and not Him (Philippians 3:19). Some people want to be able to command the devil, but he mocks them because he knows that they love the things of the world, so they are under his control, not the other way around.
REFLECTION
Do you really love God - regardless of what He can give you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 1-4
AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 11: I'VE FOUND A FRIEND IN JESUS
1 I’ve found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Apple-tree of trees, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me every care on Him to roll:
He’s the Apple-tree of trees, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
2 He all my griefs has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower;
I’ve all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His power.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal:
He’s the Apple-tree of trees, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
3 He’ll never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll:
He’s the Apple-tree of trees, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
Isaiah 45:22-23 (KJV) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. May the counsel of the Lord concerning your Divine repositioning come to pass swiftly in Jesus mighty name.
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS:
THURSDAY, 14 DECEMBER, 2023
GOD HAS FAVOURITES
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 Sovereign Lord and You behave as it pleases You, no one can query You.
2.Thank You, Father, for singling me out for Your mercy, grace and compassion.
3.Thank You, Father, for the salvation of my soul and for all the battles You have fought and won, on my behalf.
4.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.
5.Father, count me worthy to fear You and to follow the path of righteousness, all the days of my life, in Jesus name.
6.Father, please, count me worthy to be among Your favourites, in Jesus name.
7.Father, empower me by Your grace to maintain a close and righteous walk with You, all the days of my life, in Jesus name.
8.Father, admit me into Your secret place, let me abide under Your shadow and be privy to Your inner workings, thoughts and secrets, in Jesus name.
9.Father, please, let me never backlide or betray you; uphold me by Your right hand of righteousness, till the end, 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.
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY DECEMBER 14TH, 2023.
THEME: GOD HAS FAVOURITES
MEMORISE:
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Romans 9:13
READ: Romans 9:10-16
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 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.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
MESSAGE
When you look at the Apostles of the Lord, you will see that there were twelve of them, but there were three in the inner circle and there was one who was called 'The Beloved'. The three in the inner circle were the favourites of Jesus Christ and He took them with Him everywhere He went. When He was going to Jairus' house, He had all the twelve disciples with Him, but it was only those three who He took into the room (Mark 5:35-42). Peter, James and John saw His power; they saw Him raise the little girl from death while others only heard about it. Jesus revealed the identity of the disciple who would betray Him because John whom He loved specially asked Him (John 13: 23-26).
Why did the Lord have a special inner circle amongst His disciples and why did He love one of them specially? Well, the simple answer is that God has favourites.
Many people say that God has no favourites. This is not true. The question you should be asking therefore is, "How do l become one of His favourites?" When you read Romans 9:11-16, the Bible says a woman was pregnant with a set of twins. Before they were born, God said the elder would serve the younger, that He loved one and hated the other, even when they were not yet born. He said He would have mercy on whom He would have mercy and compassion on whom He would have compassion. He said it is not of him that will a thing or of him that runs, but of the Lord who shows mercy.
In Acts 10:34-35, the Bible says:
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said,Of a truth l perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.
This passage makes me see clearly that God looks out for certain things in people before He makes them His favourites. I took a close look at Peter, James and John - Jesus' inner circle. Peter and John especially, because it wasn't long after Jesus' Ascension that James was killed.
I will share what l learnt from these two with you in the next two days.
PRAYER POINT
Father, even if you will only pick one person as Your favorite, please let it be me.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 1-6
AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 6: I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAV'N
1 I am so glad that our Father in heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see:
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
REFRAIN:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.
2 Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.
3 Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me.”
Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens:
Wednesday, 13 December, 2023
DANGERS OF FAME
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, because You're not man that You should lie, neither the son of man, that You should repent; whatever You say You will do, You will do.
2.Thank You, Father, for the salvation of my soul and for Your spiritual guidance, daily, through Your word.
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, let me never please man, and displeases You, in the process, and let no man take my position, in Jesus name.
5.Father, whatever, I would do, that my ministry and divine assignment would be taken away, please, let me never do it, in Jesus name.
6.Father, empower me to do Your wiIl, and Your perfect will alone, at all times, in Jesus name.
7.Father, help me to always live soberly and humbly, instead of seeking for fame and worldly approval, in Jesus name.
8.Father, no matter the height and position that I may reach in life and ministry, please, give me the grace to remain humble, in Jesus name.
9.Father, let my focus and pursuit in life, be You, my God, and not men, 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.
Revelation 4:11 (KJV) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. May the Lord by His mercy give you and I the grace to be fulfilled as the pleasure of the LORD in Jesus mighty name.
