Open Heavens

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: FRIDAY JANUARY 19TH, 2024.


THEME: GOD'S BEST FRIENDS I


MEMORISE: 

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

James 2:23


READ: Genesis 18:17-33 

17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;


18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?


19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.


20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;


21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.


22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.


23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?


24  Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?


25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?


26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.


27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:


28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 


29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.


30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.


31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.


32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.


33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.


MESSAGE

It may surprise you to know that God has best friends. God's best friends are so close to Him that they know things about Him that no one else knows. They are people with an experiential knowledge of Him that most people don't have. Such people don't like to talk deeply about how much of God they know because those who haven't gotten that close to Him will misunderstand them.


Abraham was one of God's best friends. He was so close to God that God said He could not do anything significant on earth without first informing him (Genesis 18:17). Moses was also one of God's best friends. He was so close to God that God Himself testified in Numbers 12:8 that He spoke to Moses mouth to mouth and that he beholds His similitude which is translated as 'form' in modern English. John the Beloved was another man who was clearly one of God's best friends. Of all the people on earth, Jesus decided to tell him all the things that will happen in the end time (Revelation 1:1).


All these people had such a close relationship with God that they saw sides of Him that others never saw. They heard things from Him that they never told others and made Him change His mind on several occasions (Genesis 18:24-32, Exodus 32:9-14). Probably the most obvious example is reflected in Jesus' relationship with Peter, James and John while He was on earth. Because they were with the Lord Jesus Christ on the mount of

transfiguration, they saw His glory (Matthew 17:1-2). When He went to raise Jairus' daughter, He allowed only the three of them to follow Him, and so they saw His resurrection power (Mark 5:35-37). They were so close to Him that they saw Him in His time of distress at the garden of Gethsemane when He was crying for God to take away the cup from Him (Matthew 26:36-39). Jesus invited them specially to watch with Him. These three experienced special moments with Jesus Christ that no one else did. 


It indeed is a special honour and privilege to be one of God's best friends. I believe every sincere believer should desire to be in God's special inner circle of friends, and so I will be discussing what it takes to become one of God's bestfriends in the next couple of days.


REFLECTION

How close are you to God?


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 11-13


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.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Open Heavens Prayer Points

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: 


Thursday, 18, January, 2024


THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE 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, Father, for creating me, in Your image and likeness; and for Your purpose and pleasure.


2.Thank You, Father, for the precious blood of Jesus that was shed at Calvary, for the remission of my sin.


3.Thank You, Father, for healing me and for saving my soul from eternal destruction in hell fire.


4.Thank You, Father,  for crowning me with Your loving kindness and tender mercies.


5.Thank You, for satisfying my life with good things and for renewing my strength, like the eagle's.


6.Thank You, Father, for the great sacrifice paid by Your son, Jesus Christ,  in order to deliver me from eternal bondage and destruction.


7.Thank You, Father, for Your loving kindness and tender mercies, over my life .


8.Thank You, Father,  for all Your seen and unseen blessings and benefits in my life, including the the gift of eternal life.


9.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.


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.

LETS PRAY 🙏

 Isaiah 64:8 (KJV)  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. May the Lord by His mercy take you and I in His hands, melt, mould and fill us with His power and goodness for His use in Jesus mighty name.


Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: THURSDAY JANUARY 18TH, 2024.


THEME: THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE III


MEMORISE: 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Psalm 103:2


READ: Psalms 103:1-5  

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.


2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:


3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;


4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;


5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.


MESSAGE

Today, I will be discussing how needful it is for men to also open a book of remembrance of God's goodness so that they can give Him praise like the psalmist in our Bible reading today.


Over the years, I have come to realise that many people easily forget the goodness of God to them. For example, when things are going fine, it is easy for a fellow to be full of praise for his or her Maker. However, when things are not going well, the same fellow may momentarily forget all that the Lord has done for him or her and immediately begin to complain. David also realised this tendency in men to forget what God has done for them quickly, hence the reminder he set for himself in the memory

verse of today.


After setting the reminder in Psalm 103:2 for himself. David went on to open the book of remembrance of God's blessings upon his life and began to praise Him (Psalm 103:3-5). He praised God for forgiving his sins, for healing him, and for saving him from destruction. He went further to praise God for crowning him with loving kindness and tender mercies. David also praised God for satisfying him with good things and for renewing his strength like the eagle's.


Beloved, it is very important that you always remember the goodness of the Lord upon your life. You were created in His image, and this is enough reason for you to thank Him at all times. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of calvary for your sins and indeed the sins of the entire world is another major reason to be thankful to God at all times. You should thank Him always for saving you from the consequences of sin and all sorts of evil in the world today. Like David, you must give thanks to God for His loving kindness and tender mercies. The Bible says that you would have been consumed if not for His tender mercies (Lamentations 3:22), so you owe your continued existence to Him.


I am sure that I can go on and on, and I still will not be able to exhaust the list of reasons you should praise God at all times. Beloved, open a book of remembrance of the Lord's goodness over your life today and begin to praise Him.


ACTION POINT

Praise God throughout today and make this a habit going forward.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 8-10


AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 17: PRAISE MY SOUL THE KING OF HEAVEN


1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;

to his feet your tribute bring.

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

evermore his praises sing.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise the everlasting King!


2 Praise him for his grace and favor

to his people in distress.

Praise him, still the same as ever,

slow to chide, and swift to bless.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Glorious in his faithfulness!


3 Fatherlike he tends and spares us;

well our feeble frame he knows.

In his hand he gently bears us,

rescues us from all our foes.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Widely yet his mercy flows!

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Open Heavens Prayer Points

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: 


Wednesday, 17, January, 2024


THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE 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.Thank You, Father, for sending Your son, Jesus, into the world to save me from my sins and to give me forgiveness.


2.Thank You, Father, for delivering me from the curse of the law, through the blood of Jesus that was shed at Calvary.


3.Thank You, Father, for giving me the gift of eternal life, through the blood of Jesus.


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, let every evil act recorded against me be wiped away by the blood of Jesus.


6.Father, by Your mercy, remember not my sins and close Your eyes against my transgressions, in Jesus name.


7.Father, let no negative book of remembrance be opened concerning me, in Jesus name.


8.Father, release upon my life the power and the grace, to live above sin and above all the activities of the flesh, henceforth, in Jesus name.


9.Father, let every evil book of remembrance opened on my behalf, be shut down, permanently, 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.

LETS PRAY 🙏

 Psalms 63:9 (KJV)  But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. May the LORD who neither sleeps nor slumbers watch over you, shield you from the evil plans of wickedness, cause the wicked to go into the lower part of the earth and keep you standing strong for Him that never fails in Jesus mighty name.


Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 17TH, 2024.


THEME: THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE II


MEMORISE: 

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that

which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

1 Samuel 15:2


READ: Exodus 17:8-13  

8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.


9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.


10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.


11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.


12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.


13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.


1 Samuel 15:1-2 

1 Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.


2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.


MESSAGE

Yesterday, I mentioned some wonderful things that can happen to God's children when He opens the book of remembrance in their favour. Today, I will progress in the discussion by looking at what happens to the enemies of God when He opens the book of

remembrance concerning them.


In our Bible readings today, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites for no just cause, and God recorded this evil act against them. He also promised to wipe them off from the face of the earth. Many years after, their past evil action against the children of lsrael was brought to remembrance, and the Lord commanded Saul to wipe them off the face of the earth. I pray that a negative book of remembrance will never be opened to you, in Jesus' name.


Beloved, a terrible book of remembrance was opened to all men because of the sin of the first man and woman in Genesis 3:19:


In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it thou was taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.


This terrible book of remembrance is re-echoed in Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23. Beloved, the only way to escape the consequences of this terrible book of remembrance that was written because of the disobedience of our first parents is found in the last part of Romans 6:23:


...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


God has provided the only one way of escape from this terrible book of remembrance, and that way is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus' blood was shed on the cross at calvary to write off the consequences of this terrible book of remembrance for everyone who accepts Him as their Lord and Saviour. Beloved, if you have not truly surrendered your life to Jesus, there is no way you can escape the ultimate conseequence of this terrible book of remembrance, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Surrender all to Jesus today and commit to living a holy life if you are yet to do

so. Only then can you experience the mercy of God and have the book of life opened to you.


I declare that every evil book of remembrance concerning you shall be shut down permanently from today, in Jesus' name.


KEY POINT

God has provided only one way of escape from the terrible book of remembrance and that way is Jesus Christ.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Exodus 5-7


AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 19: ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME


1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.


2 Not the labor of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All could never sin erase,

Thou must save, and save by grace.


3 Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Savior, or I die.


4 While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.