OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR THURSDAY 18TH MARCH 2021 – EVANGELISE

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The Topic of Open Heavens for 18th March 2021 Is “EVANGELISE”

MEMORISE: Matthew 28:19

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

READ: Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;

20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

The charge to win souls is not a suggestion, it is a command. In other words, it is not negotiable. Every true believer must carry a burning desire and burden to reach out to the unsaved. If you love Jesus, you will preach His gospel to the lost because He does not desire the death of sinners. He wants every sinner saved (Ezekiel 18:23).

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. – (Matthew 19:29)

From the passage above, we see that God will generously reward everyone who participates in evangelism because they are in partnership with Him. Not everybody can be a full-time evangelist, but in your little corner, you are to win souls, as well as supporting and praying for the full-time evangelists risking their lives to obey God’s mandate of preaching to the unsaved souls, visiting their families and encouraging them financially. The work of missions is dear to God’s heart and ignoring it is ignoring Him.

At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the lord, and it be sin unto thee. – (Deuteronomy 24:15)

God said you should not owe anyone their wages and (1 Corinthians 3:8-9) says those who are involved with missions are His labourers. In other words, the moment you begin evangelising your name enters His payroll and believe me honestly, He will never owe you your wages. What exactly is your wage as an evangelist?

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. – (John 15:16)

The wage of an evangelist is a blank cheque from the richest being in the entire universe. If I were you, I would decide today to make soulwinning my lifestyle.

 

ACTION POINT: Pick up your phone and call somebody to tell them about Jesus Christ now and make this a habit.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 40

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide Was Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer Of

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, 

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH 2021 – TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE

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The Topic of Open Heavens for 17th March 2021 Is “TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE”

MEMORISE: Matthew 3:2

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

READ: Acts 5:1-10 (KJV)

1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2. And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4. Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost; and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost; and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

 OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

When people hear the topic of today, they feel the preacher is only trying to manipulate them into surrendering their lives to Christ immediately. There is no need for a preacher to manipulate you; if he says tomorrow may be too late, he knows what he is saying. I have seen, many times, where a fellow did not get the chance to repent before he or she died and went to face judgment in heaven. They refused to repent when they had the chance until it became too late.

There was a chief I had been preaching to for years, who kept saying he would repent but not yet. One day, he suddenly had a stroke but managed to tell his people to send for me. I went, prayed for him and God healed him. Then I said “Chief, I sense that God only gave you a second chance. Will you give your life to Him now?” He said “Not yet”. The next time I heard about him, he was dead.

There was another man who was sick and at the point of death. I went to pray for him, but each time came to the hospital, somehow, I was unable to see him. I kept trying to see him for about two days but couldn’t. At last when it seemed like I would be able to see him the next day, I arrived at the hospital and learnt that he had died. If only I had gotten the chance to see him, I would have asked him to give his life to Christ first before praying for him. If he had died then, at least I would have known that he went to heaven.

There was another man – a Pastor, someone people looked up to as a great man of God. I got the report that he was committing sexual immorality with girls and he denied it, so I set up a committee to investigate. In the meantime, I put the Pastor on suspension. The people investigating brought evidence to prove that he was guilty of the allegations against him. The plan was to walk him through a process of repentance, but while the investigation was ongoing, he died in a car accident.

Beloved, it may seem as if there will always be time to repent and start living holy, but tomorrow really may be too late. Everyone has a cup; the day that cup gets full is the day the fellow’s time to repent runs out. In your own interest, drop that sin and begin to live holy from today. A word is enough for the wise.

KEY POINT: Tomorrow may be too late.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 38-39

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide Was Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY 2ND MARCH 2021 – STATE OF THE VESSEL

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The Topic of Open Heavens for 2nd March 2021 Is “STATE OF THE VESSEL”

Memorise: 2 Samuel 7:5

“Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?”

Read: 2 Samuel 7:1-17 (KJV)

1. And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

2. That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

3. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.

4. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,

5. Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

6. Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

7. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

8. Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel;

9. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

10. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

11. And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

12. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

13. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

14. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;

15. But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

16. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee; thy throne shall be established for ever.

17. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

 OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

Many times, I listen to people preach and notice certain things they say that are not correct. This makes it pertinent for me to share with you that the vessel bringing the message is very important. This is not necessarily because the fellow preaching is a sinner, but rather that sometimes, preachers say things based on their emotions. Pastors are human too, you know. For example, In our Bible reading for today, David told Nathan that he wanted to build a house for God and Nathan said God was with him.

And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. – (2 Samuel 7:3)

Nathan was excited at the thought of a temple for his God. He also assumed that God would be excited about the idea too, so to him, God was definitely in support of David. Later on, God told him, “Nathan, I am not in support of David’s idea to build a house for Me as you told him”. Thank God that Nathan was humble enough to go back to tell David that he was wrong, and then he relayed the real message from God to him.

Dear child of God, please always ensure that you are relaying the correct message from God to the people, and not just what you feel is correct. Also, because you are human, if it so happens that you say something that is not correct and God corrects you later, please don’t hesitate to tell the people the correct thing.

Some other times, the message is coming from God but may be polluted by human nature or spirit. No matter how pure the water may be, the vessel has something with the final product. This is why we children must ensure that we are led by the Holy Spirit at all times. No passing of a message in the flesh is allowed at all. No matter our opinion on an issue, If God gives you a related message, deliver it exactly as relayed by God.

Don’t let your culture influence a message from God. Don’t let your emotions, whether anger or excitement influence how you pass on a message from God. Being used by God is a privilege that should never be taken with levity.

If you are not yet being used by God however, ask yourself if you have yielded completely to Him. Purify yourself with the blood of Jesus and you will become fit for the master’s use.

ACTION POINT: Please pray for me as I mark another birthday anniversary today, that the Lord will do greater things than ever before through me, for His glory, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 7-8

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide Was Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboy

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 1ST MARCH 2021 – THE VESSEL GOD USES

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The Topic of Open Heavens for 1st March 2021 Is “The Vessel God Uses”

MEMORISE: 2 Timothy 2:20

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

READ: 2 Timothy 2:19-21 (KJV)

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 4-6

 OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

There was this young lady at the University of Lagos who had been praying, “God use me, use me for Your glory. Lord use me, I want to be able to heal the sick, to cast out demons. I want to be used by You, Lord”. She kept praying this prayer for so long, but God kept quiet. One day, she needed to use the toilet and at that time, for one reason or the other, there was water shortage on the campus, so all the toilets were dirty. She peeped into the first toilet and quickly shut the door as soon as she opened it. The second one was worse. Finally, she realized that she couldn’t use any of the toilets, so she left the place and then God spoke to her. “My daughter”. “Yes Lord” she replied. “I thought you wanted to use the toilet” He said. ”Yes Lord, but it is too dirty”. Then God said, “I also want to use you, but you are too dirty”.

God does not use dirty vessels. If you want God to use you, then you must first purge yourself clean. He said in Isaiah 59:2:

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

He cannot stand sin at all. Sin irritates Him, so how do you expect Him to use you if you are still committing sin?

Another reason He cannot use a dirty vessel is that whoever He uses becomes His representative and a model for other people to follow’. Naturally, the moment people see someone working miracles in the name of Jesus, they tend to follow him or her and even copy his or her lifestyle. If God uses a sinner, what message is He passing to the world? Isn’t He then saying that it is okay to sin? God forbid. For this reason, when God is looking for someone to use, He will first take the fellow through a series of tests and training just to ensure that the person is strong and equipped enough to withstand temptations and sin when He eventually starts using him or her.

Those who are really serious about God using them have to always subdue the flesh. They learn to walk in the Spirit because if they live by the flesh they will sin. They fast often, they stay away from bad company and media content that could pollute their minds. They study the word regularly because they want to know God more. Daniel 11:32 says it is those who know their God that will be strong and do exploits.

Open Heaven 1 March 2021 KEY POINT: Are you really serious about wanting to be used by God? Show Him by your lifestyle.

OPEN HEAVEN 1 MARCH 2021 HYMN 24: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE

1. Take my life and let it be
   Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
   Take my moments and my days,
   Let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
   At the impulse of Thy love.
   Take my feet and let them be
   Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
   Always, only for my King.
   Take my lips and let them be
   Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
   Not a mite would I withhold.
   Take my intellect and use
   Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
   It shall be no longer mine.
   Take my heart, it is Thine own,
   It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
   At Thy feet its treasure store.
   Take myself and I will be
   Ever, only, all for Thee.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide Was Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 – PERSEVERANCE

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The Topic of Open Heavens for 24th February 2021 Is “PERSEVERANCE”

Memorise: Ephesians 6:18

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Read:  2 Corinthians 6:3-7 (KJV)

3. Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed;

4. But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6. By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7. By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.

 OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

The word perseverance can be simply described as being persistent in doing something despite difficulties and delay in achieving success. No one can excel in the Christian journey without perseverance.

(2 Timothy 4:2) encourages us to:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

The fruit of the Spirit – longsuffering (Galatians 5:22) is exhibited in the life of a believer who perseveres.

In the Christian race, without perseverance it is very easy to fall away from the faith. No wonder Jesus said in the book of Matthew 24:13:

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Endurance and perseverance are integral to our Christian walk. A believer who cannot endure suffering will be unable to do the will of God.

Suffering is one of the ways God purges us of every impurity. Without suffering, the flesh will grow strong and hinder your spiritual growth (Isaiah 48:10).

What kind of hardships should believers endure?

1. Persecution: Jesus said believers will be persecuted for believing in Him. John 15:20 says “…If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…”

2. Affliction: Sometimes believers would be afflicted but the Bible says it is working for us “… a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

3. Momentary Lack: Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:12 “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” So when lack comes along, we must learn to endure in faith knowing that storm will be over soon.

It is however comforting to know that despite all the challenges we will face in our Christian race; the crown of life awaits us if we persevere (Revelation 2:10).

REFLECTION: Would you endure hardship for the sake of the gospel?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 8-10

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide Was Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer Of

The Redeemed Christian Church of God,

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY 22ND JANUARY 2021 – THE POWER IN A NAME

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The Topic of Open Heavens for 22nd January 2021 Is “The Power In A Name”

MEMORISE:  Philippians 2:10

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

READ: Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 2-4

 

 OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

Many people wonder why names are important. Well, to start with, a name says a lot about the bearer. The Bible says that whatever Adam named the animals, that is what they were called (Genesis 2:19). What you are called has serious consequences on what you become.

When I was a lecturer at the University of Lagos, there was a Professor’s typist who everyone jokingly called Prof. Whenever they called him Prof, he would smile and reply, “Yes, yes”. Then one day, he made a life changing decision. “I am a typist, but everybody calls me Professor. Then Professor I will become”. He then began to attend evening classes and little by little, he passed his exams and gained admission into the University. Before I left the University of Lagos, the typist was already studying for his Ph.D. All these came about because a typist was called a Professor.

God takes names very seriously. In Genesis 17:5 He changed Abram’s name to Abraham, then in Genesis 17:15 He changed Sarai’s name to Sarah.

God also changed Jacob’s name as well in Genesis 32:28:
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel…”

God changed their names when He wanted to promote them. He gave them new names that reflected what He wanted to make out of them. This teaches us that if we want to go to a new level, we should begin to bear the name for that level.

Just as we see in our Bible reading for today, God exalted Jesus by giving Him a name that is above every other.

What is the next level that you want to attain? Start bearing the name that reflects that new level from now. However, if you think that you might get into trouble by asking people to call you that name, stand in front of your mirror and begin to call yourself that name as often as you can.

Some believers answer to funny nicknames that are not a reflection of who they want to be; worse still, some even call themselves such names in a bid to appear modest. Don’t answer to such nicknames anymore.

The name you answer to is what you will become.

OPEN HEAVEN 22 FEBRUARY 2021 REFLECTION:

What is the name that you are called? Is it a reflection of what you want to become? If not, change that name immediately.

OPEN HEAVEN 22 FEBRUARY 2021 HYMN 1: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME!

1. All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!
   Let angels prostrate fall;
   Bring forth the royal diadem,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
   Bring forth the royal diadem,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
2. Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre,
   and as they tune it, fall
   Before His face Who tunes their choir,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
   Before His face Who tunes their choir,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
3. Crown Him, ye morning stars of light,
   Who fixed this floating ball;
   Now hail the strength of Israel’s might,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
   Now hail the strength of Israel’s might,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
4. Crown Him, ye martyrs of our God,
   who from His altar call;
   Extol the Stem of Jesse’s rod,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
   Extol the Stem of Jesse’s rod,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
5. Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race,
   ye ransomed from the fall,
   Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
   Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
6. Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line,
   Whom David Lord did call,
   The God incarnate, Man divine,
   and crown Him Lord of all,
   The God incarnate, Man divine,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
7. Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
   the wormwood and the gall,
   Go spread your trophies at His feet,
   and crown Him Lord of all.
   Go spread your trophies at His feet,
   and crown Him Lord of all.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide Was Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer Of

The Redeemed Christian Church of God,

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 2021 – ALL POWER BELONGS TO GOD

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The Topic of Open Heavens for 20th February 2021 Is “ALL POWER BELONGS TO GOD”

Memorise: Psalms 62:11

“Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongeth unto God.”

Read: Job 26:12-14 (KJV)

12. He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.

13. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

14. Lo, these are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

RCCG 2021 Fasting and Prayer Guide

 OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

My God is very powerful. God’s power is everlasting: it never fails nor diminishes. Only an all-powerful God could have created the sun with mere words (Genesis 1:3). Only an all-powerful God could part the Red Sea with a blast from His nostrils so His children could cross safely and then close it back to drown their pursuers(Exodus 15:8). Usually, food grows from ground, but it takes an all-powerful God to rain food down from Heaven for His children to eat (Exodus 16:13-15, 31).

In our Bible reading for today, Job described the omnipotent nature of God when he said:

He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? – (Job 26:12-14)

How we describe God captures but a tiny fraction of the power He wields. Our minds cannot fully comprehend His power and that is why a lot of times, we undermine His omnipotence. Often times, we are quick to forget that nothing is beyond God. Luke 1:37 says that with God nothing shall be impossible. Jeremiah.32:17 says:

Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.

God is able to bring to pass anything He desires. Many believers are living with problems today because they have not come to the understanding that all power in Heaven and on earth belong to God. He is not a God that is limited by time or the acts of men. He is the Mighty Man in Battle, the Ancient of Days, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Undefeatable Champion, The Almighty God!

If you know how powerful God is, you will never undermine His ability to turn your situation around and give you victory in all battles of life.

Go before Him today in faith that He is the Almighty God and He will surely prove His omnipotence in your life.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, help me to acknowledge at all times that all power belongs to You alone.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ephesians 4-6

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide Was Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer Of

The Redeemed Christian Church of God,