November | 2012 | Open Heavens

Open Heavens: Giving Joy to Parents

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RCCG Open Heaven Devotion 2012 – Pastor E. A. Adeboye (ISBN: 978-36079-4-4)
Download Open Heaven – iOpenHeaven , www.m.openheavensportal.net
(Previously available online @: http://www.rccgna.org/Resources/BibleStudy/Devotionals.aspx)

Saturday 10 November

Bible in one year: Isaiah 58-60

GIVING JOY TO PARENTS

Memorise: The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Proverbs 23:24

Read: Proverbs 23:22-25

Apart from giving joy to others, the righteous is also known by the amount of joy he or she is able to give his or her parents – both biological and spiritual

parents. Proverbs 23:24 says:

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

If you cause grief to your father, you are not righteous but wicked. Will your earthly parents be happy with you if you neglect them at old age? If you invested so much in your children but have retired and they are gainfully employed, yet they ignore you, will you be happy with them? Some fathers have placed curses on their children for neglecting them. The righteous will not neglect his parents at any time. He will make sure those of them that are not saved are led to Jesus. After all, that is the greatest gift he can give to them. Besides, he will ensure they have a roof over their heads and that their needs are met – food, clothing, medical, etc.

The righteous will invest much in the lives of his parents for several reasons. First, because all they have received in life are from God through their parents. The righteous will not forget the slightest good deed or investment that he or she received from the parents. Also, especially if he was neglected by his parents, he will invest in such unbelieving parents in a bid to overcome their evil with good (Romans 12:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:15). You say, “My father neglected me from childhood. How can I relate with such a man?” He did it in ignorance. Now that you know Christ, you will win him by your conduct. If you repay evil for evil, there is no difference between you and your unbelieving father. But if you return good to him, the coals of fire you will heap on his head will easily lead him to Christ (Proverbs 25:22). In addition, the righteous will invest in his parents so that he will not constitute a stumbling block to their salvation. It is easier for your parents to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ if they see you practicing it by caring for them than by neglecting them. The righteous will invest in his parents and give them the best so that when he is old, he will reap something better from his own children. Lastly, the righteous will care for parents as an act of obedience to God’s command. Go and care for your parents regularly from today. The Lord will bless you as you do so.

ACTION POINT:

Draw up a plan through which you and your spouse will regularly give to your parents.

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Open Heavens: Heavenly Riches

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Friday 9 November

Bible in one year: 2 Chronicles 33-36

HEAVENLY RICHES

Memorise: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:16

Read: Luke 18:18-24

The Laodicean church was virtually the richest of the churches. Some thought because they were physically rich, they were equally spiritually rich. But Jesus

told them to buy from Him gold tried in the fire (Revelations 3:17-18). Are you prepared to die for your faith in Christ? Are you prepared to lose that job or that much desired once in a lifetime opportunity for your faith in Christ? To be rich in Heaven, you need to be faithful in whatever the Lord has committed to your hands and strive to win as many souls as possible to Him, according to the measure of His grace upon you. Also ensure as much as possible that they make it to Heaven. Why? Mark 8:36-37 says a soul is worth more than the whole world put together. If you have so many of them and God gives you the reward in Heaven, you will be rich. Similarly, if you want to be rich in Heaven and you have earthly wealth, sow a bulk of it into the lives of the poor in exchange for heavenly wealth. You need to go the extra mile to enrich the poor and you will be rich in Heaven. A rich young ruler once came to Jesus. He wanted eternal life and had kept the commandments right from his youth. Hear what Jesus said:

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Luke 18:22

Your wealth or possessions on their own are worth nothing to God, except they are converted into something of value that can affect the lives of others for good. If you use your wealth to make others rich like Paul did, you will take the harvest in Heaven because the principle of sowing and reaping applies there (2 Corinthians 6:10). Another way to be rich in Heaven is to be rich in good works (1 Timothy 6:16). Use your wealth to embarrass people with the goodness of God. No rich Christian Brother or Sister has a reason to be poor in Heaven. No poor believer should also be poor in Heaven. Yes, you can be rich in Heaven. You can also sit with Christ on one of the thrones that is on reserve. You are the one to take the decision. Take the decision that will positively impact on your eternity.

KEY POINT:

Every believer is given resources he or she can invest on earth to attain heavenly greatness. How you use them is up to you.

Open Heavens: Don’t Attract Judgement

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Thursday 8 November

Bible in one year: Chronicles 30-32

DON’T ATTRACT JUDGEMENT!

Memorise: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 1 Thessalonians 4:4

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

Those who carry God’s mighty presence or glory cannot but benefit immensely from it. There are several blessings that can come to you from God’s presence. According to 2 Samuel 6:6-11, there are two sides to this: you could invoke God’s presence while you are not holy enough to receive it or you can receive it in the place of holiness. Uzzah, in an attempt to stop the Ark from falling, touched the Ark and the Lord struck him dead. Why? He was not sanctified to do so in His presence. Holiness must never be compromised when calling down the presence of God or else the fellow could receive judgement instead. Uzzah had the best of intentions but because he was not a priest, he lacked the level of sanctification required to touch the Ark and this ended his life abruptly. This tells us that zeal is not enough. It is not enough to want to help God. It is not enough to desire to serve God. You must be in a spiritually acceptable state to do this, you must be doing what you are called to do by God and you must be doing it after the pattern you were given by

Him. God will not compromise on His standards.

It is very dangerous to be living in sin in God’s presence. This is becoming rampart these days. Some people come to God’s house to seek ungodly friendships with the opposite sex. That you have not dropped dead suddenly like Uzzah does not mean God approves of your evil deeds. God’s judgements vary depending on the individual, the offence committed and other factors known only to God. For instance, when He rejected Saul, He took His Spirit from him and gave him an evil spirit that kept him continually disturbed until his death. Gehazi got leprosy instead of the anointing; Michal got permanent barrenness for despising her husband king David, etc. As a pastor or house fellowship leader, it is good to pray down God’s presence but pray that His presence will convict those living in sin and encourage members to live holy lives; so that those living in sin do not attract judgement. Are you prepared for His glory?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, help me not to do anything that will attract judgement from You.

Open Heavens: Why Miracles

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Wednesday 7 November

Bible in one year: 2 Chronicles 26-29

WHY MIRACLES?

Memorise: Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4

Read: John 20:30-31

God is a God of miracles. In the Old Testament, He performed miracles. In the

New Testament, He performed more miracles. Even today, He is still in the

business of miracles. Unfortunately, because of the attitude of some people to miracles, its purpose is being misunderstood. Some people think miracles are to entertain guests, while some think it is to show off. Oh how wrong! God has definite reasons for suspending the laws of nature and doing the impossible before restoring those laws. The first reason is to make the recipient, as well as the spectator, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Miracles, like the Word of God stir up faith in God. Romans 10:17 says:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If you want your faith to increase, focus on the miracles of Jesus. One thing about miracles is that as you continue to witness or hear it, faith to receive your own miracle will build up within you. This then means that those who regularly hear of and see the miracles God wrought in the midst of His people are expected to be believers. But if in spite of all these, you still have some doubts, something is wrong somewhere.

Miracles are meant to lead you to Jesus. Every recipient of healing, deliverance, breakthrough or answered prayer is expected to return to the Lord and invite Him into their hearts. Has the miracle of the Lord made you to become a born again child of God? If it has not, you are frustrating God’s intention in sending you that miracle. In any case, you need Jesus in your heart to sustain that miracle or else it could easily be lost. After you are born again, the miracles you receive are to establish you in the place of faith knowing that the One who has tackled your situation is still the same God who will tackle the future ones. That means miracles can help the believer to continue to believing in His God and to remain victorious. In addition, sometimes, God uses miracles to make people know that He is the Supreme Being in charge and above all, so that His glory can be given to Him.

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, let the purpose of miracles be fully accomplished in my life.

Open Heavens: He Gives Peace

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Tuesday 6 November

Bible in one year: 2 Chronicles 23-25

HE GIVES PEACE

Memorise: Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Read: Ephesians 2:15-17

When the King of glory prospers you, it will be without sorrow. When He blesses, it is irreversible because there is nothing glorious about being an ex-rich person. There is no glory in saying, ”Once upon a time I used to have a car”. If that is your story, the Lord will touch you with His glory this season and there shall be restoration. When He makes you to live long, He will ensure you have good days to enjoy it. When the days are hard and very tough, not too many people will want to continue to suffer. For instance, what is the use of long life if the whole time is spent in sickness, pain, sorrow and hunger? There are some people who wish they were rather dead than continue living under such unpleasant situations. Are you in a similar situation? The King of glory will touch you and change your story this season. After the Lord turned around the captivity of Job, He doubled what he had lost, gave him much more and gave him long life to enjoy them (Job 42:10-17). The blessings God has given you and will yet give to you, shall come with long life and good days to enable you enjoy them in Jesus name.

When the King of glory gives peace, it is nothing but perfect peace. In John

14:27, concerning this He says:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

He can do this because 1 Thessalonians 5:23 calls Him the God of peace and 2

Thessalonians 3:16 says:

Now the Lord of Peace himself give you peace always by all means. The

Lord be with you all.

When He gives you peace, who can give you trouble? If He steps into any troubled situation, things must change to reflect His peace. The Lord can go to any length to give you peace whether your detractors like it or not. He can also ensure your peace is continuous. This season, the Lord is giving you peace. Peace is coming into your home, workplace and ministry. Peace is coming into your relationship. Every stormy situation is giving way to the Prince of Peace now. Expect a great calm where you have had the worst form of trouble.

ACTION POINT:

Ask the Prince of Peace to step into every troubled situation you are in now.

Open Heavens: Winds Against Sowing

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Monday 5 November

Bible in one year: 2 Chronicles 20-22

WINDS AGAINST SOWING

Memorise: He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4

Read: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

There is tremendous power in a seed. Each time you sow, you have a future to look forward to. At least you will have expectation of yields. If you fail to sow, you have nothing to look forward to.

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Ecclesiastes 11:6

It takes wisdom to continue to sow. Some people sow once into a project or need of the church and then go to sleep. This is purely an act motivated by insufficient knowledge. Find out if there is any farmer who sows once and goes to sleep and never sows again, but expects continuous harvest. If you sow once, you will take a once-and-for-all harvest. If you continue to sow, your harvests will be multiplied. If you want a great future ahead of you and your family then you must never stop sowing.

As good as sowing may be, there are contrary circumstances that come to discourage the sower from sowing. One of such factors is fear of the weather. The one who focuses on the wind may think of the rain and therefore fail to sow. Today, many people are observing the economic climate before deciding whether to sow or not. The truth is that irrespective of the weather, your seed will give you a good harvest if it is a good seed. Hence, you should sow during economic boom and during economic recession. For instance, Isaac sowed during economic recession and got the type of harvest that he never got before, which turned him into the envy of the Philistines (Genesis 26:12-16). Some people also do not sow because they think they are too much in need to sacrifice their seed. The question is: If you make that sacrifice, will it kill you? If you eat the seed, can it sustain you for a long time? If it cannot, then sow it in faith and trust God for your harvest. Some are afraid of losing their seed. This fear is justified if only you are sowing on the wrong soil or if the seed itself is bad. Ask the Lord to guide you on the good grounds to sow into.

KEY POINT:

A good seed, sown in good soil at a time of need will yield a bountiful harvest.

Open Heavens: Jesus and the Father

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Sunday 4 November

Bible in one year: 2 Chronicles 17-19

JESUS & THE FATHER

Memorise: But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. John 10:38

Read: Matthew 27:45-46

In Psalms 42:3, the psalmist said his tears had been his food both day and night. It is a very touching thing to be in tears both day and night. The truth is, there is no sorrow to be compared to two lovers that are compulsorily separated. If you are intimate with someone and something happens that pulls you apart, which neither of you could stop, it could cause a lot of sorrow. Jesus Christ experienced this on

the cross and He cried out :

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

Jesus felt it so deep. The agony of the cross was nothing compared to that brief moment of separation from His Father. They have been very intimate and had been together from eternity past. Even when Jesus came to earth as a human being, their relationship was intact. But when He went to pray in the Garden at Gethsemane, His worst fears and worries were not for the beatings, crucifixion and death ahead, but from the foreknowledge that He would be separated from the Father for the very first time.

If you love God and have fellowship with Him, it will show when there is a sudden break in the love flow between you and God. If for any reason you fall into sin and God is separated from you for a moment, your grief will be much. You will weep your eyes out and feel so bad to have betrayed His love. You will immediately suspend everything else and make sure your link is restored with your source and lover. But if you do not feel anything or you sweep the sin under the carpet saying: “I have some more urgent matters to attend to now, I will later ask God for forgiveness when I am chanced”, it simply shows you are not in love with Jesus Christ. If you love Him, you cannot go to bed with a grudge in your heart against anyone. You cannot stay one minute out of faith in Christ. How do you love Him? Does your attitude show that you really love Him? Ask God for grace to love Him as you never did.

KEY POINT:

Do you love Jesus to a point of grief and tears whenever you err from the path of righteousness?

Open Heavens: Do you hate lies

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Saturday 3 November

Bible in one year: Chronicles 14-16

DO YOU HATE LIES?

Memorise: A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Proverbs 13:5

Read: Proverbs 13:1-5

One of the fruits of righteousness is the hatred of lies. Today, the world has stratified lies. Some are called heavy lies, some feather weight lies, some are white lies, some are green lies, some are business lies, some are ministerial lies; some are lies that cannot hurt a fly, while some are dangerous and implicating lies etc. No matter how men by their own opinions choose to classify lies, deciding what a lie is, is not in the purview of men but of God; hence such classifications holds no water. If you are a lover of lies, you are far from being righteous. If you tell lies at all, you are miles from being righteous. Do you know that if you keep away from sin and the only crime found on you after death is a lie, it will keep you from entering through the pearly gates? Revelation 21:8 says all categories of liars will be found in the lake of fire, not in Heaven. Revelation 21:27 says:

And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the lamb’s book of life.

This means nothing can ever take anyone in the above categories into Heaven. If you are a lying leader, you are on your way to hell. Period!

A righteous fellow cannot stand lies because he or she is a chip off the old block

– a child of truth whose father is the Truth (Revelation 19:11-16). In John 8:44, Jesus says the devil is a liar and the father of all liars. If you are a General Overseer or superintendent, a senior pastor or believer and you tell lies, your father is the devil. A day is coming when everybody will go back to their father. After death, the devil will stand in the way to claim his own. He will ask some popular leaders and believers, ”Where are you going?” “I am going to Heaven of course”, they would say. ”Heaven, which heaven?” The devil will laugh them to scorn. “Did you not read that all liars will go to hell in Revelation 21:8? You are my child, come with me to the lake of fire our eternal abode”. Restitute on the lies you told. Have you offered some people some benefits in a business transaction and you received the payment but for one reason or the other, you did not give them what you promised? Go and return their money or else that lie cum covenant breaking may not allow you into Heaven.

PRAYER POINT:

The truth a liar is trying to hide from a few will eventually be revealed to everybody.

Open Heavens: Standing for Victors

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Friday 2 November

Bible in one year: 2 Chronicles 10-13

STANDING FOR VICTORS

Memorise: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7

Read: Acts 7: 54-60

Having shown their true standing, the Lord immediately told the rich but empty church in Laodicea what to do.

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. Revelation 3:18

He did not only talk about the problem but also about the solution. This clearly tells us that Jesus Christ who is the Head of the church knows exactly the challenges of every parish or church denomination under His control and the solutions to those problems. As the leader or member of a local assembly, if you can pray, the Lord will guide you on what to do. The problem with present day leaders is that they are too busy to pray or they always rely on doing things the way they have always done it, or the way others have always done it. The Lord did not call you to be a copy cat. You can be original and creatively different in your approach to ministry if only you find time to acquaint Him with what is going on and seek His help and direction.

The Lord told them, if you want to be rich, buy gold tried in fire. 1 Peter 1:7 says: That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

This talks about the indispensability of faith. If you must be rich, you must demonstrate your faith in Him. Similarly, you must be ready to undergo a trial of your faith. The tougher the trial, the richer you will turn out to be. God holds in high esteem those who can stand before men and go through Nebuchadnezzar’s fire for their faith in God. Why is this so? It is because by their golden faith, many can turn unto the Lord, irrespective of whether God intervenes in their trial or not. Do you want to be rich in Heaven? Then gladly accept situations that try your faith in Christ. If others are compromising, you stand tall and straight for Jesus, even when you have to suffer terrible things before men. When you succeed in coming out victorious, God will be proud of you and cause Heaven to give you a standing ovation like Stephen.

ACTION POINT:

If you desire God’s standing ovation, first stand for Him without yielding to adverse pressures.

Open Heavens: Life for Death

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Thursday 1 November

Bible in one year: 2 Chronicles 7-9

LIFE FOR DEATH

Memorise: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Read: Revelation 1:17-18

This is incredible! Death that has held man in fear for ages bows before the presence of our God. The spirit of death can visit human beings, families, spiritual lives, businesses, projects, life’s dreams and even animals. But the good news now is that death can only function when the Lord is absent. When He comes into the scene, death changes its name to life. In Revelation 1:18, He says:

I am he that liveth, and was dead: and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Jesus has authority over death and hell. He can release the one who was condemned to die and restore life to the fellow. John 10:10 says:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Wherever the spirit of death has been sent against you, life is being sent to replace it in the name of Jesus Christ. Are you weeping because of the effect of death in your business? Weep no more! That business shall resurrect! Fresh life is coming into that business today.

However, what you need is the presence of God in your organisation or business. Some people keep their businesses away from God; no wonder death is taking its toll on them even when the owners are believers in Christ. They are only cheating themselves. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus knocks on the door of your life asking you to open every door to Him. He will not force Himself on you. It is the door you open to Him He will enter and secure. Open up your business to Him today! When God’s presence is in your business, death will be kept at bay. He will warn you of jobs or contracts that can cause you pain and ask you to forget them. He will order your steps into your breakthrough and direct your goings every step of the way. Pay tithe on the profit of your transactions and don’t be smart with Him. Sponsor the Gospel of Jesus Christ as your business partners with Him. Let Him be the chairman of your business and your organisation will remain relevant.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, wherever death has programmed against my life, give me life in its place.

Open Heavens

Open Heavens Devotional

Monthly Archives: November 2012

Open Heavens: Giving Joy to Parents

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Open Heavens: Heavenly Riches

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Open Heavens: Don’t Attract Judgement

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Open Heavens: Why Miracles

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Open Heavens: He Gives Peace

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Open Heavens: Winds Against Sowing

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Open Heavens: Jesus and the Father

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Open Heavens: Do you hate lies

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Open Heavens: Standing for Victors

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Open Heavens: Life for Death

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