semmyk | Open Heavens

Open Heavens: A Sinner’s Special Offer

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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)

Monday 26 November

Bible in one year: Ezekiel 43-45

A SINNER’S SPECIAL OFFER

Memorise: Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luke 7:47

Read: Luke 7:36-50

The wealthy woman of 2 Kings 4:8-17 got her desired change through giving. If you can correctly use the powerful tool of giving, there is hardly any door it cannot open to you. The question is: Are you ready to give what can deliver your desired change? Not only was the woman changed from barrenness to fruitfulness, her family name that was to become extinct was preserved by the birth of a baby boy! Another person that effectively used giving was Cornelius. In Acts 10:1-48, he was told that his prayers and alms giving have been remembered by God and as a result, salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was granted him and his household.

A sinful woman once came to Jesus and wept much at His feet, washing them with her tears and wiping them with her hair. This was what nobody had done to Him before. Usually, it was their custom to provide water to wash the feet of your visitor but she felt water was just too cheap so she used her tears and instead of a towel to wipe, it was her hair which God gave her for glory. Then she kissed His feet severally instead of His hands and brought her alabaster box of ointment and began to anoint His feet instead of His head. By the time the Lord compared his host Simeon the Pharisee with the sinner, it was evident that what His host did not give to Him, she offered willingly to Him and this paved way for her. She got forgiveness of all her many sins. Also from this story we learn that to stand out and receive something great from the Lord, you must not just give what all others are giving but give in a different manner. Be creative in your giving. Give what no one else will ordinarily give. If you can prayerfully think of it, the Holy Ghost can give it to you. Through her special giving, she got what many could not buy. She entered Simeon’s house a chief sinner but left a saint. Initiate your change today!

KEY POINT:

Giving to God in an unusual manner uncovers God’s extraordinary benevolence.

NB: Copyright is a benefit to society. It’s not just about financial gain.
One of the chief purposes of copyright law is to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the text.
Please learn more about the subject by referring to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berne_Convention_for_the_Protection_of_Literary_and_Artistic_Works
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorized_King_James_Version#Copyright_status

Open Heavens: It Shall Come to Pass

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Sunday 25 November

Bible in one year: Nehemiah 10-13

IT SHALL COME TO PASS

Memorise: For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. Ecclesiastes 9:4

Read: Romans 4:20-21

Many years ago, while I was still struggling to pay my school fees, an old man met me and said: “One day, you will travel abroad as often as a woman goes to the market”. I looked at him and received it. “Yes sir, thank you”. Although it appeared too incredible to me then but today, I spend more time abroad than I do in Nigeria. I prophesy into your life that every good prophesy concerning your life will come to pass, no matter how incredible they are. After a promise, there might be some delay but as you wait patiently maintaining your right-standing with God, you will experience the joy of fulfilment.

I have personally benefited from this. There were several prophecies concerning the work the Lord had given me to do when I newly became the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. On the 24th of December, 1974 at Orimolusi College, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State (South-West Nigeria), the Lord said to me that He was going to build me a great army which I would lead into the battle. But in 1981 when I assumed office as the General Overseer, the entire membership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God was below 1000. To actualise that promise, I prayed, fasted, held special programmes every month. I also conducted seminars and outreaches which people attended but left immediately the programme was over. I later travelled to some other places but I did not see it, so I kept asking: “Where is the great army?” Suddenly, the turning point came and here we are today. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says God’s promises are Yes and Amen in Christ. Hold on to that promise the Lord has made to you because in due season, He will bring it to pass. Ecclesiastes 9:4 says as long as you are alive there is hope. As long as God is on your side, no matter the opposition, hindrance or difficulty, you will reach where the Lord is taking you to. The God who has been bringing His promises to pass in my life will also fulfil His promises in yours as long as you stand in the place of holiness, obedience and faith.

KEY POINT:

It may not follow your expectations and time, however, God’s promises will surely come to pass.

Open Heavens: Secret Sins

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Saturday 24 November

Bible in one year: Nehemiah 7-9

SECRET SINS

Memorise: Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. Psalms 90:8

Read: Psalms 19:12-14

Besides expressing faith in God, the righteous is identified by consistent right-standing with God. According to Ezekiel 3:21, the righteous is expected not to live in sin, but to continue to do what glorifies God. Righteousness is not something you engage today and disengage tomorrow like some people think. You do not abstain from sin only when those you respect are around, but also when they are not around. The righteous does not only abstain from public sins but also from secret ones. The challenge of most believers is not how to avoid open sins but how to stay righteous in their thought realm and to keep away from touching the unclean thing when they are all by themselves. That is a major challenge and for the righteous, this is the area he or she devotes more attention and prayer to.

David was one person who had a challenge in this area. Through the knowledge of God’s Word, he understood that secret sins, which nobody else is privy to, is fully exposed to God. In Psalms 90:8, he says our sins which were shrouded in secrecy of darkness and ignorance are exposed by the light of His presence. Your secret sins are not covered at all! God knows everything about your secret deeds. The devil or his agents who were present when you indulged in those evil acts also have the records. It is either God exposes your secrets, or the devil does. What you have buried in the earth or locked up in a safe, which you think is safe, is not safe at all. It can be exposed at anytime. The only secrets that can truly be secrets are the ones you confess to the Lord and hand over to Him. If He covers your faults, nobody can uncover them. When David realised this, he therefore asked God to deliver him from secret sins. Are you still living in sin secretly? Do you secretly masturbate, lust after same sex or the opposite sex? Do you secretly steal or bribe to influence decisions? Repent today and hand your secrets over to God.

KEY POINT:

The secret sins you fail to expose to Him today will be exposed before everyone and then nobody and nothing can cover your shame.

Open Heavens: He is Knocking

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Friday 23 November

Bible in one year: Nehemiah 4-6

HE IS KNOCKING

Memorise: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

Read: Romans 13:1-2

The Lord is standing and knocking at your heart today. He may be knocking on the door asking you to repent but will not force Himself in. He may be knocking on the door asking you to obey a particular directive He gave you but He will not compel you to obey. He may also be knocking on the door asking you to make restitution in certain areas of your life. Have you opened the door to the Lord? It is either you open to Him or keep Him out, pretending not to hear. Just remember that one day, you too will knock on the gates of Heaven and it will be His turn to open to you or not. On that day, who you know on earth, your academic qualification, your wealth, status and achievements on earth will not be able to help you. Jesus Christ holds the key to the pearly gates of Heaven so if you want Him to open to you then, open you heart to Him now.

Moreover, the Lord gave a wonderful promise to overcomers in Revelation 3:21. He says if you overcome, you will sit with Him in His throne just as He overcame and is presently sitting with His Father on His throne. The Father and the Holy Spirit have their thrones. Surrounding them are four living creatures and 24 elders. In Heaven, some people may sit about a million miles to God’s throne while some will sit near the throne but the overcomers will sit in the throne itself. You cannot be an overcomer without fighting and winning. Matthew 11:12 says God’s Kingdom allows spiritual violence. To be an overcomer, be born again, sanctified and baptised in the Holy Spirit, obey God’s Word and every instruction the Lord gives to you. Exact the victory that Christ has given you over your fleshly desires, Satan, worldly attractions and temptations. To be an overcomer, you cannot afford to be lukewarm. Let the Lord revive you and be on fire for Him. Is your heart open to the King of kings today?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, in any way I have shut my heart to You, I repent in dust and ashes, and open up my heart to You today.

Open Heavens: Benefits of His Presence

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Thursday 22 November

Bible in one year: Nehemiah 1-3

BENEFITS OF HIS PRESENCE

Memorise:But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Read: 1 Chronicles 26:4-8

Obededom was used as a guinea pig to test if there was any further judgement from God with regards the Ark of the Covenant. But instead of judgement, his blessing became overwhelming. In the ministry, there are some people I know that would prosper irrespective of where they are sent. In 1Chronicles 26:4-8, the presence of God in the house of Obededom turned his children into mighty men of valour. No more did they continue as people who did not matter. This is one reason family altars which bring down God’s glory should be maintained in every home. Some men pray apart from their wives or leave the children to pray alone. No! It must include the whole family. It is not enough to have a family altar but you must ensure your relationships are right and that there is peace at home so that the glory of God can come down. If there was any misunderstanding, at prayer time, ensure it is resolved before you pray. The family that praises and worships God frequently to the point of bringing down His glory into their house is a wise family. The more God’s glory comes upon a house, the less habitable it becomes for powers of darkness.

Children who regularly bask in the glory of God will be able to express their full potentials in life. God’s presence takes away hindrances to progress. It also brings about fruitfulness as we can see in the family of Obededom. Not only were his children honourable, they were also people who were fit; they were physically strengthened to serve God. None of them was a weakling as they ably served God wherever they were. They were people you could depend on. The presence of God therefore strengthens those under it to serve God. If you come under the cover of God’s glory, you will have your strength renewed. In God’s presence is divine strength to serve God. If you can access His presence, you will not lack the energy to serve Him or the grace to live for Him. It is wonderful to be in His presence.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, let the benefits of being in Your presence manifest in my life as I come into Your presence.

Open Heavens: Job Waited

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Wednesday 21 November

Bible in one year: 2 Corinthians 10-13

JOB WAITED

Memorise: If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Job 14:14

Read: Job 14:11-14

Between expectations and fulfilment, there is need to wait. The duration however is dependent on the size of what is being expected. Job was one person who successfully waited. In Job 14:14, he says:

If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

During his trial of faith, he suffered terribly. He lost virtually everything apart from his wife who asked him to curse God and die. He had obviously lost her to the world. He had no inkling as to why the evil occurrences around him happened, yet he believed that if he could hear God speak, all would be well. He was not only prepared to wait for one day, a week, a month or a year, but rather to wait as long as it takes to effect a change in his situation. Unlike many of us today, Job did not give God an ultimatum or threaten him by saying: “If you do not give me this blessing by such and such a time, I will backslide.” It is spiritual babes that threaten God in the midst of a trial. Sometimes the way they relate with God during such a period reveals a mindset that God is the problem. They attack God instead of facing the reality of their need.

From Job, we learn to be patient in tribulation. A time of trial is a time to exercise great restraint and tread with care for the following reasons: Most decisions taken during such a period may be rash, so there is need to have a clear head before arriving at any conclusion; also, it is not advisable to take any step without hearing from God because even when you may not be responsible for the problem you are presently going through, you will be accountable for anything you do wrong during the period of your trial. It is very important to sustain a personal relationship with God during the time of trial because He is all you’ve got. At such a time, men may disappoint or despise you. Everything else may be against you except God. All you may be required to do will be to wait on Him in spite of what your senses are urging you to do. Learn to hear and recognise God’s voice. This can be relatively easy to learn during a trial of faith period. Are you going through a period of trial? The Lord will make a way for you in Jesus name.

ACTION POINT:

Every second you spend waiting on the Lord is an investment that will come back to you.

Open Heavens: Giving: What Container

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Tuesday 20 November

Bible in one year: 2 Corinthians 7-9

GIVING: WHAT CONTAINER?

Memorise: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

Read: Luke 6:37-38

If you know the power of your seed, you will not joke with it; you will also not hide it. Another principle of giving is that God uses your measure to Him to give back to you. You will only be expecting God to become a magician if you expect a different measure. God is no magician. He multiplies what you give to Him but He does not change the container. Luke 6:38 says:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Dollar is a measure, Naira is another measure. Euro is another and Pounds is another measure. If you want returns in Dollars, sow in Dollars. Do not sow in Naira and be expecting a harvest in Euro. It does not work like that.

You can be in any country and sow in the particular currency in which you want your harvest. Sow and keep on sowing in that currency. By the time your harvest comes, you will celebrate. In addition, the various denominations of each currency are different measures too. Take for instance the Nigerian Naira, you have N1000, N500, N200, N100, N50, N20, N10 and N5 notes. It is the particular denomination that you use that God will multiply and return to you. If you keep using the smallest of the denominations and think you are thrifty or wise, you are only limiting yourself. Do yourself a favour by using the biggest denominations so as to get the greatest harvest. Sometimes however, when you sow in a foreign currency, God may give you the harvest in a local currency for a reason. But if you check the value and compare with what you sowed, you will know that God knows how to calculate value in any currency. How often do you sow? The key to your financial breakthrough is in your hands. If you fail to use it, nothing will be delivered to you but if you use it very well, your life will turn around for good.

ACTION POINT:

Before you give, decide on the harvest you want and thereafter choose the seed and container that will deliver the harvest to you.

Open Heavens: Heaven’s Worth it

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Monday 19 November

Bible in one year: 2 Corinthians 4-6

HEAVEN’S WORTH IT!

Memorise: So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:21

Read: Luke 12:16-21

The greatest blessing you can give to anyone is to prepare the fellow for Heaven. Revelation 22:12 says:

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Give a man a million naira; if he is not financially prudent and does not have the wisdom on how to invest it, after some time, there may be no evidence of having received such a sum. But if you give a man Jesus and prepare the fellow for Heaven, not only will he be your crown of rejoicing, his own joy will be everlasting. Tell all who are associated with you that if they are not born again, no matter how religious they are and no matter the position they occupy in church, they cannot enter through the pearly gates of Heaven. Also tell them that if they are born again but they are not living holy, they will also not be able to enter in. You can equally be a blessing by getting the sick healed or getting the needy to have supernatural provision from God through your ministry, but the fellow who is healed today will still die one day and face eternity and the one with abundance today will die and return naked some day. So it is better to give people Jesus and prepare them for Heaven.

The other day, someone was congratulating me that I was nominated as Number one among the living legends in Nigeria and 49th among the world’s most influential. I thanked him and replied: “Number one in Nigeria, and Number 49 in the world, then Number what in Heaven?” This is what is most important! When Jesus returns, He is not going to ask you what number you were in your country or in the world, but where you are placed in Heaven. If God likes you and gives you good health, you may live up to 120 years on earth but over there, it is forever. If you make it to Heaven, you will enjoy forever but if you go to hell, you will burn throughout eternity. Some years ago, a man attended the Holy Ghost service and met someone he was familiar with there. “So, you too are here?” He asked. “Yes,” replied the other man. “Really, for how long?” “For five years” was the reply. Then the man became excited and said: ”You mean, you knew the way to Heaven for the past five years and you never told me, yet you call yourself my friend?” Lead all your acquaintances to Jesus today! Don’t be like the rich fool!

ACTION POINT:

What number are you in Planet Heaven? What are you doing to move up your rating in heaven?

Open Heavens: Pour out your Heart

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Sunday 18 November

Bible in one year: 2 Corinthians 1-3

POUR OUT YOUR HEART

Memorise: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12

Read: 1 Samuel 1:13-18

While describing the way he prayed under a particular circumstance, the Psalmist in Psalms 42:4 says he poured out his soul to God. The phrase, “I pour out my soul” describes the soul like liquid. Depending on the situation, some prayers can take on a casual form while others may wear a garb of seriousness. The intensity of your prayers will defer in a case where you experienced a hitch-free trip compared to when you meet with several difficulties during a trip but eventually arrived safely. The Psalmist in Psalms

130:1-2 talks of calling unto God out of the deep. Somebody said that was Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the fish. When there is no imminent danger and you are in the comfort of your air-conditioned bedroom praying, that kind of prayer will be sweet, smooth and leisure-like. But the one in the belly of a fish such as in Jonah’s case would definitely be differently. Jonah would have been very aggressive and desperate and must have prayed like a drowning man.

In 1 Samuel 1:13-18, we read that when Hannah was praying, only her lips moved. Some people have used this as an excuse to engage in silent prayers. But the truth is, although she was not making a sound, it does not mean that she was not praying aggressively. We could compare this to a situation where an eight- day-old baby boy is circumcised and he is in pains. He cries out in agony and even when he is being given breast to suck, he continues to cry until his voice pales out, yet he will still be crying. Hannah must have cried to the extent of losing her voice. There is an extent you would pray and you would realise you have gotten God’s attention. What kind of prayer takes place in your family? How desperate are you? If you can pour out your heart to the Lord without being so mindful of grammar or who is nearby or who is looking or not looking at you, you would get His attention. At the end of the day, what is important is getting answers to prayers and not whether you appear to men as being prayerful. The Lord will hear your cry this season. Call on Him!

Prayer point:

Using Matthew 11:12 pray that God will grant you grace to express the needed spiritual violence that will deliver answers to you in the place of prayer.

Open Heavens: Mark of Faith

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Saturday 17 November

Bible in one year: 1 Corinthians 13-16

MARK OF FAITH

Memorise:And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6

Read: Genesis 15:1-6

The righteous can be identified by their faith in God. The Bible reports that Abraham was counted as righteous because he believed God.

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

Hebrews 11:6 says without faith nobody can please God. If you come to God, you must believe that He exists. Not only that, you must take Him at His Word because He does not break His promises. You must also believe that He will do what He says He would. Faith in God is very paramount in the life of a Christian. The righteous believes every word that comes out of God’s mouth or His bona fide servants. If you find it difficult to receive God’s Word or to believe certain prophesies that the Lord has declared, your righteousness is questionable. The righteous is a believer in Christ, are you? Abraham’s faith in God was so outstanding that it made him to be called: The friend of God. Faith in your God is what elevates you. If you have the key of faith and it is inserted into Jesus Christ – The Door, and turned, it can take you to any height. If there is one thing that Jesus sought as He went about preaching, teaching and healing, it was faith.

Faith attracts His presence. One way or another, wherever He finds faith in God, He moves into the situation to salvage it. Beloved, where is your faith? As long as you have someone to depend on for that job placement, contract, appointment, etc., you will be unable to channel your faith towards God. Each time you depend overly on man instead of God, you make Him jealous. He sees anyone you totally depend on as competing for His space in your heart. He might be forced to sever you from such persons. God is the only One you should trust totally. The righteous trust God to the point of foolishness and He never disappoints them. To what extent can you believe God in today’s world?

KEY POINT:

Different situations call for different levels of faith.

In some cases, all you need is just simple child-like faith.

Open Heavens

Open Heavens Devotional

Author Archives: semmyk

Open Heavens: A Sinner’s Special Offer

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Open Heavens: It Shall Come to Pass

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Open Heavens: Secret Sins

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Open Heavens: He is Knocking

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Open Heavens: Benefits of His Presence

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Open Heavens: Job Waited

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Open Heavens: Giving: What Container

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Open Heavens: Heaven’s Worth it

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Open Heavens: Pour out your Heart

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Open Heavens: Mark of Faith

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