Open Heaven For Today 2023 – Open Heavens 18 May

Open Heaven For Today 2023 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Gift Of Love

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Open heavens

TOPIC: The Gift Of Love

MEMORISE: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)

READ: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV)

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 1-4

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE:

The Bible takes the subject of love so seriously that it is equated with the sum of all the commandments of God (Matthew 22:36-40). The Bible goes further to say that love is the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:10). The use of the word ‘Law’ in the Bible, is usually a reference to all the commandments and statutes recorded in the Old Testament. Now, the reality that God equates love to the whole of the Old Testament Bible is serious food for thought. The Bible in 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 says:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

The passage above speaks clearly about the importance of love and how children of God should rate it on the scale of spirituality. Here, God compared some special spiritual gifts of uncommon value to love. Speaking in the tongues of men and angels means the ability to speak in heavenly tongues as well as interpreting it in the language of men. The interpretation of tongues has always been a rare gift that is highly sought after in the body of Christ, yet anyone with this gift without having love is described as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal – viewed by God as a mere noisemaker.

Furthermore, the Bible says if one should have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries and have all knowledge, with enough faith to do great miracles, without love, such a person would amount to nothing in the eyes of God. Love is the golden rule by which whatever gifts we exhibit and whatever services we offer to God are measured. Therefore, love is the ultimate commandment. Romans 13:10 says, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law”. The service that pleases God is one from the heart, rendered in love. God is love. If you are born again, you have the capacity to manifest the agape love. It is a compulsory virtue in Christianity.

REFLECTION:

To what extent does love manifest in your life and ministry?

HYMN 31: Wonderful Story Of Love

1 Wonderful story of love!

Tell it to me again;

Wonderful story of love!

Wake the immortal strain.

Angels with rapture announce it,

Shepherds with wonder receive it;

Sinner, O won’t you believe it?

Wonderful story of love!

Refrain:

Wonderful! Wonderful!

Wonderful story,

Wonderful story of love!

2 Wonderful story of love!

Though you are far away;

Wonderful story of love!

Still He doth call today.

Calling from Calvary’s mountain,

Down from the crystal bright fountain,

E’en from the dawn of creation;

Wonderful story of love!

3 Wonderful story of love!

Jesus provides a rest;

Wonderful story of love!

For all the pure and blest;

Rest in those mansions above us,

With those who’ve gone on before us,

Singing the rapturous chorus;

Wonderful story of love!

Open Heavens 2023 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven for Today 2023

Open Heaven For Today 2023 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – God Wants You to Rest

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TOPIC: God Wants You to Rest

MEMORISE: “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” – Mark 6:31 (KJV)

READ: Numbers 8:23-26 (KJV)

23 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

24 This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation:

25 And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more:

26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 35-36

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE:

Rest is very important to God. He rested on the seventh day after completing the work of creation and also blessed the day specially (Genesis 2:1-3). God went on to design various categories of rest periods for man. In Exodus 35:2, God ordained a weekly Sabbath of rest that was observed on the seventh day in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 25:4-5, God also ordained a seventh year Sabbath of rest when the land will not be cultivated, the people and animals will also take their rest from farming activities for a whole year. Surprisingly, Exodus 31:14 says, “Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people”. Rest is so important to God that He places a heavy penalty on defaulters.

Despite the observance of these holidays, the Nation of Israel continued to be more prosperous than their neighbours that did not have the tradition of taking any rest. This is due to the word of God in Psalm 127:1: “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain”. Therefore, working around-the-clock everyday will not make you richer or more productive.

Jesus Christ showed us the importance of taking good rest in Mark 6:31, when He told the disciples after their very first missionary tour, “Come ye apart and rest for a while”. David almost died in battle because he failed to rest. His commanders later said, “Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel” (2 Samuel 21:15-17). Many people, even ministers of God, are dying from stress-induced health challenges due to lack of adequate rest.

Brethren, rest is divinely ordained, refreshing and rewarding. I personally ensure I incorporate rest into my itinerary no matter how tight my schedule may be. Indeed, you’ll even be more productive after resting adequately. Beloved, just as God wants you to be diligent, He also wants you to rest adequately.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please help me to always take adequate rest from my labour, in Jesus’ name.

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 favour

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 Father-like 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!

4 Angels, help us to adore Him!

You behold Him face to face.

Sun and moon, bow down before Him,

Dwellers all in time and space,

Alleluia! alleluia!

Praise with us the God of grace!

Open Heavens 2023 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven for Today 2023

Open Heaven For Today 2023 Tuesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Oppositions In Life

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TOPIC: Oppositions In Life

MEMORISE: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (KJV)

READ: Mark 10:46-52 (KJV)

46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 32-34

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE:

In life there are oppositions everywhere. Once you try to do something good, there would be oppositions to stop you. If you think that you cannot have oppositions because you don’t have enemies, then you are being ignorant. Proverbs 14:20 says:

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

No one would have thought that Bartimaeus would have so many enemies until he began to cry for light. Some people are just not comfortable when they see others succeeding, so they want to bring them down. Like Bartimaeus, you must never allow them to stop you from achieving your goal. It doesn’t matter what they say or do to keep you low, keep doing all you can to succeed. If you don’t let them keep you low, when you succeed, they will be the first to celebrate with you.

After you have overcome the oppositions that tried to keep you low, as you begin to succeed, your enemies would increase. This is only natural. Your enemies are few when you have nothing but when you live in a mansion and have more than one car in your house, you will need more protection.

Whether the devil likes it or not, you will prosper and increase. The plan of God for your life is for you to excel and that plan will be fulfilled, in Jesus’ name.

The oppositions I faced when I became a Pastor are different from the ones I faced when I became the General Overseer of the Church. The higher you go, the bigger the oppositions will be. This is not to frighten you, but to prepare you for reality. When you know that you will have many oppositions, you will be prepared to fight so the enemy cannot surprise you.

The higher a building is, the deeper the foundation that must be built to carry it. The time I spent in prayer when I was just a Pastor in the Church is little compared to how many hours I spend in prayer now as the General Overseer. If you want to get to the highest level in life then you must be willing to go to the deepest level in God.

KEY POINT:

The height you want to get to in life will determine the depth that you must reach in God.

HYMN 9: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of days,

Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might!

Thy justice like mountains high soaring above,

Thy cloud which are fountains of goodness and love.

3 To all life thou givest to both great and small;

In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,

And wither and perish but nought changeth Thee.

4 Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light,

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

All laud we would render; O help us to see;

‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.

Open Heavens 2023 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven for Today 2023