Open Heavens 2022 Daily Devotional Messages, By Pastor E.A Adeboye.

A SMALL NEW BEGINNING  Memorise: Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end shall greatly increase. Job 8:7 Bible in one year: Ezekiel 24:15-26:21, Revelation 9:20-10:11 The beginning of a thing is very important because it serves as the foundation upon which everything else stands. The way you begin a thing can determine the speed, attitude and the degree of success or failure you will experience in it. I have good news for you: with Jesus on your side, you can always have a new beginning, even in a hopeless situation. There is no hopeless situation with God. He is the power behind and the source of everything you want to achieve in life (Colossians 1:17). In any situation where you may have lost hope or experienced failure, with the involvement of Jesus, you can have a new beginning. Peter was already washing his net to pack up and go when Jesus came into the picture (Luke 5:2-6). Humanly speaking Peter had done all that was expected. He got to the river very early in the...

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS  Memorise: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7 Read: Psalm 5:1-3, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 23:1-24:14, Revelation 8:13-9:19 Prayer is ordained by God as a means of communication between God and man. Christians are commanded to depends on God completely for all their needs, hopes and aspirations by bringing all their requests to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6). In today’s memory verse, God challenges anyone who believes in Him to ask and they shall receive, to seek and they shall find, to knock and it shall be opened to them. He went further in John 16:24 where He said; “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” This means that prayer is the means God has provided for Christians to have all of their needs satisfied. For this reason, God did not place any limitation on prayer; He tells us to pray without ceasing (1 st Thessalonians 5:...

WARING A MASK?  Memorise: Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Psalm 86:3 Read: psalm 88:1-9, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 21-22, Revelation 8:1-12 A mask is a full or partial cover for the face. It is used for disguised; to hide a person’s true identity, character or intentions away from being known or noticed. Also, the word “mask” could refer to a lifestyle that hides the real personality and emotions of a person. Putting on a mask portrays a hidden agenda, falsehood, hypocrisy, pretence, deception and double-mindedness. These are terms that should never be used to qualify a Christian or any action taken by a person who professes to be born-again. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 God expects His children t...

LAMENTATION AS PRAISE!  Memorise: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 Read: Psalm 30:7-12, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 19-20, Revelation 7 A lamentation is a song mourning or sorrow. In the Bible, lamentations were usually motivated by national disasters (2 nd Chronicles 35:25), by bereavement (2 nd Samuel 3:33-34), personal suffering (Psalm 102:1-11) or by the judgment of God (Amos 5:1-2). Lamentations could also be inspired by repentance as shown in Daniel 9:4-20. A lamentation can obtain praise of express thanksgiving and gratitude to the Almighty God. Such was the lamentation of Daniel in Daniel 9. it was laced with praises to God even though He was mourning the captivity of the children of Israel . No wonder the Lord heard his lamentation and quickly dispatched an archangel to conform him. Jesus in Matthew 5:4 said: “Blessing are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Thi...

THE BLESSING OF THANKSGIVING Memorise: it is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: Psalm 92:1 Read: Luke 17:11-19, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 17-18, Revelation 6:3-17 Thanksgiving to God, especially for gifts and blessings received, is required and expected. God abhors ungrateful people. God expects Christians to give thanks in all circumstances they are confronted with. In 1 st Thessalonians 5:18, Apostle Paul wrote that: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Our Lord Jesus Christ also demonstrated to us the essence of thanksgiving. Several times, He gave thanks to the Father (John 11:41, Matthew 15:36, Luke 22:17). God wants His children to thank Him and show gratitude for everything that happens in their lives. We are to thank God when we are full and when we are empty. We are to continuously show appreciation for the many things we normally take for granted. Our willingness to t...

POWER IN HIS NAME  Memorise: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29:2 Read: Philippians 2:9-11, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 16, Revelation 5:1-6:2 One of the first things that a genuinely born-again Christian will quickly recognise about the Christian experience is the fact that there is power in the Name of Jesus. Immediately a fellow accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the powers that used to manipulate and controls things in the person’s life become paralysed as he or she begins to call upon the Name of the Lord. This is simply because all power belongs to Jesus (Matthew 28:18), and He has deposited so much of his power in His Name. Seldom do you have the Lord making the same statement twice at one instance, but He did this with regard to His Name in John 14:13-14, saying: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do...

WORSHIPPING THE UNKNOWN GOD?  Memorise: Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:22 Read: Acts 17:16-23, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 13-15, Revelation 4 Apostle Paul was taking a walk through the old city of Athens as a visitor when he noticed an altar with this inscription: “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD”. Paul was aware that Athens at that particular period was filled with philosopher of either epicurean beliefs or those of stoic principles. Epicurean beliefs or those of stoic principles. Epicureans were devoted to sensual pleasure. They had sensitive tastes, especially in food and wine, and they loved to enjoy the good things of life. On the other hand, Stoics were professedly indifferent to pleasure or pain, free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief and submissive to the natural law. The philosophers prided themselves as custodians of exceptional wisdom and knowledge in all areas of life including issues about God and religion. When they m...

THE LETHAL WEAPON OF WAR  Memorise: And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s hands were loosed. Acts 16:25-26 Read 2 nd Chronicles 20:21-23, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 10:12, Revelation 3:7-22 In today’s reading, the Bible clearly presents worship as a lethal weapon of war. Here, three powerful nations rose up against Israel in battle. Knowing that they could not match their enemies in physical warfare, King Jehoshaphat appointed singers unto the Lord, and they went before the army to praise the beauty of God’s holiness (2 nd Chronicles 20:21) when they began to sing and praise God, suddenly, worship turned into a lethal weapon of war, and the Lord decided ton waylay the armies of their enemies. As you praise and worship the Lord today, your worship will work against your...

PRACTICAL WORSHIP: DANCING  Memorise: Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:3 Read: Psalm 103:1-5, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 7-9, Revelation 2:18-3:6 We can worship God in various ways and manners. It is possible to worship God in song, dance and even in silence. However, throughout the Bible, practical worship is the preferred mode of worship whenever God does something great for His people. On the day God miraculously deliver Israel from pharaoh and the Egyptian army, the people practically worshipped God with songs and dancing (Exodus 15:1&20). After each victory or manifestation of the signs and wonders of God in the wilderness, the Israelites always responded with shouts of joy accompanied with singing and dancing. Moses, Hannah, David, the women of Israel and even the prophets at different times in history composed various songs to glorify the Name of the Lord. It is clear from all of these cases that p...

CHRISTIAN ATHEIST?  Memorise: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 st John 2:15 Read: 2 nd Timothy 3:1-5, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 4-6, Revelation 2:1-17 Our Bible reading today reveals some strange characteristics of the last days that should in no wise be mentioned among children of God. Unfortunately, many of these behaviours dominate the Church today. Frankly speaking, behaviours such as being a lover of self, blaspheming, being unholy, treachery and loving of pleasures beyond loving God, more accurately described ungodly people (atheists). But because professed Christians are found among those who openly manifest and defend such behaviours today, the designation “Christian Atheists” has become necessary. Christian atheists are therefore professing Christians who believe, act and defend behaviours and characteristics that are contrary to Christian values as recorded in the Bible. The...

PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF GOD  Memorise: Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Romans 1:19 Read: Matthew 11:25-27, Bible in one year: Ezekiel 1-3, Revelation 1, The scriptures make it clear that it is possible to acquire the knowledge of God. As a matter of fact, God has systematically and painstakingly revealed Himself to humanity through nature and through the Bible. The Bible teaches that God can be known, and that it is possible to have the perfect knowledge of God through Jesus Christ His Son. Our Lord Jesus revealed that eternal life lies in knowing God and the person of Jesus Christ (John 17:3). Many people conclude in error that God cannot be known because He is beyond human imagination. It must be admitted that God cannot be fathomed by the imagination of man. We cannot form a mental image of the infinite and eternal God. It is for this reason that God sent us His only begotten Son, so that by beholding Him, we might under...

WORTHY SERVICE  Memorise: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 Read: 1 st Samuel 15::22-23, Bible in one year: Lamentations 3-5, Acts 28:11-31 Service is work done for the benefit of other people or as a form of worship of God. Service characterised the essence of the ministry of Jesus and it is at the core of discipleship. Service means to work, to labour or to minister. According to our memory verse for today, service must meet certain conditions in order to be considered worthy and acceptable to God. First of all, mere correct religions observance is inadequate; rather, a wholehearted commitment to God in total submission and obedience is required. It is in this regard that Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God requires of thee, but to fear the LORD they God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and ...

WORTHY WORSHIP?    Memorise: But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24 Read: Revelation 5:11-14, Bible in one year: Lamentations 1-2, Acts 27:33-28:10 The first to learn about worthy worship is that worship should be in accordance to the commandments of God, but it should not be mechanical. In other words, obedience must precede any act of worship and it and it must come from the depth of our being. 1 st Samuel 15:22 says, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than fat of rams.” After worshipper who is not living in obedience to the word of God worships in vain. Of such are Christians who call Jesus “Lord, Lord”, but fail to do the will ...

DESPISING THE DAYS OF SMALL BEGINNING?  Memorise: For who hath despised the day of small rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. Zechariah 4:10 Read: 1 st Kings 18:42-44, Bible in one year: Jeremiah 51:52-52:34, Acts 27:13-32 Today’s reading is a popular Bible story that serves as a perfect example to illustrate God’s view on small beginnings. The Almighty God seems to favour the principle of things starting in a small, manageable way and then growing progressively. This principle runs through almost everything in creation. In the book of Genesis, God only created a sample of each species of plants and animals which He commanded to reproduce, then multiply and go on to replenish the earth. The outcome can be seen today. It is amazing to note that the Redeemed Christian Church of God started more or less like a house fellowship with about 12 members. Today, by God’s g...

GOD’S TIME-TABLE  Memorise: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Bible in one year: Jeremiah 51:1-51, Acts 26:24-27:12 Today’s reading makes it clear that God has a timetable. Obviously, this timetable is tied to a heavenly calendar. The Lord in His infinite wisdom designed the heavens and the earth, and He allotted times and seasons to every plan and purpose. There is some truth to the quote from Shakespeare which says the entire world is a stage. The world began in Genesis and has closely followed the pattern of a drama. The timing of every act, the duration of each scene and the role of each actor strictly follows a divine script written by God Himself. Therefore, there is a time to be born, a time to laugh, a time for war and a time to die. There is a time for salvation, deliverance, and judgment. Also, there is an appointed time for the rise and fall of individuals and nations of the world. I...

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS? Memorise: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 Read: James 2:14-17, Bible in one year: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46, Acts 26:1-23 It is necessary to first establish the fact that the statement of James that “faith without works is dead”, applies to the fellow who knows the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such a person knows the facts about God in the mind, is persuaded of the truth of the gospel and is in agreement with Christian principles. In fact, such a person takes part in Christian worship, is a church-goer and believes with all sincerity that he or she is a true child of God. The only issue is that such a person fails to commit to Jesus in a way and manner that leads to changes in lifestyle. Such people refuse to allow old things in their lives to pass away – there is no crossing the line from darkness to light, there is no spirit...

THE SOVEREIGN GOD Memorise: But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Psalm 115:3 Read: 1 st Samuel 2:27-30, Bible in one year: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22, Acts 25:13-27 God is sovereign! He possesses ultimate power and exercises supreme authority over an ultimate territory. Psalm 135:6 explains that God is able to do as He pleases in heaven and on earth. Luke 1:37 says that with God, nothing shall be impossible, and Daniel 4:35 says that He is unquestionable; no one can restrain Him. It is very important to realise that God cannot be successfully opposed (Job 9:12, Isaiah 43:13). He is the Lord of heaven and earth. 1 Timothy 6:15 calls Him the only Potentate, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He reigns supreme and His kingdom is forever (Psalm 29:10). God’s sovereignty extends over all things. He is sovereign over creation because He created all things for His own pleasure (Revelation 4:11). He is sovereign over human life and over even the minutest deta...

DIVINE INFORMATION  Memorise: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 Read: Amos 3:7-8; Bible in one year: Jeremiah 45-47, Acts 24:22-25:12 Divine information refers to knowledge, instruction, intelligence, facts or details relating to or proceeding directly from God. Divine information is given as an act of love to save humanity from Satan, sin and its destructive effects. There are many sources of divine information such as the Bible, the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ. The operation of these three complement and do not contradict each other. This truth is established in John 16:14 and in 2 nd Peter 1:20-21 which says: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the H...

SOUND OF ABUNDANT RAIN  Memorise: Ask of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. Zechariah 10:1 Read: 1 st Kings 18:41-45; Bible in one year: Jeremiah 43-44, Acts 24:1-21 There is a point in the life of every child of God when the appointed time for the fulfilment of a divine promise arrives. We know as a matter of fact that the word of God is yea and amen. We believe that His word is settled in heaven. We are also certain that heaven and earth my pass away but a dot in His word will not pass away unfulfilled. Nevertheless, as the time of the fulfilment of a major prophecy approaches, we may become overwhelmed with suspense and anxiety. This seems to be the case with Elijah in today’s reading. Three years before, the prophet had authoritatively declared to King Ahab that there would neither be dew nor rain in the land of Israel , except by his word (1 st Kings 17:1). Withi...

FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN WORKERS Memorise: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 st Corinthians 4:2 Read: Luke 12:37-38; Bible in One year: Jeremiah 40:42, Acts 23:12-35 A Christian worker is a born-again child of God; a steward who has been entrusted with the careful use, control and management of kingdom resources and possessions. The teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ on stewardship emphasised two things that are important: responsibility and accountability. Jesus speaking on responsibility in Luke 12:48 said: “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” According to Revelation 4:11, God created man and everything else for His pleasure. Individuals are therefore accountable for their God-given physical and spiritual endowments. Christians are also responsible for whatever ...

  DIVINE ROYALTY  Memorise: And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:6 Read: 1 st Samuel 16:1; 11-13; Bible in one year: Jeremiah 37:11-39:18, Acts 22:30-23:11 Prior to the anointing of David as king of Israel in 1 st Samuel 16:11-13, he was ordinary like any other person. But after the anointing came on him, he received supernatural grace to accomplish great things for God. The choice of David was neither an accident nor a coincidence. In 1 st Samuel 13:14, the Bible says this concerning him: “….the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart…” This reveals that there was a solemn search that led God to David in the wilderness. Also, in 1 st Samuel 16:7, God said: “… for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” It is therefore clear that qualification for divine royalty strictly depends on the condition of a person’s heart towards God. Divine royalty ...

REMEMBER NOW  Memorise: Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement. Ecclesiastes 11:9 Read: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, Bible in one year: Jeremiah 35:1-37:10, Acts 22:12-29 Remembrance is the act of keeping a subject matter in mind for attention or consideration. It implies a bringing back to memory of what has been lost, forgotten or overlooked. A call to remember a subject matter is a call for timely action that carries a strong warning with it. In Ecclesiastes 12:1, the power of the word “remember” is further amplified by the word “now” which follows it. “Remember now” is a command and a strong warning that conveys a need for urgent action. Children of God must remember that every kingdom responsibility and assignment is time-bound. Time is of essence, it is more precious than money and it waits...

THE HERITAGE OF THE LORD  Memorise: Lo, children are the heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3 Read: 127:3-5, Bible in one year: Jeremiah 33-34, Acts 21:37-22:11 The word ‘heritage’ can refer to a cherished property or inheritance of special architectural, historical or natural value preserved from past generations. It can also refer to an asset of monumental value. It reveals the sense of history, strength, personality, character, importance, authority and self-worth of a people or nation. God commended Israel to document historical events, covenants, laws and commandments that formed part of their heritage in order to preserve them forever. The heritage of the Lord is therefore something of inestimable value that needs to be protected and watched over with all diligence. In the beginning, God created man in His own image and for His own pleasure. Down the line, humanity fell and became enslaved to sin. God then approached the slaved market and...