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

THE AGONY OF A BACKSLIDER  Memorise: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:5 Read: Judges 16:18-21, Bible in one year: 1 st Samuel 1:1-2:36, Mark 2:13-28 In today’s Bible reading, we see the agony of a backslider manifested in the loss of Samson’s eyes. To lose one’s physical, intellectual or spiritual vision is very agonising. Samson, a Nezarite of God from the womb. Broke the covenant of his calling first as an Israelite and then as a Nazarite. With reference to the inhabitants of the land of Canaan such as the Philistines, God in Deuteronomy 7:3 had thus commanded the children of Isreal: “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.” Contrary to this instruction, Samson went to seek the hand of a Philistine woman in ma...

FROM GRASS TO GRACE Memorise: The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. Proverbs 3:35 Read: Esther 8:15-17, Bible in one year: Ruth 3-4, Mark 1:29-2:12 When a man’s way pleases the Lord, He will make his enemies to be at peace with him. After this, God moves him from grass to grace. This was the experience of Mordecai in our Bible reading today. There is one condition which anyone who desires to move from grass to grace must fulfil: such a person must be wise. The Bible says the wise shall inherit glory (Proverbs 3;35). Who are the wise? The wise are those who fear the Lord rather than man. In Esther 3:1-2, we read of how a man was trying to play God by having all men bow before him. Contrary to his expectation, Mordecai would rather worship God than man, hence, Human hated him. Even as Human planned the downfall of Mordecai, the Almighty God was arranging how this God-fearing man would move from grass to grace. It is wisdom to fear the One you know has t...

A NEW BEGINNING OF PROSPERITY Memorise: This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2 Read: Exodus 12:33-36, Bible in one year: Ruth 1-2, Mark 1:1-28 When the Almighty God grants a new beginning to an individual or a nation, it could be a new beginning of prosperity. Imagine the Hebrew nation which for over four hundred years had been at the mercy of their Egyptian rulers, coming out of Egypt as millionaires simply because the Almighty God decided to grant them a new beginning. I pray for you that this month shall be to you as the first month of the year in astonishing prosperity in Jesus’ Name. How did the Lord do this for the Israelites? The Bible says that He gave them favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that the Egyptians gave them whatever they asked for. The treasures of the Egyptians were transferred to them without them having to shoot an arrow. The Bible in Proverbs 16:7 says: “When a man’s ways please t...

  WATCH THAT BACKSLIDING  Memorise: The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. Proverbs 14:14 Read: John 6:66-69, Bible in one year: Judges 20-21, Matthew 28 Backsliding does not happen suddenly. It’s a process that occurs over a period of time, during which a person becomes lax in his thought life and begins to entertain from the path of light to the ways of evil from which one was once saved. There are many prodigal sons and daughters today who have forsaken their first love in the pursuit of materialism. Many workers in the vineyard of God, who started well, have allowed their spiritual fire to grow cold, thereby departing from the faith. Hebrews 10:38 says, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” A backslider loses interest in the Lord, in the Bible, in prayer, fellowship and witnessing, and eventually turns to the world. It is like a dog returning t...

RESTITUTION  Memorise: And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. Luke 19:8 Read: Luke 19:1-10, Bible in one year: Judges 19, Matthew 27:45-66 Restitution is the act of making right that which has been wrongly done to the injury of others. It involves restoring what has been wrongly taken, and repairing or giving the equivalent of any loss or damage. This is very important aspect of Christianity that proves genuine salvation. Even though this teaching is not popular among preachers today, the word of God is forever settled on it. If we are to experience a clear conscience and have a good testimony among those within the Church and in the world, we must obey the teaching on restitution. Restitution is not a 21 st century teaching. It has been in practice from Bible days. While salvation is aimed at making your ways right with your Maker. Re...

  CHOOSE TO BE SANCTIFIED  Memorise: And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 st Corinthians 6:11 Read: 1 st Thessalonians 5:22-24, Bible in one year: Judges 16:23-18:31, Mathew 27:15-44 It is the express will of God that every believer is sanctified (1 st Thessalonians 4:3). For us to become vessels unto honour, fit for the Master’s use, we have to be fully sanctified (1 st Timothy 2:21). To be sanctified is to be separated unto the process of becoming like Jesus Christ inn character (2 nd Corinthians 3:18). Sanctification helps the believer to live a holy life. Right from creation, God has always been in search of vessels of glorify. The Lord will find you worthy for His glorious use in Jesus’ Name. Today, He is still looking for men to honour by using them. One thing you must know is that the scarcity of men is not the issue; it is the scarcity of sanctified vessels. A holy God ca...

THE BENEFITS OF SALVATION 11 Memorise: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23 Ezekiel 36:24-30, Bible in one year: Judges 15:1-16:22, Matthew 26:69-27:14 As a child of God, it is part of your benefits to enjoy continuous spiritual victory over the kingdom of Satan . The devil is the last person that would like to see you saved. He is committed to anything that will pull you down from your new-found faith. You have to be aggressive in your response to him (1 st Peter 5:8-9). Jesus with those words granted your authority as a believer in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” It is this authority that you use in commanding respect. It is this authority that will make demons to bow. You use the authority in Jesus ton put challenges...

THE BENEFITS OF SALVATION 1  Memorise: 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. John 14:27 Read: 25:8-9, Bible in one year: Judges 12:14, Matthew 26:47-68 Salvation is a package full of benefit cutting across the three spheres of human existence: the spirit, the soul and the body (1 st Thessalonians 5:23). When you experience salvation, the life force of God is released to you.  You will begin to have a strong desire of holiness. Rather than condemnation, you will receive justification. Instead of punishment for sins committed, you will receive a credit of righteousness into your account. The new man in you has a lifestyle patterned after and controlled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter promised by the Lord Jesus Christ. He gives man total victory over sin and empowers him for service in God’s kingdom. Through the miracle of salvation, the one who wa...

  JESUS THE SAVIOUR  Memorise: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 Read: John 3:16-18, Bible in one year: Judges 10-11, Matthew 26:26-46 The number-one treasure of the Church is Jesus Christ. Through Him, all things consist (Colossians 1:17). He is the Almighty who on one can make mightier; He is the richest one who no one can make richer. The earth and its fullness belong to Him. Every bit of what He says is always in our own best interest. Jesus teaches that there is nothing more valuable than the soul of a man (Mathew 16:26). The salvation of your soul is worth more than all the treasures of this world. The devil is after this salvation because thieves only go after treasures. The devil would do anything within his power to inhibit our relationship with the Giver of salvation, Jesus the Saviour. There is nothing as great as following Jesus. Following Jesus will cost you a lot of thin...

  SIN: CONSEQUENCES & CURE  Memorise: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 Read: Ezekiel 18:20-24, Bible in one year: Judges 8:29-9:57; Matthew 26:6-25 Sin is disobedience of God or a deviation from His ways. From the account in Genesis 3, we understand that sin cannot be hidden. Every secret sin will always be discovered; it’s only a matter of time (Numbers 32:23). When sin comes in, there is a loss of relationship with God. When we house sin in our lives, no matter the amount of time we spend in the place of prayer, the heavens will remain shut. Sin is not a lifter; rather it leads to demotion. It brings shame and reproach to someone with a glorious future as seen in the case of Samson. Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”  Although Samson was born great, by including in sin, his destiny was truncated (Judges 16:20-21). God has been warning a lot of people about the consequences ...

  SECRETS OF ANSWERED PRAYERS Memorise: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7 Read: John 16:23-27, Bible in one year: Judges 6:36-8:28, Matthew 25:31-26:5 Although prayer is at the very heart of our relationship with God, not all prayers are answered by Him. There is therefore a need to understand the secrets of getting answers to our prayers. First and foremost, you need to understand God’s original blueprint concerning and aspect of life you are praying about, and align your prayers with it. God said in Isaiah 55:8-9 that: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Although God’s thoughts are higher than ours, His thoughts are directed towards giving us peace, joy and fulfilment in life. No matter how much good you want for yourself, you can ne...

SOWING BEFORE REAPING Memorise: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 Read: Galatians 6:7-10, Bible in one year: Judges 5:1-6:35, Matthew 25:14-30 Our God is great. Not only is He great, He is the greatest. He possesses all wisdom, riches and glory. The plan of God and His delight is for you to prosper (3 rd John 2). Prosperity here implies abundance, fullness and sufficiency. One thing we need to know is that prosperity does not come by speaking in tongues, but by the wisdom of sowing and reaping. At a particular time in my ministry, by necessity, I started giving out neckties to elders who were ministering along with me. I then noticed that all my close associates started giving me only neckties upon their return from foreign trips. Out of curiosity, I asked God why this was so. He told me “Son, if you sow a tie, you will reap ties.” I then switched to sowing good shoes into the life of those I was sure were of the sa...

JESUS THE WISDOM OF GOD  Memorise: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1 st Corinthians 1:23 Read: 1 st Corinthians 1:21-24, Bible in one year: Judges 3:7-4:24, Matthew 24:36-25:13 When wise men from the East discovered the phenomenon that indicated the birth of Jesus, they abandoned everything they were doing and commenced an immediate search for Him (Matthew 2:2-1). These were noble men who were feared and highly respected. They were of the priestly caste, and they were spiritual counsellors to the kings of their time. Yet, on hearing of the birth of Jesus, they decided to abandon their own wisdom and search for the superior wisdom of God manifested as Jesus. This is why I pity those who know the truth but allow foolishness to keep them in darkness. Romans 1:28 says this about such people. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which a...

THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH  Memorise: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 Read: Matthew 6:9-10, Bible in one year: Judges 1:1-3:6, Matthew 24:15-35 The nature of our expectation from God directly depends of His promises to us. Some promises of God may sound incredible, but He is always committed to bringing them to pass. If your expectation does not agree with His promises, you may forfeit its fulfilment. Our God is good and gracious He does many things to prove His divine power. There are times when God unravels some mysteries to make us believe and know absolutely that His plan and purpose for us cannot be compared to our current struggles and toils. This is why every child of God must pray the kingdom of God into their life (Matthew 6:10). When you make such prayers, you are saying to God: “Let there be no difference between your promises for me and the situation of my life.”. God has special and specific promises for the righteous a...

BACK TO YOUR VOMIT?   Memorise: And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God . Luke 9:62 Read: 2 nd Peter 2:20-22, Bible in one year: Joshua 23:24, Matthew 23:29-24:14 Often, we find someone who starts off very well in the Christian race and then cools off later. Sometimes, some people who used to be very hot for the Lord may even leave the Lord completely. When such things happen, thoughtful minds wonder, “Who will be the next to leave the Lord?” invariably, the answer is “Not me!” We are all kept standing by the grace and strength of the Lord. Another word for going back to your vomit is backsliding. It means to turn away from the Lord (1 st Kings 11:9). It also means to grow cold and leave your first love (Revelations 2:4). When a person returns to his vomit, there will be a loss of joy, happiness, peace of mind and power. Darkness and murmuring will replace light and songs of praise. That will not be your...

GIVE WISELY  Memorise: The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:25 Read: Genesis 23:12-24, Bible in one year: Joshua 22, Matthew 23:1-28 There are certain things people don’t know about sowing and reaping. This lack of knowledge has denied some people their harvest. There is a need therefore to always ask God for the wisdom of sow and reap rightly in every area of life. It is one thing to know what to sow and it is another thing to know how to sow it. Of importance also is the need to know where to sow and how to water what has been sown to produce the desired harvest. Ask any farmer who understands natural farming principles, he will tell you that reaping a good harvest is usually a walk in the park once the correct principles are followed. There are people who will sow today and want to reap today. According to Scripture, such an expectation is not applicable to great harvests. There was a time I was sowing a particular i...

KEEP YOURSELF HUMBLE  Memorise: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 st Peter 5:6 Read: 1 st Samuel 15:17-19, Bible in one year: Joshua 19:40-21:45, Matthew 22:15-46 Several years ago, I was on a visit to a parish of our church in Ilesha (a town in southwest Nigeria ) on the same day that a Bible Study service was to take place. Because I wanted to be blessed, I sat down in the congregation waiting for the Bible Study teacher to commence the lesson for the day. However, an overzealous usher announced that I was around, and so that Bible Study teacher refused to teach while I was sitting in the congregation. When he insisted, I offered to interpret the message for him. In spite of this, he still would not teach. I then ordered, “As the General Overseer, I command you to teach.” Not wanting to disobey me, he started teaching, though he was uncomfortable having me as his interpreter. It was a humorous scene, but we had a wond...

MONEY & THAT LOVE OF IT Memorise; For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 st Timothy 6:10 Read: 1 st Timothy 6:6-11, Bible in one year: Joshua 18:1-19:39, Matthew 21:33-22:14 God knows no lack, and He expects His children to reach a height of financial greatness where lack will be forgotten forever. The one whose name is El-shaddai  can provide for all of your needs. Gathering wealth by honest means is the path to increase. Those who get rich quick by bribing their way or engaging in fraudulent means are only digging their own pit. Wealth gotten by vanity will diminish. Many are secretly envying unbelievers because of their wealth. This is foolishness. You have to wait upon the Lord to show you your source of wealth so that you don’t overrun yourself. Wealth from the Almighty God is supposed to be a blessing, but when the search for wealth is taken to the...

RESPECT THE ANOINTING  Memorise: Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Psalm 105:15 Read: 1 st Samuel 24:1-6, Bible in one year: Joshua 15-17, Matthew 21:18-32 There is a saying that the anointing you don’t respect will never work for you. When Elisha was following Elijah from one point to the other, the fifty sons of the prophet who were at Jericho were waiting to see the outcome, expecting that the relationship would end hopelessly. They even confronted Elisha and reminded him that his shine would soon be over because his master would soon be taken away. In 2 nd King 2:15, after they saw that a superior anointing had been transferred to Elisha, voluntarily, they all bowed before him. When the Holy Spirit comes upon an individual, he is no longer the same, irrespective of his age, status or qualifications. Despite all the activities of Saul in trying to destroy David, David still respected the anointing on Saul’s life, even though his activities were incon...

TEAR THAT GARMENT! Memorise: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Ephesians 4:22 Read: Colossians 3:8-10; Bible in one year: Joshua 12:7-14:15, Mathew 20:29-21:17 After experiencing salvation, the heart city of every child of God should be to live above sin. The Bible teaches that glorious victory over sin is available for every believer (Romans 6:14). The moment we are serious about tapping into the grace of that Christ has made available to us, all that was evil in us will remain permanently buried. Some Christians have never even heard of the victorious life of holiness, so they continue sinning and confessing their sins from day to day. You need to know that God has made us to triumph always in Christ Jesus (2 nd Corinthians 2:14). However, recognise the fact that despite the provision of victory over sin, you still have your own free will. You can choose to accept or reject a life of victory over sin. If...

THE REWARD OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS  Memorise: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 Read: Acts 5:1-11, Bible in one year; Joshua 10:16-12:6, Matthew 20:1-28 In our Bible reading, we find a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, who were gravely judged and punished because they lied. Just like this couple, there are some Christians who gave God 5% of their income and label it as tithe. Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Anyone who changes the word of God is a son of perdition, and the end of such is not to be desired. Jesus Christ said that all the people given to Him by God, He did not lose anyone except the son of perdition (John 17:12). At the time He made this statement, Judas Iscariot was still going around as a disciple. However, as far as Jesus was concerned, he was already lost. Although Judas cast out demons and also went on evangelism with ...

WHEN THE FIRE FALLS 11 Memorise: And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 Read: Acts 2:1-4, Bible in one year: Joshua 8:30-10:15, Matthew 19:13-30 Many Christians are frustrated, defeated and fruitless. Many of them are wallowing in spiritual poverty and helplessness because they are unawareness of the power behind their calling. The wonderful truth is: every Christian has the potential to live supernaturally. The Holy Spirit is the Commander-in-Chief of the army of Christ. He is the enabler of revival, evangelism and every other Christian endeavour. The Holy Spirit is the secret of the supernatural – the secret behind healing, miracles and every other spiritual gift. Beyond experiencing salvation and sanctification, the Lord wants to take you further with the fire of the Holy Spirit. He said in Act 1:8 that: “But ye shall receive power, after ...

WHEN THE FIRE FALLS 1  Memorise: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2:4 Read: 1 st Kings 18:36-39, Bible in one year; Joshua 7:1-8:29, Matthew 18:21-19:12 Embarking on the Christian race with the energy of the flesh is a suicidal journey. You need the fire of the Holy Spirit to be quickened spiritually. When you are quickened, the glory of God will be seen in your life, and you will become a terror to every enemy of your divine destiny. When you are made to pass through the fire on the altar of God, the beauty of Heaven will be seen upon your life and a sweet aroma will distinguish you as the beloved of the Lord. We face so many challenges in life, encounter lots of situations and hold lots of responsibilities that require the manifestation of God’s fire in many forms. If you want to move forward and experience remarkable progress in life and in ministry, you need to ...