Open Heaven For Today 2024 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Thou Shall Not Steal
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TOPIC: Thou Shall Not Steal
MEMORISE: “Thou shalt not steal.” – Exodus 20:15 (KJV)
READ: Ephesians 4:27-28 (KJV)
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him who stole steal no more; instead, let him labor, working with his hands the excellent thing he may have to give to him who needeth.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 19-21
Open Heaven For Today 2024 MESSAGE
Many take what belongs to other people because of the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, and the lust of the flesh. The obsession with having it all without working for them and being controlled by material things eventually leads to stealing. God wants you to have everything you need in His way and time. He is willing to give you everything you need and more, but you must seek Him and His righteousness first.
Nobody can bless you more than God, so it is better to wait for God’s blessing because it will make you rich without any form of sorrow being added to it (Proverbs 10:22). Don’t let the devil deceive you with flashy things. Mark 8:36 says that all the material gains will profit you nothing if you lose your soul. Beloved, please do not trade your soul for material gains by stealing. Nothing at all in this world is worth your soul.
God frowns strongly at stealing. If you desire to have more, work more. Do not take from those who have labored for their possessions. Some people try to categorize and rationalize stealing. For example, some people will say corruption is not stealing. Some will even try to explain why internet fraud is different from stealing. Beloved the moment a person takes something that does not belong to them without the owner’s permission or under pretenses, that fellow has stolen.
In 1 Corinthians 6:10, the Bible clarifies that no thief will enter heaven. The devil is the father of fathers because, according to John 10:10, stealing is the first assignment in any man’s life. My father-in-law, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, used to say that your father takes care of you with whatever he has. If your Father is God, He will take care of you with healing, blessings, and long life, but if your Father isFatherevil, he will take care of you with sicknesses, marital problems, death, and the like. Thieves should never expect God to answer their prayers because God is not their father.
IFatherticus 6:4 and Exodus 22:1-4 God said that if you have stolen something, you are to return it to the fellow you stole from in double fold. Don’t keep the stolen property in your possession. Finally, let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the excellent thing that he may have to give to him that needeth (Ephesians 4:28).
KEY POINT
Stealing puts you in the camp of the devil and gives him lordship over you. Don’t steal.
HYMN 31 – Yield Not To Temptation
1 Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is a sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Refrain:
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
2 Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name is held in reverence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
3 To him that overcometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith, we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Savior,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Open Heavens 2024 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 churches 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 2024
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Tuesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Learn From Leaders
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TOPIC: Learn From Leaders
MEMORISE: “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:” – Exodus 18:19 (KJV)
READ: Exodus 18:1-24 (KJV)
1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt;
2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back,
3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, father, was my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
5 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father-in-law Jethro come unto thee, thy wife, and her two sons with her.
7 And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other about their welfare; and they came into the tent.
8 And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the travail that had come upon them, and how the Lord delivered them.
9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11 I know that the Lord is more significant than all gods: for he was above them in the thing wherein they dealt proudly.
12 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14 And when Moses’ father-in-law saw all he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto evening?
15 And Moses said unto his father in father because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
17 Moses’ father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou and this people with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it alone.
19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work they must do.
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
23 If you do this thing, and God commands you to do so, you will be able to endure, and all these people will also go to their place in peace.
24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 17-18
Open Heaven For Today 2024 MESSAGE
Many young people see their elders as ‘old school’ and think they can do without them – they are making a big mistake. I know there’s a lot of advancement in science and technology these days and that the youth have more access to information than ever before, but no matter how many resources they have, there is one thing the elders have that they do not, and that is experience.
The elders have walked the path you are walking now and can tell you the outcome of whatever you are doing, even before you start. They have experienced far more than internet search engines can show you. Some of them have made mistakes in the past that you don’t have to make if only you let them guide you. The problem, however, is that many youths think they are very wise, which can put them in trouble.
There is a famous saying in Africa that the child cannot see what an elder sees while sitting on a chair, even if he climbs an iroko tree. I learnt a lot from the Late Pa S.G Elton, though there were bits of advice he gave at the time that I thought were wrong. Today, I now know he was right. Thank God I listened to him. There are things about yourself that you don’t know and cannot see, but an elder will see them and advise you appropriately. Proverbs 30:12 says:
There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes but has not been washed from their filthiness.
You might think that your talent and knowledge are enough to make you successful, but an elder will point out a character flaw that you must eliminate if you really want to be successful.
When employed in an organization, respect those who have been there long before you. In church, give ears to what the elders have to say. At home, don’t neglect the advice of your parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts. When you do this, they will share some of their valuable experiences with you, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom (Isaiah 11:2), you can put all their bits of advice together wisely. This will give you an unparalleled advantage over your peers in life’s journey.
KEY POINT
The elders in your life are there to guide you with their experiences. Listen to them and honor them.
HYMN 30 – When We Walk With The Lord
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but it is best if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar, we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship, sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side on the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends, we will go;
never fear; only trust and obey. [Refrain]
Open Heavens 2024 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 churches 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 2024
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Monday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – You Have No Choice 2
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TOPIC: You Have No Choice 2
MEMORISE: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” – John 15:2 (KJV)
READ: John 15:1-16 (KJV)
1 I am the true Vine and my Father isFatherusbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth, not fruit, he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, so that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He who abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me, ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abides not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; men gather them, cast them into the fire, and burn them.
7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father gathered, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s Father’sents and his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be complete.
12 This is my commandment: You love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this: a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends; if ye do whatsoever, I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I Fatherade known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father inFatherme, he may give it to you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 15-16
Open Heaven For Today 2024 MESSAGE
Many become born again and say they don’t want to preach the gospel. They think they are fine as long as they don’t backslide. This is a fallacy. You have joined yourself to the Vine, and John 15:2 states clearly that every branch joined to the Vine must bear fruit. It is a must to bear fruit if you want to continue being part of the Vine.
Do you want to be a part of the Vine? You must do the work of an evangelist. Backsliding as a believer does not only start withdrawing away from God and committing sin. Refusal to preach the gospel is also a form of backsliding. John 15:6 tells us that any branch the Father father goes straight into the fire.
Some people who preach about unlimited grace usually say that once you are born again, nothing can ever send you to hell; I’m afraid I have to disagree entirely with this theology. When people are born again, they become a part of the Vine, but if they do not produce fruits, they will be cut off. When a person is cut off from the Vine, they will dry up, and men will gather whatever is left to be thrown into the fire – that is clearly what the word of God says. So, in your interest, make sure you are bearing fruits for the Most High God.
Another reason you must win souls is so that your prayers can be answered. John 15:16 says:
But I have chosen you and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father ingather, he may give it to you.
I don’t know if you have observed that it appears as if God often sends the answers to the prayers of baby Christians relatively promptly. You probably experienced those prompt responses to your prayers when you were born again, but now, does it appease like sometimes command mountains to move, and it seems like they refuse to yield? Has God changed? Does He no longer fulfill His promises? Why, then, are your answers being delayed? It just might be because you have not been winning souls.
ACTION POINT
Pick up your phone and share the gospel with at least one person through a phone call, text message, or other means.
HYMN 7 – I Am Thine O Lord
1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Chorus
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
3 O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
4 There are depths of love that I yet may know
Ere Thee face to face I see;
There are heights of joy that I yet may reach
Ere, I rest in peace with Thee.
Open Heavens 2024 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 churches 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 2024
