OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY APRIL 19TH 2026

-
Image
TOPIC: REVERSING FAILURE   MEMORISE :  Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; Psalm 30:11   READ : Luke 5:1-10 1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto the...
Post a Comment

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. SUSCEPTIBLE THROUGH MERRIMENT: FRIDAY 13TH APRIL 2018

-

MEMORISE:
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2

READ: Matthew 14:6-11

6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

MESSAGE
Today’s Bible reading narrates the sad story of how unbridled merriment can propel a man to do what he would otherwise not have done. The devil is a cunning old serpent. He knows too well that his chances of success are slim whenever he attacks a child of God directly. He therefore deploys tricks to attack people when they are in a vulnerable state, such as when the heart is merry and full of happiness. When you are light-hearted, be watchful so that it does not end in sorrow and regret. This is why the wisdom of God in Proverb 14:13 teaches us that

“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”

A quick lesson we should learn from the story in today’s Bible reading is that merriment outside of God will always end up in crisis. King Herod was very sorry for making the promise he had made to his daughter, probably under the influence alcohol, but it was too late for him to take back the oath he had committed himself to in his light-heart mood. Another lesson we should learn here is that the enemy looks out for moments when you let your guard down, and then he strikes. Examples of such moments are times when you just won a victory and when you are in high spirits. Happiness often has the same effect as alcohol on the reasoning faculties of man, and so you need to watch it.

There is a type of laughter that is derived from pleasurable but sinful acts. The Bible refers to such laughter as the crackling of thorns under a pot (Ecclesiastes 7:6). The Israelites manifested such laughter and merriment when they made a golden calf for themselves as their god. Exodus 32:6 says:

“And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”

But for Moses’ intercessory prayers, they would have been wiped off the face of the earth by this foolish act. It is commonly said that “He who laughs last, laughs best.” The last and best laughter is the laugh in eternity with our Maker. Speaking about this laughter, Jesus Christ in Luke 6:21b says:

“Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”

When the Messiah shall return the second time, he shall put an end to all suffering, and there shall be everlasting laughter (Revelations 21:1-7). Ensure you don’t miss it!

PRAYER POINT:
Father, help me not to indulge in any act that would give me temporary happiness and produce eternal sorrow.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 22; 1 Timothy 1

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY MAY 9TH 2024

-
Image
TOPIC: THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER 4 MEMORISE:  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12 READ: Bible Reading Romans 6:1-23 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead w...
Read more

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6TH 2025

-
Image
TOPIC : OVERFLOWING MERCY MEMORISE : “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;).” - (Ephesians 2:4-5) READ : MARK 1:40-45 (KJV) 40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 45 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the cit...
Read more

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, 22ND JUNE, 2025

-
Image
TOPIC: AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT  MEMORIZE   Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:3 READ :  Romans 12:10-21 [10]Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; [11]Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; [12]Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; [13]Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality  [14]Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. [15]Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. [16]Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. [17]Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18]If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. [19]Dearly be...
Read more