OPEN HEAVEN 1 JULY 2024 MONDAY: RETURN ON SEEDS 1

OPEN HEAVEN 1 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:20

OPEN HEAVEN 1 JULY 2024 READ: Matthew 13:1-8

1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

OPEN HEAVEN 1 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

In finance, there is something called Return on Investment. Likewise, in the kingdom of God, there is something I’ll like to call Return on Seeds.

This is the profit you make when a seed is sown in the kingdom of God. According to today’s Bible reading, there is the possibility of having a zero return on seeds sown, or a 30, 60 or 100-fold return.

Also, as you will learn later in this series, there is the possibility of having an unlimited return on your seeds.

Two things determine your return on seeds: the first is what is left with you after sowing. In other words, how sacrificial is your seed? The second is the soil on which you sowed. Today, I will focus on the kind of soil that brings zero return on seeds.

Many years ago, I was sowing seeds into a ministry abroad. I knew about the law of harvest, so I kept sowing. However, nothing was coming forth. I became worried, and so I started to ask God what was happening.

Then, I had a dream. In the dream, I was standing on a farmland with heaps that showed that things had been sown on that land. I lifted one of the heaps, and underneath it was solid concrete.

This meant that nothing could grow on that land. When I woke up, I knew the meaning of the dream – the ministry I had been sowing into was as good as concrete ground; no seed will yield returns when sown there.

If you sow a seed in a place that God does not approve of, your seed will yield no return. God cares about the poor, therefore, when you sow into their lives, Psalms 41:1 says that He will deliver you in the day of trouble.

God cares about His prophets and ministers, so when you sow into their lives, you will get a reward (Matthew 10:41-42). God cares about His Church, so when you sow into a ministry, you will be rewarded (Malachi 3:10-12).

If the place you sow into only looks like a ministry from the outside but is devoid of God’s presence, then your seeds will yield zero returns.

You can decide to give anybody money if you wish, but if it is a seed, ensure that you are sowing in a place or a person that God is interested in.

Don’t sow your seeds on concrete and expect a return, it will not yield anything.

OPEN HEAVEN 1 JULY 2024 KEY POINT

Be sure of the soil before you sow your seeds in it.

OPEN HEAVEN 1 JULY 2024 HYMN 26

OPEN HEAVEN 1 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR; Proverbs 8-11

OPEN HEAVEN 29 JUNE 2024 MEMORISE: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Matthew 16:13

OPEN HEAVEN 29 JUNE 2024  READ: Matthew 16:13-16

¹³ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

¹⁴ And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

OPEN HEAVEN 29 JUNE 2024 MESSAGE

Today’s topic is a question you must be conscious of. In today’s Bible reading, Jesus asked His disciples whom people said that He was.

He wasn’t confused about His identity; He knew who He was, but He was concerned about how people perceived Him.

You must be conscious of how people perceive you too. People will only relate with you based on what they think about you and not what you think about yourself.

When my father in the Lord was alive, company executives would come to him for his opinion whenever they needed to hire staff for their company.

They would say things like, “Sir, Brother so and so in your church has applied for a role in our company, what do you think about him?” Sometimes, he would cleverly reply, “That brother?

Well, he says he is a Christian.” However, when they ask about someone who is truly born again, he will say, “That brother is a Christian.” There is a difference between who you claim to be and who you really are.

There are two kinds of people whose perception of you, you must take seriously. The first are people who know you but are not in your inner circle.

They may not be close to you, but they are observant. They can build a perception about you from the things you say and do.

Their perception may not be true, but as far as they are concerned, that is the true you. Therefore, you should endeavour not to make a mistake that will give them a wrong impression of you.

The second set of people are those in your inner circle. In today’s Bible reading, the fellow who knew the real identity of Jesus was one of the people in His inner circle – Simon Peter.

This tells us clearly that those who know us the best are the ones closest to us. Who does your spouse say you are?

What about your children? These people know you more than anyone else, and their opinion must be very valuable to you.

I have always said it, the reason some ministers’ children are wayward is because they know who their parents are. They hear them preach one thing on the altar but see them do something else at home.

This confuses them and draws them far from the God their parents claim to serve. You can pretend to people outside, but you cannot pretend to your family members.

OPEN HEAVEN 29 JUNE 2024 ACTION POINT

Look for people within your inner circle who will not lie to you. Let them tell you their perception of you.

OPEN HEAVEN 29 JUNE 2024  HYMN 23:

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

 

OPEN HEAVEN 29 JUNE 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 1-3

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 28 JUNE 2024 MEMORISE: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 28 JUNE 2024 READ: 2 Chronicles 36:11-13

[11]Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.

[12]And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.

[13]And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 28 JUNE 2024 MESSAGE

One of the blessings of God that is evident in the Bible is good health. Every child of God has a ready-made provision to live in good health all the days of their lives.

Isaiah 53:5 says that we were healed by His stripes. Today’s memory verse also confirms God’s intention about your health.

Therefore, I decree into your life, you will live in good health all the days of your life, in Jesus’ name.

God never reneges on His promises; hence, if you are not in good health, you should check yourself. For instance, some people eat too much, whereas the Bible warns against this.

Some people also eat excess sugar and attract some kinds of diseases.

Beloved, for you to enjoy the good health that God promised His children, you must be intentional about what you eat and drink.

You must have a nutrition and exercise plan, rest and sleep at the right time, and do away with sinful habits. When you do these, you will be healthy all the days of your life.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 28 JUNE 2024 ACTION POINT

Replace junk food with fruits and vegetables in your diet.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 28 JUNE 2024

HYMN 17 – THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING

1. There shall be showers of blessing”
This is the promise of love;
There shall be season refreshing
Send from a savior above

CHORUS
Showers of blessing
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drop round are falling
But for the showers we plead.

2. “There shall be showers of blessing”
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys;
Sound of abundance of rain.

3. “There shall be showers of blessing”
Send them upon us Oh Lord!
Grant to us a refreshing;
Come now and honour Thy Word.

4. “There shall be showers of blessing”
Oh, that today thy might fall,
Now as to God we are confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

5. “There shall be showers of blessing”
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be season refreshing,
If we let God have his way.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 28 JUNE 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29 Acts 18:23-19:12

OPEN HEAVEN 28 JUNE 2024 MEMORISE: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2)

OPEN HEAVEN 28 JUNE 2024 READ: ESTHER 8:7-17 (KJV)

7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.

9 Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

OPEN HEAVEN 28 JUNE 2024 MESSAGE

On earth, every government, ministry or industry has a leader who can be likened to a king sitting on a throne.

Today’s memory verse says that when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. In other words, when things are going wrong, it is likely that it is not a righteous person bearing rule.

The reason we have policies that clearly go against God’s ways is that the people bearing rule and establishing such policies are not righteous.

We have industries, political parties, and the likes that are obviously corrupt because the thrones in such places are occupied by unrighteous people; that is about to come to an end! Believers have to do what it takes to take thrones for God.

I was quite close to a king in Western Nigeria before he died. We were so close that on one occasion, I slept in his palace.

Because of how close we were, he got some of the anointing that God put upon me, so before he died, he made a decree.

He did not want the people of his kingdom to go back to idol worship after his demise, so he decreed that anyone who is not born again would not sit on the throne again.

It has been well over 20 years and even though there have been people that are keenly interested in the throne and some that have been chosen to sit on it, up till now, no one has occupied that throne.

He took the throne for God completely so that his kingdom will only serve the living God. You can do the same, you can take the thrones of the places you operate in for God.

Yes, you can take thrones for God by declarations. However, it is easier to dedicate thrones to God permanently when you are the one sitting on them.

This means that you must work hard and strive to reach the top so that you can sit on thrones. Once you sit on a throne, you can sanitize the entire place spiritually, and take it over for God permanently.

I pray that the grace to reach the top in your fields of operation will be released unto you, in Jesus’ name. God will use you to take thrones from the devil’s hands, in Jesus’ name.

Because of you, evil policies and corrupt practices will be abolished, in Jesus’ name.

OPEN HEAVEN 28 JUNE 2024 KEY POINT

Work hard, sit on thrones, and take them over for God.

OPEN HEAVEN 28 JUNE 2024 HYMNAL: 20 – STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS

1 Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
his army he shall lead
till ev’ry foe is vanquished
and Christ is Lord indeed.

2 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.

3 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.

4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of glory
shall reign eternally.

OPEN HEAVEN 28 JUNE 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALMS 141-150

BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

MEMORISE: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15

READ: 2 Chronicles 36:11-13
[11]Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
[12]And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
[13]And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

MESSAGE
Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king. This means that he must have only been about ten years old when his father, Josiah, died. The Bible tells us in 2 Kings 24:17 and Jeremiah 37:1 that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon made Zedekiah the next king of Judah. Zedekiah ruled for 11 years but continued in all the evil deeds of his brothers and nephew, Jehoiachin.
Although Zedekiah missed the throne three times when two of his brothers and his nephew were crowned, he finally received stewardship of the kingdom. Zedekiah had the benefit of having firsthand information about the mistakes of his brothers and nephew. He also heard a direct message from God through Jeremiah, yet he did not submit to the Lord. As a result, he lost his sons, sight, freedom, and, eventually, the throne.
I want you to reflect soberly today: in which area of your life have you been corrected several times, yet you remain obstinate? Has the Holy Spirit convicted you of any attitude and yet you refuse to change? Learn from Zedekiah’s life and repent today. Make a decision to be a better person from now on.

KEY POINT
Learn from the mistakes of others and heed godly counsel

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
2 Kings 10:32-12:21 Acts 18:1-22

HYMN 13 – PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR
1 Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

2 Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

3 Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

4 Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heav’n but Thee?

BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE & PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE

MEMORISE: Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. John 20:21

READ: John 14:10-12
10:Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

MESSAGE
Looking at today’s topic, I’m sure you’re asking yourself, ‘How did the Father send me?’ Acts 10:38 says that Jesus was sent to do good and to heal all that were oppressed of the devil, but then, He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power for that assignment. That’s why, concerning His ministers, Jesus said in Luke 24:49, “Tarry ye in Jerusalem until thou be endued with power from on high.”

The condition for being a minister of God, according to Acts 6:1-3, is that you must be full of the Holy Spirit. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is good. However, other kinds of evidence must also be there. Acts 6:8 says that Stephen, a man full of the Holy Spirit, performed miracles. Where the miracles that God has performed through since your baptism in the Holy Spirit? In Acts 8:5-8, Philip, one of the deacons, went to Samaria and turned a whole city upside down. In Acts 13:6-12, when Paul was preaching to a governor, and a sorcerer was trying to hinder him, Paul, full of the Holy Spirit, moved the mountain out of the way and got his victory by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We believers are dealing with a world called the New Age. They are working overtime to win our youths over with magic, and we need to demonstrate greater power to silence them, so the youths do not give in to their devices. This power is available in God for all those who are willing to pay the price, but unfortunately, in a very subtle manner, the devil is pushing the church to lukewarmness.

You need to realize that whenever Jesus taught in a place, the Bible says that the power of God was always present to heal. I have discovered that when we preach about healing, God heals. When we tag a service ‘deliverance night’, a lot of demonized people in attendance will get delivered. We choose themes that show God that we are keenly interested in doing His works. He said that He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Luken3:16). There is a difference between just speaking in tongues and having the fire behind your tongues. When you are baptized by the Holy Spirit and fire, it will be evident; miracles will happen, souls will be won, and the whole world will bow to our Lord. Seek the fire today!

PRAYER POINT
Father, baptize me with Your fire!

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 134-140

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: TO THE WORK, TO THE WORK

1 To the work! to the work! we are servants of God,
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.

Refrain:
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on:
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.

2 To the work! to the work! let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”

3 To the work! to the work! there is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the name of Jehovah exalted shall be,
In the loud-swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!”

4 To the work! to the work! in the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward;
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”

OPEN HEAVEN 26 JUNE 2024 WEDNESDAY: GOD WILL EMPOWER YOU

MEMORISE: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:3

READ: Isaiah 41:10-13
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

MESSAGE
In John 20:21, Jesus Christ said, “…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” In Matthew 10:40, He said, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” The work of ministry is an assignment from the Father, so when you are called to do something, you can be sure that God Himself is backing you up.

In John 5:30, Jesus said, “1 can of my own self do nothing: … “This is good because whatever you are to do for God, you cannot do it by yourself, but the Father who sent you will back you up. It is good news because all you have to do is tell Him, “I can’t do it Lord, but I know you can do it through me.” There is something called ‘the God Factor’. Let God do it; however, He can only do it if you are willing to cooperate. If you believe He can do it, He will do it. If you believe that He can use you to heal the sick, you will have to pay the price, and then, He will produce the results. Whatever assignment God gives you that seems impossible, talk to Him, do your part, and He will yield results through you.

In Yorubaland, one of the names we call God is Oron’mo ni’se f’aya ti. It means the one who sends a child on an assignment and backs the child up. When God sends you on an assignment, He stays with you and empowers you to ensure that you fulfil the assignment. Many people don’t fulfil their assignments because they hardly go to God for instructions. They start the work quite alright, but they hardly pray for direction, whereas it is in the place of prayers that God will give them instructions on each step to take. They keep doing everything to make the work succeed, but when it is time to make decisions, they don’t ask God for the best decisions to make. After a while, when they realize that they are not fulfilling the assignment, they accuse Him of helping others and not helping them.

Beloved, you cannot do anything by yourself John 15:5). The work God has given you to do cannot be done by your power or might but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). If you really want to fulfil destiny, don’t lean on your understanding: lean on God.

REFLECTION
Are you depending totally on God to help you fulfil your destiny?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 120-133

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 28: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH

1. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.

2. Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 26 JUNE 2024
WEDNESDAY: APPLY THE BRAKES

BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE & PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE

MEMORISE: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

READ: Ephesians 6:10-11
[10]Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11]Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

MESSAGE
When a driver is behind the wheels and perceives danger. ahead, he or she will simply apply the brakes and make a U-turn or reverse to take another route. As a child of God, you cannot avoid being tempted. However, when you face temptations, you should apply the brakes. Applying the brakes in this context means resisting any urge to yield to temptation.
The devil constantly looks for ways to bring the children of God into his camp; however, the Lord has given them the power to overcome those temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). You can only exercise the power to overcome temptations in the place of prayer. Life is a constant warfare, especially if you are in Christ. In order to overcome this warfare, you need to spend time in the place of prayer and flee all appearances of evil. If you move about with people who claim to be Christians but exhibit traits of unbelievers, correct them in love. However, if they refuse to change, my dear child, please cut off from them so you will not become like them.
Beloved, being tempted is not a sin. In fact, it will help you to build your strength and maturity in Christ. However, yielding to temptation is a sin. Do not yield to temptation.

KEY POINT
When you are faced with temptations, apply the brakes.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
2 Kings 9:14-10:31 Acts 17:1-34

HYMN 20 – CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE
1 Christian, seek not yet repose;
Hear thy guardian angel say,
“Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray!”

2 Principalities and powers ,
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thy unguarded hours:
“Watch and pray.”

3 Gird thy heavenly armour on;
Wear it every night and day
Ambush’d lies the evil one:
“Watch and pray.”

4 Hear the victors who o’ercame;
Still they mark each warrior’s way;
All with one sweet voice exclaim,
“Watch and pray!”

5 Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray, that help may be sent down:
Watch and pray.

6 Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart His word
“Watch and pray!”

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
TUESDAY, JUNE 25TH, 2024
TOPIC: THE MARK OF THE BEAST II

MEMORISE: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:17

READ: Revelation 14:9-10
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
MESSAGE:
Yesterday, I said that the mark of the beast could be in the form of a mark, his name, or the number of his name. I also said that the mark will not be a tattoo printed on the skin but rather an implant, planted into the body of those who take it that submits their will to the government of that time, which will be headed by the antichrist.

Today, I will discuss what will really be planted into the bodies of people that receive the mark of the beast.
If you have been staying up to date with technology, you will have seen that technologies already exist to put microchips in people’s bodies so that with it, they can access the internet directly from their brains, make phone calls just by thinking, and have medical ‘miracles’ like healing a broken leg in record time, et cetera.
From the experiments conducted with these microchips, scientists can see whatever the test subjects can see and even make them raise their hands or legs by controlling the chips from a computer. These microchips are connected directly to the brain so that whoever is controlling the microchips can control the minds of the people who have them.

In other words, getting the mark means submitting yourself to the control of the government of that time. When they are in control, they can make people do whatever they want. That is why those who have the mark will be condemned because now, they cannot do the will of God as the antichrist is now in control of their minds.
Getting the microchip in their bodies will seal their fate because the antichrist will control their minds to obey only him. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16
The devil is aware of the Scripture above and hence knows that whomever you obey is your master. Everyone who takes the mark of the beast will become a servant of the devil.

Beloved, don’t take the risk of being around on the earth when almost everybody will become servants of the devil. It will be hell on earth, and it will be almost impossible to avoid taking the mark at that time.
Give your life to Christ and live holy now so that you will be in heaven when the antichrist takes over the earth.

KEY POINT:
Do all you can to ensure that you are in heaven when the antichrist takes over the earth.

HYMN: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
1 What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there

BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 25 JUNE 2024
TUESDAY: PRAY ALWAYS

MEMORISE: Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
[16]Rejoice evermore.
[17]Pray without ceasing.
[18]In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

MESSAGE
Prayer is often defined as a conversation with God. However, it is much more than that; it establishes a connection with the very One who breathed life into you. Thus, if you want to know who God is and the secrets to life that only He has, you must learn to pray without ceasing.
From the Bible reading for today, we can see that God wants His children to pray without having a break. This is possible only if you see prayer as communicating with God as a Father and a Friend.
Many people think that it is difficult to pray for an hour. Some have even asked me how it is possible to pray throughout the day. Well, it is very easy. Start by praising God with spiritual songs and hymns. Praise Him in words, thinking of all His benefits and blessings in times past and mention them one after the other. Thank Him for every member of your family; mention their names one after the other and thank Him for the times He healed or saved them from evil. Thereafter, ask Him for forgiveness and mercy, then table your requests. Before you know it, you will have spent an hour praying.

KEY POINT
Pray without ceasing.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
2 Kings 8:1-9:13 Acts 16:16-40

HYMN 20 – CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE
1 Christian, seek not yet repose;
Hear thy guardian angel say,
“Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray!”

2 Principalities and powers ,
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thy unguarded hours:
“Watch and pray.”

3 Gird thy heavenly armour on;
Wear it every night and day
Ambush’d lies the evil one:
“Watch and pray.”

4 Hear the victors who o’ercame;
Still they mark each warrior’s way;
All with one sweet voice exclaim,
“Watch and pray!”

5 Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray, that help may be sent down:
Watch and pray.

6 Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart His word
“Watch and pray!”

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

2 Kings 8:1-9:13 Acts 16:16-40

BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE & PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE