Open Heaven 22 March 2024 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Seek God First
Click HERE for the Previous Open Heaven Devotional
Open Heaven 22 March 2024 TOPIC: Seek God First
MEMORISE: “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” – Psalm 63:1 (KJV)
READ: Psalm 63:1-8 (KJV)
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and glory, as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 My lips shall praise thee Because thy lovingkindness is better than life.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, I rejoice in the shadow of thy wings.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 4-7
Open Heaven 22 March 2024 MESSAGE
The story I shared yesterday reminds me of three Ugandan boys I met at the Christian programme in Kenya. Those boys were probably hungrier for God than any of us at that programme. During break times, while everyone was buying sandwiches, those three boys sat together, praising God. I asked why they never ate when everyone else ate, and they responded that food was not their concern. Firstly, they needed more money to buy food. Secondly, they said they were praying to return safely and not get arrested or even executed by the then-Ugandan military ruler upon their return. They had eaten nothing for three days and were just glad to be there. Whatever little I had, I shared with them for the rest of our stay. I told them to write to me when they got back home safely, and they did to the glory of God.
Also Read: Open Heaven 21 March 2024 – Comfort In Service
Your hunger for God should be so great that you won’t even remember to eat when it is time to seek Him. You should be so hungry for God that you are willing to risk your life just to know Him more. I am amazed whenever we call a fast, and some people grumble. They are not hungry for God enough to fast for just a few days in the year to draw closer to Him.
In the 1970s, I used to gather some RCCG youths in a place called ‘Youth Camp.’ Accommodation and feeding were usually included in our payment for the venue, but people rarely cared to eat after the sessions. I had to beg them to eat so we would not waste the food. They didn’t care much for food; they only wanted the word of God. Jeremiah 15:16 says:
Thy words were found, and I ate them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
What exactly are the things you are hungry for? Food? Fame? Money? Put them aside and let your hunger and thirst every day be for God. Matthew 6:33 says:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Beloved, please get your priorities right. In our Bible reading today, David said that his soul will follow hard after God. Can you say the same for yourself?
Open Heaven 22 March 2024 PRAYER POINT
Father, let there be an insatiable hunger for You in my heart.
Open Heaven 22 March 2024 HYMN 8 – I Need Thee Every Hour
1 I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford?
Chorus
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour, I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.
2 I need Thee every hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.
3 I need Thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
4 I need Thee every hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
5 I need Thee every hour,
Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.
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
Ambydennis Notice Board: Until you are born again, God’s abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe that You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You, Lord, for keeping me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online, please send your testimonies and prayer request to info@rccg.org, +234-1-8447340, +234-0-709821311