Open Heaven For Today 2024 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Friendship With God
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TOPIC: Friendship With God
MEMORISE: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” – John 15:14 (KJV)
READ: John 15:13-15 (KJV)
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that 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 have made known unto you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 16-17
Open Heaven For Today 2024 MESSAGE
God has many children, but as every parent knows, there is always that one child that is a favourite. Even though they do not like to admit it, their relationship with that child goes beyond regular parenting; it often extends into friendship. Likewise, God doesn’t just want you to be His child, He wants you to be so close to Him that He can consider you His friend.
Jesus loves His friends so dearly that He said that He was willing to lay down His life for them (John 15:13). Do you have a friend who can inject himself with a disease so that you will not be infected with it? This can be likened to what Jesus did in Matthew 8:17. Can any of your friends take a bullet for you? Jesus did more than this when He was beaten by Roman soldiers and hung on a cross. This means that Jesus is the best friend that anyone can ever have.
People often tell tales of friends that they used to have. While it is common for people to betray friendships because of selfish interests or terminate them because of disagreements, the friendship of Jesus Christ lasts forever. Whether you are going through a storm (Matthew 14:24-25), or you are caught in a fire (Daniel 3:22-25), He will never leave your side. Even when He knows that you can betray His friendship, He will remain your friend indeed (Luke 22:31-32). The Bible says in John 13:1 that He loves until the end.
What does it take to become a friend of God? Our memory verse for today tells us that we can become His friend by obeying His commandments. This goes beyond staying away from sin; it means that when He says, “Don’t eat, I want you to fast today,” you should do it. When you are tired, and all you want to do is sleep, if He says, “Let us discuss before you sleep,” you should push the sleep aside and pray. When He says, “Give me your car,” you should do it. Abraham was called a friend of God in 2 Chronicles 20:7 because, when God asked him to sacrifice his son in Genesis 22:1-3, he was ready to do it.
Beloved, when God instructs you to do anything, you should make the necessary sacrifices and obey Him promptly. Nothing in this world should be too big for you to sacrifice to God. This is the only way to become His friend. Are you ready to become God’s friend?
KEY POINT
Obeying God’s commandments is the key to becoming His friend.
HYMN 27 – 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 your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Also Read: RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 17 November 2024 – A Wholesome Christian Life
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 church 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, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven for Today 2024
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever 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 in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving 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, +234-0-7098213112.
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Saturday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Bible, Gender, And Sexuality (3)
Click HERE for the Previous Open Heaven Devotional
TOPIC: The Bible, Gender, And Sexuality (3)
MEMORISE: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” – Ephesians 4:25 (KJV)
READ: Romans 1:20-32 (KJV)
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 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 are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 14-15
Open Heaven For Today 2024 MESSAGE
In conclusion of the teaching I started two days ago on gender and sexuality, I will like to share an experience I had with you. Some years ago, I was in one of the Western nations to preach, and a journalist interviewed me about my views on same-sex marriage. I told the fellow interviewing me that God made men and women to reproduce after their kind. Then I asked, “Is it possible for people of the same gender to produce offspring?” I concluded by telling the interviewer that if everyone was getting married to someone of the same sex, the world will come to an end in this generation.
As a child of God, whenever you have the opportunity to speak about homosexuality, don’t beat around the bush. The reason evil thrives is that good people are too afraid to say the truth. Don’t keep quiet when people say that they are sexually attracted to people of the same gender as them. Don’t judge or condemn them, rather, tell them the truth with love. Condemning them will only make them put up a fight, and our God is not a God of condemnation, but of love. Speak to them in love, but still show them from the Scriptures that what they are feeling is not from God because He clearly speaks against it. Tell them that you are willing to pray with them and help them overcome that feeling.
Today’s Bible reading tells us what happens to people when they are left to their reprobate minds; such people cannot end well unless they repent. Stand firm against homosexuality and do everything you can to show people that are sexually attracted to individuals of the same sex the right way to live from the Scriptures. Lot stood firm against homosexuality in Genesis 19:1-7, even when he was under severe pressure. He did not allow the men of Sodom to come into his house to have sexual relations with the angels that he invited in, even though they pressed on him greatly and were going to break into his home.
Beloved, I know that in some countries, the government has made it illegal to speak the truth as regards homosexuality. However, we have a greater government in Christ, and we must represent Him everywhere we go. Do not stand by and do nothing while people are on their way to destruction; you have a responsibility to save as many as you can (Jude 1:17-23).
KEY POINT
Speak the truth in God’s word about homosexuality whenever you have the opportunity.
HYMN 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 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 church 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, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven for Today 2024
Ambydennis Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever 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 in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving 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, +234-0-7098213112.
Open Heaven For Today 2024 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Bible, Gender, And Sexuality (2)
Click HERE for the Previous Open Heaven Devotional
TOPIC: The Bible, Gender, And Sexuality (2)
MEMORISE: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” – Leviticus 18:22 (KJV)
READ: Leviticus 18:22-30 (KJV)
22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.
29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 12-13
Open Heaven For Today 2024 MESSAGE
Today, I will continue my teaching on what the Bible says about gender and sexuality. The Bible makes it clear in today’s memory verse, that it is an abomination to have sexual relations with someone of the same gender. Homosexuality might have been painted as normal in some societies, but anyone who engages in it is committing an abomination. Today’s Bible reading says that if people who engage in homosexuality do not repent, their souls will be cut off from amongst the people. It says further that the nations and places in which such acts are encouraged will be punished and will not know peace. Do not imbibe these ideologies from such societies; the word of God is ‘yea’ and ‘amen’. God’s word says that such people and societies will be punished, so we must stay away from their ideologies and intensify our prayers for them.
When you read about Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities that God destroyed with fire and brimstone, you will see what can happen to societies that are defiled by homosexuality (Genesis 19:1-25). Even though they were initially said to be flourishing and seemed like the perfect places to live in (Genesis 13:8-12), they were eventually destroyed due to the wickedness and immoral acts of their inhabitants. Even after they were invaded by enemies and Abraham came to their rescue in Genesis 14:1-16, they continued proudly in their abominations, and this eventually led to their destruction. In Isaiah 3:9, the Bible says:
“The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.”
Beloved, do not partake of such evil rewards. Don’t believe the lie that some people are born homosexual. Homosexuality is an abomination before God because it was not part of His original design; it is a devilish act that is intended to destroy the lives of people and tamper with the work of God. If you have been engaging in homosexuality, pray to God for deliverance from the manipulation of the devil, and see a genuine minister of God to pray with you.
Beloved, God loves you and brought this message to you so that you can either be delivered or be used to deliver others.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please deliver everyone who is involved in homosexuality today, in Jesus’ name.
HYMN 10 – In Christ Alone
1 In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
2 In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
3 There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
4 No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand
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 church 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, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven for Today 2024
Ambydennis Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever 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 in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving 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, +234-0-7098213112.
