₦airaland Forum

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17TH 2025

THEME: DON'T BECOME AN EX-CHAMPION

MEMORISE: The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will l give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:9

READ: 1 Samuel 13:13-14
13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

MESSAGE
There are people who used to be wealthy or influential but have little or nothing to show for it today. There is nothing as terrible as being a fellow who used to be wealthy or influential.
For example, when those who have never had a car struggle to enter a public bus and someone steps on them, they would see it as something normal. However, people who used to have their own cars might find it difficult to adapt when they find themselves in a similar situation. Also, if they complain about getting stepped on while struggling to enter a public bus, they might feel really insulted when people say, "If you don't want to be stepped on, why not get your own car?" May you never be a has-been, in Jesus' name.

There is nothing as terrible as being an ex-champion. Boxers will tell you that the moment you become a champion, other boxers in your category will want to challenge you to a fight. If you want to remain a champion, it means that you need to work harder than you used to before you became a champion. If you relax after becoming successful, saying "l am the best; everybody already sees how good I am," you might soon lose your edge and become irrelevant. Instead, you must start working harder on becoming more excellent. The things you need to do to remain at the top are even more rigorous than what you must do to get there.

When God called me to become a pastor, I prayed that I would become so influential for the kingdom, and I can tell you with all confidence that the way I used to pray before I got to the level, I am now is nothing compared to how I pray now. As God has continued to take me higher, I have been fasting more, studying my Bible more, preaching more sermons, and working harder generally. This is how I have been able to maintain an upward trajectory.

Beloved, if you want to be the best in your field, you must be ready to put in all the necessary efforts. Most importantly, to remain at the top, you must be ready to put in even more effort by acquiring more and more knowledge, networking more with other experts in your field, and generally working harder. I pray that you will get to the top and remain there, in Jesus' name.


KEY POINT
It takes more effort to remain at the top than to get there.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 1-4


AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE


HYMN 12: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
1. Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banners go!

[Chorus]
Onward, Christian soldiers!Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory.
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the Saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we:
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.

4. Onward, then, ye people;
Join our happy throng.
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song:
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ, the King.
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

Correct Answers

1. The meek
2. They received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily.
3. By instructions, not by experience.
4. To him or her shall be given more understanding and wisdom.
5. To be taught God's paths, statutes, and will.

Objective Questions

1. According to the memorise verse in Psalm 25:9, who will God guide in judgment and teach His way?
A. The wise man who seeks instruction
B. The one who searches the scriptures daily
C. The meek
D. The king of Israel

2. What characteristic made the believers in Berea more noble than those in Thessalonica?
A. They were willing to learn mainly through instructions, not experience.
B. They received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily.
C. They immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night.
D. They were open to knowledge and added other people's wisdom to their own.

3. The devotional states that a teachable person learns mainly through what method?
A. By avoiding painful experiences.
B. By instructions, not by experience.
C. By going to school to take lessons every day.
D. By constantly running towards hot objects.

4. What will happen to the one who "hath" (is willing to learn every day), according to Mark 4:25?
A. He or she will miss their way.
B. From him or her shall be taken even that which he hath.
C. To him or her shall be given more understanding and wisdom.
D. He or she will be able to keep God's statutes until death.

5. What was David's consistent prayer to God, according to multiple Psalms referenced in the devotional?
A. To be delivered from his enemies.
B. To be given wealth and long life.
C. To be taught God's paths, statutes, and will.
D. To be made the most celebrated king in Israel.

Prayer Points on "LEARN EVERYDAY".

1.Father, I thank You for the knowledge You have already given me, for Your Word that serves as my instruction manual, and for the grace to even desire to learn more, in Jesus' name.

2. Lord, I ask for Your mercy in every area where pride, arrogance, or self-sufficiency has closed my heart to learning; forgive me for thinking I know enough, in Jesus' name.

3. Father, according to Your Word (Psalm 25:9), make me meek so that You can guide me in judgment and teach me Your way. Deliver me from a proud, unteachable spirit, in Jesus' name.

4. Oh Lord, open my eyes and heart to learn from everyone you bring across my path—even children and those I perceive as lesser—because everyone has something to teach me, in Jesus' name.

5. Heavenly Father, instill in me the noble spirit of the Bereans (Acts 17:11). Give me a mind that receives Your Word with all readiness and a commitment to search the Scriptures daily, in Jesus' name.

6. I pray for the wisdom of King David; teach me Your paths, Your statutes, good judgment, knowledge, and above all, teach me to do Your will, in Jesus' name (Psalm 25:4, 119:26, 143:10).

7. Father, grant me the grace to learn mainly through instruction, not just through painful experience. Let me be a wise child who obeys and avoids the wounds of disobedience, in Jesus' name.

8. Lord, I receive the blessing of Mark 4:25; because I am willing to learn every day, I pray for an increase in understanding, wisdom, and knowledge in all areas of my life, in Jesus' name.

9. Holy Spirit, make me a lifelong student in the school of life and the school of the Kingdom. Let me be committed to learning and growing every day so that I may become more and more like Christ, in Jesus' name.

10. My personal prayer point: (Mention the specific area—career, ministry, relationship, skill—where you need God to teach you right now).

11. Thank You, Father, for I believe You have heard me, and by Your Spirit, I will be a teachable vessel who grows in grace and wisdom every day, in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me and wash all my sins away with your precious blood shed at Calvary. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal damnation.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY DECEMBER 16TH 2025

THEME: LEARN EVERYDAY

MEMORISE:

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his Way.

Psalm 25:9

READ: Acts 17:10-11

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

MESSAGE

Someone once said that the world is a school, and those who are wise go to school to take lessons everyday because there is always something to learn there.

Proverbs 9:9 says that if you give instructions to a wise man he will become wiser. You must be open to learning from others because everyone has something to teach you, even children. A teachable fellow is always willing and ready to learn. Mark 4:25 says;

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Anyone who is willing to learn every day will have more understanding and wisdom. A teachable fellow is open to knowledge and is always willing to add other people's wisdom to his or her own. When you are teachable, you learn mainly through instructions, not by experience. For example, if you keep telling a boy not to put his hand in a fire and you constantly keep him away from hot objects, if the boy is not teachable, he will always want to run towards what you are trying to save him from. One day, he might eventually put his hand in the fire and get hurt. However, a teachable child will listen to instructions, obey them, and grow in wisdom. He or she will not have to experience the pain that comes from disobedience by nursing wounds that could have been avoided.

David was a very teachable fellow. Many times in the Bible, he prayed and asked God to teach him; He was always willing to learn. In Psalm 25:4, he asked God to teach him His paths. When you are open to learning about God's paths, you can never miss your way. In Psalm 119:26 and Psalm 119:33, he asked God to teach him His statutes so that he could keep them until his death. In Psalm 119:66, he wanted to learn good judgment and knowledge. Also, he asked God to teach him to do His will in Psalm 143:10. No wonder, up until today, David remains the most celebrated king that Israel ever had.

Today's Bible reading talks about some believers from Berea who were ready to learn. They received the word of God with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily. The Bereans were hungry for God's word and remained meek enough to search the Scriptures daily.

Beloved, be like the Berean Christians and be committed to learning every day.

PRAYER POINT

Dear Lord, I am willing to learn of You daily. Please teach me so that | can become more like You.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Philemon 1; Titus 1-3


AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE


HYMN 8: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

1 I need Thee ev'ry hour,

Most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine

Can peace afford.

Refrain:

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

Ev'ry hour I need Thee;

Oh, bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.


2 I need Thee ev'ry hour,

Stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their pow’r

When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

3 I need Thee ev'ry hour,

In joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide,

Or life is vain. [Refrain]


4 I need Thee ev'ry hour,

Teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises

In me fulfill. [Refrain]

Correct Answers

1. Corruption
2. To gather food in the harvest and provide meat in the summer.
3. That he would become a servant.
4. There was a great famine.
5. Having Jesus in control of your life.

Objective Questions

1. According to the memorise verse, what will the person who sows to the flesh reap?
A. Corruption
B. Abundance
C. Life everlasting
D. Worldly pleasures

2. What lesson does the Bible suggest we learn from the ant?
A. To have no guide, overseer, or ruler.
B. To gather food in the harvest and provide meat in the summer.
C. To take a little sleep and a little slumber.
D. To be angry about one's future.

3. In the story of the two young men, what prediction did the oracle make for the man who later became king?
A. That he would become a servant.
B. That he would become a king.
C. That he would be diligent and prosperous.
D. That he would be captured by an armed man.

4. What happened in the town that eventually led to the diligent young man becoming king?
A. The oracle made a new prophecy.
B. There was a great famine.
C. The old king died suddenly.
D. The young man captured the city with his workers.

5. What is the ultimate "best" thing the devotional says a person can have in control of their life to ensure they get the best out of life?
A. Diligence and labor until the Master comes.
B. Following and obeying the oracle's instructions.
C. Having Jesus in control of your life.
D. Cultivating a large portion of the jungle.

Prayer PointsPrayer Points on "YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW"

1. Father, I thank You because Your law of harvest is eternal and true; You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You, in Jesus' name.

2. Father, I ask for Your mercy in every area where I have sown to my flesh, and I have reaped corruption; forgive me and cleanse me today, in Jesus' name.

3. Lord, empower me to sow diligently to the Spirit so that I may reap life everlasting and obtain the best from You, in Jesus' name.

4. Holy Spirit, deliver me from the spirit of slothfulness; cure me of every desire for a little sleep, a little slumber, and a little folding of the hands to sleep, in Jesus' name.

5. Lord, I receive wisdom from the ant; help me to be wise and to provide my meat in the summer and gather my food in the harvest, in Jesus' name.

6. Father, I receive the strength and diligence to toil on and labor with my might; let my soul be made fat and prosperous, according to Your word, in Jesus' name.

7. I refuse to accept a negative prophecy or pronouncement over my life; I receive the divine instruction to work against every evil prediction and secure my destiny, in Jesus' name.

8. Lord, in my body, I refuse to be tired; whenever I feel pain or weariness, I will push through in Your strength and labor till the Master comes, in Jesus' name.

9. Father, I enthrone Jesus in my life; let Him take full control of my destiny and choices so that I will always put in the best and reap the best out of life, in Jesus' name.

10. My personal prayer point: (Spend time asking God to reveal any area of fleshly sowing in your life and give you the diligence and wisdom to sow strategically to the Spirit).

11. Thank You, Father, for the assurance that by Your grace, I will not reap poverty and want, but abundance and life everlasting, in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me and wash all my sins away with your precious blood shed at Calvary. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal damnation.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: MONDAY DECEMBER 15TH 2025


THEME: YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW


MEMORISE: For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:8


READ: Proverbs 6:6-11
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.


MESSAGE
Whatever people put into their lives will determine what they will get out of it. If all they put in are worldly pleasures, then there will be no greatness; however, if they are diligent, they will be prosperous (Proverbs 12:24).

My Father in the Lord told a story of two young men who went to consult an oracle to find out what the future held for them. The oracle told one of them that he would become a king and the other that he would be a servant.
The one the oracle predicted to become a king immediately began to act pompously, while the second one said to himself, "What have I done to deserve this fate? Why must I be a servant?" He kept thinking about what the oracle said, and he became angry. When he got home, he took his cutlass and hoes, went far into the jungle, and began to cultivate a portion of the jungle. He would wake up every morning to clear bushes and plant seeds until late at night. Whenever he felt pain, he would tell his body, "You cannot be tired because I refuse to be a slave." Years passed, and he kept on expanding the farm. After a while, there was a famine in his town. The town’s people spent all their money and didn't have any food to eat. One day, a hunter went far into the jungle to look for meat, and he stumbled on this young man's store of food. He went back to his town’s people to tell them what he had found, and they all came there too.

They did not have money to buy the food so they begged the young man to please give them food and they will serve him. He agreed and they crowned him as their king. One day, as he sat on his throne, the other man who the oracle said would become a king came begging and said, "Please don't let me die of hunger; give me food and I will be your servant."

Beloved, whatever you sow into your life is what you will reap. If you put in diligence, you will reap abundance because the soul of the diligent shall be made fat (Proverbs 13:4). If you sow to your flesh, you will reap corruption, as we see in today's memory verse. If you want the best in life, you must put in the best, and having Jesus in control of your life is the best you can ever have. Follow Him diligently and obey His instructions so you can get the best out of life.


REFLECTION
What are you sowing into your life?


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 1-4


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!"

Correct Answers

1. Because John Mark had abandoned Paul and Barnabas on a previous journey.
2. He became profitable for the ministry.
3. Dying.
4. Character.
5. Immerse yourself in the word of God, pray in the Holy Ghost, and covet the best gifts.

Objective Questions

1. Why did Paul initially refuse to take John Mark on a second missionary journey, according to the devotional?
A. Because John Mark had left the ministry to pursue personal wealth.
B. Because John Mark's faith was still too small, like a mustard seed.
C. Because John Mark had abandoned Paul and Barnabas on a previous journey.
D. Because John Mark had failed to grow in his character and knowledge.

2. What change in John Mark's status did Paul later acknowledge, as recorded in 2 Timothy 4:9-11?
A. He became the writer of the Gospel of Mark.
B. He became profitable for the ministry.
C. He became a man who put away childish things.
D. He finally overcame his anger issues.

3. The devotional states that anyone who is not growing is doing what?
A. Remaining as a child.
B. Dying.
C. Speaking, understanding, and thinking as a child.
D. Struggling with great faith.

4. The message uses anger issues as an example of what important area a child of God must grow in?
A. Knowledge of the Lord.
B. Brotherly kindness.
C. Character.
D. Temperance.

5. What three practices are recommended in the devotional for ensuring continuous growth?
A. Reading the Gospel of Mark, having a mustard seed faith, and being a spectator of God's work.
B. Putting away childish things, becoming a man, and moving from small faith to great faith.
C. Using one's hands to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead.
D. Immerse yourself in the word of God, pray in the Holy Ghost, and covet the best gifts.

Prayer PointsPrayer Points on "YOU MUST GROW"

1. Father, I thank You for the grace to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in Jesus' name.

2. Lord, I receive the commitment to give all diligence to add to my faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, in Jesus' name.

3. Father, let me not be rejected by those who once gave me an opportunity; help me to grow and develop myself so that I may become profitable, in Jesus' name.

4. Lord, deliver me from spiritual stagnation; I refuse to remain a child in understanding or character, because anyone who is not growing is dying, in Jesus' name.

5. Holy Spirit, help me to put away childish things, especially in areas of character like impatience and anger, in Jesus' name.

6. Father, I pray for an increase in faith; take me from mustard seed faith to great faith, so that I will not live in fear of sicknesses and demons, in Jesus' name.

7. Lord, I refuse to be a spectator of the wonderful things You do; make me a vessel that heals the sick, casts out demons, and raises the dead, in Jesus' name.

8. Father, I receive the grace to immerse myself in Your word regularly, pray in the Holy Ghost continually, and covet the best spiritual gifts, in Jesus' name.

9. Lord Jesus, send Your gentle Spirit and make me like You, the pure and holy One, that I may be frequently in prayer and constantly engaged in doing good, in Jesus' name.

10. My personal prayer point: (Mention the specific area of your character or spiritual life where you need accelerated growth, and ask God for the necessary discipline and grace).

11. Thank You, Father, for the promise that You will make me like Jesus, Your well-beloved Son, and for the assurance of my continuous spiritual growth, in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me and wash all my sins away with your precious blood shed at Calvary. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal damnation.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: SUNDAY DECEMBER 14TH 2025


THEME: YOU MUST GROW


MEMORISE: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18


READ: 2 Peter 1:5-7
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.


MESSAGE
In Acts 12:25, Paul and Barnabas took John Mark along with them on a missionary journey, but when things got difficult, he abandoned them. Paul was so disappointed that in Acts 15:36-41, he insisted that he and Barnabas should not take John Mark with them when they wanted to go on another missionary journey. However, in 2 Timothy 4:9-11, the same Paul who didn't want John Mark to accompany him on another missionary journey said, "Bring him to me for he is profitable." It is that same John Mark who ended up writing the gospel of Mark in the New Testament.

When a fellow keeps growing and developing himself or herself, those who rejected such a fellow before will turn to embrace him or her. Paul said that when he was a child, he spoke, understood, and thought as a child, but when he became a man, he put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11). Everyone starts as a child, but it is not okay to remain as one. Anyone who is not growing is dying.

As a child of God, one important aspect you must grow in is your character. If you were an impatient person before you gave your life to Christ, you must not remain that way. A Christian should not deal with anger issues for the rest of his or her life. If you dealt with anger issues in your twenties, you should have overcome them with the help of the Holy Spirit in your forties.

You must also grow in faith. Jesus talked about people with no faith in Mark 4:40 and people with faith like a mustard seed in Luke 17:6. This means that faith can grow. If you started with a mustard seed faith, as powerful as it is, you should not remain on that level; instead, you should move on to having great faith (Matthew 15:28). You should not still be afraid of sicknesses and demons if you are truly growing in Christ.

Beloved, you were not saved to live in fear and weakness. You are not meant to be just a spectator of the wonderful things that God does through His children. You must grow in faith to the point where you can heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. Immerse yourself in the word of God regularly (Romans 10:17), pray in the Holy Ghost continually (Jude 1:20), and covet the best gifts from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:31). This way, you will never stop growing.


REFLECTION
Are you growing in faith and in your character?


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 1-6


AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE


HYMN 24: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
1 I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one marked an angry word
That ever heard him speak.

Refrain:
I want to be like Jesus,
God's well beloved Son;
I want to be like Jesus,
The pure and holy One.

2 I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there.

3 I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good,
So that of me it may be said,
He hath done what he could.

4 Alas! I'm not like Jesus,
As any one may see;
Thy gentle Spirit, Savior, send,
And make me like to thee.

Correct Answers

1. Because the grave offers no work, knowledge, or wisdom.
2. My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
3. They were all busy at work.
4. Because they will waste whatever resources He gives to them.
5. That there is a lion in the way.

Objective Questions

1. What reason does the memorise verse give for doing whatsoever your hand finds to do with your might?
A. Because the grave offers no work, knowledge, or wisdom.
B. Because God will reward you with an inheritance.
C. Because God never sleeps nor slumbers.
D. Because you are serving the Lord Christ and not men.

2. What statement did Jesus make in John 5:17 to clarify that God is not idle after resting on the seventh day of creation?
A. I am the vine, ye are the branches.
B. My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
C. The Lord is my shepherd.
D. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way.

3. When Jesus chose His disciples, what was a common characteristic of their situation when He called them?
A. They were all busy at work.
B. They were praying in the temple.
C. They were seeking wisdom from the elders.
D. They were resting after a long day of labor.

4. According to the message, why does God not give His resources or take lazy people to great heights?
A. Because they will immediately use the resources for selfish gain.
B. Because they will waste whatever resources He gives to them.
C. Because diligent people have a better chance of success.
D. Because God is preparing a greater reward for them later.

5. What is one of the excuses a slothful man gives for not doing something important, according to Proverbs 26:13?
A. That he has no one to help him.
B. That the work is too difficult for him.
C. That there is a lion in the way.
D. That he is waiting for the Master to come.

Prayer PointsPrayer Points on "GOD HATES LAZINESS"

1. Father, I thank You because You are a diligent God who never sleeps nor slumbers, and You work hitherto, in Jesus' name.

2. Lord, I pray for the grace and strength to do whatsoever my hand finds to do with my might, knowing that there is no work in the grave, in Jesus' name.

3. Father, forgive me for every moment of laziness, procrastination, and lack of diligence in my work, school, and ministry, in Jesus' name.

4. Lord, deliver me from the spirit of slothfulness; make me diligent and prudent, and remove every symptom of laziness from my life, in Jesus' name.

5. I pray that my field and vineyard will not be grown over with thorns or covered with nettles; I receive the grace to maintain and nurture properly every resource You give me, in Jesus' name.

6. Father, empower me to do whatsoever I do heartily, as unto the Lord and not unto men, knowing that I will receive the reward of the inheritance from You, in Jesus' name.

7. I reject the spirit of excuse; I refuse to be a slothful person who sees a "lion in the way" and finds reasons not to carry out my responsibilities, in Jesus' name.

8. Lord, I pray that my room, work, and every aspect of my life will reflect diligence, orderliness, and proper maintenance, in Jesus' name.

9. Father, choose and anoint me for Your agenda on earth; I align myself with the standard of diligence You require for use in Your kingdom, in Jesus' name.

10. My personal prayer point: (Spend time asking God to make diligence your watchword and to empower you to start working heartily and without excuse on all tasks before you).

11. Thank You, Father, for You will reward my labor when the Master comes, and I shall shout with the ransomed, "Salvation is free," in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me and wash all my sins away with your precious blood shed at Calvary. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal damnation.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: SATURDAY DECEMBER 13TH 2025


THEME: GOD HATES LAZINESS


MEMORISE: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Ecclesiastes 9:10


READ: Colossians 3:23-24
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.


MESSAGE
Many people have misunderstood Genesis 2:2. They feel that God has been resting since it was recorded that He rested on the seventh day after His work at creation. However, in John 5:17, Jesus said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" meaning that God is not idle; He is busy. God is a diligent God, and He never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:4). When you read through the Bible, you will notice that God always chose diligent people whenever He needed to use men for His agenda on the earth.

When you read the account of how Jesus chose His disciples, you will see that they were all busy at work when He called them. Peter was fishing in his boat, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee (Mark 1:16-20). Matthew was sitting at a tax collector's booth when Jesus asked him to follow Him (Matthew 9:9). God never calls or anoints lazy people; He calls diligent and prudent people because He hates laziness.

Lazy people cannot get the best from God. This is because they will waste whatever resources He gives to them, and He doesn't like wastage. Whatever is in the hands of a lazy person will not be maintained or nurtured properly. In Proverbs 24:30-31, Solomon said:
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

If a fellow's room is always rough and dirty, that is a sign that he or she is lazy. If a person does not always meet up with his or her deliverables at work, school, or in ministry, it is also a sign of laziness. Another symptom of laziness is recorded in Proverbs 26:1 3:
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

If a person always talks about doing something important, but he or she is always giving one excuse or the other for not doing it yet, it means that he or she is lazy.

Beloved, God will not give you His resources or take you to great heights if you are lazy. Evaluate your life in all humility, and if you find any of the symptoms of laziness that I discussed above, make genuine efforts to effect the necessary changes today and make diligence your watchword from henceforth.


KEY POINT
Make diligence your watchword.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Thessalonians 1-3


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!"

Correct Answers

1. The measure in which they sow.
2. 90% of the profits
3. Over $50 million
4. Wisdom, understanding, peace, and long life.
5. Seedtime and harvest, and day and night shall not cease.

Objective Questions

1. What principle, according to the memorise verse, determines whether a person will reap sparingly or bountifully?
A. The kind of seed that is sown.
B. The measure in which they sow.
C. The speed at which they sow the seed.
D. The amount of trust and obedience they have.

2. What did the minister who shared his testimony decide to give to God from the profits of his $500 business?
A. 10% of the profits
B. 50% of the profits
C. 90% of the profits
D. All of the profits

3. What was the value of the minister's business after five years of giving 90% of the profits to God?
A. $3.5 million
B. $500 dollars
C. Over $50 million
D. $120,000

4. Besides animals and material things, what did Solomon receive from God as a result of his bountiful offering, according to the message?
A. A kingdom established forever, and the end of all wars.
B. Wisdom, understanding, peace, and long life.
C. The opportunity to build the Temple of God and great fame.
D. A guaranteed inheritance for his children's children.

5. What promise from God is guaranteed to happen as long as the earth remains, according to Genesis 8:22?
A. Showers of blessing and refreshing seasons.
B. Seedtime and harvest, and day and night shall not cease.
C. Abundance of rain over the hills and valleys.
D. God will fill the storehouses until they overflow.

Prayer Points on "THE LAW OF HARVEST"

1. Father, I thank You because as long as the earth remains, the law of seedtime and harvest shall not cease, and Your promises are forever true, in Jesus' name.

2. Lord, I confess every area where I have sown sparingly; forgive me and grant me the grace to sow bountifully from today, in Jesus' name.

3. Father, I receive the wisdom and faith of the minister who chose to honor You with 90% of his profits; teach me to prioritize Your kingdom in my giving, in Jesus' name.

4. Lord, as I sow bountifully, let all grace abound towards me, that I may always have all sufficiency in all things and abound to every good work, in Jesus' name (2 Corinthians 9:8 ).

5. Father, I refuse to be weary in well doing; strengthen me to continue sowing my seed, time, and resources for Your kingdom, knowing that in due season I shall reap, in Jesus' name.

6. Lord, by the power of the law of harvest, multiply every seed I sow to You in hundredfold returns, just as You multiplied Solomon's seed, in Jesus' name.

7. Father, like Solomon, let my bountiful giving attract not just wealth, but also things money cannot buy: wisdom, understanding, peace, and long life, in Jesus' name.

8. Lord, I honor You with my substance and with the firstfruits of all my increase; let my storehouses be filled until they overflow, according to Your promise, in Jesus' name (Proverbs 3:9-10).

9. I pray for seasons of refreshing, abundance of rain, and showers of blessing upon my life and work, as I trust and obey You, in Jesus' name.

10. My personal prayer point: (Spend time asking God for the wisdom and heart to give bountifully and for the manifestation of the harvest in your life and business).

11. Thank You, Father, for You are faithful to honor Your word, and I claim a bountiful harvest over every seed I have sown, in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me and wash all my sins away with your precious blood shed at Calvary. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal damnation.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: FRIDAY DECEMBER 12TH 2025


THEME: THE LAW OF HARVEST


MEMORISE: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6


READ: Genesis 8:22
22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Galatians 6:9
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.


MESSAGE
In 1979, I travelled for a Kenneth Hagin camp meeting in Oklahoma, USA. During the meeting, a minister announced the collection of an offering for their Bible College. At that point, a man asked for permission to speak to the congregation. He said, "I want to announce that the sum of what you all give is what my wife and l will give." There were about 17,000 people in the congregation, and when the offering was summed up, it amounted to 3.5 million dollars. When everyone in the congregation heard this, we all thought that the man was in big trouble. However, he took the microphone and said, "Brethren, is this all you can do?" Where I sat, I said to myself, "This man knows something that I don't, and I'm going to find out what he knows." As soon as the service ended, I walked up to him and said, "Sir, can I know your secret?" He said, "It is very simple. Five years ago, I stated a business with 500 dollars, and I reached an agreement with God that I would not insult him by giving him 10% of the profits. I started giving God 90% while I kept 10% of the profits. Now, I am worth over 50 million dollars, so I know what I am doing."

The law of harvest says that if you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly. Someone who sows a thousand burnt offerings should automatically know that the result will not be small. A thousand burnt offerings in hundredfold returns will be extremely large. Solomon gave God a thousand burnt offerings in 2 Chronicles 1:6. In 2 Chronicles 7:5, the next time he was going to give an offering, he gave 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep, which means that God must have greatly multiplied his initial seed. That was the law of harvest playing out. In Solomon's case, he didn't just get more animals, he got many other things that money cannot buy - wisdom, understanding, peace, and long life.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 says that when you give, God is able to make all grace abound towards you. When you check Solomon's history, throughout his reign, there was not a single war fought against him even though he lived in an era where kings went to war frequently.

Beloved, honor God by giving to Him, and He will fill your storehouses until they overflow (Proverbs 3:9-10). This is the law of harvest, and it is a promise from God that will never fail.


KEY POINT
If you want to reap bountifully, you must sow bountifully; this is the law of harvest.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Thessalonians 1-5


AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE


HYMN 26: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS
1 There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us 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, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

4 There shall be showers of blessing;
O that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

5 There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

Correct Answers

1. There will be no fear of evil because God is present.
2. Category 10
3. What Jesus was doing when He was in a boat caught in a storm.
4. High blood pressure due to anxiety.
5. To spend quality time with God daily.

Objective Questions

1. What is the assurance given in the memorise verse for walking through the valley of the shadow of death?
A. The rod and staff will lead the way.
B. There will be no fear of evil because God is present.
C. The journey will be short and mild.
D. Salvation from the guilt and power of sin is guaranteed.

2. During the cruise, what category of storm did the captain inform the passengers they were experiencing?
A. Category 12, the most turbulent
B. Category 1, the mildest
C. Category 7
D. Category 10

3. When the author asked God what he should do during the storm, what did God remind him of?
A. That God would uphold him with the right hand of righteousness.
B. What Jesus was doing when He was in a boat caught in a storm.
C. That all those incensed against him would be ashamed.
D. That he should not be afraid or dismayed.

4. What did the author realize he might have developed if he had not learned to hear God's voice before the storm?
A. A love for swimming and the ocean.
B. High blood pressure due to anxiety.
C. The ability to sleep through turbulent conditions.
D. A desire to become a ship captain.

5. What does the devotional state is necessary to enjoy God's peace that passes all understanding?
A. To be able to swim across a big river.
B. To always travel in a high-category cruise ship.
C. To spend quality time with God daily.
D. To be free from all labor and tears.

Prayer Points on "WHEN GOD IS WITH YOU"

1. Father, I thank You that You are always with me; even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because Your rod and staff comfort me, in Jesus' name.

2. Lord, I receive the grace not to fear or be dismayed; strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with the right hand of Your righteousness, in Jesus' name.

3. Father, I pray that all those that are incensed and strive against me shall be ashamed and confounded; let them be as nothing, and let them perish, in Jesus' name.

4. I declare that all those who war against me shall be as a thing of nought; I shall seek them, and I shall not find them, in Jesus' name.

5. Lord, I pray for the kind of peace that passes all understanding; let this peace flood my heart and mind even in the midst of life's category 10 storms, in Jesus' name (Philippians 4:7).

6. Father, I receive the discipline and commitment to spend quality time with You daily so that I will know Your voice and not suffer anxiety for nothing, in Jesus' name.

7. Lord, I pray for a deeper intimacy with You, so that I can know exactly what to do when I face unexpected tribulations, in Jesus' name.

8. Father, I surrender all my efforts and labor; let me not rely on the labor of my hands but simply cling to Your cross for salvation, in Jesus' name.

9. Lord, in times of extreme trouble and turbulence, help me to remember that You are with me, and grant me the peace to rest in Your presence, in Jesus' name.

10. My personal prayer point: (Spend time asking God to increase your consciousness of His presence and to give you His peace in every challenging situation).

11. Thank You, Father, for holding my right hand and always saying to me, "Fear not; I will help thee," in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me and wash all my sins away with your precious blood shed at Calvary. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal damnation.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: THURSDAY DECEMBER 11TH 2025


THEME: WHEN GOD IS WITH YOU


MEMORISE: Yea, though walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4


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
Years ago, one of my children decided to buy a ticket for me to go on a cruise. For the first six days of the cruise, it was like heaven on earth; the sea was calm, the wind blew softly, and the skies were very clear, However, on the seventh day, a storm came. Believe me, you don't want to be on the ocean when there is a storm. The ship was several stories high, but the waves kept tossing it up and down like paper. Everything on board was shaking, and objects were flying around. It was very terrible. Things got so bad that the captain called everyone on board together and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, don't be worried. There are 12 categories of storms at sea. Category 1 is the mildest, while category 12 is the most turbulent- we are only caught in a category 10 storm."
When I heard that, I became afraid. I turned to God and said, "God, what am I doing here in a category 10 storm? In my village, the biggest river is so small that an amateur swimmer can swim across it." The captain continued, "Don't worry, just go back to your cabins." When I got to my cabin, I asked God, "Lord, what am I going to do now?" He replied, "Son, when I was on earth, and I was in a boat that was caught in a storm, what was I doing?" I responded, "Lord, You were sleeping." I knew exactly what to do. I immediately jumped on the bed, and in minutes, I was fast asleep. By the time I woke up, we were already at the port, and everything was calm and peaceful. Anytime I tell this story, people ask me, "How could you sleep in such a situation?" I usually think to myself, "What else could I have done, jump into the ocean?" I didn't even know how to swim; however, I had the kind of peace that only God gives. Also, if I had not learnt to hear God's voice before the storm, I might have developed high blood pressure due to anxiety for nothing.

Beloved, if you are truly a child of God, then He is always with you. You can live a life free of anxiety if you spend quality time with Him daily because you will know His voice, and He will give you His peace - the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

KEY POINT
If you are a child of God, He will always be with you, and you will enjoy His peace when you spend quality time with Him.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Colossians 1-4


AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE


HYMN 19: ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME
1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save me from its guilt and power.

2 Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All could never sin erase,
Thou must save, and save by grace.

3 Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace:
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

4 While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Correct Answers

1. The riches of the glory of this mystery
2. By thinking sleeping around is fun
3. They are without hope and without God in the world
4. That they must be of good cheer because Christ has already overcome the world for them
5. All things will work together for your good