OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH 2026.

TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II

MEMORISE
Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: - (Deuteronomy 7:12)

BIBLE READING: GENESIS 20:1-18 (KJV)

1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.

4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?

11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.

14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

MESSAGE

Years ago, a highly influential man in an Islamic nation, where church planting was prohibited, invited one of our missionaries to establish a church within his compound. When the church started, his wife said to him, "With your position in government and your influence in this nation, you allowed a church be established in your compound?" He looked at his wife and said, "Don't you dare say a word against these people!" I believe that it was easy for the RCCG to plant a church in that nation, and indeed many nations in the world today, because of God's covenant with its founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.

One of the gains of being in a covenant with God is that you will keep getting greater results than your peers as long as you keep fulfilling your part of the covenant. God will keep giving you results that are beyond your efforts. What other people struggle to get will come to you easily because of His covenant with you.

In Exodus 19:5, God said, "If you will keep my covenant, I will make you a peculiar treasure." This means that people will take a look at you and wonder why God loves you so much. Several times, when I wake up at night and reflect on all the good things God is doing in RCCG, I usually say, "Lord, how can you love us this much?" Some people might claim that it is because we fast and pray, but believe me, some people fast more than we do. I recall vividly that when I became the General Overseer, I had some of my friends join me in a 36-hour non-stop prayer session. We thought this was a remarkable feat until we heard of a man who prayed non-stop for so much longer! I may not have spent as many hours in prayer at a stretch as that person, yet what God has done for RCCG is unprecedented and truly remarkable. Indeed, there are immense gains in being in a covenant with the Almighty God.

Another gain of being in a covenant with God is protection. When a king took Abraham's wife, God intervened by appearing in the king's dream. He went the extra mile to protect her and instructed the king to ask Abraham to pray for him, as we see in today's Bible reading. Beloved, there are immeasurable blessings that flow from being in covenant with God.

KEY POINT
Being in a covenant with God gives you access to tremendous benefits and makes difficult things easy.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR JEREMIAH 44 - 46

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; Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

2. Not the labours of my hands, can fulfill thy law's demands could zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, thou must save and thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee fir grace foul to the fountain fly wash me saviour or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids 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.



PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS

DATE: MONDAY AUGUST 17TH 2026

*THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II

‎PRAYER POINTS

1.Father, thank You for Your covenant to build Your church and never to allow the gate of hell to prevail over it.

2.Father, thank You for the spread of the gospel across the nations of the earth. Thank You for raising men and women to bare the light of the gospel even to the inter lands.

3.Father, thank You for divinely positioning men and women to favour the advancement of Your gospel across the world.

4.Father, please help me never to go out Your covenant for my life. Help me to keep fulfilling my part of the covenant so I can keep enjoying greater results than my peers, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, please keep me in Your covenant, and grant me results that are beyond my efforts. Make easy for me what other people struggle to get, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, please help me to keep Your covenant, and make me a wonder to nations, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let it continue to speak for me such that I will constantly enjoy unprecedented and truly remarkable blessings of Your covenant, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me and my household enjoy divine protection everywhere we go, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, please help me to hearken to Your judgements, to keep and to do them, so I can abide in Your covenant and enjoy Your mercies, in Jesus' name.

10.Father, please establish me and my household in Your covenant so we can have access to Your immeasurable blessings and benefits, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
‎
Help him to continue to enjoy the gains of Your covenant with him, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name
‎
‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name.
‎
‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.
‎
‎14.Your personal petitions.
‎(Philippians 4:6)
‎
‎15.In Jesus name I pray.
‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
‎#GodBlessOThese

prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you.

LOST IN THE CHURCH:

[BEING LOST IN CHURCH]

Part Five

Measuring Holiness

There has been a great deception among many people who assume that holiness is measured by comparing a person’s good deeds with their bad deeds. When the scale of good deeds appears to outweigh the bad, they conclude that the person is holy.

In this way, many have continued to measure Christianity by looking at what they have done and what they have not done. This kind of holiness focuses heavily on measuring sin according to the “Don’ts” found in Scripture.

And this has become the interpretation of religion throughout history. It has continued to damage the Church and has contributed to leading many people to hell.

Holiness or sin is not merely an action—not simply what a person does or does not do—but a condition of the heart. God is deeply concerned with the condition of our hearts. Actions are only the results of what is already inside the heart. Many have measured holiness by good deeds, yet the Lord does not look at things in that way. He looks at the spirit or intention behind every action, examining the manner and motive with which it was done.

Therefore, the Lord is not simply looking for people who perform good deeds on earth, but for people who do what is right!

There is a great difference between doing a good thing and doing the right thing. Sometimes the right thing may appear to be evil in the eyes of people. When the Lord commanded Israel to destroy the nations of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, as stated in Deuteronomy 20:17, could the world have called Him good? Yet we know without doubt that the Lord was doing what was right, because He does not make mistakes, and His works are always without error.

Understand that sin is a condition of the heart, and there is One who examines the deepest intentions of the heart. A person can perform good deeds with an evil motive, while another can perform something that appears bad with a good intention. Therefore, it is very easy for a person to be deceived if they place their confidence in goodness or in their works.

Indeed, evil kills; however, goodness can be responsible for deceiving and destroying even more people in the world than evil itself. One of Satan’s most powerful weapons for bringing destruction into the world comes through what appears to be good. There is hardly a greater deception Satan can use than coming to us dressed as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

Because sin is a condition of the heart, a person can be a murderer even if they have never physically killed anyone. Likewise, someone can be an adulterer before God even if they have never slept with a woman.

For example, even if a lemon tree refuses to produce fruit, perhaps in an attempt to hide its nature, it cannot change and become a mango tree.

We cannot remove sin from within ourselves by keeping the Law or by trying to be good. We must be transformed in our hearts as we hold firmly to the Cross. Otherwise, even if a person never commits an outward act of sin, that does not necessarily mean they are without guilt.

Remember: even if a lemon tree does not produce fruit, that does not mean it will be counted as an orange tree.

Circumcision of the Heart

Essentially, there is no action a person can perform that can change their inner nature. Things such as religion and the Law can change the outward appearance, but they cannot transform the inner person. Christianity does not begin from the outside and move inward; rather, it begins from within and moves outward.

Therefore, through religion, the Law, happiness, habits, the desire for praise, and so forth, it is entirely possible for a person to do good outwardly while not actually being good in their heart.

That is why the Lord used circumcision as an illustration of removing the outward covering of hypocrisy, so that what is inside would correspond with what is outside. This was the foundation of the circumcision commanded by the Lord in the house of Israel, when He instructed them to circumcise the foreskin of their bodies.

And was this not a prophecy concerning the circumcision of the heart in our present age, when we look to Christ, as it is written in Philippians 3:3:

> “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.”



If you are in church and have not been born again, understand that your nature has not been transformed.

Therefore, even if you pretend to do good, fast extensively, keep all the Laws, observe all the ancient festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths, understand that hell awaits you!

And these are words of truth.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Amen!

#ToBeContinued...

Mwl. Ernest Nyalula

#LostInTheChurch
#CircumcisionOfTheHeart
#TrueHoliness
#BornAgain
#HeartTransformation
#ChristAlone
#GraceAndTruth
#Christianity
#FaithInChrist
#TheGospel
#JesusChrist
#KingdomOfGod
#LordBook
#SpiritualGrowth
#TruthOfTheGospel

DAY 218 of 365 Reason in 365 Days Why You Should try Jesus

Because Your Conscience Needs Cleansing

Bible Verse — Hebrews 9:14 (KJV)
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”


“You can silence people, but you cannot permanently silence a guilty conscience.”

Quote:
“Jesus doesn't just change your behavior; He cleanses the place where your guilt lives.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, cleanse my conscience from every sinful burden and help me serve You with a pure heart in Jesus name. Amen. #jesus #everyone #highlight #friends #savedbygrace #salvation #christiancontent #christianreels #fry

Morning Grace — Today Is a Gift

Scripture:
“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
— Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

This morning, before the worries of tomorrow begin to whisper and before yesterday tries to follow you into today, remember this:

Today is a gift from God.

You may not know what this day will hold, but you know Who holds it. God has already gone before you. His mercy is waiting for you. His grace is sufficient for you. And His presence will walk with you through every moment.

Don’t let fear steal what faith was meant to carry.
Don’t let guilt rob you of the grace Jesus already purchased.
Don’t let worry consume a day God gave you to live.

Walk in His light.
Trust His plan.
Live in His grace.

Some days won’t unfold the way we hoped. There may be unexpected turns, difficult moments, or prayers that still seem unanswered. But even there, God is working.

So today, choose faith over fear.
Choose grace over guilt.
Choose hope over worry.
And choose Jesus over everything.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of another morning. Help me not to waste today worrying about things I cannot control. Teach me to recognize Your presence in the ordinary moments and trust You with the uncertain ones. Let my words bring encouragement, my actions show love, and my life point someone toward Jesus. Whatever comes today, remind me that Your mercy is new, Your grace is enough, and I never walk alone.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today is a gift from God. Make it count for Him.

Walking in Grace today,
Rise in Grace Ministries

Need to know.
5 DANGEROUS WAYS YOU OPEN DOORS TO THE ENEMY, WITHOUT REALIZING IT.

WARNING! THIS IS A BIBLICAL TEACHING.

The Bible warns believers to be spiritually alert because we are in a spiritual battle.

«"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." — 1 Peter 5:8»

Satan cannot force anyone to sin, but he tempts people into habits that can pull them away from God and harden their hearts.

1. INTOXICATION

Anything that takes away your self-control can make you spiritually vulnerable. Whether it's alcohol or drugs, intoxication clouds judgment and can lead to other sins.

«"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." — Ephesians 5:18»

«"Be sober-minded; be watchful." — 1 Peter 5:8»

God calls His people to live with clear minds and self-control.

2. SEXUAL IMMORALITY

God designed sex for marriage. Sexual sin damages our relationship with Him and affects both body and soul.

«"Flee from sexual immorality." — 1 Corinthians 6:18»

«"The two shall become one flesh." — Genesis 2:24»

The enemy often uses lust to trap people in guilt, shame, and brokenness, but Christ offers forgiveness and freedom to those who repent.

3. UNWHOLESOME WORDS

Your tongue has power. Constant insults, gossip, lies, and curses can wound others and reflect what is in the heart.

«"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21»

«"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up." — Ephesians 4:29»

As followers of Christ, our words should bring truth, grace, and encouragement.

4. UNCONTROLLED ANGER

Anger itself is not always sin, but uncontrolled anger can lead to hatred, violence, and bitterness.

«"Be angry, and do not sin... do not give the devil a foothold." — Ephesians 4:26–27»

Forgiveness and humility close the doors that bitterness tries to open.

5. UNREPENTANT SIN

When people continually reject God's correction and refuse to repent, their hearts become hardened.

«"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9»

Jesus didn't come to condemn us but to save us. No matter how far you've fallen, His mercy is greater than your past.

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

The answer is not fear—it's repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, prayer, reading God's Word, fellowship with other believers, and daily obedience to the Holy Spirit.

May God strengthen everyone struggling with temptation, addiction, anger, or sexual sin. May the Lord Jesus Christ break every chain, restore every broken heart, and fill you with His peace, holiness, and power. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Stop carrying guilt that Jesus already carried for you.

#Forgiveness #Grace #Hope #Faith #LordsBook

Come Quickly to Help Me, Lord

Psalm 38 ends not with David trusting in himself, but with a desperate prayer:

“Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.” — Psalm 38:22

That's the heart of Psalm 38.

David recognizes his sin.
He acknowledges his suffering.
He confesses his guilt.
And then he looks to God for salvation.

No matter how dark the moment becomes, God is still the One we can call upon.

Lord, when I fall, help me return to You. When I am overwhelmed, be my strength. When I repent, remind me of Your mercy. Amen.

#Psalm38 #LordHelpMe #Repentance #GodsMercy #TrustInGod #BibleStudy #Psalms
https://youtube.com/shorts/KX1JHwE9LFk?feature=share

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

How much do you truly trust God?

Oh, pop quiz this morning. How much do you sincerely trust Him?

Now, I know that everyone is going to immediately jump up and say with everything and always. But … I want you to think deeply about this question. As always, I have a reason for it. When you get scared. When things fall apart. When something goes sideways. When a negative surprises you. Do you always run to Him first?

Personally, I usually have a tantrum first, then I go to Him. I think this is how it is with most people. It seems, or it feels like what be the norm. At least from my perspective. I could be wrong. But anywho…

Yesterday I had a challenge where I did not panic or throw a tantrum, I actually prayed over the situation, through the situation, and in the finality of the situation. Where I live, we have been hammered with storm after storm, after storm. Yesterday, I had to drive to the airport to get my littles from over the pond. On the way to the airport, I had to drive a high-roof van through one of those storms. The wind was vicious. Corn was laying down. A tree was still rooted and trying to lay down. I could feel the intense wind trying to take the van over on its side. I had visions of the van flipping over because the gusts were massive. When I drove my little car in storms like this, I would just envision the wind picking up the car and placing it in the nearest field… smack dab in the middle of course. Yesterday, I wondered if the van was going over. But … even in the middle of those thoughts, that terrifying experience, I was calm; I was at peace in my core. I started reciting the 23rd Psalm. I started praying for protection. I released my control (metaphorically) of the vehicle and situation and asked Him to carry us through. He did. On the highway to the airport, the lines that separated the lanes disappeared. That was scary, but He kept the van in the lane it was supposed to be in.

I have driven in or been in many harrowing experiences, but never had I stopped my brain activity to stay safe and invited Him in to keep me safe. I always just trusted in my instincts. Then gave glory to Him at the end, but in the moment, to actually rely on Him and His presence and His power … real-time possibility of danger and harm … and release that fear and anxiety … was mesmerizing.

He does lead my life, and until yesterday, I thought every aspect of it; however, yesterday proved that there was an area that I still had control of … until I didn’t. I am so thankful that I released that fear to Him. I am a strong woman. I am a faithful woman. I am a diligent servant of the Holy Spirit, at least I try to be. But sometimes my pride in my own strength gets in the way of my growth. Yesterday, I grew. Yesterday, I felt what it was like to truly trust Him in a harrowing process.

How much do you trust Him?

A valid question to search your innermost core. Before you jump up and say all the Christiany things … ask Him to show you those areas that you are still keeping Him at arm’s length. Ask Him to show you how to lower those walls and move forward. There is no shame in admitting you still seek control. There is no guilt in admitting you have not released it all. There is only growth. Do not let the enemy tell you otherwise. For me to share a vulnerable moment publicly is a miracle in itself. I know that I have more areas that I need to work on, with His guidance. I will not allow the enemy to rob me of one inch of His grace. Will you join me on this journey?

Be blessed.

**For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. – 2 Corinthians 1:5

Dear Father,

Sometimes I wonder about the ordeal with Potiphar’s wife, where Joseph experienced a quick transition from being trusted by his master to becoming the offender, with evidence that seemed impossible to deny, even though the accusation was false. The Scripture says, “She said unto her husband, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in to mock me: as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment with me, and fled out.”

How would he defend himself to a man against his own wife? How strange would it feel to say, “I am the servant, but you can trust me, not your wife”? And so, Joseph was thrown into prison. Innocent, yet factually guilty. I wonder how many have found themselves in such situations, where there seems to be more evidence to prove their guilt than there is to prove their innocence.

Sometimes, it may not be something as grave as an accusation of sexual assault or prison sentence, but something else with just as much tension: a wrong judgment or perception of us, false accusations, with evidence in our defense that does not stand a chance of being presented. To be considered innocent a person must prove himself not guilty. And so, we strive with intention to correct the perceptions of loved ones: “There is more to this than you realize,” yet without sufficient evidence.

But Joseph walked right into prison. Perhaps he knew that some perceptions are not ours to correct, but Yours. And some accusations are not nullified by immediate evidence that contradicts them, but evidence that is solidified through process and time.

Translations:
Slide 1: English
Slide 2: French
Slide 3: Bengali
Slide 4: Hindi
Slide 5: Urdu
Slide 6: Portuguese

#LettertoGod
#Josephsstory
#guilt
#perception
#evidence

Dear Father,

Sometimes I wonder about the ordeal with Potiphar’s wife, where Joseph experienced a quick transition from being trusted by his master to becoming the offender, with evidence that seemed impossible to deny, even though the accusation was false. The Scripture says, “She said unto her husband, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in to mock me: as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment with me, and fled out.”

How would he defend himself to a man against his own wife? How strange would it feel to say, “I am the servant, but you can trust me, not your wife”? And so, Joseph was thrown into prison. Innocent, yet factually guilty. I wonder how many have found themselves in such situations, where there seems to be more evidence to prove their guilt than there is to prove their innocence.

Sometimes, it may not be something as grave as an accusation of sexual assault or prison sentence, but something else with just as much tension: a wrong judgment or perception of us, false accusations, with evidence in our defense that does not stand a chance of being presented. To be considered innocent a person must prove himself not guilty. And so, we strive with intention to correct the perceptions of loved ones: “There is more to this than you realize,” yet without sufficient evidence.

But Joseph walked right into prison. Perhaps he knew that some perceptions are not ours to correct, but Yours. And some accusations are not nullified by immediate evidence that contradicts them, but evidence that is solidified through process and time.

Translations:
Slide 1: English
Slide 2: French
Slide 3: Bengali
Slide 4: Hindi
Slide 5: Urdu
Slide 6: Portuguese

#LettertoGod
#Josephsstory
#guilt
#perception
#evidence