Did you know?
Joseph's wife was Egyptian. Almost nobody talks about her, or how controversial that actually was.
Genesis chapter forty-one says the Pharaoh himself gave her to Joseph. Her name was Asenath. Her father was the priest of On, the center of Egyptian sun worship, the highest religious position in the country. family that worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, married the daughter of Egypt's top pagan priest.
No conversion scene. No moment where she rejects her father's gods. Scripture never mentions any of that. She simply becomes his wife, and later, the mother of his two sons.
Those two sons were Manasseh and Ephraim.
Genesis chapter forty-eight records something almost nobody talks about either. Jacob personally blessed those two grandsons, placing them equal to Reuben and Simeon, his own original sons. Full inheritance. Full standing. No hesitation.
Which means the bloodline of a pagan sun priest's daughter became the direct root of two entire tribes of Israel.
Here's where it gets stranger. Joseph died in Egypt, generations before the Exodus ever happened. But before he died, he made his family promise something. Carry my bones out of this country when you finally leave.
Genesis chapter fifty records that promise. Exodus chapter thirteen records it kept. Moses himself carried Joseph's bones out of Egypt, centuries later, exactly as promised.
So the son of an Egyptian priestess didn't walk out of Egypt. Joseph bones did, carried by the very nation his sons helped build.

Matthew 20:1-16

And Jesus continues with the lesson of the first being the last with this parable. A landowner is the comparison this time. The Kingdom of God is like a landowner seeking employees in the early morning. He hires them for a denarius for the day. This was the typical amount for a day's wages for a laborer so this wouldn't have been unusual. The unusual bit would come later.

But then Jesus adds to the story that this owner then returns to the market another 4 times to hire workers for the same amount he paid workers for all day. And at the end of the day this landowner lines up those he hired and begins paying them by starting with the latest hired and chosing to pay all workers a full day's wage.

Now Jesus did this as part of a lesson, explaining that those who worked and bore the heat of the day would complain. But the truth is a denarius was a fair wage for the period of a full day. And the owner was well within his rights to pay what he wished.

The idea was that what was given was the same reward whether one came early or one came late. The big picture is Jesus is making it clear that the reward of eternal life goes to even those who show up late. In context, Jesus is saying that the Kingdom is going to be open to the groups the nation of Israel considered beneath them and as a result would be jealous of those who are brought into the kingdom even if they were not brought in from the beginning as Israel was.

Even today, non messianic Jews are extremely jealous in defending their position before God as His original people and cannot grasp that from 70 AD to current times there's been no temple at which to offer sacrifice. No real Aaronic priesthood either. The thought of anyone entering into God's kingdom apart from the nation of Israel is repugnant to them, let alone the idea someone would be entering before them.

And some of the apostles really continued to struggle with this concept of Gentiles being welcomed into God's Kingdom. Especially Peter, who was part of the problem that became known as the first great heresy of the church. It took the Apostle Paul to correct him. So the Catholic notion of an infallible Peter is entirely fictional.

It took 2 consecutive visions from God to get Peter off his butt to go speak with Cornelius. Even then, Peter hesitated to share the gospel with a Gentile. And even after this, Peter shares in the heresy and even Barnabas is carried away.

Jesus is using the national pride of Israel against them. He knows their jealousy regarding others who joined the Kingdom. The first century Jews were zealous for their nation while at the same time having what they considered good reasons to despise other nations.

The faithful Jews who did receive Jesus heard Him when He taught that ALL nations would be blessed with the gift of being able to turn to Him and believe. They heard him. And this was one of the great failures of Peter and some of the other believers.

On the day of judgment, the faithful witnesses will be standing behind the believers of today for their reward. Not because we earned it, but because God has mercy. Jesus is the prophet foretold by Moses.

Deuteronomy 18:15-19
[15] “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen; to him you shall listen. [16] This is in accordance with everything that you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Do not let me hear the voice of the Lord my God again, and do not let me see this great fire anymore, or I will die!’ [17] And the Lord said to me, ‘They have spoken well. [18] I will raise up for them a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them everything that I command him. [19] And it shall come about that whoever does not listen to My words which he speaks in My name, I Myself will require it of him.

Moses knew the Messiah would be rejected and God says if any Israelite does not listen to Him, God would require their punishment and they will be utterly cut off from the people of God.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are the new Israel. We are the saints, we are the last who became first. We are not better than the Jews, we are not worse off. We are saved by grace through faith. We should with our very last breath be sharing the gospel with everyone.




[1] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. [2] When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace; [4] and to those he said, ‘You go into the vineyard also, and whatever is right, I will give you.’ And so they went. [5] Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. [6] And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he *said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ [7] They *said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He *said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ [8] “Now when evening came, the owner of the vineyard *said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, starting with the last group to the first.’ [9] When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. [10] And so when those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. [11] When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, [12] saying, ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day’s work and the scorching heat.’ [13] But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what is yours and go; but I want to give to this last person the same as to you. [15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ [16] So the last shall be first, and the first, last.”

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST 2026

TOPIC: GOD’S COVENANT OF PROMOTION

MEMORIZE:
"But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil." Psalm 92:10 (KJV)

BIBLE READING: PSALM 75:6-7
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

MESSAGE:
The devil often uses the promise of promotion to lure people into making covenants with him. For example, I have heard of cases where those in authority would ask someone due for a promotion at work to enter into an evil covenant by joining a secret cult before the promotion is granted.

Beloved, if you ever find yourself in such an ordeal, I urge you never to enter into such covenants.

Today’s Bible reading tells us that promotion comes from God. When He says yes, nobody can say no. When God decides to promote you, it doesn’t matter what anybody may try because you will reach the position that He intends. He controls the heart of kings; therefore, if anyone in authority threatens you, saying, “You will not be promoted unless you join us,” take your stand as a child of God, and never give in. Just hold on to God, and in the end, you will emerge victorious.

Sometime ago, one of my spiritual sons came to me and said, “Daddy, I am tired of being in one spot for so long; I want to move forward. I have an interview tomorrow, please pray for me.” I replied,

“Let us pray,” and he said, “No! Just speak a word.”

Then I told him that the interview would be successful. He went for the interview and came back beaming with joy. He said, “Daddy, I prepared hard for the interview, but they only asked me three questions: What is your name? Which post did you apply for? When do you want to start?” | congratulated him, and he said, “Daddy, please speak another word.” I obliged and responded,

“Your promotion will be rapid.” The next day, He came back dancing for joy. He said, “When I resumed this morning, I was asked to go to the boardroom. The people who interviewed me the previous day were seated there, and they said, ‘Our Managing Director resigned yesterday. Are you ready to take on the post?’ I replied,

“Congratulations, that’s a rapid promotion.” He told me to speak another word, and I said that God would complete the good work He had started in him. The next day, he came back to me almost speechless as his salary had been doubled! Then he said I should speak another word, and I jokingly responded, “Do you want to collect the company from the owners?”

Beloved, I pray that my Father will surprise you with rapid promotions, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT:
Nothing and no one can limit a man whom God has decided to promote.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
JEREMIAH 47-48

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMNAL 20 - I'M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY
1. I'm pressing on the upward way, New heights I'm gaining
everyday; Still praying as I onward bound "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

CHORUS:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven's table-land; Where love, and joy, and light abound, Lord, plant my feet on higher
ground.

2. My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise, and fears dismay; though some may dwell where these abound, My constant aim is higher ground.

CHORUS:

3. Beyond the mist I fain would rise, to rest beneath unclouded skies, above earth's turmoil peace is found By those who dwell on higher ground.

CHORUS:

4. I long to scale the utmost height, Though rough the way, and hard the fight, My song, while climbing, shall resound Lord, lead me on to higher ground.

CHORUS:

5. Lord, lead me up the mountain side I dare not climb without my Guide; And, heaven gained, I'll gaze around, With grateful heart from higher ground.

CHORUS:



PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL
Tuesday 18th August 2026

GOD'S COVENANT OF PROMOTION
‎
‎PRAYER POINTS
1.Father, I praise You for promotion comes from You, and this is an assurance that nothing and no one can stop my lifting from you.

2.Father, thank You for Your covenant to make me the head and never the tail. Thank You for choosing me to prosper and and to be in good health.

3.Father, please help me to stand in the assurance of Your covenant with me. Help me to trust You with all my heart and to wait on the fulfillment of Your promises for my life, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, please help me never to compromise my faith in You. Help me to be faithful at the level I am now so I can attain the greater heights You have prepared for me, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, please help me to take my stand as Your child, and never to give in to the deceits of the devil so I can emerge victorious everyday of my life, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, please speak a word into my life and terminate every form of stagnation in every area of my endeavors, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let Your covenant of promotion be activated on me, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me begin to enjoy rapid promotions, in Jesus' name.

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

10.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
‎
Help him to continue to enjoy Your covenant of promotion, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name
‎
‎11.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.
‎
‎12.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.
‎
‎13.Your personal petitions.
‎(Philippians 4:6)
‎
‎14.In Jesus name I pray.
‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
‎
‎#Godblessournation

‎These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

Good evening, brethren.
1. Evening devotion for today.

ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
MONDAY 17TH AUGUST, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS.

*TEXT:*
GENESIS 39:11-14.
11. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside.
12. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
13. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house,
14. she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed.

*TOPIC:*
OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS.

*THE MESSAGE:*
Temptation is a common test that comes in various forms and from different sources. Joseph faced a powerful and subtle temptation from Potiphar's wife, yet he refused to yield, relying on God's help. Though his resistance was reciprocated with harsh punishment, he remained faithful. Many young people, though called by God, have fallen into temptation and lost their voices and vitality. Today, many innocent young men and ladies have fallen victims of rape, sexual harassment in places of work or sex for good grades. Some church workers are not exempted from this awful sin. Have you harass or have been harassed sexually? Do not give the enemy a foothold. God's grace is available to all who desire victory. You can overcome temptation and live in freedom through His grace and word.

*REFLECTION:*
No temptation will pass your ability to resist.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to resist and flee temptation. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
2 TIMOTHY 2:21.
"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
EZEKIEL 4-6.

ED.ii. GOD'S COVENANT WITH MAN

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." - Genesis 2:15-17

God's covenant or agreement with man was:

1) God said that man should cultivate the garden;

2) God said he had to take care of the garden. Adam's position as the ruler of the garden had to be preserved;

3) God said they could freely eat from all trees except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from it, they would certainly die.

The consequence of the fall

But Adam and Eve broke this agreement. They believed the evil one and preferred to follow him, that creature who had disobeyed God, opposed God and was therefore thrown out of heaven. When this sin occurred, everything seemed lost. God made everything so beautiful and appointed Adam as ruler over this. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, Adam lost his position as ruler. They both became slaves to sin.

God's rescue plan

However, no one but God knew that He already had an escape route for man so man could regain his previous position. The Lamb of God, He was chosen before the creation of the world (see 1 Peter 1:20). This plan to save mankind was there before the world was created.

The reason God allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross was because He wanted to give back to man the position he once had. Now man was able to rule over sin, over the evil one and over this earth. He could walk with God again and come into His presence. The human being is allowed to reign together with God as a Royal child.


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

2. Evening Prayer for today.

EP.i. Evening Prayer

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. ⏤ Psalm 91:4

God does not want us to worry about the future. He wants us to trust Him today. ⏤ Corrie ten Boom

Father, we are like little children in this vast world and cannot take care of ourselves. But we are so grateful that we are Your children and that You are our Father. We trust in Your eternal care. We know that You will never let us fall out of Your love and protection. As night falls again, we come close to You. We hide ourselves in the secret place of Your love and protection.

We ask You to forgive all the sins we’ve committed against You today. Renew our hearts more deeply, so that we may keep Your commandments and live in harmony with Your will in both our thoughts and actions.

Tonight, Father, we also remember Your other children around us. Some of them are happy; may they not forget You in their joy. Bless all pure happiness and let it lead to a closer relationship with You. Some of Your children are facing challenges. Some are struggling to find their daily bread. Some have sickness in their homes. Others have loved ones who are not living as they should, who do not love You or walk in Your ways, and their hearts are heavy with concern. Some have lost dear ones and are grieving deeply. For all these neighbors, we pray tonight. Bless them all. Give them the grace they need. Send relief and comfort in the way You know is best. And give us the grace to do our part in helping them in Your name, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/43/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

TO MEDITATE ON
Today, perhaps there is something holding you back.

🏽 A fear.
🏽 A wound.
🏽 A past failure.
🏽 The opinion of others.
🏽 The fear of disappointing people.
🏽 The fear of starting over.
🏽 The fear of not being good enough.

But God is telling you today: Be strong and courageous.Do not remain forever in the same place simply because you are afraid of what lies ahead.

🏽 Get up.

Develop what God has placed within you.

🏽 Position yourself.
🏽 Move forward.
🏽 Learn.
🏽 Start again.
🏽 Dare.

And above all, never confuse the discomfort of the journey with the absence of God.God never promised you a road without difficulties. He promised you His presence.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2

So today, I want to leave you with this word:
You do not have to wait for fear to disappear before moving forward. You must learn to move forward with the certainty that God is with you.

Courage is not saying, I am not afraid.
Courage is saying, I may be afraid, but God is with me, so I will move forward.

Get up. Move forward. Stand out.Develop what God has placed within you. And trust the One who called you.

🏽 What God plants in you deserves to be cultivated.

🏽 What God cultivates in you deserves to be protected.

🏽 What God protects in you will eventually bear fruit.

🏽 And what God has decided to grow within you will not be stopped by fear.

Get up. Take courage. Keep your roots in God and cross over. Your next season requires the courage to leave the previous one behind.

May God bless you.

#Faith #Jesus #GodsWord #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #GodIsWithYou #BeCourageous #ChristianMotivation #BibleVerse #DailyDevotional #SpiritualGrowth #Purpose #Isaiah432 #SecretBible

MONDAY 17TH AUGUST 2026
IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL

Topic: When God Says Wait

Bible Reference
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)

A Short Story
Michael had been praying about a particular opportunity for almost a year. He had applied for several jobs, attended interviews, and sent out countless applications. Each time he thought something good was about to happen, another disappointment followed.

One evening, he sat on his bed and looked at his phone. Another friend had just announced a new job. Someone else had shared pictures from a new apartment. Another person had posted about an engagement.

Michael smiled as he congratulated them, but when he put his phone down, his heart became heavy.

“God, when will something happen for me?” he asked.

He had prayed. He had worked hard. He had done everything he knew to do. Yet nothing seemed to be changing.

For a moment, he considered accepting an opportunity that he knew was not right for him simply because he was tired of waiting. But as he thought about it, he remembered how often he had asked God to lead him.

He closed his eyes and prayed again.

“Lord, if this is not Your time, help me not to force it.”

The situation did not change that night. But Michael's heart changed. He realized that waiting did not mean God had forgotten him. Sometimes, God allows us to wait because He is preparing us for what we are not yet ready to receive.

Today's Message
Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of walking with God. You may pray faithfully and still wonder why nothing is happening.

But God's silence does not mean His absence. His delay does not mean He has forgotten you.

The Bible says that God makes everything beautiful in its time. This means there is a timing connected to what He is doing in your life.

Do not allow someone else's progress to make you question God's plan for you. Their season is not your season.

Sometimes, the greatest mistake you can make is to force what God has asked you to wait for. When you trust God's timing, you protect yourself from decisions that can create unnecessary pain.

Waiting is not wasted time when God is involved. He can use the waiting season to prepare your character, strengthen your faith, develop your skills, and position you for what is ahead.

What To Do Today
1. Stop comparing your progress with the progress of others.

2. Ask God to help you understand what He wants you to learn in your present season.

3. Continue working and preparing instead of becoming discouraged.

4. Refuse to make a wrong decision simply because you are tired of waiting.

Prayer
Lord, help me to trust Your timing. When I feel forgotten or delayed, remind me that You are still working. Give me patience to wait and wisdom to prepare for what You have planned for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Challenge
Today, identify one thing you have been worried about because it has not happened yet. Give it to God in prayer and take one practical step toward preparing for your future.

Anthony Ijere
Christian Author and Revivalist

https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0

https://t.me/anthonyijere

Monday, 17th August, 2026

TITLE: "STRENGTHENED BY GOD'S SPIRIT, NOT BY HUMAN POWER"

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S)

Ephesians 3:16 (KJV) "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"

Zechariah 4:6 (KJV) "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

QUOTE TO REFLECT ON

"What human strength cannot accomplish, God's Spirit can."

DAY'S REFLECTION

Every journey has moments when our natural strength feels insufficient. We may have responsibilities to carry, challenges to overcome, or assignments that seem greater than our ability. At such times, God reminds us that we were never meant to depend entirely on ourselves.

Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:16 that believers would be "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." The inner man refers to our spiritual life—our heart, faith, character, and relationship with God. God does not only strengthen us outwardly; He strengthens us from within so that we can remain faithful even when circumstances are difficult.

To be strengthened means to receive divine ability, courage, endurance, and spiritual stability. Sometimes God changes the situation; at other times, He strengthens us to stand firmly in the situation until His purpose is accomplished.

Zechariah 4:6 gives us the same principle: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Human might can represent resources, influence, position, or physical strength, while power can represent human ability and effort. These things have their place, but they are not the ultimate source of spiritual victory.

God was teaching Zerubbabel that the work before him would be accomplished through dependence on the Holy Spirit. Likewise, some assignments in our lives cannot be completed successfully through human effort alone. We need God's direction, strength, wisdom, and enabling grace.

Life experience teaches us that determination can take us far, but there are situations where determination alone is not enough. When our strength is exhausted, God's strength remains available. When our resources are limited, God's resources are unlimited.

Therefore, do not face today's responsibilities saying, "I cannot do this." Instead, say, "Lord, strengthen me by Your Spirit." Depend on Him in prayer, surrender your plans to Him, and allow His Spirit to empower you.

Your victory does not depend solely on how strong you are. It depends on the God who strengthens you.

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S)

Isaiah 40:29 (KJV) "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS)

1. God strengthens us from the inside through His Spirit.

2. Human ability has limits, but God's power has no limits.

3. Spiritual victory comes through dependence on God, not self-reliance.

4. Weakness can become an opportunity to experience God's strength.

5. Prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit are essential for fulfilling God's purposes.

EVERYDAY ACTION

Begin today by surrendering your plans to God and asking His Spirit to strengthen and guide you.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, strengthen me by Your Spirit in my inner man. Help me not to depend on human strength alone, but to trust Your power and guidance in everything I do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DECLARATION

I am strengthened by the Spirit of God. I will not depend on human power alone. The Lord gives me strength, wisdom, courage, and grace to fulfil His purpose for my life. Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. Amen.

Devotion by

Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo
+233 544 295 158

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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.
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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
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎14.Your personal petitions.
‎(Philippians 4:6)
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‎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.

Psalm 115:13

“He will bless those who fear the Lord—both small and great.”


— Psalm 115:13

God’s blessings are not limited by our age, position, or status. Whether we feel small or great in the eyes of people, God sees every heart that honours Him. When we fear the Lord, trust Him, and walk in His ways, we can rest in the promise that His blessing is upon us and our families. Stay faithful, because God does not overlook those who honour Him.