• 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.
    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.
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  • Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

    Today was nothing like I had imagined it would be. Mind you, we did not really have any ‘plans’ for today with the exception of taking the dog to the vet and me helping my brother on the computer. The rest of the day really was not accounted for. HOWEVER … leave it to us to figure out a way to fill out a day without even trying.

    Started with hubs getting sick last night and I ended up taking the dog to the vet. Missed my turn and had to turn around on a busy highway. On the way home, I was not really in a hurry, just driving and when I pulled up to the house, there was a random car in my driveway… no clue who or why … except it was my brother … right on time. Brain fart 101. Totally forgot he was coming, even though my stepson and I had just discussed it.

    Get inside to help my brother in a computer/tech assistant nightmare for his new job. 2.5 hours later, we think we figured it out. In the middle of that, we get a notice that hubs needs blood work before his appointment tomorrow…we forgot. No worries, plan to go to the new park on the west side, drop kids off, go to get blood work, pick up lunch, have a picnic in the park, then go home after playing. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. What a funny plan. Dropped kids off, no problem. Get to the lab; they were closed. Then they opened the doors, only to tell us that they were still closed. Stopped and got lunch for the kids, drove to the lab’s second office. Get to that lab only to be told, sorry can’t help you; go to the hospital. By now, hubs is starving … haha … go get a sandwich, then the hospital; he gets labs, and I get a cold sandwich. While at the hospital, get notified that the dog is ready to be picked up … the vet is in the opposite direction of the park, and then meds need to be picked up also; fortunately meds and vet are in the same town. By now it is going on 3 p.m.; no time to go back and play at the park. A completely full day…but wait…I am not done yet; we get home and because it is supposed to rain tomorrow…take advantage of the good day and mow. Finish mowing at 9 pm. All of this because I did not make plans. Haha.

    But … with all that chaos and nonsense that went along with the chaos, there were plenty of laughs, a few arguments, some severe rolling of the eyes and lots of blessings. Even with the chaos, things got done respectfully; kids got to go to their favorite park and have McDonald's, the dog is now talon-free and clean and we got notified that our appointment was moved up by half an hour. All positives.

    Just because something does not roll down the hill the way that you think it will or should, does not make it bad or a negative. There were plenty of negative aspects to today, but not one of them overshadowed a millimeter of the positives. Each day we have a choice to make: see the positive or see the negative. If you see the positive, it is a great day; if you see the negative, you have a choice … focus on the negative or look for a positive in or from the negative. If you focus on the negative, you will have a bad day; however, if you look for a positive within the negative or because of the negative, you will have a good day.

    As you prepare for bed tonight, I urge you to look back on your day and see what kind of day you think you had. Look at each component and how many negatives come to mind first…then how many positives? If you are seeing the negatives over the positives, try realigning your sights so that the positives come to mind first. It makes for a much more peaceful mindset. I will confess that it takes some time and practice, but it can be done.

    Be blessed and good night.

    **You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. – Matthew 5:14-15
    Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. Today was nothing like I had imagined it would be. Mind you, we did not really have any ‘plans’ for today with the exception of taking the dog to the vet and me helping my brother on the computer. The rest of the day really was not accounted for. HOWEVER … leave it to us to figure out a way to fill out a day without even trying. Started with hubs getting sick last night and I ended up taking the dog to the vet. Missed my turn and had to turn around on a busy highway. On the way home, I was not really in a hurry, just driving and when I pulled up to the house, there was a random car in my driveway… no clue who or why … except it was my brother … right on time. Brain fart 101. Totally forgot he was coming, even though my stepson and I had just discussed it. Get inside to help my brother in a computer/tech assistant nightmare for his new job. 2.5 hours later, we think we figured it out. In the middle of that, we get a notice that hubs needs blood work before his appointment tomorrow…we forgot. No worries, plan to go to the new park on the west side, drop kids off, go to get blood work, pick up lunch, have a picnic in the park, then go home after playing. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. What a funny plan. Dropped kids off, no problem. Get to the lab; they were closed. Then they opened the doors, only to tell us that they were still closed. Stopped and got lunch for the kids, drove to the lab’s second office. Get to that lab only to be told, sorry can’t help you; go to the hospital. By now, hubs is starving … haha … go get a sandwich, then the hospital; he gets labs, and I get a cold sandwich. While at the hospital, get notified that the dog is ready to be picked up … the vet is in the opposite direction of the park, and then meds need to be picked up also; fortunately meds and vet are in the same town. By now it is going on 3 p.m.; no time to go back and play at the park. A completely full day…but wait…I am not done yet; we get home and because it is supposed to rain tomorrow…take advantage of the good day and mow. Finish mowing at 9 pm. All of this because I did not make plans. Haha. But … with all that chaos and nonsense that went along with the chaos, there were plenty of laughs, a few arguments, some severe rolling of the eyes and lots of blessings. Even with the chaos, things got done respectfully; kids got to go to their favorite park and have McDonald's, the dog is now talon-free and clean and we got notified that our appointment was moved up by half an hour. All positives. Just because something does not roll down the hill the way that you think it will or should, does not make it bad or a negative. There were plenty of negative aspects to today, but not one of them overshadowed a millimeter of the positives. Each day we have a choice to make: see the positive or see the negative. If you see the positive, it is a great day; if you see the negative, you have a choice … focus on the negative or look for a positive in or from the negative. If you focus on the negative, you will have a bad day; however, if you look for a positive within the negative or because of the negative, you will have a good day. As you prepare for bed tonight, I urge you to look back on your day and see what kind of day you think you had. Look at each component and how many negatives come to mind first…then how many positives? If you are seeing the negatives over the positives, try realigning your sights so that the positives come to mind first. It makes for a much more peaceful mindset. I will confess that it takes some time and practice, but it can be done. Be blessed and good night. **You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. – Matthew 5:14-15
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  • "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." - Romans 8:37 KJV.

    https://www.facebook.com/share/14jhN267Yo9/

    ☆☆☆ Looking at this verse with a perfect understanding; "more than a conqueror could only mean that there are 3 categories of conquerors

    1. Those who are less than a conqueror. For they cannot or simply refuse to fight.
    2. Those who are conquerors because they decided to fight, they fought and won.
    3. Then the more than the conquerors group are those of us who didn't have to fight because Jesus has taken over our battles. He fought and won on our behalf.

    ☆☆☆ No wonder the bible says
    "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 KJV.
    ☆☆☆ This verse can also be put this way "casting all your battles upon him for his is fighting for you."
    ☆☆☆ When the Lord is fighting for you, he will make a total destruction of all your enemies and you will simply become a spectator. Read 2 Kings 19:35, 2 Chronicles 20:20-24.

    For you this day I therefore decree, may you not be less than a conqueror in Jesus name.
    In the name of Jesus I decree, may you never be comfortable being just a conqueror until you become more than a conqueror.
    In the battles of life, I decree and declare, the Lord shall give you total victories in Jesus name.
    May you not find yourself stranded in the battles of life.
    When and where men have withdrawn from you, may you gain the support of the most high God in Jesus name.
    As you walk through life, may you not be alone.
    The presence of Jehovah God shall see you through in Jesus name.

    You are not alone, God is on your side.

    Happy day

    Shalom.

    Daily Prophetic Prayers and Messages by Pastor, Dr Olutimehin Isaac.
    "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." - Romans 8:37 KJV. https://www.facebook.com/share/14jhN267Yo9/ ☆☆☆ Looking at this verse with a perfect understanding; "more than a conqueror could only mean that there are 3 categories of conquerors👇 1. Those who are less than a conqueror. For they cannot or simply refuse to fight. 2. Those who are conquerors because they decided to fight, they fought and won. 3. Then the more than the conquerors group are those of us who didn't have to fight because Jesus has taken over our battles. He fought and won on our behalf. ☆☆☆ No wonder the bible says👇 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 KJV. ☆☆☆ This verse can also be put this way "casting all your battles upon him for his is fighting for you." ☆☆☆ When the Lord is fighting for you, he will make a total destruction of all your enemies and you will simply become a spectator. Read 2 Kings 19:35, 2 Chronicles 20:20-24. For you this day I therefore decree, may you not be less than a conqueror in Jesus name. In the name of Jesus I decree, may you never be comfortable being just a conqueror until you become more than a conqueror. In the battles of life, I decree and declare, the Lord shall give you total victories in Jesus name. May you not find yourself stranded in the battles of life. When and where men have withdrawn from you, may you gain the support of the most high God in Jesus name. As you walk through life, may you not be alone. The presence of Jehovah God shall see you through in Jesus name. You are not alone, God is on your side. Happy day Shalom. Daily Prophetic Prayers and Messages by Pastor, Dr Olutimehin Isaac.
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  • Sermon Title: "RIGHT GIVING IN A WRONG SEASON"
    Key Texts: 2 Corinthians 9:7, Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 51:17

    INTRODUCTION
    Beloved, we are in the last days. Times of hardship. Times where many are pressed on every side.
    And in these days, giving has become godly for some... and desperate for others.

    God loves a cheerful giver. But the enemy has twisted giving into a trap for the wounded.
    Today God is calling us back: Look to God first, not to giving as a formula.

    1. GIVING IS GODLY, BUT MOTIVE MATTERS
    2 Corinthians 9:7 — “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

    Giving is worship. It is obedience. It is sowing.
    But in this last age, error has entered.
    Many are giving not out of faith, but out of fear and desperation. "If I give this, then God must heal me. Then God must pay my rent."

    That’s not covenant. That’s bargaining.
    And when we bargain with God, we leave ourselves ungodly and still desperate because our eyes are on the gift, not the Giver.

    Isaiah 1:11 — “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord.”
    God wants the heart before the hand.

    2. THE REAL NEED: REPENTANCE AND RELATIONSHIP
    Your message says it: “Look to God in repentance, obedience of God's word and be right before God.”

    Hardship will come. 2 Timothy 3:1 — “in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”
    But the answer is not just to give more. The answer is to return to God.

    Joel 2:12-13 — “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

    God’s priority is not your offering. It’s you.
    When you are right with God, He heals both:
    Physical wounds: Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
    Spiritual wounds: Psalm 51:17 — “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

    3. THE DANGER: USING GOD FOR THE GIFT
    You said: “Unfortunately receivers of what they give. Ain't looking to this but after their more giving in. Leaving them ungodly before and desperate in life.”

    This is the trap. Using God like an ATM.
    Acts 8:20 — Peter told Simon, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!”

    When we chase the blessing more than the Blesser, we stay in cycles:
    Desperation → Give
    No instant result → More desperation → Give more
    We become tired, bitter, and far from God.

    Jesus warned us: Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

    4. GOD’S WAY: HEAL FIRST, THEN GIVE FROM WHOLENESS
    God is not against your giving. He is for your healing.

    Hebrews 12:1-2 — “Let us lay aside every weight... and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.”

    God’s order:
    Repentance - Turn from sin and self-reliance
    Obedience - Walk in His Word daily
    Relationship - Seek His face, not just His hand
    Giving - Now give from a place of faith and joy, not fear

    When you do this, God restores. Malachi 3:10 — “Bring the full tithe... and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you.”
    But notice: the tithe comes after “Return to me” in verse 7.

    CLOSING CALL + PRAYER
    Church, don’t let hardship push you into error.
    Don’t give to manipulate God. Give because you love Him.

    If you’ve been giving out of desperation, today is the day to return.

    Prayer:
    Father, heal us. Heal our finances, but more than that, heal our hearts.
    Forgive us for making giving a transaction
    Sermon Title: "RIGHT GIVING IN A WRONG SEASON" Key Texts: 2 Corinthians 9:7, Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 51:17 INTRODUCTION Beloved, we are in the last days. Times of hardship. Times where many are pressed on every side. And in these days, giving has become godly for some... and desperate for others. God loves a cheerful giver. But the enemy has twisted giving into a trap for the wounded. Today God is calling us back: Look to God first, not to giving as a formula. 1. GIVING IS GODLY, BUT MOTIVE MATTERS 2 Corinthians 9:7 — “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Giving is worship. It is obedience. It is sowing. But in this last age, error has entered. Many are giving not out of faith, but out of fear and desperation. "If I give this, then God must heal me. Then God must pay my rent." That’s not covenant. That’s bargaining. And when we bargain with God, we leave ourselves ungodly and still desperate because our eyes are on the gift, not the Giver. Isaiah 1:11 — “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord.” God wants the heart before the hand. 2. THE REAL NEED: REPENTANCE AND RELATIONSHIP Your message says it: “Look to God in repentance, obedience of God's word and be right before God.” Hardship will come. 2 Timothy 3:1 — “in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” But the answer is not just to give more. The answer is to return to God. Joel 2:12-13 — “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” God’s priority is not your offering. It’s you. When you are right with God, He heals both: Physical wounds: Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Spiritual wounds: Psalm 51:17 — “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” 3. THE DANGER: USING GOD FOR THE GIFT You said: “Unfortunately receivers of what they give. Ain't looking to this but after their more giving in. Leaving them ungodly before and desperate in life.” This is the trap. Using God like an ATM. Acts 8:20 — Peter told Simon, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!” When we chase the blessing more than the Blesser, we stay in cycles: Desperation → Give No instant result → More desperation → Give more We become tired, bitter, and far from God. Jesus warned us: Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” 4. GOD’S WAY: HEAL FIRST, THEN GIVE FROM WHOLENESS God is not against your giving. He is for your healing. Hebrews 12:1-2 — “Let us lay aside every weight... and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.” God’s order: Repentance - Turn from sin and self-reliance Obedience - Walk in His Word daily Relationship - Seek His face, not just His hand Giving - Now give from a place of faith and joy, not fear When you do this, God restores. Malachi 3:10 — “Bring the full tithe... and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you.” But notice: the tithe comes after “Return to me” in verse 7. CLOSING CALL + PRAYER Church, don’t let hardship push you into error. Don’t give to manipulate God. Give because you love Him. If you’ve been giving out of desperation, today is the day to return. Prayer: Father, heal us. Heal our finances, but more than that, heal our hearts. Forgive us for making giving a transaction
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  • Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
    Rip Off the Mask

    By Shelley Quinn

    August 14th, 2026

    “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalm 34:13

    Finishing a brief therapy session, I slumped down on the side of my hospital bed. A charge nurse popped into my room to ask how I was doing.

    “Great,” I smiled. “How was your son’s game?”

    After our quick exchange I turned back to my therapist who sat on the window ledge, shaking his head.

    “You are your own worst enemy, Shelley!”

    My puzzled look prompted his further explanation. “I know you well enough now to know that when your pain becomes intolerable, you breathe in short gasps and perspiration beads on your forehead. But, you smile and gloss over your condition with a friendly word. Most people can’t be cheery when they’re suffering, and—hey—medical personnel are trained to determine treatment by reading facial expressions.”

    He had worked with me earlier that month during my first week of hospitalization, following a five-hour spinal surgery. I suffered several complications—including nerve damage in my groins and an irreparable rotator cuff tear. Now, I had been readmitted because I couldn’t walk.

    He called it correctly—brutal pain surged through my back, groins, and shoulder. His gentle rebuke echoed words from my distant past, when a spinal surgeon called me “my own worst enemy” for the same reason.

    I’m a “grin-and-bear it” kind of gal. Not wanting to be perceived as a whiner, I mask the truth with a smile, using verbal camouflage to hide my brokenness.

    Don’t pity me—you likely hide behind the same deflection technique. Have you ever arrived at church heavy-hearted, and when someone asked how you’re doing, you replied, “Doing great! Happy Sabbath!”? Later, you headed home with the same sadness, and no one had the opportunity to pray for you. Or you laugh off hurt feelings following a cutting remark, and never privately confront the abuser. Or a loved one asks, “Is something wrong?” and you hide your frustration with “No! I’m fine.”

    People are not mind readers! Our words define us. When we express ourselves honestly, we become visible. When we hide behind a mask of verbal camouflage, we are invisible to others. Some of us wall in our pain, and—sadly—we often feel as if no one really cares.

    Verbal camouflage is deceitful.

    I get it! We don’t want to wear our feelings on our sleeves. But we need to figure out an honest response to the casual question, “How are you?” If you’re not doing fine—don’t lie about it. While you don’t want to gush out unwanted details, a simple, “I’ll get better!” or “I’m trusting the Lord!” or “I’m blessed, no matter what!” are some of the possible responses. If the person is unknown to you, or too busy to stop for discovery, they’ll go on. If, however, they respond, “Tell me about it!” you will know God placed that person in your path to comfort you.

    Let’s rip off the mask and get real!
    Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. Rip Off the Mask By Shelley Quinn August 14th, 2026 “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalm 34:13 Finishing a brief therapy session, I slumped down on the side of my hospital bed. A charge nurse popped into my room to ask how I was doing. “Great,” I smiled. “How was your son’s game?” After our quick exchange I turned back to my therapist who sat on the window ledge, shaking his head. “You are your own worst enemy, Shelley!” My puzzled look prompted his further explanation. “I know you well enough now to know that when your pain becomes intolerable, you breathe in short gasps and perspiration beads on your forehead. But, you smile and gloss over your condition with a friendly word. Most people can’t be cheery when they’re suffering, and—hey—medical personnel are trained to determine treatment by reading facial expressions.” He had worked with me earlier that month during my first week of hospitalization, following a five-hour spinal surgery. I suffered several complications—including nerve damage in my groins and an irreparable rotator cuff tear. Now, I had been readmitted because I couldn’t walk. He called it correctly—brutal pain surged through my back, groins, and shoulder. His gentle rebuke echoed words from my distant past, when a spinal surgeon called me “my own worst enemy” for the same reason. I’m a “grin-and-bear it” kind of gal. Not wanting to be perceived as a whiner, I mask the truth with a smile, using verbal camouflage to hide my brokenness. Don’t pity me—you likely hide behind the same deflection technique. Have you ever arrived at church heavy-hearted, and when someone asked how you’re doing, you replied, “Doing great! Happy Sabbath!”? Later, you headed home with the same sadness, and no one had the opportunity to pray for you. Or you laugh off hurt feelings following a cutting remark, and never privately confront the abuser. Or a loved one asks, “Is something wrong?” and you hide your frustration with “No! I’m fine.” People are not mind readers! Our words define us. When we express ourselves honestly, we become visible. When we hide behind a mask of verbal camouflage, we are invisible to others. Some of us wall in our pain, and—sadly—we often feel as if no one really cares. Verbal camouflage is deceitful. I get it! We don’t want to wear our feelings on our sleeves. But we need to figure out an honest response to the casual question, “How are you?” If you’re not doing fine—don’t lie about it. While you don’t want to gush out unwanted details, a simple, “I’ll get better!” or “I’m trusting the Lord!” or “I’m blessed, no matter what!” are some of the possible responses. If the person is unknown to you, or too busy to stop for discovery, they’ll go on. If, however, they respond, “Tell me about it!” you will know God placed that person in your path to comfort you. Let’s rip off the mask and get real!
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  • Gods Creation, 100 / evolution, 0
    WHY DID T. REX HAVE TINY ARMS?

    Few animals capture the imagination quite like Tyrannosaurus rex. It's one of the most recognizable dinosaurs in the world. Towering over the landscape with a massive skull and bone-crushing jaws, one feature has puzzled scientists for decades: those tiny little arms.

    A new study claims to have solved the mystery.

    After examining the skulls and forelimbs of dozens of meat-eating dinosaurs, researchers found that species with larger, more robust skulls generally had smaller arms. From that relationship, they proposed that as these dinosaurs supposedly changed over millions of years, the head gradually became the primary weapon while the forelimbs became less important.

    It's an interesting observation, but does that explanation really follow?

    The study identified a relationship between skull size and arm size. It didn't discover how that relationship came to be. Instead, the evolutionary story is added afterward because that's the framework through which the evidence is being interpreted.

    But there's another explanation that's much simpler.

    Think about a playground teeter-totter. If one side becomes much heavier, the other side has to compensate or everything falls out of balance. A two-legged dinosaur faces the same engineering challenge. Its head, neck, torso, hips, legs, tail, and forelimbs all have to work together to keep its center of gravity exactly where it belongs.

    A massive skull combined with equally massive forelimbs would place tremendous weight toward the front of the animal. Something else would have to compensate. The tail would need to become larger, the hips would need to change, or the body would become increasingly unstable. Suddenly those tiny arms don't seem strange at all. They make perfect engineering sense as part of a balanced, integrated body.

    The researchers also describe the arms as "reduced" or "vestigial," yet they still don't know exactly what purpose those arms served. History has shown why we should be cautious with that conclusion. Again and again, structures once dismissed as evolutionary leftovers have later been found to perform important functions.

    The difference ultimately comes down to where we begin.

    If evolution is the starting point, then every feature must somehow be explained through millions of years of gradual change. But if we begin where Scripture begins, with God as Creator, then coordinated engineering is exactly what we should expect. The Bible tells us God created every creature according to its kind during Creation Week. From that perspective, T. rex wasn't a work in progress. It was created as a complete, fully functional animal whose skull, arms, legs, hips, and tail all worked together from the very beginning.

    The word "dinosaur" wasn't even invented until 1842. Before that, these incredible creatures would simply have been known as dragons, great beasts, or perhaps even among the kinds of magnificent animals described in passages like Behemoth in the book of Job. Whatever name people used, they were part of the "very good" creation God made during Creation Week.

    The tiny arms of Tyrannosaurus rex aren't evidence of a failed evolutionary experiment. They are another reminder that God's creation displays remarkable engineering, thoughtful design, and purpose, even in places where scientists are still searching for answers.
    Gods Creation, 100 / evolution, 0 WHY DID T. REX HAVE TINY ARMS? Few animals capture the imagination quite like Tyrannosaurus rex. It's one of the most recognizable dinosaurs in the world. Towering over the landscape with a massive skull and bone-crushing jaws, one feature has puzzled scientists for decades: those tiny little arms. A new study claims to have solved the mystery. After examining the skulls and forelimbs of dozens of meat-eating dinosaurs, researchers found that species with larger, more robust skulls generally had smaller arms. From that relationship, they proposed that as these dinosaurs supposedly changed over millions of years, the head gradually became the primary weapon while the forelimbs became less important. It's an interesting observation, but does that explanation really follow? The study identified a relationship between skull size and arm size. It didn't discover how that relationship came to be. Instead, the evolutionary story is added afterward because that's the framework through which the evidence is being interpreted. But there's another explanation that's much simpler. Think about a playground teeter-totter. If one side becomes much heavier, the other side has to compensate or everything falls out of balance. A two-legged dinosaur faces the same engineering challenge. Its head, neck, torso, hips, legs, tail, and forelimbs all have to work together to keep its center of gravity exactly where it belongs. A massive skull combined with equally massive forelimbs would place tremendous weight toward the front of the animal. Something else would have to compensate. The tail would need to become larger, the hips would need to change, or the body would become increasingly unstable. Suddenly those tiny arms don't seem strange at all. They make perfect engineering sense as part of a balanced, integrated body. The researchers also describe the arms as "reduced" or "vestigial," yet they still don't know exactly what purpose those arms served. History has shown why we should be cautious with that conclusion. Again and again, structures once dismissed as evolutionary leftovers have later been found to perform important functions. The difference ultimately comes down to where we begin. If evolution is the starting point, then every feature must somehow be explained through millions of years of gradual change. But if we begin where Scripture begins, with God as Creator, then coordinated engineering is exactly what we should expect. The Bible tells us God created every creature according to its kind during Creation Week. From that perspective, T. rex wasn't a work in progress. It was created as a complete, fully functional animal whose skull, arms, legs, hips, and tail all worked together from the very beginning. The word "dinosaur" wasn't even invented until 1842. Before that, these incredible creatures would simply have been known as dragons, great beasts, or perhaps even among the kinds of magnificent animals described in passages like Behemoth in the book of Job. Whatever name people used, they were part of the "very good" creation God made during Creation Week. The tiny arms of Tyrannosaurus rex aren't evidence of a failed evolutionary experiment. They are another reminder that God's creation displays remarkable engineering, thoughtful design, and purpose, even in places where scientists are still searching for answers.
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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.

    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.
    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.
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  • OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
    DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026
    TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I

    AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

    MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9

    BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14
    1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
    2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
    3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
    4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
    5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
    6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
    7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
    8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
    9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
    10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
    11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
    12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
    13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
    14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

    MESSAGE:
    In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king.

    To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!"

    Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide.

    The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did.

    Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43).

    Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name.

    KEY POINT:
    Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains.

    BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43

    HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
    1 When we walk with the Lord
    in the light of His word,
    what a glory He sheds on our way!
    While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
    and with all who will trust and obey.

    Refrain:
    Trust and obey, for there's no other way
    to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

    2 Not a shadow can rise,
    Not a cloud in the skies,
    But His smiles quickly drives it away;
    Not a doubt nor a fear,
    Not a sigh nor a tear,
    Can abide while we trust and obey.

    3 Not a burden we bear,
    Not a sorrow we share,
    But our toil He doth richly Repay;
    Not a grief or a loss,
    Not a frown or a cross,
    But is blest if we trust and Obey.

    4 But we never can prove
    The delights of His love
    Until all on the altar we lay;
    For the favour He shows,
    For the joy He bestows,
    Are for them,
    Who will trust and obey.

    5 Then in fellowship sweet
    We will sit at His feet,
    Or we'll walk by His side
    In the way;
    What He says we will do,
    Where He sends we will go;
    Never fear, only trust and obey..
    OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026 TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9 BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. 8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. 11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. 12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. 13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: 14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. MESSAGE: In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king. To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!" Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide. The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did. Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43). Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43 HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD 1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Refrain: Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 2 Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smiles quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, Not a sigh nor a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. 3 Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly Repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and Obey. 4 But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favour He shows, For the joy He bestows, Are for them, Who will trust and obey. 5 Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we'll walk by His side In the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey..
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  • OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
    DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026
    TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I

    AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

    MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9

    BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14
    1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
    2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
    3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
    4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
    5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
    6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
    7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
    8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
    9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
    10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
    11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
    12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
    13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
    14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

    MESSAGE:
    In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king.

    To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!"

    Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide.

    The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did.

    Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43).

    Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name.

    KEY POINT:
    Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains.

    BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43

    HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
    1 When we walk with the Lord
    in the light of His word,
    what a glory He sheds on our way!
    While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
    and with all who will trust and obey.

    Refrain:
    Trust and obey, for there's no other way
    to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

    2 Not a shadow can rise,
    Not a cloud in the skies,
    But His smiles quickly drives it away;
    Not a doubt nor a fear,
    Not a sigh nor a tear,
    Can abide while we trust and obey.

    3 Not a burden we bear,
    Not a sorrow we share,
    But our toil He doth richly Repay;
    Not a grief or a loss,
    Not a frown or a cross,
    But is blest if we trust and Obey.

    4 But we never can prove
    The delights of His love
    Until all on the altar we lay;
    For the favour He shows,
    For the joy He bestows,
    Are for them,
    Who will trust and obey.

    5 Then in fellowship sweet
    We will sit at His feet,
    Or we'll walk by His side
    In the way;
    What He says we will do,
    Where He sends we will go;
    Never fear, only trust and obey..
    OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026 TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9 BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. 8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. 11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. 12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. 13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: 14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. MESSAGE: In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king. To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!" Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide. The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did. Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43). Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43 HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD 1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Refrain: Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 2 Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smiles quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, Not a sigh nor a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. 3 Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly Repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and Obey. 4 But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favour He shows, For the joy He bestows, Are for them, Who will trust and obey. 5 Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we'll walk by His side In the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey..
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  • Matthew 19:27-30

    Jesus has just made it clear that following Him has a cost up to and including a believer's life. The rich young ruler has dejectedly walked away after being told that the one thing he lacked to obtain eternal life was apparently the one thing he wasn't willing to give up. His wealth.

    Think about it. Sam Walton was one of the wealthiest men in history, Truett Cathy, Jackie O'Nassis, Queen Elizabeth all were extremely wealthy. All had comforts in life that now mean nothing. All of them take their place behind beggars and those who were believers in extreme poverty. Jesus makes the point that the rich seem to believe their wealth gives them extra privilege or consideration at judgement because there's more they have to surrender.

    And again Peter makes sure to say the entirely wrong thing. So he looks around seeing the rich man sadly leaving Jesus, perhaps because he had much he could afford that he refused to surrender. So Peter says, Lord, What's in it for us?

    The ruler likely had houses, funds he would not run out of. So Peter considers what he's left for Jesus. He left his home, his career, and he's been following Jesus for a few years, now. And he wants to know what his reward is for doing so.

    Jesus has already informed them on more than one occasion that they would follow Him in death. And each one died a martyrs death, executed by government or religious leaders beginning with James, brother of John and ending with John, James’ brother. These brother's deaths formed the bookends of apostles’ deaths with James being first and John the last.

    Jesus says yes, you will all be awarded, but it comes at a cost. The cost is going to be the terrible suffering they would experience prior to death. Not that their suffering earned them anything, the way the rich believed their wealth earned them something. But that their allegiance with Jesus and relationship with Him gave them eternal life.

    In particular, Jesus promises the apostles specifically that they will be on thrones judging Israel. Perhaps this is meant as a small mercy for the apostles whose last living moments will be being judged by those will end up ‘judged’ by them. Not that the apostles will get input on the eternal judgment of these individuals but that they will judge Israel as a whole including these Jewish leaders who are currently burning in torment awaiting eternity.
    This really should be the perspective we hold to. The rich young ruler, do you think he regrets his choice now? After 2,000 some odd years of suffering where time has no meaning and no end? How important do you think he considers his summer home now?

    His retirement? His first century equivalent to a Bentley? How about the leaders who knew the Scriptures pointed to Jesus but didn't want to give up their power or position. But these leaders to whom the benefits of eternal life were promised if they remained faithful to God.

    These Jews were considered first because the promises were made to them. But they, they will be last. And those who were considered last, the Gentiles, pagans, all who responded to Jesus would take the place of those who had been considered first.

    The temporal life fortunes in eternity are oftentimes flipped. The temporal riches of this life lure many believers over to a side that appears successful because financial gains are made, but in actuality is abject failure. No wealth we gain is worth what is lost if we don't have Jesus.

    So those health and wealth preachers, the ones insisting that poverty is a sign of disfavor with God? Yeah, they will be within sight of the rich young ruler forever reconsidering their life choices and forever incapable of changing them. We don't get the chance to change our minds after death. Our fates are locked, so what are we waiting for? What's in it for us? Only Everything.


    [27] Then Peter responded and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” [28] And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms on account of My name, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. [30] But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

    Matthew 19:27-30 Jesus has just made it clear that following Him has a cost up to and including a believer's life. The rich young ruler has dejectedly walked away after being told that the one thing he lacked to obtain eternal life was apparently the one thing he wasn't willing to give up. His wealth. Think about it. Sam Walton was one of the wealthiest men in history, Truett Cathy, Jackie O'Nassis, Queen Elizabeth all were extremely wealthy. All had comforts in life that now mean nothing. All of them take their place behind beggars and those who were believers in extreme poverty. Jesus makes the point that the rich seem to believe their wealth gives them extra privilege or consideration at judgement because there's more they have to surrender. And again Peter makes sure to say the entirely wrong thing. So he looks around seeing the rich man sadly leaving Jesus, perhaps because he had much he could afford that he refused to surrender. So Peter says, Lord, What's in it for us? The ruler likely had houses, funds he would not run out of. So Peter considers what he's left for Jesus. He left his home, his career, and he's been following Jesus for a few years, now. And he wants to know what his reward is for doing so. Jesus has already informed them on more than one occasion that they would follow Him in death. And each one died a martyrs death, executed by government or religious leaders beginning with James, brother of John and ending with John, James’ brother. These brother's deaths formed the bookends of apostles’ deaths with James being first and John the last. Jesus says yes, you will all be awarded, but it comes at a cost. The cost is going to be the terrible suffering they would experience prior to death. Not that their suffering earned them anything, the way the rich believed their wealth earned them something. But that their allegiance with Jesus and relationship with Him gave them eternal life. In particular, Jesus promises the apostles specifically that they will be on thrones judging Israel. Perhaps this is meant as a small mercy for the apostles whose last living moments will be being judged by those will end up ‘judged’ by them. Not that the apostles will get input on the eternal judgment of these individuals but that they will judge Israel as a whole including these Jewish leaders who are currently burning in torment awaiting eternity. This really should be the perspective we hold to. The rich young ruler, do you think he regrets his choice now? After 2,000 some odd years of suffering where time has no meaning and no end? How important do you think he considers his summer home now? His retirement? His first century equivalent to a Bentley? How about the leaders who knew the Scriptures pointed to Jesus but didn't want to give up their power or position. But these leaders to whom the benefits of eternal life were promised if they remained faithful to God. These Jews were considered first because the promises were made to them. But they, they will be last. And those who were considered last, the Gentiles, pagans, all who responded to Jesus would take the place of those who had been considered first. The temporal life fortunes in eternity are oftentimes flipped. The temporal riches of this life lure many believers over to a side that appears successful because financial gains are made, but in actuality is abject failure. No wealth we gain is worth what is lost if we don't have Jesus. So those health and wealth preachers, the ones insisting that poverty is a sign of disfavor with God? Yeah, they will be within sight of the rich young ruler forever reconsidering their life choices and forever incapable of changing them. We don't get the chance to change our minds after death. Our fates are locked, so what are we waiting for? What's in it for us? Only Everything. [27] Then Peter responded and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” [28] And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms on account of My name, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. [30] But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.
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