OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: BECAUSE YOU ASK NOT
AUTHOR: PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

MEMORISE: “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” - (John 16:24)

READ: JOHN 6:5-13 (KJV)
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

MESSAGE:
James 4:2 reveals why some Christians still suffer from lack. Do you know that if you ask God to end lack in your life, He will grant your request? In today's Bible reading, Jesus fed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fishes. By the time everybody had been fed, they still had 12 baskets extra. When God provides for your needs, He gives you more than enough to satisfy you. Your big request is a little thing for Him to fulfil.
Years ago, I travelled to London on an official assignment, and three days before my return, I had run out of money and needed 50 pounds to buy some books and tapes. I turned to God, "Daddy, it would be good if I could get 50 pounds." Shortly after, my phone rang. The fellow on the line said, "Biyi?" I told him there was nobody with that name where I was, and as we talked, he got to know who I was. Excitedly, he called out to his brother, telling him that he was speaking with me. Apparently, they had been discussing how they could see me, and now, I was on the phone with them. Eventually, they came over, we talked, and as they were leaving, they gave me 50 pounds. Immediately they left, I said, "Daddy, if I knew it would be this easy, I would've asked for 100 pounds." As I rejoiced over the 50 pounds, the doorbell rang, but before l got to the door, an envelope had been slipped under the door. I opened it and realised it came from a wealthy man who had never given me a dime before. Inside was 50 pounds and a note saying, "I just felt like giving you some money." Then, I told God that if I had known that another 50 pounds would come, I would have asked for an extra 50 pounds. That night, before I slept, someone gave me another 50 pounds! I became afraid and told God that I was only joking and didn't want to offend Him. God reminded me of this incident recently and told me I had been foolish. "If you asked Me for 50 pounds and I provided it, why didn't you ask for 5,000 pounds?”
Beloved, find out God's will concerning your needs and ensure your requests are in alignment with it. Stop complaining about lack in your life; rather, ask God to meet your exact needs. Do not waver in faith, and He will surely answer you.

ACTION POINT:
Ask God to provide your needs according to His will, and believe that he is able to fulfil them.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 9-11

HYMN 27: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

#c12• I was in class that fateful Friday afternoon teaching my students when she raised her hand to ask a question.

I permitted her and she asked a rather too simple question that I supposed she should know the answer.

I had already covered that topic the previous week. "Will you sit down there! With your Ugly face! Olodo!" was the only answer I gave her.

The whole class bursted into laughter and she looked embarrassed.

I went on with my lesson but felt somewhat guilty over what I had said. I finished my class and left. On Sunday, I went to Church. The preacher was talking about the tongue and its power.
He spoke about how you could bring others down by what you say.

I remembered what happened on Friday and became guilty. I swore I was going to apologize to her on Monday when I got to the class.

On Monday afternoon, I went to the class but I didn't see her. I asked after her from her coursemates but they didn't seem to know who I was talking about.

I then said I was looking for the person I insulted on Friday. "Oh, that's Joy Sir! She is not in class today" they answered.
Who is her friend? I asked. "Aisha" they chorused. But Aisha was not in the class either.

Suddenly, a girl with Hijab walked in. "That's Aisha Sir" my students informed me.
Where is your friend? I asked her. "Which one?" She replied without looking at my face. Joy! I said.

The reply shocked me! She is in the mortuary Sir. Mortuary????? Doing what there?? I asked "She died on Friday Sir" Aisha replied.

How come?????? I later found out that after my class on Friday, Joy was hit by a fast moving vehicle.
She was crossing the road absentmindedly probably because of what I said.
"Her burial is on Saturday and you are invited Sir" Aisha continued.

As I stood trying to overcome the shock, Aisha said within tears, "you killed my friend Sir".
She was right! I should be the murderer!
Some girls in the class were already crying! I didn't know what to say, whether to apologize to Joy's friend or Joy's ghost.
I submitted my resignation letter the next day.
Dear Lecturers and Teachers, please stop insulting your student.

They are in school to learn from you. If they already know, they won't be in school!
Please mind what you say to other people. Are your words bringing life or death to the hearers?

NB: THIS STORY IS A MUST READ AND DOES NOT ONLY APPLY TO LECTURERS AND TEACHERS BUT ALL OF US WHO COME INTO CONTACT WITH HUMAN BEINGS:
CUSTOMERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, MATES, FRIENDS AND SO ON

Let's be very mindful of how we address one another

#sirpopty

"No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot." – Mark Twain

Twain’s sharp wit exposes the futility of reasoning with the willfully ignorant. This critique emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness for true understanding and intellectual growth.

#Philosophy #Truth #Ignorance #MarkTwain #CriticalThinking #Wisdom

The fireman was asked why he was laughing while saving this old woman.
He said that the old woman had told him:

- You reminded me of my wedding night.

"Growing up in Barbados, I always felt connected to something greater something beyond the island. One day, my mum shared a part of our story that stayed with me. She told me, “Your roots trace back to Igbo Africa.”

It wasn’t just history it was identity. The Igbo people are known for their resilience, creativity, and strong sense of community. Learning that gave me a deeper understanding of myself of my strength, my voice, and even my passion for expression through music and culture.

It reminded me that where we come from shapes how we rise. And I carry that with me"

__Rihanna

SIR, LEADERSHIP COMES WITH CRITICISM

A MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO SMK

Dear Distinguished Leader,

Your passion, resilience, and commitment to Southern Kaduna and Nigeria as a whole are deeply appreciated. But as you continue to lead with vision and dedication, please be reminded that criticism is a natural part of Leadership not a sign of failure, but a sign of relevance.

Even our Lord Jesus Christ, who performed miracles and preached love, was not free from critics. Despite healing the sick and feeding the multitudes, some still shouted Crucify Him. If the perfect One faced rejection, we must understand that no matter how good a Leader tries to be, he can never satisfy everyone.

Do not be discouraged by harsh words or misunderstandings. Let every criticism, even the unfair ones, strengthen your resolve. True Leadership is tested by how one handles opposition. In fact, the absence of criticism might mean nothing meaningful is happening.

Sir, your ability to endure, reflect, and keep moving forward in the face of criticism will only make your legacy stronger. Keep working, keep believing, and keep leading not to please men, but to serve your purpose and make a lasting impact.

Critics may be loud, but your results will always speak louder.
Sign Comr Sunday Esua #Bright Future to Southern Kaduna, Nigeria
Kaduna Political Affairs
Come to Southern Kaduna
Midat Joseph
GURARA FORUM
Inside Kaduna

Permit me to be blunt!

You must be very daft if you still believe that Buhari died sometime ago, and a "Jubril" replaced him as an impersonator.
Your reasoning is just limited within a box, and you have no knowledge about world geo-politics.

Have you ever sat down to reason how possible it is for an impersonator to be given express access to dine and wine with the world's most important leaders?
Do you have any idea of the level of background check and security profiling you must pass before you meet some of these leaders?; yet, a certain "Jubril" by-passed all of it.

So, a so-called impersonator(Jubril) was able to fool the CIA, GRU, M16, MOSSAD, MSS, R&AW, etc?
He and his co-conspirators were also able to keep it a secret from international news agencies and investigative journalists?

None of the world's top intelligence agencies knew that a certain Jubril was impersonating the president of the most populous black nation on earth; yet somehow, only MNK knew this......una funny!
And don't even start with "they were all paid off to keep quiet".......it makes you sound more ******! How in the world do you pay off everybody in the world to keep quiet?

Ever heard of the "Watergate Scandal?". It took just two amateur investigative journalists to expose some secrets the Nixon presidency had been hiding.......an exposure that bolstered the journalists' careers.

If there was ever a Buhari impersonation secret:
International investigative journalists will feed off that news to make a career for themselves....
International news agencies will fight to be the first to break the news....
International intelligence agencies will surely know about it, and will not give Jubril access to the world's most powerful leaders....
You can't pay them all off!

If you were smart, you wouldn't be buying into, or peddling such shallow-minded conspiracy theory. But you are not smart.....you are daft, very daft!

Was working on uploading our supplements to the website when MI's Nobody featuring 2Face came up. Youtube Music has a way of randomly playing old hits cos I haven't heard that song in a while.

As I listened, it reminded me that 2Face in his prime was untouchable sha.
That voice. His lyrics. That face. His understated swag. His laid back demeanour.

Kai kai. Heavily talented guy!

If he blesses you with a feature, that track was bound to explode. Like Street Credibility with 9ice. Like Nobody with MI. Like Ole with Sound Sultan.

King of the charts. Person wey do sotey dem comot 2Face as his name, give am 2Baba.

A legend through and through.

I enjoyed the reminder that the man was and is still HIM! Forget. He is HIM!

*THE RESTORER'S DAILY GUIDE*

DATE: MONDAY 14TH JULY 2025

THEME: *BREAKING THE SPELL OF DARKNESS*

MEMORIZE
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

READ
Matthew 4:15-17
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
*There can be no genuine progress where darkness reigns.*

MESSAGE
Darkness has the power to cast spells on people. Every wrong step you have taken in life was masterminded by the spells of darkness.

Every wrong choice you made in the past was guided from the spell of darkness casted upon you directly or indirectly.

*The spell of darkness is the spell of death. Until men are blinded by darkness, they are not death doomed.*

It is the spell of darkness that makes men call evil good and good evil. They would rather believe in lies instead of the truth.

Individuals who are under the spell of darkness may never know the danger of sin and evil until they are neck deep into it.

Satan had to depend on the spell of darkness to deceive Eve. Eve also transmitted to the same spell on Adam hence the later could not discern the danger of eating of the forbidden fruit nor did he have the power to resist the pull of evil associated with the strange tree of conflicting knowledge in the garden.

*Your breakthroughs in life are delayed by the spells of darkness around you.*

*Until you break the spells of darkness over your life, your breakthroughs may continue to linger.*

There can be no genuine progress where darkness reigns. Our first major responsibility in life is to be so lighted by God's word that we break the spell of darkness everywhere we find ourselves.

*The only weapon for dislodging darkness and its forces is the light from God's word.*

The Bible says in;
Psalms 119:130 "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."

*Therefore, when the Lord Jesus began His ministry, He began by teaching and preaching the word because the revelation of the word is the only power that can successfully and completely break the spell of darkness.*

ACTION STEPS
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to saturate your life with His light always.
2. Pray fervently that every hidden works of dishonesty in and around your life be exposed and rebuked.
3. Ask the Lord to fill your heart with genuine love for the truth always.

PRAYERS
Dear heavenly Father, Thank you for today's devotional guide. Oh God of restoration, keep me away from every error and deceit and help me to stay in your Light in Jesus' name. Amen.

REMEMBER
*There can be no genuine progress where darkness reigns.*

AUTHOR: JEDIDIAH DAVID

DAILY READING: numbers 3-5; Proverbs 16-17.

HYMN
Holy, Holy, Holy ! Lord God Almighty !
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee ;
Holy, Holy, Holy ! Merciful andMighty !
God in Three Persons,blessed Trinity !

2
Holy, Holy, Holy ! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea ;
Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shall be.

3
Holy, Holy, Holy ! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see :
Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4
Holy, Holy, Holy ! Lord God Almighty !
All Thy works shall praise
Thy name in earth, and sky,and sea ;
Holy, Holy, Holy ! Merciful and Mighty !
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!

PLEASE SHARE

What no one told me about marriage before I enter that I want to tell you.

This is for those planning to marry or those who just got married.
If you are open-minded, you can still read.
Nobody knows it all.

1. Immediately you get married, even before having a baby, go and register your family for health insurance.
NHIS is one of the common ones and the most available in hospitals.
It will save you a lot.
There are some things the rich won’t tell you.
With NHIS, you can walk into any hospital and get treated cheap depending on the package.
A friend of mine once did an operation and all he paid was ₦10k something that would have cost ₦400k.

2. Have a family doctor very very important.
See, no church will tell you this.
Even if you don’t have money for a family doctor, have someone you can call in case of emergency.
Especially a pediatrician when you start having kids.

3. Also, have a family lawyer.
Recently, our family lawyer saved us over ₦500k in rent that I wanted to forfeit.
But because she stepped in and did her job, money was refunded seamlessly.

4. If you can afford it, have at least one domestic staff.
Someone that can at least help ease the work in the house for you and madam.
My brother, ejiro kwa afufu anya isi.
Get help if you can.

5. Buy things in bulk.
The reason I live like a wealthy man today is because I buy everything I need down to toothpaste in bulk.
You spend more buying in bits than when you buy in bulk.
That’s one of the reasons I created my sharing platform to enable family men and women with common goals.
There is nothing we don’t share. Some of you reading this are in that group.

6. Pay your children’s school fees before school resumes.
As I’m talking to you now, I’ve already sent SGM the kids’ school fees that’ll be paid in September.
I don’t have to worry about it again.
It helps me plan myself.
Do everything possible to pay school fees before resumption. You won’t know what you’re doing until money goes on leave from your side.

7. Strive to have passive income.
Something that can generate at least ₦3-5k every day.
No matter what try and get something like that.
It will save you from a lot of stress.

8. See the friends and circle your kids will have tomorrow everything depends on the school they attend.
This one is very, very important.
Even if you don’t have money, find a way to send your children to one of the best schools.
You won’t realise what you’re doing until they come of age.

9.I learnt this one from my dad always have family meetings.
You, your wife, and your kids no matter how small they are.
Discuss problems, solutions, and way forward.
Allow the kids air their opinions.

Ask the kids:
Is there something mummy and daddy are doing that they don’t like?

Same thing with your wife.
Talk about what you both can do to have a stable and loving family.
This helps in uniting the family.

Every month is fine or even every 6 months.
Just make it a habit and a culture.
It’ll become a memory that sticks for the kids, and for you and madam too.

Everyone’s opinion in the family matters.
And as the man, it’s your job to hear everybody’s opinion and choose the best way to run the family.

This isn’t just for the man alone madam can initiate it too. There’s no perfect formula, yes. But this one I listed? It works every time.
I repeat if you try it, you’ll save yourself a lot of unnecessary headache and stress.
You can add yours... enjoy your weekend.