OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY JUL 27TH 2025

TOPIC: YOUR PAST

MEMORISE:

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” - (Isaiah 43:18-19)

BIBLE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 4:9-10 (KJV)

9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

MESSAGE:

The past can be regarded as the mother of the present. Whatever you are going through today can be traced to the things that happened in the past. You might be going through some negative things now because of some of your past mistakes, but the good news is that the One who is called Alpha and Omega can clear out your negative past. He can wash off the mistakes of the past with His blood (1 John 1:7). This is why (2 Corinthians 5:17) says that if a man is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new.

No matter the events that have happened in your past, the moment you come to Jesus, He gives you a brand-new start. He enters into your past and rearranges everything to work for your good. God doesn't need a minute to travel into your past to correct anything. In Revelation 1:8, He says:

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

God is Alpha and Omega, and He can go back to the day of your naming ceremony, the day of your birth, or even the time before your birth to change things in your favour.

Some people have problems today because of the names they bear. Some of these people were given names to reflect the circumstances that surrounded them or their families at the time of their birth. For instance, if someone is named Esugbogo (meaning 'satan is glorified’ in the Yoruba language), such a person cannot blame satan for tormenting him or her because the fellow's name literally invites satan to glorify himself over the fellow. Such people have very little that they can do about the things that happened before their birth or how they were named, but there's someone who can go back to that time and change situations. God can go into your past to change things that don't fit into His plans and purposes for you.

Beloved, God holds the key to your past. Cry out to Him today to change anything in your past that is contrary to His purpose for your life, as Jabez did in today's Bible reading. I pray that my Father will remove every negative thing in your past that might be haunting your present and give you a brand-new beginning, in Jesus' name.

KEY POINT:

God can remove anything from your past that doesn't fit into His purpose for your life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ISAIAH 44-46

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 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 Savior, still our refuge—

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

SEEDS OF DESTINY DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
BY DR PST PAUL ENENCHE

DATE: SUNDAY, 27TH JULY 2025.

TOPIC: SAY, ‘NO’ TO THE FLESH

SCRIPTURE: Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. EPHESIANS 5:15-16 AMP

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: If you cannot control yourself, you can never control your destiny.

It has been confirmed that God never created anyone to be wasted. No one was created to be irrelevant. But there are enemies of destiny that are designed by the enemy to render people useless on earth. We don’t have a spare life, so it is crucial to deal with any enemy that wants to waste our time and existence on the earth.

So, today, we are dealing with one of the enemies of destiny called the lack of self-control or a life of indiscipline. This is living a kind of life where everything goes. It is living a kind of life where a person has no power to do the right things that he wants to do or avoid the wrong things that he doesn’t want to do.

Please note the following about discipline and self-control:
a. There is no destiny without discipline. For instance, Esau, who sold his birthright for a morsel of meal, had no discipline, so he had no destiny. He could not say, ‘NO’ to his appetite, and that ruined his life and destiny.
b. If you cannot control yourself, you can never control your destiny.

c. Self-control is a product of mind control (Proverbs 4:23). So, if you cannot control what goes into your mind, you will never be able to control what flows through your life.

d. It is the strength of your will that undergirds the strength of your destiny. Those who have strong destiny have strong decision power.

When I was in courtship with my wife, we agreed with each other that the day immorality entered the relationship before marriage would be the end of the relationship. That is, we literally signed an undertaking that marriage would never happen if immorality was involved. The courtship lasted for two years and four months. And by the mercies of God, that strength of will and the grace of God saw us through.

Beloved, make up your mind to do what is right. Anyone who is controlled by the flesh is under the spell of failure. You must learn to say, ‘NO!’ to the flesh. Wake up when you need to wake up. Say, NO!’ when you need to say, NO!’

REMEMBER THIS: If you cannot control yourself, you can never control your destiny.

ASSIGNMENT(S):

1. Ensure that at least a scripture enters your spirit daily.

2. Take out at least a day in a week to fast and pray.

3. Ask God for the grace to say, ‘NO!’ to the flesh.

PRAYER: Lord, set me free from the flesh and its desires. I receive the grace to say, ‘NO!’ to the flesh and ‘YES’ to Your will, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DEADLY ENEMIES OF DESTINY.

DAILY BIBLE READING: Isaiah 37-39

QUOTE: Until your character is adjusted, your destiny cannot be established. Culled from the book, 30 Secrets to the Top by Dr Paul Enenche.

AMAZING FACT: When a pride of lions has just established a new territory, the male will let out a loud and deep roar that can be heard up to five miles away. They do this to maintain territory and to scare intruders.

PROPHETIC DECLARATION/WORD: Receive grace and help to overcome the lack of self-control in Jesus Name.

Sunday July 27, 2025

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Office: Psalter week 1, Te Deum

Mass prop. Gloria. Creed. Preface of Sunday

Vestment: Green

Today’s Rosary: Glorious Mystery

Vespers II of the 17th Sunday of the year

WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY

Theme of the Sunday: WHEN YOU PRAY SAY “FATHER.....” The Bible urges us to pray always, to thank God in all the situations of our life (I Thes. 5:17-18). But what is prayer? When should we pray? How and why should we pray? The first reading and the gospel give us answers to these questions. We pray so that we may see the world, people and history as God sees theirs. We need to purify our hearts and this can only happen in prayer. The second reading tells us what the Christian is. A Christian is one who, through baptism, has become a part of the body of Christ. Being in Christ, the disciple prays like him.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Cf. Ps 67: 6-7, 36

God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people.

The Gloria

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you. We bless you. We adore you. We glorify you. We give you thanks for your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

COLLECT

O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…..

-FIRST READING-

“Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once.”

A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 18:20-32)

In those days: The Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry which has come to me; and if not, I will know.” So the men turned from there, and went towards Sodom; but Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham drew near, and said, “Will you indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered, “Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him, and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 13b:1-2a.2bcd-3. 5-7ab.7c-8 (R. 3a)

R/. On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
You have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I praise you.
I bow down towards your holy temple. R/.

I give thanks to your name
For your merciful love and your faithfulness.
You have exalted your name and your promise over all.
On the day I called, you answered me;
You increased the strength of my soul. R/.

R/. On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

The Lord is high, yet he looks on the lowly,
And the haughty he knows from afar.
You give me life though I walk amid affliction;
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes. R/.

With your right hand you save me;
The Lord will accomplish this for me.
O Lord, your merciful love is eternal;
Discard not the work of your hands. R/.

-SECOND READING-

“God made you alive with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 2: 12-14)

Brethren: You were buried with Christ in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having cancelled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Romans 6:15bc

Alleluia. You have received the spirit of sonship; in him we cry, “Abba! Father!” Alleluia.

-GOSPEL

“Ask, and it will be given to you.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11: 1- 13)

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.” And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Gospel of the Lord.


THE CREED (I BELIEVE)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible, I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ the only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father from all ages, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation. He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried and rose again on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who proceed from the father and son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and life of the word to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant:

Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us of the need to pray always. Following his exhortation, let us, with one heart and mind, turn to him with our petitions.

FOR THE CHURCH: that she may remain steadfast in her task of evangelization and the building up of God’s kingdom on earth. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR COMMUNITIES IN OUR COUNTRY EXPERIENCING ARMED VIOLENCE: that the Lord may bring to an end their distressing situations and fill their land with his peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THE HABIT OF PRAYER: that they may rediscover God as their Father who is ever ready to answer their cry when they seek him in their time of need. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR MEMBERS OF OUR WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY: that we may seek to nourish our relationship with Jesus Christ with the word of God, the sacraments and consistent life of prayer. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).

FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.

We pray in silence for our private intentions.

Celebrant:

Father, through your Son, you have shown to us your inexhaustible mercy. We humbly ask you, in your loving kindness, to safeguard us and to hear our prayers. Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

At the depth of each and every one of us is a desire to connect to God. Prayer is the expression of such a desire. The disciples of Jesus ask for the greatest of all lessons; to be taught to pray. In prayer we commune with God. We come to have a beatific experience of God and heaven. Above all, Jesus teaches us that, when we pray, the floodgates of heaven are opened. But how do we open the floodgates of heaven in prayer? The only virtue needed for us in prayer to open the doors of heaven is persistence. Any time we pray, we shift the goalpost of life to our area of competitive advantage over the devil. The forces of evil are overpowered when we pray.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL

Lord God, my saviour I cry out all day, and at night I come before you. Hear my prayers; listen to my cry for help! Psalm 88:1

It is written, “He disappointed the devices of the wicked so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise” (Job 5:12).

Everlasting Father, please frustrate all conspiracies and evil schemes directed against me in the name of Jesus.
Most High God, my life is in your hand, please be my defense (Psalm 7:10, Job 22:25). Protect me when I go out, when I come in, and all the days of my life in the name of Jesus.
Pray with Psalm 91 (meditatively)

Appreciation
God Bless you
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PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS

All powerful and merciful Father,
You are the God of justice, love and peace.
You rule over the nations of the earth.
Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you.
We present our country Nigeria before you.
We praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.
We are sorry for all the sins we have committed
and for the good deeds we have failed to do.
In your loving forgiveness,
keep us safe from the punishment we deserve.
Lord, we are weighed down not only by uncertainties,
but also by moral, economic and political problems.
Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you,
Our God of infinite goodness,
our strength in adversity,
our health in weakness,
our comfort in sorrow;
be merciful to us your people.
Spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.
Bless us with your kingdom of justice, love and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.