Sworn blessing is the end of all strifes (struggles) and sworn blessings don't answer to prayers. It only answer to obedience.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH 2025

TOPIC: VISION

MEMORISE:
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” - (Proverbs 29:18)

READ: HABAKKUK 2:1-3 (KJV)

1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

MESSAGE:
Today's memory verse says that where there is no vision, the people perish. The rich fool in Luke 12:15-21 died because he told his soul to rest and pursue nothing. A lack of vision kills; when you're pursuing a goal, your youth is renewed with each passing day. Sometime ago, I told some of my older friends that we are not old men because Joel 2:28 says that the old men shall dream dreams while the young ones will see visions. Since my older friends and I still have visions that we are pursuing, we are young.

Beloved, it is not enough to have a vision; you must also pursue it. Some people can talk so passionately about their vision today, but when you see them again three years from now, you will discover that they are still talking about the vision but have not taken any step to fulfil it. If you ask them why, they will give all sorts of excuses.

People who have a vision they truly believe in don't let anything stand in their way. Obstacles tremble when a man of vision approaches them. When God gave us the vision of the RCCG campground, we did not have the money, but that did not stop us from taking steps towards getting the land. We overcame that obstacle, and not long after that, another obstacle arose: there was no water in the camp that could support thousands of people. That also did not deter us, and we kept forging ahead. Before long, we had more than enough water. The reason many people haven't seen their visions come to pass is that they are not doing anything to fulfil them. To fulfil a vision, you have to make moves first, and when you do, God will carry you towards the vision. Only a fellow who pursues his or her vision will hear it speak. When God spoke to Habakkuk in today's Bible reading, He instructed him to write the vision so that at the appointed time, it would speak. When you start taking steps in the direction of the vision God has given you, your vision will speak, and many will hear it.

Has God shown you something? Get to work; don't give room for excuses. God wants to give your vision a voice that can speak life to nations, but until you do something about what you have seen, your vision will remain silent.

KEY POINT:
God is willing to carry you towards your vision. However, you need to make moves towards your vision.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 44-46

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 4 - TO THE WORK! TO THE WORK! WE ARE SERVANTS OF GOD

1 To the work! to the work! we are servants of God,
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Refrain:
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on:
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.

2 To the work! to the work! let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, "Salvation is free!" [Refrain]

3 To the work! to the work! there is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the name of Jehovah exalted shall be,
In the loud-swelling chorus, "Salvation is free!" [Refrain]

4 To the work! to the work! in the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward;
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, "Salvation is free!" [Refrain]

When I picked up Rapport, I thought it would just be another book about communication—some tips on body language, maybe a few stories about persuasion. But Emily and Laurence Alison take it far deeper. They’ve spent decades studying high-stakes conversations—think interrogations, hostage negotiations, and critical interviews—and they distill those insights into principles that apply just as powerfully in everyday life. Reading it felt like unlocking the hidden mechanics of trust: how to connect with people authentically, even when the stakes are high, emotions are raw, or perspectives clash.

Here are ten valuable lessons I carried away:

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1. Rapport isn’t about charm—it’s about genuine connection.
The Alisons stress that real rapport isn’t trickery or surface-level friendliness. It’s built on empathy, trust, and respect. People can sense when you’re faking it.

2. Listening is your strongest tool.
In their research, the best communicators weren’t the ones talking the most, but the ones listening deeply. True listening doesn’t just capture words—it picks up tone, emotions, and what’s left unsaid.

3. Control is an illusion—collaboration works better.
In high-pressure situations, people who try to dominate or “win” conversations usually fail. The ones who succeed create space for collaboration, showing others they’re part of the solution.

4. Empathy opens doors that authority can’t.
Whether talking to a criminal suspect or a skeptical colleague, empathy disarms defenses. The Alisons show that acknowledging someone’s feelings—even without agreeing with them—creates room for dialogue.

5. Ask, don’t tell.
Rapport grows when we ask thoughtful, open questions instead of dictating or assuming. Questions invite people to share their perspective, which builds trust and uncovers truths we’d otherwise miss.

6. Adaptability is essential.
Every person, every conversation, every moment is different. The Alisons emphasize the importance of reading the situation and flexing your style rather than rigidly sticking to scripts or formulas.

7. Silence is powerful.
I realized how often I rush to fill silence. But the book shows that pauses can make people reflect, reveal more, and even calm down. Silence can be a bridge, not an awkward gap.

8. Rapport isn’t agreement—it’s understanding.
Building rapport doesn’t mean you endorse someone’s actions or views. It simply means you’re willing to meet them where they are, which is often the only path to real influence.

9. Pressure backfires.
The Alisons’ research shows that pushing, threatening, or cornering people usually makes them shut down. Patience and respect lead to far better outcomes, even in high-stakes interrogations.

10. Rapport is a skill, not a gift.
Perhaps the most encouraging lesson is that anyone can learn this. Building trust and influence isn’t about being naturally charismatic—it’s about practicing deliberate habits of empathy, listening, and adaptability.

---

Reading Rapport gave me a new lens for conversations I used to dread—tough work meetings, disagreements with family, even moments when someone just needs to be heard. The Alisons taught me that the most powerful communicators aren’t the loudest or smartest in the room—they’re the ones who know how to make others feel safe, respected, and understood.

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Who is an Entrepreneur?

An entrepreneur is a person who identifies an opportunity, takes the initiative to create and organize a business or project, and assumes the financial risks in order to make a profit, solve a problem, or create value.

In simpler terms:
👉 An entrepreneur sees a need or gap.
👉 Comes up with an idea, product, or service.
👉 Organizes resources (money, people, tools, knowledge).
👉 Takes risks (because success is not guaranteed).
👉 Works to build and grow the business.

Key Traits of an Entrepreneur:

Innovative – brings new ideas or improves old ones.

Risk-taker – willing to take calculated risks.

Visionary – sees opportunities others may miss.

Resilient – learns from failure and keeps trying.

Value-driven – aims to create economic, social, or cultural impact.

For example, people like Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX), Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group), and Folorunsho Alakija (Famfa Oil) are entrepreneurs because they built businesses from ideas and opportunities.

Types of Entrepreneurs

1. Small Business Entrepreneur

Runs a local or small-scale business (shops, boutiques, restaurants, salons, etc.).

Goal: earn a living and support their family/community.

Example: a fashion designer in Lagos with her own boutique.

2. Scalable Startup Entrepreneur

Starts with a big vision to grow fast and reach global markets.

Usually seeks investors or venture capital.

Example: Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), or Paystack in Nigeria.

This is where your Shoplife could fit if you plan to build a global creative economy platform.

3. Social Entrepreneur

Focuses on solving social, cultural, or environmental problems.

Money is important, but impact comes first.

Example: Tony Elumelu with the Tony Elumelu Foundation empowering African entrepreneurs.

Your SouljarLife (helping creatives and communities grow) fits here strongly.

4. Innovative Entrepreneur

Creates something new and disruptive that changes the market.

Takes high risks but also has high rewards.

Example: Elon Musk with Tesla/SpaceX, Steve Jobs with Apple.

5. Hustler Entrepreneur

Works extremely hard, starting from little or nothing.

Driven by grind, persistence, and determination.

Example: Many Nigerian tech founders who started with almost no funding but built successful platforms.

6. Imitative (Copycat) Entrepreneur

Doesn’t invent, but copies or improves existing businesses.

Example: Someone creating a local “Uber for bikes” after seeing Uber succeed.

7. Researcher Entrepreneur

Doesn’t rush — spends a lot of time researching before starting.

Relies on data, facts, and analysis.

Example: A fintech founder who studies market failures before launching a solution.

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OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH 2025

TOPIC: BLESSED ARE THE HUNGRY

MEMORISE:
"Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh." Luke 6:21

BIBLE READING: Acts 8:27-39

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

MESSAGE:
"O God, thou art my God; early will i seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;" Psalm 63:1.

The Scripture above was written by David in the wilderness of Judah. A wilderness is often characterised by a lack of food and water, and even though David might have been hungry and thirsty, he expressed a much greater desire for something more than food and water - God's presence. No wonder God called David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22).

In today's Bible reading, we read about the Ethiopian eunuch who had travelled many miles to Jerusalem to worship God. However, he had many questions as he was returning to his home country. As he travelled on the dusty roads of Gaza, an angel spoke to Phillip and told him to position himself on the road the eunuch was travelling on. As Phillip stood by the road, the Holy Spirit gave him an additional instruction to move closer to the man's chariot. God was so interested in the eunuch that He moved everything - an angel, a man, and His Spirit- to give him the answers he desired (Acts 8:26-4. This is what happens when God sees genuine hunger for Him in the life of a fellow. He will never let the hungry go away without being filled, and He will always fill them with good things (Luke 1:53).

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6.

God feeds you in proportion to your hunger for Him. Psalm 42:7 says, "...deep calleth unto deep.." When you really want to go deep in God, your hunger will attract the resources you need to go deep. A hungry and thirsty fellow is one who is desperate for food and water. In the same vein, God expects us to hunger and thirst for His power and glory. He expects us to desperately pursue Him and seek intimacy with Him. Jesus gave a parable in Matthew 13:44-46 that the Kingdom of God is like a man who found treasure in a field and sold all that he had so he could buy that field and own the treasure. Just like that man in the parable, God wants you to be hungry for Him so you can be filled and reflect more of His glory on the earth.

REFLECTION:
Are you truly hungry for God?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 33-35

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

1 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

Refrain:

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev'ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.

2 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh.

3 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

4 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.

5 I need Thee every hour
Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND 2025.

TOPIC: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS

MEMORIZE:
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17 (KJV)

BIBLE READING: JAMES 2:20-26

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

MESSAGE:
Years ago, some Christian students in a particular university came to me and said, "We don't know what is going on. Those of us who are in the fellowship are always the ones failing." I replied them, "This might be because, at the time you are supposed to be studying, you are in the fellowship." They said, "Is it not written that the Holy Spirit will help us?" I responded, "Thank God for the Holy Spirit, but the Bible says that the Holy Spirit will remind you of the things you have learnt. However, if you do not learn anything and end up failing, after He chastises you, He will comfort you."

Beloved, to walk in God's blessings, faith must go hand-in-hand with works. For example, in Luke 5:1-9, Jesus came to Peter, who had a boat and asked him to lend Him the boat for a while. After preaching from the boat, Jesus told Peter to cast his net into the sea for a catch. If Peter had not cast his net, he would not have seen the glory of God. If he had just said, "I believe you, Jesus. I know You can do all things," and had refused to obey the simple instruction, he would have returned home empty-handed that night. Instead, he said, "At thy word - because You have spoken to me - I will do what You say." He took a step of faith and did the work of throwing his net into the sea. Then, he caught so many fishes that his net broke. People who add works to their faith experience 'net-breaking' miracles. Another example of someone in the Bible who added works to their faith is the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48. She did not just stop at knowing that Jesus carried the healing anointing, she forced her way through a large crowd just to touch the hem of His garment. The result was that she was instantly healed of a sickness she had suffered from for 12 years.

If you are not doing anything in line with the faith you claim to have, that faith is dead. You cannot sit in your house and pray for a job when you are not applying for any. Likewise, you cannot be trusting God for a visa to another country when you do not even have an international passport. Bring your faith to life by adding works to it; faith without works is dead.

ACTION POINT:
Take steps of faith concerning the things you are trusting God for.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 28 - 30

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMNAL 28 - GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH

1. Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy powerful
hand: Bread of heaven! Bread of heaven! Feed me now and evermore (2ce)

2. Open Thou the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream
doth flow: Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey
through: Song deliverer! Song deliverer! Be Thou still my strength and shield (2ce).

3. If I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside: Bear me through the swelling torrent, Land me safe on Canaan's side: Songs of praises! Songs of praises! I will ever give to Thee (2ce).

4. Saviour, come! We long to see thee, long to dwell with thee above and to know in full communion, all the sweetness of Thy love. Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! Take thy waiting people home (2ce)