Why can’t I do this on my own? “Rise”

One of the greatest barriers to healing, peace and joy is the lie of self-sufficiency. The world tells us that we should be strong and independent.

Our pride tells us that we don’t need anyone else and can do it on our own. Our egos want to be seen as the ones helping others, but not the ones in need of help.

The desire to be self-sufficient is both deeply human and deeply flawed. The truth is, we all need encouragement, support and care from others. We were made to live in community, and we were all designed and created to be dependent on God.

We each have our own unique strengths and unique weaknesses, and we all encounter challenges in life that were never meant to be faced alone.

What if, instead of continuing to struggle alone, you simply asked for help?

When you ask for help with a challenge or situation, doesn’t that free you and put you in a better position to offer help to others? Why not utilize the strength of others to overcome your weaknesses so others can utilize your strength to overcome theirs?

This is how we rise — not by proving we’re strong, but by remembering we are strong together. We rise not by standing taller, but by reaching out. We rise by humility and grace. We rise through connection and community.

We rise because God designed us to need one another and to need Him most of all.

-Chaplain Paul

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” -Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” -Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭18‬

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ‭-Matthew 5:3 ‬

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
-2 Corinthians 12:9

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” -Psalm 121: 1-2

As seen on Facebook. Credit : Kingdom Writers group

Covenant Gateway to a World of Exploits - Part 7 -- Matthew 5:14

Preacher : Bishop David Oyedepo

Passion for God is the master key to a world of exploits. Compound love and Burning love for God is what we call passion 1 Corinthians 2:9


As believer, the top is where i belong by redemption Matthew 5:14. All i need to do is to know how to get there.


Access to the top demands ceaseless gratitude to God as a lifestyle (inspiring comment from Olashoplife -ascending to the top - John 1:51 / Genesis 28:3) -- you ascend by thanksgiving.)

Among the mystery of an ever growing church is thanksgiving from the heart Jeremiah 30:19/21

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Hebrews 10:36 -- thanksgiving is a mystery Luke 10:21. It takes child like faith to rejoice from the heart Habakkuk 3:17-19/Lule 10:21 --- thanksgiving is a product of joy from the inside. I might not see it but God, you are at work.

Growing impact demands ceaseless gratitude to God as a lifestyle Proverbs 13:2/Hebrews 13:15 --- it changes situation supernaturally John 6:11

You are either thankful or complaint-ful Numbers 11:1. Complains will only complicate your matters, its thanksgiving that change your story.

Thanksgiving is a treasure hid in the Kingdom, we must discover it and activate it.

Every unacknowledged lifting will soon lose its place Malachi 2:2 Ecclesiastes 5:6 Psalms 67:5-7


Let this be a motto for your life Romans 3:4 (let God be true and let all men and situations be a liar)

A burning love for God will always result in ceaseless thanksgiving to God


What is Passion?

It can be defined as an unstoppable force in one quest to keep pursuing after God, discouraging situations notwithstanding. And as you pursue after God, goodness and mercy will keep pursuing you Psalms 23:6/4 Romans 8:35-39 -- when you are sold out to the things of God, you are more than a conquerors in the journey of life.

To be passionate is to be untiring, unrelenting, ever on the go in the pursuit of God and His kingdom Philippians 1:15-18/21 (under attack, paul is still rejoicing vs 18)

Passion is not a gift, its born out of conviction in the pursuit of God.

A believer is deceiving himself if he want to get what God promised without doing God's commands John 2:5 -- faith is about taking scriptural responsibilities for the changes we desire. You want to take your place at the top, then let your passion come alive Zechariah 7:13 John 9:7 Deuteronomy 28:1-2 John 21:5-6

Faith is putting the word to work John 2:5 Hebrews 12:2 John 10:17-18. Putting the word to work is work.

Turning seed to harvest is work Luke 8:15 -- a good and honest heart is a heart hanging on God and on God only.

The platform upon all the words of God deliver is love for God Matthew 22:36-40

Proofs of Genuine Passion for God


1. Genuine passion for God secures divine backing as we saw in the life of Moses and the disciples of Christ Exodus 33:13-14 Luke 10:1
2. Ever growing dedication to God as we saw in Abraham Genesis 12:1-3/ 17:1/22:3 --- circumstances can not break genuine passion for God. Abraham was so passionate about anything that God tells him Romans 4:17
3. It secures divine intervention whatever time you are challenged as we saw in Paul and Silas Acts 16:25/26 -- God set in and the foundation of the prison was shaken Acts 27;21-22



Examples of Passion made Giants in Scripture

1. Peter -- a man with an unchecked passion Luke 5:5-7/8. Pasion gave Peter his place.
2. Paul the Apostle - Acts 24:14 --- passion keep your faith burning on any scriptural lines that comes your way. Faith is natural to the passionate. Passion for God makes giant of men.


How to keep our passion for God growing

1. Stay committed to being a blessing to others. Do good to all men Galatians 6:10 -- Giants are made out of good will and good deeds.

OPEN HEAVENS 2025 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WED, JUL 09, 2025

TOPIC: EAT RIGHT

MEMORISE:
“Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” - (Ecclesiastes 10:17)

READ: Leviticus 11:1-42 (KJV)
1. Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them,

2. "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth:

3. Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat.

4. Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you;

5. the rock hyrax, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you;

6. the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you;

7. and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.

8. Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.

9. 'These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat.

10. But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you.

11. They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination.

12. Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales—that shall be an abomination to you.

13. 'And these you shall regard as an abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard,

14. the kite, and the falcon after its kind;

15. every raven after its kind,

16. the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the seagull, and the hawk after its kind;

17. the little owl, the fisher owl, and the screech owl;

18. the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture;

19. the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

20. 'All flying insects that creep on all fours shall be an abomination to you.

21. Yet these you may eat of every flying insect that creeps on all fours: those which have jointed legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth.

22. These you may eat: the locust after its kind, the destroying locust after its kind, the cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind.

23. But all other flying insects which have four feet shall be an abomination to you.

24. 'By these you shall become unclean; whoever touches the carcass of any of them shall be unclean until evening;

25. whoever carries part of the carcass of any of them shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening:

26. The carcass of any animal which divides the foot, but is not cloven-hoofed or does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches it shall be unclean.

27. And whatever goes on its paws, among all kinds of animals that go on all fours, those are unclean to you. Whoever touches any such carcass shall be unclean until evening.

28. Whoever carries any such carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. It is unclean to you.

29. 'These also shall be unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth: the mole, the mouse, and the large lizard after its kind;

30. the gecko, the monitor lizard, the sand reptile, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.

31. These are unclean to you among all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening.

32. Anything on which any of them falls, when they are dead shall be unclean, whether it is any item of wood or clothing or skin or sack, whatever item it is, in which any work is done, it must be put in water. And it shall be unclean until evening; then it shall be clean.

33. Any earthen vessel into which any of them falls you shall break; and whatever is in it shall be unclean:

34. in such a vessel any edible food upon which water falls becomes unclean, and any drink that may be drunk from it becomes unclean.

35. And everything on which a part of any such carcass falls shall be unclean; whether it is an oven or cooking stove, it shall be broken down; for they are unclean and shall be unclean to you.

36. Nevertheless a spring or a cistern, in which there is plenty of water, shall be clean; but whatever touches any such carcass becomes unclean.

37. And if a part of any such carcass falls on any planting seed which is to be sown, it remains clean.

38. But if water is put on the seed, and if a part of any such carcass falls on it, it becomes unclean to you.

39. 'And if any animal which you may eat dies, he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until evening.

40. He who eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. He also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening.

41. 'And every creeping thing that creeps on the earth shall be an abomination. It shall not be eaten.

42. Whatever crawls on its belly, whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet among all creeping things that creep on the earth—these you shall not eat, for they are an abomination.

MESSAGE:
The primary reason people eat is for them to be healthy and have the strength to do the things they need to do. This means that any food a person eats that weakens or shortens his or her life is not good for the fellow. In today's Bible reading, God gave the Israelites instructions on what to eat and what not to eat. Modern-day scientists have discovered that the foods God allowed them to eat are good for our health, while the ones He said they shouldn't eat are bad for our health. I believe this contributed to their unusual strength and vigour in the wilderness (Psalm 105:37).

God cares about your health. He doesn't want you falling sick all the time because sickness doesn't glorify Him. Don't eat junk foods that endanger your health and then run to God to seek healing when the doctor's report comes out. You should glorify Him with your body by eating only foods that will keep you healthy.

Nowadays, many crops are grown and preserved with chemicals. This is why you should have your own garden and grow some of your own food if you have the opportunity to do so. When people contract diseases, they hardly trace them to the food they eat. However, some of the foods they eat are silent killers.

As good and important as food is, it can also make a fellow weak spiritually and physically. When you see people who have become obese because they eat whatever they like whenever they like, you will notice that they are usually weak. If you notice that getting up from a seat takes longer and requires more effort than it should, you should check your diet. Besides checking what you eat, it is also important to check when you eat. You cannot eat very heavy food late in the night and expect to wake up in the middle of the night to pray. Those who eat for strength don’t just eat anything; they eat what will make them strong. Fruits and vegetables will provide you with strength, therefore you should eat a lot of them. Also, avoid eating excessive sugary foods as too much sugar, like any other thing, is harmful.

Beloved, God needs you to be fit and healthy so you can express His glory on the earth and fulfil your destiny in Him. Glorify Him with your body; eat right!

KEY POINT:
Be mindful of what, when, and how you eat.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Proverbs 30-31

HYMNAL:
HYMN 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,
Feed me now and evermore.

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

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! Song of praises!
I will ever give to Thee,
I will ever give to Thee.

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,
Take Thy waiting people home.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY JULY 8TH 2025

TOPIC: TRUE BEAUTY

MEMORISE:
“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” - (1 Peter 3:4)

READ: 1 PETER 3:3-11 (KJV)

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

MESSAGE:
It is good to pay attention to your physical appearance; however, this should not become an obsession. Many people have become so obsessed with their physical appearance that they spend lots of time and money on artificial hair, make-up, cosmetic surgery, and revealing clothes, thinking this will make them more attractive. This sort of obsession is not befitting of Christians. For example, applying heavy cosmetics and undergoing cosmetic surgery is a way of telling God that He has not created you the right way. Wearing tight and revealing clothes is also a way of saying that you're cheap and available. As a genuine Christian, your true beauty is not determined by your outward appearance but by the things that lie within you.

You should only give moderate time and attention to your looks. If a believer spends three hours dressing up every morning, I wonder if he or she has a quiet time with God at all. Colossians 3:2 says that your primary focus should be on things above, not things on the earth. Matthew 6:21 also says that where your treasure is, there will your heart be. If you are spending so much resources on your outward appearance, it shows where your heart actually is and what you are really focused on. Some Christians go as far as getting cosmetic surgery to enhance certain parts of their body. Some of them cannot sacrifice their comfort for the sake of the gospel, but they are willing to risk their lives to enhance their appearance.

It is good to look good, but please pay more attention to looking more beautiful on the inside than you are on the outside. What makes a person really beautiful is his or her character and good deeds. Dorcas was full of good works and generosity. She was vibrant in her relationship with God and fervent in her love for humanity. When she died, the people in her community refused to let her go. They sent for Peter to come and wake her up because her impact was truly powerful (Acts 9:36-42). If all she was known for were her face and body structure, nobody would have gone the extra mile to get Peter to wake her from the dead.

Beloved, when you live for God, your life will be truly beautiful, and long after you have crossed over to eternity, people will still be blessed by your impact. Focus on reflecting true beauty, not just your outward appearance.

KEY POINT:
True beauty is in being a person of excellent character, virtues, and impact.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PROVERBS 27-29

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 7 - I AM THINE O LORD

1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]

3 Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]

4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY JULY 8TH 2025

TOPIC: TRUE BEAUTY

MEMORISE:
“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” - (1 Peter 3:4)

READ: 1 PETER 3:3-11 (KJV)

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

MESSAGE:
It is good to pay attention to your physical appearance; however, this should not become an obsession. Many people have become so obsessed with their physical appearance that they spend lots of time and money on artificial hair, make-up, cosmetic surgery, and revealing clothes, thinking this will make them more attractive. This sort of obsession is not befitting of Christians. For example, applying heavy cosmetics and undergoing cosmetic surgery is a way of telling God that He has not created you the right way. Wearing tight and revealing clothes is also a way of saying that you're cheap and available. As a genuine Christian, your true beauty is not determined by your outward appearance but by the things that lie within you.

You should only give moderate time and attention to your looks. If a believer spends three hours dressing up every morning, I wonder if he or she has a quiet time with God at all. Colossians 3:2 says that your primary focus should be on things above, not things on the earth. Matthew 6:21 also says that where your treasure is, there will your heart be. If you are spending so much resources on your outward appearance, it shows where your heart actually is and what you are really focused on. Some Christians go as far as getting cosmetic surgery to enhance certain parts of their body. Some of them cannot sacrifice their comfort for the sake of the gospel, but they are willing to risk their lives to enhance their appearance.

It is good to look good, but please pay more attention to looking more beautiful on the inside than you are on the outside. What makes a person really beautiful is his or her character and good deeds. Dorcas was full of good works and generosity. She was vibrant in her relationship with God and fervent in her love for humanity. When she died, the people in her community refused to let her go. They sent for Peter to come and wake her up because her impact was truly powerful (Acts 9:36-42). If all she was known for were her face and body structure, nobody would have gone the extra mile to get Peter to wake her from the dead.

Beloved, when you live for God, your life will be truly beautiful, and long after you have crossed over to eternity, people will still be blessed by your impact. Focus on reflecting true beauty, not just your outward appearance.

KEY POINT:
True beauty is in being a person of excellent character, virtues, and impact.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PROVERBS 27-29

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 7 - I AM THINE O LORD

1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]

3 Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]

4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]