OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THURSDAY, JULY 9TH, 2026
MEMORISE:
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
-Colossians 2:13
READ: Ephesians 2:1-6
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
MESSAGE:
Years ago, I visited a country which had one of the largest cemeteries in the world.
On top of every grave in that cemetery, there is a concrete slab, and some homeless residents of that city lived in tents that were built over these slabs.
Beloved, do you know that people who have not given their lives to Christ or who claim to have done so but are still indulging in sin are living in a spiritual city of the dead?
Today’s Bible reading tells us that we were once dead in our sins and trespasses before Jesus made us alive through His death and resurrection.
He went to the city of the dead and took the keys of hell and death from satan (Revelation 1:18). Jesus died so that nobody would have to experience the torture of eternal death.
If you are currently living in the city of the dead, I implore you to escape from there right now by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour before it is too late.
Turn to Him today, and He will change your address from the city of the dead to the Kingdom of Life.
If you are God’s child, it is your responsibility to preach the gospel to those who haven’t given their lives to Jesus Christ.
Don’t be so busy minding your business that you neglect the Lord’s business of witnessing to lost souls.
Sometimes, the blessing you desire is hidden in your obedience to the Lord’s command to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations.
Years ago, a lady was praying to God for a husband, and God told her, Go out and win souls.
“Your husband is not part of My family yet.” She obeyed and focused on preaching to the lost.
About six months later, she came to me and said, “Daddy, I have a problem.”
I asked her what the problem was, and she said, “One of the converts that I have just won to Christ says that he wants to marry me.”
I asked her to pray about it and accept his proposal if she’s convinced about him. Today, they are one of the best couples that I know.
Beloved, if God has saved you from the city of the dead, don’t be selfish; reach out to those who are still living there so they can also join you in His Kingdom of Life.
KEY POINT:
It is every Christian’s responsibility to witness to those who are still living in the city of the dead.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 30-31
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 32: 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]
