The Open Heaven 22 April 2025 devotional for today is BECOMING A TERROR TO THE DEVIL. The author of this daily devotion is Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 22 APRIL 2025 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: BECOMING A TERROR TO THE DEVIL
MEMORISE
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isaiah 61:1
READ: Judges 16:1-3
Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.
2 And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.
3 And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 22 APRIL 2025 TODAY MESSAGE
Why did a whole army choose to wait until morning to attack just one man as we read in today’s Bible text? I believe it was because they were afraid of Samson, and they knew they would need light in case he turned on them and they had to run. Who can make you a terror to the forces of darkness and use you to force open the gates of a city for the light of the gospel to flood in? The answer is the Holy Spirit.
I recall when we first started to hold crusades across Nigeria in our hunger to do God’s work.
We would call all the ministers together at our chosen location, feed them, and explain that we wanted to hold a crusade in their city. They would come, eat our food, promise their full cooperation, and on the day of the crusade, they would all fix programmes in their churches so there would be nobody to attend our crusade. After some time, out of frustration, I told God, “Father, I want to do your work, but I’m spending and being spent without getting results.” God replied, “The fault is yours; you’re trying to do my work without the Holy Spirit.”
When secret cults were beginning to take over Nigerian universities, the Holy Spirit ministered to me to take the Holy Ghost Service to the universities. I started with the University of Ibadan, and when we told them we were hosting a Holy Ghost Service, all the students, lecturers, and the Vice-Chancellor came out.
To make matters interesting, as I took the microphone that day, the rain began. Although we were in the open, no one left, not even the Vice-Chancellor! When we asked those who wanted to forsake their secret societies to come forward, because the Holy Spirit was there, thousands of people came out.
Beloved, above all you do, cultivate an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, and He will not only empower you but will also transform your life. For example, before I became born again, I lived in fear and could not visit my village because I was afraid of the forces of darkness there. Nowadays, however, I announce my visits ahead because I have been empowered by my intimacy with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will make you a terror to the kingdom of darkness as He did with the early disciples (Acts 17:6) if you surrender your life to Jesus Christ and build an intimate relationship with Him.
KEY POINT:
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to destroy the works of the devil.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
2 Kings 11-13
HYMN 12: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 22 APRIL 2025 COMMENTARY
Today’s devotional anchors on Isaiah 61:1, where the Spirit of the Lord empowers His servants to proclaim liberty and break chains. Through the examples of Samson and Daddy Adeboye’s personal experiences, we see how the Holy Spirit transforms ordinary believers into agents of divine disruption against darkness.
1. The Holy Spirit Makes You a Terror to Darkness (Judges 16:1-3)
- Samson’s enemies feared him so much that an entire army hesitated to attack him at night (Judges 16:2). Why?
- Supernatural strength: The Spirit empowered him to tear city gates apart (Judges 16:3).
- Divine intimidation: The kingdom of darkness trembles at Spirit-filled believers (James 4:7; Acts 19:15).
- Application:
- You are not weak—the same Spirit lives in you (Romans 8:11).
- Your presence should unsettle demonic strongholds (Luke 10:19).
2. Human Effort Fails Without the Holy Spirit
Pastor Adeboye recounts early ministry struggles:
- Crusades flopped because of competition and lack of unity.
- God’s rebuke: “You’re trying to do My work without the Holy Spirit.”
- Lesson: Programs, strategies, and resources mean nothing without the Spirit’s power(Zechariah 4:6).
Modern Parallel:
- Are you striving in ministry, business, or family life in your own strength? Surrender to the Spirit’s leading.
3. The Holy Spirit Brings Breakthroughs (University Crusade Testimony)
- At the University of Ibadan:
- Rain fell, but no one left—a sign of divine hunger (John 6:37).
- Thousands renounced secret cults because the Spirit convicted them (John 16:8).
- Key Insight:
- Where the Spirit is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).
- Cultural strongholds crumble when the Church operates in the Spirit’s authority.
Application:
- Pray for Holy Ghost invasions in schools, workplaces, and governments.
- Expect divine interruptions when you step out in faith.
4. Intimacy with the Holy Spirit Transforms Your Life
Daddy Adeboye’s personal transformation:
- From fear to boldness: Once afraid of village witchcraft, now he announces his visits to challenge darkness.
- From powerless to empowered: Like the early disciples (Acts 4:13), intimacy with the Spirit makes you unshakeable.
How to Cultivate This Intimacy:
- Surrender daily (Galatians 5:25).
- Pray in the Spirit (Jude 1:20).
- Obey His promptings (Acts 8:29).
Conclusion: You Are Called to Be a Gatebreaker
- Samson tore gates open—the Church must force open spiritual gates for the Gospel (Matthew 16:18).
- The Holy Spirit is your advantage: Stop relying on human methods; let Him lead.
Final Challenge:
- Ask for fresh fire (Acts 4:31).
- Step into your identity: You are a terror to hell and a carrier of light (Matthew 5:14).
Prayer:
“Holy Spirit, overshadow me. Make me a bold witness, break every chain through me, and use me to flood dark places with Your light. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
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