OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 9 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 9 OCTOBER 2024 READ, Proverbs 3:5-6

5. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Open Heaven 9 October 2024

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 9 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

Teenagers face different challenges that may make them doubt the existence of God or His response to their needs.

However, I will emphasize that God is faithful, and He never fails His children who put their trust in Him.

I remember when God told me to leave my job as a senior lecturer at the university to go into full-time ministry.

At that time, pastoring was unpopular because the few pastors that we knew then were poor and uneducated.

It was a new terrain that I never envisaged for myself at all, but my Commander-inChief told me to dive in!

At that time, my salary was more than the entire income of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

After I realized that there would be no more income to sustain myself and my family, I cried bitterly, but God told me to trust Him because He was my new Employer, and He would not let me suffer.

All He expected of me was to place my complete trust in Him. By His special grace, I have trusted Him, I am still trusting Him, and He has never failed me.

My dear child, no matter what you are going through, please don’t shift your gaze from God.

Commit your ways to Him and trust Him to make all things beautiful for you in His time.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 9 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

Trust God; He never fails.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 9 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 35

‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

4. I’m so glad I learn’d to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend,
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 9 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 12:1-14:10 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8

OPEN HEAVEN 9 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believe th on me shall never thirst. John 6:35

OPEN HEAVEN 9 OCTOBER 2024 READ: John 10:9-10

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

OPEN HEAVENS 9 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

Many people have sought to find out the real meaning and essence of life.

I have discovered that the only thing that gives life meaning is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Without Christ, life has no meaning. Without Christ, a man is like a boat, rocked back and forth by the waves of this world.

He may pursue a variety of personal objectives, amass wealth, achieve success in one field or the other, or gain pleasure in one thing or another, but soon he will discover that they are all momentary and unsatisfying without Christ.

No matter how rich you become, Ecclesiastes 5:10 says that money doesn’t satisfy. In Christ, you have everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

In Ephesians 2:1, Apostle Paul referred to those without Christ as being ‘dead in trespasses and sins’.

He said in verse 3 that they fulfil the desires of the flesh, and if anyone has lived long enough, he or she would have discovered that the desires of the flesh do not bring satisfaction.

At the end of the day, what people need to gain the joy that they seek is to satisfy the burning desire to connect with their Maker, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Until that is done, they will always feel empty. Cars, awards, titles, and all the money in this world can never fill that void in their hearts.

Until they have a relationship with Christ, their lives will remain meaningless.

This is why when people become born again, all of a sudden, they feel this inner peace that cannot be explained. What follows after is joy.

Life now suddenly has a meaning-

Beloved, make Christ your top priority. Don’t trade Him for money or anything else because it will profit you nothing if you gain the whole world and lose your soul (Matthew 16:26).

People who do not have Christ will not only live a life of depression and chaos on earth, but they will also suffer for eternity in hell.

The worst thing about hell is not the unquenchable fire and undying worms that will torture its occupants (Mark 9:48); it is the eternal separation from God and the regret of choosing to continue in sin despite hearing several messages of God’s salvation.

Save yourself from that torment by giving your life to Christ now if you haven’t done so, and ensure you live holy henceforth.

NOTE: If you are born again, you can make this message into a tract. Put the contact details of any RCCG parish at the back of the tract so that people who read it can have a minister of God to call for counselling and prayers. Use it to win souls to Christ.

OPEN HEAVEN 9 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

A life without Christ is empty.

OPEN HEAVEN 9 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 10:

IN CHRIST ALONE

1. In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

2. In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay

3. Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4. No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

OPEN HEAVEN 9 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 23-24

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has apologised for saying that Christians who don’t pay tithe might not make it to heaven.

Daddy had previously said that paying tithe was one of the essential criteria to make heaven.

But he apologised for the statement which he explained as a “mistake” while addressing the youth congregation on Thursday at the ongoing Youth Convention of the RCCG at the Redemption City, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

He clarified that to make it to Heaven, you need to live a peaceful and holy life, according to the bible.

“I’m apologising for saying that ‘If you don’t pay tithe, you might not make it to heaven” sorry, that is wrong, that’s not in the Bible. What the Bible says is ‘Be at peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God’,” he stated.

Open Heaven 8 October 2024

Daddy Adeboye explained “It is possible to be right and wrong at the same time. I will prove it to you. I’m a scientist so I know that for years, we thought that light travels in straight lines….

“Later on we discovered light travels in waves. It is not straight as a road, going in one direction but in waves”.

“It is wrong to limit you to 10 per cent at a time when some of you should be talking of 20, 30, 40 per cent. 10 per cent should be for beginners. Giving should be violently I believe God will give me an opportunity very soon to give you the details.”

He further illustrated the story of a man who pledged to give N3.5 million, equal to the sum of donations of whole congregants during a fundraising at a conference of late American preacher, Kenneth Hagin.

He said he had since been challenged to pay beyond 10 per cent as tithe when upon inquiry the man disclosed to him that “five years ago I started a company with 500 dollars and I said to God your are mine senior partner…, prosper the business and I will not insult you with 10 per cent, I will give you 90 per cent. He said five years later my turnover is $50 million.”

“From that day onward I have been increasing my own steadily. I’ve not reached 90 per cent yet, but I’m far from 10 per cent. It’s wrong for me to say you should be paying only 10 per cent,” daddy Adeboye said.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 8 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 8 OCTOBER 2024 READ Proverbs 13:20

20. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Open Heaven 8 October 2024

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 8 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

Friendship is beautiful that can propel a fellow towards achieving a glorious destiny. On the other hand, friendship can also mar someone’s destiny.

This is the reason the Bible warns us to be wise about the people we associate with.

The first thing that will guide you in choosing the right friends is the discovery of your purpose.

When you realise why God sent you to the earth, you will be careful to choose the right people as friends to help you on your journey.

Some people have destroyed their destinies, businesses, or marriages because of friends, while some have been launched into greatness as a result of their friends.

My dear child, the ball is in your court. Choose friendships that will help you fulfil your God-given purpose, not the ones that will pull you down.

While you must choose wise company, you must also look at yourself and ask, “Am I a good friend?” The Bible says: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:… Proverbs 18:2

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 8 OCTOBER 2024KEY POINT

Choose your friends wisely.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 8 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 54

THERE’S NOT A FRIEND LIKE THE LOWLY JESUS

1. There’s Not A Friend Like The Lowly Jesus,
No, Not One! No, Not One!
None Else Could Heal All Our Souls’ Diseases,
No, Not One! No, Not One!

Refrain:
Jesus Knows All About Our Struggles,
He Will Guide Till The Day Is Done;
There’s Not A Friend Like The Lowly Jesus,
No, Not One! No, Not One!

2. No Friend Like Him Is So High And Holy,
No, Not One! No, Not One!
And Yet No Friend Is So Meek And Lowly,
No, Not One! No, Not One!

3. There’s Not An Hour That He Is Not Near Us,
No, Not One! No, Not One!
No Night So Dark But His Love Can Cheer Us,
No, Not One! No, Not One!

4. Did Ever Saint Find This Friend Forsake Him?
No, Not One! No, Not One!
Or Sinner Find That He Would Not Take Him?
No, Not One! No, Not One!

5. Was E’er A Gift Like The Saviour Given?
No, Not One! No, Not One!
Will He Refuse Us A Home In Heaven?
No, Not One! No, Not One!

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 8 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 10:1-11:23 Colossians 3:18-4:18

OPEN HEAVEN 8 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

OPEN HEAVEN 8 OCTOBER 2024 READ: Joel 2:25-26

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

OPEN HEAVEN 8 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

Today, I will conclude my teaching on ‘impossible prayers. There is a popular saying that an opportunity, once lost, can never be regained.

The fellow who said that did not put God in the equation. With God, nothing is impossible. He can restore the unrestorable.

You might have lost an opportunity in the past and now you think that it is impossible to regain that opportunity.

However, there is nothing impossible with God. In Ezekiel 37: 1-11, God restored life to dry bones.

God can restore that opportunity that you think is long gone to you if you have faith. He specializes in doing the impossible.

When I was studying at the University of Lagos, I applied to the Federal Ministry of Education for a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree.

Time passed, and I never got a response from the ministry. Somehow, I raised the money for my tuition, and life went on.

When I was close to obtaining the Master’s degree, I met someone I used to know back when I was a games master in a secondary school.

He was a games master at another school, and we had met when both of our schools were involved in a competition.

As we talked, I found out that he now worked at the Federal Ministry of Education. I told him, “You people are very tough at the ministry.

I applied for a scholarship, and I wasn’t even called for an interview.” He told me that he would look into it.

I thought I would get a letter asking me to come for an interview, but to my surprise, the letter I got was to tell me that I had been awarded the scholarship.

Since l had already paid my tuition, I bought a land and built my first house with the money I was awarded.

God used a casual meeting to restore an opportunity that I thought was long gone, and it led to me building my first house.

What you may have lost could be more serious. If you have lost your first love for Christ, and the passion and love that you had for Him at the beginning seems to have died, God will restore your love for Him today, in Jesus’ name.

You can love Him far more than you ever did. All you have to do is cooperate with Him as He guides you on what to do for that love to be restored.

OPEN HEAVEN 8 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

God can reverse the irreversible.

OPEN HEAVEN 8 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 16

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

o Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

2. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

OPEN HEAVEN 8 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 21-22

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 7 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 7 OCTOBER 2024 READ Psalm 121:1-8

1. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

3. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Open Heaven 7 October 2024

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 7 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

One of my sons likes today’s Bible reading passage so much that anytime he is preaching, he would say, “Your help is not from abroad but from above.”

He once shared his story with me: he was one of the poorest in his lineage; he was so poor that he once got a waistcoat and a pair of trousers as a gift, and he wore them for ten years as it was the only corporate attire he had.

One day, he cried to God for help, and God gave him a song, “Remember me Oh Lord, remember me Oh Lord, remember me Oh Lord today…” This song has remained on the lips of many Christians in serious need.

To the glory of God, this son has built churches for God, sponsored many children’s education, and is still marching on in his journey to eternity with God.

My dear child, the ‘soft life’ that you seek can be found in God alone.

If you seek help through other means, your enjoyment will be short-lived, but if you allow God to help you, He will bless you, and there will be no sorrow added to you (Proverbs 10:22).

Please ask Him for the grace to remain steadfast until He comes through for you.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 7 OCTOBER 2024 ACTION POINT

Call on God today, and ask Him to help you.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 7 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 45

O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

1. O God, Our Help In Ages Past
Our Hope For Years To Come
Our Shelter From The Stormy Blast
And Our Eternal Home

2. Under The Shadow Of Thy Throne
Thy Saints Have Dwelt Secure
Sufficient Is Thine Arm Alone
And Our Defence Is Sure

3. Before The Hills In Order Stood
Or Earth Received Her Frame
From Everlasting Thou Art God
To Endless Years The Same

4. A Thousand Ages In Thy Sight
Are Like An Evening Gone
Short As The Watch That Ends The Night
Before The Rising Sun

5. Time, Like An Ever-Rolling Stream
Bears All Its Sons Away
They Fly Forgotten, As A Dream
Dies At The Opening Day

6. O God, Our Help In Ages Past
Our Hope For Years To Come
Be Thou Our Guard While Trouble Last
And Our Eternal Home

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 7 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 8:8-9:26 Colossians 3:1-17

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 6 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord. Proverbs 19:3

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 6 OCTOBER 2024 READ: Habakkuk 1:13

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

Open Heaven 6 October 2024

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 6 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE:

When some people go through difficult times, they ask God questions such as: “God, why didn’t you stop me from making that decision? Why did you allow my mom to die?

Why did you put me in a world with so much wickedness? Why didn’t you protect me?”

My dear child, regardless of whatever happens to you, God is still God, and His ways are not our ways.

Remember the story of Job; despite the pressure from his friends and wife to curse God for allowing great tribulation to come upon him, he still judged God faithful.

No wonder the Bible says that Job was an upright and righteous man.

Don’t blame God when bad things happen; He has promised that even though we live in this wicked world and encounter many challenges, He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5-6).

My dear child, let every challenge that you face draw you closer to God and make you worship Him.

I implore you to trust Him more because He is Omnipotent; He has the power to control all situations and make all things work together for your good

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 6 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

Never blame God when things don’t go your way. Instead, trust Him because He’s working everything for your good.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 6 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 53

‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend,
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 6 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 6:7 Colossians 2:8-23

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 5 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee. 1 Samuel 13:14

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 5 OCTOBER 2024 READ: 1 Samuel 16:1-23

[1]And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

[2]And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.

[3]And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

[4]And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

[5]And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

[6]And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.

[7]But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

[8]Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

[9]Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

[10]Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

[11]And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

[12]And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

[13]Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

[14]But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

[15]And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

[16]Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

[17]And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

[18]Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

[19]Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

[20]And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

[21]And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.

[22]And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

[23]And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 5 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

One of the notable bible characters whose name spanned through history was David.

He was a king, priest, and songwriter who wrote more than half of the book of Psalms.

David knew how to thank God and dance before Him, both in private and in public.

David impressed God so much that God referred to him as “a man after my heart” (Acts 13:22).

Anytime he made an error, he would not justify his sin, but he would run to God to ask for mercy, and he would not make that sin a habit.

This is one lesson to glean from David – he never committed a sin twice.

Have you been corrected many times over an offence? You need to repent today.

No parent will be happy with any child who keeps repeating the same offence.

Therefore, if you want your parents to be happy with you all the time, you should take to corrections.

Also, if you want God to love you specially, run away from sin.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 5 OCTOBER 2024 REFLECTION

What is your attitude towards correction?

 

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 5 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 44

DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS

1. Deeper, Deeper In The Love Of Jesus
Daily Let Me Go;
Higher, Higher In The School Of Wisdom,
More Of Grace To Know.
Refrain:
Oh, Deeper Yet, I Pray,
And Higher Ev’ry Day,
And Wiser, Blessed, Lord,
In Thy Precious, Holy WorD.

2. Deeper, Deeper! Blessed Holy Spirit,
Take Me Deeper Still,
Till My Life Is Wholly Lost In Jesus,
And His Perfect Will. [Refrain]

3. Deeper, Deeper! Tho’ It Cost Hard Trials,
Deeper Let Me Go!
Rooted In The Holy Love Of Jesus,
Let Me Fruitful Grow. [Refrain]

4. Deeper, Higher, Ev’ry Day In Jesus,
Till All Conflict Past,
Finds Me Conqu’ror, And In His Own Image
Perfected At Last. [Refrain]

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 5 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 4:15, Colossians 1:18-2:7

OPEN HEAVEN 6 OCTOBER 2024 SUNDAY: DANGEROUS PRAYERS

OPEN HEAVEN 6 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10

OPEN HEAVEN 6 OCTOBER 2024 READ: 2 Kings 2:9-12; 2 Kings 2:23-24

2 Kings 2:9-12:

⁹ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

¹⁰ And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

¹¹ And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

¹² And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

2 Kings 2:23-24:

²³ And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

²⁴ And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

OPEN HEAVEN 6 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

In continuation of my teaching on the categories of prayer, I will focus on dangerous prayers today.

Some prayers are dangerous because what will follow if God answers them will be dangerous. This is because to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

The prayer for God to anoint you and give you spiritual gifts is a dangerous prayer.

The greater your anointing, the more visible you will be to the enemy. When you read Judges 15, you will see how powerful Samson was.

However, in Judges 16, you will see how dangerous that power was. This is why I spend quality time praying for my children who are evangelists.

I thank God for their lives and the miracles happening through them, but I also know that the anointing makes them very visible to the enemy, and they need to be protected.

The enemy is always after anointed people. In 2 Kings 1:7- 15, the king sent a total of 153 soldiers to arrest Elijah.

However, in Kings 6:8-16, when the king wanted to arrest Elisha, who had a double-portion anointing, he sent the entire army.

There is a level of wealth and influence that, if you ask God for and He gives it to you, will have dangerous results.

This is why sometimes, God holds some things back from some people, because He knows that they cannot handle them.

Like Elisha, if you ask God for a level of the anointing and He gives it to you, your tongue will not remain the same With it, you can bless, and you can also kill.

In 2 Kings 2:19-24, Elisha spoke, and the curse that had been on Jericho for generations vanished.

Also, he decreed a curse on 42 unruly children, and they all died immediately.

It is good to ask for great things, but when you do, remember Numbers 20:1-12. Moses had led the Israelites for 40 years, he made only one mistake, and God said that he wouldn’t go into the Promised Land because of it.

This is why it is important to always pray for your leaders especially your spiritual leaders. The power that they possess can both heal and kill.

In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira sold a land, brought less than the amount they received to Peter, and that deception cost them their lives.

Power can bless, kill, heal, and make sick; be sure you can handle it before you ask for it.

In 2 Kings 5:1-27, Naaman was cleansed by obeying an instruction from Elisha, and Gehazi became a leper by another word from the same mouth.

OPEN HEAVEN 6 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

Make sure you are sanctified in Christ before you ask for great power from Him.

OPEN HEAVEN 6 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 1

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME

OPEN HEAVEN 6 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 14-17

LESSON SIX (06)
TOPIC: MEN-PLEASERS

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 6:5-8 (NKJV)
[5]Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
[6]not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
[7]with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
[8]knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

MEMORY VERSE: “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.” Colossians 3:22 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: A “Men-Pleaser” is an individual who strives to please men or seeks to gain their favour with an ulterior motive. If the motive for your actions, speeches or attitudes is to always please men or the world rather than God, then you are in the category of men-pleasers (Acts 5:29).

OUTLINES:
1. Characteristics And Dangers Of Pleasing Men
2. Overcoming Men-Pleasing Attitudes

1. CHARACTERISTICS AND DANGERS OF PLEASING MEN
There are peculiar traits associated with men pleasers that tend to separate them from the rest of humanity. Some of these are:
1. LOVE FOR HUMAN PRAISE: They are known to love the praise of men and to receive special appellations from other people (John 12:43).
2. EMOTIONAL TOXICITY: They can do anything including to “murder” people, either physically, spiritually or emotionally. While Herod used physical weapons such as imprisonment or guns (Acts 12:1-3), some other people used their tongue, position etc.
3. MANIPULATION OF JUSTICE: Men pleasers usually have undue respect for men such that they tamper with justice and deliver injustice to the poor (Deuteronomy 1:17).
4. FEAR OF MEN: They exhibit fear of man as one of their peculiar traits, they always forget that the fear of man often brings a snare (Proverbs 29: 25).
5. However, the scripture warns against being men-pleasers because of the inherent dangers.
Anyone who has the habit of pleasing men will live in perpetual bondage (1 Samuel 15:24). Such a person will lose his or her freedom. Also, men-pleasers will become accomplices in sin (Proverbs 28:21). The person will not have a mind of his or her own and will be easily tossed (Ephesians 4:14). Men-pleasers will become the enemy of God (James 4:4b) because of the attention given to men other than God. Men-pleasers will eventually experience the wrath of God because such a person is working contrary to God (Isaiah 30:1-2; Jeremiah 17:5).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should mention the additional dangers of pleasing men.

2. OVERCOMING MEN-PLEASING ATTITUDES
Men-pleasing attitudes can be overcome through a high degree of seriousness and consistency. Rededicate and consecrate your heart to God by putting the Almighty in His true and deserving first position (Deuteronomy 6:5). God must always be your delight (Psalm 37:4) and love Him passionately (1 John 4:19). Follow people, as they follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Stop putting your hope in men because vain is the help of man (Psalm 60:11). Pray more in the Spirit for courage (Joshua 1:6) to say no and you will prevail over men-pleasing attitudes.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Have you tried to please men before, what was the outcome?

CONCLUSION: God is supreme, worthy of our worship and does not like competition. Beware of men-pleasing attitudes.

QUESTIONS:
* What are the dangers of pleasing men?
* Mention three ways to overcome men-pleasing attitudes.

FURTHER READING: SUN: Rom.1:16; MON: 1Sam.15:24; TUE: Ps.20:7; WED: Acts 10:35; THUR: 2Sam.1:1-16; FRI: 1Thess.2:4; SAT: Eph.6:1-8.

ASSIGNMENT: State five (5) likely dangers of pleasing men above God. (2X5=10 Marks).