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?

OPENING PRAYER: Father, deliver me from eye service in the name of Jesus.

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).

TEACHER’S DIARY
LESSON AIM: To teach the church about men-pleasers and its attendant danger.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this study, students should be able to:
a. Know what it means to be men-pleasers.
b. Identify the characteristics of men-pleasers.
c. Recognise the inherent danger of being a men-pleaser.
d. Understand how to overcome this attitude.

TEXT REVIEW: Ephesians 6:5-8.
The Apostle Paul speaks about our relationship with men.
a. For the servants he says obey your masters with fear and trembling, with a heart that is true as unto Christ, V5.
b. Not with:
i. ……………………………………….V6a.
ii. ………………………………………………V6b.
iii. ……………………………………………..V6c.
c. With good will doing service as unto God and not men, V7.
d. Having the understanding that whatsoever a man does, he shall receive despite his status, V8.

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

1. CHARACTERISTIC AND DANGERS OF PLEASING MEN
A. 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).

B. However, the scripture warns against being men-pleasers because of the inherent dangers.
1. 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.
2. 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).
3. Men-pleasers will become the enemy of God (James 4:4b) because of the attention given to men other than God.
4. 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: Therefore,
1. Rededicate and consecrate your heart to God by putting the Almighty in His true and deserving first position (Deuteronomy 6:5).
2. God must always be your delight (Psalm 37:4) and love Him passionately (1 John 4:19).
3. 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).
4. 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.

EVALUATION: Mention five things you can do to overcome men-pleasing attitudes.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, deliver me from men-pleasing attitudes in Jesus mighty name.

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

LESSON SIX (06)
TOPIC: I KNOW WHO I AM

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: Matthew 16:13-17.
[13]When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
[14]And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
[15]He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
[16]And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
[17]And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’’ 2 Corinthians 5:17.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 4 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. Psalm 125:1

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 4 OCTOBER 2024 READ: Psalm 125:1-2

1. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

2. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

Open Heaven 4 October 2024

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 4 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

The magnitude of chaos in some parts of the world today is capable of destabilising the psychology of a young person.

In my days, the economy was better, perversions were not this prevalent, young people respected their elders, and love was evident.

I pray that God will turn things around and give us better days, in Jesus’ name.

Growing children need stability in order to flourish in their families and their academics.

This stability can reduce the impact of external difficulties or pressure that they have to endure.

It is very important that children and young people form positive relationships so that they can thrive, feel safe, and be equipped for success.

However, true stability can only come from God.
The Bible says, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle but safety is of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31).

This means that it is only in Jesus that a fellow can find stability.

I encourage you to get closer to God from today; He knows how your tomorrow will be.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 4 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

Only God can give you stability in an unstable world.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 4 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 40

CHRIST IS OUR CORNER-STONE

1. Christ Is Our Corner-Stone;
On Him Alone We Build;
With His True Saints Alone
The Courts Of Heaven Are Filled;
On His Great Love
Our Hopes We Place
Of Present Grace,
And Joys Above.

2. Oh, Then, With Hymns Of Praise
These Hallow’d Courts Shall Ring:
Our Voices We Will Raise,
The Three In One To Sin;
And Thus Proclaim
In Joyful Song,
Both Loud And Long,
That Glorious Name.

3. Here, Gracious God, Do Thou
For Evermore Draw Nigh;
Accept Each Faithful Vow,
And Mark Each Suppliant Sigh;
In Copious Shower
On All Who Pray,
Each Holy Day,
Thy Blessings Pour.

4. Here May We Gain From Heaven
The Grace Which We Implore,
And May That Grace, Once Given
Be With Us Evermore;
Until That Day,
When All The Blest,
To Endless Rest
Are Called Away.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 4 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 2:18; Colossians 1:1-17

LESSON SIX (06)
TOPIC: I KNOW WHO I AM

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?

OPENING PRAYER: Father, give me a deeper revelation of who I am through this lesson in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 16:13-17.
[13]When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
[14]And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
[15]He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
[16]And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
[17]And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’’ 2 Corinthians 5:17.

INTRODUCTION: Every true child of God must be able to answer the question ‘Who are you?’ with confidence and full conviction. We must be clear about our identity because knowing who you are makes a difference in your life. Every child of God must be able to declare with boldness that ‘I am a child of God’ (Romans 8:16). Of course, the character of the person speaking must align with the declaration made.

TEACHER’S DIARY
LESSON AIM: To fuel believers’ conviction of their being in Christ.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this study, students are expected to:
• Understand their state in Christ.
• Know where they stand.
• Be able to boldly declare who they are in God to the world.

TEACHING PLAN: To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:
i. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion, and do class activities and assignments.
ii. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, and mark attendance and assignment.
iii. Teach the lesson outline, summarize, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give assignments.

TEXT REVIEW:.Matthew 16:13-17.
Jesus inquires about the conviction of His followers based on their past interactions and fellowship:
A. Coming into the coast of Philippi, He asked ……………………………………….? V13.
B. The Disciples replied: ………………V14.
C. Jesus asked them …………………? V15.
D. Simon Peter replied …………………V16.
E. Jesus answered ……………………………V17.

OUTLINES:
1. BEING BORN AGAIN
2. A CHANGED PERSON

1. BEING BORN AGAIN
1. A believer in Christ becomes a new creation by being born again (John 3:1-7).
i. The person becomes born again not by works of righteousness but by mercy. (Titus 3:5).
ii. The individual was dead in sin but now alive to God through the righteousness of Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5; Romans 6:11b).
iii. His sins are forgiven and the blood of Jesus has cleansed him (1 John 1:7; Romans 4:7-8).
iv. He is different from his old nature because he has been recreated in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. A believer in Christ is not of this world system (John 17:15-16).
i. The person is like a stranger and pilgrim (1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:13).
ii. He lives in the world as one passing through but the world is not passing through him (1Corinthians 7:31).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What are your convictions that you are truly a child of God?

2. A CHANGED PERSON
Several things change when a person gives his/her life to Christ:
1. Being born again confers a new identity to such a believer (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. He is changed from being a sinner to a saint (Philippians 4:21-22).
3. He used to focus and channel all his energy on earthly things but now has a new goal and that is to attain heaven at all cost (Colossians 3:1-2).
4. The lifestyle of a believer; his words, conducts and actions also change (Ephesians 4:22-32).
5. He is determined to please God in all things.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: How have you changed since you received Christ as your Lord and Saviour?

CONCLUSION: Be delighted and confident in declaring your identity in Christ.

QUESTIONS:
* What does it mean to be born again?
* Mention areas of change that are evident in a new birth.

EVALUATION: Mention three attributes of a changed person in Christ.

CLOSING PRAYER: I declare that I am a child of God, a new creature in Christ and as He is in heaven so am I on earth.

ASSIGNMENT: State five visible changes that have taken place in your life since you surrendered your life to Christ. (2×5=10 Marks).

LESSON FIVE (05)
TOPIC: JABEZ

HOUSE FELLOWSHIP ANTHEM
1. I love this family of God,
So closely knitted into one,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

2. I bless this family of God,
So greatly prospered by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

3. I know this family of God,
So deeply rooted in the word,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

4. I see this family of God,
So highly lifted above all,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

5. Come, join this family of God,
So highly favoured by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family.

OPENING PRAYER: Father please delete from my destiny evil program and handwriting of sorrow.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Leader should reflect carefully on last week lesson on “run it well” and benefits received when the race of destiny is ran well.

BIBLE TEXT: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
[9]And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
[10]And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

MEMORY VERSE: And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren and his mother called his name Jabez saying, because I bare him with sorrow. 1 Chronicles 4:9

LESSON INTRODUCTION: There is no mountain, human obstacles, family evil pronouncement, Almighty God cannot pull down or address but the factor to get it done is recorded in Matthew. 11:12 i.e being violent. Jacob wrestled with God until his destiny which was plagued with curses was divinely visited and corrected. To become honourable, be ready to enforce your liberty.

LESSON AIM: To have the understanding of what it takes to obtain what is yours and correcting what is odd in yourpath to greatness.

LEADER’S OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson members should be able to have:
a. Full knowledge of who Jabez is

TEXT REVIEW: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
• He refused to accept defeat.
• Though parents may bring you to an unfavourable predicaments but Almighty God has the final say.
• The solution to one’s situation begins with positive reaction to change it.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
WHO IS JABEZ?
– Jabez was from the tribe of Judah (praise) but was living in sorrow. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.
– At the beginning of his life, his mother commissioned him to life of sorrow. 1 Chron. 4:9
– He rejected evil spoken to his destiny by his mother.
– Hard time, life of struggles, reproach continued in his life until he (Jabez) reacted.
– Jabez initiated the process of solution for himself by calling on Almighty God for intervention. Jeremiah 33:3.
– He told God what he wanted:
1) God to bless him.
2) God to enlarge his coast i.e prosper his work.
3) God to keep him from all evil and disasters.
4) God to delete from his life things that is causing him to grieved.
– He refused to accept defeat. Numbers 14:28
– He quit the sorry state and delivered his generation from unknown embargo.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
YOUR INPUTS TO GREATNESS IS REQUIRED.
What are the inputs?
– Have perfect relationship with Almighty God.
– Be determined to succeed, never receive no for an answer.
– Go to the source of your problems and address it. 2 Kings 2:19-22.
– Be prayerful. Mark 9:29
– Obedience will sustain your greatness. 1 Samuel 15:18-22.
– Maintain your stand with God, keep on lane, and remain focused till the victory is won.
– Self-control and discipline is required. Genesis 49:5-7

SUMMARY: Christian should always be ready to reclaim everything belonging to them

CONCLUSION: Everyone created by God has mandate of walking in dominion, though there are adversaries to contend with, from immediate family to extended family members, neighbourhood, working place, e.t.c. This is the reason Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:9, that great and effectual doors are opened but there are adversaries to contend with. Fight for your destiny!

PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, destroy every power that commissioned my life sorrow.
2. I reject evil spoken word issued against my destiny.
3. Covenant that brought hard time, life of struggles, reproach to me is destroyed.
4. Father, initiate process of solution and intervention for my destiny.
5. Father, terminate programme of downward journey in my life.

GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK.
MONDAY: Be determined to succeed, never receive no for an answer.
TUESDAY: Go to the source of your problems and address it. 2 Kings 2:19-22.
WEDNESDAY: Be prayerful. Mark 9:29
THURSDAY: Obedience will sustain your greatness. 1 Samuel 15:18-22.
FRIDAY: Maintain your stand with God, keep on lane.
SATURDAY: Self-control and discipline is required. Genesis 49:5-7.
SUNDAY:Have perfect relationship with Almighty God.

OPEN HEAVEN 7 OCTOBER 2024 MONDAY: ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ PRAYERS I

OPEN HEAVEN 7 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. Numbers 13:30

OPEN HEAVEN 7 OCTOBER 2024 READ: Mark 11:12-24:

¹² And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

¹³ And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

¹⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

¹⁵ And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

¹⁶ And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

¹⁷ And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

¹⁸ And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

¹⁹ And when even was come, he went out of the city.

²⁰ And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

²¹ And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

²² And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

²³ For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

²⁴ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

OPEN HEAVEN 7 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

In continuing my teaching on the categories of prayer, I will focus on ‘impossible’ prayers today.

The Bible says that some things are impossible with men, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37).

If you have any doubt about this at all, just take a look at Redemption City, and you will know that with God, all things are possible.

There are buildings in Redemption City that were built in seven days and which have been standing for around 40 years.

The first secondary school building in the city is a two-storey building that was built in 18 days.

I don’t use human engineering, I use divine engineering because, with my God, nothing is impossible.

The moment God hears, “It can’t be done” from your mouth, it just may never be done.

This is because Numbers 14:28 says, “…as ye have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you:”

Despite a fellow’s unbelief, God’s purpose will always be done, only that He will raise up another generation that will get the work done.

In Numbers 13-14, twelve spies were sent to Jericho; ten of them came back and said that they couldn’t take the land, while only two said they could. God ensured that all the people who said that they couldn’t take the land were wiped out in the wilderness, while only the two who said that it was possible entered the land.

In 2 Kings 7:1-17, Elisha proclaimed a seemingly impossible economic breakthrough within 24 hours. Everyone in the room kept quiet except one man who said that even if God created windows in heaven, it would be impossible.

The breakthrough happened, but that man did not partake in it. Never say that anything is impossible; the moment someone says that something cannot be done, as far as he or she is concerned, it just may never be done.

When Jesus said in John 14:14, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it,” He was not joking.

Therefore, if l ask for something that seems impossible, He will give it to me because He did not put any limit on what I can ask for according to His will (1 John 5:14-15).

Beloved, don’t express doubt when it comes to God. Don’t try to understand what He can do and how He will do it. Just believe.

OPEN HEAVEN 7 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

Believe that with God, it can be done, and it will be done.

OPEN HEAVEN 7 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 1

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME

OPEN HEAVEN 7 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 18-20

OPEN HEAVEN 5 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. Isaiah 45:11

OPEN HEAVEN 5 OCTOBER 2024 READ: 2 Kings 20:1-11

1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

² Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying,

³ I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

⁴ And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

⁵ Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.

⁶ And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

⁷ And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

⁸ And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lordwill heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day?

⁹ And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lordwill do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?

¹⁰ And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.¹¹ And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

OPEN HEAVEN 5 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

Over the last three days, I have discussed very easy prayers and easy prayers. Today, I will talk about hard prayers.

You pray hard prayers when you ask God to change the natural order of things and negate the laid-down laws that govern the world.

For example, when Joshua stopped the sun from setting, he prayed for something that was contrary to nature (Joshua 10:12-14).

Also, in today’s Bible text, King Hezekiah wanted the sun to go backwards as a sign that he would be healed. That was a hard prayer, but God did it still.

If God answered these prayers by breaking the laws of nature just because someone asked Him to, then there is nothing that is too difficult to ask Him to do in your life.

Years ago, a pregnant woman came to me, saying that she already had daughters, but that her in-laws had threatened to chase her out of her husband’s house if she didn’t deliver a son with her current pregnancy.

I told her that according to science, a baby’s gender is decided within 72 hours after it is conceived.

She replied that I was not the one who will change the gender of the baby; all she wanted was for me to agree with her in prayers. I did so, and she gave birth to a boy.

You may say that the baby was probably a boy all along, however, I shared this testimony while preaching one day. and a woman came to meet me after the service.

She was eight months pregnant and had done a scan which revealed that the baby in her womb was a boy.

However, she wanted a girl because she wanted to be able to share her dresses with her daughter.

I told her, “You know very well that this baby is fully formed by now.” She replied that I was not the one who will perform the miracle; she just wanted me to agree with her in prayers. I did so, and she gave birth to a girl!

Nothing is too hard for God to do (Jeremiah 32:27). He made the laws of nature and can suspend them at any time.

He can reverse the irreversible just because you ask Him to. During one of our programmes, a man wanted to see the miracles happening at the altar and whispered to God that he would like to be taller.

He outgrew his trousers on the spot and everyone could see it! Indeed, nothing is too hard for God to do.

OPEN HEAVEN 5 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

There is no impossibility with God.

OPEN HEAVEN 5 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 22

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

OPEN HEAVEN 5 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 12-13

OPEN HEAVEN 4 OCTOBER 2024 FRIDAY: EASY PRAYERS

OPEN HEAVEN 4 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

OPEN HEAVEN 4 OCTOBER 2024 READ: Numbers 23:19-20

¹⁹ God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

²⁰ Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

OPEN HEAVEN 4 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

Today, I will continue my teaching on the various categories of prayer by looking at the second category: easy prayers.

You pray easy prayers when you ask God for what He has already guaranteed in the Bible. For example, asking God for your daily bread is asking for something that He has already guaranteed (Matthew 6:9-11).

The shepherd does not eat grass; it is meant for the sheep. So, when you ask God for food as His sheep, it is an easy prayer that He will answer easily (Psalm 23).

Psalm 35:27 says that God has pleasure in your prosperity. Therefore, asking for wealth is an easy prayer.

Years ago, when I asked God for money to build a small house in Mushin, Lagos, He said, “Don’t ask for a house, I have decided to give you a city.”

So, when seven of us gathered in Ilorin to pray for a campground, one of us began to prophesy, “I have already provided the land, I will only show it to you.”

The land was already provided because He guaranteed it in His word (Psalm 2:8). One of my children said, ‘Give me’ is the prayer of a child.

When your son comes to ask you for food, he is just saying, “I am ready for the next ration,” he is not bothered about the provision of the food.

In the same vein, you should not be bothered about things that God has already promised you in the Scriptures. They are already provided for you, so all you need to do is ask, and you will get them at the right time.

There is no need to worry about money, food, or all those things that make you comfortable; God has already provided them (Matthew 6:25-34).

When you worry about the things that God has guaranteed, it shows that you have little faith. Before you came to this world, He had prepared everything you need to survive.

Just ask for them when you need them. As you ask, pay attention to whatever instructions He will give you on how to get them.

In 1 Kings 17:4-6, He told Elijah to go to the brook and food was brought to him there.

If Elijah did not obey, he would have died of hunger even though food was available for him.

Your well-being is God’s responsibility; stop worrying about it.

OPEN HEAVEN 4 OCTOBER 2024 KEY POINT

Worrying about your daily needs is a sign of faithlessness. If God has guaranteed them in His word, just ask Him and He will provide them at the right time.

OPEN HEAVEN 4 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 13

Jesus Loves, This I know

OPEN HEAVEN 4 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 10-11

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 3 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 3 OCTOBER 2024 READ: Proverbs 31:4-9

4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5. Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Open Heaven 3 October 2024

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 3 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

Many years ago, while I was still lecturing at the university, I had friends with whom I often drank alcohol just to relax.

They visited me often because they knew that they would be entertained with different alcoholic drinks.

However, when I gave my life to Christ, I knew that I had to stop the habit because it was a sin.

Unfortunately, my friends didn’t understand my resolve. They criticised me for becoming someone who only served soft drinks and water to them.

They argued that God was not against drinking alcohol, especially if a fellow does not get intoxicated to the point of disgracing himself or herself in public.

The day I stumbled on today’s Bible reading, I knew that they were wrong: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Proverbs 31:4

If you’re truly born again, the Bible calls you a king and a priest unto God (Revelation 1:5-6).

The Scripture above, thus, establishes that strong drinks are not for you.

I advise you to avoid alcohol and drink water more because it is the purest form of liquid that your body will appreciate in the long run.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 3 OCTOBER 2024 ACTION POINT

Drink at least five cups of water every day (apart from mealtimes)

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 3 OCTOBER 2024 HYMN 49

STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

1. Standing On The Promises Of Christ Our King,
Thro’ Eternal Ages Let His Praises Ring:
Glory In The Highest, I Will Shout And Sing,
Standing On The Promises Of God.

Refrain:
Standing, Standing,
Standing On The Promises Of God My Savior;
Standing, Standing,
I’m Standing On The Promises Of God.

2. Standing On The Promises That Can-Not Fail,
When The Howling Storms Of Doubt And Fear Assail
By The Living Word Of God I Shall Prevail,
Standing On The Promises Of God. [Refrain]

3. Standing On The Promises I Now Can See
Perfect, Present Cleansing In The Blood For Me;
Standing In The Liberty Where Christ Makes Free,
Standing On The Promises Of God. [Refrain]

4. Standing On The Promises Of Christ, The Lord,
Bound To Him Eternally By Love’s Strong Cord,
Overcoming Daily With The Spirit’s Sword,
Standing On The Promises Of God. [Refrain]

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 3 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30 Philippians 4:1-23

OPEN HEAVEN 3 OCTOBER 2024 MEMORISE: Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22

OPEN HEAVEN 3 OCTOBER 2024 READ: Psalm 100:1-5
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Beloved, be a vessel of evangelism and share these life-changing messages, prayers, and declarations with the precious people around you. 

OPEN HEAVEN 3 OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE

Yesterday, I taught about praise and worship being in the category of very easy prayers and the fact that even little children can praise God.

Today, I will discuss God’s reaction to very easy prayers.

The first thing you must know about this category of prayers is that God is looking for people that pray this way.

Students seek knowledge, politicians seek power, businessmen seek profit, but God seeks worshippers. He is constantly searching for people that will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

When He finds such people, He is so happy that He gives them blessings and miracles that they did not even ask for.

Psalm 67:5-6 says:

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

When we had just begun to hold the Holy Ghost Service at Redemption City, I was fasting and praying towards the programme one day when God said, “Don’t pray, just praise Me.” I did that, and the way He responded amazed me.

On the first night of the Holy Ghost Service, He healed 14,000 people. We were few then, so that was almost everyone in attendance!

After the programme, I was in my prayer room, thanking Him because I had not seen such before. Then, He told me to praise Him more and that He would do more the next day.

I did not understand what He was saying because almost everyone had been healed on the first day.

What I did not know was that the people who had gotten their healing went to tell their friends, and more people came the following day. On that day, 16,000 people were healed!

I became frightened. Imagine having a congregation of 15,000 people, and by the next day, it had grown to 30,000! Praising and worshipping God causes Him to do frightening miracles.

A few years ago, during a wedding ceremony in a parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, the groom suddenly fell and died while signing the marriage register.

All the pastors gathered and prayed all the prayers they knew, yet the young man’s corpse grew colder.

Then, someone said that they should all stop praying and just praise God. Not long after they started doing that, the groom rose from the dead.

Beloved, the easiest route to getting God to pay attention to you is through praise and worship. Do it continuously.

OPEN HEAVEN 3 OCTOBER 2024 ACTION POINT

Just like you did yesterday, spend the rest of today praising God. Don’t ask for anything; just praise Him all day long.

OPEN HEAVEN 3 OCTOBER 2024

HYMN 17: PRAISE MY SOUL THE KING OF HEAVEN

1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!

2 Praise him for his grace and favor
to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness!

3 Fatherlike he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hand he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows!

4 Angels, help us to adore him;
you behold him face to face.
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!

OPEN HEAVEN 3 OCTOBER 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 7-9