OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 26 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. 1 Peter 5:5

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 26 JULY 2024 READ: 1 Timothy 5:17-18

[17]Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 26 JULY 2024 MESSAGE:

The Bible enjoins us to honour our fathers and mothers so that we will live long. However, many young people question the culture of respecting elders.

As a teenager, you should honour elderly people so that you can get divine blessings. I remember when I returned from a journey, and two of my sons came to meet me at the airport.

One greeted me, while the other greeted me and collected my bags. Then, I said to the one who greeted me and collected my bags, “God bless you, son.”
Honouring an elder goes beyond just greeting them.

You should help them willingly, give to them, speak well of them in their absence, pray for them, value their opinions even if you don’t agree with them, and learn from them.

When you do these, they will trust you and share their experiences with you.

Elders are not perfect. They make mistakes too because they are humans, but that doesn’t give you a right to dishonour, abuse, or ridicule them.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 26 JULY 2024 ACTION POINT

Do something to honour an old man or woman in your church or neighbourhood this weekend.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 26 JULY 2024 HYMN 55:

OPEN HEAVEN 26 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:12

OPEN HEAVEN 26 JULY 2024 READ: Exodus 17:8-13

8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Daily Confession: I confess that I am a good follower, submitted to my leaders, obeying their instructions, and prioritizing the common interest above my own personal interests in Jesus mighty name, Amen. Halleluyah!

OPEN HEAVEN 26 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

Yesterday, I said that being submissive to a leader and seeking common interests above personal interests are attributes of a good follower.

Today, I will discuss more attributes of a good follower.

Leaders are not omnipotent; they need help sometimes. Good followers recognise that their leader needs help and seek to provide it before the leader asks for it.

They watch to see which areas they can support the leader in and provide the support as needed.

In today’s Bible reading, Moses did not ask for Aaron and Hur’s help. He did not even explain why he was stretching his hands towards the battlefront.

They both saw him stretching his hands and noticed that they were winning as he did so.

They also noticed that his hands were getting tired, so they went to him, gave him a stone to sit on, and held up his hands.

That is good followership, the kind that will make a leader surmount any mountain that stands in his or her way.

Sometimes, supporting your leader will not be convenient. When Aaron and Hur helped Moses, they were not sitting down, neither was anyone helping to hold their own hands up.

They must have gotten tired too, but they stayed like that until the battle was over. Sometimes, when you step in to help your leader’s weakness, others might laugh at you and even call you names.

However, you must not fail your leader; you must take whatever comes with helping out.

It is a terrible thing when followers take advantage of their leader’s weaknesses.

Some followers, because their leader doesn’t know how to keep track of money, start stealing from the accounts instead of helping to manage them.

Some others tell people about their leaders’ weaknesses to discredit them. If there is someone in the Bible that every follower should study, it is David.

Even though he had already been anointed as the next king of Israel in 1 Samuel 16:13 and had done many exploits (1 Samuel 17:48-1 Samuel 18:5-7), even though he had seen Saul’s weaknesses (1 Samuel 16:23), he remained loyal and never discredited the king.

While running for his life because Saul was trying to kill him, he got the opportunity to kill Saul but didn’t do it (1 Samuel 24:4-13) – that is a good follower!

As a result, he not only fulfilled his destiny, but the King of kings, who is also called the Son of David, came from his lineage (Revelation 22:16).

OPEN HEAVEN 26 JULY 2024 KEY POINTS

Never try to take advantage of your leaders’ weaknesses. Help them instead.

OPEN HEAVEN 26 JULY 2024 HYMN 1

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME

OPEN HEAVEN 25 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 44-46

LESSON: FORTY EIGHT (48)
TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me
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: I Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV
[13] But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. [15] For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. [16] For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

MEMORY VERSE: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also”. John 14:3 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: Acts 1:10-11 describes the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as being personal, bodily, and visible with power. The second coming of our Lord will be in like manner. However, it will be in two phases. The first phase, regarded as the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), will be the coming of the Lord for His saints. While the second phase will be the coming of the Lord with His saints, to set up the millennium (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Between the first phase and the second phase of the second coming of Christ is the period of the great tribulation.

OUTLINES:
1. PROPHECIES AND PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING
2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING

1. PROPHECIES AND PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING
The first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied and those prophecies came to pass, literally (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). This gives us great confidence that the prophecies of the Second Advent will also be fulfilled literally. His second coming was foretold in Daniel 7:13-14. Jesus, Himself said it (Matthew 25:31).
He is coming to fulfil the following purposes:
At the first phase (rapture), there will be the completion of the salvation of the saints (Hebrews 9:28). Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness (1Corinthians 4:5) and receive us to be with Him (John.14:3). At the second phase (the revelation), He will be glorified in His saints (2Thess.1:7-10), execute judgement, as a conquering king (2 Timothy 4:1). He will reign majestically (Revelation 11:15) and destroy death (1Corinthians 15:25-26).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do you think some people still do not believe that Christ is coming again despite all available prophecies?

2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING
The following should be noted about the manner of His second coming: at the first phase (the rapture), He will descend from Heaven with a shout and voice of the archangel (1Thessalonians 4:16), suddenly (1Corinthians 15:52), in the glory of His Father (Matthew 16:27), the saints will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever (1Thessalonians 4:17). At the second phase (the revelation), He will come in the clouds to the earth with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30), he will come in His glory accompanied by His angels (Matthew 25:31) with His saints (1Thessalonians 3:13), in flaming fire (2Thessalonians 1:8) and bodily, as He ascended (Acts.1:9-11).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What are some of the signs you can see around you which indicate that Christ’s coming is imminent?

CONCLUSION: Do not be deceived, Christ’s coming is certain (2 Peter 3:9-10). While we ought to plan and work as if He will not be coming for another century, we must live a holy and pure life all the time as if He will return today. Watch and Pray.

QUESTIONS:
*.What are the purposes for Christ’s second coming?
* Mention four manners of Christ’s second coming.

FURTHER READING: SUN: Matt.24:44. MON: 2Pet.3: 3-12. TUES: Rev.22:20. WED: Lk.13:3. THURS: Matt.25:13. FRI: 1Tim.1:14. SAT: 2Tim.2:19.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) things that can hinder a believer from being raptured (2×5=10 Marks).

LESSON: FORTY EIGHT (48)
TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me
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, help me to keep watching and waiting for the second coming of Christ.

BIBLE PASSAGE: I Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV
[13] But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. [15] For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. [16] For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

MEMORY VERSE:
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also”. John 14:3 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: Acts 1:10-11 describes the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as being personal, bodily, and visible with power. The second coming of our Lord will be in like manner. However, it will be in two phases. The first phase, regarded as the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), will be the coming of the Lord for His saints. While the second phase will be the coming of the Lord with His saints, to set up the millennium (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Between the first phase and the second phase of the second coming of Christ is the period of the great tribulation.

TEACHER’S DIARY
LESSON AIM: To study the second coming of Christ.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Understand the prophecies and purpose of Christ’s second coming. b. Discover the manner and signs of His coming.

TEXT REVIEW: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
The teacher should explore any five (5) hopes of the believers:
i. ……………………………………………
ii. ……………………………………………
iii. ……………………………..……………
iv. ……………………………………………
v. …………………..…………………………

OUTLINES:
1. PROPHECIES AND PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING
PROPHECIES
i. The first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied and those prophecies came to pass, literally (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6).This gives us great confidence that the prophecies of the Second Advent will also be fulfilled literally.
ii. His second coming was foretold in Daniel 7:13-14.
iii. Jesus, Himself said it (Matthew 25:31).

B. Purpose Of His Second Coming
He is coming to fulfil the following purposes:
i. At the first phase (rapture), there will be the completion of the salvation of the saints (Hebrews 9:28).
ii. Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness (1 Corinthians 4:5) and receive us to be with Him (John 14:3).
iii. At the second phase (the revelation), He will be glorified in His saints (2Thess.1:7-10), execute judgement, as a conquering king (2 Timothy 4:1).
iv. He will reign majestically (Revelation 11:15) and destroy death (1 Corinthians 15:25-26).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do you think some people still do not believe that Christ is coming again despite all available prophecies?

2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING
The following should be noted about the manner of His second coming:
At the first phase (the rapture),
i. He will descend from Heaven with a shout and voice of the archangel (1Thessalonians 4:16),
ii. Suddenly (1Corinthians 15:52),
iii. In the glory of His Father (Matthew 16:27),
iv. The saints will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
At the second phase (the revelation),
i. He will come in the clouds to the earth with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30),
ii. He will come in His glory accompanied by His angels (Matthew 25:31) with His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13),
iii. In flaming fire (2 Thessalonians 1:8) and
iv. Bodily, as He ascended (Acts.1:9-11).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What are some of the signs you can see around you which indicate that Christ’s coming is imminent?

CONCLUSION: Do not be deceived, Christ’s coming is certain (2 Peter 3:9-10). While we ought to plan and work as if He will not be coming for another century, we must live a holy and pure life all the time as if He will return today. Watch and Pray.

EVALUATION: What are some of the signs you can see around you which indicate that Christ’s coming is imminent?

CLOSING PRAYER: O Lord please help me not to miss Your glorious second coming.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) things that can hinder a believer from being raptured (2×5=10 Marks).

LESSON: FORTY EIGHT (48)
TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me
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: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
[13]But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14]For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15]For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16]For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17]Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18]Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

MEMORY VERSE:.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3.

INTRODUCTION: Acts 1:10-11 describes the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as being personal, bodily and visible with power. The second coming of our Lord will be in like manner. However, it will be in two phases. The first phase, regarded as the rapture (1Thessalonians 4:15-17), will be the coming of the Lord for His saints. While the second phase will be the coming of the Lord with His saints, to set up the millennium (1Thessalonians 3:13). Between the first phase and the second phase of the second coming of Christ is the period of the great tribulation.

OUTLINES:
1. PROPHECIES AND PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING
2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING

1. PROPHECIES AND PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING
The first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied and those prophecies came to pass, literally (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). This gives us great confidence that the prophecies of the Second Advent will also be fulfilled literally. His second coming was foretold in Daniel 7:13-14. Jesus, Himself said it (Matthew 25:31).
He is coming to fulfil the following purposes:
At the first phase (rapture), there will be the completion of the salvation of the saints (Hebrews 9:28). Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness (1Corinthians 4:5) and receive us to be with Him (John.14:3). At the second phase (the revelation), He will be glorified in His saints (2Thess.1:7-10), execute judgement, as a conquering king (2 Timothy 4:1). He will reign majestically (Revelation 11:15) and destroy death (1Corinthians 15:25-26).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do you think some people still do not believe that Christ is coming again despite all available prophecies?

2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING
The following should be noted about the manner of His second coming: at the first phase (the rapture), He will descend from Heaven with a shout and voice of the archangel (1Thessalonians 4:16), suddenly (1Corinthians 15:52), in the glory of His Father (Matthew 16:27), the saints will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever (1Thessalonians 4:17). At the second phase (the revelation), He will come in the clouds to the earth with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30), he will come in His glory accompanied by His angels (Matthew 25:31) with His saints (1Thessalonians 3:13), in flaming fire (2Thessalonians 1:8) and bodily, as He ascended (Acts.1:9-11).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What are some of the signs you can see around you which indicate that Christ’s coming is imminent?

CONCLUSION: Do not be deceived, Christ’s coming is certain (2 Peter 3: 9-10). While we ought to plan and work as if He will not be coming for another century, we must live a holy and pure life all the time as if He will return today. Watch and Pray.

QUESTIONS
* What are the purposes for Christ’s second coming?
* Mention four manners of Christ’s second coming.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) things that can hinder a believer from being raptured (2×5=10 Marks).

BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE & PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE

MEMORISE:

There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. Isaiah 48:22

READ: 2 Kings 15:23-31

23. ¶. In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.

24. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

25. But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.

26. And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

27. ¶. In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years.

28. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

29. In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

30. And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.

31. And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

MESSAGE:

Before Pekan became king, he served as a chief officer to King Pekahiah; he was the king’s trusted confidant. However, he killed the king and took over his throne. In addition to the sin of conspiracy and murder, Pekah promoted idol worship, which directly violated one of the Ten Commandments that God gave to the Israelites through Moses. Sadly, Pekah was also killed by another person who took his throne. Thus, he reaped what he sowed.

The most important lesson from his story is that the measure of seed you are sowing now will determine the measure of your harvest in future. The Bible says, “No sinner will go unpunished” (Proverbs 11:21). Therefore, if you are living a life of disobedience and evil now, you should think about your future. Cry to God for mercy today and repent so that you can live a peaceful life.

KEY POINT:

Mind the seeds you are sowing now for the sake of your future.

HYMN 55: CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE
1. Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose;
Hear Thy Guardian Angel Say,
“Thou Art In The Midst Of Foes:
Watch And Pray!”

2. Principalities And Powers,
Mustering Their Unseen Array,
Wait For Thy Unguarded Hours:
“Watch And Pray.”

3. Gird Thy Heavenly Armour On;
Wear It Every Night And Day
Ambush’d Lies The Evil One:
“Watch And Pray.”

4. Hear The Victors Who O’ercame;
Still They Mark Each Warrior’s Way;
All With One Sweet Voice Exclaim,
“Watch And Pray!”

5. Hear, Above All, Hear Thy Lord,
Him Thou Lovest To Obey;
Hide Within Thy Heart His Word:
“Watch And Pra!.”

6. Watch, As If On That Alone
Hung The Issue Of The Day;
Pray, That Help May Be Sent Down:
Watch And Pray.

OPEN HEAVEN 25 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

OPEN HEAVEN 25 JULY 2024 READ: 1 Kings 19:19-2 Kings 3:11

19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

Daily Confession: I confess today I am baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, and I carry God’s fire inside me, making me dangerous to the devil and his demons, and a threat to their evil plans and purposes in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. Halleluyah!

Prayer Points For Open Heavens 24 July 2024

Powerful Declarations For Today 24 July 2024

Open Heavens for Teens 24 July 2024 WEDNESDAY

Open Heavens 25 July 2024 THURSDAY

OPEN HEAVEN 25 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

Many people talk about leadership, but you hardly hear them talk about followership. The truth is, no leader can succeed without good followers.

Leaders are raised from amongst the followers, so the better the followers, the better the quality of leaders.

Submission is one of the greatest attributes that a follower can have. It is different from cooperation.

You cooperate when you agree with a leader’s instructions, but you are submissive when you obey, whether you agree with the instruction or not.

Not being submissive indicates that a follower is acting in his or her own interest rather than the interest of the entire group that the leader represents.

Some followers steal because they are ready to sacrifice the interest of the entire group to satisfy their personal interests.

If this behaviour continues unchecked and the follower eventually becomes a leader, he or she will only care about himself or herself.

Gehazi showed this in 2 Kings 5:20-27. Elisha had collected nothing from Naaman for curing his leprosy, but Gehazi was after his personal interest as opposed to that of the Lord, which his master represented.

He proceeded to collect gifts from Naaman and was immediately struck with leprosy.

Judas Iscariot was also recorded to have been stealing from the ministry’s purse (John 12:6).

This is why he could not be amongst the apostles to carry the gospel around the world after Jesus left. Such a person will never make a good leader because his or her personal interest will be more important than common interests.

Some people may say, “I don’t steal, I just disobey my leader because I don’t like him.” This is, however, just as bad as stealing.

In Matthew 25:24-30, the servant who was given one talent to trade with did not steal the talent, he hid it rather than trade with it as instructed because he did not like his master’s leadership style.

The master wasn’t annoyed that he did not trade with it as instructed, but that he could have at least put it in the bank to yield some interest.

Putting it in the bank would have shown that even though he did not like his master, he was interested in the company’s prosperity.

This made his master call him an unfaithful servant. He was more particular about himself, which is a bad trait for any follower or leader.

Beloved, if you want to be a good leader, you must first be a good follower by obeying your leader and putting common interests above yours.

OPEN HEAVEN 25 JULY 2024 REFLECTION

Am I a good follower?

OPEN HEAVEN 25 JULY 2024 HYMN 30

WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

OPEN HEAVEN 25 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 41-43

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 24 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:11

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 24 JULY 2024 READ: Romans 6:10-14

10. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 24 JULY 2024 MESSAGE:

The death on Jesus Christ on the cross made a lot of things accessible to us, such as the blessings of God, redemption, transformation of life, and most importantly, victory over sin.

This journey of victory begins by knowing who you are in Christ and seeing yourself the way God sees you.

Even though God’s grace has been made available to all men, He requires us to do our part by cooperating with Him.

One of the ways to claim your victory over sin is by resisting sin and satan.

When the devil prompts you to go to unholy places and buy or look at things that stir up sinful passions in you, you should resist him and his schemes in the name of Jesus.

Your resistance is a way to express your love for God and show that you honour Him.

Beloved, you know the people and things that tempt you to commit sin; therefore, avoid them.

Don’t visit or welcome someone of the opposite sex alone, don’t sit in an exam hall beside someone who engages in exam malpractices, and don’t stay among friends who make jest of their teachers, elders, and other people.

Fill your heart with thoughts of pleasing God, and you will walk in victory over sin.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 24 JULY 2024 KEY POINT:

Stay away from things and places that you cannot tell your parents and pastor about.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 24 JULY 2024BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:!2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22 Romans 8:26-39

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 24 JULY 2024 HYMN 50
CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE

1. Conquerors And Overcomers Now Are We,
Thro’ The Precious Blood Of Christ We’ve Victory
If The Lord Be For Us, We Can Never Fail,
Nothing ‘Gainst His Mighty Pow’r Can E’er Prevail.

Refrain:
Conquerors Are We, Through The Blood Of Jesus,
God Will Give Us Victory, Through The Blood Of Jesus,
Thro’ The Lamb For Sinners Slain,
Yet Who Lives And Reigns Again,
More Than Conquerors Are We,
More Than Conquerors Are We.

2. In The Name Of Israel’s God We’ll Onward Press,
Overcoming Sin And All Unrighteousness;
Not To Us, But Unto Him The Praise Shall Be,
For Salvation And For Blood Bought Victory.

3. Unto Him That Overcometh Shall Be Given,
Here To Eat Of Hidden Manna Sent From Heav’n,
Over Yonder He The Victors Palm Shall Bear,
And A Robe Of White, And Golden Crown Shall Wear.

OPEN HEAVEN 24 JULY 2024 MEMORISE: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

OPEN HEAVEN 24 JULY 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 24 JULY 2024 MESSAGE

Faith comes through God’s word (Romans 10:17). The more you study God’s word, the greater your faith becomes. Also, when God speaks to you directly, your faith increases.

For example, when Abraham heard God speak to Him directly about having many children, it stirred up his faith (Genesis 15:5-6). There is great power in studying the word of God and in hearing His voice.

When I asked God for a small apartment in a suburb of Lagos, He told me that He would give me a city instead.

This sounded ridiculous, but hearing it from Him directly built up so much faith in me that I started telling people what God told me.

For your faith to really grow, don’t just study the word and pray; seek to hear from God concerning your life. Once you hear Him give you a promise, His voice will cause a surge in your faith.

Furthermore, just as you grow your muscles through physical exercise, grow your faith by exercising it as well. If you believe God for something and don’t make any move in line with what you believe, your faith will never grow.

When I decided to believe that paying tithes would bring me blessings, I took action to pay my tithes. I discovered that God supernaturally improved my finances after doing that.

Immediately, my faith grew. I then knew, without any doubt, that paying tithes attracts God’s blessings, but I didn’t get to that level of faith until I had acted on the little faith I had initially.

As you believe God for little things and see them fulfilled, your faith will grow for big things.

Act your faith; dare to do things that are greater than your human capacity, knowing that you serve a limitless God. Jump and let Him catch you.

The more you do this and succeed, the stronger your faith will be. Lastly, testimonies will also grow your faith.

Hearing someone’s testimony builds faith in you to know that God can also move on your behalf.

Many people have testified at our Holy Ghost Services that they got their miracle because they heard someone else’ testimony.

I started operating in divine health when I heard the testimony of a man that was bent double whom God healed completely. From that testimony, I knew that God can heal all diseases, so I trusted Him completely with my health.

Listen to more testimonies; purposely search for testimonies of people who have gone through what you are going through. As you hear their testimonies, your faith will rise, and you will also get your miracle.

OPEN HEAVEN 24 JULY 2024 PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to continually grow my faith in You.

OPEN HEAVEN 24 JULY 2024 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Isaiah 38-40

OPEN HEAVEN 24 JULY 2024 HYMN 1

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME