OPEN HEAVEN 16 FEBRUARY 2019 MEMORISE: But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:8

OPEN HEAVEN 16 FEBRUARY 2019 READ: Jeremiah 30:12-17

12 For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.

13 There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.

14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.

15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

16 Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.

17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

Divine chastisement is a loving corrective form of training which leads to godliness, maturity and responsibility. Through it, God trains His people to obey Him.

The purpose of divine discipline is to build a community of faithful and loyal Christians who are committed to totally obeying the word of God and are constantly working to please Him. Click Here To Read – Prayer Points For Open Heavens 15 February 2019

If you are one of those who believe that God’s disciple is unkind, unloving, unfair and difficult, consider the word in Hebrews 12:11, which says: “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Although to be chastised by God may be unpleasant experiences which more often than not result in anguish and pain, it invariably produces fruits of righteousness in those who endure it.

For this reason, the Holy Spirit encourages us not to despise divine discipline or reject God’s correction, because they are acts through which God demonstrates His love towards anyone that is saved (Hebrews 12:5-6).

Proverbs 3:11-12 tells us that chastisement is an expression of love which God reserves only for those he delights in. in other words, whenever God reproves and chastises us, we can be certain the He is treating us as a father would treat a beloved child.

Disciple should therefore not be viewed as an act of vengeance or hatred. Hebrews 12:7-8 admonishes us to endure discipline as an acceptance of God’s love towards us, because anyone left out of the Father’s correction is an illegitimate child. Chastisement therefore, is an evidence of God’s love for His people. Click Here To Read – Open Heavens 15 February 2019

In conclusion, meditate on the words of Job 36:10-12, saying: “He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.”

Submit to divine discipline today, and God will ensure that you spend the rest of your life in joy, peace and prosperity.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 FEBRUARY 2019 PRAYER POINT: Father, please, don’t ever withdraw Your discipline from me, and grant me grace to accept your correction in Jesus’ Name.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 FEBRUARY 2019 HYMN 3

TRUST AND OBEY

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

OPEN HEAVEN 16 FEBRUARY 2019 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 14-15, Isaiah 40:27-41:13

John 14 King James Version (KJV)

14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 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.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

John 15 King James Version (KJV)

15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Isaiah 40:27-41:13 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
‘My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God’?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
    and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
    they shall walk and not faint.

Israel Assured of God’s Help

41 Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;
    let the peoples renew their strength;
let them approach, then let them speak;
    let us together draw near for judgement.

2 Who has roused a victor from the east,
    summoned him to his service?
He delivers up nations to him,
    and tramples kings under foot;
he makes them like dust with his sword,
    like driven stubble with his bow.
3 He pursues them and passes on safely,
    scarcely touching the path with his feet.
4 Who has performed and done this,
    calling the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, am first,
    and will be with the last.
5 The coastlands have seen and are afraid,
    the ends of the earth tremble;
    they have drawn near and come.
6 Each one helps the other,
    saying to one another, ‘Take courage!’
7 The artisan encourages the goldsmith,
    and the one who smooths with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, ‘It is good’;
    and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved.
8 But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, ‘You are my servant,
    I have chosen you and not cast you off’;
10 do not fear, for I am with you,
    do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

11 Yes, all who are incensed against you
    shall be ashamed and disgraced;
those who strive against you
    shall be as nothing and shall perish.
12 You shall seek those who contend with you,
    but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
    shall be as nothing at all.
13 For I, the Lord your God,
    hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear,
    I will help you.’

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens 15 February 2019

1.Thank You, Father, for Your promise that the gates of hell will never prevail against Your church.

2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus’ name.

3.Father, You said, in Your word, that rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness, like iniquity and idolatry; please, let every spirit of rebellion & stubbornness, in my life be consumed, by Your fire, in Jesus’ name.

4.Father, let me never be a part of any group or be united with any group, whose activities run contrary to Your Will and doesn’t project Your image, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, let me be a reflection of You, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, let every parochial, narrow and selfish activities and motives of groups, caucus or cabals, in Your church, end up in frustration and shame, for them, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, confound the language of all those rebelling against Your divine purpose, and visit Your judgement upon them, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, let all those who are united against Your purpose for my life, ministry and destiny, be defeated, confounded and put to shame, in Jesus’ name. Read – Open Heavens 15 February 2019

9.Father, reveal all evil plans of my enemies and overturn every evil counsel over my life, ministry and destiny, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, let every rebellious alliance and gang up against Your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, be scattered, and end up in frustration and shame for the rebels, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures; help him to overcome every challenge of getting these prayer points across to Your children timely, on daily basis, in Jesus’ name.

12.Your Personal petitions.
( Philippians 4:6)
13.In Jesus’ name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

RCCG FASTING AND PRAYER GUIDE 15TH FEBRUARY 2019 – PRAYER AGAINST SICKNESS AND EXTREME POVERTY

1. Praise and worship and Him for a NEW DAY and for the SALVATION of your soul.

2. Father in the Name of Jesus I command every spirit of POVERTY OUT OF MY LIFE (Philippians 2:10).

3. Father every one under captivity by poverty in the Church WE DECLARE HIM/HER FREE in Jesus’ name. (John 8:36).

4. Poverty is a reproach, therefore I SAY NO TO POVERTY IN 2019. (Psalms 110:1-2).

5. Father; BLESS ME WITH RICHES AND WEALTH to the Shame of my enemies in 2018. Genesis 1:28.

6. Father SET ALL YOUR CHILDREN FREE from sicknesses and diseases. Isaiah 49:24-25.

7. WE COME AGAINST ALL THE KILLER DISEASES of: Cancer, High BP, Diabetes, hepatitis and other diseases in our Nations this year in Jesus Name.

8. Father; LET THERE BE HEALINGS for everyone afflicted by any of these diseases in Jesus’ Name. Acts 3:3. Read – Open Heavens 15 February 2019

9. Father; Let the blood of Jesus cleanse us from ALL SINS AND DISEASES.

10. We receive grace afresh TO WALK IN HOLINESS; the way of sound health. Exodus 15:26.

11. We declare health, comfort and strength TO EVERY SICK PERSON in the Hospitals and Homes in Jesus’ Name!

12. LET EVERY PLAGUE CEASE in every community, home and nation in Jesus’ Name!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS 15 FEBRUARY 2019 – DRESSING TO KILL?

MEMORISE: Le your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5

Read: 1 Peter 3:3-4

3 Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.

MESSAGE:

While it is good to look nice, neat and presentable, you must take care not to go overboard. Christian teenagers don’t dress to kill, you dress to heal. It is the devil that came to kill, steal and destroy, not Christian teenagers.

Anytime you dress and become a symbol of lust or temptation to the opposite sex, you have gone beyond being decent to the realm of becoming an agent of Satan to kill other people’s spiritual destiny.

If worldly girls expose their cleavages, and worldly boys ‘sag’ their trousers, should you do the same because you want to be seen as trendy and fashionable? If you do, then what is the difference between you and them? If your dressing is stirring up lust in the hearts of brothers/sisters, then you must change it. Read – Open Heavens 15 February 2019

You may not know it, but those who are not yet born again look up to you for the standard of righteousness and that involves dress sense too.

If you dress in a worldly way, you will be misleading them as they will wonder why you dress just like them if you profess to be born again Christians. The worst thing about this is that you would have lost the opportunity to bring such people to Christ.

ACTION POINT:
Look in the mirror every morning and ensure that you are not seductively dressed.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 20-21
Matthew 28

Hymn 15

1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, 0 won’t you believe It?
Wonderful story of love.

Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, Wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love,
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

3. Wonderful story of love:
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of Love.

AUTHORS: Pastor E.A. Adeboye and Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye.

MEMORISE: Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 1 Peter 3:3

OPEN HEAVEN 15 FEBRUARY 2019 READ: Exodus 2:15-20

15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.

17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?

19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.

20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.

God loves us so much that He is concerned about every part of us- spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

As Hi children and ambassadors who convey His image to the world, He is very much interested in the way we look and present ourselves before others.

For this reason, He was the one who first clothed man (Genesis 3:21). We therefore ought to give careful heed to what the Bible says on dressing and adornment.

Human beings put on clothes for various reasons which include covering nakedness, protection against harsh weather and to look beautiful. Click Here To Read – Open Heavens 14 February 2019

Adornment on the other hand refers to ornaments used to enhance human beauty. Dressing and adornment can be viewed as a form of packaging.

Although the quality of the product cannot be correctly assessed by the appearance of its container alone, the container is more often than not representative of what’s inside.

This is why business and branding people design packages that give near perfect impression of their products. Click Here To Read – Prayer Points For Open Heavens 14 February 2019

Without any doubt, the packaging of a product plays a very important role in attracting buyers as they take a look at competing products on the display shelf.

In like manner, human dressing and adornment brands the person wearing them, giving a fair estimate of their personality and character to anyone meeting them for the first time.

This is why it is said that addressed the way you are dressed. Moses in today’s Bible reading was thought to be an Egyptian because of the way he was dressed.

The Bible often speaks figuratively about clothing and adornment. Isaiah 61:10 tells us that a person can be dressed with the garment of salvation and robe of righteousness. Job 40:10 says it is possible to deck oneself with majesty and excellence, and be arrayed with glory and beauty.

Proverbs 1:8-9 teaches that listening to the godly counsel of parents shall one day become a graceful ornament on the head and beautiful chains around the neck of obedient children.

Without a doubt, our appearance which is largely determined by our dressing and adornment communicates our personality and intentions.

Just like a person can dress up as a prostitute, so also can he or she be clothed with humility or adorned with pride.

Whether this is done intentionally or not does not matter; what is important is that a child of God should be concerned about the kind of image he or she is projecting to the world.

It is time for you to accept the reality that a person is addressed the way he or she is dressed, and that your appearance ultimately determines how the world will respond to you.

As a child of God, you must not be involved in the proclamation of evil ideologies in the name of fashion, culture, “civilization” or “enlightenment”. Your appearance indeed matters to God.

OPEN HEAVEN 15 FEBRUARY 2019 ACTION POINT: examine your closet and do away with clothes that do not present the image of God you bear in good light.

OPEN HEAVEN 15 FEBRUARY 2019 HYMN 5

LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU

1.While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

Refrain

3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain

OPEN HEAVEN 15 FEBRUARY 2019 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 12-13 and Isaiah 40:9-26

John 12 King James Version (KJV)

12 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,

5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

John 13 King James Version (KJV)

13 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Isaiah 40:9-26 King James Version (KJV)

9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.

17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
FOR TEENS 14 FEBRUARY 2019 – VALENTINES’ DAY

MEMORISE: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.

4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail

7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

9 For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).

10 But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith–conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope–joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love–true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.

MESSAGE:

The devil is very good at turning around good things and making them bad. Valentine’s Day is one of the good things that the devil has turned around into something destructive.

The day is in celebration of a Catholic Priest in true love God’s way. God’s kind of love does not encourage fornication.

God’s love does not encourage that you save and spend all your money or even steal to impress a girl or boy. Valentine’s Day today has become a trap of the devil to destroy many lives and destinies, don’t fall into the trap.

Why don’t you change the narrative by doing the right thing? Show love this Valentine’s Day to the people that really need love; the less privileged and the depressed. Read – Open Heavens 14 February 2019

Instead of using that money to buy gifts for a girl/boy that will be in love with someone else tomorrow, use it to feed the hungry. At the end of the day, you will feel far more fulfilled than everyone else who sold their purity to the devil on this day.

ACTION POINT: Today, promote love, not lust.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 18-19, Matthew 27:32-66

Hymn 15
1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh won’t you believe It?
Wonderful story of love.

Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, Wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love,
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

3. Wonderful story of love:
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of Love.

AUTHORS: Pastor E.A. Adeboye and Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens Thursday February 14 2019

1.Lord, You’re the Alpha and the Omega, You’re incomparable in worship, honour, adoration, glory, power and majesty.

2.Thank You, Father, for first loving me, in that while I was yet a sinner, You gave Your only son, Jesus, to die for me.

3.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus’ name.

4.Father, let every ancestral sin, that is being visited upon my life, today, be blotted out by Your mercy, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, in anyway I have disobeyed and dishonoured You, or my spiritual and biological parents, please, let Your mercy prevail over judgement, in my life, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, please, empower me to love You, with all my heart, soul and spirit, above every other creature, in Jesus’ name. Read – Open Heavens 14 February 2019

7.Father, give me the grace to honour my father and mother, and my parents in the Lord, that I may prosper and live long to enjoy the fruits of my labours on earth, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, let nothing be able to separate me from Your love; let me never leave You to serve or worship idols, or share Your glory with men, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, please, help me to live through today, without committing a single sin, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, let every challenge, in the life of Your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, that he could not even share with anyone, receive divine solution today, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures; help him to overcome every challenge of getting these prayer points across to Your children timely, on daily basis, in Jesus’ name.

12.Your Personal petitions.
( Philippians 4:6)
13.In Jesus’ name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

RCCG FASTING AND PRAYER GUIDE 14TH FEBRUARY 2019 – PRAYER FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ELECTION IN NIGERIA

Nigeria is going into another period of GENERAL ELECTION starting from this year February. Let us
pray for Nigeria and other Nation(s) holding Elections.

1. Praise and Worship God.

2. Pray for free, fair and peaceful ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA and our Nation.

3. Pray that the electoral institutions WILL NOT COMPROMISE STANDARD for free and fair election.

4. PRAY FOR THE ELECTORATE, for God’s guidance in voting for the right candidate.

5. Pray that all those who are seeking power by fetish means WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.

6. Pray that God will CHOOSE FOR US LEADERS that will Rule in righteousness and fear of God. Read – Open Heavens 14 February 2019 

7. FATHER, LET ALL MEN IN GOVERNMENT fear you and do away with unrighteous behaviors for the
good of our Nations. Ecclesiastes 12:13.

8. Father, use this Coming Elections to DECLARE YOUR GLORY in Nigeria and other Nations.

9. Father, we decree and declare Nations to be FREE OF EVERY FORM OF WASTAGE; be it humanbeings or finance in Jesus’ Name.

10. FATHER, HELP OUR LEADERS to walk in your Fear, Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding.

OPEN HEAVENS 14 FEBRUARY 2019 MEMORISE: Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Proverbs 11:21

OPEN HEAVENS 14 FEBRUARY 2019 READ: Genesis 11:1-6

1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

While it is good to walk in unity with others through any venture in life, any form of unity that runs contrary to the perfect will of God in counterproductive.

Because of this truth, whenever there is a call to unite over anything, you must first find out what type of cause it is and what kind of unity is being called for. Uniting with people blindly can cause you untold agony.

This is what happened to King Jehoshaphat who formed an unholy alliance with the idolatrous King Ahab (1 Kings 22).

It was only the mercy of God that spared Jehoshaphat from becoming a victim of the untimely death that was reserved for another man. When people unite to actualize anything that is contrary to the will of God, it is a rebellious alliance.

The unfortunate thing about rebellious alliances of the ungodly is that they will always end in frustration and shame, just as it happened at the Tower of Babel.

God’s mandate to mankind was to replenish the whole earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28, Isaiah 45:18), but they chose at that point to build a city and a tower with a motive that was contrary to God’s mandate for them. Hear what they said to themselves in Genesis 11:4:

“And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”

They united to rebel against the divine purpose and God had to intervene so that His original plan could be achieve. This is why their unitary language had to be confounded.

The example of the Tower of Babel teaches us a good number of lessons, first of which is that whenever people gather to rebel against God and godliness, God always knows about it. Click Here To Read – Open Heavens 13th February 2019

I pray that the Almighty God will always reveal the evil plans of your enemies to you in Jesus’ Name. Secondly, God does not only expose evil conspiracies, He also acts against them.

I decree that those who are united against the purpose of God for your life shall be confounded and their purpose shall be defeated in Jesus’ Name.

One example of evil conspiracy is the alliance of Ahithophel and Absalom against David (2 Samuel 15:12). David prayed that God should overturn Ahithophel’s evil counsel, and He did (2 Samuel 15:31; 2 Samuel 17:23). Click Here To Read – Prayer Points For Open Heavens 13th February 2019

A third lesson for us is that when God arises to foil the plans of those who diabolically unite Him and His people, the enemies are left confused and in disarray.

Beloved, are you uniting in rebellion with others? Please stop it. Never align yourself with rebels. Let these words of Proverb 1:10 guide you in this regard:

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

OPEN HEAVENS 14 FEBRUARY 2019 ACTION POINT: Examine the company you keep. If their activities are rebellious, part ways with them and keep company with the people of God.

OPEN HEAVENS 14 FEBRUARY 2019 HYMN 3

TRUST AND OBEY.

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

OPEN HEAVENS 14 FEBRUARY 2019 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 11 and Isaiah 39:1-40:8

John 11 King James Version (KJV)

11 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

Isaiah 39 King James Version (KJV)

39 At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.

4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:

6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.

7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

Isaiah 40:8 King James Version (KJV)

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS 13 FEBRUARY 2019 – TRUE LOVE

MEMORISE: Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 1 Corinthians 13:5

Read: 1 John 4:6-11

6 We are [children] of God. Whoever is learning to know God [progressively to perceive, recognize, and understand God by observation and experience, and to get an ever-clearer knowledge of Him] listens to us; and he who is not of God does not listen or pay attention to us. By this we know (recognize) the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].

8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.

9 In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him.

10 In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another.

MESSAGE:

The world today has confused love for lust. Love is a person. The Bible tells us that God is love.

He loved us even before we knew Him, this true loved moved Him to sacrifice His only begotten son so that we can be saved. You cannot love if you don’t have love living in you.

Don’t let anyone deceive you that they love and so want to sleep with you, run, that is lust and it destroys. True love is not expressed through kissing and caressing, it is expressed through sacrificial giving. Read – Open Heavens 13 February 2019

“For God so loved the world that He GAVE”, not that He took. Anyone that wants to take your purity because they ‘love’ you actually hates you.

You must also be careful who you collect gifts from, nothing goes for nothing. Sometimes, people give you something pretending to love you, whereas what they really want is to take your purity from you. Direct anyone that brings you a valentine gift tomorrow to an orphanage, there are needy people who need true love there.

KEY POINT:
Anyone who truly loves you will ensure that you are far away from sin, not lure you into sin.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 15-17
Matthew 27:1-31

Hymn 10

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a Friend so faithful?
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer!

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield You;
You wilt find a solace there.

AUTHORS: Pastor E.A. Adeboye and Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye.