Open Heaven 20 October 2018 Memories: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

Open Heaven 20 October 2018 Bible Reading:- Mathew 4:1-11 (KJV)

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Open Heaven 20 October 2018 Bible in one year Jeremiah 9:-10 Luke 8:40-9:6, Hymnal: Sing Hymn 18

The term ‘overcomer’ is use in Christian parlance to describe a champion, victor or conqueror. It describes a person who has run the Christian race and finished it triumphantly.

In his letters to his seven churches of Asia, the Lord revealed seven different rewards He would give to those who fit description (Revelation 2-3).

Beyond these seven rewards, in Revelation 21:7, the Father Himself promised one final reward for overcomers, saying:

‘’He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son”

How amazing if I were you, I would strive very hard to partake of these rewards. To qualify as an overcomer, I recommend that you first take a look at the life of those that ran the Christian race before you and overcame.

This will help you understand how the secrets of how they succeeded, and then you can apply principles in your own heavenly race. Let’s take a look at the greatest of these overcomers, in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:21). Of all the battles He won, he triumphed over the devil in two spectacular ways that are worthy of mention.

First, in our Bible text, He was engage by the devil in a crucial contest knocked the devil out through the power of God’s word. Secondly, although the devil masterminded His arrest, trial and execution, the Lord still triumphantly worked out the miracle of His resurrection from the dead. Colossians 2:15 says,

‘’And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Through his death, the Lord defeated the devil in hell and paraded him and his cohorts in an open show of shame, confirming His supremacy over the kingdom of darkness. I pray that you will comprehend and begin to work in the victory of Jesus from today in Jesus‘ Name.

Open Heaven 20 October 2018

While He was in the world, what was the main weapon used by the Lord in overcoming? It is God’s word. Several times’ He quoted the Scriptures as a weapon against the devil. God gave us his word as a tool of developing strong faith and confidence in Him. Click here to read – Open Heaven 21 October 2018

We are nurtured in faith and brought to spiritual maturity through his word. Remembering God’s great deeds in the past build up our hope in Him (Romans 15:4). Besides giving us hope, God’s word is also potent weapon of warfare against the kingdom of darkness (2nd Corinthians 10:4).

It is powerful to pull down the strongholds of sin, sickness, generational curses and death. It also has the power to break the yokes of failure, barrenness and poverty I therefore degree that the power in the word of God will completely destroy every yoke in your life today in Jesus ‘Name.

Open Heaven 20 October 2018 Prayer point: Father, please grant me grace to finish the race as an overcomer in Jesus’ name.

Open Heaven 20 October 2018 Hymn 18

CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE

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 powe
Can e’er prevail.

Chorus:
Conquerors are we, thr’o the blood of
Jesus
God will give us victory, thro’ the
blood of Jesus
Through the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.

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.

Unto Him that overcometh shall
be given,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent
from Heaven,
Over yonder He the victors palm
Shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden
Crown shall wear.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Wednesday, October 17, 2018) – Ready-made Provision Or Trap?

1.Thank You, Jesus, for your ultimate sacrifice to humanity at the cross of Calvary.

2.Thank You, Jesus, for giving up Your riches in heaven, to become poor for my sake, so that through Your poverty I might be rich.

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

4.Father, by the atoning works of Jesus on the cross, deliver me from every remnant of bondage, in any area of my life, in Jesus’ name. Open Heaven 18 October 2018

5.Father, provide all my needs according to your riches in glory, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, Give me grace to not only overcome the enemy’s temptations, but to as well to live above greed, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, please, keep my feet from falling and let all my enemies be silent in darkness, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, preserve me from ever falling into the trap of false opportunities, in Jesus name. Open Heaven 21 October 2018

9.Father, You honor Your word more than Your. In Hebrew 13:5 and 1st Peter 5:7, You assured me of providing my needs and everything necessary for my existence. I look up to You my Ebenezer.

10.Father, No matter the prevailing conditions in our nation, You will divinely open doors of genuine opportunities to Your children, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, let Pastor E.A. Adeboye, continue to flourish and be fruitful, even, in his old age, 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).

Open Heaven 21 October 2018 Memorise: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Hebrews 6:1

Open Heaven 21 October 2018 Bible Reading: Romans 12: 1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Open Heaven 21 October 2018 Bible In One Year – Jeremiah 11-13 and Luke 9:7-27
Hymnal: Sing Hymn 15

Many Christians believe that it is humanly impossible to be perfect because of the limitations of our flesh, but Jesus said that we should be perfect, just as our Father in Heaven is perfect (Mathew 5:48). For Jesus to have said this, it means that perfection is attainable.

However, the only way to attain the level of perfection that God requires of us is to follow the example which He has set, and that example is the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus was on earth, He lived a life of perfection. Hebrews 4:15 testifies to this, saying:

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Just as Jesus was able to live a spotless life while He was on earth, it is also possible for us to live a life of absolute purity and holiness, which is pleasing to God. Click to read – Open Heaven 19 October 2018

In Luke 9:23, our Lord told us how to follow His example to live a holy life, saying:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

In other words, you must first deny yourself if you will follow His lead. Denying yourself means, letting go of your old nature. To live holy, you may have to change your friends, some places you go to, the websites you visit and your old habits.

Open Heaven 21 October 2018

You will also need to deny your body some of the pleasures it used to enjoy. No matter how much the flesh craves alcohol, hard drugs, illicit sex, stealing, lying and the like, you must not let it have its way. To successfully live as the new creature you are, your old man must die first. Click to read – Open Heaven 20 October 2018

When you slap a dead man, he does not get up to retaliate because there is no more life in him. In the same way, you must deny yourself to the point where your former cravings become completely dead.

Secondly, you must carry your cross daily. Many Christians make the mistake of planning to live a holy life without consciously taking it a day at a time. The reason you don’t have bad breath is because you brush your teeth daily.

Your body remains clean because you take your bath daily. Similarly, the way to keep your spirit clean is to carry your cross daily. When you wake up every morning, turn to God and tell Him to help you live holy throughout that day; then say yo yourself with determination, “throughout today, I must not commit any sin.” When you make this a habit, you will discover after some time that you have been successfully living a holy life.

Open Heaven 21 October 2018 Key Point: Rather than concluding that it is impossible to live holy, why don’t you take steps towards it with God’s guidance?

Open Heaven 21 October 2018 Hymn 15

NEARER MY GOD TO THEE

Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee;
E’ en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

Though, like a wanderer
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee
Nearer to Thee.

There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angles to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee
Nearer to Thee

Then, with my walking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee

OPEN HEAVEN 18 OCTOBER 2018 MEMORIZE: But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:8

Open Heaven 18 October 2018 Bible Reading Hebrew:- 12:4-11(KJV)

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 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.

Open Heaven 18 October 2018 Bible in one year   Jeremiah 5-6 Luke 8:4-2, Hymnals sing hymns 2 

Discipline is the act of training a person to obey rules and follow instructions, which sometimes involves corrective punishment for wrongdoing.

The bible clearly establish that God expect parents to discipline their children (Proverbs 23:13-14, Ephesians 6:4) Parents who failed in this responsibility suffered great consequences, as seen in the example of Eli (1st Samuel 2:27-34).

Being a just God, he cannot require discipline from earthly parents and fail in his responsibility to discipline his own children, as the Heavenly Father. All act of disciplining God’s children ultimately come from God, and the methods used are determined by Him.

However, His motive is always love, while His goals remain making us partakers of His holiness (Hebrew 12:10). God discipline His children as part of His covenant with them. Consequently, only disciplined children of God has access to His covenant blessings. Job 36:10-11 says:

‘’He openeth also there ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity if they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and there years in pleasures.’’

Interestingly, God in his infinity wisdom has set discipline as the number one criteria ascertaining true children of God. Hebrew 12:8 says

‘’But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.’’

Consequently, if you notice that you are getting away with sin and immorality without any type of warning or discipline of God, then you can be sure that heaven does not recognize you as a true child of God.

As soon as a person accepts Lordship of Jesus Christ, he or she become a genuine member of God’s family, and the love of God will immediately kick-start the process of discipline in order to bring the new convert to perfection in due time. May you always cooperate with God for the purpose of receiving proper discipline in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 18 October 2018

As a child of God, receiving divine discipline with humility comes with great benefits. Discipline prevents children of God from going astray and brings us to perfection. It also makes us humble, wise and successful, helping us acquire spiritual growth and maturity. Click Here To Read – Open Heaven 17 October 2018

Disciplined Christian’s easily overcome temptation. They are like smooth stones in the hands of God and are mightily use by Him against the kingdom of darkness. Open your heart to receive Godly discipline and correction today.

Prayer point: Father, as I commit myself to your discipline today, help me to humbly receive your correction in Jesus’ name.

Open Heaven 18 October 2018 Sing Hymn 2

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Verse 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!

Verse 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.

Verse 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 thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Memories: There is a why which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverb 14:12

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Bible Reading: Proverbs 7:6-23 (KJV)

6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Bible in one year:   Jeremiah 3-4 Luke 7:36-8:3, Hymn sing hymn 5

In these perilous times, life is so full of struggles and hard labour that do not always result in success.

All around the world, people invest precious time and money into obtaining high school and college education, only to graduate and discover that jobs are nonexistent.

In some cases, people invest years into specialized training in various crafts and trades, only to graduate and begin to source for financial backing and start-up capital without success.

There are some who manage to gain employment with private companies or who succeed in starting small scale businesses, but some years down the line, they find themselves back in the labour market due to harsh economic realities.

These hardships have made the availability of ready-made provision very attractive to the average person, especially in developing countries like we have in Africa. Click To Read – Open Heaven 16 October 2018

The dire economic situation in different parts of the world has led some Christians to wrongly assume that every opportunity that comes their way is Gods providence, not realizing their error until contrary events begin to happen to them in the process of exploiting these ‘’opportunities’’.

Open Heaven 17 October 2018

I pray that no matter the prevailing conditions in your community, the Lord will divinely open doors of genuine opportunities to you in Jesus’ name.

In Africa and several developing countries, the difficult political and economic situation couple with security challenges has led a lot of people, especially youths, into traps that initially appeared like ready-made provision.

These traps could come in form of employment with very attractive pay packages,’ juicy marriage offers,’ fantastic’ business opportunities or even invitations to travel abroad.

Hidden behind these seemingly great offers are terrible vices like prostitution, drug trafficking, criminal syndicates, fraud, occultism and the like. For example, many young people have honored invitations to travel abroad only to get get trapped in sex trafficking or being used as drug couriers.

Some people have entered neck deep into what they thought was an ordinary business relationship, only for them to later discover that they have been initiated into powerful occult groups.

Many vulnerable youths are enticed into armed gangs which eventually result in untimely death for so many. As seen in today’s bible reading, you must recognize that the devil’s ready –made provisions are nothing but deadly traps.

God has assured you that He will provide for all your needs and settle all your problems (Hebrew 13:5, 1st Peter 5:7). Therefore, beware of devil’s traps.

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Prayer point:  Father, preserve me from ever falling into the trap of false opportunities, in Jesus name.

Open Heaven 17 October 2018 Hymn 5

I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

I have decide to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
The world behind me, the cross
before me;
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Tuesday, October 16, 2018) – Paid In Full

1.I worship and adore You, my Father; You are faithful, reliable and trustworthy.

2.Thank You, Father, for Your thoughts for me, which are thoughts of good and not evil, to bring me to an expected end.

3.Thank You, Father, for all that I have trusted and believed You for, in the past that have come to pass.

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

5.Father, thank you for paying the price for me at the cross of calvary, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, help me to trust and believe You and Your promises, even, if everything within and around me, appears contrary to Your plans and purpose, for my life, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, I appreciate Your concern and sacrifice towards my life. You’ve been faithful, caring and loving and I can’t thank you enough.

8.Father, empower me to love You, with all my heart, spirit and soul, like you Love me, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, arise, and frustrate all the activities of Satan, to weaken and diminish my faith, in You, in Jesus’ name.

10.Thank you Jesus for Your blood sacrifice upon my soul and the power You’ve given me to live above sin.

11.Father, continue to magnify and honour Your words, in the mouth of Pastor E.A. Adeboye, with signs and wonders, 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).

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Monday, October 15, 2018) – Learn To Trust God

1.Sovereign and merciful God, I worship You; thank You for Your mercies that endureth forever, over my life and family.

2.Thank You, Jesus, for Your intercessions for me, daily, before the Father, with groaning that cannot be uttered.

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

4.Father, I put my trust in You. Some trust in their strength, others trust in their skills, but I trust in the glorious name of Jesus. Open Heaven 16 October 2018

5.Father, have mercy upon me, according to Your loving kindness, according unto the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, give me victory over sin, sickness, failure, poverty and everything that is working against my peace, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, cast me not away from Your presence, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, please, create in me a clean heart to trust, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, by Your mercy, make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which You have broken, may rejoice, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, I believe in You and everything about You. I believe you’ll be coming soon to take what belongs to You and I believe in Your mercies eternal rock of ages.

11.Father, let Your goodness and mercy follow Pastor E.A. Adeboye, all the days of his life, 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)

Open Heaven 16 October 2018 Memorize: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Open Heaven 16 October 2018 Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 2:3-6

1 Timothy 2:3-6 King James Version (KJV)

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Open Heaven 16 October 2018 Bible in one year: Jeremiah 1-2, Luke 7:18-35 (Open Heavens Tuesday, October 16, 2018)

In ancient times, a ransom was a price paid to secure the freedom of a slave, captive or prisoner. It had to be paid in full in order to cancel a debt or obligation, set one free from liabilities and charges, or secure an exemption from punishment.

A ransom is associated with redemption, atonement, deliverance, and salvation. In every situation requiring the payment of a ransom, victims are helpless because they cannot effect the payment of their own ransom.

In the same sense, humanity was in a hopeless and helpless situation because we lacked what was required to pay the price for our liberation from the penalty of sin. Thank God that Jesus Christ stepped in as a substitute for all humanity, paying our ransom in full. Open Heaven 15 October 2018

The ransom He paid is effective for anyone on the face of the earth who by faith in the word of God receives salvation as a gift of God through Jesus Christ. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus said:

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Through his suffering, painful death on the cross and glorious resurrection on the third day, He paid in full every price demanded for the redemption, atonement, deliverance and salvation of humanity.

Open Heaven 16 October 2018

Therefore, if you are still under any form of bondage, receive your freedom now in the mighty Name of Jesus.
Now that Jesus Christ has paid our ransom in full and completely wiped away everything contrary to our destiny in God, what next?  The answer is found in Romans 6:22:

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.’’

God expects that having freed you from the shackles of sin, you will not return to its bondage again. You ought to remain free by walking in holiness, exercising the power to live above sin that God has deposited in you (Romans 6:14). The end result of staying true to this is everlasting life. 1 Peter 1:15-16 says,

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.’’
We are called out of sin to live a holy life. Jesus paid your ransom in full; now, show appreciation and reciprocates His love by living holy as from today.

Open Heaven 16 October 2018 Action Point: Thank the Lord for the ransom He paid in full on your behalf. Think over any area of life where you are in bondage and prayerfully

Open Heaven 16 October 2018 Hymn 7

WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angles 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.

Wonderful story of love;
Through 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.

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.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Sunday, October 14, 2018) – Mercy Prevails Over Judgement

1.Thank You, Father, for all the battles, seen and unseen, that You have fought and won on my behalf, from the day of my conception and birth, till now.

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

3.Father, frustrate all the evil plans and agenda of the devil over my life, children and wife/husband, in Jesus’ name.

4.Father, let every attempt of Satan to steal, to kill and to destroy, in my life and destiny, be disappointed and thwarted by the hosts of heaven, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, frustrate the tokens of liars in my life and family, and make diviners, against my peace, prosperity and progress, mad, in Jesus’ name.

6.father, please let your mercy prevail over every unfavorable judgment against my life, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, frustrate every activity of false prophets in Your church and purge and deliver all their victims from their false doctrines and teachings, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, order my steps in Your word, and let not any iniquity take dominion over me, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, empower me to meditate day and night in Your word, and, as I do, please, let me flourish like a tree planted by the river, in Jesus’ name. Open Heaven 15 October 2018

10.Father, inspite of all the activities of Satan, please, uphold me by Your right hand of righteousness, till the end, and let me be numbered among the saints in heaven, in Jesus’ name.

11.Thank You Father, for all the victories You have given Your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, over ministerial challenges, let them be permanent, 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 SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL LESSON SEVEN SUNDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2018 – CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

*SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN*

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

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

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

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

*5.* O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds 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?

MEMORY VERSE: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” – 1Corinthians 11:1

BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 5:1-11

Luke:5.1
So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,

Luke:5.2
and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing [their] nets.

Luke:5.3
Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

Luke:5.4
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

Luke:5.5
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Luke:5.6
And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

Luke:5.7
So they signaled to [their] partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

Luke:5.8
When Simon Peter saw [it,] he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

Luke:5.9
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;

Luke:5.10
and so also [were] James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”

Luke:5.11
So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

INTRODUCTION:
A true Christian (not one by name only) is expected to be a disciple of Christ. However, not all Christians are willing or ready to make the commitments of a disciple (John 6:66; Matthew 19:21-22). We, therefore, need to examine who a Christian disciple should be and how to become one.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Who is a disciple?
2. How to become a Christian disciple

WHO IS A DISCIPLE

The Greek term for ‘’disciple’’ in the New Testament is mathetes, which means more than just ‘’student’’ or ‘’learner’’. A disciple is a ‘’close follower’’, someone who adheres completely to the teachings of another, making them his rule of life and conduct. Open Heaven 15 October 2018

One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. Christian discipleship begins with the new birth and it requires one to exercise his will to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:10-11).

Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit, who resides in our hearts, to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more like Christ (Mark 8:34; Philippians 3:10-12). Open Heaven 14 October 2018

HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE
According to Scriptures, being a Christian disciple involves personal growth characterised by the following:

1. Personal decision to follow Christ (Luke 9:23; 14:26-27).

2. Putting Jesus first in all things (Mark 8:34-38). The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.

3. Following the teachings of Jesus (John 8:31-32). We must be obedient children and doers of the word (John 14:15; 15:14).

4. Total commitment and sacrificial living (Luke 14:33; Philippians 3:6-8; Matthew 16:24).

5. Abiding in Christ in order to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) which makes one Christ-like.

6. We are to share our faith and tell non-believers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives (Matthew 28:18-20). Irrespective of our level of maturity in the Christian faith, we have something to offer.

CONCLUSION
Do not follow Jesus from afar, strive to be a close follower.

QUESTIONS
1. Who is a Christian disciple?
2. How can you become one?