Open Heaven 29 May 2018 Tuesday – SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS

Open Heaven 29 May 2018 Memorise: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2nd Timothy 2:3

Read: 2nd Timothy 2:1-11 Open Heaven 29 May 2018

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

Open Heaven 29 May 2018

Bible in one year: 1st Kings 7, Acts 2:1-28

Hymnal: Sing hymn 16

Message – Open Heaven 29 May 2018 Tuesday Daily Devotional

It is important for a child of God to recognize and understand the purpose of the multifaceted life we are called to by God. For this reason, the Holy Spirit reveals to us in 2nd Timothy 2:3 that we have been called to be soldiers of Jesus Christ. A Soldier does certain things to fulfil his or her vocation.

Enduring hardness, shunning worldly pleasures and distractions, and keeping to the rules of military service are some of the basic characteristics expected of a soldier. Soldiers are also required to fight to defend the territorial integrity of their country from external attacks. In addition, they are to engage in warfare to expand the territory of their commander-in-chief, monarch or emperor.

As it is in the physical, so it is in the spiritual. The comportment of a soldier is that of discipline, and a Christian soldier should be even more disciplined. This will help him or her to endure hardness, which means learning to be full and also to be empty as the situation demands (Philippians 4:12).

If a soldier of the cross is not disciplined enough to endure hardness, he or she will end up like Esau, who sold his birthright for a plate of pottage (Hebrews 12:16). Our Lord Jesus laid down a good example for us to follow in this regard when He refused to turn stone into bread even though He was hungry (Luke 4:3-4).

A soldier of Jesus Christ avoids any distraction that would take his or her focus away from the way of the cross he or she is fighting to defend. Materialism is not a problem for a true soldier of Jesus Christ who has learnt to be modest. Concerning this, our Commander-in-chief in Luke 12:15 said this to us:

“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: of a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

Open Heaven 29 May 2018 Tuesday

Just a soldier fight to defend the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of their king, a soldier of Jesus Christ fights against sin, which destroy mankind and God’s created world, by preaching the gospel. He or she preaches the love of God so that men may embrace it and live a good life that will impact the lives of others positively. Open Heaven 28 May 2018

Soldiers of Jesus Christ do not only fight to defend, they also attack the opposing kingdom of the devil. They do this by proclaiming the word of God, which is alive and powerful, against the workers of iniquity.

While putting on the whole armour of God, soldiers of Christ also exercise their divinely given authority in the place of prayer. They have no time for frivolities because they are always watchful. Beloved, are you numbered among the soldiers of Jesus Christ? Are you thriving in spite of the challenges of the call to fight against unrighteousness? May the Lord see you through to the very end in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point – Open Heaven 29 May 2018

Father, please uphold me to the very end, deliver me from all forms of worldly entertainment and grant me grace to please You all the way.

Open Heaven 29 May 2018 Tuesday Hymn

Sing hymn 16 – STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS

Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!

Yet soldiers of the cross;

Lift high His royal banner,

It must not suffer loss:

From vict’ry unto vict’ry

His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished

And Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!

The trumpet call obey;

Forth to the mighty conflict

In this His glorious day.

Ye that are men, now serve Him

Against unnumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger.

And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you;

Ye dare not trust your own.

Put on the Gospel armor,

And. Watching unto prayer,

Be never wanting there.

Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!

The strife will not be long:

This day the noise of battle,

The next the victor’s song;

To him that overcometh

A crown of life shall be;

He, with the King of glory

Shall reign eternally.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS AND CHILDREN MONDAY 28TH MAY 2018: NOT YOUR POWER

MEMORISE: For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

Please read: Isaiah 41:8-14

MESSAGE:
It is a dangerous thing to trust in great men, wealthy men or even leaders because they can disappoint you any time their strength, wisdom, resources or morals fail them.

It is even more dangerous to trust in self. You may be brilliant, but academic success comes from God.

You may have lots of things to make you happy, but joy comes from God.

You may have diverse security devices, but safety is a
product that only Heaven can deliver to you.

Wherever you are today, it is not by your power, wisdom or making; it is absolutely God’s doing.

Realizing your progress is not entirely your making, it should bring you great joy, because the God working behind the scenes to get you where you should be will ensure that you reach your destination.

Appreciate God for all that He is doing through you.
It is not you, but Him.

KEY POINT:
The one who is truly secure and successful is the one that totally depends on God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 23-25
John 11:1-17

Hymn 1
1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire !

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

Blessed week ahead

RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual May 27th, 2018 Lesson 39 —

TOPIC: Sunday School Quarterly Review – [Section 1 – 4th, Sunday, 27th May 2018]

SECTION 1 – 4th Quarter Test – Marks Obtainable = 50 Marks

Time Allowed = 15 Minutes

Co-coordinator (Parish/Area/Zonal) should set 10 questions from the 12 lessons in the quarter and administer them for 15 minutes. Each question carries 5 marks. Total score should be marked over 50 marks.

SECTION 2 – 4th Quarter Attendance in the Sunday school and Participation in Class Activities.

Marks Obtainable = 50 Marks Time Allowed = 15 Minutes

Class Teachers should check the student’s attendance and participations in Sunday School Class Report (R1) and count how many times the student attended the School. 4 Marks should be given for each time the student was present in the Quarter, while 2 marks be given for attending the quarterly review. Open Heaven 27 May 2018
i.e. 4 marks x number of times present + 2 marks
e.g. 4 X 12 times +2 = 50
Total Scores should marked over 50 marks

SECTION 3 – ASSIGNMENTS
Marks Obtainable = 100 Marks Time allowed = Zero
Class teacher should check student’s workbook and obtain the student’s score. The work book assignments should be scored over 100 marks for every quarter with 10 marks for each assignment.

GRADING OF SCORES
Total Score = Section 1 + Section 2 + Section 3
200
e.g. = 40 + 42 + 70 x 100
200 1 = 76%

SECTION 4 – INTERACTIVE SECTION
Marks Obtainable – Zero mark Time Allowed – 15 minutes

Teacher and students should discuss how to move the Sunday school forward in the new quarter. They should discuss challenges and set new goals. They should pray for success of the Sunday school and all officials.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS AND CHILDREN SATURDAY 26TH MAY 2018: GUARD YOUR THOUGHTS

MEMORISE: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

Please read: Mark 7:20-22

MESSAGE:
We are what we think. Thoughts are powerful. Our thoughts inform and influence our actions. This is why we must guard our thoughts.

Some people just leave their minds to wander about. This is wrong. If you are not cautious of what you think about, the devil will take advantage to fill your mind with lots of evil. When a person keeps thinking evil thoughts, he will eventually start practicing evil deeds.

To guard our thoughts, we must be careful of what we allow into our minds. The music we listen to, the TV programs we watch, the social media handles we follow, the conversations we hold and the
company we keep. These things are elements that fill our minds and translate to either positive or negative thoughts.

How much Christian content do you consume? How many Christian social media handles do you follow? How often do you attend Christian fellowships? The
things you put into your mind will translate into your thoughts, and these thoughts will translate into actions that will eventually lead you to your future. Watch what you feed your mind with.

ACTION POINT
From today, be careful about the books you read, the movies you watch and the music you listen to because they will shape your personality.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 17-19
John 10:1-21

Hymn 2
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.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Saturday, May 26, 2018) – GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS 2

1.I worship and adore you, my Father, because, you are the creator of heaven and the earth, and nothing is beyond your redemption.

2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus’ name. Open Heaven 27 May 2018

3.Father, let your fire consume every spirit of selfishness and self-centeredness, in my life, family, church and community, in Jesus’ name.

4.Father, give me a sacrificial heart; help me to show kindness, love and compassion, to my Neigbour, the poor, the needy and help me create time to visit them, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, help us to restore our humanity, and to do unto others, as we wish them do unto us, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, empower your church to fill the gap created by the deficiency of modern society, which has brought about, unemployment, drug addiction, sexual immorality, etc, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, help your church to provide human warmth, homeliness, love and care, in places ravaged by individualism, loneliness and lack of trust, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, as modern society becomes increasingly hostile and dehumanising, let your children, all over the world, become increasingly accommodating, peaceful, hospitable and caring, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, restore our human to human interactions, instead of restricting ourselves to the social media, that we may be able to know the challenges faced by individuals, in their homes, in Jesus’ name.

10.Prince of peace, let your peace reign supreme in our lives, homes, communities and nation, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, let Pastor E.A. Adeboye, continue to grow in wisdom and stature; let him find favour with God and men, continually, 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:(Friday, May 25, 2018) – GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS 1

1.Thank you, Father, for the gift of life and for all true servants of God that you have blessed the body of Christ with.

2.Thank you, Father, for sending your son, Jesus, to Calvary, to pay the debt, that I could not pay.

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

4.Father, answer all my cries and petitions, today, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, come and turn seemingly, hopeless situations, in my life, around, to your glory, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, please, give me the grace to maintain good and cordial relationship with all my neighbours, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, empower me to follow peace with all men, and godliness, that, I may see you, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, multiply the little you have blessed me with, and make me a lender to Nations, in Jesus’ name. Open Heaven 27 may 2018

9.Father, whenever, I am compelled to lend to the poor, let it be motivated by the spirit of mercy and compassion, in obedience to you, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, let every yoke of debt, poverty, lack and begging, in my life, be destroyed, by your fire, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, let all resources, financial and material, required to complete all outstanding projects, in the hands of Pastor E.A. Adeboye, be divinely supplied from above, today, 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 HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS AND CHILDREN FRIDAY 25TH MAY 2018: ABOVE POWERS

MEMORISE: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:6

Please read: Deuteronomy 32:7-13

MESSAGE:
The eagle is a super bird. It is known to take higher flights because it wants to remain different and out of the league of other birds.

In today’s Bible reading, our Lord Jesus Christ is compared to an eagle. He rides on the higher places. Ephesians 1:20-21 says Christ is raised above all and made to seat far above all dominion, power or throne. Open Heaven 27 May 2018

Being a child of the Eagle, you become an eaglet yourself, and so you have in you the traits of the eagle.

Unfortunately, many believers become ‘doubting Thomases’ when it comes to this, or they simply refuse to act it out. Any believer who is constantly living in failure and defeat is ignorant of who he or she is
in Christ. You are far above fear, failures and defeat. Do not live below your original/spiritual position!

ACTION POINT:
Search through the scriptures and write out passages that talk about your spiritual placement and authority. Believe, confess and enforce them.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 14-16
John 9:24-41

Hymn 11
1. Stand up! stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the Cross!
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The solemn watchword hear;
If while ye sleep he suffers,
Away with shame and fear.
Where’re ye meet with evil,
Within you or without,
Charge for the God of battles,
And put the foe to rout.

3. Stand up! stand up for Jesus !
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour,
Each piece put on with prayer;
When duty calls or danger,
Be never wanting there.

4. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Thursday, May 24, 2018) – Observing The Times & Seasons?

1.Thank you, Father, for the salvation of my soul and for your prophecies and adequate warnings, on the signs of the end time.

2.Father, in anyway, l have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus’ name. Open Heaven 26 May 2018

3.Father, empower me to be vigilant, sober, watchful and be consistent in prayers, in these perilous times, in Jesus’ name.

4.Father, keep me spiritually awake and alert, that I may not conform with the world, or be swept away by its evil, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, expose, frustrate and disgrace false teachers and prophets, in your church, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, let every plan of Satan to rewrite the gospel and cause men to be misled and turn their backs on you, be frustrated, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, deliver and purge me of the end time bugs of pride, greed, high-mindedness, lukewarmness, complacency, self-righteousness, spiritual barrenness and rebellion against constituted authority, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, let me and my family members, never be victims of wars, terrorism, herdsmen attacks, natural disasters, national tragedies and civil unrests, in these perilous times, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, protect and fight for your church; turn the table against your enemies; do not allow the gates of hell to prevail over us, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, when the trumpet shall sound, let me be raptured, with the saints, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, thank you for the abundance of your grace upon Pastor E.A. Adeboye; please, renew his strength, and make him stronger than all his enemies, 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 HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS AND CHILDREN THURSDAY 24TH MAY 2018: GOD’S TATTOO

MEMORISE: Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:16

Please read: Isaiah 49:13-16

MESSAGE:
Is there any earthly father who so loves his children that he stays awake to watch over them every night? Is there a man who so loves his wife to the extent of not sleeping, just keeping vigil every night, looking at her face? I do not know of any. But we have a Father who
keeps watch over us day and night. Hence, David could say,

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

If you are a child of God, you need not be afraid to sleep at night. God is not limited to the day, His
excellent security services cover both day and night. Open Heaven 26 May 2018 (Sunday)

Our God can also never forget us. Isaiah 49:15 says even when a nursing mother forgets her baby, God will not forget him/her. This is because He has engraved you upon the palms of His hands. You are God’s tattoo! He sees and remembers you every second of the day,
and He is always available and willing to help you, just call on Him.

ACTION POINT:
Thank God for tattooing you on the palm of His hands. Thank Him that He can never forget you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 11-13
John 9:1-23

Hymn 10
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Ev’rything 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 ev’ry weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer!

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, 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.

Open Heaven 28 May 2018: Grace II

Open Heaven 28 May 2018 Memorise
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:7

Open Heaven 28 May 2018 Bible Reading Romans 3: 20-24

Open Heaven 28 May 2018 Bible in one year: 1 kings 5-6, Acts 1

Grace is God’s character by which He shows himself as being compassionate, loving, merciful, accepting and generous to all of mankind. God’s grace shields sinful mankind from his wrath, grants the. Forgiveness and bestows on them His righteousness so that they can live and grow up in faith and obedience to Him. Grace and mercy are particularly expressed through God’s covenant with His  chosen people and through Jesus Christ’s atoning death on the cross. Open Heaven 27 May 2018

Throughout the Bible, the notion of grace is abundantly present even where the word is not mentioned. Whenever Jesus brought healing to the sick and deliverance to the oppressed, devine grace was on display. The grace of God is especially expresses through salvation from sin, offered by Jesus to all of mankind. Speaking about Jesus as the embodiment of God’s grace, Titus 2:11 says

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

Jesus vividly explained the notion of grace through the parables of the prodigal son and the task collector who was justified after praying for God’s mercy as a sinner ( Luke 15:11-32, Luke 18:9-14). Grace is a core part of the message of the Christian faith, and hence the message of the gospel is repeatedly labelled the “gospel of the grace of God” ( Acts 14:3, Acts 20:24).

“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:14

It is important to note that divine grace is a gift of God, and it is abundant enough to secure forgiveness and redemption for anyone who is dead to sin, raising them up and making them sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus ( Ephesians 2:5-6). This abundant grace also opens the door to healing from all kinds of sicknesses, and it delivers from captivity, oppression and all kinds of demonic powers.

Open Heaven 28 May 2018

Furthermore, it is able to breakdown the strongholds of the devil and produce transformation in lives. It is equally important to note that this abundant grace, though undeserved, is available for free! No one can ever meet the requirements or fulfil the conditions necessary for accessing the benefits that God’s grace gives. The least you can do is to thank God for it. Ephesians 2:8-9 says

“For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works , lest any man should boast.”

The saving grace of Jesus Christ is available to all human beings without exception; do not reject or ignore it, but rather accept it with thanksgiving and your life will never be the same again. Amen!

Open Heaven 28 May 2018 Action Point
Thank God for the work His redeeming grace has done in your life, recounting them to Him

Open Heaven 28 May 2018 Hymn: Hymn 3

1. O LORD my God! When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hand hath made;

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed:

Chorus:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,

And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze:

Chorus:

3. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die – I scarce can take it in:

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin:

Chorus:

4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home – what joy shall fill my heart!

Then shall I bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God how great Thou art!

Chorus.