Open Heaven 1^st April 2018 Sunday – THE SECRET THINGS

Open Heaven 1 April 2018 Memorise: The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Psalm 25:14

Read: Daniel 2:10-23(KJV) Open Heaven 1 April 2018

10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:

15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

Open Heaven 1 April 2018 Sunday

Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 29-30, Philippians 3:1-4:1

Hymnal: Sing hymn 6

OPEN HEAVEN 1 APRIL 2018 SUNDAY DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The benevolent Creator of all things speaks to mankind using different means and methods, one of which is dreams. King Nebuchadnezzar had a distributing dream which became more worrisome to him. When he realised that he could not even remember its details. Indeed the awesome God of heaven and of earth does what pleases Him in the affairs of men.

The king thought he had experts who could unravel his mysterious dream, but he was mistaken. His astrologers and stargazers could not reveal the secret thing all. Little did he know of the way God works, outlined in today’s memory verse. If you will be wise and learn from King Nebuchadnezzar’s experience, you need to first recognise and accept that there are secret things which determine the course of life.

The knowledge of such secret things could avert evil, make a person wise in decision making and even lead to unimaginable breakthroughs in life. My prayer for you today is that secrets which will lead to your success will not be hidden from you in Jesus’ Name. In Joseph’s time, it was the revelation of the devil’s secret plan to destroy the whole of Egypt and all other surrounding nations with hunger that saved them from dying during a devastating seven years of famine (Genesis 41). King Nebuchadnezzar would have killed all his so-called wise men out of frustration, but for the God of heaven who intervened through his prophet, Daniel.

OPEN HEAVEN 1 APRIL 2018 SUNDAY DAILY DEVOTIONAL

When King Nebuchadnezzar’s decree brought the threat of death to the doorsteps of Daniel and his cohorts, they sought the mercies of the God of heaven, and He released His wisdom to them.

Read Rccg Sunday School 1st April 2018 

Beloved, where do you seek wisdom: from God or from men? The wisdom of men will definitely disappoint you, and so you must seek the wisdom you need for overcoming life’s challenges from God. You may be wondering what the basis of my recommendation is.

God is rich in mercy and His mercy endures for ever (Ephesians 2:4, 1st Chronicles 16:34). Because He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, He knows the secrets behind all things that are yet to happen (Isaiah 46:10).

You would therefore be wise to put your trust in Him. Daniel and his brethren consulted Him and they were not disappointed. Furthermore, learn a vital lesson from their attitude after the secret things of the king’s dream were revealed to them by God: they gave all the glory back to Him immediately (Daniel 2:20-23).

This attitude is unlike that of some people who are obtaining just one degree would conclude that there is no God. We know what the Bible calls such people in Psalm 14:1. I pray for you today: the knowledge that would take faith away from your heart will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point – Open Heaven 1April 2018

I thank You Father because sound wisdom comes from You; please don’t deny me the secrets of life that will lead me to Your presence on the last day.

OPEN HEAVEN 1 APRIL 2018 SUNDAY HYMN

SING HYMN 6 – A NEW THING

(Tune: There shall be showers of Blessing)

We will soon shout Halleluiah

Because God will do new things

Sinners will be forgiven

Prodigals will come home soon.

Chorus:

Shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Rivers in desert now flowing

Hallelujah to our king.

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Sickness and sorrow will be gone

Bondage will be forgotten.

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

The barren will be faithful soon

Failure will be forgotten.

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Poverty will be forgotten

Stagnancy will soon be gone.

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

To all miracles are given

There shall be celebrations

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Many will have testimonies

Of prayer answered fully.

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

One of us will chase a thousand

Two will conquer ten thousand

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Songs of praises we will sing

Hallelujah to our King.

RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’ s Manual 1st April 2018 Lesson 31: Broken Homes

OPENING PRAYER: Father, uphold our
marriages. Save our homes from division.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:24-34

24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was
threescore years old when she bare them.

27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy
birthright.

32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright
unto Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” Mark
3:25.

INTRODUCTION:

Families are the bedrock of society. When families fall apart, society falls into social and cultural decline. The plan of God for divinely instituted homes is for them to remain united in body and in spirit (Psalm 133:1).

A broken home is a family in which the parents are separated or divorced. It is also a family that is set apart due to tension and certain problems. Open Heaven 30 March 2018

Unless you live in complete isolation, you have seen a broken home. It may be the family of a friend, relative or your own home.

Hardly anything perplexes and discourages us more than broken homes. The Bible talks a lot about broken homes which explains the reasons for this lesson.

TEXT REVIEW: Gen. 25:24-34

There were some observed differences between Esau and Jacob as indicated below:

i. Esau was red and hairy, Jacob was not. Gen. 25:2b.

ii. Jacob held the heel of Esau but Esau did not hold Jacob’s heel. Gen. 25:2b

iii. Esau grew to be a CUNNING hunter but Jacob was a PLAIN man. Gen. 25:27

iv. Esau lived in the field but Jacob in the tent. Gen. 25:27

v. Esau used to be starved ( faint for food) and found of asking his brother for some food.
Gen. 25: 28-30. His brother was not.

Gen. 25: 28 says, “…Isaac loved Esau,…and
Rebecca loved Jacob. Isaac’s love to Esau had an attachment…” Because he did eat his venison” but Rebecca’s love for Jacob was without any attachment. This can be
interpreted to mean that wherever “conditional love” comes to play, there would be envy and
envy would result into chaos at the long run.
Envy could lead to pretense, trick, falsification,
stealing and killing or threat to life, sorrow, hate, etc. Gen. 25:31-33, Gen. 27:34-36, 41

RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’ s Manual 1st April 2018 Lesson 31

LESSON OUTLINES
1. WHY ARE SO MANY HOMES BROKEN?

2. EFFECTS AND REMEDIES FOR BROKEN HOMES.

WHY ARE SO MANY HOMES BROKEN?
i. Cultural shift (decline of religion and morality)

ii. Wrong choice in marriage. Pro. 21:9;19; Pro.19:13

iii. Parental or friend’s influence. Gen. 2:24; Pro. 13:20

iv. Lack of genuine sacrificial love. 1Jh.3:16; Rom. 5:7-8

v. Communication breakdown. Matt.5:37

vi. Sexual unfaithfulness between couples.
Heb.13:4;Hos. 2:2

vii. Stinginess or meanness or poor economic planning. 1Tim. 6:10

viii. Preference for a child over other children (siblings). Gen. 25:28

ix. Attachment to job or other things than the family. Ps.127:2, Pro. 31:14-15.

x. World pleasures. 1 Jh. 2:15

Class Activity 1: Mention other factors that can lead to broken homes besides those stated above. Open Heaven 1 April 2018

EFFECTS AND REMEDIES FOR BROKEN HOMES.
A. EFFECTS:
i. Husbands abandon spouses and children.

ii. Wives walk out of the marriage.

iii. Either or both live alone or with strange fellows.

iv. Children suffer emotional stress arising from being abandoned

v. Children may grow to become ordinary fellow.

vi. Parental love is lacking.

B. REMEDIES
Those who suffer the pains of broken homes can apply the following solutions:
i. Commit everything to God in prayer (Psalm
127:1; Psalm 50:15)

ii. Stop and consider that God is greater than any difficulty (Jeremiah 32:27).

iii. Embrace the fact that Jesus loves you (Romans 5:8; Matthew 11:28-30).

iv. Ask God to make you a better person in the present circumstances (Psalm 51:10).

v. Seek the help of other Christians (Proverbs 11:14).

vi. Learn to forgive and seek reconciliation/
restoration (Ephesians 4:32; Romans 12:18;
Isaiah 57:18).

vii. Be patient to meet your spouse at their point of need (Ecclesiastes 7:8; 1Corinthians
7:10).

Class Activity 2: Mention other effects of broken homes.

SUMMARY:
“Broken homes” could be described as “broken lives”

CONCLUSION:
Love the Lord with your family from the
beginning and the love of God which produces unity will grow in your family. Open Heaven 31 March 2018

EVALUATION:
i. What is broken home?

ii. How can it be eliminated?

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, restore those who are suffering from the whips of broken homes.

ASSIGNMENT:
Use five points to differentiate a broken home and a united home.

OPEN HEAVENS 31 MARCH 2018 – WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR LIFE?

Memorise: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Read: Genesis 5:21-24 KJV

21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years,
and begat Methuselah:

22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years,
and begat sons and daughters:

23 And all the days of Enoch were
three hundred sixty and five years:

24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 28,
Philippians 2

MESSAGE OPEN HEAVENS 31 MARCH 2018

The value of a man’s life is not dependent on the number of years he spends on earth, and neither dependent on the amount of goods
that he possesses.

The value of a man’s life has to do with what he does with his life in appreciation of the benevolence of his Maker, who is also the Redeemer of his soul. The wisdom of God in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says:

“Let us hear the conclusion of the
whole matter; Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil,”

According to the above scripture, the value or quality of a man’s life is based upon the service he renders to his Maker in obedience to His commands. God hates a life of
disobedience. He likens disobedience to the sin of idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). Open Heaven 30 March 2018

Reading through the Bible, you will discover that idolatry is passionate to abhorred by God with a promise of severe punishment to the fourth generation of those found guilty of it (Exodus 20:5) .

Some people erroneously think that the amount of material possessions they have determines the value of their life. For this reason, they struggle at all cost to get rich, even to the extent of abandoning the pursuit of eternal life. Eventually, they end up frustrated and in serious agony. How I wish
such people would listen to these words of Jesus in Luke 12:15:

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

The Lord Jesus Christ admonished his audience to labour for things that have eternal value(John 6:27) . They in turn asked
Him what works they must do in order to do the works of God. Here is His answer to them in John 6:29 :

“….Thus is the work of God, that ye
believe on him whom he hath sent.”

This is the only way our labour in life will
have value and meaning. Any labour you put up that will not further your cause of having eternal life in God’s kingdom is an exercise in futility.

Believing in Jesus Christ and the work
of redemption He did for all mankind is a great work of faith that will add value to your life, which transcends this present life.
Enoch’s life was so valuable to God that God decided to personally come and take him to
Himself. How To Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

He did not send any of His angels on this assignment because of the value He placed on Enoch. Such a life is worthy of emulation. I encourage you to determine to add value to your life by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and by living a life of obedience to God in truth.

Key Point – OPEN HEAVENS 31 MARCH 2018
The worth of a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of thing that he has.

SING HYMN 12 – TAKE MY LIFE,
AND LET IT BE

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them
move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my sliver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

JESUS loves u.

Open Heaven 30 March 2018 Friday – THE LIVING

Open Heaven 30 March 2018 Memorise:Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Read: James 2:17-26 (KJV) Open Heavens 30 March 2018

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Open Heaven 30 March 2018

Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 25-27, Philippians 1

Hymnal: Sing hymn 5

OPEN HEAVEN 30 MARCH 2018 FRIDAY DAILY DEVOTIONA MESSAGE

The title of today’s devotional presupposes at least two categories of faith: living and dead faith. In James 2:17-26, the Holy Spirit confirms to us that there is indeed faith, and He also teaches us what makes faith have life.

Open Heaven 29 March 2018

My prayer for you is that any aspect of your faith that is dead will come alive today in Jesus’ Name. Is it not amazing that faith, as powerful as it is, cannot stand on its own without works? This is not contestable, because it is the word of God. James 2:18puts it this way:

“Yet, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee faith by my works.”

Faith sees into the invisible and beholds what the Almighty God is capable of doing. While the act of exercising faith can spur God into action, there is also an obligation on the part of the one exercising faith. The obligation is the work of faith which we are talking about today. Without this, faith is seen to be lifeless. Apostle James expounded on this truth with the classical example of the father of faith, Abraham.

“Was not Abraham our Father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:21-23

OPEN HEAVENS 30 MARCH 2018 FRIDAY

Beloved, what would have been left of Abraham’s walk of faith if he had refused when God asked him to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering? Thank God Abraham acted on the demand of God. In response to the demonstration of his faith that had moved from theory to practical, God said to Abraham:

“…Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” Genesis 22:12

After all the time that Abraham had been walking with God, why did God say “It’s now I know you fear Me?” It’s because his works had collided with his faith, which then came alive and became substantial. Beloved, do you have living faith in God?

Prayer Point – Open Heavens 30 March 2018

Father, please impart in my spirit the living faith that pleases You in practical terms from today, in Jesus’ Name.

OPEN HEAVEN 30 MARCH 2018 FRIDAY HYMN

SING 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

Open Heaven 29 March 2018 Thursday – TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Open Heaven 29 March 2018  Memorise:He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless came again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV) Open Heavens 29 March 2018

1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Open Heaven 29 March 2018

Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 23-24, Ephesians 6

Hymnal: Sing hymn 15

OPEN HEAVEN 29 MARCH 2018 MESSAGE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Our loving Father commanded His prophets and apostles of old to record the words of the Bible so that through these sacred writings, we may live profitable lives to Him, ourselves and to all of humanity in general.

The wisdom of God manifested in these writings can make us wise, if we apply our hearts on His teachings. This wisdom speaks to us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 saying,

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

When a man knows the appropriate time to act and not to act, he is considered wise. It is profitable for the children of God to be observant of times and seasons so that they are not found to be labouring against the divine timetable.

Our memory verse speaks of the time of sowing, which is often not as pleasant as the time of reaping, even though there is an assurance for the sower that in the time of harvest there shall be rejoicing. In other words, the Bible teaches us to endure in the time of sowing so that there could be a time of harvest. OPEN HEAVEN 28 MARCH 2018

Consequently, if there is no sowing, there will be no reaping. It takes the grace and wisdom of God for us to know the correct time of sowing and the correct time of reaping. It is calamitous for a man to be sleeping when he should be reaping, because his harvest would have been wasted before he wakes up from his slumber.

On the other hand, if by the time you ought to be sowing you are sleeping, at the time of harvest you would have nothing to reap.

OPEN HEAVEN 29 MARCH 2018

Timing is so important that there is even a time to speak and a time to be silent. There is a thought provoking message that sounds paradoxical but is perfect in wisdom, found in Proverbs 26:4-5:

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”

In other words, although not speaking out during an argument is wise and virtuous, it becomes a vice when there is a need to speak out and you keep your mouth shut. At such times, silence insinuates consent or denial of the truth. Our Lord Jesus Christ kept mute in the face of malicious and unfounded allegations against Him until He was asked if He was the king of the Jews and if He was the Christ (Matthew 27:11, Luke 22:67-70). To these questions, He answered in the affirmative. He could not have denied who He was because that would have contradicted or negated the Scripture. As a born again Christian, do you deny or refuse to affirm who you are in front of friends and colleagues? Ask God for forgiveness and begin to take a stand for your faith.

Prayer Point – Open Heaven 29 March 2018

Father, please give me wisdom that will make me accurately discern the right time and season for all things.

OPEN HEAVEN 29 MARCH 2018 THURSDAY HYMN

SING 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

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Wednesday, March 28, 2018) – The Belated Offering

Open Heaven 28 March 2018

1.I worship you, Father, because you are the God of restoration and mercy.

2.Thank you, Father, for the abundance of your grace upon my life.

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

4.Father, please, give me a new heart that will do good perpetually to all men, particularly to those who are of your household, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, let every spirit of procrastination, that makes a man delay, what he should do in the morning, till the evening, be consumed by your fire, in my life, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father have mercy and forgive me for allowing opportunities to sow and be blessed, slipped past me.

7.Father, empower me to pay my offerings, tithes, first fruits, etc, timely and, as at when due, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, help me to be punctual in coming to your presence, at church meetings and programmes, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, restore to me, every missed opportunity of giving that will provoke the release of a breakthrough blessing from you, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, help me to respond promptly and positively to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, please, grant Pastor E.A. Adeboye, divine health and strength, for the remaining days of his life, in Jesus’ name.

Open Heaven 29 March 2018

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 WEDNESDAY 28TH MARCH 2018: DON’T BE DISCOURAGED

Open Heaven 28 March 2018

MEMORISE: Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as
the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee;fear not, neither be discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:21

Please read: 1 Samuel 30:6, 18-20

MESSAGE:
Many years ago I felt very discouraged, I looked around and asked myself “what am I doing here?
Why did I leave my lecturing job to be the General Overseer of these people that don’t even appreciate or care about me?”

That day, I was so
discouraged that I decided to resign as General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of
God. I later took a nap and by the time I woke up, a little girl came to me with a cake and said God told her to give me the cake. I was
overwhelmed with surprise. I accepted the cake and even though I don’t really eat cake, I ate this
one. While I was eating, God said “I thought you said no one cared”.

My child, everything around you might seem discouraging, but God cares. He loves you and all you need to do is lean on Him in prayer when
you feel discouraged.

Discouragement is one of the devil’s favourite tools to make a person lose
what God has in store for him. When you feel discouraged, it means there is something glorious coming and the devil wants to steal it from you.

See how much God has blessed me
now as General Overseer of RCCG, the devil’s plan was to make me resign and lose all these
blessings.

ACTION POINT:
Express yourself to God and He will comfort you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:Joshua 21-22
Luke 6:1-26

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!

OPEN HEAVENS 28 MARCH 2018: THE BELATED OFFERING

Memorise: As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

Read: Mark 16:1-7 (KJV)
1 And when the sabbath was past,
Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

2 And very early in the morning the
first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

3 And they said among themselves,
Who shall roll us away the stone from
the door of the sepulchre?

4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

5 And entering into the sepulchre, they
saw a young man sitting on the right
side, clothed in a long white garment;
and they were affrighted.

6 And he saith unto them, Be not
affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth,
which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they
laid him.

7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into
Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he
said unto you.

Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 21:22,
Ephesians 5

A belated offering is a worthy present that is offered a little too late. A perfect example of
this is found in Mark 16:1 :
“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had brought sweet
spices, that they might come and
anoint him.”

These women had real love for Jesus. They followed Him everywhere He went as part of His disciples, and they catered to His needs. They were there at His crucifixion and even
stayed behind to see where He was buried (Luke 23:55-56) . After observing His burial
place, they combined resources to invest in
preparing sweet spices for the purpose of
anointing His body in the grave. Sadly
enough, it turned out to be a belated offering: a wasted effort that didn’t serve the intended
purpose and a colossal disappointment.

Indeed, it was the news of the resurrected Lord that served as their consolation. As
children of God, we must avoid coming late to the presence of God or delaying our praise, worship and service to God beyond the
appointed time; neither should we offer our vows, first fruits, tithes or special offerings
belatedly.

Many years ago, at the inception of the
Redeemed Camp building project, I told one of my sons of the need to urgently carry out
an assignment that God would want Him to handle. He responded that He would go and pray about it over the weekend and then feed me back. As soon as he walked out of my office, God brought someone else who
accepted the responsibly and immediately went to work, finishing the assignment in
record time.

My son came in early the following week to announce his readiness to do the work. He was dazed when I told him that the project
had been completed by someone else, and he saw the evidence of this.

Open Heavens For Teens 28 March 2018

He learnt his lesson that day and was never allowed such
opportunities slip through his hands since then. I pray that you and your offerings will be acceptable to God in Jesus’ Name. The
terrible thing about a belated offering is that it is always an opportunity lost that may never be regained. Esau carelessly lost the
opportunity of a lifetime, and although he later sought it carefully with tears, it was
impossible to reverse the situation. Hebrews
12:17 says,

“For ye know how that afterward, when
he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it
carefully with tears.”

Please don’t let this be your story. God bless you.

Prayer Point –
Father, restore to me every missed
opportunity of giving that will provoke the release of a breakthrough blessing from You
in Jesus’ Name.

SING HYMN 12 – TAKE MY LIFE,
AND LET IT BE
Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my sliver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for thee

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS TUESDAY 27TH MARCH 2018: FINISHING THE RACE

MEMORISE: I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2
Timothy 4:7

Please read: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

MESSAGE:
God has called us into an uncommon race. But unlike an earthly race, the strength for you to run this race can only be supplied by the Holy Spirit.
If you read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 and 2
Corinthians 4:7-9, you will see some of the difficulties and the challenges that Paul encountered during his race, yet he kept going by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When you are filled
with the Holy Spirit, it becomes easy to finish strong. In a football game, 22 people would have
kicked the ball up and down for the better part of 90 minutes or more; although the men become tired, the ball remains strong.

Are you battered,
beaten and kicked about like the ball? Hold on to the Holy Spirit! He will ensure nothing deflates
you. As long as He has filled you, you will be able to fly and weather every negative situation that comes your way.

It is also important to know that in the lives of many believers today, there are so many pending issues: pending repentance, pending restitutions
and unfinished assignment from the Master.

Check your life and find out where you owe God. Immediately put your life in order. If Paul can finish the race strong, you too can.

PRAYER POINT:
Holy Spirit, like never before, please fill me up till I overflow.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 19-20
Luke 5:17-39

Hymn 7.
1. I am Thine 0 Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Chorus
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Tuesday, March 27, 2018) – THE TIMELY OFFERING

Open Heaven 27 March 2018

1.Lord, I worship and adore you because, there is nothing that I can lay claim to in life, that has not been given to me from above, by You.

2.Thank you, Father, for the gift of life and for the grace to be counted among the living, today.

3.Thank you, Father, for giving your only begotten son, Jesus, as a sacrifice, for the redemption of my soul.

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

5.Father, let every spirit of stinginess, in my life, preventing me from giving back to you and your work, be consumed by your fire, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, release upon my life, the grace for prompt and timely obedience, in all things, that you have commanded, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, give me a big, generous and sacrificial heart of giving; to give to you and your work, rather than use my mouth to discourage those, that you have blessed with such heart, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, help me to give my offerings to you, from now on, promptly, timely, willingly, cheerfully and sacrificially, even, when it is not convenient for me to do so, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, let nothing be too big or too precious for me to surrender for your use, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, bless and meet Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the author of the open heavens daily devotional and general overseer of RCCG, at the points of his needs today, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, grant me grace to yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to give timely offerings that will release a reward from heaven, 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).