Open Heaven 13 November 2018 Memorize: But whosoever looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1: 25

Open Heaven 13 November 2018 Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14 (KJV)

10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Bible in one year: Ezekiel 1:2 Luke 21:5-28, Hymnal: sing Hymn 2

The Bible is indeed a book of law. It is a user’s manual that gives instructions on how best to live our lives successfully. imagine buying a device you have never used before, only to discover later that its user’s manual is missing!

You will either go back to the manufacturer for the manual or try to figure your way around using it. If you go with the latter option, you will have no idea of what you are doing, and if you chance you get the gadget working after playing around with it, you will never fully understand it in its entirety, and so you will not be able to fully optimize its use.

That is how it is with our lives. Our lives are like the gadget, and the Bible is the manual meant to give us a step by step guide on how to live our lives. Click Here To Read – Open Heaven 12 November 2018 (Keep Your Children Alive)

Unlike earthly manuals that you can master within a short time and discard eventually, the Bible is a manual that you will need till you breathe your last breath.

As Christians, our physical and spiritual lives are not meant to be average. God expects us to live life at its best, and He has given us the Bible to instruct us on how to achieve this successfully (2nd Timothy 3:16-17).

The Bible is our book of solutions, containing answers to every problem we may face in this world. At a point in time, I was having issues solving a mathematical problem.

I was on the right track, but I had so many equations and it was difficult finding a way to solve them all. I decided to take a break and read my Bible. The portion of the Bible I read was where Moses parted the Red Sea.

There and then, God told me that I should solve the problem just as the Red Sea was parted in two. He opened my eyes to see that all the equations could be divided into two categories based on certain qualities.

Going by this inspiration, I placed some of the equations on the left and some on the right, and having grouped them this way, the problem was easier to work out.

I solved those on the left and those on the right independently, and then I brought them back together again, just as the Red Sea came back together. That was how I solved the difficult problem and got the correct answer.

The Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and can only be understood by His help (2nd Corinthians 3:6). The more you chew on the word, the more you will see things like God and become like Him.

You need to note however that it is not just about reading the Bible, but also about understanding it by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Whenever you want to study the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand it, and before long, you will have deep insights and see things that no one else has seen.

You also need to live by God’s Instructions in the Bible, for it is only then that the anointing of good success can be activated in your life (Joshua 1:8).

Open Heaven 13 November 2018 Key point: This book of the law should never depart out of your mouth: is it part of your daily communication?

Open Heaven 13 November 2018 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.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Monday, November 12, 2018) . Keep Your Children Alive!

1.Thank You, Father, for the salvation of my soul and for the gift of Your heritages, placed under my care.

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

3.Father, empower me and my entire household, to trust only in You, and never to lean on our own understanding, in Jesus’ name.

4.Father, help me to nurture the children You have given me, with the spiritual nourishment in Your word, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, give the children You have placed under my watch, ears to hear You, and hearts that obey You, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, possess all Your heritages in my care, with Your Holy Spirit; teach them in Your ways, and when they grow up, let them not depart from it, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, instill Your fear in the hearts of all my children; let me never fail in all my responsibilities over them, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, let me and my entire household always find favour and good understanding in Your sight and in the sight of men, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, empower me and the children You have kept in my care, to always acknowledge You, in all our ways, and as we do, please, direct our paths in life, in Jesus’ name.

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

11.Father, grant Pastor E.A. Adeboye, divine health, long life and peace of mind over all his children, 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 STUDENTS MANUAL LESSON ELEVEN 11 NOVEMBER 2018 – A MODEL FOR TODAY

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 : “And they continue steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers.” Acts 2:42

BIBLE PASSAGE : Acts 2:42-44

42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

INTRODUCTION : A close study of the daily life of the first apostolic church reveals certain peculiarities worthy of note. This seems to run contrary to some trends noticed in some churches today.

We need to examine what the early church looked like and practiced in order to realign ourselves with the will of God for His Church .

OUTLINES
1. SOME SHORT-COMINGS OF THE PRESENT – DAY CHURCH
2.THE QUALITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH.

1. SOME SHORT-COMINGS OF THE PRESENT – DAY CHURCH: In many of the Churches of today,human philosophies and motivational talks have replaced sound doctrines (1 Corinthians 2:4; Colossians 2:4,8). Rather than rendering selfless services. People now seek for immediate reward /compensations (Acts 20:35, Galatians 6:9).

True love, as well as genuine fellowship (I. E. Inter-personal relationship) is not just missing among members but has been replaced with suspicions (1John 3:18, Hebrew 10:25). There is also the lack of sacrificial giving and commitment to kingdom projects (Acts 2:45, Psalm 69:9).

Pride, egoistic tendencies and unhealthy rivalry among leaders and followers are quite noticeable (2 Corinthians 10:12, Philippines 2:5). Some members even engage in a life of suspicion, envy and strife (James 3:14,16).

There are also gimmicks in some churches today resulting in exploitations, intimidations, faking of miracles, lies and deceptions in the name of packaging ; etc (1Timothy 6:3-7; Ephesians 4:14, 2 Corinthians 12:16-17).

THE QUALITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH :
The early church was characterized by steadfastness in ‘apostolic’ doctrines, fellowship, prayer and breaking of bread from house to house (Acts 2:42-46,12:5). The early Church featured warm, truthful and loving fellowship (2 Corinthians 2:13, Philippines 4:10). Real signs and wonders took place in the Church (Acts 2:43, 4:14, Mark 16:20).

They were united with brotherly love and had all things in common (Acts 2:44, John 17:21). The members of the early Church were also generous (Acts 2:5, Acts 4:34-37) and enjoyed Favour (Acts 2:47). The church had tremendous numeric growth on daily basis (Act 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14).

CONCLUSION
While we cannot rule out the need for innovations and creativity that make the Church of God lively today, the present day Church must be modeled after the early Church.
QUESTIONS
1. Mention at least 4 short – comings of the present – day Church.
2. What are the qualities of the early church?

For Further Reading : Acts 17:10, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Acts 2:17, Psalm 103:1, Acts 10:35, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Acts 4:4.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’ MANUAL LESSON ELEVEN SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBER, 2018 – THE EARLY CHURCH: A MODEL FOR TODAY

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 friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

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

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

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

OPENING PRAYER:
Father, let me serve You steadfastly.

BIBLE PASSAGE : Acts 2:42-44
42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

MEMORY VERSE: “And they continue steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers.” Acts 2:42

LESSON INTRODUCTION: INTRODUCTION : A close study of the daily life of the first apostolic church reveals certain peculiarities worthy of note. This seems to run contrary to some trends noticed in some churches today. We need to examine what the early church looked like and practiced in order to realign ourselves with the will of God for His Church .

TEXT REVIEW : ACTS 2: 42-44
The believers in the early church were steadfast in the following Christian virtues and activities after they were baptized:
i. Doctrine – Apostles’ doctrines and teaching. Vs 42a
ii. Fellowship – Warm and healthy horizontal relationship with one another and vertical relationship with the Almighty God. Vs. 42b.
iii. Breaking of bread – Holy Communion and sharing. Vs 42c
iv. Prayers – Be it in supplication, thanksgiving, petitions. Vs 42d
v. Miracles – Many wonders and signs were performed through them. Vs 43b
vi. Fear upon soul right reverence was attributed to the Almighty God. Vs 43a
vii. Bonded – Oneness and unity. Vs 44a
viii. Had all things in common, similar behaviour, bowel of mercy and rendering support. Vs 45.
ix. Hospitality – Sharing from house to house. Vs 46
x. Appreciation -0Thanksgiving to God. Vs 47.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: SOME SHORTCOMINGS OF THE PRESENT – DAY .
i. Human philosophies and motivational talks have replaced the Apostles’ doctrines. 1 Cor. 2:4, Col. 2: 4,8.
ii. Monetary rewards and other forms of compensations have replaced selfless services. Acts 20: 35, Gal. 6:9
iii. True, genuine and agape love has been replaced by suspicion. 1 John. 3:18, Heb. 10:25.
iv. Sacrificial giving is gradually fading away. Acts 2:45, Psalms 69: 9.
v. Pride, competition, egoistic tendencies, rivalry among leaders and followers have replaced complementary and true submission to one another and God. 2 Cor. 10:1, Phil. 2:5
vi. Envy and strife, suspicion and hatred have found their ways to the church. James 3:14, 16.
vii. Gimmicks resulting in fake miracles, lies, exploitation, intimidation, evil packaging, deception etc. 1 Tim. 6:3-7;Eph.4:14; 2 Cor. 12:16-17.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Class to identify the effects of the above stated work of the flesh and the devil in addition to secular-like songs and indecent dressing to the church.

LESSON OUTLINE 2 : THE QUALITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH :
i. Steadfastness in Apostles’ doctrines, fellowship, prayers and breaking of bread from house to house. Acts 2: 42-44.
ii. Warm, truthful and loving fellowship.
2 Cor. 2:13; Phil. 4:10.
iii. True signs and wonders were common in the early church. Acts 243, 4:14; Mark 16:20.
iv. Unity in love and togetherness. Acts 2:44; John 17: 21.
v. The early church members were generous. Acts 2:45; 4:34-37
vi. The early church enjoyed favour with all people. Acts 2:44.
vii. The early church experienced tremendous growth on daily basis. Acts 2:41; 4:4, 5:14.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: How can the above-stated qualities of the early church return fully into the modern-day church?

SUMMARY : Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever. Heb.13;8. The standard of the church MUST NOT CHANGE.

CONCLUSION : While we cannot rule out the need for innovations and creativities that make the church of God lively today, the present day church must be modelled after the early church.

EVALUATION : Mention four(4) shortcomings of the modern-days church and four (4) qualities of the early- Christian church.

CLOSING PRAYER : Father, let the five(5) of the early-Christians church return to our present day church.

ASSIGNMENT : Students should find ten(10) qualities of the early -church from Acts 2:41-47.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Sunday, November 11, 2018) – What A Great Father He is!

1.Thank You, Father, for creating me in Your image, and for giving me dominion over all that You have created.

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

3.Father, You are my sustainer, my cherisher, my provider, and the source of my being; please, let me never be separated from You, in Jesus’s name.

4.Father, arise, scatter and frustrate, every evil agenda of Satan, to steal, to kill and to destroy, in my life, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, Help me to grow in Love, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, give me the grace to follow peace with all men and to run away from every appearance of evil, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, anoint me with Your Holy Ghost and power, and let me go about doing only good and not evil, all the days of my life, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, let an end come to all stubborn battles, situations and struggles in my life; and open the doors of the good life, You have created me to live, unto me, in Jesus’ name.

9.I decree that I shall not die, but live, to declare the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living, in Jesus’ name.

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

11.Father, let every voice of opposition, against the life, prosperity and ministry of Your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, be silenced forever, 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).