OPEN HEAVEN 22 MAY 2018 – EXERCISING YOUR DELEGATED AUTHORITY

Open Heaven 22 May 2018 Memorise:
And the Lord said unto Moses, wherefore criest thou into me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. Exodus 14:15

Open Heaven 22 May 2018 Bible reading: Exodus 14:10-16 and Luke 10:19

¹⁰ As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were very frightened; so the Israelites cried out to the Lord. 

¹¹ Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What is this that you have done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 

¹² Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians [as slaves] than to die in the wilderness.”

The Sea Is Divided

¹³ Then Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again. 

¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.”

¹⁵ The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward [toward the sea]. 

¹⁶ As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the sons of Israel may go through the middle of the sea on dry land.

Open Heaven 22 May 2018 Bible Reading in one year 2 Samuel 19-20 and 1 John 2:7-27

It is one thing to be given authority, and it is another thing to exercise the authority delegated. Some Christians are suffering today because they do not exercise the divine authority given to them as children of God. Some children of God are like Moses in today’s Bible reading, crying helplessly at the red sea with the army of Pharaoh fast approaching. Open Heaven 21 May 2018

The children of Israel also did not help matters because they murmured against his leadership at this critical point. The perfect storm faced by Moses at the Red Sea made him forget he was and the enormous power of God had vested in him. In Exodus 7:1, God had told him:

“And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.”

Unfortunately, either Moses forgot this or his mind could not gasp the extent of its meaning. Although crying to God is not wrong by itself, there is time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This was not the time for Moses to cry; rather, it was a time for him to exercise the authority given to him by God. Nevertheless, God graciously reminded Moses that the authority to deal with the situation was already at his disposal. In Exodus 14: 15-16, God said to him:

“…Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea”

Open Heaven 22 May 2018

Beloved, do you know that God has given you the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and everything they represent. Jesus Christ has given to us the power and authority to tread on all the powers of the enemy, and He promised that nothing shall by any means hurt us (Luke 10:19). However, to exercise this authority, we must live according to the dictates of the One who delegated His authority to us. A lesson from today’s story about Moses is that he exercised authority by the instructions of the Almighty God.

He was not presumptuous as many would have been. His cry to God could mean “what should I do in this situation?” Another lesson is that although the Lord had equipped him with the rod, he did not know the full extent of its power in solving the problems of the people he was leading.

In other words, God has equipped his children with the necessary authority and power not only to defend themselves but also to rescue the perishing. You have the authority to bring change to the chaos in the world around you, but are you putting this to use?

Open Heaven 22 May 2018 Prayer Point:
Stop any activity of the devil in your life and in the world around you by the authority given to you in the name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: Saturday, May 21st 2018) – From Jacob to Israel

1. Thank you, Father, for your faithfulness, love and unfailing promises upon my life.

2. Father, take hold of my old lifeless creature and fashion it into a new creature that is Heaven-bound

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

4.Father, transform my life and make me a better person in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, help me to experience this transformation indeed in you, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, strengthen my faith in you. Make me obey your instructions, even, in hard times, let your word guide me through in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, help me resist any form of unrighteousness buried in my heart and body, so I can be an overcomer, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, help me to stop exhibiting the characteristics of my old nature in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, strengthen my faith in you, to enable me overcome every temptation that may come my way, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, help me recognize the salvation Jesus brought to me is not simply to energize the old creation with new ability and power; rather, to brings about a new creature that has the divine nature of God , in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, send help to your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, today, in all areas he has been looking up to you for help, 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 SUNDAY 20TH MAY 2018: SEEING OPPORTUNITIES

MEMORISE: Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shall be satisfied with bread. Proverbs 20:13

Please read: 2 Kings 4:1-7

MESSAGE:
Opportunities are the raw materials that must be processed in order to get to your ultimate destination. Anyone who does not take advantage of the opportunities they have can never fulfil destiny. Open Heaven 21 May 2018

One secret of outstanding people is their ability to identify opportunities when they see them. Obeying the instructions of your parents provides you with numerous opportunities to stand out in the community.

Similarly, what you already have could provide you with the opportunity you need to reach your goals. Do you know that the talent that will bring you to the limelight is already in you?

On the other hand, you may need to enroll for a course or acquire more skills or training to make you proficient. What do you have? You can use what
you have to get what you need or desire. Ask God to open your eyes today, and take advantage of the opportunities you see.

PRAYER POINT:
Lord, open my eyes to the opportunities around me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 1-2
John 7:32-53

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!

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: Saturday, May 19th, 2018) – A Child Of Abraham?

1.Thank you, Father, for your faithfulness, love and unfailing promises.

2.Thank you, Father, for the unparalleled faith demonstrated by Abraham, to secure great blessings for himself and all of us his descendants. Open Heaven 20 May 2018

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

4.Father, give me the faith of Abraham, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, open my eyes to your truth, that I may gain access to all my inheritance in you, in Jesus’ name. Open Heaven 21 May 2018

6.Father, empower me to believe and obey your instructions, even, in difficult situations, no matter how foolish they may appear, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, help me to walk by faith and not by sight, from now on, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, give me the grace to do the works that Abraham did, that I may be qualified to be called, the child of Abraham, indeed, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, strengthen my faith in you, to enable me overcome every temptation that may come my way, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, let every spirit of ignorance, doubt and fear, in my life, be consumed, by your fire, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, send help to your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, today, in all areas he has been looking up to you for help, 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 TEACHER’s Manual 20th May 2018 Lesson 38 – Cornelius

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to fear you, with my household.

Bible Passage: Acts 10:1-6 (KJV)

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

MEMORY VERSE: “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” – Acts 10:2

INTRODUCTION:

Cornelius was a Roman centurion, of the band called the Italian band (Acts 10:1), stationed at Caesarea in Palestine. He was supposed to have been of a distinguished family in Rome. Cornelius had evidently been led by the Holy Spirit to renounce idolatry, to worship the true God, and to lead a devout and beneficent life. He was prepared to receive the Savior, and God did not fail to reveal Himself. Cornelius was miraculously directed to send for Peter, who was also miraculously prepared to attend the summons. He was also ‘’the first gentile convert’’, and the story of his reception of the gospel shows how God broke down the partition-wall between Jews and Gentiles.

TEXT REVIEW: ACTS 10:1-6

The story in today’s Bible passage clearly demonstrates God’s impartiality in dealing with the faithful whether rich or poor; whether noble or not. He is the righteous God with fair dealing:- Psalm 50:6. Few things to learn about God from the passage are hereunder stated:
i. God knows those who are devout and those who fear him. Acts 10:2
ii. God knows those who give alms to other people and pray to Him always. Acts 10:2
iii. God can show Himself to His faithful either by vision or through an angelic messenger. Acts 10:3.
iv. God knows the full names (including surname) of the faithful. Acts 10:3b,
v. God knows our fears and ready to take care of them. Acts 10:4a
vi. God does not cast away our prayers and good deeds but keeps them for a memorial (appointed time). Acts 10:4a
vii. God knows our locations at every point in time and understands the intent of our hearts. Acts 10:6
What a wonderful God who knows everything and does wondrous things. Psalm 72:18

2 LESSON OUTLINES

Lesson Outline 1: CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS

A. CHARACTER OF CORNELIUS
i. He was a man in authority. A senior military personnel. Acts 10:1
ii. He was a devout man who feared the Lord. Acts 10:2a
iii. He was generous and charitable. Acts 10:2b
iv. He was a prayer champion and lover of regular prayers. Acts 10:2c
v. He received a message from the Lord through God’s angel. Acts 10:3
vi. He was obedient to the instructions of the angel. Acts 10:7

B. THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CORNELIUS
i. He sent and located Peter at the palace which the angel described. Acts 11:14.
ii. He invited his relatives and close friends to come and hear the message of God through Peter. Acts 10:24
iii. They paid attention to the message of Apostle Peter and the evidence was that the Holy Spirit fell on them. Acts 10:44
iv. Cornelius and those with him (Gentiles and non-Jews) were converted.
v. They spoke with tongues and magnified God. Acts 10:46.
vi. Through their conversion, it became evident that God has granted forgiveness to Gentiles who repented. Acts 11:18
vii. They were baptized in the name of the Lord. Acts 10:47-48.
viii. They had fellowship with Peter. Acts 10:48

Class Activity 1: Why do some rich people fail to accept the gospel and receive the Holy Spirit baptism like Cornelius?

Lesson Outline 2: LESSON FROM HIS LIFE

i. If you seek God diligently, you will surely find Him (Acts 10:30, Acts 17:27, Deut. 4:29).
ii. Generous giving to the needy and constant prayers can reach the throne of God Himself (Acts 10:4).
iii. Although Cornelius, and undoubtedly many in his household and among the relatives and close friends, were religious, they still needed to be saved. i.e. born again (John 3:3-8).
iv. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone (Act 10:34-35).
v. Try to make certain all your household, relatives, and close friends hear the words of the gospel and what they must do to be saved. Open Heaven 21 May 2018

Class Activity 2: What role does generous giving play in the body of Christ?

SUMMARY:
You too can be a God fearing and devout person whose services would be brought to a memorial. Just surrender yourself to the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION:
God wants more people like Cornelius in our churches. You should be the next one.

EVALUATION:
Mention those things you can remember about Cornelius.

CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, remember my services and bless me.

ASSIGNMENT:
Mention five wonderful things about Christian soldier that distinguishes him/her from a non-Christian soldier.

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?

RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual May 20th, 2018 Lesson 38 — Cornelius

MEMORY VERSE: “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” – Acts 10:2

BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 10:1-6

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

INTRODUCTION:

Cornelius was a Roman centurion, of the band called the Italian band (Acts 10:1), stationed at Caesarea in Palestine. He was supposed to have been of a distinguished family in Rome. Cornelius had evidently been led by the Holy Spirit to renounce idolatry, to worship the true God, and to lead a devout and beneficent life. He was prepared to receive the Savior, and God did not fail to reveal Himself. Cornelius was miraculously directed to send for Peter, who was also miraculously prepared to attend the summons. He was also ‘’the first gentile convert’’, and the story of his reception of the gospel shows how God broke down the partition-wall between Jews and Gentiles. Open Heaven 21 May 2018

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. Character and achievements
2. Lessons from his life

CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Cornelius was a devout man who feared God of Israel (Acts 10:2a). He was generous and charitable. He gave money to the poor (Acts 10:2b). He prayed to God constantly (Acts 10:2c).

An angel appeared to him in a vision (Acts 10:3) and told him that his prayers and his gifts to the poor had come up before God as a memorial (Acts 10:4). The angel also instructed him to send to Joppa for Simon (Peter) who would tell him words by which he and his household would be saved (Acts 11:14).

Cornelius called his relatives and close friends to gather with his household so they might also hear what Peter would say (Acts 10:24). While Peter was talking to Cornelius and the others, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word (Acts 10:44).

Cornelius and those with him were the first Gentiles, non-Jewish, converts. Their conversion was evidence that God had ‘’also granted to the Gentile repentance unto life’’ (Acts 11:18). They were baptised in water and admitted into the Christian church (Acts 10:44-48).

LESSONS FROM HIS LIFE:

1. If you seek God diligently, you will surely find Him (Acts 10:30, Acts 17:27, Deuteronomy 4:29).

2. Generous giving to the needy and constant prayers can reach the throne of God Himself (Acts 10:4)

3. Although Cornelius, and undoubtedly many in his household and among the relatives and close friends, was religious, he still needed to be saved-born again (John 3:3-8).

4. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone (Acts 10:34-35).

5. Try to make certain all your household, relatives and close friends hear the words of the gospel and know what they must do to be saved.

CONCLUSION:

The heart of Cornelius was drawn towards godliness and God arranged for his salvation. He carried everyone around him along and God touched them all.

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the character and achievements of Cornelius.
2. What lesson can we learn from the life of CORNELIUS?

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS AND CHILDREN SATURDAY 19TH MAY 2018: UNPROFITABLE INDEPENDENCE

MEMORISE: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Please read: Genesis 3:4-5

MESSAGE:
Pride makes many not to yield to God. When you surrender all to Him, your ambitions and plans will be determined by Him.

The one who is surrendered to God must completely depend on Him. Like a baby, you must go to Him for every of your needs and plans. Nobody can live
independently of God and what he or she was originally designed to be.

The sin Adam and Eve committed in the Garden of Eden was not just the sin of disobedience; it was an attempt to be independent of God. Open Heavens 20 May 2018

Satan told them that they didn’t need to keep depending on God when they themselves could become like Him. The day you decide to do without God, you have signed.

KEY POINT:
If you depend on God, dependence on man will be unnecessary. But if you are independent of God, you will be compelled to depend on men who will fail you. Open Heaven 21 May 2018

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 23-25
John 7:1-31

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.