OPEN HEAVEN 17 DECEMBER 2019 MEMORISE: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: – (Proverbs 24:3)

OPEN HEAVEN 17 DECEMBER 2019 READ: PROVERBS 6:6-11 (KJV)

6. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise;

7. Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8. Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

9. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;

11. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

OPEN HEAVEN 17 DECEMBER 2019 MESSAGE WITH HYMN, PRAYER POINTS, DAILY DECLARATIONS AND BIBLE READING

Knowledge is considered to be powerful, because it is a major factor that controls the decision-making process and therefore ultimately determines the course of a person’s life.

How much you know determines your ability to make the right decisions about a subject matter. Based on this, Proverbs 1:29-31 says that those who despise or detest knowledge do so to their own peril. To this end, Hosea 4:6 says:

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

The wisdom you need in taking those crucial decisions is available to you in the written and spoken word of God. If you know more about God and His word, it will help you to make error-proof choices and decisions.

God can choose to speak to you on the way to go through the Bible or through prophetic utterance of genuine men and women of God. How much time do you set aside for studying the Bible?

Some think it is a waste of time to undertake personal Bible studies at night while others are sleeping. This is not so; you are actually gaining time by doing this.

When you give priority to God’s word, you will realize that you spend far less time and effort in reaching your goal compared to those who don’t. That is why God told Joshua not to allow the knowledge of His word elude him, so that he would achieve good success (Joshua 1:8).

Every Christian needs to know that dependence on worldly knowledge can lead to failure, but godly knowledge guarantees success.

Biblical knowledge is a combination of scientific, and it is superior to any other kind of knowledge. However, the knowledge of God’s word is not enough; doing what it says is much more important. James 1:25 says:

“But whoso 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.”

Today’s Bible reading establishes another principle of success that says there is wisdom in hard work and saving for the rainy day. Those who are lazy cannot amount to anything.

Also, those who are hardworking but eat both their food and seed, especially their tithes and offerings, cannot walk in the realm of God’s covenant blessings. Apart from sowing seeds, you need to invest for the rainy day.

Ants should not be wiser than men, but God in His wisdom directs us to them today to obtain knowledge on the principles of success. May the Lord help us to be wise in Jesus’ Name.

OPEN HEAVEN 17 DECEMBER 2019 PRAYER POINT:

Father, please endow me with wisdom from Your Spirit-illuminated word, so that I may gain wisdom for a successful life.

Previous Important Links:

Read – Open Heavens 16 December 2019

Read – Prayer Points For Open Heavens 16 December 2019

Read – Daily Declarations 16 December 2019

OPEN HEAVEN 17 DECEMBER 2019 HYMNAL: HYMN 3 – WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

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.

CHORUS:
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 nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

CHORUS:
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Nor a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

CHORUS:
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay,
For the favour He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey.

CHORUS:
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to 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.

CHORUS:
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

OPEN HEAVEN 17 DECEMBER 2019 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 144-150, ZECHARIAH 4:1-5:4

Psalm 144-150 King James Version (KJV)

Chapter 144

1 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

3 Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

5 Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.

7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.

11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:

12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:

13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:

14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.

15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

Chapter 145

1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.

11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Chapter 146

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.

2 While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:

8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:

9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.

Chapter 147

1 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.

20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.

Chapter 148

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.

Chapter 149

1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.

Chapter 150

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

ZECHARIAH 4:1-5:4

Chapter 4

1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.

2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

8 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.

10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Chapter 5

1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

4 I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

5 Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.

OPEN HEAVEN 18 DECEMBER 2019 MEMORISE: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. – (Romans 12:2)

OPEN HEAVEN 18 DECEMBER 2019 READ: 1 JOHN 2:15-29 (KJV)

15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

18. Little children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father; (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

28. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

OPEN HEAVEN 18 DECEMBER 2019 MESSAGE WITH HYMN, PRAYER POINTS, DAILY DECLARATIONS AND BIBLE READING

In this perverse world, there are many standards by which people live. Different cultures on earth all define standards they expect people to live by and try to impose this on anyone that lives under their influence.

However, when Jesus came to earth preaching the kingdom of God, He dismissed these worldly standards, replacing them with the standards of God’s kingdom.

For example, the world believes that a leader should be Lord over his or her followers, but Jesus said it should not be so amongst us Christians.

Heaven’s standard of leadership establishes that a leader should serve his or her followers (Luke 22:25-27). Also, the world tells us that it is foolish to receive an insult from someone and keep quiet; the expectation is that you should reply with even more insults.

Contrary to this, Jesus says that when someone slaps you on one cheek, you should offer him the other cheek also (Luke 6:29).

The standards you live by indicate the kingdom you belong to. Speaking to God concerning His disciples, Jesus said in John 17:16:

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

If you live by the world’s standards, then you are of the world. What standards do you apply in your business dealings? By what standards do you relate with your wife or husband?

What standards influence your behavior in your workplace? If you don’t live by Christ’s standards, don’t deceive yourself claiming that you are not of this world.

Many times, people live by the standards of the world because they are afraid of being rejected by the world.

You must quickly understand as a disciple of Jesus Christ that you cannot expect the world to love you. Jesus explained this to His disciples in John 15:19, saying:

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

If you are after the love of the world, then you have missed it completely. The One whose love you should be after is Jesus. His approval should be all that you seek.

The world can hail you today for giving them bread and fish, then turn around to scream “Crucify Him!” tomorrow. The world is no one’s friend.

The only true friend you can have is Jesus Christ. Guard your relationship with Him jealously, and live by His standards rather than those of the world.

OPEN HEAVEN 18 DECEMBER 2019 KEY POINT:

The standards you live by shows the kingdom you belong to.

OPEN HEAVEN 18 DECEMBER 2019HYMNAL: HYMN 4 – TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE

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

2. 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.

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

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

5. 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.

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

OPEN HEAVEN 18 DECEMBER 2019 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PROVERBS 1-4, ZECHARIAH 5:5-6:15

Proverbs 1-4 King James Version (KJV)

Chapter 1

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Chapter 2

1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Chapter 3

1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Chapter 4

1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

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

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

ZECHARIAH 5:5-6:15

5 Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.

6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.

7 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.

8 And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.

9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.

10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?

11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

Chapter 6

1 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.

2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;

3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.

4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?

5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country.

7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.

8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

9 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;

11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord:

13 Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the Lord.

15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.

TODAY’S DAILY DECLARATIONS WITH RCCGONLINE MONDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2019

Good Morning Beloved,

Daily Confession: The power of the Most High is working wonders inside of my life, it is my time to live a glorious life of testimonies. I experience divine turn around each and everyday nothing can stop me from basking in the fullness of His word working in my life. I am filled with overflowing joy and thanksgiving because what the lord has done nothing can reverse it in Jesus name. Amen!

Read – Open Heavens 16 December 2019

Declarations:

This morning the presence of God will go with you and your household, in Jesus Name!

May His daily mercy never depart from you, in Jesus Name!

Let there be Divine visitation over your life today, in Jesus Name

I decree and declare, you will not die young in Jesus’ Name.

I decree and declare, there will never know tragedy again in your home, in Jesus’ Name

I decree and declare, beginning from now, you will continue to rise, in Jesus’ Name.

I decree and declare, from this moment on, your progress will be rapid, in Jesus’ Name

You are created to dominate and subdue the earth- May this be your Testimonies in Jesus Name

May the Almighty God send that Word in season to you this day, in Jesus Name!

I pronounce your day of celebration to come into manifestation now in Jesus Name

Someone is struggling with addiction, you are set free now, in Jesus Name

I command that spirit of Pride to release you and let you go now in Jesus Name

This is our week of Plesant Surprises, may you receive your own testimonies, in Jesus Name!

Very soon, we shall all gather here and celebrate you, in Jesus Name

May your worship today not be rejected in Jesus Name!

Go and be called blessed henceforth in Jesus Name

Receive deliverance from any form of debts you are struggling with in Jesus Name!

You joy shall be full in Jesus Name

I cover all homes with the blood of Jesus!

I will not have cause to mourn over anyone of You in Jesus Name!

Go ahead and celebrate God for this declarations.

What A FAITHFUL FATHER!

We return all Glory to you Alone.

Hallelujah!

God bless You!

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S OPEN HEAVENS 16 DECEMBER 2019 MONDAY

Good Morning Beloved,

Daily Confession: The power of the Most High is working wonders inside of my life, it is my time to live a glorious life of testimonies. I experience divine turn around each and everyday nothing can stop me from basking in the fullness of His word working in my life. I am filled with overflowing joy and thanksgiving because what the lord has done nothing can reverse it in Jesus name. Amen!

Read – Open Heavens 16 December 2019

Prayer Points:

Lord almighty I worship and adore you accept my worship in Jesus name

Father thank you for this wonderful new dawn and grace to be alive

Ancient of days thank you for the forgiveness of my sin and the blood shed for the salvation of my soul

Holy one of Israel thank you for your word sent to teach, reproof and direct me each day

Glorious father have your way in my life help me to keep to your precepts at all times

Holy spirit be my vision always never let me walk in the direction against your will

Father, at this perilous time let your love constantly burn within me and keep me in your will

Father in your power negate whatsoever wants to divert my attention away from your purpose for me

Lord eternal terminate every power arising rootlessly and aiming to keep me far away from your ways

Father, please strengthen me as I journey through this life to the heavenly Jerusalem.

Father fill my life daily with awe of you and never let me have too much of you or be full of myself in Jesus name

Lord increase the thirst for you and kingdom desires within my heart in Jesus name

Father no matter how much the world has to entice me never let me fall prey of the devices of the world

Father help me to keep my focus wholly and solely on the cross, my heavenly home and treasure in Jesus name

Lord regardless of every blessing I might be given by you for me to enjoy on earth, do not let me use my earthly enjoyment to jeopardize my heavenly home in Jesus name

Lord bring to my memory always that this place is temporary while heaven is the eternal and final home in Jesus name

Lord let my life always be filled with your praises regardless of what life throws at me in Jesus name

Jehovah concerning all my heart desires and things that cause me restless night today let me have a divine encounter

Lord in my family today wipe out every form of unbelief that might keep us in the place you do not want us to be physically or spiritually

Father, uproot from my life and destiny anything that does not reflect or represent Your image and likeness, in Jesus’ name.

Father, help me to walk perpetually in Your Will, so that the things that I am supposed to take dominion over, will not begin to take dominion over me, in Jesus’ name.

Father, give me the power to live above sin and all the activities of the flesh, and restore Your dominion in my life, in Jesus’ name.

Father, don’t let me ever live below the standard You have set for me to live by; and, uphold me, never to fall from grace again, in Jesus’ name.

Father, save today, as many, who are yet to know You, as their personal Lord and saviour, and restore all those who have backslidden and gone back into the world, in Jesus’ name.

Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, and uphold him till the end, by Your right hand of righteousness, in Jesus’ name.

Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus’ name.

Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus’ name.

Your Personal petitions.
( Philippians 4:6)

In Jesus’ name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

#GodBlessOurHomes

TODAY’S DAILY DECLARATIONS WITH RCCGONLINE 15TH DECEMBER 2019

Good Morning Beloved,

Daily Confession: The lord is my source and He sustains me in all aspect of life. My life is filled with divine blessing. I live a life of purpose fulfillment, I am lifted daily by His strength and power of His word. His grace is made sufficient for me each and every day. My soul is impacted by His word and my spirit is filled with the truth. I do not live a hopeless life because Christ is the hope of my salvation. Hallelujah!

Declarations:

This morning the presence of God will go with you and your household, in Jesus Name!

May His help be made available for you, in Jesus Name!

Let that unfavourably decision receive divine turn around now, in Jesus Name

May you not have any reason to compromise your faith, in Jesus Name!

Let your day of testimonies be release by mercy, in Jesus Name

That upcoming shame has been turn to celebration, in Jesus Name

I rebuke every form of inner sickness from your body now, in Jesus Name

Over all users of this platform, we shall not type GONE SO SOON, in Jesus Name!

Let all evil days ahead of us be redeemed now by the blood of Jesus!

I decree over that family, enemies will not rejoice over you in Jesus Name

That family struggling financially, receive divine treasure now in Jesus Name!

That family struggling with debts, become debts free from this moment in Jesus Name

May you not be stranded in Life, in Jesus Name!

Spiritually receive DIVINE HELP in Jesus Name!

Physically receive DIVINE HELP in Jesus Name

Maritally receive DIVINE HELP in Jesus Name

Academically receive DIVINE HELP in Jesus Name

Financially receive DIVINE HELP in Jesus Name

Project wise- receive DIVINE HELP in Jesus Name!

I will not have cause to mourn over anyone of You in Jesus Name!

Go ahead and celebrate God for this declarations.

What A FAITHFUL FATHER!

We return all glory to you Alone.

Hallelujah!

God bless You!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS 15TH DECEMBER 2019: DANGER OF LOVING THE WORLD

MEMORISE: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

READ: 2 TIMOTHY 4:10-11

10.For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

11.Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

MESSAGE:

There are many Christians who value the things of the world so much that they are actually more canal than spiritual.

Some Christians love fashion so much that some times they dress indecently just to look fashionable, some it is the latest phone that they love so much, and will lie so as to get the money to buy that phone.

If you don’t watch these worldly desires, you will soon realise that you have backslidden from the faith.

Can you sell your phone so as to contribute the money for a need in your church? Can you dress down so that it will be easier to preach to certain village people?

Can you leave a rural area for a week without electricity or internet so as to win souls for Christ? Demas’ love for the world must have started little by little until it took him over and he left the brethren completely.

Check those things that you love before they take you away from Christ.

REFLECTION:
Is there anything you cannot let go for Christ?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Amos 4-6 ; REVELATION 6

HYMN 5

1. Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the Royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banners go!

Chorus
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!

2. At the Sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
All one body we
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.

4. Onward, then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, praise and honour,
Unto Christ the King;
This, through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
PASTOR (MRS.) FOLU ADEBOYE.

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S OPEN HEAVENS 15 DECEMBER 2019 SUNDAY

Good Morning Beloved,

Daily Confession: The lord is my source and He sustains me in all aspect of life. My life is filled with divine blessing. I live a life of purpose fulfillment, I am lifted daily by His strength and power of His word. His grace is made sufficient for me each and every day. My soul is impacted by His word and my spirit is filled with the truth. I do not live a hopeless life because Christ is the hope of my salvation. Hallelujah!

Prayer Points:

Ancient of days I magnify you and give you all praise due to you alone

Eternal rock of ages I worship and adore your majesty for being my God

Father, thank you for this awesome day and grace to be among the living in Jesus

Elohim thank you for your love and power released into my life daily

Father thank you for the forgiveness of sin and salvation of my soul

Ancient of days thank you for your never failing love that is evident in my life

Lord thank you for giving me hope in all situation

Lord concerning (mention) let my hope arise and take away every worry and doubt in Jesus name

Glorious king remove my life from all confinement of hopelessness known or unknown in Jesus name

King of kings terminate every power assigned to tarnish my glory in all aspect of life in Jesus name

Father I stand in you never let me fall, keep my feet steady in Jesus name

Holy spirit you are the greatest comforter, comfort me in everyway I need comfort from you in Jesus name

Lord eternal uproot from my life all power set to regress my life into an unfortunate situation in Jesus name

Holy spirit direct my life and path to the height of fulfillment in Jesus name

Father, remove from me, every garment of shame and reproach, in Jesus’ name.

Father, cleanse me from all unrighteousness and grant me access to Your holy hill, in Jesus’ name.

Father, let every evil planted in the heart of my benefactors against my being helped, be uprooted, in Jesus’ name.

Father, please, connect me with my destiny helpers, wherever they may be, in the four corners of the earth, in Jesus’ name.

Father, let all my expectations in Christ Jesus be realised, in Jesus’ name.

Father, please, send help to me, speedily, today, in Jesus’ name.

Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, and uphold him till the end by Your right hand of righteousness, in Jesus’ name.

Father, bless everyone, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus’ name.

Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus’ name.

Your Personal petitions.
( Philippians 4:6)

In Jesus’ name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

#GodBlessOurHomes

RCCG JUNIOR ZEAL MANUAL 15TH DECEMBER 2019: SHOWING FORTH HIS GLORY THROUGH FORGIVENESS

MEMORY VERSE:

Matthew 6:12 – “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

BIBLE TEXT:

Luke 15:11-32

11 And He said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

CENTRAL TRUTH: You have to forgive others if you want God to forgive you your sins.

INTRODUCTION

Read – Open Heavens 15 December 2019 Sunday

Read – Open Heavens 16 December 2019

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offender. In the story of the prodigal son, the father forgave the son that has squandered his inheritance with riotous living.

He gave him a new robe, ring and shoes on his feet. He made celebration for his safe return, but we see on the other hand the older brother that was angry and didn´t want to go in to celebrate his junior brother´s safe return.

STUDY GUIDE:
A. WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?
………….…………………………………….……………….….
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B. BENEFITS OF SHOWING FORGIVENESS

1. The Lord will forgive us our sins. – Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13

2. Peace with God. – Romans 8:1

3. We will obtain mercy.

4. Rescued from darkness. – Colossians 1:13-14

5. We become covenant children. – Matthew 26:28

C. IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

– it clears the obstacles between you and God. – Matthew 6:14-15

– it shuts the enemy out of your life.

– it removes burden from us.

– ………………………………………………. Matthew 9:6

– ………………………………………………… 1 John 1:9 ……………………………………… 2 Thessalonians 1:6
– it makes God to forgive us. – Matthew 11:25

LIFE APPLICATION: Remember God´s forgiveness and forgive. We forgive others when we let go of resentment and give up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we have suffered.

CONCLUSION: Ephesians 4:32 explains why it is important to forgive others. God desires that we forgive those that have wronged us. When we fail to forgive, we are the ones who suffer the most and it will negatively affect our relationship with God. This might block the flow of the Holy Spirit.

INVITATION: Before you can have the grace to forgive others, you must be forgiven by God through Jesus Christ. – John 1:12

DAILY DEVOTIONAL:

1. SUNDAY – John 21:15-21

2. MONDAY – John 21:22-25

3. TUESDAY – Acts 1:1-11

4. WEDNESDAY – Acts 1:12-20

5. THURSDAY – Acts 1:21-26

6. FRIDAY – Acts 2:1-13

7. SATURDAY – Acts 2:14-21

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS 15TH DECEMBER 2019: DEMONS ON ASSIGNMENT (PT 1)

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?

MEMORY VERSE:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. — Ephesians 6:13

BIBLE PASSAGE: DANIEL 10:12-15

10.12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

10.13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

10.14. “Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision [refers] to [many] days yet [to come.”]

Daniel:10.15
When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

INTRODUCTION:

Read – Open Heavens 15 December 2019

Read – Open Heavens 16 December 2019

Demons are fallen angels who joined the devil (Lucifer) in the rebellion against God ( Isaiah 14:12-16; Rev. 12:3-4).

They are spirit beings (Matt. 8:16). Demons are referred to by several alternate names including unclean spirit (Mark 1:27), evil spirit (Acts 19:15), familiar spirit (Isaiah 19:3), lying spirit (1Kings 22:23), seducing spirit (1Timothy 4:1). Some of the false gods/idols that receive human sacrifices are described as devils, an alternative name also (Debut. 32:17, 1Cor. 10:20).

They are powerful but limited and ultimately defeated creatures (2Thess. 2:6-7). Believers must understand the rulers operations of demons in order to avoid being their victims.

OUTLINES

1. Manifestations of demons

2. Avoiding demonic operations

MANIFESTATIONS OF DEMONS

Demons manifest in diverse dimensions and territories (Daniel 10:13). They seek to destroy the work of God and deceive anyone they can (1Peter 5:8, 2Corinthians 11:14-14).

They spread false doctrines (1Timothy 4:1), attack people (Mark 9:20-22) and combat holy angels (Daniel 10:13).

Demons, as spirit beings, have the ability to take possession of a physical body -human or animal (Mark 5:2,13).

Demon possession involves a demon having a complete control over the thoughts and actions of a person (Mark 5:2-5). Opening yourself up to the possibilities (likeliness) of demon possession is foolish and dangerous.

Generally, habitual sins, a refusal to forgive, unbelief or a hardened heart can be an entering point (John 12:6). Others include involvement in cults, divination, drug/alcohol abuse, rebellion, bitterness and new age practices (transcendental meditations or astral projections).

The absence of the Holy spirit in the life of a person makes such life vulnerable to demonic possession and even when delivered it becomes merely an empty dwelling place ready for more wicked demons to inhabit (Luke 11:24-26).

AVOIDING DEMONIC OPERATIONS

We cannot fight spiritual battles with fleshy weapons (2Cor. 10:4). To avoid demonic attacks and operations, a believer must, first and foremost, be genuinely born again sanctified, filled with the Holy Spirit and always seek the knowledge of the word of God. He/she must also be prayerful, putting on the whole armour of God. (Eph. 6:13-18). The believer’s focus must not shift from Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2). He/she must fellowship with other true believers (Heb. 10:25) and avoid ungodly associations (2Cor. 6:14-18).
Believers should note that Christ has disarmed the power and authorities of the devil and all demons (Col. 2:15, Eph. 4:8). Believers should, therefore, totally submit to God, exercise their faith ( 1Peter 5:9) and resist the devil (James 4:7).

CONCLUSION
Anyone that permits the operations of demons will not fulfill destiny because demons are destiny destroyers (John 10:10)

QUESTIONS
1. Describe the various manifestations of demons.
2. In what ways can demonic operations be avoided?

RCCG HOUSE FELLOWSHIP MEMBER’S MANUAL 15TH DECEMBER 2019

TOPIC: BENEFITS OF FASTING AND PRAYER

MEMORY VERSE:

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21

BIBLE PASSAGE: JONAH 3:1-10

1 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.

4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

INTRODUCTION:

Read – Open Heavens 15 December 2019

Read – Open Heavens 16 December 2019

What is fasting? By fasting, our focus is on christian fasting, and it is defined as voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God.

Fasting acts as a booster for accelerated answered prayers. It shows our seriousness and connects all our energies to trust God for our petitions. It increases our faith and can easily trigger the release of our blessings.

While fasting many people study the bible, pray or worship etc..

Fasting should not be in the form of abstinence from food alone as this is commonly referred to as mere hunger strike. It require us to draw closer to God in prayer.

Fasting is found throughout the Old and New Testament of the Bible.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:

1. Moses fasted to receive the Ten Commandments.– Exodus 24:18

2. The people of Nineveh fasted and repented of their sins and they obtained mercy from God.– Jonah 3:2-10

3. Queen Esther fasted with her people and God gave them victory over their enemies.– Esther 4:16

4. Jesus Christ; He fasted for forty days and forty nights.– Matthew 4:2

5. The early church combined fasting with their prayers.– Acts 13:1-4

THINGS THAT DO NOT CONSTITUTE A FAST ARE IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH 58:3-5

EXAMPLES OF WRONG ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS THAT DO NOT MAKE A FAST:

– Having pleasures. – verse 3

– Afflicting the soul to attract. – verse 5

– Complaining. – verse 3

– Contention, strife and debate, – verse 4

– Jeremiah 14:10-12: fasting in sin

– Matthew 6:16: making a show of the fast

THINGS THAT MAKE UP A GOOD FAST:

– To practically help others

– To honour God

– To intercede: – Matthew 6:17-18

– For service: – Acts 13:2

– Not making a show of the fast.

BENEFITS OF FASTING:

– Fasting helps to make important decisions. – Acts 13:1-3

– We fast for safety. – Ezra 8:21-23

– Fasting is a form of worship. – Luke 2:37

– It gives strength in weakness. – 1 Corinthians 6:5

– A repentant frame of mind. – 1 Samuel 7:6-7; 1 Samuel 7:13; Jonah 3:5-10

– We fast for deliverance. – Esther 4:16; Esther 7:9-10

– We fast to overcome addictions

– Fasting strengthens intimacy with God. – Exodus 24:18

– Fasting and prayer builds our faith. – Matthew 17:21

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Father, open the heavens of favour upon me in Jesus´ name.

2. Father, give me the grace and strength needed to fast in Jesus´ name.

3. Ask God for revelation and direction.

4. Lord, as I walk with You, may the fire of my altar never go out in Jesus´ name.

5. Father, let Your goodness and mercy follow me throughout this year and beyond in Jesus´ name. .

GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY: Matthew 17:21; Daniel 9:3.- Fast and Pray today.

TUESDAY: Psalm 122:6; 2 Chronicles 7:14. – remember to always pray for the nation.

WEDNESDAY: Philippians 4:19 – God is capable of supplying all your needs.

THURSDAY: 1 Samuel 17:51-52 – Lord, let me experience Your power and victory in every area of my life.

FRIDAY: Mark 4:39; Isaiah 42:14. – Pray against every storm raging in marriages.

SATURDAY: Proverbs 10:22 – Lord, let me experience Your blessing that makes rich without sorrow in Jesus´ name.

SUNDAY: Matthew 17:21; Daniel 9:3 – Take it upon yourself to always fast, at least once a week.