OPEN HEAVEN 20 AUGUST 2019 MEMORISE: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehend of Christ Jesus. – (PHILIPPIANS 3:12)

OPEN HEAVEN 20 AUGUST 2019 READ: PHILIPPIANS 3:10-16 (KJV)

10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

OPEN HEAVEN 20 AUGUST 2019 MESSAGE WITH HYMN, PRAYER POINTS, DAILY DECLARATIONS AND BIBLE READING

READ – OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2019

In today’s Bible reading, Apostle Paul’s example stands as a shining light on the importance of the role that our mindset plays in determining whether we succeed or fail in life.

His persistence and tenacity contributed to his success, coupled with a mindset that was content but not complacent.

Till he went home to be with the Lord, he was his prior achievements. Like Paul, we should realise that it is not over until it is truly over. Many of us seem to be celebrating the victory we are yet to win, relaxing as if we have arrived.

READ – PRAYER POINTS FOR OPEN HEAVENS 19 AUGUST 2019

Beloved, I am using this medium to tell you that believers in Christ are a continuous ‘work-in-progress’ in the hands of the Almighty.

Therefore, run the Christian race with a mindset that is never complacent, always remembering the words of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 10:12, saying:

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

Beware of the spirit of pride and all the subtle ways it manifests itself. If given room to operate, pride will stop you from seeing yourself as a work-in-progress that needs to be examined and re-examined from time to time before the day of delivery and commissioning.

Let Jesus remain your Master-builder and allow Him work on you until you see Him in glory.

If we look at our Christian race in the light of sporting activities and apply the lessons learnt to our lives, it will give us a fair understanding of how well we are faring in our journey.

We should not be athletes who are satisfied to just participate and enjoy the support and encouragement of spectators.

Our ultimate goal should be to make heaven and receive the crown of righteousness, and so we must be prepared to undergo rigorous training in the word of God and persevere through the process of sanctification.

READ – DAILY DECLARATIONS 19 AUGUST 2019

Like the eagle, we should focus on our flight to heaven and ignore the multitude around us. Our minds must be fixed on the crown of righteousness and the glory that awaits the saints in heaven, so that we can go through our course in this world with joy.

Let us submit ourselves to the discipline, control and regimented lifestyle required of us from time to time by our divinely appointed coach, who is the Holy Spirit, and strive to live by the mind-set enunciated in Philippians 3:13-14, which says:

“ 13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

God bless you as you do so. Amen.

Beloved, we truly appreciate your effort in sharing today’s devotional with others on social media, and pray for more of God’s grace to continue strongly in Christ Jesus. See you here tomorrow!

OPEN HEAVEN 20 AUGUST 2019 PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to always be focused on the ultimate goal of making heaven, in Jesus’ Name.

OPEN HEAVEN 20 AUGUST 2019 HYMNAL: HYMN 12 – DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

CHORUS:
O deeper yet I pray,
And higher ev’ry day,
And wiser, blessed, Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.

2. Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus
And His perfect will.

CHORUS:
O deeper yet I pray,
And higher ev’ry day,
And wiser, blessed, Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.

3. Deeper, deeper! tho’ it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.

CHORUS:
O deeper yet I pray,
And higher ev’ry day,
And wiser, blessed, Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.

4. Deeper, higher ev’ry day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.

CHORUS:
O deeper yet I pray,
And higher ev’ry day,
And wiser, blessed, Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

CHORUS:
O deeper yet I pray,
And higher ev’ry day,
And wiser, blessed, Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.

OPEN HEAVEN 20 AUGUST 2019 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 26-28, EZEKIEL 36:33-37:14

1 SAMUEL 26-28 KING JAMES VERSION (KJV)

1 And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.

6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?

10 David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?

15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.

17 And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lordhave stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods.

20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

22 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.

23 The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed.

24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

CHAPTER 27

1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

2 And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife.

4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.

7 And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.

8 And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.

10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

11 And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

CHAPTER 28

1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

6 And when Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

9 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

10 And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

EZEKIEL 36:33-37:14 KING JAMES VERSION

EZEKIEL 36:33-38

33 Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.

34 And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.

35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.

36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it.

37 Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

38 As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the Lord.

EZEKIEL 37:1-14

1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.

4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.

5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS 20 AUGUST 2019

THEME: FRUITLESS FAST

MEMORISE: If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Genesis 4:7a

READ: Isaiah 58:3-5

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

MESSAGE:

Fasting can be very beneficial for any believer, but then it must be done according to the scriptures.

If you usually commit sin, then decide to suspend sin during the fast with the intention that you will return to it after the fast, your sacrifice is an abomination to God.

He said it is better to hearken to His word than t make sacrifices to Him (1 Samuel 15:22).

READ – OPEN HEAVENS 20TH AUGUST 2019

If you fast and brag about it for everyone to know that you fast frequently, you have just plucked out the fruits of your efforts because He said showing off your fast to others is hypocrisy (Matthew 6:17).

If you are fasting and in that period, you are not taking out quality time to worship, pray and read your Bible so as to be more consecrated to God, you are embarking on a hunger strike.

The real essence of fasting is to kill the desires of the flesh and heighten the sensitivity of your spirit man above that of your flesh so that you can be closer to God.

In this state, it is easier for you to get directions from God and to reach Him with your prayers too.

Fasting is a very good thing that you should do regularly, but make sure that you are doing it correctly.

ACTION POINT:

Identify the elements that make your fasting fruitless and stop doing them immediately.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Psalm 116-118, 1 Corinthians 2

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. TheA. Adeboye

Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye

TODAY’S DAILY DECLARATIONS 19TH AUGUST 2019 MONDAY

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

May His daily favour speak for You and yours in Jesus Name!

May the blessings of the day be your portion in Jesus Name

May Almighty God grant you wisdom and understanding today, in Jesus Name

Because You seek after God this morning, Heaven will attend to your case speedily in Jesus Name!

I decree Open heavens over all your Requests today in Jesus Name!

Our children shall not be infected with worldly wisdom, in Jesus’ Name.

You’ll eat fine and drink healthy today, in Jesus’ Name.

Grace shall locate you today, in Jesus’ Name.

As you go out today, nothing shall by any means hurt your health, in Jesus Name!

READ – OPEN HEAVEN 19TH AUGUST 2019

And God SAID- Your own joy shall be full in Jesus Name!

And GOD SAID- You shall be called A NEW NAME!

I decree over all homes facing storms this morning, more understanding in Jesus Name!

For everyone that has sown any seed this season, may You return with bountiful harvest in Jesus Name!

Over every home on this platform, may we not experience any lost 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!

Remember to seek for wisdom, before you take uo any decision today.

Any force that wants to stand against this morning declarations wrath of God locate their camps in Jesus Name!

And All shall be well with You in Jesus name!

And at the end we shall not be cast away 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 19TH AUGUST 2019

1.I worship You, my Father; You’re the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

2.Thank You, Father, for where You started with me, for where I am, and for where You’re taking me.

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

4.Father, come and complete every uncompleted project in my life and destiny, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, let every challenge and obstacle, confronting me presently, be the stepping stone to my breakthrough, in Jesus’ name.

READ – DAILY DECLARATIONS FOR 19TH AUGUST 2019

6.Father, let every weapon fashioned against my progress and breakthrough in life, begin to catch fire, and be rendered obsolete, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, grant me divine wisdom and understanding to enable me live better, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, multiply and crown all my efforts with great success; and, let my latter end be more glorious than my former, in Jesus’ name.

9. Father, grant our spiritual leaders wisdom to handle spiritual activities properly, in Jesus Name.

READ – OPEN HEAVENS 19TH AUG 2019

10. Father, grant our political leaders wisdom to lead, in Jesus’ Name.

11.Father, cause me to be faithful and diligent in little things, so that bigger things can be committed into my hands, in Jesus’ name.

12.Father, please fill my heart with divine understanding today in Jesus’ Name.

13.Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye; let Your presence, power, anointing and grace, never diminish in his life, in Jesus’ name.

14.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.

15.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.

16.Your Personal petitions.
( Philippians 4:6)

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

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

#GodBlessMyNation

These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 AUGUST 2019 MEMORISE: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? – (1 Kings 3:9)

Read: 1 Kings 3:15-28 (Kjv)

15. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants. 16. Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. 17. And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. 18. And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also; and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

19. And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it. 20. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. 21. And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. 22. And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.

23. Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead; and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. 24. And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. 25. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

26. Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

27. Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it; she is the mother thereof. 28. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king; for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 AUGUST 2019 MESSAGE WITH HYMN, PRAYER POINTS, DAILY DECLARATIONS AND BIBLE READING

READ – PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S OPEN HEAVENS 19 AUGUST 2019

READ – DAILY DECLARATIONS FOR 19 AUGUST 2019

READ – OPEN HEAVENS FOR TEENS 19 AUGUST 2019

A person who possesses competency in knowledge and skill has great potential to succeed in life.

When such competency is derived from God, it is refers to as divine understanding. Succeeding in life is all about recognizing and utilizing the opportunities God brings our way, coupled with making the right choices in life.

A person endowed with divine understanding is therefore able to excel in life because he or she has the ability to discern what is true, ethically right and sound, based on God’s word.

God alone possesses wisdom and understanding in the absolute sense, and He gives these to those who seek them from Him with a humble heart.

READ – PRAYER POINTS FOR OPEN HEAVENS 18TH AUGUST 2019

In relation to people, divine wisdom refers to the abilities God gives in every area of life, including craftsmanship, knowledge and insight for right decisions.

Divine wisdom cannot be received by those who confidence is based of human cleverness and insight without God’s revelation.

This kind of human wisdom may produce temporary success in life, but often comes to nought in the long run (1 Corinthians 3:19-20).

RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 19 AUGUST 2019

Understanding is built on the foundation of knowledge and the ability to use it correctly. These are different ways God imparts understanding to a person.

For example, understanding can be received in the place of observing how others live or do things (Proverbs 24:30-32). It can also be acquired through studying God’s word and His wondrous works in the universe (Psalm 119:130, Job 37:14-20).

Understanding can also come from parental guidance or as a result of practical experiences in life (Proverbs 4:1-5).

Above all, it can be received through the impartation of God’s Spirit in the place of prayer, as it happened to Solomon (1 Kings 3, Ephesians 1:15-18).

READ – DAILY DECLARATIONS 18TH AUGUST 2019

Worldly wisdom and understanding build pride and false hope in people, who go on to arrogate success in life to themselves and not to the Almighty God.

This folly has led to the downfall of many people and kingdoms all over the world, as seen in the example of Babylon in Isaiah 47:10-11. No wonder Proverbs 26:12 says:

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

Furthermore, in Isaiah 29:14, the Bible says worldly wisdom shall perish. The people of this world can never receive the wisdom of God.

Divine understanding is only accessible to those who are willing to give up their reliance on human insight in exchange for God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:14-15). May the Lord fill you with divine understanding today in Jesus’ Name.

Beloved, we truly appreciate your effort in sharing today’s devotional with others on social media, and pray for more of God’s grace to continue strongly in Christ Jesus. See you here tomorrow!

OPEN HEAVEN 19 AUGUST 2019 PRAYER POINT: Father, please fill my heart with divine understanding today in Jesus’ Name.

OPEN HEAVEN 19 AUGUST 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 19 AUGUST 2019 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 24-25, EZEKIEL 36:16-32

1 SAMUEL 24-25 KING JAMES VERSION (KJV)

CHAPTER 24

1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.

2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.

5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.

7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.

11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

12 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

15 The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

21 Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.

22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

CHAPTER 25

1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.

5 And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:

6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.

7 And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.

8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

9 And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

10 And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?

12 So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.

13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.

15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:

16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

19 And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,

24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

26 Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

27 And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

28 I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

29 Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.

30 And it shall come to pass, when the Lordshall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;

31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the Lordshall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.

32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

34 For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

36 And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

37 But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

38 And it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died.

39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.

40 And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.

41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

42 And Abigail hasted, and arose and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

43 David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.

44 But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.

EZEKIEL 36:16-32 KING JAMES VERSION (KJV)

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

17 Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.

18 Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it:

19 And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.

20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land.

21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.

30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.

31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS 19 AUGUST 2019

THEME: THE PERIL OF PARTIAL OBEDIENCE

MEMORISE: Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. Genesis 27:8

Read: Genesis 12:1-20

Gen.12.1 – Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Gen.12.2 – And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Gen.12.3 – And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Gen.12.4 – So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Gen.12.5 – And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

Gen.12.6 – And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

Gen.12.7 – And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Gen.12.8 – And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

Gen.12.9 – And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.

Gen.12.10 – And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

Gen.12.11 – And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:

Gen.12.12 – Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.

Gen.12.13 – Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Gen.12.14 – And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

Gen.12.15 – The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

Gen.12.16 – And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

Gen.12.17 – And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.

Gen.12.18 – And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Gen.12.19 – Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

Gen.12.20 – And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

MESSAGE:

As far as God is concerned, there is no neutral position; you are either obedient or disobedient. Partial obedience is nothing but disobedience to God.

Abraham is an example of someone who learnt total obedience to God the hard way. When he was leaving his father’s house, he was told to take only his belongings with him, rather than completely obey this, he took his cousin, Lot, along with him.

Lot eventually brought many problems to Abraham. It wasn’t until he adhered to God totally that God made him a father of nations.

READ – OPEN HEAVEN 19TH AUGUST 2019

There are many instructions in the word of God, do you completely obey them?

The Holy Bible says you shouldn’t steal and you don’t, however you take meat from the pot without your mother’s consent or don’t tell your mother about her change from errands, your obedience is partial.

Do as God has told you to do starting from today. May God help you in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:

Ask God to save you from the peril of partial obedience.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Psalm 112-115, 1 Corinthians 1

Hymn 2

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for theres no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

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

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

AUTHORS:

Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye.

This Sunday 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 the work of Calvary be made Perfected over your life this day in Jesus Name!

I rebuke any form of stagnation over your life today in Jesus Name!

Let that doors of opportunities that open for you and your loved ones permanently in Jesus Name!

READ – OPEN HEAVEN 18TH AUGUST 2019 SUNDAY

I dis-harm everyone appointed to torment your Peace henceforth in Jesus Name!

Let your season of debts be over in Jesus Name!

May You receive the Grace to remain in Christ irrespective of what comes your way in Jesus Name

God is saying to someone, compromising your faith will be the biggest mistake if You go ahead!

Stay Faithful with God!

God is saying to someone- I WILL DO IT AGAIN!

God is saying to someone- this is not your last chapter, He is going to surprise You in this same season!

READ – PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S OPEN HEAVENS 18TH AUGUST 2019

Father, is there anyone struggling with debts, please help them and settle their debts this same season, in Jesus Name!

All Pregnancies attached to this platform shall be congratulations at the end in Jesus Name

For everyone that has sown any seed this season, May You return with bountiful harvest in Jesus Name!

Over every home on this ministry, may we not experience any lost 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!

Remember to Pray for this platform, all our workers and

Any force that wants to stand against this morning declarations wrath of God locate their camps in Jesus Name!

And all shall be well with you in Jesus name!

And at the end we shall not be cast away 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!

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 18TH OF AUGUST 2019

TOPIC: HELL

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: The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Psalms 9:17

BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 16:19-31

Luke.16.19 – There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.

Luke.16.20 – And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores.

Luke.16.21 – And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Luke.16.22 – And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.

Luke.16.23 – And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke.16.24 – And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Luke.16.25 – But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Luke.16.26 – And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Luke.16.27 – Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

Luke.16.28 – For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Luke.16.29 – Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luke.16.30 – And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Luke.16.31 – And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Is there an everlasting hell? The Bible declares in very certain terms that there is. There are 162 texts in the New Testament alone that speak of the doom that awaits the unrepentant sinners.

The Lord Himself uttered 70 of these. Hell is a reality, an awful fact to be realized. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that the wicked that finally reject Christ will be turned into hell. Psalm 9:17

LESSON OUTLINES
1. DESCRIPTION OF HELL
2. SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT HELL?

DESCRIPTION OF HELL
Hell is a banishment from the presence of God (2 Thess. 1:19). It is a place of torment and punishment, sort of prison where the wicked are punished forever (Matt. 25:46; Luke 16:23).

Some people ask, “Where is hell”? The Bible says it is “down” (Isaiah 14:9, 15). Hell was originally prepared for the devil and his wicked angels (Matt. 25:41).
Hell was never intended for man but if men insist on rejecting Heaven by not accepting the Saviour, Jesus Christ, then they must accompany Satan forever (John 3:18).

The original size of hell is not known but because of man’s consistent sinning, Hell has enlarged itself (Isaiah 5:14).
It is of unquenchable thirst, agony and suffering (Luke 16:23-24).
It is a place of supernatural worms that never die (Mark 9:44).

READ – OPEN HEAVEN 18TH AUGUST 2019

Just as those who go to heaven recognise themselves, those who go to hell will also recognize themselves (Luke 16:23).
They will even be able to pray but their prayers will never be answered (Luke 16:27).

The Bible repeatedly says both Heaven and hell are eternal and everlasting (Matt 25:46).

SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT HELL?

a. Will the doomed repent in hell, seek the Lord and be forgiven? No, Salvation is limited to this life. There is no repentance in grave. All prayera of the doomed are denied (Luke 16:24-27).

b. Does ‘hell’ not mean ‘grave’ where both the good and bad must go? No. In Luke 16, Both the rich man and Lazarus died and went to the grave, as both were buried. However, their souls went to different places. One was in a place where he was comforted, the other in a place of torment and the two were separated by a great gulf to prevent travel back and forth

c. Is there any place of probation or purgatory after death? Certainly not. Once a person dies, he/she either goes straight to paradise (Heaven) or the place of torment – hell (Heb. 9:27).

Where will you love to go?

CONCLUSION: How does one get to hell? It is simply by neglecting the salvation purchased for us by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 2:3). How does one avoid hell? It is by receiving Jesus as one’s personal Saviour (John 3:16; Prov. 15:24). What is your choice?

QUESTIONS:
1. Briefly give a description of hell
2. How can someone avoid going to hell?

FOR FURTHER READING:
Matthew 8:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Psalm 86:13; Prov. 15:24; Isaiah 28:15; Matthew 5:29.

ASSIGNMENT: Differentiate between heaven and hell in five (5) points.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 18TH AUGUST 2019

TOPIC: HELL

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, help me to be faithful to the end to obtain glorious rewards.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 16:19-31
Luke.16.19 – There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.

Luke.16.20 – And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores.

Luke.16.21 – And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Luke.16.22 – And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.

Luke.16.23 – And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke.16.24 – And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.

Luke.16.25 – But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Luke.16.26 – And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Luke.16.27 – Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house.

Luke.16.28 – For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Luke.16.29 – Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luke.16.30 – And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Luke.16.31 – And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

MEMORY VERSE: The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Psalms 9:17

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Is there an everlasting hell? The Bible declares in very certain terms that there is.

READ – OPEN HEAVENS 18TH AUGUST 2019 SUNDAY

There are 162 texts in the New Testament alone that speak of the doom that awaits the unrepentant sinners. The Lord Himself uttered 70 of these.
Hell is a reality, an awful fact to be realized. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that the wicked that finally reject Christ will be turned into hell. Psalm 9:17

TEXT REVIEW : LUKE 16:19-31
i. Both the rich and poor will die one day. Luke 18:22

ii. The doomed will suffer pain in hell if they refuse to repent from their sins while here on earth. Luke 16:23

iii. Although the death of rich may attract a lot of funfair but the end I’d torment (if they fail to acknowledge Jesus as Lord) whereas, the poor who are saved will end rejoicing in comfort. Luke 16:23-24.

iv. Those who fail to introduce their family members to Christ will lose them to hell (where there is no repentance). Luke 16:27-31.

v. Those in heaven or hell will identify one another. Luke 16:23.

2 LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: DESCRIPTION OF HELL
i. Teacher should find out what the students know about hell.

ii. Teacher should explain the points enumerated below:

a. Hell is a banishment from the presence of God. 2 Thess. 1:19.

b. Hell is a place of torment and punishment for the wicked forever. Matt. 25:46; Luke 16:23.

c. Hell is “down” beneath the earth. Isaiah 14:9, 5.

d. Hell was originally prepared for Satan and his demons. Matt. 25:41.

e. Hell is also for those who rejected the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

f. The original size of Hell is not known but because of man’s consistent sinning, Hell has enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure. Isaiah 5:14.

READ – PRAYER POINTS FOR OPEN HEAVENS 18TH AUGUST 2019 SUNDAY

g. Hell is characterized by questionable thirst, agony and suffering. Luke 16:23-24.
h. The worms in hell never die. Mark 9:44.

i. Those who go to hell will recognize themselves. Luke 16:23.

j. In hell, prayers are never answered or requests granted. Luke 16:27.

k. Hell is eternal. Matt 25:46.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1:What does the Bible say about hell?

LESSON OUTLINE 2:SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT HELL?

Question 1: Will the doomed repent in hell, seek the Lord and be forgiven?

Answer: No. There is no repentance, no knowledge or device in grave. There is no answer to the request of those who are doomed in hell. Luke 16:24-27; Eccl. 9:10

Question 2: Does ‘hell’ not mean ‘grave’ where both the good and bad must go?

Answer: No. Both rich and poor, good and bad would die and go to the grave e.g. Lazarus and the rich man. Luke 16:19-31.

-The soul of the rich man (wicked) went to hell and the soup of Lazarus (poor but accepted the Lord) went to heaven (bosom of Abraham). Luke 16:22.

-Those in hell cannot cross or escape to heaven because there is a great gulf fixed between the two locations. Luke 16:26.

Question 3: Is there any place of probation or purgatory after death?.

Answer: No, once a person dies, he/she either goes to heaven or hell. Heb. 9:27.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should mention some deceptions or lies they had heard about hell which are not scriptural.

SUMMARY: Hell is real and it is for the wicked.

CONCLUSION: How does one get to hell? It is simply by neglecting the salvation purchased for us by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 2:3). How does one avoid hell? It is by receiving Jesus as one’s personal Saviour (John 3:16; Prov. 15:24). What is your choice?

EVALUATION:Describe hell.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, save me, my household and class members from going to hell.

ASSIGNMENT: Differentiate between heaven and hell in five (5) points.

RCCG HOUSE FELLOWSHIP
LEADER’S MANUAL 18TH AUGUST 2019

TOPIC: BROKEN HOMES AND THEIR ADVERSE EFFECTS

HOUSE FELLOWSHIP ANTHEM

1. I love this family Of God,
So closely knitted into one,
They have taken me into their arms
And ‘am so glad to be
A part of this great family

2. I bless this family of God,
So greatly prospered by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And ‘am so glad to be
A part of this great family

3. I know this family of God,
So deeply rooted in the word,
They have taken me into their arms
And ‘am so glad to be
A part of this great family

4. I see this family of God,
So highly lifted above all,
They have taken me into their arms
And ‘am so glad to be
A part of this great family

5. Come and join this family of God,
So highly favoured by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And ‘am so glad to be
A part of this great family

SUGGESTED TIME SCHEDULE

10 minutes for Opening Prayer, Praise and Worship
10 minutes for Testimonies
15 minutes for Bible Discussion
15 minutes for General Prayers
10 minutes for Questions & Answers
5 minutes for Welcoming New Members
10 minutes for Announcements,
Offering,House Fellowship Anthem & Closing Prayers.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please bind our home together for your glory.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 14:1-20

And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.

And he came up, and told his father and his
mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.

READ – OPEN HEAVEN 18TH AUGUST 2019

Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

READ – PRAYER POINTS ON OPEN HEAVENS 18TH AUGUST 2019

And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.

And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.

So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.

And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:
But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson’s wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father’s house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?

And Samson’s wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?

And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.

And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle.

And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.
But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.

Judges 15:1-8
But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.

And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.

And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.

And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.

Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.

And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.

And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

INTRODUCTION:

A broken home refers to a failed marriage. The adverse effects of a broken home are never pleasant.

It provokes emotional bitterness within and hatred and internal injury nursed by one of the parties or both.

It leaves a permanent scar that may never heal. As we dig deep into this contemporary recurring issue, we pray that the Holy Spirit will resolve it for us in Jesus’ name. Amen.

MEMORY VERSE: Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion.

And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire. Judges 15:6

TEXT REVIEW: Judges 14:1-20; 15:1-8.

i. Broken homes can be avoided from the decision making on who to marry.

ii. Your decision should be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

iii. Homes should not be built on deceit.

iv. Avoid third party in your home.

v. Unforgiveness is the cause of most broken homes.

LESSON OUTLINE
Adverse Effects of a Broken Home: Generally, these include:

1. Divorce is demonstration of unforgiveness and Jesus admonishes us to forgive others so that God will forgive our sins also. Matthew 6:12-15.

2. Finances: Women are the worst hit as they will have to pay their bills alone and if they have the custody of their children, it will be an additional responsibility

3. Imbalance Parenting. If children are with the man, the input of their mother will not be felt. Likewise if the woman is in the custody, she cannot successfully play the role of father and mother. Such children are emotionally disturbed and it may negatively reflect in their academic performances in School etc. They may withdraw to themselves alone, depression may set in.

4. The Society at large suffers because there will be a lot of urchins, and the homeless, etc. and if not addressed timely; safety of lives and properties may not be guaranteed.

5. A large chunk of the country’s resources will be devoted on rehabilitating destitute as may be necessary.

6. Both parties to a divorce have scars that may never heal. Sometimes feelings of anger, resentment and betrayer of trust etc will keep flashing over and over again.

Available Solutions

1. The Husband and the Wife should be genuinely born again. John 3:3-5

2. Allow God to choose your help meet for you. Gen 2:20-24.

3. Wives are to submit to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22-23.

4. Husbands are to love their wives. Ephesians 5;25.

5. Expose the Children to God’s ways early in life and train them also to serve Him and trust Him; for with God, nothing shall be impossible. Proverbs 22:6; Luke 1:37

6. Pray continuous for your family because there can only be peace in the church and society, when the family is peaceful. 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1-7.

7. Remember the adverse effects of a broken home on the children, the spouses, and the society at large; therefore both spouses should strive to make their marriage succeed. Proverbs 14:1

SUMMARY:

Ensure solving challenges in homes as quick as possible before it breaks the home.

CONCLUSION:

God is not pleased about broken marriages because of its negative consequences. In order to avoid this, the would be couples should make God, their cornerstone. He is the author of marriages and knows the end of any relationship even before it is consummated.

ASSIGNMENT: What are the causes of broken homes and what can be done to avoid it.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, please heal all broken marriages in the Church and visit their foundation.

2. Father, let your peace reign supreme in every home that is experiencing storm.

3. Father, marriages are meant to be enjoyed and not endured, therefore release joy to our homes.

4. God, please train children from broken homes yourself, so that they will fulfill their destinies.
5. Father, destroy all the activities of power of darkness causing crisis in believer’s marriages.

6. Pray for the Holistic Ministry of RCCG and its efforts in giving hope to the hopeless.

GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY: Mark 4;37-39. Father, please
destroy every plan of the devil to destabilize our homes.

TUESDAY: Matthew 19:6 Father, please do not allow Satan to scatter our homes anymore.

WEDNESDAY: Acts 2:1-4; Psalms 131:1-2 Father, please let there be outpouring of Holy Spirit upon every husband, wife and children to foster unity amongst them.

THURSDAY: Proverbs 18:21 Father, please help every parent to use their tongues wisely on the children.

FRIDAY: Acts 1:8; 10:38 Father, please help all parents to decree good things into the lives of their Children.

SATURDAY: Jeremiah 35:8 Father, please help our children to be obedient to every instruction from their biological and spiritual fathers

SUNDAY: 1 Samuel 2:12. Father, please give our children the grace to know you Lord.