OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY 28TH MAY 2021 BY PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE:   FRIDAY 28TH MAY 2021.

THEME: HONOR THEM NOW!

MEMORISE:

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mark 14:9

READ: MARK 14:3-9 (KJV)

3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Click HERE to read previous devotional message by Pastor E.A ADEBOYE

MESSAGE:

Jesus was at Bethany when a woman poured costly perfume on His head. Some hypocrites saw it as a waste of resources because they felt the ointment could have sold for a great price and the returns given to the poor. Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said in Mark 14:6-7:

...Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.”  

It is shocking that some people considered what this lady did for her Maker as a waste. To their surprise, Jesus said she would forever be remembered for that singular act as she was doing it in honor of His eventual burial. There are many lessons you can learn from this. One, we should prepare our aged parents for their funerals long before they die. We can do this by taking good care of them when they are alive. This is because whatever fortune we spend at their funeral is a mere exercise in futility. The dead do not appreciate golden caskets, neither do they eat delicacies. 

Two, the law of harvest will come to play. If we take care of our aged, all other things being equal, the younger generation would take care of us too.

Another lesson we can draw from this story is that whatever we do for God is not only appreciated now, it is kept in divine memory. We see this in Acts 10:4. What this woman did during the Passion Week over 2,000 years ago is till being talked about today in the 21st century. Jesus said the good deed of this woman shall be spoken of wherever and whenever the gospel would be preached and true to His word, it is happening. We must also learn not to listen to what people say whenever we are moved by the Holy spirit to do something for God. We should be like Paul who taught us not to confer with flesh and blood before preaching the gospel (Galatians 1:16).

Don’t wait till your aged ones have passed on before celebrating them; the dead cannot appreciate any celebration. Take care of them while they are still alive, show of gratitude regularly and shower them with love continually. When you do this, they will bless you and you will be blessed indeed.

ACTION POINT:

What is that thing God is asking you to do for Him? What is He asking you to do for the aged ones? Go ahead and do them NOW.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 1-4.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

 HYMN 14: JESUS MY LORD, MY GOD, MY ALL.

1 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,

hear me, blest Savior, when I call;

hear me, and from thy dwelling place

pour down the riches of thy grace.

Refrain:

Jesus, my Lord, I thee adore;

O make me love thee more and more.

2 Jesus, too late I thee have sought;

how can I love thee as I ought?

And how extol thy matchless fame,

the glorious beauty of thy name? 

3 Jesus, what didst thou find in me

that thou hast dealt so lovingly?

How great the joy that thou hast brought,

so far exceeding hope or thought! 

4 Jesus, of thee shall be my song;

to thee my heart and soul belong;

all that I have or am is thine,

and thou, blest Savior, thou art mine.

Open Heaven 28th May 2021 Devotional Guide. Open Heavens 2021 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR THURSDAY 27TH MAY 2021 BY PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

 

DATE:  THURSDAY 27TH MAY 2021.

THEME: THEY BELONG TO GOD.

MEMORISE:

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

READ: PSALM 127: 3-5 (KJV)

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Click HERE to read previous devotional message by Pastor E.A ADEBOYE

MESSAGE:

As we see in today’s Bible reading, God owns all children. I know this because when God created Adam and Eve, He later pronounced blessings upon them so they could multiple and be fruitful. He did this so He would not have to go through the same process as when He created them, all over again. Thus, the product of the union of the first family God created became His own reward. It therefore, follows that anyone who claims to own a child is exhibiting ignorance. Exodus 2:9 where the daughter of Pharoah said: “……Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages….” Is a case in point.

God is generous to the point of giving us children who, in all respects, belong to Him. He also promises us rewards if we nurse them for Him and not ourselves. It is sad that today many parents nurture God’s children “to promote the name of the family” or “to carry on the family custom!” These ones think those children belong to them; they miss it and will be rewarded accordingly. 

There was a woman who spent all her life earnings, training her son to be ‘great’ without teaching him the Lord. The son eventually turned his back against her, due to his lack of the fear of the Lord. What a negative reward!

How then should a child be trained? Proverbs 22:6 says: 

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 9:10 also says 

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

This means “that the knowledge of the holy is found in God’s word”. Psalm 119:97-98 says:

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” 

In light of these Bible verse, we see that God’s will is for parents to train their children in the fear of the Lord through the word of God, and not fables. Psalm 19:7 says:

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

PRAYER POINT:

Ask God to take care of His children in the church. Ask God to bless every couple waiting for the fruit of the womb, nine months from today, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 TIMOTHY 1-6.

  

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

 

 HYMN 5: GOD GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES.

1. God give us Christian homes!

Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,

Homes where the Master’s will is sought,

Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;

God give us Christian homes;

God give us Christian homes!

2. God give us Christian homes!

Homes where the father is true and strong,

Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,

Homes that are joyous with love and song;

God give us Christian homes;

God give us Christian homes!

3. God give us Christian homes!

Homes where the mother, in caring quest,

Strives to show others Your way is best,

Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;

God give us Christian homes;

God give us Christian homes!

4. God give us Christian homes!

Homes where the children are led to know

Christ in His beauty who loves them so,

Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;

God give us Christian homes;

God give us Christian homes!

Open Heaven 27th May 2021 Devotional Guide. Open Heavens 2021 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY 26TH MAY 2021 BY PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 26TH MAY 2021

THEME: NO IMPOSSIBILITY WITH GOD

MEMORISE:

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

READ: 2 KINGS 2:10 (KJV)

10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

Click HERE to read previous devotional message by Pastor E.A ADEBOYE

MESSAGE:

Nothing can be too difficult for God because according to Psalm 62:11, power belongs to Him. Jesus also confirms this in Matthew 28:18:

“…saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

God can do anything because He has unlimited power and resources. I know this because God says of Himself in Haggai 2:8

“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine...”

How influential a person is can also determine how he or she can affect your situation. 2 Kings 8-17 bears record of a rich woman who took care of Elisha and his servant. When Elisha wanted to say “thank you” for her hospitality, the woman said she needed nothing because not only was she wealthy, she also had influential relative. Yet, her ‘influence’ could not remove her barrenness. The prophet of God who she had served spoke a word; the Almighty God honored it and gave her a baby boy. Our God is the Most Influential.

In 2 Kings 2:10, Elisha, Elisha realized that he could get his request if only he could see Elijah being taken to Heaven. As a child of God, you must have a focus. You must always look up unto God, and Him alone, for help (Psalm 121:1-2). In Ephesians 1:19-21, we see that God’s power is exceedingly abundant towards us. If you look down, you are likely to see only problems, like Peter who began to sink when he lost focus in Matthew 14:26-31.

If you look around, you are likely to see other people with problems similar to yours and then become complacent in seeking solutions. If David had looked around, he would have lost focus on the God of Israel who delivered him from the lion and the bear. He would have chickened out of the battlefield like others. 

You are likely to become what you focus your attention on. When I attended Kenneth Hagin’s Camp meeting many years ago, what I saw encouraged me to work towards having a large congregation of saved and heavenly-bound believers. My aspiration became even bigger when I visited Yongi Cho’s Church in South Korea.

Shortly after, to the glory of God, we have been making progress ever since. Remember, there is no impossibility with God.

ACTION POINT:

Focus on God and what He is capable of doing for you, not what you can do on your own, or by your strength. Ask for something really big.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 20-21.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 23: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING.

1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.

o Refrain:

Standing, standing,

Standing on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

3. Standing on the promises I now can see

Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;

Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,

Standing on the promises of God.

4. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

Standing on the promises of God.

5. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,

Resting in my Savior as my all in all,

Standing on the promises of God.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY 24TH MAY 2021

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY 24TH OF MAY 2021

TOPIC:  WONDERS OF DIVINE VICTORY

MEMORISE:

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” – Psalm 20:7

READ: 1 SAMUEL 17:44-50 (KJV)

44. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 

45. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 

46. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 

47. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. 

48. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 

49. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

50. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

JUDGES 16-17

MESSAGE:

It is almost impossible to explain the wonders of divine victory because the word ‘wonder’, on its own, is hard to describe and anything divine is beyond human explanation. This is why any victory with this combination is wonderful, to say the least.

King Jehoshaphat enjoyed this kind of victory in (2 Chronicles 20). It was a wonder because it was divinely arranged. Rather than organising bows, arrows, shields, spears and other war ammunition, the king simply organised an orchestra to sing praises to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:24) says:

"And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped."

We find another example of wonders of divine victory in the Bible reading for today. How else would you describe a small boy killing giant, other than as wondrous? 

When the Almighty fights on the side of an individual, apart from the fact that victory is certain, the manner in which the victory is won would surprise many. When Goliath saw David, 1 Samuel 17:42,44 says “he disdained him” and “cursed David by his gods.” However, David said to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45 that he was coming to him “…in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”

If you look carefully, you would see some elements of spiritual power play in this story. Goliath cursed David by his gods, however, David knew that the warfare would not be won by mere physical prowess, quickly switched on his own spiritual antenna. How the contest ended shows the wonders of divine victory. 

An ordinary stone in the hands of the anointed of God fell the giant that a whole nation had dreaded for 40 days. As a matter of fact, it was the sword of Goliath that David eventually used to severe his head from his body. 

David believed his God and he was not disappointed. The Lord fought on David’s side and the battle was won. Believe God and you shall be established (2 Chronicles 20:20).

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please fight my battles for me. Help me Lord not to become a victim of the battles of life.

HYMN 4: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE.

Conquerors and overcomers now are we,

Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory

If the Lord be for us, we can never fail,

Nothing ‘gainst His mighty pow’r can e’er prevail.

REFRAIN:

Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,

God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood

Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,

Yet who lives and reigns again,

More than conquerors are we,

More than conquerors are we.

In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,

Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;

Not to us, but unto Him the praise shall be,

For salvation and for blood-bought victory.

Unto him that overcometh shall be giv’n,

Here to eat of hidden manna sent from heav’n,

Over yonder he the victor’s palm shall bear,

And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2020

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2020 

THEME: DANGERS OF INGRATITUDE

MEMORIZE: 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21

BIBLE READING: JUDGES 15:14-19

14. And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.

15. And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

16. And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.

17. And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.

18. And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant; and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

19. But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived; wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: 

HEBREWS 11:1-40, 

HEBREWS 12:1-29, 

HEBREWS 13:1-25

Click HERE to read previous devotional message by Pastor E.A ADEBOYE

MESSAGE

One day, I asked God why He punished King Saul so much while David who committed more sins was called the man after His heart.

He responded by telling me to read 2 Samuel 6:14

”And David danced before the LORD with all his might”

Then He asked me to look for a place where Saul danced for Him. I searched and couldn’t find.

I further decided to check where he said thank you to God somehow, but I didn’t find any.

Not even when God raised him to be king. It was clear then that Saul’s downfall was majorly due to ingratitude.

Another person who failed due to ingratitude is Samson.

All the time that the Bible records that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he did great exploits, not once did he say Thank you Lord.

In fact, probably the most glaring of such incidents was in Judges 15:17-18:

”And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking. that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi. And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?”

Just after exploits so great that even he acknowledged they were from God, instead of giving thanks, all he did was complain.

Ingratitude is a pointer to pride. Proverbs 16:18 says that pride goes before a fall.

Ungrateful people are proud and are heading for a fall.

When you see a person who is always grateful, you see humility in the fellow and since God gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5), the grace of God will always take the person higher.

Whatever chance you get, always remain grateful to God.

Be grateful for even the little things that others take for granted; be grateful that you can sleep and wake the next day, that you can walk, that you can talk, that you can wear your clothes by yourself, that you can eat, that you can use the bathroom, that you still have a sound mind. In everything and for everything, give thanks for this is the will of God (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

PRAYER POINT

Father, I am grateful for all that You are doing for me; please Lord, help me never to be ungrateful.

HYMN: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

1. Now thank we all our God,

With hearts, and hands and voices;

Who wondrous things hath done,

In Whom His world rejoices;

Who, from our mother’s arms,

Hath bless’d us on our way

With countless gifts to love

And still is ours to-day.

2. O may this bounteous God

Through all our life be near us,

With ever-joyful hearts

And blessed peace to cheer us,

And keep us in His grace

And guide us when perplexed,

And free us from all ills

In this world and the next.

3. All praise and thanks to God

The Father now be given,

The Son, and Him who reigns

With them in the highest heaven

The One, Eternal God,

Whom earth and heaven adore;

For thus it was, is now,

And shall be evermore.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE FOR MONDAY 21ST, DECEMBER 2020

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: MONDAY 21ST, DECEMBER 2020

THEME: TRUE WORSHIP

MEMORISE:

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” – (Isaiah 29:13)

READ: 1 CHRONICLES 16:23-31 (KJV)

23. Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation.

24. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.

25. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he also is to be feared above all gods.

26. For all the gods of the people are idols; but the LORD made the heavens.

27. Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

28. Give unto the LORD, ye kindred of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

29. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; bring an offering, and come before him; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

30. Fear before him, all the earth; the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

31. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

HEBREWS 7-10

MESSAGE:

Worship - true worship is in the absolute submission of the heart to the One being worshipped and adored. 

You can pretend to be in awe of any human being and they would be deceived, but God searches the intentions of our heart, and that is why He knows those who truly worship Him. 

John 4:24 says: 

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Search your heart: are you a true worshipper? 

If you claim to be a worshipper and you still commit sin, you need to check your claim again. 

A true worshipper of God does not take with levity anything that concerns Him. 

David is a very good example of a true worshipper. He wrote many psalms praising God and talking about how much He loved God’s statutes. 

His lifestyle and how he revered God showed that he truly esteemed Him greatly. 

He had a burden to build a temple for God and even though He told him not to, David didn’t just fold his hands; he provided all that would be needed to build it.  

That is clearly not eye service. David was a man after God's own heart, because he practised heartfelt worship.

If you’re not as committed to your tasks in Church when your Pastor is not around as you are when he is, you are not a true worshipper. 

If you worship God because you are expecting something in return, you are not amongst the true worshippers. 

God rejects heartless worship (Amos 5:21-24). 

Two people can come with similar offerings to Him and He will reject one and accept the other just like in the case of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-15).

Are you a true worshipper?

KEY POINT:

Worship is a thing of the heart; actions merely express it.

LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND.

1. Let us with a gladsome mind

Praise the Lord for He is kind.

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

2. He, with all-commanding might,

Filled the new-made world with light.

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

3. All things living He doth feed,

His full hand supplies their need;

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

4. He His chosen race did bless

In the wasteful wilderness;

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

5. Let us then with gladsome mind,

Praise the Lord, for He is kind;

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE FOR SUNDAY 20TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: SUNDAY 20TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: TRUTH AND WISDOM.

MEMORISE:

“He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:” Proverbs 24:24

READ: PROVERBS 24:23-26 (KJV)

23. These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him;

25. But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

HEBREWS 1-6

MESSAGE:

Many times, we Pastors find ourselves in situations where we are faced with either speaking the truth or telling a lie to flatter someone who is influential or from whom we can get a lot of benefits. 

At such times, we must ensure that we do not lie. Our God has never been in support of respecting people to the extent of endorsing their wrongdoings.

It does not matter who the fellow is or how much you can gain from them, never lie to get their favour. 

When God told Prophet Jeremiah that He would be sending him to nations, he knew that meant that he would be confronting some really influential people, so he responded in Jeremiah 1:6: “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.”

And God reassured him in Jeremiah 1:7-8 thus:

 “… and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” 

This message is still relevant today: fear not, God is with you to deliver you. The elders have a saying that it is not the one who we are sent to that we must fear, but the one who sent us.

Now, when God has sent you to correct an influential person, you need to do it with wisdom. 

John the Baptist confronted Herod and lost his head, but Nathan confronted David and the king repented.

What is the difference between the way the two Prophets carried out their assignment? John the Baptist was straight and direct with Herod.

The Bible says in Mark 6:18:

“For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.”

Nathan, in his own case, decided to tell the king a fictional story about someone else who did something similar to what David had done, so he got David to judge the case by himself and when David acknowledged the fellows sin, Nathan  turned it around and said “Sir, that fellow is actually you”.

Thereafter, he went on to deliver the message God had sent him to deliver (2 Samuel 12:1-14). 

If Nathan had come straight to tell the king that the sword would never depart from his house, that God would raise his own family members to go against him and so on, he may have lost his head too.

KEY POINT:

Make sure you deliver the message that God has sent you with, but ask Him for the wisdom with which to present it.

HYMN 26: STAND UP! STAND UP!! FOR JESUS.

1. Stand up! stand up for Jesus,

Ye soldiers of the Cross!

Lift high His royal banner;

It must not suffer loss.

From vict’ry unto vict’ry

His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished,

And Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up! stand up for Jesus,

The trumpet call obey;

Forth to the mighty conflict,

In this His glorious day;

Ye that are men now serve Him

Against unnumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger,

And strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you,

Ye dare not trust your own:

Put on the gospel armour,

And watching unto prayer;

Where duty calls, or danger,

Be never wanting there.

4. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

The strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle,

The next the victor’s song;

To him that overcometh,

A crown of life shall be;

He with the King of glory

Shall reign eternally.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL FOR SUNDAY 20TH OF DECEMBER, 2020

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL

SUNDAY 20TH OF DECEMBER, 2020

LESSON SIXTEEN (16)

TOPIC: FORBIDDEN BLOOD COVENANTS

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,

O how I love Thee well,

I am happy, it makes me glad

To rejoice at Thy birth.  

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day, 

Thy friendship suits me well, 

Both young and old will sing Thy song,

We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,

Christ was Thy first teacher, 

The Holy Spirit, great teacher,

Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,

This testimony is sure,

That God, the Father Almighty,

Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day, 

Though the sun be so bright,

Or if the clouds 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, deliver me from every evil covenant I have entered into, knowingly or unknowingly.

BIBLE PASSAGE: HEBREWS 9:14-22

[14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

[15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

[16] For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

[17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

[18] Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

[19] For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

[20] Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

[21] Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

[22] And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

MEMORY: 

"Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings." Leviticus 7:26.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: 

Having understood that life resides in the blood with biblical evidences (Lev.17:11) and that every spiritual covenant is sealed with the blood (Heb.9:18). Also, it should be noted that the blood of animals shed in the Old Testament could not cleanse the sins of man once and for all whereas the blood of Jesus shed as a covenant of redemption carries so much power to save man eternally. 

Covenants have the power of gathering, protecting and blessing people in all circumstances of life. On the other hand, any wrong use of the principle of covenant can bring about grave consequences. In this lesson, we shall attempt to discuss the instances of wrong approaches to blood covenant, the consequences and the way out.

                   TEACHER'S DIARY

LESSON AIM: 

To teach students the kind of blood covenants that God forbids.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: 

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

a. Discover some wrong approaches to blood covenants.

b. Understand the consequences of unholy blood covenants.

c. Contribute to discussion do class activities and assignment.

TEXT REVIEW: HEBREWS 9:14-22.

The Bible clearly expresses the superiority and potency of the blood that Jesus Christ shed over the blood of animals, in that:

Through the eternal (ever living) Spirit (of God), Jesus offered Himself.................................v14a

Jesus was.....................................................v14b

His blood has the power to.........................v14c

For this cause Jesus is...............................v15a

By means of His death................................v15b

........................................................................v15c

The potency of the blood of Jesus also lies in the fact that:

.....................................................................v16-17.

.....................................................................v18-21.

.....................................................................v22a.

.....................................................................v22b.

           LESSON OUTLINES

LESSON OUTLINE 1: WRONG APPROACHES TO BLOOD COVENANT

Teacher should allow the students to share their experiences of blood covenants they have or that people do enter into and guide the class through the discussion as follows:

✓ The blood connects the physical and the spiritual world as well as the temporal and eternal world.

✓ Blood covenant is usually made when the blood of two individuals mingle.

✓ It could be done by cutting the palms of the individuals and then the shaking of hands to combine the blood.

✓ It could also be that a few drops of blood from each person is mingled in a glass of wine and then drunk by both.

✓ In either case, the blood is mixed, thus indicating that two lives were mixed.

✓ Incision (piercing or cutting of the body for ritual, protection or religious purposes) is another way of initiating an individual into a blood covenant with demons (1 Kings.18:28).

   Sometimes, an animal's blood could be shed as representative of both individuals mingling their lives together. After all, "the life is in the blood. (Lev.17:11).

Regardless of the form it takes, the Bible forbids the:

✓ Mixing or drinking of blood (Lev.7:26).

✓ Cutting of the skin and incisions which leave permanent scars as a reminder of the covenant from that time on.

    The Satanic realm fully understands the power of the blood covenant and this is why as soon as a person starts to progress in the satanic order, he is introduced to blood oaths which become progressively harsher and more prescriptive.

Hence, anyone involved in ungodly soul ties as "lovers", illicit sexual relationships, occult blood sacrifices, suicides, homicides, abortion, etc., enters into a deal with Satan.

    In this manner, people unite with demons either consciously or unconsciously (Gen.4:8-12). Every believer should avoid this kind of blood covenant at all cost.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: 

Students should discuss other means by which some people enter into blood covenant.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: CONSEQUENCES OF UNHOLY BLOOD COVENANTS

1. The teacher should allow the students to discuss from experience some of the outcomes of the blood covenants stated in outline one and guide the class with the following points:

✓ Blood covenant among humans is scripturally forbidden.

✓ The Bible admonishes that our 'yes' should be 'yes' and our 'no' should be 'no' (Matt.5:34-37).

✓ If swearing is unscriptural (James 5:12), entering into a blood covenant is evil and can:

> Open doorways to demonic afflictions.

> Truncate the destiny of those involved and their descendants (2Sam.12:10-12).

2. Sexual intercourse also constitutes a blood covenant.

Since marriage is a life-long covenant, those who are yet to marry must prayerfully choose who to marry (1Cor.6:16; 2Cor.6:14). 

✓ This sharing of blood creates a special spiritual connection between souls.

✓ Blood diseases can also be sexually transmitted from one partner to the other.

✓ Sexual intercourse among the unmarried is a terrible sin (1Cor. 6:18).

✓ Generational curses can be transmitted through this blood covenant (2 Sam.12:10-11).

✓ The satanic realm is quick to exact the death penalty on their blood covenant victims (John 10:10). Such sudden death could be painted as accidents, heart attack, unclassified sicknesses, etc (2 Cor. 2:11).

3. There are many people that have entangled themselves through blood covenants. If you are one of them, the consequences may be deadly except you confess, renounce and cry unto God for total deliverance (John 8:32; Isa.49:24-26).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: 

Students should mention other consequences of satanic blood covenants.

SUMMARY: 

There are terrible consequences for evil blood covenants.

CONCLUSION: 

Avoid entering into any form of illicit blood covenant with anyone. It is evil.

EVALUATION: 

Teachers should ask the students to mention consequences of unholy blood covenants?

CLOSING PRAYER: 

Father, let the blood of Jesus purge me from any covenant I might have entered into.

ASSIGNMENT: 

Mention five (5) practical things those involved in unholy blood covenants can do to break free.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE FOR SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH.

MEMORISE:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8

READ: EPHESIANS 2:8-9 (KJV)

8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God;

9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

1 PETER 1-5

Click HERE to read the previous Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A ADEBOYE

MESSAGE:

Many of our beloved ‘grace’ preachers have often misinterpreted todays Bible reading to mean that since being saved is not by works but grace, you can do whatever you like and still maintain your salvation.

Grace means unmerited favour. That means, you did not do anything to be amongst those who God decided to save. 

John 6:44 says “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:” John 15:16 says “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” 

It is only by grace that we had an encounter that brought us into a relationship with Christ.

The passage then goes on to say that we are “saved through faith”. 

So we are not only saved by grace, we are also saved through faith. This means that even if the grace is available for you to be saved, salvation can only occur through your faith. 

Now faith is the belief in Christ and His finished work on the cross.

Romans 10:9 says:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

So no faith, no salvation.

 The Bible says in James 2:18-20: “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

You cannot claim to have faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross and still be acting against His word.

Without faith, even with the availability of grace, you can neither be saved nor please God (Hebrews 11:6). “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

KEY POINT:

Grace does not give you the liberty to sin; rather, it gives you the ability to live above it.

HYMN 18: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Saviour divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire;

As Thou hast died for me,

O may my love to Thee

Pure, warm and changeless be

A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,

And grief around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Saviour, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

O bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 2020.

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: FRIDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: SUPPORT MISSIONARIES.

MEMORISE:

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” Isaiah 52:7

READ: 3 JOHN 1:5-8 (KJV)

5. Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

6. Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church; whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well;

7. Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

TITUS 1-3

Click HERE to read previous devotional message by Pastor E.A ADEBOYE

MESSAGE:

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9. 

As we pray for and bless the Shepherds around us with gifts, let us not forget those in hostile and war-torn communities too.

It is not God’s will for missionaries to be abandoned while wealthy Christians enjoy His blessings in the urban centres. 

Usually, these gospel crusaders risk their lives, having left their cities and families to do God’s work in places most of us would not consider going to. This is why we must support them with both our prayers and resources.

You can commit a certain percentage of your monthly income to support a missionary group. What you consider negligible could go a long way to ease their burden. 

A constant supply of food and amenities for their communities would make their audience more receptive, while also giving them some influence even amongst the rulers of the land.

When Christian missionaries first arrived Nigeria, their work was easy because as they came with Bibles, they also brought education for the children and medicines for the sick. If they hadn’t succeeded, perhaps many more of us would have been involved in rituals today.

Modern Christians have not supported mission trips as much as in the past, thus, allowing the devil spread his message of perversion like wildfire.

Those who would have loved to be missionaries hold back because of the fear that no one would remember them. Some have left the mission field, not for their sakes, but for their children’s. 

A little help could reverse this trend. You may not be able to go to the field but you can also win souls to God with your resources and prayers. Don’t miss this opportunity. Support missionaries today.

KEY POINT:

If you cannot go on mission trips, at least support those who do.

HYMN 9; HO, MY COMRADE! SEE THE THE SIGNAL.

1. Ho, my comrades! see the signal

Waving in the sky!

Reinforcements now appearing,

Victory in nigh!

CHORUS:

“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”

Jesus signals still,

Wave the answer back to heaven,

“By Thy grace we will,”

2. See the mighty host advancing

Satan leading on:

Mighty men around us falling,

Courage almost gone!

CHORUS:

“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”

Jesus signals still,

Wave the answer back to heaven,

“By Thy grace we will,”

3. See the glorious banner waving!

Hear the trumpet blow!

In our Leader’s name we’ll triumph

Over ev’ry foe!

CHORUS:

“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”

Jesus signals still,

Wave the answer back to heaven,

“By Thy grace we will,”

4. Fierce and long the battle rages,

But our help is near:

Onward comes our great commander,

Cheer, my comrades, cheer!

CHORUS:

“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”

Jesus signals still,

Wave the answer back to heaven,

“By Thy grace we will,”

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR THURSDAY 17TH December 2020

 OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY 17TH December 2020 

THEME: ON THE LORD'S SIDE?

MEMORISE:

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” – (Matthew 12:30)

READ: EXODUS 32:22-26 (KJV)

22. And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot; thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

23. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

24. And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me; then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

25. And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies;)

26. Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

1 TIMOTHY 1-6

Click HERE to read the previous devotional message by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MESSAGE:

The Israelites had departed from God while Moses was on the Mount. They had begun to worship a golden calf which Aaron was pressured to make for them. This made Moses ask “Who is on the Lords side?” (Exodus 32:26)

Even in God’s service, people have varying motives. While many may profess to be for God, their claims may not be entirely true, considering their secret lives. 

However, some Christians are true friends of God; in private and in the open. Even when they make mistakes, they don’t give excuses or seek to cover them up; they repent immediately. 

Their objective is holiness unto the Lord. Are you on the Lord’s side?

As there are two sides to a coin, so there are to the spiritual also: the good and the bad, Heaven and hell, God’s kingdom of light and Satan’s kingdom of darkness. You are either on one side or the other.

“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” – Joshua 5:13

Like the angel in the above passage had his sword drawn, so does everyone in the spirit realm. But who is your sword working for or against?

With every word you say and every action you take, your sword is swung, for or against God. 

If you conspire with people to sin instead of rebuking them, you are swinging your sword against God. 

If you consciously give erroneous interpretations of the Bible to fellow believers, you are clearly against God and on the side of Satan.

So many tongue-speaking ‘Christians’ are with the devil. This is dangerous. I pray for God’s mercy on such people.

Whose side are you truly on?

ACTION POINT:

Examine your heart to see if you are truly on the Lord’s side. Make amends in repentance today if you find yourself wanting.

HYMNAL:

HYMN 4 – BLESSED ASSURANCE, JESUS IS MINE!

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

CHORUS:

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight,

Angels descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Saviour am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Fill’d with His goodness, lost in His love.

Open Heaven  17th December 2020 Daily Devotional Message was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER,  2020.

THEME: DO YOU REALLY LOVE GOD?

MEMORISE: 

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3

READ: JOHN 14:21-24 (KJV)

21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

EPHESIANS 1-6

Click here to read the previous devotional message by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MESSAGE: 

God our Father, the creator of the world, always knows what is best for us. He knows how we should conduct ourselves and live a perfect life. 

In the beginning (after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden), man became a free moral agent, doing whatever pleased him.

However, because man is a spirit, he began to experience a deep spiritual yearning for his Creator whom he lost connection with, due to the fall. 

The Bible says in Genesis 4:26 that “…then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” However, due to man’s sinful nature, they could not call upon God effectively on their own terms.

To bridge this gap and help man do it right, God gave the ten commandments using the Israelites as the initial recipients. These commandments help us to know the general will of God for us daily. Jesus gave the basic summary of the commandments in Matthew 22:37-40: “…thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” According to our memory verse, the commandments of God are not grievous.

However, the fallen nature of man prompts people to do everything against God’s will now and again. 

Jesus said in John 14:21 

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him"

The Bible verse above is a great litmus test. Do you really love God? You cannot claim to love God if you do not have His commandments in your heart (Psalms 119:11). You cannot claim to love God if you do not obey His commandments (John 14:15).

If we love God indeed, it will show in our obedience to His commandments which are not grievous, especially when compared to the weight and consequences of sin.

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, help me access the grace to obey Your commandments, in the mighty name of Jesus.

HYMN 30: 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 HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 14TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: MONDAY 14TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: WAIT ON THE LORD.

MEMORISE:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Psalms 40:1

READ: 1 SAMUEL 30:1-19 (KJV)

1. And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

2. And had taken the women captives, that were therein; they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

3. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

4. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5. And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

6. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

7. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

8. And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue; for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

9. So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.

10. But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.

11. And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;

12. And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins; and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

13. And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.

14. We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.

15. And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

16. And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

17. And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day; and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

18. And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away; and David rescued his two wives.

19. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them; David recovered all.

Click here to read previous open heaven daily devotional message by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

COLOSSIANS 1-4,

PHILEMON 1

MESSAGE:

Every believer should understand and practise waiting on the Lord. In our Bible reading for today, we see that during David’s travails and exile, his base was raided while he was away with his men. 

All their property, wives and children were raided without mercy. On arrival, they were overwhelmed with grief so much so that they wept.

Any other person would have automatically pursued the perpetrators of such an act immediately, but as we had noted in an earlier study, David sought the face of God for direction and waited on Him even though that did not seem like the smartest thing to do at the time.

The smartest and bravest move that would have been expected of valiant soldiers like David and his men would have been to ensure that they did not waste any further time in going after the enemy. 

Ordinarily, the more time they wasted, the slimmer their chances of ever catching up and recovering their loved ones and belongings.

David however, decided to wait patiently upon God and receive His instructions, approval and blessing before making any move.

The Bible records that upon getting God’s word on the matter, they swung into action. Verse 19 of the same chapter reads: 

“And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.”

Your recovery in life, ministry, career and business might just be dependent on you waiting on the Lord for instructions before taking decisions. 

Waiting on the Lord includes prayer, fasting and usually, patience which is where most believers miss it. God is the all-in-all who knows the end from the beginning. There is no risk in waiting on the Lord.

As David found strength to recover all by waiting on the Lord, this season may you also find strength for exploits in the mighty name of Jesus.

As David pursued after his enemies and recovered all they had stolen, so will you recover every lost opportunity and blessing, in the mighty name of Jesus. 

Put God first always and wait patiently upon Him in every area of your life. He will never disappoint you.

ACTION POINT:

Wait on the Lord. You will surely testify, in the mighty name of Jesus.

HYMN 18: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Saviour divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire;

As Thou hast died for me,

O may my love to Thee

Pure, warm and changeless be

A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,

And grief around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Saviour, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

O bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL FOR SUNDAY 13TH OF DECEMBER, 2020

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL

SUNDAY 13TH OF DECEMBER, 2020

LESSON FIFTEEN (15)

TOPIC: LIFE LIFE AND COVENANT IN THE  BLOOD

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,

O how I love Thee well,

I am happy, it makes me glad

To rejoice at Thy birth.  

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day, 

Thy friendship suits me well, 

Both young and old will sing Thy song,

We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,

Christ was Thy first teacher, 

The Holy Spirit, great teacher,

Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,

This testimony is sure,

That God, the Father Almighty,

Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day, 

Though the sun be so bright,

Or if the clouds be black with rain, 

I'll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,

I rejoice to see Thee,

Will thou pass over me today? 

Without my being blest?

OPENING PRAYER: 

Father, let me understand the power of life in the blood.

Click here to read last week's Sunday school topic

BIBLE PASSAGE: EXODUS 24:4-8

[4]. And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

[5]. And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

[6]. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.

[7]. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.

[8]. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

MEMORY VERSE: 

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Leviticus 17:11.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: 

Biologically, blood is that vital liquid flowing in the bodies of many types of animals that usually conveys nutrients and oxygen. In vertebrates, it is coloured red by haemoglobin, conveyed by arteries and veins, pumped by the heart and usually generated in the bone marrow. Biblically, blood is used in the Old Testament to designate the life principle in

animal (Lev.17:11a). In the New Testament, it is commonly used in relation to the atoning blood of Christ. Without the blood, life ceases to exist in the body physically. There is also a link between the cleansing power of the blood

physically and spiritually. This is why it is important to understand the basic principles underlying blood covenant.

TEACHER'S DIARY

I. LESSON AIM: 

To make students understand the basic principles

underlying blood covenant

II. TEACHING OBJECTIVES: 

At the end of this lesson, students should be

able to:

a. Describe the term, blood, biologically and biblically.

b. Give biblical evidences that life is in the blood.

C. Describe the term 'blood covenant.

d. Give biblical instances of blood covenant

III. TEACHING PLAN: 

To achieve the above-stated objectives, teacher should:

-Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to discussion, do class activities and assignment.

-Allow the Assistant Teacher see to the well-being of the class, mark attend and assignment.

-Teach the lesson outlines, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give assignment.

TEXT REVIEW: EXODUS 24:4-8.

After Moses had written all the words of the LORD, he built an altar for God on behalf of the twelve tribes of Israel, -v4.

He then, ................................................... v5

He took the blood and .......................... v6

He also took the:

I. ............................................. 7a.

II. ............................................ 7b.

III. the people said .......................................... 7c

Moses again, took the blood and:

I. ............................................. v8a

II. ............................................ v8b.

TEACHING METHOD: 

Question and Answer Teaching Method.

TIME MANAGEMENT: 

Teacher should apply two-lesson outines teaching time.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: BIBLICAL EVIDENCES THAT LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD

1. QUESTION: 

Are there biblical evidences that life is in the blood?

ANSWER: 

Yes.

2. QUESTION

What is the proof?

ANSWER: 

The proof that the life of an animal (including humans) is in the blood can be found in the fact that:

The voice of Abel's blood cried out from the ground (Gen.4:10; Heb.12:24)

It is also unlawful to eat flesh with the blood (Gen.9:4).

The shedding of man's blood amounts to destroying God's creation and image (Gen.9:6; Ps 106:38).

It is the blood that activates the body to praise God (Ps.30:9)

More importantly, the blood of Jesus redeems and gives eternal ife (In.6:53; Eph. 1:7).

The blood is a witness to the fact that God sacrificed His Son (Jesus Christ) to save the worid (1Jn. 5:7-9).

That shed blood has the power to purge us from all sins (Heb.9:22; 13n.1:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: 

Students should discus the reason Christians usually plead the blood of Jesus.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: MEANING AND BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF BLOOD COVENANT

1. QUESTION

What does the term 'covenant mean?

ANSWER:

i. Generally, a covenant is a contract or agreement between two or more parties.

ii. It is a solemn promise made binding by an oath which may be either verbal or symbolic.

2. QUESTION:

How does the Bible describe the word 'covenant'?

ANSWER: 

Biblically, the Hebrew word 'beriyth' translated "covenant means "to cut" which literally has the idea of a blood covenant (1 Sam.18:3; Heb.9:18).

3. QUESTION:

What is the significance of the blood to covenant?

ANSWER: 

i. The divine covenants were ratified by the sacrifice of a victim to show that without atonement there could be no communication of blessings and salvation from God to man (Gen.15:1-8; Exo. 24:6-8).

ii. In some parts of the world and most of the times, a blood covenant is the strongest type of covenant two people could enter into.

iii. In fact, every spiritual covenant is sealed with the blood (Heb.9:18)).

4. QUESTION: 

What are the forms of blood covenant that existed in the days of the Bible?

ANSWER: 

Blood covenant existed in diverse forms of relationships in the days of the Bible. Such instances existed between:

i. Man and idols (1Kgs 18:26-28).

ii. Man and man (1Sam. 18:3).

ii. Man and God (Exo.12:13; 24:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: 

Students should mention other forms of relationships today that require blood covenant.

SUMMARY:

There is life in the blood. This is the reason real covenants are sealed with the blood.

CONCLUSION:

The blood covenant is the strongest form of Covenant. There is an existing blood covenant between God the Father and Jesus Christ which every believer benefits from.

EVALUATION

 Teachers should ask the students to mention five facts that establish blood covenant as a biblical principle

CLOSING PRAYER: 

Father, let the life in the blood of Jesus speak for me.

ASSIGNMENT: 

Mention five (5) reasons people enter into blood covenants.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SUNDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2020.

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUNDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2020.

THEME: THE GOD OF MIRACLES.

MEMORISE:

But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. 2 Kings 6:5

READ: 2 KINGS 6:1-7

1. And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.

2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.

3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.

4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.

5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.

6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.

7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   

ACTS 27-28

Click here to read the previous message by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MESSAGE:

A miracle happens when God suspends the law of nature in a particular situation. For example, Jesus suspended the law of gravity for a while so He could walk on water. 

It is often difficult to explain a miracle to unbelievers, because such occurrences defy natural understanding. 

The good news is that it does not matter what the world may say, my Daddy is the miracle-working God and when He steps into a matter, miracles happen.

It has been God’s nature from time immemorial to do miracles. The creation of Heaven and earth was a miracle. Every principle established on earth started as a miracle when first made. Before it became normal for the sun to shine, God first performed the miracle of creation. 

When Jesus (God the Son) came, He established Himself as a functional part of the Godhead by performing several novel miracles. As many as these miracles were, the book of John 21:25 says:

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

We will use our Bible reading as a typical example of a miracle. 

The sons of the prophets were carrying out a ministry building project when the axe head they borrowed fell into a deep river. The one from whose hands it fell cried out for help and got it in the most amazing fashion. 

Prophet Elisha threw a light log of wood into the river and a very heavy axe head floated in its place while the wood sank like a rock. 

God reverses principles He created; He controls everything! The principle of floatation was reversed and the sons of the prophets were saved from embarrassment.

Nothing is impossible for the God of miracles (Luke 1:37). Put all your trust in Him.

I decree and declare God’s miraculous intervention into every situation that wants to embarrass you, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please intervene in my life and turn all impossibilities to possibilities, in the mighty name of Jesus.

HYMN 24: PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR.

1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

o Refrain:

Savior, Savior,

Hear my humble cry,

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief.

3. Trusting only in Thy merit,

Would I seek Thy face;

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace.

4. Thou the spring of all my comfort,

More than life to me,

Whom have I on earth beside Thee,

Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 12TH, DECEMBER 2020

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: SATURDAY 12TH, DECEMBER 2020

THEME: HONOUR YOUR PARENTS

MEMORISE:

“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” – (Exodus 20:12)

READ: EPHESIANS 6:1-3 (KJV)

1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.

2. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

ACTS 24-26

CLICK HERE TO READ YESTERDAY'S OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

MESSAGE:

Today’s memory verse says that you must honour your parents if you do not want to die young. This is because of the law of harvest. 

Whatever you do to your parents, your children will do to you in future. If you honour your parent, you will live to become a parent and your children will honour you in return. 

The Bible says that God gets very upset at children who mistreat their parents.

“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” - Proverbs 20:20

The above passage tells you that you should watch what you say to or about your parents, so that your light would not be put out in the day time. 

In other words, if all of a sudden, a child thinks that he/she is now of age and prosperous and need not have any regard for his/her parents anymore, not only would the child die suddenly, he/she would do so in such a manner as to make people wonder “How can this be?” 

I want to appeal to you if your parents are still alive, that you honour them, if you want to live long and enjoy the blessings of God.

This is the sole cause of the death of many young people these days, but because it cannot be scientifically proven, many people ignore it. 

Your parents, no matter how bad they may have been, are the ones chosen by God to bring you to this world. 

He knew how they would treat you before He allowed you come through them, and since we know that God does all things for our good, then our parents have a part to play in the fulfilment of our destiny. 

God brought you to this world through them, so the least you can do is to honour them. You may be saying “Oh, you don’t know what my parents have done to me; if you did, you wouldn’t be telling me to honour them.” 

Well, they may have been horrible to you, but you don’t have to extend the effect of what they did to you by dishonouring them. It is for your own good that you honour them because dishonouring them brings a curse. 

Forgive them for whatever they have done wrong and begin to honour them as from today. It is God’s will that you do so.

KEY POINT:

Dishonouring your parents is like committing suicide. Don’t kill yourself.

HYMN - 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.

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.

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.

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.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: EARTH-SHAKING PRAYERS.

MEMORISE:

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31

Click Here Yesterday’s Open Devotional  by Pastor E.A Adeboye

READ: ACTS 4:23-31 (KJV)

23. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is;

25. Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26. The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30. By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

MESSAGE:

There are certain prayers that cause the earth to shake. Not prayers of “God give me this, God give me that”, though. I am talking about prayers of dedication, prayers like “Lord, my life is at Your disposal, do whatever You want with it. I lay my life on the altar and I become a living sacrifice to You today; Lord, use me for Your glory”.

When God begins to hear these kinds of prayers, He will come down. Acts 4:23-31 tells us that the disciples were praying and thereafter, some people told them not to preach the gospel again.

They gathered themselves together and said “Father, You hear what they are saying; over to You. All we ask is that You give us boldness, give us miracles, give us signs, so that we can preach more”. 

The Bible says the house shook. In 1979, my Father-in-the-Lord called me and four others to his room high up in Mayor Hotel in Tulsa, USA, saying “My children, I am going soon; the one who will be taking over from me is Pastor Adeboye”.

I collapsed on the floor and everybody began to pray. You can be sure that the prayers offered were not the gentlemanly kind; they were serious prayers. Suddenly, we heard a knock on the door.

On opening the door, we saw the maintenance manager of the hotel who asked what kind of musical instrument we were playing.

We explained that we were not playing any instrument, but he insisted that we had to have been playing one as the hotel was shaking and the source of the shaking had been traced to our room. 

We insisted that we were only praying, but he didn’t believe us, so he checked under the bed, the wardrobe and looked everywhere in the room then left when he didn’t find anything.

The hotel was locked down because they could not find the source of the shaking and they didn’t want to believe that it was just prayers. Recently, I went back there and as I looked at the hotel, I felt compassion on the owners, so I laid my hand on the wall and prayed a simple prayer. It was reopened six months after.

It is very clear that the great things happening in the RCCG today are a result of the prayers that fateful day in our hotel room in Tulsa. 

If you want the glory of God to come down into your life and transform everything for good, you need to start praying earth-shaking prayers. 

Pray for power to do Gods work, pray for boldness to preach in any situation, pray for a national revival in your country.

ACTION POINT:

Go ahead and pray some earth-shaking prayers now.

HYMN 26: STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS.

1. Stand up! stand up for Jesus,

Ye soldiers of the Cross!

Lift high His royal banner;

It must not suffer loss.

From vict’ry unto vict’ry

His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished,

And Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up! stand up for Jesus,

The trumpet call obey;

Forth to the mighty conflict,

In this His glorious day;

Ye that are men now serve Him

Against unnumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger,

And strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you,

Ye dare not trust your own:

Put on the gospel armour,

And watching unto prayer;

Where duty calls, or danger,

Be never wanting there.

4. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

The strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle,

The next the victor’s song;

To him that overcometh,

A crown of life shall be;

He with the King of glory

Shall reign eternally.