Topic: Don’t Limit Your Vision [Open Heavens for Teens 6 May 2019]
Memorise: “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” – Habakkuk 2:1
Read: Habakkuk 2:1-2
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Bible In One Year: 1 Kings 12-13, Luke 24:36-53
MESSAGE:
As humans, we naturally build our vision around what we can see. Many years ago as a pastor in RCCG, during conventions, we would have a crowd of two thousand and I would say “What a crowd!” but in 1979, I attended Kenneth Hagin’s camp meeting in America and I saw 17,000 people in attendance; I was astonished. That became the extent of my vision. I was now anticipating an RCCG convention as large as the Kenneth Hagin meeting.
Years later, I went for Dr. Yongi Cho’s church growth conference in Korea. They had seven services and announced after every service that those who came shouldn’t come to church the following Sunday so as to allow others attend church. It was then it dawned on me that what I had seen in America was not what I wanted. Thank God I learnt not to learn not to limit my vision early, because these days at RCCG’s conventions, it is impossible to count the number of attendees. Never allow the things you see presently limit your vision. Close your eyes to your surroundings and current situation, cast your vision as far as you can. You were born to dominate, whatever you put your mind and actions to, you will achieve. God promised Abraham that as far as they could see, He will give him; how far can you see? What you see is what you get.
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:
Under the shadow of your throne
Your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is your arm alone,
And our defense is sure
Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received its frame,
From everlasting you are God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in your sight
Are like an evening gone
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream
Does at the opening day.
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Still be our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home!
Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.
Memorise: “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”- Proverbs 11:25
Read: Hebrews 11:17-19, Malachi 3:8-12 (KJV)
Hebrews 11:17-19: 7 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Malachi 3:8-12: 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 4-6, Jeremiah 31:15-30
Open Heaven 6 May 2019 Monday MESSAGE:
Our God is a God of principles, and He runs the universe by the principles He has established. Understanding these principles is key to living a blessed life. One of God’s principles is the principle of obtaining a harvest after a period of sowing, while another is that whatsoever a man sows is what he will reap (Genesis 8:22, Galatians 6:7). Based on these two principles, whenever God wants to bless a fellow, He creates an opportunity for the fellow to give up something precious as a seed into the fertile soil of His kingdom. Such divinely organized investment opportunities must be grabbed with both hands. When God wanted to bless Abraham and make him a mighty nation, He asked him to sacrifice his only son to Him. After Abraham passed the tests, he received an everlasting promise of greatness (Genesis 22 16-17).
Those who want to get the results that Abraham got must be ready to do the works that Abraham did. It is ironic to hear people sing “Abraham’s blessings are mine” or claim to be Abraham’s children, and yet refuse to do the works of Abraham. The Lord said in John 8:39b:
“If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.”
Malachi 3:8-12 contains a divine investment opportunity which Abraham himself embraced. He and his descendants did this by faith, even before the Law of Moses was given in (Genesis 14:18-20, Genesis 28:22). Today, this same investment opportunity is still open to all of God’s obedient children who desire to receive great blessings from Him. When I was confronted with the principle of tithing as I was growing in faith, I found it difficult to understand it as a divine investment opportunity, until I eventually learnt my lesson in a painstaking way. I discovered that my financial problems persisted even though I was not paying tithes, to the extent that I used to borrow money from my driver to buy fuel into my car before my next salary was paid. However, immediately I realized that God was only setting His children up for blessings through tithing, I threw myself headlong into it. Before long, I stopped borrowing money and eventually had enough to build my first house. When God says “Give”, it is because He wants to us to receive (Luke 6:38). Years ago, when we were preparing for our annual church convention, there were multiple building projects going on within our camp grounds, of which the major one was the roofing of our main auditorium. As I was wondering how to get enough funds for this project, one of my senior pastors came asking for financial assistance for his church’s project. I initially refused because I still needed funds to complete the national project, but God prevailed on me to give him all I had on me. Shortly afterwards, the Lord laid it upon someone’s heart to give me the exact amount needed for the project on hand. I then knew that God was setting me up for supernatural financial breakthrough when He asked me to give all I had to assist this pastor. It was an investment that yielded high dividends. Beloved, I encourage you to invest in the business of God’s kingdom, and your business will not run dry.
Open Heaven 6 May 2019 Monday Key Point:
If you are a child of Abraham, you will do the works of Abraham in the area of tithing.
Open Heaven 6 May 2019 Monday Hymn 4: Take My Life, And Let It Be
1 Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5 Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6 Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Open Heaven 6 May 2019 Monday 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 Heaven 6 May 2019 Monday Daily Devotional.
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Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
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Israel Folou, who signed a four-year deal with the Waratahs in Sydney in March, could have his contract with Rugby Australia ended because he posted a picture on instagram saying that homosexuals, among others, would face hell unless they repented to Jesus.
The Australian rugby player also listed atheists, drunks, idolaters, adulterers, liars and fornicators, calling on people to repent, saying ‘Only Jesus saves!’
Folou’s comments sparked controversy and threats from Rugby Australia about his continuation as a national star as he had had warnings about similar comments already.
The code of conduct hearing, which Folou requested, was held at Rugby Australia’s headquarters in Sydney and evidence was provided by Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
The hearing was only meant to last one day, with Sunday reserved incase it dragged on.
After 15 hours, no conclusion was made about his future, with Waratahs player Andrew Hore also called for evidence on Sunday.
They will now reconvene on Tuesday.
Folou’s solicitors are arguing that he was quoting a Bible passage and that the comments weren’t his direct words. They also say there is no social media clause in his contract.
The Wallabies coach said he was unlikely to be selected to play again and Rugby Australia believe he has breached player code of conduct and social media…
Fast Facts: Ridgeview celebrated its 25th anniversary at the beginning of this year. Ridgeview began as a mission of a sister church—Oak Grove Baptist in Mount Carmel, TN. In January 1994, it was officially constituted as a church with 136 charter members. Ridgeview focuses on its sending capacity rather than its seating capacity—seeking to look outwardly instead of inwardly. They do this by planting churches and focusing on community outreach events to spread the gospel. They are currently praying for and seeking out their next Family Pastor. Please pray for the search team and the person God will be sending to the church to fill that position.
“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well.
Warren Wiersbe was born in Indiana in 1929, ordained in 1951 and was the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church from 1961 to 1971. He was a prolilfic writer and speaker.
Wiersbe’s writings on the Bible, such as ‘Be Victorious’, ‘Be Basic’ and ‘Be Authentic’, are popular expositional verse-by-verse guides to specific passages.
The Gospel Coalition in America wrote in their eulogy that while at Calvary Baptist Church: “A local Cincinnati radio station broadcast his Sunday sermons as the “Calvary Hour.” During his tenure the church grew from a capacity of 800 people to one that could hold 2,000 worshipers.”
When working for Moody Memorial Church in the 1970s, he wrote a collumn for Moody Monthly, named after evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody, called “Insight for the Pastor” where he encouraged and guided church leaders through theology and practical problems.
In an interview in January 2018, he said: “When you learn the joy and the privilege of Bible study, you don’t have to be paid to do it. You don’t have to be pushed at doing it, and scolded. No, no, no. It’s a privilege. It’s a marvelous, glorious privilege.
“You may not see it, you may not know it. But others will know that you’re walking in the light. Blessed is the man that God blesses from the Word, because that is going to last forever.”
The children and vulnerable adults safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight, who provide safeguarding training and support to churches, have praised the decision announced on Thursday by the child abuse inquiry to look at Methodist churches, Baptists, Pentecostals, house churches and other non-denominations.
The investigation will look into the child protection practices at Sunday schools, youth groups and camps.
So far, the inquiry into religious settings and organisations has only looked into the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England.
Thirty:one eight are urging non-conformist churches to be compliant with the inquiry and work hard to learn about their past failures.
Justin Humphreys, CEO of Thirtyone:eight told Premier: “I think it is hugely significant in that it will give the wider church – and in fact organisations from other faiths, but primarily the wider church – a chance to demonstrate where it is doing things well, but also give others an opportunity to explore where things aren’t quite going so well.
“I think for some, it will be a real challenge and may in fact be rather painful. For others, it will be an opportunity to say ‘look, actually there are sections of the church that are doing this really well.'”
The findings of the investigations within the inquiry so far will be released at a preliminary hearing on 23rd July and public hearings…
Evans went to hospital in April after a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics that she was taking for the flu.
She then experienced constant seizures and was placed in a medically induced coma.
On 30th April, she was starting to be weaned off coma medication for fear of the risks of being comatose for too long and the seizures continued at a reduced rate.
On Thursday, staff found she had swelling on her brain and on Saturday morning she died in hospital.
Rachel Held Evans was most well-know for her book A Year of Biblical Womanhood and her popular blog where she wrote about topics such as patriarchy, evangelical culture, Donald Trump, welcoming young people into church and parenting.
She spoke at festivals and recently released her new book Inspired that aims to ‘avoid noncommittal liberalism on one hand and strident literalism on the other’, according to her website.
Many fans followed updates from her husband Dan Evans and used the hashtag #PrayForRHE on Twitter.
Dan Evans wrote on Saturday: “This entire experience is surreal. I keep hoping it’s a nightmare from which I’ll awake. I feel like I’m telling someone else’s story.
“I cannot express how much the support means to me and our kids. To everyone who has prayed, called, texted, driven, flown, given of themselves physically and financially to help ease this burden: Thank you. We are…
Cardinal Malcom Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, offered a televised Mass from his residence that was attended mostly by priests and nuns.
A letter from Pope Francis addressed to him was read out at the end of the service in which the pontiff said he prayed that “hearts hardened by hatred may yield to His will for peace and reconciliation among all his children”.
At St Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo, one of the sites targeted by Easter suicide bombings that killed 257 people, a Mass was celebrated for a small group of children and youth as a means for inner healing.
Almost all churches remained closed with armed soldiers and police guarding them.
Authorities cancelled Sunday services after reports emerged that a Catholic church and lay institution could be targeted this weekend.
Catholic schools have also been closed until further notice.
However, all government schools are to reopen Monday for grade six and up.
Police have announced they will search the premises of all schools on Sunday.
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Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. — Ephesians 4:26-27
Everyone has anger from time to time, and understanding it and knowing how to handle it properly is important. Anger begins as a feeling and then manifests itself in words and actions.
You feel something, and it causes you to do or say something. Anger is not necessarily always sin; however, what you choose to do with anger directly determines your quality of life.
All anger has the same effect on your life. It upsets you, causing you to feel pressure. Keeping anger locked inside can even be dangerous to your health. So, you must take responsibility for your anger and learn to deal with it.
If you struggle with anger, ask God to help you process it and bring it to closure. You can be bitter or better—the choice is yours!
Prayer Starter: Father, You know everything about me. I ask for Your help to recognize and deal with any unresolved anger in my life. Help me to get to the root of the issues and learn to deal with my emotions in a godly way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Topic: You Are Destined For Supernatural Exploits!
Welcome to the month of May! I believe we all had an awesome time in the school of faith all through the month of April, 2019, and I am persuaded that everyone is sure to begin to manifest the same Spirit of faith at work in Jesus all through our adventure in life, in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen! This week, we shall focus on the topic: You Are Destined for Supernatural Exploits!
We understand from scriptures that, everyone born of God is destined for a life of exploits and extraordinary accomplishments. We must understand that living a life of exploits is not the exclusive right of some individuals. We don’t have to be white to experience it as our skin colour is irrelevant to our breakthroughs in life. As long as we are children of God, we are candidates for supernatural exploits! The scripture gives a graphic picture of our glorious destiny in Daniel 11:32: …But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Moreover, we have an extraordinary Father, and as such we are ordained for extraordinary accomplishments. Essentially, we live in a world of times and seasons; our understanding of the times is what keeps us in command (Ecclesiastics 3:1-11; 1 Chronicles 12:32).
We also discover from scriptures that extraordinary exploit is God’s agenda for His people in these end-times, which implies that today, we are in the era of exploits and global impacts in the body of Christ (Isaiah2:1-3; Act 2:17). Therefore, we must make the most of the season. On the other hand, it may interest us to know that our exploits are scripturally rooted in a threefold cord that cannot be easily broken. These are:
1. Our Redemptive Root: We must remind ourselves that supernatural exploit is one of our redemptive rights in Christ and as such this makes us men and women of value. Jesus clearly describes the redeemed as …the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? …Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, …Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven(Mathew 5:13-16). As we all know, salt is always required by men and always sought after because it is a preserver and a sweetener. For the redeemed, we are to operate as the salt of the earth, light of the world and a city set on the hill that cannot be hid. Also, concerning the believer, the Bible says: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10). This implies that we are redeemed from the back group to the front group, from the valley to the mountaintop, from poverty to plenty, from shame to glory and from slavery to royalty.
2. The Abrahamic Covenant: The second powerful part of the threefold cord for our greatness is rooted in our connection to Abraham. But, what does that covenant entail? In Genesis 17:6-7, God said to Abraham: …I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant. God is saying He will ensure that we become nations or kings because of the Abrahamic blood flowing in us. Thus, it is our covenant right to be kings and this covenant makes us an envy to our world.
3. God’s Prophetic Agenda: Also by prophetic agenda, we are redeemed for the topmost top. In Revelation 22:16, the scripture describes Jesus as the bright and Morning Star. Furthermore, Jesus said: …as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (John 20:21). This implies that redemption has made us a bright and morning star. By this, we are a born star after the order of Christ. In essence, in these last days, the redeemed of the Lord will be the custodians of the finance, economy as well as science and technology of the world. There will be so much demand on them across nations of the earth because their work will announce them to their world. Thus, they will fulfil God’s prophetic agenda in these last days such that: …ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you (Zechariah 8:23).
In conclusion, having the correct mental picture of our redemption is key to accessing our actual future. If the picture of our heritage of supernatural exploits dawns on us and becomes a way of life, we will become envy to our world. This is why we must be awake to the demands of this great hour of opportunities so as to take full delivery of our greatness. In other words, we must be sensitive to the times and seasons and walk in the understanding of the time set by God. It is only then we can enjoy unusual divine backings, command strange results and become the envy of those who have pitied us in the past. However, to experience a lifestyle of exploits, you need to be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again! For further reading, please get my books: Following the Path of the Eagle, Exploring the Secrets of Success, Success Strategies, Success Buttons, Success Systems and Ruling your World.
I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin.
Bishop David O. Oyedepo is a Nigerian Christian author, architect, preacher, and the founder and presiding bishop of the mega church, Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel
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