OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS DATE: SATURDAY DAY 8TH OF AUGUST, 2020

THEME: ABUSED?

MEMORIZE: “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease”. Job 14:7

BIBLE READING: 2 Jeremiah 29:11 [11]For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

MESSAGE: Have you been sexually abused by anyone? There is hope for you. I know that often times when you think about it, you feel worthless. The devil has probably even brought the thoughts of suicide to you many times. You also wish you could have your revenge. I know that you also blame yourself for everything. Believe me, it is not your fault that you got abused. So you have to forgive yourself. You also have to talk to someone. Forget about the threat that abuser issued, you are not going to die, a lot of persons that were abused told someone and they didn’t die, rather the got help. If you have guardian and counseling unit in your school, go there and talk to someone or any fellow you trust. You also have to stay away from the abuser if the person is a close relative. You should not also see this as an opportunity to fornicate with any other person. You can stay pure till you get married. Most importantly, never seek revenge, rather, forgive your abuser. Not forgiving him or her means he/she still has control over you. Your future is beautiful, so let go and let God heal you. ACTION POINT: Speak to Christian counsellors if you have experienced an abused. Also, pray for God’s help for any teenager facing abuse or that has been abused.

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 or a fear, Not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay, Not a grief nor a loss, Not 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.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 82-84; Romans 8:19-39 AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS
DATE: FRIDAY 7TH OF AUGUST, 2020
THEME: SEXUAL ABUSE

MEMORIZE: A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. PROVERBS 16:29

BIBLE READING 2 SAMUEL 13:10-20
10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.

MESSAGE:
Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual act that violates another person, usually forcefully. If for instance, a man has sex with an underage girl with or without her consent, it will amount to sexual abuse. It is so unfortunate that based on research, those that sexually abuse their victims are usually people close to the family or trusted by the family as it was in the case of Ammon who raped Tamar, his haIf-sister. So an abuser could be a househelp, cousin, uncle or aunt, neighbour, home tutor, father, mother, et cetera.
Child, you need to know that sexual abuse is a sin against God, and when it is done by a relation, it is even worse. Watch out for the signs of an abuser. When someone begins to touch you in private parts such as your chest, breasts, or private organs, don’t keep quiet. If you notice that someone takes special interest in you and invites you into private places or behind closed doors, you need to run. Don’t encourage anyone you suspect has creepy intentions towards you. Joseph didn’t encourage Potiphars wife, he ran away. Flee before the abuser has his way and no matter how he or she threatens you to be silent, report the incident to a trusted adult, preferably your parents, pastor or teachers. If the adult does not take necessary action, tell another until the matter is properly addressed. Remember, evil thrives when we remain silent.

ACTION POINT:
Report any act of abuse towards you or anyone you know to trusted adults or Christian counsellors.

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 or a fear,
   Not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear,
   Not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay,
   Not a grief nor a loss,
   Not 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.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 79- 81; Romans 8:1-39
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE

Good Morning with the love of God.

Open Heavens TEENS Devotional Review for August 6th 2020

*WHEN YOU BECOME DESPERATE
Mark 10:46-52

Text Highlight
Mark 10:47-49 When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth was passing by, he began to shout “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me now in my affliction. Heal me!” Those in the crowd were indignant and scolded him for making so much of a disturbance, but he kept shouting with all his might, “Son of David, have mercy on me now and heal me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him to come to me.” (TPT)

Today’s Bible text is a reminder of the charcter of desparation

Being desparate talks of a strong determination to achieve a particular goal.

It’s how bad you want something.

There’s a relationship betweeen desperation and purpose.
Every thing you desire should bring glory to God. like Daniel and his friends (1 Peter 2:9 Daniel 1:1-12)

Jesus called the blind man and he received His sight because God wants the eyes to see His wonders. Bartimeus desire would bring glory to God. (Acts 10:38: 1 John 3:7)
Desparation should never be driven by a wrong or selfish desire i.e One against God’s word) or fear but to should be to glorify God.

Being desperate a result means you’ll have to ignore some relationships with anyone/thing who is not going to help you.

Like Bartimeus, he knew what He wanted will glorify God, so even when he was told to keep quiet “he cried out the more” and he got the result.

LivingLetters

@alive2Christ//alive2Love

Remember Lot’s Wife 2
Psalm 90:16
So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

Learn from your own Experience.
It is wise to learn from the experience of others but somethings are better experienced first hand.

Sometimes as Christians, situations come our way it may seem difficult for you may even not understand but those times are times to experience a character of God you may have not yet seen (first-hand).

Prov.9.9 – Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

[For] we know that all things regardless if it was started by the devil the beginning, the Lord uses it! working it together for good of them that love the Lord anf for them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Every purpose can be turned to see a dimension of God who makes it good. So enjoy the process.

Give thanks, Trust God and learn from that experience.

The process may be difficult but learn to take the lessons, understanding what the will of the Lord is and be wiser.(Ephesians 5:16-17)

#Open Heavens devotional review,
4thAugust2020
#GrowingInGrace and in the knowledge of Christ

#Forwe are His Expression, ©️Living Letters
(alive2Christ//alive2Love)

OPEN HEAVEN FOR TEENS
DATE: SUNDAY 2ND OF AUGUST, 2020
THEME:: THE BEST COUNSELLOR I

MEMORISE: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16

BIBLE READING: John 14:16-17
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

MESSAGE:
The closest person to you can either influence your journey in life positively or negatively. Such a person should be a person in the know of the affairs of the world. He must also be highly positioned so that he can see way farther than you and tell you the end from the beginning. Such a person must be able to see into the hearts of men and know their intentions so that he can warn you to stay away from people who are out to hurt you. Such a person must love you so much that he would do anything for you and your well-being and will never disappoint or forsake you. Dear child, no human is capable of doing all of the things listed above. While it is important that you have human counsellors, there is no counsellor as perfect as Jesus.
He rules over the affairs of men, He knows the end from the beginning, He sees the heart of men very plainly, and He loves you unconditionally and will never disappoint or forsake you.Tell Him today that you want Him to be your counsellor. Then decide to take Him with you every step of the way in every single decision of your life. He is the best counsellor you can ever have and He will never lead you astray.

PRAYER POINT:
Lord Jesus, You are my counsellor. Please help me to stick with you all the days of my life.

HYMN: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

1. What a Friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Ev’rything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear-
   All because we do not carry
   Ev’rything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged,
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a Friend so faithful
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness,
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 68-69; Romans 3:1-31
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE

Grace and Peace to you as you grow in Knowing the Lord Jesus.
Today’s Open Heavens Review:

While Waiting
1 Samuel 13:7-14

The Waiting season is a season before an action.
You can wait for a promise/vision from the Lord. The waiting process is usually characterized by Faith and Patience.

Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

In today’s text we see how Saul hurried to sacrifice at the expense of the instruction to wait and it cost him the throne.

Waiting may not be according to human timing or expectation
But it will be wise to wait on the Lord’s time.

This is because God wants us to remain separated/consecrated to His way that’s the only way He gets the Glory (1 Peter 2:5&9)

Also while waiting keep praying on the promise and give thanks for the answer that your joy may be full. (John 15:16)

July 28th 2020.

We are His©️ Living Letters,
@#alive2Christ//alive2Love