OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH, 2025
MEMORISE:
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17
READ: Daniel 2:13-19
13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
MESSAGE:
There was a couple who had just joined the church. After some weeks, we noticed that the wife stopped coming, so we decided to visit her.
When we did, she said that she stopped coming because ever since she started attending services, she lost the ability to fly in the middle of the night to her coven of witches.
Just by attending our services, the spirit of witchcraft in her became paralyzed.
Just as I mentioned yesterday that people can contact demons by associating with demon-possessed people and staying in demonic environments, people can also become spiritually vibrant by associating with godly people and staying in Spirit-filled atmospheres.
The quality of your association will impact the state of your life. If you are surrounded by people who despise godly things, you can’t expect to enjoy freedom in life.
2 Corinthians 6:14 says you must not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Anyone you will call your close friend must also be a friend of Jesus.
However, if your friends love God and desire His presence fervently, you cannot remain spiritually lukewarm.
Also, what you listen to, watch, and read plays a huge role in how much liberty you will enjoy in all areas of your life.
You cannot study the Bible diligently every day and remain in satan’s bondage. As you read God’s word, His light will fill your heart, and you will receive life-saving directions and instructions.
As you fellowship with God’s word, you will become enlightened in His ways (Psalm 119:130). Enlightened people cannot be easily deceived or swayed by the devil’s lies.
They are not ignorant of the devil’s devices, and therefore, he cannot take advantage of them (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Apart from God’s word, you should also fellowship with godly materials, songs, and videos. Let your eyes be fixed on things that will always uplift and strengthen you in God.
Fill your environment with godly things that will push you to seek God more and more.
As you do this, you will enjoy greater spiritual freedom, and everyone who encounters you will perceive and receive the fresh breath of heaven.
Beloved, spend time with people, things, and places where God’s presence abides, because in His presence, there is freedom, joy, and all-round peace and prosperity.
KEY POINT:
Your association will greatly impact your life.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 5-6
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 33: Guide me, o thou great Jehovah!
1. Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2. Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.
3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL 9 FEBRUARY 2025
LESSON TWENTY-FOUR (24)
TOPIC: THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
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 6⁶
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?
BIBLE PASSAGE: John 16:12-14.
[12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
[14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
MEMORY VERSE:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” John 16:13.
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus, before His ascension, told His disciples that His Father would send the Comforter – The Holy Spirit – who would teach and guide all those who believe in Him (John 14:26; 16:7). This promise of Jesus was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came with power on believers at Pentecost (Acts 2). Now, when a person believes in Christ, the Holy Spirit immediately becomes a part of his life (Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
OUTLINES:
1. FUNCTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
2. OUR THOUGHTS VERSUS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEADING
1. FUNCTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit has many functions. Not only does He distribute spiritual gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), He also reproves (John 16:8), comforts (John 14:16), teaches and reminds (John 14:26) and remains in us as a seal of promise upon our hearts until the day of Jesus’ return (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit also takes on the role of a Guide and Counsellor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truth (Luke 12:12; 1Corinthians 2:6-10).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Share your experience on how the Holy Spirit has been leading you.
2. OUR THOUGHTS VERSUS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEADING
Some believers today are still confused in discerning between their thoughts leading them to do something and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. To identify the one in control at a particular time is a goal we must attain. Some of the things to note about our thoughts include the fact that our desires and feelings may affect or dictate our thought patterns. Thoughts can be unstable and sometimes misleading. It wanders from one end to another. Our thoughts may be sensual (Romans 8:5). It can lead us astray and eventually bring harm. Fear is a product of uncontrolled thoughts. It is important to check with the Holy Spirit even when the thought seems positive.
However, the Holy Spirit can dominate our thoughts (when we have fully surrendered them to Him) and use them to establish the will of God. The Holy Spirit sometimes guides us through our conscience (Romans 9:1). The word of God is one of the most important ways to recognise the Holy Spirit’s guidance (2 Timothy 3:16; 2:15). The Spirit will use it to reveal God’s will to us in times of need (John 16:12-14; 14:26). Knowledge of God’s word helps us to discern whether or not our desires come from the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:11). It is also necessary for us to be in continual prayer (in the Spirit) to keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading (1Thessalonians 5:17; Rom. 8:26-27). The leading of the Holy Spirit also brings peace (Romans 15:13).
When we know the will of God but do not follow it, we are resisting the Spirit’s work in our lives (Acts 7:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). When we follow our ways, it grieves Him (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit will never lead us into sin. Habitual sin will cause us to miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us through the word.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10, how sensitive/obedient are you to the Holy Spirit?
CONCLUSION: Be constantly in tune with the Holy Spirit.
QUESTIONS:
* State four functions of the Holy Spirit.
* In three ways, compare your thoughts with the Holy Spirit’s leading.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) functions of the Holy Spirit (2×5=10 Marks).
