Open Heaven For Teens 24 January 2024: Don’t Play Smart With God

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TOPIC: Don’t Play Smart With God [Open Heaven for Teens 24 January 2024]

MEMORISE: For the Lord is a God of knowledge, And by him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3

READ: Acts 5:1-11

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

MESSAGE

Ananias and Sapphira were perhaps one of the couples who were most committed to God’s work in their days. However, one act of deceit cost them their lives. Their story is a pathetic one that all children of God must learn from. I believe that they would not have died if they had just stated how much they were willing to give to God from the sale of their property. After all, God knew how much they sold the property for.

My dear child, when you give God an offering, do it willingly, not grudgingly or to show off. If you are paying less than your tithe, not giving your offerings, or if you are involved in internet fraud, God is watching you. Likewise, pretending to be nice at home, while being notorious in your school, is an act of deception that has consequences before God. The Bible says that he that is bad, let him be bad still (Revelation 22:11); I believe it is so that everyone will know that they need prayers. If a person pretends to be good, God’s judgment of the person might be fatal. May you not perish, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT:

Ask God to forgive your sins now: mention them specifically.

HYMN 20 – Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose

1 Christian, seek not yet repose;
Hear thy guardian angel say,
“Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray!”

2 Principalities and powers ,
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thy unguarded hours:
“Watch and pray.”

3 Gird thy heavenly armour on;
Wear it every night and day
Ambush’d lies the evil one:
“Watch and pray.”

4 Hear the victors who o’ercame;
Still they mark each warrior’s way;
All with one sweet voice exclaim,
“Watch and pray!”

5 Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray, that help may be sent down:
Watch and pray.

6 Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart His word
“Watch and pray!”

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12

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.

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