Open Heavens for Teens Tuesday 5 February 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic: Whatsoever Things Are Lovely

Memorise: “He hath made everything beautiful in His time:” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Read: Philippians 4:8

8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

Bible In One Year: Exodus 37-38, Matthew 23:23-39

MESSAGE:

Lovely things are things that are beautiful or attractive. Heaven, for example, is a very lovely place, everything in heaven is extremely beautiful and attractive. Heaven is also a place of extreme joy; no pain or sorrow in heaven. You should know that there is a correlation between thinking on lovely things and having joy.

Many teenagers are depressed today that they keep thinking of things that are lovely even though there are many lovely things around them to think of. If you find yourself in a state of depression, then it is time to quickly switch your thinking gear to the lovely things around you. It may seem like you do not have lovely friends, family or possessions to think of, look around you and think of God’s lovely creations; the birds singing with their lovely voices, the beautiful sky perfectly coloured in blue and white.

It may also seem like there is nothing lovely to think about in your past, think of the lovely future that God has promised you; that you will one day lend to nations (Deuteronomy 15:6), that you will heal the sick and raise the dead (Mark 16:17-18), that you will live a beautiful life with your children all around your table (Psalm 128:3).

Key Point: Focus on the lovely things and let the joy of the Lord flow through you.

Hymn 10: 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
    Everything to God in prayer!
    O what peace we often forfeit,
    O what needless pain we bear,
    All because we do not carry
    Everything 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 every weakness,
    Take it to the Lord in prayer!
  3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
    Cumbered with a load of care?
    Precious Savior, 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 You;
    You wilt find a solace there.