Open Heavens for Teens 18 April 2020 Daily Devotional was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic: You Can Be Number One

Memorise: And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; Deuteronomy 28:13a

Read: Proverbs 6:6-11

6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 25-26; Luke 16:19-31

MESSAGE:

Anyone that knows me at all knows that I am never satisfied with being second. I want to be first and first only. It is not my fault, after all, Deuteronomy 28:13 says we shall be above only. Don’t ever settle for second best. You were made to be number one. You can be number one if you are ready to put in the work.

I was a member of the sports team in the University, Our coach was a very tough man. For example, while other school teams did 200 push-ups, we did at least 400. While others ran 200 miles, we ran 500. When it was time to play football during training, we would play for over 2 hours straight. One day, we had a competition with another school and by the end of 90 minutes, it was a draw, so we went into extra time. While the boys in the other team were already tired, we were still as strong as ever because we were used to playing for long hours. Needless to say, we won the match.

The way to be number one is to work harder than everyone else. If others are reading for one hour every day, read for two hours. If in the choir they are rehearsing for 2 hours, you should rehearse for 3 hours. Some of the time you spend on social media, can be channelled towards productive endeavours that will take you to the top.

Key Point: Work harder than the best and you will be the best

Hymn 13: I’m pressing on the upward way

1.I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining everyday;
Still praying as I onward bound
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Chorus:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table-land;
Where love, and joy, and light abound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2.My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise, and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My constant aim is higher ground.

3.Beyond the mist I fain would rise,
To rest beneath unclouded skies,
Above earth’s turmoil peace is found
By those who dwell on higher ground.

4.I long to scale the utmost height,
Though rough the way, and hard the fight,
My song, while climbing, shall resound
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.

5.Lord, lead me up the mountain side
I dare not climb without my Guide;
And, heaven gained, I’ll gaze around,
With grateful heart from higher ground.