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Open Heavens for Teens Wednesday 21 August 2019 Daily Devotional was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic: Association

Memorise: “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” – 1 Corinthians 5:11

Read: 2 Kings 6:11-17

11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?

12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.

14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Bible In One Year: Psalm 119:1-48, 1 Corinthians 3

MESSAGE:

The people you make your friends matter a lot. Many teenagers get into trouble simply because of their criteria for friendship. When you want to make friends only with the popular people in school or the richest and most social people, then you are likely to land yourself in trouble. You see, the most ‘happening’ people in school are the ones always at the brink of trouble. If you hear that some people jumped over the fence, it is these people. When you hear that some people sneaked to a party, it is these same people. Even if they are not the ones that did it, the authorities will be suspecting and investigating them. Many people have been expelled from school, not because they were part of those that committed the offence but because they were friends with such people. If your group commits an offence that you were not part of, when the authorities find out, they will punish the entire group including you.

Don’t just make anyone your friend. Have a list of the qualities and characters your friend should have and make sure to put that list into use before you make anyone your friend.

Key Point: Make friends that will move you higher in life, not lower.

Hymn 5: Onward, Christian soldiers

1 Onward, Christian soldiers,

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before!

Christ, the Royal Master,

Leads against the foe;

Forward into battle,

See His banners go!

Chorus:

Onward, Christian soldiers!

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before!

2 At the Sign of triumph

Satan’s host doth flee;

On, then, Christian soldiers,

On to victory!

Hell’s foundations quiver

At the shout of praise;

Brothers, lift your voices,

Loud your anthems raise!

3 Like a mighty army

Moves the Church of God;

Brothers, we are treading

Where the saints have trod;

We are not divided;

All one body we

One in hope and doctrine,

One in charity.

4 Onward, then, ye people,

Join our happy throng,

Blend with ours your voices

In the triumph song;

Glory, praise and honour,

Unto Christ the King;

This, through countless ages

Men and angels sing.