Build up your reserves - Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Luke 1:3
REPLENISHING? Tuesday, April 20, 2010
MEMORIZE: “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone” (Matt. 14:23) READ: Luke 15:11-14 One Bible character who experienced a famine but finally escaped its devastating effect is the prodigal son.  From today’s reading, it is obvious that no matter how large the initial capital or input may be, as long as it is being spent without replenishment, it will soon be exhausted. Even if you were given 100 million dollars and you begin to spend without replenishing your account, one day there will be nothing left. This is also true of spiritual things. What members of the RCCG are enjoying today are the harvests of prayer seeds of the past. The church founder was a mighty prayer warrior.  The move of God we experience today are as a result of the foundational prayers he had made. If we want to receive greater harvests tomorrow, then we must begin to sow in prayers now.  If we don’t, the reservoir will be exhausted.  “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” (Eccl. 11:6). Not every income or increase that comes your way is meant to be eaten. Not every provision is disposable income. Your tithe must not be eaten. Part of your income are the seeds that will guarantee your future harvests. If you eat your seeds, you will lose your future. Sow, keep on sowing.  To be outstanding and remain relevant in any endeavor, you must be able to sow tirelessly in that area. Sow money.  Sow hours in intensive Bible study.  Sow in hearing or watching the sermons of others -particularly sound men and women of God. Some people were equipped with some sermons before they became ministers or pastors. After exhausting these sermons, they begin to go round in circles - repeating their messages. Also, sow in books and tapes. Do not spend all your income on fancy wears and pleasures. Build up your reserves. As you are giving out two or three, ensure you restock with four or five. After our Lord fed the multitude, He went to recharge His battery (Matt. 14:15-23). This was His constant practice. If Jesus had not gone to replenish His reserves, He would not have walked on water, stopped the storm or delivered the Gadarene demoniac.  Have a replenishing time table which you would follow closely from today. ACTION POINT: Any minister that would be outstanding in his generation must have a clear cut policy and timetable on replenishing whatever he gives out.