WHAT KIND OF CHANGE? - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Cor 4-6
WHAT KIND OF CHANGE? Sunday, August 29, 2010
MEMORIZE: “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the  humble person” (Job 22:29) READ: Job 22:28-30 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18). The above scripture tells us of the possibility of moving from glory to glory.  This refers to change. Speaking generally, change can be for better or for worse.  It could also be an upward change or a downward change. Also, it could contain elements of expansion or decrease. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman experienced a change for the better when his leprosy suddenly disappeared, whereas Gehazi experienced a change for the worse when he inherited Naaman’s leprosy.  That negative change put an end to his ministerial career.  One frightening lesson from this story is that it is possible to pick up what somebody else dropped. There is no room for vacuum. Each time somebody is dying, somebody else is being born. As Naaman was getting healed, Gehazi was getting sick. As some people are getting rich, others are getting poorer. “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person” (Job 22:29). When demotion is coming to some, promotion is coming to others. At every point in time, negative and positive changes take place. At the last supper, all the 12 disciples were gathered together with Jesus.  As they partook of that supper, life was impacted to some while death - in the form of satanic bravado was released on Judas Iscariot in order to bring to birth what he had conceived in his heart - to sell his Lord! Watch out what you allow to hibernate in your heart! It may receive the anointing to manifest. You have a part to play to provoke your change. Negative thoughts and deeds have a way of attracting a change for the worse. The covetousness of Gehazi attracted leprosy - while he thought he was waiting to be crowned the next national prophet - successor of Elisha. If you are expecting a change for the best, ensure your heart is filled with the right thoughts godly thoughts, clean and pure motives and deeds of righteousness. Without these, you may be attracting a negative change while expecting a positive one. ACTION POINT: Ask that God will help you to provoke only positive changes.