Hindering Harvest?- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Matt. 5-8

HINDERING HARVEST?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

MEMORIZE: “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest notwhether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” (Eccl. 11:6)

READ: Mark 4:3-8

If you want your gifts to bring you great yields, give when it is not convenient. Be a hard giver! Solomon was an extraordinarily prosperous man. But he entered into his great harvest through practicing some Biblical principles on giving. And in Ecclesiastes 11:4-6, he shares some of them with whoever is ready to learn. He was an incurable giver who sowed at the different times of the day and would not be stopped by any unpleasant weather. What is that unpleasant situation preventing you from sowing the seed that could transform your life? Look beyond the weather: See your harvest coming. Are you facing financial challenges? That is an appropriate time to sow. Sow in your need!

Another principle we can learn from the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:8-16 is that she considered the ground to sow before sowing. She sowed on good soil. According to the parable of the sower recorded in Mark 4:3-8, there are different soils to sow - each with different yields. This widow had just one seed yet, she carefully chose the most suitable ground to plant it. While the foolish sow by the road side, among thorns and on hard soils, the wise hold back their seeds until they find the good soil capable of delivering their expected harvests. One thing we learn from this is that the ability to identify the best yielding soils is essential in sowing.

This requires a combination of knowledge, experience, sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit, readiness to obey the Lord no matter how odd the order is, and ability to take on spiritual risks. If you cannot take spiritual risks, you may not be able to hit the highest returns from your seeds. The role of knowledge in sowing entails knowing what the Bible says concerning sowing and therefore scrutinizing the different grounds open for sowing. Not all Gospel churches are good grounds for sowing.

Where the pastor is reckless with members’ seeds, or where he keeps diverting specific seeds for projects to unidentified expenses, he may water down the harvest of the sower. For instance, if people sow into the television ministry of a particular church and the leader uses such seeds to support his flamboyant life-style, he becomes the hinderance between them and their seed. Leaders must use seeds sown for the purpose they have been sown so as to create room for a good harvest for the sower.

ACTION POINT:
Ask that God will bring peace into states prone to religious crises. Pray for greater religious tolerance among nations and states.

Instant Change- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Matt. 1-4

INSTANT CHANGE

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

MEMORIZE: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17)

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Some families are so favored that if God wants to pick three people for a special assignment, two would be taken from that family. This year, God will favor your family in Jesus’ Name. When Jesus selected Peter, James and John to go with Him to the mount of Transfiguration, He kept them in suspense. They had no pre- knowledge of what to expect. When they got to the top of the mountain, the One they had always known and fellowshipped with suddenly became somebody else.

The transfiguration experience was very unique: It was instant just like the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4. It was also silent; there were no thunder blasts. It was also a total experience as both the body, face, clothes of the Lord were transformed. When you encounter the Lord Jesus Christ at salvation, it affects every part of you (2 Cor. 5:17).

One of my sons named Bro Moses, was once an impossible character. He was so vile and unruly that during the holidays, parents would keep their children under lock and key at home. Why? He could have sex with anything even dogs and chickens. But when he met with Jesus, he experienced a complete change to the extent that he became a preacher.

Those who were acquainted with his past life-style found it difficult to believe. If you were on the same taxi cab with him, you would be compelled to accept Christ before disembarking. The zeal of the Lord was so much in him that he needed no one to push him to evangelize or read his Bible. Even while going into the toilet, he went with his Bible.

Instant salvation is delivered to you anywhere you are the moment you satisfy Heaven’s requirements. Recognize you are a sinner, confess your sins to God, forsake them and invite Jesus Christ into your heart. Be determined not to return to your sinful past. Daily trust in the Lord for grace to overcome sin.

Cultivate a personal relationship with Him and daily study and obey the Bible. As long as you are sincere with that sinner’s prayer, you will experience instant salvation. Some people who claim to be born again are yet to witness a commensurate change in their likes, dislikes and conduct in general. If you are born again, your old ways would go. Are your old ways still there or are they rearing their ugly heads?

ACTION POINT:
Some people experienced instant changes at new birth, only to drop them later in life. Ask God to make every positive change you have experienced permanent.

Proactive Service- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Prov 25-28

PROACTIVE SERVICE
 
Sunday, February 21, 2010

MEMORIZE: “But if any man love God, the same is known of him” (1 Cor. 8:3)

READ: 2 Kings 4:7-17

In 2 Kings 8:1, the Shunammite woman was warned by Elisha of an imminent famine. But why would this information be privy to her when many more people could use the information? It had to do with her antecedents! Here was a woman who after being blessed decided to be a blessing even to an extreme. She was prepared to exert force or compel her would -be recipient to receive the blessing she had prepared for him.

She was very pro-active in meeting the needs of the man of God. She did not wait to be told by Gehazi or Elisha of his needs. No wonder even when she wanted nothing in return, the man of God would not rest until he investigated and discovered her need. If you want to enter God’s haven of rest during famine, you must be an aggressive, stubborn and progressive giver.

If some people give out something to a man of God and the fellow turns it down in humility, they will jump up and say “I have tried my best: Nobody will say I did not make an offer”. It shows they were not really prepared to part with their gift. Every excuse advanced for not obeying God’s Word on an issue disqualifies you from heavens reward. When you forcefully bless people, God will force you into your blessings. This year, the Lord will compel you into your blessings. But ensure you do so for others.

Although the Shunammite was financially and materially great, she remained under the authority of her husband and obtained permission from him in all she did. Sister, is the Lord prospering and lifting you higher in secular or ministerial assignments? Praise God! Yet, God has not decided to make you the head of your husband even if he were jobless. Remain humble and submit to him and it shall be well with you.

Moreover, the Shunammite woman was very determined. She grabbed Elisha’s feet saying he was going nowhere until she got her miracle ( 2 Kings 4:27). Hebrews 11:6 says God rewards the diligent seeker. If signs, wonders and miracles must accompany your ministry, you must be diligent in seeking God. You must hold on to Him in prayer and fasting. How long are you prepared to wait on Him for your breakthrough to come? God rewards those who wait on Him. Be proactive in your giving, service and relationship with God from today!

ACTION POINT:

It is not enough to give or serve. The quality of your gift or service will be graded by your attitude, sacrifice and timing.

State of your heart- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Prov. 22-24

STATE OF HEART
Saturday, February 20, 2010

MEMORIZE: “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips” (Prov. 16:23)

READ: 1 Kings 3:9-12

One warning every believer must take seriously is found in Romans 1:21. If you have some knowledge of God but fail to give Him glory and thanks, it could affect your heart. Here, for this offence, some heart were darkened. Never joke with thanksgiving because it is necessary for the preservation of your heart! After king Nebuchadnezzar was given the heart of a beast, he immediately began to manifest beastly characteristics. This tells us that the heart is the centre of all of man’s actions.

The type of heart you have will determine your response to issues, men and God. The heart is what gives a direction to the feet, words to the mouth, and decisions to the brain. The body only carries out the contents of the heart. This is why God is interested in the state of the heart, not necessarily our physical outlook or deeds (1 Sam. 16:7).

Most times, when we complain about the unhealthy practices of some people, it is because we have failed to took inwards to determine the state of the heart. The type of heart you have will determine your response to God, and His kingdom. If you have an understanding heart, you will surely behave wisely like young king Solomon. As a leader, you need this kind of heart so that you can lead men aright.

No wonder, Paul taught the Ephesians believers to ask that the eyes of their understanding be enlightened (Eph. 1:18). This has to do with the heart. For somebody who is finding it difficult to walk steadfastly with God or is often falling and rising, the need is in the area of a perfect heart. If your heart is not perfect towards God, you will continue to look for an alternative to God and want to combine the service of God with something else. (1 Kings 8:61; 11:4).

Similarly, your heart can be fixed say on the Lord as was the experience of the Psalmist (Ps. 57:7). To overcome intense persecution or tribulation and make it to the Heavenly planet, you need this type of heart. For you to fulfil your destiny, you must have the right heart. Your heart must be in the best state and be in agreement with the word of God. Is your heart fixed on the Lord? Or are you still making reservations for someone else? Ask for a right heart today.

ACTION POINT:

Like David prayed in Psalm 51:10, ask God to create a new heart in you and renew a right spirit within you.