Open Heavens - Feb 3rd 2008

Waiting In Vain

MEMORIZE: "But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee " (Ezekiel 2:8)

READ: Acts 16:25-28

One vital lesson from Peter's encounter with the Lord at the Lake of Gennesaret, is that the Word that will usher you into your breakthrough is earned. It does not just come. God keeps it to His heart until you have done something to provoke it. Luke 5:4 says, "Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught". Why did Jesus not say this to Peter when they first met? Why did He wait until after He was through with the preaching? It was simply because Peter had a price to pay! He needed to suspend his personal plans and aspirations, and focus on the desire of Heaven. He needed to loan the Lord his boat and move it for Him. He needed to wait patiently on Him until the Lord was satisfied. He was not promised any reward at the time of request. He needed to do some volunteer work for the Lord. Peter paid the price. He earned the Word from Jesus.

One particular year, I made a call for volunteers to come and work for a period at the camp. I did not promise any form of payment. There was a brother who had been battling with joblessness. Several years after his first degree, he remained jobless. He saw this invitation as the medium to trigger his breakthrough and jumped at it. Not long after the assignment was over, he landed a job in a bank. He has been on the rise since then. He is now married, has his own house and has changed cars. He paid the price!

Many believers are waiting for the Word that will change their lives forever. They are waiting and full of expectations, but they have done nothing about it. Such people may wait much longer. The only way Heaven recognizes that you need its touch, is by doing something. There is a way you will praise and worship God that will provoke your Word of deliverance, like Paul and Silas. There is a way you will demonstrate your love and commitment to Christ that He will have no choice but to give you the Word you need. There is an offering you will give that will rewrite your history. There is an extent you will obey the Master and provoke your blessing. Have you paid the price? If you have not paid the price, it is not because you cannot pay it, but because you refuse to. As long as you refuse to do what you ought to do, Heaven will keep back what it should release to you. Stop waiting in vain. Provoke your blessing today!

ACTIONPOINT: There are two sets of waiting believers in the Body of Christ; Those whose waiting will produce a mirage - no substance, and those whose waiting will produce a definite result. Where do you belong?

Bible in a Year - Neh 7 - 9