Open Heavens March 11th, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jonah 1-4


POWER OF RESTITUTION

MEMORIZE: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1Timothy 5:17)

READ: Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. He was super rich from his daily collections. When the wealth he craved could not give him fulfillment, he stopped seeking it and started seeking Jesus. As long as you continue to seek wealth, you cannot find Jesus. But if you seek Jesus, you will have more than wealth in your kitty. The day Zacchaeus finally met Jesus; the Lord gave Him an appointment and came to his house. After he received Jesus, restitution followed. He first gave out 50 percent of his wealth, and thereafter offered to restore fourfold anything he took by hook or crook in accordance with the law (Exodus 22:1). And he got divine approval.

Restitution is an indispensable building block for progress, prosperity, health and Heaven. For several deliverance seekers, the deliverance they need is restitution. Until this is done, they may go round in circles. Some years ago, a church planted a parish. For unknown reasons but largely personal, three months into its birth, all support was withdrawn leaving the baby parish to pay a huge rent. Workers sent there were those the pastor of the mother church could not use. Every thing appeared designed to kill the church, but the pastor and his assistant rose up to the challenge. Years later, the parish gradually stabilized. Its pastor needed a few months off to attend to some official issues and informed his senior pastor. The latter asked him to steer clear for a year after which he would be reinstated.

Another minister was sent. A year later, the founding pastor returned but was dribbled until he was frustrated. He wept and left to another branch of the church. Later, another pastor was transferred to that parish. Then he received a revelation that the church was under a stalemate for violating its founding pastor. On enquiry, it was confirmed. So he consulted with members and organized a befitting send forth for the founding pastor who had left the church. Finally, he was asked to pray for them. Not long after, the church that refused to grow began to grow. It began to make progress in areas it had a stalemate. How do you treat your leaders especially your pastors? Some churches are under a curse for maltreating their pastors. Is your church cursed? Restitute. Are you holding what belongs to others? Restitute today. God knows all you do to His servants. When members of the congregation gang up against their pastor, they curse themselves. Some members' blessings are pegged for refusal to restitute to their pastors.

ACTIONPOINT
Examine yourself. List all pending restitutions. Prayerfully take steps to right your wrongs.