Open Heavens March 20th, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Zeph 1-3

BE RENEWED AT HEART

MEMORIZE: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2)

READ: Romans 12:1-2

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2). There is need for change of mindset in anticipation of greater blessings and move of God in your life. Something great is coming your way. God is lifting you up from the dunghill to the throne. God is changing your circle of friends. The Lord is about to do something that will both change your destiny as well as cause those around you to marvel. Unfortunately, many are not prepared for the change. When you are not prepared for a big blessing and it comes, it can have a negative impact on you. If you have been trusting God for the fruit of the womb but refused to prepare, when God visits you with triplets, that blessing will become another problem. The Lord gave Peter an unprecedented business breakthrough in Luke 5:1-11 which he was not prepared for. As a result, instead of saying 'Thank you', he said, 'Leave me alone'.

One area you should prepare early enough is your mindset. If you have been called and known as barren all these years, change your mindset: adjust to the mindset of a joyful father or mother of children. See yourself being called 'Daddy so and so'. When you are not prepared, a blessing can become a great embarrassment. Some poor people still retain the mentality of a 'have not' long after God prospered them.

A minister once shared this joke. He was poor and was used to jumping from one okada (local bike transport) to another, or from one commercial bus to another. One day, he was given an official bus in his office. He drove it to a far location, parked and went about his official business. At the end of the day, he heard bus conductors chanting his route so he jumped in. He arrived home that night before he remembered that he forgot his new official vehicle. He could not tell his wife the truth when she asked. He said he took it to the mechanic. But she replied, 'What is a new bus doing at the mechanic workshop?' 'Oh, just to fix something', he lied again. That night, he could not sleep. He had to say all kinds of prayer that nothing happens to the vehicle. Or else, how would he explain it to his boss at the office? Never be used to any negative condition - poverty, barrenness, failure, sickness, retrogression or disappointment. Have a mindset change from negative to positive. Prepare your heart for the next level of up-liftment by using the Word of God to reform old beliefs, notions and stereotypes. Your expected uplift may not come
until your mindset changes.

ACTIONPOINT
Mention your expected level of up-liftment. List 10 benefits you will derive after its materialization. Prayerfully thank God for these benefits and live like you have already moved to the next level.