Open Heavens June 17, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exo. 25-27
ANY UNCONQUERED GROUND?
MEMORIZE: "We then, as workers together with him,beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain"(2 Cor. 6:1) READ: Joshua 13:1-7 Faithfulness is not only recognizing your calling and abiding in it, and providing the highest returns to the Master, but also doing the assignment using the resources provided. 1 Corinthians 9:7 says it is the one who sends a soldier to the battle field that is responsible for kitting him. Do you know that God has provided all you require for success in that particular assignment? Many pastors will be shocked when they get to Heaven to find a heap of unutilized resources and blessings meant for their churches and parishioners, which failed to reach them because they failed to ask. If God sends you on an assignment but the resources appear unavailable, return to ask Him to show you where they are. We do that with our earthly bosses, but grumble, complain and abandon the work when it comes to Kingdom business. This attitude makes you unfaithful. James 4:2 says you have not because you ask not. If you say you have asked but have not received, it is because you have not asked to the point of receiving. Matthew 7:7 says asking should be a continuous exercise until reception takes place. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1). There is provision for every heavenly assignment. God expects you to use the resources provided for the task given. Whatever you fail to use or divert to a wrong use, becomes a wasted effort. If God has anointed you, He expects some results from the anointing. If you do not apply the anointing in your message, evangelism, singing, praying and ministry in general, it defeats the purpose. This makes the fellow unfaithful. He may not have a renewal of that heavenly resource. Are you using your resources faithfully? Another component of faithfulness is found in 2 Timothy 4:7. It says: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. Faithfulness is starting and completing the heavenly assignment within Heaven’s set time. When Joshua was old, God told him he had several unconquered grounds thereby falling below Heaven’s expectations. That affected his faithfulness. Some are good starters but bad finishers. Many start but do not complete what was started. You must conclude your assignment according to Heaven’s specification and timing if you will be rated faithful. Heaven assesses your attempts. At the end of Paul’s time on earth, he assessed his performance and said he fought a good fight. You can fell when you make a poor, fair, or very good attempt in an exam. How are your attempts? Can Satan say you gave him a good fight? Will your race end in Heaven or on earth? ACTIONPOINT: Ask God for grace to finish the race to Heaven. Pray for spiritual revival in this nation.