Open Heavens July 14, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 13-16

MAKING SCRIPTURES WORK

MEMORIZE: "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account" (Phi. 4:17)

READ: Philippians 4:15-19

“Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem” (Zechariah 1:17). Some people have been praying and fasting to be prospered. But God is interested in their motives for the request. Why do you want to be financially blessed? If it is all about you, God may not grant that desire. But if it is about accessing wealth to further enlarge His Kingdom, He will answer. When God realized that Peter was willing to join hands with Him in building the Kingdom of God, the Lord prospered him overnight. All his losses, failures and disappointments vanished in one night. Many scriptures are quoted out of context. For instance, Philippians 4:19. We should start from verse 15 so that we can understand the premise under which the promise was made. The Philippian church supplied the needs of the Lord and God in return promised to retaliate. You can quote, pray and fast on that scripture. That is faith. But until you put works into it by either meeting the needs of the church or that of God’s bonafide servants, the scripture may never become a reality.

Many years ago, a young man came to me to request for prayers for a financial breakthrough that will enable him to sponsor the RCCG Convention. As at this time, he was on a salary of over N600 naira. I applauded his desire, we prayed and he left. A week later, he was sacked at his place of work, and ran back complaining of his ordeal. I laughed and asked how he could have sponsored the Convention with N600. I encouraged him that God’s way was different from ours, and that God closed that door so that He could open another. A year later, the same boy returned to say he was being paid N10,000 Naira in another job opening. Then the naira had value. Peter submitted all and his promotion began. Peter should have died unknown: but just because he became selflessly committed to the Kingdom of God, his name is all over the world, almost 2000 years after he lived on earth. You too can access uncommon prosperity and fame in God’s Kingdom by getting your motives right, and focusing on God’s Kingdom. How much are you contributing in time, money and materials towards the establishment of God’s Kingdom? Your obedience to God’s Word and a right attitude will make God’s promises to work in your life.

ACTIONPOINT: Before making a request, choose from an array of motives. Let it be right