Open Heavens July 21, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ecc 1-3

DURABLE BLESSING

MEMORIZE: "And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thoshalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them" (Deut. 28:13)

READ: Deuteronomy 28:1-13

Some successes are temporary: they evaporate immediately after the celebration. But some are enduring. It is my prayer that the Lord will give you permanent blessings in Jesus’ Name. There are however certain secrets that can secure perpetual success. Deuteronomy 28:1-13 clearly spells out powerful blessings which can be yours today. Verse two says, “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and over take thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God”. The first condition is that you must do on earth what is done in Heaven. From that moment, because you are focussed on God, blessings will focus on you. Blessings love those who truly love and obey the Lord. They are under commandment to follow such people. As you hear and obey God’s voice from today, you will stop chasing blessings: blessings will pursue you and overtake you until you tell God, ‘It is too much’. And God will reply, ‘I have just started’. It shall be so for you this season in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

‘Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (Luke 5:4). Another step into perpetual success is abandon the valley for the heights, leave shallow waters for the deep. It takes faith to launch out into the deep. Ascending the heights is a work of faith. Your ability to do this is largely borne out of hunger pangs. If you are not hungry, you may not want to eat. But if you are famished, your focus will be on food. There are several implications of launching into the deep: change your mindset, think big. There is nothing small about Heaven. God says He can do beyond your requests. It is not humility that makes people ask small, but fear, doubt and unbelief.

Aim high. When I shared the vision of the RCCG with somebody, he thought I was crazy. How can the church be in every country? How can every family on earth have one member of RCCG? He found it very difficult to believe. Think big and work big. Let your attitude to work show you are heading somewhere (Prov. 22:29). The attitude with which some people handle their official assignments shows that they have no future in it. Also, support God’s work in a big way. Be a big giver and a regular sower (2 Cor. 9:6). Stick with Christ in a big way. Never let Him go. Let everyone know you are a Jesus fanatic. Ask big. Many of us insult God by our meagre requests. As you move from the shallow waters, you will secure big lasting blessings.

ACTIONPOINT: Blessings take various shapes. Some are brand new, others are fairly used. Some are original, others are fake. Some are durable, others are fleeting.Qualify the blessing you want.