OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. SATURDAY 22ND APRIL, 2017

TOPIC : PROSPERITY WITHOUT SORROW.

MEMORISE : 

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. PROVERBS 10 : 22.

READ : DEUTERONOMY 8 : 10 - 18 :

10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 

NUMBERS 12 - 13 & JEREMIAH 18 : 1 - 18.

MESSAGE  :

Many children of God dread prosperity because of the challenges associated with it, particularly when it relates to material prosperity. The reason for this attitude can be put down to either ignorance of the word of God concerning prosperity, or ignorance of the need for the children of God to prosper, if they would not live at the mercy of the ungodly. The Bible in Proverbs 22 : 7 says,

“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

In our Bible reading today, we discover some truths about God's purpose concerning the prosperity of His people. Deuteronomy 8 : 18 says,

"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."

God gives power and opportunities to His children to get wealth for one singular reason : to prove Himself faithful to His word. In other words, the issue of God’s children becoming wealthy is not about them but about God and His infallible word. This is why those who pick and choose what they feel is suitable for them in the word of God are losers; God cannot be mocked. Such people want the blessings of Abraham, but do not want to keep the covenant that Abraham kept with God. Jesus in John 8 : 30d said ;

"If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham"

Beloved, I have good news for you : God is interested in the prosperity of His people ( 3 John 2 ). Not only is God interested in your prosperity, He also gives you the power to make wealth and to prosper. Furthermore, the prosperity from God is without negative repercussions and sorrow. The Lord who prospers is the same Lord who protects. He will not give you a car that will become a death trap. He will not give you a child that will break your heart. If you believe this, you will see the glory of God. Finally, in order to receive the prosperity that is devoid of sorrow, you must ensure that the prosperity you are seeking is from the Almighty God. This suggests to us that there is a counterfeit prosperity which puts its beneficiaries in tight jackets of regret and sorrow. The devil is the giver of counterfeits, but Jesus is the true source of eternal blessings. You can never regret being prospered by His benevolence because He paid the price for your prosperity in full. 2 Corinthians 8 : 9 says,

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

KEY POINT : 

Stop cutting corners. At God’s own time and in God's own way, He will prosper you.

AUTHOR : PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE.

HYMN 10: THERE SHALL BE SHOWER OF BLESSING

1. There shall be showers of blessing:

This is the promise of love;

There shall be seasons refreshing,

Sent from the Savior above.

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need;

Mercy drops 'round us are falling,

But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing-

Precious reviving again;

Over the hills and the valleys,

Sound of abundance of rain.

3. There shall be showers of blessing:

Send them upon us, O Lord;

Grant to us now a refreshing;

Come and now honor Thy word.

4. There shall be showers of blessing:

Oh, that today they might fall,

Now as to God we're confessing,

Now as on Jesus we call!