http://openheavensdevotional.blogspot.com/2010/04/when-he-chooses-open-heavens-devotional.html
WHEN HE CHOOSES
Thursday, April 15, 2010
MEMORIZE: “He shall choose our inheritance for us, the Excellency of Jacob whom he loved” (Psalm 47:4)
READ: John 15:15-16
Moses was grazing Jethro’s cattle one day when he encountered the burning bush. One thing about this bush is that it was divinely chosen. God looked through all available bushes around and picked on this particular one just as He decided to locate the Redemption Camp on its present site. If given the privilege of determining the location of our camp ground, it would never have been in its present location.
I would have preferred a location much closer to Lagos. But if I were to choose the location as a tribalized leader of the church, I would have chosen a bush very close to my origin at Ifewara. Thank God His choice prevailed. For those believers who obtained their spouses from God, if asked to make that choice personally, they would have chosen someone else and would have missed God’s divine destination.
Has the Lord had to choose for you on any matter? Appreciate Him for His choice and wisdom. You could never have chosen something better! God’s choice may not look like the best. If it is a job, it may not necessarily offer you the fattest remunerations. If it is a spouse, the fellow may not necessarily be the most handsome or beautiful, comfortable, etc. Yet, if it is God, it is the best.
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16). God still chooses for His own today. When God chooses somebody for an assignment, it does not necessarily mean the fellow is the most qualified. Infact, usually, God chooses the least qualified so that flesh will not rob Him of His glory.
If the Lord chooses a husband for you, it is not because he is perfect but because He is about to take the fellow through a process of change that will make the person your ideal partner. If God has chosen your partner but the fellow falls far below your expectations, as long as he or she is a bonafide child of God and is living to please God, leave God with the remaining details.
By the time He is through with the fellow, you will understand why God made that choice in the first place. When God chooses someone, several activities follow in quick succession. For instance, God’s choice of this burning bush culminated in the death of an Egyptian who knew nothing about the bush just to connect Moses with the bush. Because the Lord has chosen you, He will cause everything to work in your favor.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, October 22, 2009
You have a part to play in getting your partner
PART OF THIS PROCESS?
Gen. 2: 21; “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof”’
Marriage is a great institution that has criss-crossed nations, tribes, academic and social-cultural goals and affiliations. Not too many married couples are finding marriage pleasant. A brother was planning for his wedding sometime ago and he went to tell some of his customers who were directors of an engineering company. They told him they were fed up of their experience with marriage and were looking for a way out, while he was taking steps into it. Several homes were broken with the highest divorce figures coming from the West. Many couples are living in hell. In fact, if you want to describe the torments of hell, just say the situation in hell is comparable, though far worse than what obtains in their homes. And they will get the message. Yet originally, God designed the family to be an extension of Heaven. It is my prayer that whatever your family has lost or is missing which should give you heaven on earth will be divinely supplied.
In this passage, Gen. 2:21-24, although Adam was asleep when God was working on Eve, he however made some certain inputs. He contributed a rib. As a searching single, you have to make a sacrificial contribution for your Eve to come out. The size of your contribution will determine how your finished product- your wife will be. That contribution could be in the area of prayer, fasting, sowing seeds into the type of home or partner you want. It could also be to what extent you have prepared. Sister, if you want a good home, are you prepared to be a good wife? As married couples you will need to make sacrificial contributions in order to have your desired home. Turning a house into a home is the responsibility of both partners. Proverbs 14:1 says the woman who sees herself as a builder and commits herself to building her home is wise. If you build your home, you will enjoy it. If you pull it down, you will regret it. Are you building or pulling down your home? Moving house into home is a process. It takes time. Give it what it takes.
FROM: OPEN HEAVENS, A DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Be Patient as you find your partner.
BE PATIENT
James 5: 8 “Be ye also patient: stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh”
Read Hebrews 6:13-15
“And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” Gen. 2: 22.
When God finished the product He was making for Adam, He brought her to him. Some believers are so much in a hurry to get their partner. Some would say, “If God does not give me my life partner by such a time, I will backslide”. Who loses? Is God the one in need or you? The truth is, it takes time to turn raw materials into a finished product. Go to a plant where brand new cars are assembled and you will appreciate all the efforts that go into producing just one car. Not all ladies are from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14 says, “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: a prudent wife is from the LORD”. If you want your partner from God, as you make your sacrificial inputs, be prepared to wait on Him. Adam did not rush God. He allowed God to handle it and when He was through, Eve came. If you are looking at your age, thinking you are getting too old and unwilling to wait until God is through, you may be courting trouble. If a product is to be made, it has to undergo several processes in probably different machines. It has a set time too. But if you want to bring it out in a hurry, it will have to skip some stages in the production process and turn out to be a defective product. Impatience of some believers has made them rush out their partners before God was through. Yet, today they are complaining about the individual. Be patient!!!
Another thing in this passage is that God led Eve to Adam. Whoever says a sister cannot identify her partner first? Although to avoid looking cheap, she may not want to bell the cat but pray until he too receives from God. However, God can lead the woman to the man, as much as He can lead the man to the woman. Both men and women have access to divine guidance. Are you a sister trusting God for your heaven-sent partner? God will lead you to him. You will not miss God’s best for your life. Go to God and ask. Let Him be your focus. Make the necessary seed inputs and be expectant. The Lord will visit you.
PS: Those who cannot wait on God before embarking on a project end up being caught in the machinery of delay after take-off.
PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
FROM OPEN HEAVENS – A DAILY DEVOTIONAL
James 5: 8 “Be ye also patient: stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh”
Read Hebrews 6:13-15
“And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” Gen. 2: 22.
When God finished the product He was making for Adam, He brought her to him. Some believers are so much in a hurry to get their partner. Some would say, “If God does not give me my life partner by such a time, I will backslide”. Who loses? Is God the one in need or you? The truth is, it takes time to turn raw materials into a finished product. Go to a plant where brand new cars are assembled and you will appreciate all the efforts that go into producing just one car. Not all ladies are from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14 says, “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: a prudent wife is from the LORD”. If you want your partner from God, as you make your sacrificial inputs, be prepared to wait on Him. Adam did not rush God. He allowed God to handle it and when He was through, Eve came. If you are looking at your age, thinking you are getting too old and unwilling to wait until God is through, you may be courting trouble. If a product is to be made, it has to undergo several processes in probably different machines. It has a set time too. But if you want to bring it out in a hurry, it will have to skip some stages in the production process and turn out to be a defective product. Impatience of some believers has made them rush out their partners before God was through. Yet, today they are complaining about the individual. Be patient!!!
Another thing in this passage is that God led Eve to Adam. Whoever says a sister cannot identify her partner first? Although to avoid looking cheap, she may not want to bell the cat but pray until he too receives from God. However, God can lead the woman to the man, as much as He can lead the man to the woman. Both men and women have access to divine guidance. Are you a sister trusting God for your heaven-sent partner? God will lead you to him. You will not miss God’s best for your life. Go to God and ask. Let Him be your focus. Make the necessary seed inputs and be expectant. The Lord will visit you.
PS: Those who cannot wait on God before embarking on a project end up being caught in the machinery of delay after take-off.
PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
FROM OPEN HEAVENS – A DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Saturday, September 26, 2009
YOU NEED PATIENCE - SINGLE AND MARRIED
FOR THE SINGLE AND MARRIED
BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
RUTH AND OFFERS
Rom 2:7 “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality” Also read Ruth 3: 8-10
Ruth was an outstanding lady right from the time she had an encounter with the God of the Jews. She loved God and His people to the point that she gave up her people and nation just like Abraham. And like Abraham, by so doing, she was responding to a divine call. As at the time she was about to leave, Orpah, her sister-in-law, also of Moab, called her aside and asked: “Do you really mean to go with Mama Naomi back to her place?” Yes, she replied,” why? Or have you been brainwashed by the teachings you have been receiving?” Orpah asked with probing eyes. “I believe all we were taught because I have found out that the God of the Jews is real. Why should I continue in Moab and starve myself of more knowledge about this God?” Ruth replied. Orpah was shocked; she stared at her sister-in-law in surprise, “you mean you will forsake your people and their religion and follow the strange God and the customs of the Isrealites? You must be a fool! Have you considered the reality of what mama Naomi said: that there is no guarantee of having another husband or hope of a better life in Isreal, while there are several men to choose from in Moab?”
“Husband or not, I am going with our mother-in-law to her country, people and will serve her God. She has offered me what nobody else in Moab could. I cannot afford to lose this golden opportunity. Do you care to join us?” Ruth asked. “Keep your decision to yourself. I am better off in Moab than any place else. Bye, Orpah said and left.
Ruth went with Naomi to Bethlehem. She had no hope of a suitor because Jews were not expected to marry Gentiles. But over a period of time, people saw that she was a true believer in the Almighty God. Her life and conduct were exemplary. Before long, suitors started coming. But she turned them down as she waited for God. Then he came. When a believer is refusing to accept the offers of the world, it is because there is a better offer for the fellow. Are some individuals asking your hand in marriage, but while praying God says no? It is because He has reserved your Boaz through whom your destiny can be actualized. Also, we learn that in order to get God’s best, patience is inevitable. To get God’s best; you may have to turn down man’s offer. Don’t jump at any offer. If Ruth had done so, she would have been history rather than making history. Pray about all offers.
Addedum: The impatient will most likely miss God’s best. Ask God for grace to patiently wait on Him.
FROM: OPEN HEAVEN- A DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
RUTH AND OFFERS
Rom 2:7 “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality” Also read Ruth 3: 8-10
Ruth was an outstanding lady right from the time she had an encounter with the God of the Jews. She loved God and His people to the point that she gave up her people and nation just like Abraham. And like Abraham, by so doing, she was responding to a divine call. As at the time she was about to leave, Orpah, her sister-in-law, also of Moab, called her aside and asked: “Do you really mean to go with Mama Naomi back to her place?” Yes, she replied,” why? Or have you been brainwashed by the teachings you have been receiving?” Orpah asked with probing eyes. “I believe all we were taught because I have found out that the God of the Jews is real. Why should I continue in Moab and starve myself of more knowledge about this God?” Ruth replied. Orpah was shocked; she stared at her sister-in-law in surprise, “you mean you will forsake your people and their religion and follow the strange God and the customs of the Isrealites? You must be a fool! Have you considered the reality of what mama Naomi said: that there is no guarantee of having another husband or hope of a better life in Isreal, while there are several men to choose from in Moab?”
“Husband or not, I am going with our mother-in-law to her country, people and will serve her God. She has offered me what nobody else in Moab could. I cannot afford to lose this golden opportunity. Do you care to join us?” Ruth asked. “Keep your decision to yourself. I am better off in Moab than any place else. Bye, Orpah said and left.
Ruth went with Naomi to Bethlehem. She had no hope of a suitor because Jews were not expected to marry Gentiles. But over a period of time, people saw that she was a true believer in the Almighty God. Her life and conduct were exemplary. Before long, suitors started coming. But she turned them down as she waited for God. Then he came. When a believer is refusing to accept the offers of the world, it is because there is a better offer for the fellow. Are some individuals asking your hand in marriage, but while praying God says no? It is because He has reserved your Boaz through whom your destiny can be actualized. Also, we learn that in order to get God’s best, patience is inevitable. To get God’s best; you may have to turn down man’s offer. Don’t jump at any offer. If Ruth had done so, she would have been history rather than making history. Pray about all offers.
Addedum: The impatient will most likely miss God’s best. Ask God for grace to patiently wait on Him.
FROM: OPEN HEAVEN- A DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Finding the right partner in relationship
HIT IT RIGHT. FOR SINGLES
BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
1 COR. 14:26-33
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" 1 Cor. 14:33
God is interested in guiding His children in all areas of life, and in marriage particularly. As a searching single, it is important to crosscheck with God, what you have heard or seen in visions or dreams and be certain it is God before you say "God says". Believers should be more sensitive to the spirit to prevent from being misled by a voice or dream. It is wrong to tell a sister "God is leading me to you" when it is the flesh. How can God lead four or five brothers to the same sister? How can three sisters be fighting over one brother and all claim God led them? God is not the author of confusion! A particular brother so dreaded approaching the wrong sister in marriage to the point that he took time to settle it on his knees. Even after God led him in different ways, he exercised restrain and asked and received confirmations. Thereafter, he asked the Lord to go and tell the sister that he was her husband. he prayed on this until the Lord told him she had already known and even stated the day she knew. By the time he approached her, she told him the Lord had earlier informed her.
Beloved, are you not tired of approaching different people and not one is the right person? Are you not tired of saying "God says" when merely acting on lust? Are you not ashamed of being repeatedly turned down by your hit and miss tactic? Your inability to get it right suggests a high degree of prayerlessness, lack of openness to God and insincerity. A sister went in the company of an invited minister to a certain church. Before they left, several brothers were already asking him if they could approach her for marriage. He laughed and told them she was not only married but also had three children. How disappointed they must have been. If you are not ready to seek God's face in marriage, you may have to encounter shame, disgrace and disappointment. Stop being lazy. take time and seek the Lord and when He answers you and you eventually approach that individual, you can be sure you will not miss God's best.
FROM: OPEN HEAVENS, A DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
1 COR. 14:26-33
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" 1 Cor. 14:33
God is interested in guiding His children in all areas of life, and in marriage particularly. As a searching single, it is important to crosscheck with God, what you have heard or seen in visions or dreams and be certain it is God before you say "God says". Believers should be more sensitive to the spirit to prevent from being misled by a voice or dream. It is wrong to tell a sister "God is leading me to you" when it is the flesh. How can God lead four or five brothers to the same sister? How can three sisters be fighting over one brother and all claim God led them? God is not the author of confusion! A particular brother so dreaded approaching the wrong sister in marriage to the point that he took time to settle it on his knees. Even after God led him in different ways, he exercised restrain and asked and received confirmations. Thereafter, he asked the Lord to go and tell the sister that he was her husband. he prayed on this until the Lord told him she had already known and even stated the day she knew. By the time he approached her, she told him the Lord had earlier informed her.
Beloved, are you not tired of approaching different people and not one is the right person? Are you not tired of saying "God says" when merely acting on lust? Are you not ashamed of being repeatedly turned down by your hit and miss tactic? Your inability to get it right suggests a high degree of prayerlessness, lack of openness to God and insincerity. A sister went in the company of an invited minister to a certain church. Before they left, several brothers were already asking him if they could approach her for marriage. He laughed and told them she was not only married but also had three children. How disappointed they must have been. If you are not ready to seek God's face in marriage, you may have to encounter shame, disgrace and disappointment. Stop being lazy. take time and seek the Lord and when He answers you and you eventually approach that individual, you can be sure you will not miss God's best.
FROM: OPEN HEAVENS, A DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
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