13/01/2022
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY 13TH JANUARY 2022.
THEME: LESSONS FROM ELISHA II.
MEMORISE:
And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. Mark 10:44
READ: 2 Kings 3:11-12
11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the Lord is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
MESSAGE:
Another quality which qualified Elisha for uncommon greatness is his devotion to serving the servant of God, Elijah. The Bible stated that Elisha poured water on Elijah’s hand (2 Kings 3:11). From this, it is clear that there are many blessings reserved for those who serve God’s servants. The bible says:
“He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.” Matthew 10:41
You can serve a man of God without getting paid directly; however, when that man of God says to you ‘God bless you’, he is not just paying you compliments. A casual ‘God bless’ from a friend does not carry the power that the same word from a man of God would. The words ‘God bless you’ from a man of God are loaded with prophetic blessings. You must therefore be ready to do something that will qualify you for a divine blessing.
When you serve a man of God, a simple ‘God bless you’ will load you will load you with tremendous miracle. Sometimes ago, one of my sons-in-the-lord shared a testimony of how he was mightily blessed simply by driving me during one of my visits to the United States of America. He said of me “When he was finally leaving, he simply said ‘God bless you’. To the glory of god, I passed my exam in flying colors, got a new job and prospered tremendously”.
When Elijah asked to know what Elisha wanted, the latter had only one answer. A double portion of the power of Elijah. Elisha asked for what he would use for God’s work, and we see in our Bible reading today, god blessed him so much that kings were seeking his help. The Bible says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). You are not ready for uncommon greatness until you have settled the issue of your involvement in and commitment to Kingdom business. May the Lord give you the grace to work for Him and with His anointed ministers selflessly from today, in Jesus’ name.
ACTION POINT:
Think of what you can do to extend the frontiers of God’s Kingdom on earth, today and move into immediate action.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: GENESIS 38-40.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 8: I AM PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY.
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev'ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam ofj glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
