Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word” (John 17:6).
READ: John 17:5-6
Becoming an ecclesiastical leader is a serious issue. Not everyone can become a pastor or prophet. We need to be extremely prayerful and careful in choosing leaders. In Luke 6:12-16, the Lord had an all-night prayer meeting before picking His 12 apostles, yet, one of them was a traitor. If He needed to depend on God in appointing leaders, we need to depend on God all the more. Today, for our failing to take maximum care, more people who have no business with leadership in the church, find their way there. This is why the altar is polluted, divided and lacks the anointing. When wrong leaders find their way unto God’s altar, He vacates it for them. No wonder many altars have no divine fire. Their fire cannot even roast a fly! God will hold you responsible for every wrong fellow you recommend or appoint to positions of leadership.
Moreover, an examination of the Lord’s Prayer in John 17 shows that He prayed in total submission to the most High God. In verse 6, He says, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word”. One thing we learn hear is that although those for leadership in the church are chosen from the world, however, they are truly from God. They belong to God. It is either you go to the world or to God for leaders. The quality of response from the leaders you appoint will depend on whether they come from God or the world. If you appoint a leader without God’s express will, that fellow is from the world. Any leader from the world will mind the things of the world and will devise worldly methods to advance or achieve. If you appoint someone into a position of leadership out of tribal sentiments, or because you want him to protect your interest and cover up your mess, you can be sure that that fellow is from the world, not from God. Be careful about the leader you allow to rule over you. Is that man you want to appoint as the head of your proposed family from God or the world? Can you say that spouse is God’s possession? Some believers, who claim to have prayed for the will of God in marriage, settle down with spouses from the world because they could not pay the price to get their rightful spouse from God. Appointing the right person to a leadership position will, to a large extent, minimize the risk of failure and raise your chances of success.
KEY POINT:
If you want a leader that would mind heavenly things, take your search to Heaven.
Bible in One year: Malachi 1-2
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