Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:12)
READ: Amos 8:4-14
“As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come” (Prov. 26:2). Famines do not just come: they are the product of some infringement, neglect of necessary duty, or some act of disobedience. Like curses, most people going through a famine have done something to attract it. Let us consider some factors that could trigger spiritual famine in the life of a believer. In Amos 8:1-14, two things stand out as likely causes of spiritual drought. First is oppression (verses 4 and 6). God has a soft spot for poor. God hates poverty and shows compassion towards the poor. Anyone who oppresses or defrauds the poor is courting spiritual famine. The rich who cheats the poor in order to amass wealth is only blocking the channels of communication between him and God. If the fellow fails to repent and restitute, he may begin to experience spiritual dryness. Some spiritual gifts in the lives of some believers can no more function because their wickedness towards the less privileged has eroded the grace (lubrication) needed to operate them. Are there spiritual gifts you once enjoyed which you no longer manifest? Check your life and see those you have been oppressing—particularly fellow believers.
“They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy God, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again” (Amos 8:14). Another cause of spiritual dryness is idolatry. Anyone who has in his heart an idol—something other than God which takes the first place in his priorities, When God loses the throne of your heart, He is moved to jealousy. He will be compelled to withdraw so that you could be given a chance to see the futility of serving the alternative you have chosen. Some people may not live recover from this. Is God occupying the first place in your life? Even when legitimate things such as work, business ventures or academic pursuit takes the centre stage of our lives, God is forced to withdraw His grace, and this may lead to failure and disappointment. It is wisdom to serve your heart only for the King of kings. What is that idol in your heart? If you want to hear from God concerning the right choice in marriage but you have already set up somebody as an idol in your heart, instead of hearing from God, you will hear from the idol. Pull down every idol today!
PRAYER POINT:
“Lord whatever the idol, and however dear, help me to dethrone it and worship only you.
Bible in One year: 1 Sam. 8-10
MEMORIZE: “And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:12)
READ: Amos 8:4-14
“As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come” (Prov. 26:2). Famines do not just come: they are the product of some infringement, neglect of necessary duty, or some act of disobedience. Like curses, most people going through a famine have done something to attract it. Let us consider some factors that could trigger spiritual famine in the life of a believer. In Amos 8:1-14, two things stand out as likely causes of spiritual drought. First is oppression (verses 4 and 6). God has a soft spot for poor. God hates poverty and shows compassion towards the poor. Anyone who oppresses or defrauds the poor is courting spiritual famine. The rich who cheats the poor in order to amass wealth is only blocking the channels of communication between him and God. If the fellow fails to repent and restitute, he may begin to experience spiritual dryness. Some spiritual gifts in the lives of some believers can no more function because their wickedness towards the less privileged has eroded the grace (lubrication) needed to operate them. Are there spiritual gifts you once enjoyed which you no longer manifest? Check your life and see those you have been oppressing—particularly fellow believers.
“They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy God, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again” (Amos 8:14). Another cause of spiritual dryness is idolatry. Anyone who has in his heart an idol—something other than God which takes the first place in his priorities, When God loses the throne of your heart, He is moved to jealousy. He will be compelled to withdraw so that you could be given a chance to see the futility of serving the alternative you have chosen. Some people may not live recover from this. Is God occupying the first place in your life? Even when legitimate things such as work, business ventures or academic pursuit takes the centre stage of our lives, God is forced to withdraw His grace, and this may lead to failure and disappointment. It is wisdom to serve your heart only for the King of kings. What is that idol in your heart? If you want to hear from God concerning the right choice in marriage but you have already set up somebody as an idol in your heart, instead of hearing from God, you will hear from the idol. Pull down every idol today!
PRAYER POINT:
“Lord whatever the idol, and however dear, help me to dethrone it and worship only you.
Bible in One year: 1 Sam. 8-10
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