Open Heaven 18 February 2023
MEMORISE: And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6
BIBLE READING: 1 TIMOTHY 1:12-16 (KJV)
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
There are many people in the Church who look at the Pastor as if God cannot use them similarly. They think that they cannot heal the sick or even raise the dead, but this is very far from the truth.
Maybe you feel so because you believe that you cannot make the same sacrifices that the Pastor makes, especially in fasting and prayers, but that is also not true. Zechariah 4:6 says, “.. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts”.
Praying for 12 hours nonstop would be generally impractical unless the Holy Spirit helps the person. It is the same Holy Spirit in you that is helping those you look up to, spend so much time fasting and praying to the extent that they carry such great anointing. Your willingness and total surrender to God are the major determinants of how much God can use you.
Willingness means that if you decide to fast for 7 days and by the 2nd day, your stomach is protesting, rather than break the fast, you would go to God in prayer for grace to continue. If you plan to pray in tongues between 9 pm and 11 pm every day, but you get home very late and tired one day – rather than sleeping off by 9 pm, you’ll still fall on your knees and compel yourself to pray.
I have always found the story of John Mark very interesting. Acts 15:37-40, tells how this young man – full of zeal, followed Paul and Barnabas on a missionary trip, but got to the mission field and, seeing how difficult things were, especially seeing people stoning them, ran back home. In Acts 15:38, Paul and Barnabas were about to go on another journey and Barnabas wanted John Mark to come with them, but Paul said, “No way, I’m not taking this deserter with me”.
When you read (2 Timothy 4:11) however, this same Paul now said to Timothy, “Bring John Mark to me, he is useful to me for the ministry”. The Gospel according to Saint Mark is attributed to this same boy who failed on his first missionary journey.
No matter how weak you seem now, with God’s help, you also can become a pillar in His Kingdom.
KEY POINT: Father, give me the grace to pay the price so that I can carry your anointing.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBERS 27-29
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – God Can Use You Too – written by Pastor Enoch Adeboye
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Open Heaven 18 February 2023
