OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, JULY 30TH 2017- DANGERS OF FINANCIAL STORMS II

Memorise: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1st Timothy 6:11
Read: 1st Timothy 6:6-11
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 8, Ezekiel 17:11-24

1. On the 23rd of this month, we established that financial storms can breed hatred and discrimination against the poor, and even make them contemplate suicide.
2. Beyond these, financial storms can lead to a situation where people would resort to doing unimaginable things to survive a few more days, weeks or months, just like it happened in Samaria, where people began to eat their own children (2nd Kings 6:26-29). When you speak of such scenarios, some people think this can never happen; but not too long ago in Nigeria, a woman was caught after selling her child just to get some money for food. This is almost the same as eating one’s child. When she was arrested, she begged everyone to listen to her story first before judging her. She said she decided to sell her child because she could no longer afford to feed herself and her child. She reasoned that whoever bought the child would feed her, thereby increasing her chances of survival. She explained that if she kept the child, they would both die of hunger, and that from the proceeds of selling her child, at least for a while, her own chances of survival would increase also. She probably never thought that her child could be killed and used for rituals.
3. Moreover, financial storms drive some people to consult the devil and swallow charms in their desperate bid to prosper. Some of such people are compelled to go to the graveyard at a specific period every month to eat there in order to sustain their wealth.
4. The fear of poverty has really led many people into unthinkable and damnable things they would never have attempted with a sane mind.
5. It is most unfortunate that many believers have allowed themselves to be caught in this same evil net. 1st Timothy 6:9 says, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
6. God has a plan for everyone who comes to Him. In that plan, there is provision to meet all of their needs. However, to partake of the benefits of that divine provision, every child of God would have to follow certain divine principles.
7. In Matthew 6:24-34, Jesus gives the blueprint for this, based on which you would have to focus on God and on His Kingdom. If you do this faithfully, then God will make you His focus.
8. It is unfortunate that several people prefer to focus on their needs at the expense of their relationship with God; hence, they keep drifting further away from God’s sure place of provision.
9. If you have drifted away from God in your search for bread, retrace your steps today! 

The totality of today’s devotional is wrapped up in Matthew 6:31-33. “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The key to abundance is knowing God and doing His will. We bless God for Pastor E.A Adeboye. May His strength be renewed in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, by Your mercy, terminates every financial storm in my life and family today.
HYMN
There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

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