• The theme of God as a divine warrior (see Exodus 14:14) spans the landscape of Scripture. Exodus 15 poetically depicts God at war with Pharaoh’s army, saying, “The Lord is a warrior” (v. 3). One Bible encyclopedia has this to say: “In the New Testament, the Divine Warrior theme is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the imagery shifts from physical battles to spiritual warfare, the essence of God as a warrior remains. In Revelation, Christ is depicted as the ultimate Divine Warrior who will defeat evil and establish His kingdom.” Today, when faced with temptation, we can rest in God, who fights for us.
    The theme of God as a divine warrior (see Exodus 14:14) spans the landscape of Scripture. Exodus 15 poetically depicts God at war with Pharaoh’s army, saying, “The Lord is a warrior” (v. 3). One Bible encyclopedia has this to say: “In the New Testament, the Divine Warrior theme is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the imagery shifts from physical battles to spiritual warfare, the essence of God as a warrior remains. In Revelation, Christ is depicted as the ultimate Divine Warrior who will defeat evil and establish His kingdom.” Today, when faced with temptation, we can rest in God, who fights for us.
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  • TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS:

    SERMON TOPIC:-

    WHEN GOD CLOSES A DOOR.

    Understanding Divine Closure, Redirection, and the Next Move of God.

    Key Scripture:

    Revelation 3:7 —
    “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”


    There are times in life when you pray for a door to open, you believe God has answered, you prepare yourself to walk through it—and suddenly, the door closes.
    The job opportunity disappears.
    The relationship ends.
    The business deal fails.
    The application is rejected.
    The opportunity goes to someone else.
    The plan you prayed about does not work.
    And you ask, “God, why?”
    But here is a truth every believer must understand:
    A closed door is not always a sign of God's absence. Sometimes it is evidence of God's protection.
    We often celebrate God when He opens doors, but mature Christians must also learn to trust Him when He closes them.
    Sometimes God closes a door because what is behind it would destroy what He is building inside you.
    Sometimes God closes a door because the next chapter of your life requires you to leave the previous chapter behind.
    And sometimes God closes a door because He is preparing to open another one that you could never have opened for yourself.
    1. GOD CAN CLOSE A DOOR FOR YOUR PROTECTION

    Scripture: Proverbs 16:9

    «“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”»
    There are things we desperately want because we can only see what is in front of us.
    But God sees what is beyond the door.
    You may see an opportunity.
    God may see a trap.
    You may see a relationship.
    God may see the pain it will produce.
    You may see a promotion.
    God may see the pride it could create.
    You may see a business opportunity.
    God may see the consequences you cannot yet see.

    Biblical Example:
    Balaam

    In Numbers 22, Balaam was travelling in a direction he thought was acceptable, but God placed an angel in his path.
    Balaam could not see the danger.
    His donkey could.
    What Balaam considered an obstacle was actually divine protection.
    Sometimes you are frustrated because something is blocking your way, while heaven is saying:
    “I am blocking this because I know what you don't know.”
    Don't curse every closed door.
    Some closed doors are mercy.
    2. GOD MAY CLOSE ONE DOOR TO REDIRECT YOU TO ANOTHER

    Scripture: Acts 16:6–10

    Paul and his companions wanted to preach in certain regions, but Scripture says:
    «“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.”»
    Then Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”
    Notice something powerful:
    Paul was doing God's work, yet God still closed a door.
    This teaches us that:
    A good idea is not necessarily a God idea for this particular season.
    You can be sincere and still be moving in the wrong direction.
    You can have a legitimate opportunity and still not have divine permission.
    You can pray, plan, prepare—and God can still say:
    “Not this way.”
    The closed door redirected Paul toward Macedonia, where God had prepared a greater assignment.

    Spiritual Insight

    Never allow disappointment to make you disobey divine direction.
    When God closes a door, ask:
    “Lord, where are You directing me?”
    Not merely:
    “Lord, why did You stop me?”
    3. A CLOSED DOOR DOES NOT MEAN A CLOSED FUTURE

    Scripture: Revelation 3:7

    «“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”»
    One closed door does not mean your entire future has been cancelled.
    David was rejected by his family.
    Joseph was rejected by his brothers.
    Moses experienced rejection before returning to Egypt.
    Paul experienced opposition throughout his ministry.
    Yet God's purpose for them continued.
    Remember this:
    A closed chapter is not a closed destiny.
    You may lose an opportunity without losing your purpose.
    You may lose a relationship without losing your future.
    You may lose a position without losing your calling.
    You may experience rejection without becoming rejected by God.
    The enemy wants you to interpret one disappointment as the conclusion of your entire story.
    But God says:
    “I am still writing.”
    4. SOMETIMES GOD CLOSES A DOOR BECAUSE YOU HAVE OUTGROWN THE ROOM

    Scripture:

    Isaiah 43:18–19

    «“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.”»
    There are seasons you cannot enter while continuously holding onto the previous one.
    The children of Israel could not remain in Egypt forever.
    Ruth had to leave Moab.
    Abraham had to leave his father's house.
    The disciples had to leave their nets and follow Jesus.
    Growth requires movement.
    Sometimes the door closes because God is calling you forward.
    You keep asking God to reopen what He has already closed.
    But God may be saying:
    “Stop trying to return to where I am trying to take you from.”
    Some people are praying for restoration when God is offering transformation.
    Some are asking God to rebuild yesterday when God is preparing tomorrow.
    5. LEARN TO TRUST GOD WHEN YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND HIM
    Scripture: Romans 8:28
    «“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”»
    Notice that Scripture does not say everything that happens is good.
    It says God can work all things together for good.
    The rejection can become redirection.
    The disappointment can become development.
    The delay can become preparation.
    The closed door can become protection.
    The ending can become the beginning of something greater.
    Faith says:
    “God, I don't understand this, but I trust You.”
    That is mature faith.
    Anyone can praise God when everything is working.
    But there is a deeper level of worship when you can say:
    “Even when I don't understand Your decision, I still trust Your character.”

    BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:

    JOSEPH

    Joseph received a dream from God, but his journey did not immediately look like the dream.
    He was hated by his brothers.
    He was thrown into a pit.
    He was sold into slavery.
    He was falsely accused.
    He was imprisoned.
    Door after door seemed to close.
    But God was not abandoning Joseph.
    God was positioning Joseph.
    The pit was not the palace.
    The prison was not the promotion.
    The rejection was not the conclusion.
    Eventually, Joseph stood before Pharaoh.
    Genesis 50:20 captures the revelation:
    «“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”»
    What looked like destruction became divine positioning.
    Somebody needs to hear this:
    Your current closed door may be part of a larger story that you cannot see yet.
    Don't abandon God because you don't understand the chapter.
    Keep walking.
    Keep praying.
    Keep serving.
    Keep believing.
    The God who gave you the promise is still working on the process.

    DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS

    1. Not every closed door is an attack.
    Some are divine interventions.
    2. God's “NO” can be as loving as His “YES.”
    A parent who loves a child does not give the child everything they request.
    God is your Father.
    3. Timing matters.
    Something can be good but wrong for your present season.
    4. Never force what God has closed.
    When God closes a door, human manipulation cannot make it God's will.
    5. Look for God's presence beyond the door.
    Sometimes we become so focused on what we lost that we fail to notice where God is leading us.

    PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS

    When God closes a door:
    1. Don't panic.
    Take time to pray before making emotional decisions.
    2. Don't force it open.
    What God has closed does not need manipulation.
    3. Examine your heart.
    Ask whether the closure is correction, protection, preparation, or redirection.
    4. Seek God's Word.
    Don't interpret your circumstances without Scripture.
    5. Ask for direction.
    Pray: “Lord, show me what You want me to do next.”
    6. Keep moving.
    A closed door should not become an excuse to stop your entire life.
    7. Trust God's timing.
    What you cannot understand today may become clear tomorrow.

    QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

    1. What closed door am I currently struggling to accept?
    2. Am I trying to force open something God may have closed?
    3. Could this disappointment actually be divine protection?
    4. What might God be redirecting me toward?
    5. Am I more committed to God's will or to my own plans?
    6. What lesson is God teaching me in this season?
    7. Can I still trust God even when I don't understand Him?

    POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

    1.
    Father, give me the grace to recognize when You are closing a door for my protection.
    2.
    Lord, deliver me from forcing doors that You have closed.
    3.
    Father, when one door closes, give me spiritual eyes to see the door You are opening.
    4.
    Lord, heal every disappointment caused by rejection, delay, and closed opportunities.
    5.
    Father, redirect my steps into Your perfect will.
    6.
    Every door that must remain closed for my protection, give me the grace to leave it closed.
    7.
    Lord, open the doors that align with Your purpose for my life.
    8.
    Father, strengthen my faith when I cannot understand what You are doing.
    9.
    Every good thing You have ordained for my life, let no power of darkness permanently hinder it.
    10.
    Lord Jesus, let my life become a testimony that even through closed doors, You were working for my good.

    CALL TO ACTION

    Beloved, don't spend the rest of your life standing in front of a door God has already closed.
    There is a time to knock.
    There is a time to wait.
    There is also a time to walk away.
    If God closed it, trust Him.
    If God blocked it, thank Him.
    If God redirected you, follow Him.
    If God is preparing another door, wait for Him.
    You may not understand the closure today.
    But one day you may look back and say:
    “Thank God that door did not open.”
    The door you are crying over today may be the very door God closed because He saw something you could not see.
    So dry your tears.
    Strengthen your faith.
    Lift your eyes.
    Your story is not over.
    There is still purpose.
    There is still grace.
    There is still a future.
    And there are doors that only God can open.

    DECLARE BY FAITH:

    “I will not die at a closed door.
    I will not force what God has closed.
    I will not allow rejection to destroy my faith.
    I will trust God's direction.
    I will follow His purpose.
    And when my appointed door opens, no man will be able to shut it!”
    In Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

    If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church.
    You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below

    https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1

    https://selar.com/m/umoedem

    https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks

    CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447640

    Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC:- WHEN GOD CLOSES A DOOR. Understanding Divine Closure, Redirection, and the Next Move of God. Key Scripture: Revelation 3:7 — “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” There are times in life when you pray for a door to open, you believe God has answered, you prepare yourself to walk through it—and suddenly, the door closes. The job opportunity disappears. The relationship ends. The business deal fails. The application is rejected. The opportunity goes to someone else. The plan you prayed about does not work. And you ask, “God, why?” But here is a truth every believer must understand: A closed door is not always a sign of God's absence. Sometimes it is evidence of God's protection. We often celebrate God when He opens doors, but mature Christians must also learn to trust Him when He closes them. Sometimes God closes a door because what is behind it would destroy what He is building inside you. Sometimes God closes a door because the next chapter of your life requires you to leave the previous chapter behind. And sometimes God closes a door because He is preparing to open another one that you could never have opened for yourself. 1. GOD CAN CLOSE A DOOR FOR YOUR PROTECTION Scripture: Proverbs 16:9 «“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”» There are things we desperately want because we can only see what is in front of us. But God sees what is beyond the door. You may see an opportunity. God may see a trap. You may see a relationship. God may see the pain it will produce. You may see a promotion. God may see the pride it could create. You may see a business opportunity. God may see the consequences you cannot yet see. Biblical Example: Balaam In Numbers 22, Balaam was travelling in a direction he thought was acceptable, but God placed an angel in his path. Balaam could not see the danger. His donkey could. What Balaam considered an obstacle was actually divine protection. Sometimes you are frustrated because something is blocking your way, while heaven is saying: “I am blocking this because I know what you don't know.” Don't curse every closed door. Some closed doors are mercy. 2. GOD MAY CLOSE ONE DOOR TO REDIRECT YOU TO ANOTHER Scripture: Acts 16:6–10 Paul and his companions wanted to preach in certain regions, but Scripture says: «“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.”» Then Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Notice something powerful: Paul was doing God's work, yet God still closed a door. This teaches us that: A good idea is not necessarily a God idea for this particular season. You can be sincere and still be moving in the wrong direction. You can have a legitimate opportunity and still not have divine permission. You can pray, plan, prepare—and God can still say: “Not this way.” The closed door redirected Paul toward Macedonia, where God had prepared a greater assignment. Spiritual Insight Never allow disappointment to make you disobey divine direction. When God closes a door, ask: “Lord, where are You directing me?” Not merely: “Lord, why did You stop me?” 3. A CLOSED DOOR DOES NOT MEAN A CLOSED FUTURE Scripture: Revelation 3:7 «“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”» One closed door does not mean your entire future has been cancelled. David was rejected by his family. Joseph was rejected by his brothers. Moses experienced rejection before returning to Egypt. Paul experienced opposition throughout his ministry. Yet God's purpose for them continued. Remember this: A closed chapter is not a closed destiny. You may lose an opportunity without losing your purpose. You may lose a relationship without losing your future. You may lose a position without losing your calling. You may experience rejection without becoming rejected by God. The enemy wants you to interpret one disappointment as the conclusion of your entire story. But God says: “I am still writing.” 4. SOMETIMES GOD CLOSES A DOOR BECAUSE YOU HAVE OUTGROWN THE ROOM Scripture: Isaiah 43:18–19 «“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.”» There are seasons you cannot enter while continuously holding onto the previous one. The children of Israel could not remain in Egypt forever. Ruth had to leave Moab. Abraham had to leave his father's house. The disciples had to leave their nets and follow Jesus. Growth requires movement. Sometimes the door closes because God is calling you forward. You keep asking God to reopen what He has already closed. But God may be saying: “Stop trying to return to where I am trying to take you from.” Some people are praying for restoration when God is offering transformation. Some are asking God to rebuild yesterday when God is preparing tomorrow. 5. LEARN TO TRUST GOD WHEN YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND HIM Scripture: Romans 8:28 «“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”» Notice that Scripture does not say everything that happens is good. It says God can work all things together for good. The rejection can become redirection. The disappointment can become development. The delay can become preparation. The closed door can become protection. The ending can become the beginning of something greater. Faith says: “God, I don't understand this, but I trust You.” That is mature faith. Anyone can praise God when everything is working. But there is a deeper level of worship when you can say: “Even when I don't understand Your decision, I still trust Your character.” BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: JOSEPH Joseph received a dream from God, but his journey did not immediately look like the dream. He was hated by his brothers. He was thrown into a pit. He was sold into slavery. He was falsely accused. He was imprisoned. Door after door seemed to close. But God was not abandoning Joseph. God was positioning Joseph. The pit was not the palace. The prison was not the promotion. The rejection was not the conclusion. Eventually, Joseph stood before Pharaoh. Genesis 50:20 captures the revelation: «“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”» What looked like destruction became divine positioning. Somebody needs to hear this: Your current closed door may be part of a larger story that you cannot see yet. Don't abandon God because you don't understand the chapter. Keep walking. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep believing. The God who gave you the promise is still working on the process. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. Not every closed door is an attack. Some are divine interventions. 2. God's “NO” can be as loving as His “YES.” A parent who loves a child does not give the child everything they request. God is your Father. 3. Timing matters. Something can be good but wrong for your present season. 4. Never force what God has closed. When God closes a door, human manipulation cannot make it God's will. 5. Look for God's presence beyond the door. Sometimes we become so focused on what we lost that we fail to notice where God is leading us. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS When God closes a door: 1. Don't panic. Take time to pray before making emotional decisions. 2. Don't force it open. What God has closed does not need manipulation. 3. Examine your heart. Ask whether the closure is correction, protection, preparation, or redirection. 4. Seek God's Word. Don't interpret your circumstances without Scripture. 5. Ask for direction. Pray: “Lord, show me what You want me to do next.” 6. Keep moving. A closed door should not become an excuse to stop your entire life. 7. Trust God's timing. What you cannot understand today may become clear tomorrow. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. What closed door am I currently struggling to accept? 2. Am I trying to force open something God may have closed? 3. Could this disappointment actually be divine protection? 4. What might God be redirecting me toward? 5. Am I more committed to God's will or to my own plans? 6. What lesson is God teaching me in this season? 7. Can I still trust God even when I don't understand Him? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, give me the grace to recognize when You are closing a door for my protection. 2. Lord, deliver me from forcing doors that You have closed. 3. Father, when one door closes, give me spiritual eyes to see the door You are opening. 4. Lord, heal every disappointment caused by rejection, delay, and closed opportunities. 5. Father, redirect my steps into Your perfect will. 6. Every door that must remain closed for my protection, give me the grace to leave it closed. 7. Lord, open the doors that align with Your purpose for my life. 8. Father, strengthen my faith when I cannot understand what You are doing. 9. Every good thing You have ordained for my life, let no power of darkness permanently hinder it. 10. Lord Jesus, let my life become a testimony that even through closed doors, You were working for my good. CALL TO ACTION Beloved, don't spend the rest of your life standing in front of a door God has already closed. There is a time to knock. There is a time to wait. There is also a time to walk away. If God closed it, trust Him. If God blocked it, thank Him. If God redirected you, follow Him. If God is preparing another door, wait for Him. You may not understand the closure today. But one day you may look back and say: “Thank God that door did not open.” The door you are crying over today may be the very door God closed because He saw something you could not see. So dry your tears. Strengthen your faith. Lift your eyes. Your story is not over. There is still purpose. There is still grace. There is still a future. And there are doors that only God can open. DECLARE BY FAITH: “I will not die at a closed door. I will not force what God has closed. I will not allow rejection to destroy my faith. I will trust God's direction. I will follow His purpose. And when my appointed door opens, no man will be able to shut it!” In Jesus' mighty name. Amen! If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447640 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
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  • August 21st, 2026
    Read; Galations 5:13

    Freedom is a great gift, but we must know how to use it well. In Christ, we are freed from sin's dominion and from the law's condemnation, not released into moral indifference. This liberty is a blessing from God, never an excuse for selfish desire. Paul directs our freedom toward loving service: instead of using others, we willingly serve them. Christian liberty therefore does not turn us inward. It frees us to love our neighbors with kindness, patience, and practical care, reflecting the character of Christ in our relationships.

    Prayer

    Thank You, O Great God of Deliverance, for saving Daniel from the lion's den, David from the sword of Goliath, and Israel from Pharaoh's clutches. But most of all, I thank You, O Great Deliverer, for Jesus' triumph over sin at Calvary and His triumph over death at the empty tomb. I want to thank You in person for giving me my freedom. Help me use this gift of freedom to serve Your children and live for You until that time. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
    August 21st, 2026 Read; Galations 5:13 Freedom is a great gift, but we must know how to use it well. In Christ, we are freed from sin's dominion and from the law's condemnation, not released into moral indifference. This liberty is a blessing from God, never an excuse for selfish desire. Paul directs our freedom toward loving service: instead of using others, we willingly serve them. Christian liberty therefore does not turn us inward. It frees us to love our neighbors with kindness, patience, and practical care, reflecting the character of Christ in our relationships. Prayer Thank You, O Great God of Deliverance, for saving Daniel from the lion's den, David from the sword of Goliath, and Israel from Pharaoh's clutches. But most of all, I thank You, O Great Deliverer, for Jesus' triumph over sin at Calvary and His triumph over death at the empty tomb. I want to thank You in person for giving me my freedom. Help me use this gift of freedom to serve Your children and live for You until that time. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
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  • OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

    DATE: FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2026

    TOPIC: BREAKING COVENANTS, PART 1

    MEMORIZE:
    "But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?" Ezekiel 17:15 (KJV)

    BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 2:27-31
    27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

    28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

    29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

    30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

    31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

    MESSAGE:
    God is faithful; He never breaks His promises, nor does He go back on His word. James 1:17 says that there is no variableness nor shadow of turning with Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He never breaks His covenants. However, if a fellow breaks a covenant he or she has made with God, then God is under no obligation to keep His part of the covenant.

    In Numbers 25:6-13, God made a covenant of eternal priesthood with Phinehas, Eleazar's son, because, in his zeal for the Lord, he struck a man and his concubine dead. However, in today's Bible reading, God told Eli, "I entered into a covenant that you and your father's house will stand before Me forever, but since you have broken the covenant, I am saying, let it be far from Me." Eli's carelessness annulled the covenant God made with his ancestor, Phinehas. As a result of the broken covenant, God's hedge of protection departed from Eli's household, and his two sons died on the same day. When Eli heard the news of their death, he also died that same day, along with the wife of one of his sons. This illustrates the importance of a covenant and that the consequence of breaking one is usually death.

    The death of a person who is a party to a covenant typically releases such a person from fulfilling his or her part in the covenant; however, God remains faithful to His covenants, even after a person He is in covenant with dies. Deuteronomy 7:9 says that He keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments to the thousandth generation. Exodus 34:7 tells us that He keeps mercy for thousands. When you keep your covenant with God, it will extend to your descendants. When God promised Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:18), that promise found its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, who came 42 generations after Abraham, approximately 2,000 years later. When God promised David that he would always have a seed to sit on the throne (Psalm 89:3-4,29), He never broke His side of the covenant. That covenant was also fulfilled in Jesus.

    Beloved, remain faithful to your covenant with God, for in doing so, you will release immeasurable blessings upon yourself and your descendants for generations to come.

    KEY POINT:
    God is faithful; He never breaks His covenants.

    BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
    JEREMIAH 51 - 52

    AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

    HYMNAL 11 - STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST OUR KING
    1. Standing on the promises of Christ our King, Thro' eternal ages



    ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL
    FRIDAY, 21ST AUGUST, 2026
    *BREAKING COVENANTS I*

    1.Father, You are the faithful God; the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, the covenant keeping God.

    2.Father, thank You for Your faithfulness from generation to generation; You never break Your covenant because You are not a man that will lie or repent of his words.

    3.Father, please help me not to break Your covenant or fail to fulfill my own part of Your covenant with me. Help me not to be careless in my walk with You, in Jesus' name.

    4.Father, please help me never to break Your covenant so that Your hedge of protection will not depart from my household, in Jesus' name.

    5.Father, please help me not to ignore the correction and discipline on the children You have given me so they won't miss Your covenant for their lives, in Jesus' name.

    6.Father, please help me to be faithful to Your covenant throughout my living, and never to compromise at any point in time, in Jesus' name.

    7.Father, please let my love for You be on the increase daily and help me to keep Your commandments for an extension of the blessings of Your covenant to my descendants, in Jesus' name.

    8.Father, please let the promises in Your covenant find fulfillment in my life and in the lives of my children's children, in Jesus' name.

    9.Father, please help me to remain faithful in your covenant; please release Your immense blessings upon my life and on my descendants, in Jesus' name.

    10.Father, please show me Your mercy, and help me to repent in any area I have broken Your covenant, in Jesus' name.

    11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.

    Help him never to break Your covenant, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name

    ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name.

    ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.

    ‎14.Your personal petitions.
    ‎(Philippians 4:6)

    ‎15.In Jesus name I pray.
    ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

    #GodBlessOurNation

    *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.
    OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: BREAKING COVENANTS, PART 1 MEMORIZE: "But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?" Ezekiel 17:15 (KJV) BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 2:27-31 27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? 28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? 29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. MESSAGE: God is faithful; He never breaks His promises, nor does He go back on His word. James 1:17 says that there is no variableness nor shadow of turning with Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He never breaks His covenants. However, if a fellow breaks a covenant he or she has made with God, then God is under no obligation to keep His part of the covenant. In Numbers 25:6-13, God made a covenant of eternal priesthood with Phinehas, Eleazar's son, because, in his zeal for the Lord, he struck a man and his concubine dead. However, in today's Bible reading, God told Eli, "I entered into a covenant that you and your father's house will stand before Me forever, but since you have broken the covenant, I am saying, let it be far from Me." Eli's carelessness annulled the covenant God made with his ancestor, Phinehas. As a result of the broken covenant, God's hedge of protection departed from Eli's household, and his two sons died on the same day. When Eli heard the news of their death, he also died that same day, along with the wife of one of his sons. This illustrates the importance of a covenant and that the consequence of breaking one is usually death. The death of a person who is a party to a covenant typically releases such a person from fulfilling his or her part in the covenant; however, God remains faithful to His covenants, even after a person He is in covenant with dies. Deuteronomy 7:9 says that He keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments to the thousandth generation. Exodus 34:7 tells us that He keeps mercy for thousands. When you keep your covenant with God, it will extend to your descendants. When God promised Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:18), that promise found its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, who came 42 generations after Abraham, approximately 2,000 years later. When God promised David that he would always have a seed to sit on the throne (Psalm 89:3-4,29), He never broke His side of the covenant. That covenant was also fulfilled in Jesus. Beloved, remain faithful to your covenant with God, for in doing so, you will release immeasurable blessings upon yourself and your descendants for generations to come. KEY POINT: God is faithful; He never breaks His covenants. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 51 - 52 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 11 - STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST OUR KING 1. Standing on the promises of Christ our King, Thro' eternal ages ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY, 21ST AUGUST, 2026 *BREAKING COVENANTS I* ‎ 1.Father, You are the faithful God; the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, the covenant keeping God. 2.Father, thank You for Your faithfulness from generation to generation; You never break Your covenant because You are not a man that will lie or repent of his words. 3.Father, please help me not to break Your covenant or fail to fulfill my own part of Your covenant with me. Help me not to be careless in my walk with You, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me never to break Your covenant so that Your hedge of protection will not depart from my household, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help me not to ignore the correction and discipline on the children You have given me so they won't miss Your covenant for their lives, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to be faithful to Your covenant throughout my living, and never to compromise at any point in time, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please let my love for You be on the increase daily and help me to keep Your commandments for an extension of the blessings of Your covenant to my descendants, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please let the promises in Your covenant find fulfillment in my life and in the lives of my children's children, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to remain faithful in your covenant; please release Your immense blessings upon my life and on my descendants, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please show me Your mercy, and help me to repent in any area I have broken Your covenant, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him never to break Your covenant, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.
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  • *1 Kings 11:1
    But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;* From the "God is an Artist " Project: The strange women/men in a married person's life are often the single friends who didpise other singles. Self-control is a skill everyone should have. Don't let your god become immorality. Make your country great again by returning to God's terms. Awake:
    https://youtu.be/al09H0IH2bE?si=vKZgS1hvMMGdewiZ https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BVTDeqZhR/ Jehu: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1B4PDsdXNc/ Proof: https://youtu.be/s0qGt0dspCY?si=5yOdr0bCGgAyjGgl Iran Prophecy: https://youtu.be/3eont1dBolU?si=w0JBBXeD-AgNcH-d Trump Prophecies: https://youtu.be/EhXwbcGSKJ8?si=NWKa0pS7UNLXfljY
    Media: https://share.google/LXCeKfdMW4JZp2iaA
    Related Links: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEsxcI2kNFoEp8VAq3n https://www.facebook.com/share/17mff8ymQK/ https://www.tiktok.com/[shanehanley75]?_r=1&_t=ZS-94g4mk1bA7G*
    *1 Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;* From the "God is an Artist 😍" Project: The strange women/men in a married person's life are often the single friends who didpise other singles. Self-control is a skill everyone should have. Don't let your god become immorality. Make your country great again by returning to God's terms. Awake: ”https://youtu.be/al09H0IH2bE?si=vKZgS1hvMMGdewiZ https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BVTDeqZhR/ Jehu: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1B4PDsdXNc/ Proof: https://youtu.be/s0qGt0dspCY?si=5yOdr0bCGgAyjGgl Iran Prophecy: https://youtu.be/3eont1dBolU?si=w0JBBXeD-AgNcH-d Trump Prophecies: https://youtu.be/EhXwbcGSKJ8?si=NWKa0pS7UNLXfljY Media: https://share.google/LXCeKfdMW4JZp2iaA Related Links: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEsxcI2kNFoEp8VAq3n https://www.facebook.com/share/17mff8ymQK/ https://www.tiktok.com/[shanehanley75]?_r=1&_t=ZS-94g4mk1bA7G*
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  • The Faith of our Fathers

    What Does it Mean to Have the "Faith of Our Fathers"?

    When we open Hebrews 11 often called God’s "Hall of Faith" we aren't just reading ancient history. We are looking at a masterclass on how to walk with God in a hostile world.

    Looking closely at Hebrews 11:23–28, we see the faith of Moses and his parents. Their lives reveal 3 core characteristics of real faith and an actionable model we can live by today: S.E.E.F.

    Let’s dive deep into what God’s Word teaches us!

    Characteristics of the Faith of Our Fathers

    1. A Faith That Protects (v. 23)
    "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents..."
    True faith doesn't throw up its hands in fear when society or government laws contradict God. Moses’ parents (Amram and Jochebed) faced a decree from Pharaoh to kill all male babies. Yet, their faith drove them to protect what God had entrusted to them.

    Application: Faith acts as a shield over our families, our calling, and our spiritual lives against the enemy’s attacks.

    2. A Perceiving Faith (v. 23)
    "...because they saw he was a beautiful [proper/special] child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command."
    Physical eyes only see problems; eyes of faith perceive God’s divine purpose. Moses’ parents didn't just see a newborn baby—they perceived by faith that God had a specific destiny for his life. This perception cast out their fear of Pharaoh.

    Application: Faith gives you spiritual vision to see God's plan hidden inside difficult circumstances.

    3. A Faith That Perseveres (v. 24)
    "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter..."
    Notice that Moses' faith matured as he grew up. He didn't just rely on his parents' religion; he developed a personal, enduring faith that stood the test of time and temptation.

    Application: Real faith lasts. It carries you through childhood into adulthood, through changing seasons, and through life's trials.

    The Faith of Moses — The "S.E.E.F." Model

    Moses' life gives us a 4-step blueprint for walking in victorious faith:

    S — Self-denying Faith (v. 24–25)
    Moses gave up royal status, boundless wealth, and the top position in Egypt. Why? Because faith chooses to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin.

    True faith knows when to say "NO" to the world so it can say "YES" to God.

    E — Expectant Faith (v. 26)

    "...esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward."

    • Moses wasn't focused on what he was losing in Egypt; he was focused on what God promised in eternity. Expectant faith keeps its eyes on God's ultimate reward, making present sacrifices feel small.

    Faith measures value by eternity, not by worldly success.

    E — Enduring Faith (v.27)

    "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible."

    Moses faced the rage of the most powerful ruler on Earth, yet he stood firm. How? Because he saw the invisible God as more real than the visible king.

    When you can "see" the Invisible God, you can endure any visible trial.

    F — Faith in God’s Message of Salvation (v. 28–29)

    Moses kept the Passover and applied the blood of the lamb so that the destroyer would not touch Israel. He led the people through the Red Sea by trusting God's word.

    Ultimate faith always anchors itself in God’s plan of salvation through the Blood of the Lamb!

    PERSONAL REFLECTION:
    Faith isn't passive, it protects, perceives, perseveres, denies self, expects God's best, endures hardship, and rests in Salvation.

    Which of these area(s) is God challenging you to grow in this week?


    BibleStudy #Hebrews11 #FaithOfOurFathers #Moses #SpiritualGrowth #WordOfGod #DeepDive #ChristianTeaching
    The Faith of our Fathers What Does it Mean to Have the "Faith of Our Fathers"? When we open Hebrews 11 often called God’s "Hall of Faith" we aren't just reading ancient history. We are looking at a masterclass on how to walk with God in a hostile world. Looking closely at Hebrews 11:23–28, we see the faith of Moses and his parents. Their lives reveal 3 core characteristics of real faith and an actionable model we can live by today: S.E.E.F. Let’s dive deep into what God’s Word teaches us! 👇 Characteristics of the Faith of Our Fathers 1. A Faith That Protects (v. 23) "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents..." True faith doesn't throw up its hands in fear when society or government laws contradict God. Moses’ parents (Amram and Jochebed) faced a decree from Pharaoh to kill all male babies. Yet, their faith drove them to protect what God had entrusted to them. Application: Faith acts as a shield over our families, our calling, and our spiritual lives against the enemy’s attacks. 2. A Perceiving Faith (v. 23) "...because they saw he was a beautiful [proper/special] child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command." Physical eyes only see problems; eyes of faith perceive God’s divine purpose. Moses’ parents didn't just see a newborn baby—they perceived by faith that God had a specific destiny for his life. This perception cast out their fear of Pharaoh. Application: Faith gives you spiritual vision to see God's plan hidden inside difficult circumstances. 3. A Faith That Perseveres (v. 24) "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter..." Notice that Moses' faith matured as he grew up. He didn't just rely on his parents' religion; he developed a personal, enduring faith that stood the test of time and temptation. Application: Real faith lasts. It carries you through childhood into adulthood, through changing seasons, and through life's trials. The Faith of Moses — The "S.E.E.F." Model Moses' life gives us a 4-step blueprint for walking in victorious faith: S — Self-denying Faith (v. 24–25) Moses gave up royal status, boundless wealth, and the top position in Egypt. Why? Because faith chooses to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin. True faith knows when to say "NO" to the world so it can say "YES" to God. E — Expectant Faith (v. 26) "...esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." • Moses wasn't focused on what he was losing in Egypt; he was focused on what God promised in eternity. Expectant faith keeps its eyes on God's ultimate reward, making present sacrifices feel small. Faith measures value by eternity, not by worldly success. E — Enduring Faith (v.27) "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible." Moses faced the rage of the most powerful ruler on Earth, yet he stood firm. How? Because he saw the invisible God as more real than the visible king. When you can "see" the Invisible God, you can endure any visible trial. F — Faith in God’s Message of Salvation (v. 28–29) Moses kept the Passover and applied the blood of the lamb so that the destroyer would not touch Israel. He led the people through the Red Sea by trusting God's word. Ultimate faith always anchors itself in God’s plan of salvation through the Blood of the Lamb! PERSONAL REFLECTION: Faith isn't passive, it protects, perceives, perseveres, denies self, expects God's best, endures hardship, and rests in Salvation. Which of these area(s) is God challenging you to grow in this week? BibleStudy #Hebrews11 #FaithOfOurFathers #Moses #SpiritualGrowth #WordOfGod #DeepDive #ChristianTeaching
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  • Thursday, 20th August, 2026

    TITLE: "THE LORD FIGHTS FOR YOU"

    ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S)

    Deuteronomy 20:4 (KJV) "For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."

    Exodus 14:14 (KJV) "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

    QUOTE TO REFLECT ON

    "When God goes before you, no battle is greater than His power."

    DAY'S REFLECTION

    Life sometimes brings battles we cannot avoid—opposition, difficult circumstances, uncertainty, disappointment, and situations that seem beyond our control. In such moments, God's Word gives us a powerful assurance: we are not fighting alone.

    Deuteronomy 20:4 declares that "the LORD your God is he that goeth with you." The word "goeth" reminds us that God does not send His people into battle and abandon them. He goes with them. His presence gives us courage when circumstances create fear.

    The Scripture also says that God goes with us "to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." This does not mean that believers will never face opposition. Rather, it assures us that our ultimate confidence is in God's power, justice, and ability to deliver. Some battles require our action and obedience; others require us to stand still and allow God to intervene.

    This is exactly what Moses told Israel at the Red Sea in Exodus 14:14: "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Israel was trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army. Humanly speaking, there seemed to be no escape. Yet God was about to demonstrate that an impossible situation was not beyond His ability.

    "Hold your peace" means to remain calm and trust God rather than allowing fear and panic to control you. There are times when our greatest act of faith is to stop worrying, pray, obey God's instructions, and wait for Him to act.

    In everyday life, we may encounter situations where we have done everything within our ability and still see no solution. Such moments remind us that God's power is greater than human limitations. We should not respond with panic, bitterness, or despair. Instead, we should place the matter before God and trust Him for direction and deliverance.

    Today, remember that the battle belongs to the Lord. Do what He requires of you, but do not carry what only He can carry. God goes before you, God stands with you, and God is able to fight for you.

    MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S)

    2 Chronicles 20:15 (KJV) "And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's."

    Psalm 46:1 (KJV) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

    LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS)

    1. God's presence gives us courage in the midst of battles.

    2. We do not have to face every challenge in our own strength.

    3. Faith requires remaining calm when circumstances encourage panic.

    4. Obedience is our responsibility; the ultimate outcome belongs to God.

    5. God is able to bring deliverance even when there seems to be no way out.

    EVERYDAY ACTION

    Pray about your battles, obey God's direction, and refuse to let fear control your response.

    PRAYER

    Heavenly Father, thank You for going with me and fighting for me. Give me peace in every battle, wisdom to obey You, and faith to trust Your power for my deliverance. In Jesus' name, Amen.

    DECLARATION

    The Lord is with me and fights for me. I will not fear or be discouraged. I will remain calm, trust God's power, and walk confidently in His victory. The battle belongs to the Lord! Amen.

    Devotion by

    Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo
    +233 544 295 158

    Follow us on WhatsApp
    https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P
    Thursday, 20th August, 2026 TITLE: "THE LORD FIGHTS FOR YOU" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Deuteronomy 20:4 (KJV) "For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Exodus 14:14 (KJV) "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "When God goes before you, no battle is greater than His power." DAY'S REFLECTION Life sometimes brings battles we cannot avoid—opposition, difficult circumstances, uncertainty, disappointment, and situations that seem beyond our control. In such moments, God's Word gives us a powerful assurance: we are not fighting alone. Deuteronomy 20:4 declares that "the LORD your God is he that goeth with you." The word "goeth" reminds us that God does not send His people into battle and abandon them. He goes with them. His presence gives us courage when circumstances create fear. The Scripture also says that God goes with us "to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." This does not mean that believers will never face opposition. Rather, it assures us that our ultimate confidence is in God's power, justice, and ability to deliver. Some battles require our action and obedience; others require us to stand still and allow God to intervene. This is exactly what Moses told Israel at the Red Sea in Exodus 14:14: "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Israel was trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army. Humanly speaking, there seemed to be no escape. Yet God was about to demonstrate that an impossible situation was not beyond His ability. "Hold your peace" means to remain calm and trust God rather than allowing fear and panic to control you. There are times when our greatest act of faith is to stop worrying, pray, obey God's instructions, and wait for Him to act. In everyday life, we may encounter situations where we have done everything within our ability and still see no solution. Such moments remind us that God's power is greater than human limitations. We should not respond with panic, bitterness, or despair. Instead, we should place the matter before God and trust Him for direction and deliverance. Today, remember that the battle belongs to the Lord. Do what He requires of you, but do not carry what only He can carry. God goes before you, God stands with you, and God is able to fight for you. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) 2 Chronicles 20:15 (KJV) "And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." Psalm 46:1 (KJV) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God's presence gives us courage in the midst of battles. 2. We do not have to face every challenge in our own strength. 3. Faith requires remaining calm when circumstances encourage panic. 4. Obedience is our responsibility; the ultimate outcome belongs to God. 5. God is able to bring deliverance even when there seems to be no way out. EVERYDAY ACTION Pray about your battles, obey God's direction, and refuse to let fear control your response. PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for going with me and fighting for me. Give me peace in every battle, wisdom to obey You, and faith to trust Your power for my deliverance. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION The Lord is with me and fights for me. I will not fear or be discouraged. I will remain calm, trust God's power, and walk confidently in His victory. The battle belongs to the Lord! Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P
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  • Did you know?
    Joseph's wife was Egyptian. Almost nobody talks about her, or how controversial that actually was.
    Genesis chapter forty-one says the Pharaoh himself gave her to Joseph. Her name was Asenath. Her father was the priest of On, the center of Egyptian sun worship, the highest religious position in the country. family that worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, married the daughter of Egypt's top pagan priest.
    No conversion scene. No moment where she rejects her father's gods. Scripture never mentions any of that. She simply becomes his wife, and later, the mother of his two sons.
    Those two sons were Manasseh and Ephraim.
    Genesis chapter forty-eight records something almost nobody talks about either. Jacob personally blessed those two grandsons, placing them equal to Reuben and Simeon, his own original sons. Full inheritance. Full standing. No hesitation.
    Which means the bloodline of a pagan sun priest's daughter became the direct root of two entire tribes of Israel.
    Here's where it gets stranger. Joseph died in Egypt, generations before the Exodus ever happened. But before he died, he made his family promise something. Carry my bones out of this country when you finally leave.
    Genesis chapter fifty records that promise. Exodus chapter thirteen records it kept. Moses himself carried Joseph's bones out of Egypt, centuries later, exactly as promised.
    So the son of an Egyptian priestess didn't walk out of Egypt. Joseph bones did, carried by the very nation his sons helped build.
    Did you know? Joseph's wife was Egyptian. Almost nobody talks about her, or how controversial that actually was. Genesis chapter forty-one says the Pharaoh himself gave her to Joseph. Her name was Asenath. Her father was the priest of On, the center of Egyptian sun worship, the highest religious position in the country. family that worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, married the daughter of Egypt's top pagan priest. No conversion scene. No moment where she rejects her father's gods. Scripture never mentions any of that. She simply becomes his wife, and later, the mother of his two sons. Those two sons were Manasseh and Ephraim. Genesis chapter forty-eight records something almost nobody talks about either. Jacob personally blessed those two grandsons, placing them equal to Reuben and Simeon, his own original sons. Full inheritance. Full standing. No hesitation. Which means the bloodline of a pagan sun priest's daughter became the direct root of two entire tribes of Israel. Here's where it gets stranger. Joseph died in Egypt, generations before the Exodus ever happened. But before he died, he made his family promise something. Carry my bones out of this country when you finally leave. Genesis chapter fifty records that promise. Exodus chapter thirteen records it kept. Moses himself carried Joseph's bones out of Egypt, centuries later, exactly as promised. So the son of an Egyptian priestess didn't walk out of Egypt. Joseph bones did, carried by the very nation his sons helped build.
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  • God can use dreams for many purposes. Here are four biblical ways He speaks through them.

    1 –God Can Impart Through Dreams

    In 1 Kings 3:5–12, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and invited him to ask for whatever he desired. Solomon asked for an understanding heart so that he could lead God’s people well and distinguish between right and wrong. The Lord was pleased with his request and gave him extraordinary wisdom.

    Solomon did not merely dream about God—he encountered God in his dream. What happened while he slept resulted in a genuine impartation that affected his waking life.

    There have been times when I sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence intensely in a dream and then awakened with that same sense of His presence in the room. A dream can become a genuine place of encounter. God can impart wisdom, courage, direction, or spiritual strength through it.

    2 –God Can Reveal the Future Through Dreams

    Genesis 41 records Pharaoh’s troubling dreams and Joseph’s God-given interpretation. The dreams revealed that seven years of prosperity would be followed by seven years of famine. Because God revealed what was coming, Egypt was able to prepare.

    God can reveal future events through dreams. Sometimes, He may show you something before it happens; at other times, He may confirm what He has already been speaking to your heart.

    Years ago, at about age ten, I had a dream in which I saw an old man carrying a load in a "Ghana Must Go" bag. I took the load from the old man and walked with him for a distance. At a point , he asked me to put the load down, and when I did, he opened the bag; it was full of Bibles. He gave me one of them and told me to cherish it. He then said he could carry on from that point. He moved a distance away and vanished into thin air. In another dream at a different time, I was given Genesis 17:1–4. In a third dream, a well-built man in a white robe came to me and gave me a briefcase, telling me to guard it well, as everything in it was for me. I opened it and found a Bible and a white handkerchief with a dove drawn at the center, inscribed with the words "Holy Spirit."

    When I shared these dreams, I was told God would use me. Since then, God has used dreams to show me what lies ahead, what is present, and even what is in the past that needs to be unraveled.

    3 –God Can Reveal Important Information

    After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him it was safe to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:19–20). The dream provided the information Joseph needed for a decision in that moment.

    Daniel also declared, “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future” (Daniel 2:28, NLT).

    The Holy Spirit may reveal a missing piece of information, bring clarity to something you have been sensing, or expose a matter that needs prayer. But dreams must never make you paranoid or suspicious of everyone around you. Do not make accusations or major decisions based on a dream alone. Remain discerning, levelheaded, prayerful, and submitted to Scripture.

    4 –God Can Warn Through Dreams

    God may use a dream to warn you about physical danger, spiritual attack, a damaging decision, or a difficult season ahead. Sometimes a warning calls you to act; other times, it simply calls you to pray and prepare.

    In Genesis 15:12–14, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came over him. God warned him that his descendants would be oppressed for 400 years, but He also promised to judge the nation that enslaved them and bring His people out with great wealth.

    This passage corrects a common misconception: a dream from God will not always feel pleasant. A warning may produce a serious or even troubling emotional response. The presence of a negative emotion does not automatically prove that a dream is not from God. The more important questions are whether the message agrees with Scripture and whether it ultimately leads you toward faith, obedience, prayer, and redemption.

    God bless you!
    God can use dreams for many purposes. Here are four biblical ways He speaks through them. 1 –God Can Impart Through Dreams In 1 Kings 3:5–12, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and invited him to ask for whatever he desired. Solomon asked for an understanding heart so that he could lead God’s people well and distinguish between right and wrong. The Lord was pleased with his request and gave him extraordinary wisdom. Solomon did not merely dream about God—he encountered God in his dream. What happened while he slept resulted in a genuine impartation that affected his waking life. There have been times when I sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence intensely in a dream and then awakened with that same sense of His presence in the room. A dream can become a genuine place of encounter. God can impart wisdom, courage, direction, or spiritual strength through it. 2 –God Can Reveal the Future Through Dreams Genesis 41 records Pharaoh’s troubling dreams and Joseph’s God-given interpretation. The dreams revealed that seven years of prosperity would be followed by seven years of famine. Because God revealed what was coming, Egypt was able to prepare. God can reveal future events through dreams. Sometimes, He may show you something before it happens; at other times, He may confirm what He has already been speaking to your heart. Years ago, at about age ten, I had a dream in which I saw an old man carrying a load in a "Ghana Must Go" bag. I took the load from the old man and walked with him for a distance. At a point , he asked me to put the load down, and when I did, he opened the bag; it was full of Bibles. He gave me one of them and told me to cherish it. He then said he could carry on from that point. He moved a distance away and vanished into thin air. In another dream at a different time, I was given Genesis 17:1–4. In a third dream, a well-built man in a white robe came to me and gave me a briefcase, telling me to guard it well, as everything in it was for me. I opened it and found a Bible and a white handkerchief with a dove drawn at the center, inscribed with the words "Holy Spirit." When I shared these dreams, I was told God would use me. Since then, God has used dreams to show me what lies ahead, what is present, and even what is in the past that needs to be unraveled. 3 –God Can Reveal Important Information After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him it was safe to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:19–20). The dream provided the information Joseph needed for a decision in that moment. Daniel also declared, “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future” (Daniel 2:28, NLT). The Holy Spirit may reveal a missing piece of information, bring clarity to something you have been sensing, or expose a matter that needs prayer. But dreams must never make you paranoid or suspicious of everyone around you. Do not make accusations or major decisions based on a dream alone. Remain discerning, levelheaded, prayerful, and submitted to Scripture. 4 –God Can Warn Through Dreams God may use a dream to warn you about physical danger, spiritual attack, a damaging decision, or a difficult season ahead. Sometimes a warning calls you to act; other times, it simply calls you to pray and prepare. In Genesis 15:12–14, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came over him. God warned him that his descendants would be oppressed for 400 years, but He also promised to judge the nation that enslaved them and bring His people out with great wealth. This passage corrects a common misconception: a dream from God will not always feel pleasant. A warning may produce a serious or even troubling emotional response. The presence of a negative emotion does not automatically prove that a dream is not from God. The more important questions are whether the message agrees with Scripture and whether it ultimately leads you toward faith, obedience, prayer, and redemption. God bless you!
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  • HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Part 6 of 6.
    How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. Continued.
    In both instances, what we experience by-passes the mind or intellect. Both the witness within our spirits, and the inner voice of the Holy Spirit may at times go contrary to our personal feelings and emotions" regarding some matter but we will know, nevertheless, what God's will is concerning the situation and what we should do. Feelings and emotions can deceive or confuse us if we rely entirely upon them, for this is the realm in which both Satan and the intellect reign; whereas the enlightened spirit of a Christian, and the voice of God's Spirit within will always guide us correctly if we will listen to them (Jn. 16:13) 1 Cor. 2:10-16; 1 Jn. 2:27).

    Of course, usually what we feel about a situation will be in harmony with what we are inwardly impressed to do, but it is not our feelings or emotions through which God's will is imparted to us.
    Inasmuch as God frequently desires to alert us to some spiritual or physical danger, prepare us with regarding some event that is about to occur, or inform us concerning His will about some present or future matter, then it is imperative that we become sensitive to the inner voice of the Spirit if we are to hear Him when He speaks.

    It is a real blessing to be so sensitive to the Spirit's voice that you know when you are moving in the will of God. Being yielded to the Spirit is the secret of being "fruitful in every good work."
    When we are fully yielded to Him, and sensitive to His voice, then we can always move with Him, fulfilling God's will, and we will not have to waste time planning and scheming, or running all over the place hoping that we are doing God's will and fulfilling His purpose.

    By Prophecy
    Occasionally God will inform us of His will regarding some matter, or concerning some problem about which we are praying, through prophecy or the ministry gift of the prophet. Generally, this will be a confirmation of what He has already been speaking inwardly to us about, and not the giving of guidance by prophecy as such.

    It cannot be overemphasized that it is God's purpose to lead the Christian inwardly by His Spirit or the inward witness (Rom. 8:14; 1 Cor. 2:14-16). Christians are not to seek guidance through prophecy or visions, inasmuch as some people have been misdirected or led astray, sometimes with serious consequences, on the basis of an alleged prophecy or revelation given to them by some overzealous individual who felt that he (or she) had an anointing to "prophesy" to them. In one case a minister who was sure that he had been led of the Spirit to leave a certain church to minister in another place was then prophesied to by a self-appointed prophetess and told that the Lord wanted him to return to the former church which he had recently left.

    This left him thoroughly confused as to what he was supposed to do, not knowing which of the two conflicting "revelations" was from the Lord. In two other instances, certain individuals who were seeking guidance were informed by overzealous Christians with an "anointing" that they were to move to a certain city and state as this was God's will for them. In neither case was the guidance from the Lord. Some Christians have actually been appointed to some office such as prophet, teacher, elder, or evangelist, and some Christian groups have been set in "divine order" by misguided individuals who interpret emotional feeling, spiritual enthusiasm, or actual delusion by Satan, as an anointing to prophesy. In other instances, a genuine anointing to speak in tongues or to minister the simple gift of prophecy to the church for "edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:3) was misdirected to some particular individual and ended up as personal guidance coming forth from their own spirits instead of the Holy Spirit.

    In another instance, a woman "prophesied" to the leader of a group that it was time to discontinue teaching them, as God wanted them to begin to stand on their own feet without teaching. Shortly after his ministry was terminated, the leader of the group realized the mistake and contacted him three times wanting to know if he thought the prophecy had been genuine, inasmuch as it was obvious to all that they had not reached such a place of spiritual maturity where they no longer needed Biblical teaching.

    Christians should not seek guidance by prophecy or visions. We have reference here only to the attempt to seek or give guidance by means of personal prophecy or revelation through some over zealous individual, not to prophecy and visions in general which God does give to His Church for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor.14:3; Joel 2:28-29). Occasionally, God Himself chooses to speak to us through prophecy and vision in order to lead us, but in every case it will be in harmony with His Word, and it will authenticated by the fact that it is usually a confirmation of what the Spirit has already shown to us personally. Also, occasionally, prophecy becomes the means by which God leads us in order to fulfill His will about some important matter.

    By Scriptural Teaching;
    One of the most important channels through which God desires to speak to His people and reveal His will to them is one that few people recognize and appreciate as they should, and that is through the ministry of biblical teaching.

    Frequently, in a meeting people will come and ask for an appointment for spiritual counseling concerning some question or problem confronting them. Instead, they should first plan to attend all the teaching sessions, inasmuch as God has sent this ministry into their midst at this time to help solve such problems as this for which they feel they need counseling, and that He often gives the necessary guidance through the teaching.

    On several occasions people who have taken such advice have come afterward and stated that they no longer were in need of counseling as God had given them the answers they needed through the teaching ministry. Certainly God knows the various problems and needs of His people, and that it would be impossible for any one minister to deal with everyone individually who requests counseling and help. Therefore, through the teaching ministry He provides the solution for those who are willing to pay the cost of sacrificing some of their time and interest in other things to avail themselves of it. Sadly, there are some individuals who will not do this. They will insist that you give them individual attention and special time, as they believe that their problems are of such a nature to warrant it, but at the same time they will not avail themselves of the ministry God has sent into their midst to help them.

    It is useless to expect God to give you special guidance and revelation about some matter when you do not avail yourself of the biblical ministry that He is sending into your locality for precisely this purpose. Your problems and the decisions you must make are not really much different from those of most other Christians. It is only because they affect you personally that you think this. And even if your problems were unusually different, nevertheless, there are certain spiritual principles set forth in God's Word which can be brought forth through teaching which will show you how to deal with your situation and what your responsibility is with regard to it. We have found this to be true time and again. For example, some faith principle which can be applied for healing a disease can also be used to solve a financial or marital problem, if you know what it is and how to apply it. But one must be willing to avail himself of the teaching ministry and literature available in order to learn these truths, for "faith cometh by hearing the Word" (Rom. 10:17).

    For instance, such passages as Matthew 18:19, Mark 11:22-24; John 14:14; 1 John 5:14-15; Philippians 4:19, and Psalm 37:4 have almost limitless potential for fulfilling practically any need
    of every description when the believer knows how to apply them and accepts their validity for today. For the thousands who accept the responsibility of learning how to live and walk by
    faith themselves, they discover that they are able, not only to help themselves, but also liberate others from their problems and oppression. God desires for us to mature to the place where we do not constantly need to be ministered to, but can minister to others and their needs.

    Through Circumstances;
    Sometimes God confirms His will to us through circumstances, controlling or changing events in such a way that we are able to recognize His providential hand at work to fulfill His purpose
    in our lives.

    God informed Abraham that his descendants would spend 400 years in Egypt before He would bring them forth to inherit the Promised Land (Gen. 15). At the time God told him this, Abraham did not have a single descendant, for as yet Isaac had not been born. From this time, we see God beginning to bring His will for Israel to pass through the providential control of circumstances and events. Twenty-five years later Isaac is born by a miracle to Sarah, who is barren. His son Jacob in turn has twelve sons, one of whom is Joseph, his favorite.

    Because of envy his brothers sell him into slavery into Egypt, which begins a new phase of the fulfillment of God's plan to get Abraham's descendants into Egypt, a famine later compelling Jacob and all of his descendants to migrate there to live. After several years of hardship and adversity, Joseph had been miraculously elevated to a high position in Egypt by Pharaoh, a divine foresight to prepare the way for the Israelites. Thus, their arrival in Egypt was no accident, nor were they merely victims of circumstances, but we are clearly shown the providential control of God throughout, a fact which Joseph himself discerned (Gen. 50:20).

    The fulfillment of God's plan for our lives often depends, to some degree at least, upon our awareness of His providential working and controlling our daily affairs and experiences.
    As stated previously, God's plan for your life did not begin when you were born or when you were converted, but the Scriptures declare that the believer was chosen in Christ before the
    foundation of the world and called to fulfill His glorious plan and purpose (Rom. 8:28-30, Eph. 1:3-6), Moreover, God has often been working in the circumstances of your life for months or years before He reveals some aspect of His purpose to you. We are not to seek guidance by asking God to reveal His will to us through outward circumstances generally, but as we pray for His leading, usually He will impress upon us what course of action to take. Frequently, He will then confirm this inward leading through circumstances and events in our lives, which, if we are spiritually observant enough, can be discerned.

    CONCLUSION.
    We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
    of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Col. 1:9) The Apostle prays.
    It is not sufficient just to have a knowledge of God's will, but as the quotation above indicates, we must also have spiritual wisdom and understanding to be able to apply it and profit from it. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly and effectively. Solomon knew God's will for his life - he was chosen to be the King of Israel. But he was also aware that if he was to succeed in this task and fulfill God's will as he should, then he would need more than mere human wisdom and the limited understanding man acquires through study and by experience so he prayed for the impartation of divine wisdom, discernment, and understanding.

    Thus, it is one thing to know God's will; it is another to have the wisdom and understanding to apply it. A man may know a very great deal, and yet not be a wise man. Occasionally, for example, we see a student who graduates from college with a high academic standing sometimes fail completely in some career or profession which he has chosen, simply because he lacks the wisdom to apply his knowledge in a practical way to his life.

    A wise Christian, therefore, is not just one who knows His Lord's will, but he is one who also understands how to use this knowledge in the proper place, in the proper way, and at the
    proper time. For instance, every believer knows, on the basis of Jesus' clear teaching in John 15, that the Christian is called to "bear fruit." But the mere possession of the knowledge of this fact does not impart to the believer the wisdom to accomplish it, for the churches are literally exhausting themselves in all manner of religious programs and activities in an effort to accomplish God's will in this regard, without any significant achievement.

    It is one thing for the Christian to know that he has been called to bear fruit, but only the Holy Spirit can reveal to him the understanding that it is not in doing, but in dying that we bear fruit (Jn. 12:24). Paul's prayer is that "you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ... being fruitful in every good work" (Col. 1:9-10), revealing, thereby, that fruitfulness does not lie merely in knowing God's will, but also in possessing the spiritual wisdom and understanding to apply it. As was shown earlier, fruitfulness is not merely religious activity, such as serving in two or three offices in the church, visiting as many homes as possible in the
    community to invite people to church, giving out tracts, busyness with churchwork, attending all the services, reading the Bible through at least once a year, and so on. Fruitfulness does not come by religious commotion, but through crucifixion; not by doing, but by dying. God calls no one to work for Him, but to learn to move with Him. This truth is not something one can discern with reason or intellect, but comes as a result of the impartation of divine wisdom and understanding to those who ask for it, "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6 ).

    Again, it is one thing to know that the believer is called to experience a measure of trials and tests of his faith (1 Pet. 2:19f; Jam. 1:2-4), but human wisdom will never help him to see the eternal purpose in those trials, nor enable him to respond in such a way that he will profit and not lose by such sufferings and testing. It requires divine wisdom and understanding to meet temptations, and to bear trials, so that such testing, instead of depressing and defeating the believer, will be able to accomplish God's will and purpose in his life. It requires divine understanding for him to see that Romans 8:28 is valid for him in time of trial and adversity, as well as in time of prosperity and blessing.

    Thus, when you seek a knowledge of God's will for your life, and for making decisions in important matters, also ask Him for wisdom and spiritual understanding to apply the knowledge He imparts to you, for the Scriptures tell us–
    Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Prov. 4:7). Amen and amen! Edited. Shared.

    God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
    ❤️HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Part 6 of 6. How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. Continued. In both instances, what we experience by-passes the mind or intellect. Both the witness within our spirits, and the inner voice of the Holy Spirit may at times go contrary to our personal feelings and emotions" regarding some matter but we will know, nevertheless, what God's will is concerning the situation and what we should do. Feelings and emotions can deceive or confuse us if we rely entirely upon them, for this is the realm in which both Satan and the intellect reign; whereas the enlightened spirit of a Christian, and the voice of God's Spirit within will always guide us correctly if we will listen to them (Jn. 16:13) 1 Cor. 2:10-16; 1 Jn. 2:27). Of course, usually what we feel about a situation will be in harmony with what we are inwardly impressed to do, but it is not our feelings or emotions through which God's will is imparted to us. Inasmuch as God frequently desires to alert us to some spiritual or physical danger, prepare us with regarding some event that is about to occur, or inform us concerning His will about some present or future matter, then it is imperative that we become sensitive to the inner voice of the Spirit if we are to hear Him when He speaks. It is a real blessing to be so sensitive to the Spirit's voice that you know when you are moving in the will of God. Being yielded to the Spirit is the secret of being "fruitful in every good work." When we are fully yielded to Him, and sensitive to His voice, then we can always move with Him, fulfilling God's will, and we will not have to waste time planning and scheming, or running all over the place hoping that we are doing God's will and fulfilling His purpose. By Prophecy Occasionally God will inform us of His will regarding some matter, or concerning some problem about which we are praying, through prophecy or the ministry gift of the prophet. Generally, this will be a confirmation of what He has already been speaking inwardly to us about, and not the giving of guidance by prophecy as such. It cannot be overemphasized that it is God's purpose to lead the Christian inwardly by His Spirit or the inward witness (Rom. 8:14; 1 Cor. 2:14-16). Christians are not to seek guidance through prophecy or visions, inasmuch as some people have been misdirected or led astray, sometimes with serious consequences, on the basis of an alleged prophecy or revelation given to them by some overzealous individual who felt that he (or she) had an anointing to "prophesy" to them. In one case a minister who was sure that he had been led of the Spirit to leave a certain church to minister in another place was then prophesied to by a self-appointed prophetess and told that the Lord wanted him to return to the former church which he had recently left. This left him thoroughly confused as to what he was supposed to do, not knowing which of the two conflicting "revelations" was from the Lord. In two other instances, certain individuals who were seeking guidance were informed by overzealous Christians with an "anointing" that they were to move to a certain city and state as this was God's will for them. In neither case was the guidance from the Lord. Some Christians have actually been appointed to some office such as prophet, teacher, elder, or evangelist, and some Christian groups have been set in "divine order" by misguided individuals who interpret emotional feeling, spiritual enthusiasm, or actual delusion by Satan, as an anointing to prophesy. In other instances, a genuine anointing to speak in tongues or to minister the simple gift of prophecy to the church for "edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Cor. 14:3) was misdirected to some particular individual and ended up as personal guidance coming forth from their own spirits instead of the Holy Spirit. In another instance, a woman "prophesied" to the leader of a group that it was time to discontinue teaching them, as God wanted them to begin to stand on their own feet without teaching. Shortly after his ministry was terminated, the leader of the group realized the mistake and contacted him three times wanting to know if he thought the prophecy had been genuine, inasmuch as it was obvious to all that they had not reached such a place of spiritual maturity where they no longer needed Biblical teaching. Christians should not seek guidance by prophecy or visions. We have reference here only to the attempt to seek or give guidance by means of personal prophecy or revelation through some over zealous individual, not to prophecy and visions in general which God does give to His Church for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor.14:3; Joel 2:28-29). Occasionally, God Himself chooses to speak to us through prophecy and vision in order to lead us, but in every case it will be in harmony with His Word, and it will authenticated by the fact that it is usually a confirmation of what the Spirit has already shown to us personally. Also, occasionally, prophecy becomes the means by which God leads us in order to fulfill His will about some important matter. By Scriptural Teaching; One of the most important channels through which God desires to speak to His people and reveal His will to them is one that few people recognize and appreciate as they should, and that is through the ministry of biblical teaching. Frequently, in a meeting people will come and ask for an appointment for spiritual counseling concerning some question or problem confronting them. Instead, they should first plan to attend all the teaching sessions, inasmuch as God has sent this ministry into their midst at this time to help solve such problems as this for which they feel they need counseling, and that He often gives the necessary guidance through the teaching. On several occasions people who have taken such advice have come afterward and stated that they no longer were in need of counseling as God had given them the answers they needed through the teaching ministry. Certainly God knows the various problems and needs of His people, and that it would be impossible for any one minister to deal with everyone individually who requests counseling and help. Therefore, through the teaching ministry He provides the solution for those who are willing to pay the cost of sacrificing some of their time and interest in other things to avail themselves of it. Sadly, there are some individuals who will not do this. They will insist that you give them individual attention and special time, as they believe that their problems are of such a nature to warrant it, but at the same time they will not avail themselves of the ministry God has sent into their midst to help them. It is useless to expect God to give you special guidance and revelation about some matter when you do not avail yourself of the biblical ministry that He is sending into your locality for precisely this purpose. Your problems and the decisions you must make are not really much different from those of most other Christians. It is only because they affect you personally that you think this. And even if your problems were unusually different, nevertheless, there are certain spiritual principles set forth in God's Word which can be brought forth through teaching which will show you how to deal with your situation and what your responsibility is with regard to it. We have found this to be true time and again. For example, some faith principle which can be applied for healing a disease can also be used to solve a financial or marital problem, if you know what it is and how to apply it. But one must be willing to avail himself of the teaching ministry and literature available in order to learn these truths, for "faith cometh by hearing the Word" (Rom. 10:17). For instance, such passages as Matthew 18:19, Mark 11:22-24; John 14:14; 1 John 5:14-15; Philippians 4:19, and Psalm 37:4 have almost limitless potential for fulfilling practically any need of every description when the believer knows how to apply them and accepts their validity for today. For the thousands who accept the responsibility of learning how to live and walk by faith themselves, they discover that they are able, not only to help themselves, but also liberate others from their problems and oppression. God desires for us to mature to the place where we do not constantly need to be ministered to, but can minister to others and their needs. Through Circumstances; Sometimes God confirms His will to us through circumstances, controlling or changing events in such a way that we are able to recognize His providential hand at work to fulfill His purpose in our lives. God informed Abraham that his descendants would spend 400 years in Egypt before He would bring them forth to inherit the Promised Land (Gen. 15). At the time God told him this, Abraham did not have a single descendant, for as yet Isaac had not been born. From this time, we see God beginning to bring His will for Israel to pass through the providential control of circumstances and events. Twenty-five years later Isaac is born by a miracle to Sarah, who is barren. His son Jacob in turn has twelve sons, one of whom is Joseph, his favorite. Because of envy his brothers sell him into slavery into Egypt, which begins a new phase of the fulfillment of God's plan to get Abraham's descendants into Egypt, a famine later compelling Jacob and all of his descendants to migrate there to live. After several years of hardship and adversity, Joseph had been miraculously elevated to a high position in Egypt by Pharaoh, a divine foresight to prepare the way for the Israelites. Thus, their arrival in Egypt was no accident, nor were they merely victims of circumstances, but we are clearly shown the providential control of God throughout, a fact which Joseph himself discerned (Gen. 50:20). The fulfillment of God's plan for our lives often depends, to some degree at least, upon our awareness of His providential working and controlling our daily affairs and experiences. As stated previously, God's plan for your life did not begin when you were born or when you were converted, but the Scriptures declare that the believer was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world and called to fulfill His glorious plan and purpose (Rom. 8:28-30, Eph. 1:3-6), Moreover, God has often been working in the circumstances of your life for months or years before He reveals some aspect of His purpose to you. We are not to seek guidance by asking God to reveal His will to us through outward circumstances generally, but as we pray for His leading, usually He will impress upon us what course of action to take. Frequently, He will then confirm this inward leading through circumstances and events in our lives, which, if we are spiritually observant enough, can be discerned. CONCLUSION. We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Col. 1:9) The Apostle prays. It is not sufficient just to have a knowledge of God's will, but as the quotation above indicates, we must also have spiritual wisdom and understanding to be able to apply it and profit from it. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly and effectively. Solomon knew God's will for his life - he was chosen to be the King of Israel. But he was also aware that if he was to succeed in this task and fulfill God's will as he should, then he would need more than mere human wisdom and the limited understanding man acquires through study and by experience so he prayed for the impartation of divine wisdom, discernment, and understanding. Thus, it is one thing to know God's will; it is another to have the wisdom and understanding to apply it. A man may know a very great deal, and yet not be a wise man. Occasionally, for example, we see a student who graduates from college with a high academic standing sometimes fail completely in some career or profession which he has chosen, simply because he lacks the wisdom to apply his knowledge in a practical way to his life. A wise Christian, therefore, is not just one who knows His Lord's will, but he is one who also understands how to use this knowledge in the proper place, in the proper way, and at the proper time. For instance, every believer knows, on the basis of Jesus' clear teaching in John 15, that the Christian is called to "bear fruit." But the mere possession of the knowledge of this fact does not impart to the believer the wisdom to accomplish it, for the churches are literally exhausting themselves in all manner of religious programs and activities in an effort to accomplish God's will in this regard, without any significant achievement. It is one thing for the Christian to know that he has been called to bear fruit, but only the Holy Spirit can reveal to him the understanding that it is not in doing, but in dying that we bear fruit (Jn. 12:24). Paul's prayer is that "you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ... being fruitful in every good work" (Col. 1:9-10), revealing, thereby, that fruitfulness does not lie merely in knowing God's will, but also in possessing the spiritual wisdom and understanding to apply it. As was shown earlier, fruitfulness is not merely religious activity, such as serving in two or three offices in the church, visiting as many homes as possible in the community to invite people to church, giving out tracts, busyness with churchwork, attending all the services, reading the Bible through at least once a year, and so on. Fruitfulness does not come by religious commotion, but through crucifixion; not by doing, but by dying. God calls no one to work for Him, but to learn to move with Him. This truth is not something one can discern with reason or intellect, but comes as a result of the impartation of divine wisdom and understanding to those who ask for it, "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6 ). Again, it is one thing to know that the believer is called to experience a measure of trials and tests of his faith (1 Pet. 2:19f; Jam. 1:2-4), but human wisdom will never help him to see the eternal purpose in those trials, nor enable him to respond in such a way that he will profit and not lose by such sufferings and testing. It requires divine wisdom and understanding to meet temptations, and to bear trials, so that such testing, instead of depressing and defeating the believer, will be able to accomplish God's will and purpose in his life. It requires divine understanding for him to see that Romans 8:28 is valid for him in time of trial and adversity, as well as in time of prosperity and blessing. Thus, when you seek a knowledge of God's will for your life, and for making decisions in important matters, also ask Him for wisdom and spiritual understanding to apply the knowledge He imparts to you, for the Scriptures tell us– Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Prov. 4:7). Amen and amen! Edited. Shared. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
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