ACTING WITH SPEED - EaglesDevotional by Ayo Oritsejafor

“Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; And make me savory meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.” (Gen 27:3-4)

God saw that Esau’s birthright had been taken away. Being the God of a second chance, He decided to give him another chance to be blessed. So he used Isaac. When Isaac received the instruction to bless Esau, he gave him an assignment.

Isaac, in other words, told Esau to use what he had to get what he wanted. “Use what you have to get what you want,” is by no means a call to lawlessness and sin. Rather, it is a call to use your God-given gift to get God’s blessing.

Esau was slow to understand that God wanted to bless him. He went to the field and didn’t return until Jacob had collected the available blessing. If you don’t understand the Bible, you would think Jacob actually stole Esau’s blessing, but the truth is that as at that time, Esau had married two Hittite women who were a grief of mind unto Isaac and Rebecca. They refused to worship Jehovah, made Esau serve their gods, and drove him far from God’s altar. Jacob was still very close to God’s altar. When an Esau grieves his mother, she turns around to support Jacob.

If you stay close to God’s altar, there is no way he will bless another who is dependent on another altar ahead of you.

Esau demonstrated his lack of understanding of spiritual things. He was slow because he had strayed from God’s altar. You must not be slow when it comes to God’s business.

WORDS OF WISDOM: When an Esau grieves his mother, she turns around to support Jacob.

PRAYER/CONFESSION: Father, give me understanding and speed when it comes to obeying your word, in Jesus’ name.

FURTHER READING: 1 Sam. 21:8, Gen. 26:35

Eagles Devotional is a daily revelatory and inspirational Publication by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the founder and presiding Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Nigeria.

Impediments to Prayer - Open Heavens 28 February 2017: Tuesday daily devotional

Memorise: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: - Psalm 66:18

Read: Isaiah 59:1-4 (KJV)

1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 25-26, Isaiah 47:1-13

MESSAGE:

The fact that God answers prayers is without doubt. Anytime you call on Him, as long as it is in the Name of Jesus, you can be sure the answer will come. Jesus in John 14:14 said,

“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

To God, answering prayers is a question of keeping His word. He said if you call upon Him when you are in trouble, He will deliver you, and He is bound by His word (Psalm 50:15, Hebrews 6:18). There was once a contest between the prophet of God, Elijah, and 450 prophets of an idol called Baal (1 Kings 18:19-24). Each side was to call on their God or god; the goal was to see which side would receive a response by fire. The prophets of Baal called on their god from morning till afternoon, but there was no answer. The moment the man of God called on the Lord, fire fell from heaven. God is still in the business of answering prayers, but are you still in the business of obeying Him? Be assured that God is still in the business of stilling raging storms. If you remove iniquity from your heart, you will call on Him and He will answer and deliver you.

As much as God desires to answer your prayers, if you still enjoy a life of sin, your prayers cannot be answered. We must make conscious efforts to remove all impediments to our prayers. Such impediments include what the Bible describes as “the sin which doth so easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:1). The pleasures of the flesh run against God’s expectations (Galatians 5:17). Such pleasures will not allow us to receive answers to our prayers. We must be weary of gossip because there is great danger in every idle word we speak (Matthew 12:36). Jesting should also be avoided (Ephesians 5:4).Jesting refers to unholy jokes. God is not against laughter and humour as some people wrongly believe. He is pleasantly humorous, but we must keep ourselves from unhealthy jokes that hinder holy living or make fun of the Holy Spirit. The Lord is not just looking for those who are calling on Him for miracles and signs; He is searching for those who will lift up holy hands and a pure heart before Him (Psalm 24:3-5).He is looking for those who are ready and committed to walking in His footsteps. God is holy, and He has called us to holy living. We are to do as He commands because we are the light of the world. God in Heaven is glorified when our light shines in the midst of the darkness of this world. If you don’t want any impediment of your prayers from now on, you must amend your ways. If you have been stealing, repent and steal no more. If you have been involved in questionable transactions and dealings, you have to repent and forsake such ways. If your life is right with God, your prayers will not be hindered.

Action Point: Confess every pleasure of the flesh you have yield to, asking for grace to live above them.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

An Unruly Tongue - DCLM Daily Manna February 28, 2017

Text: Psalm 12:1-8

Key Verse: "They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak" (Psalm 12:2).

Disappointments, disagreements and destructions are some of the tragic occurrences in human history. These are often associated with the misuse of the tongue. Yet, it is quite surprising that many people have not learnt to refrain from unguarded speech. The Psalmist raised some issues that are crucial to the happiness of all people. With genuine concern, he observed the absence of godly and faithful persons whose presence would have sanitized society and enhanced high morality among the people. Alas, their presence bred vanity, flattery, proud talks and oppression.

They say: "With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us" (verse 4). God answered them and rose to the help of the oppressed. It may sometimes take long, but God will not fail to come to the rescue of the oppressed and the less privileged. Instead of destroying lives through thoughtless words, we can bless others. We can comfort and not curse.

We can use this "comely part" to benefit others. Why use your tongue recklessly and risk God’s anger? Remember, "...every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36). Let us bless God and His creatures at all times with our tongue; therein is our blessings.

Thought for the day: Those who have the mastery over the tongue, tame the monster.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Samuel 3-5

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

A Chuckle in the Darkness - Our Daily Bread Devotional, February 28, 2017

Topic: A Chuckle in the Darkness [Tuesday February 28, 2017]

Read: John 11:17–27, Bible in a Year: Numbers 20–22; Mark 7:1–13

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

In a Washington Post article titled “Tech Titans’ Latest Project: Defy Death,” Ariana Cha wrote about the efforts of Peter Thiele and other tech moguls to extend human life indefinitely. They’re prepared to spend billions on the project.

They are a little late. Death has already been defeated! Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25–26). Jesus assures us that those who put their trust in Him will never, ever, under any circumstances whatever, die.

 To be clear, our bodies will die—and there is nothing anyone can do to change that. But the thinking, reasoning, remembering, loving, adventuring part of us that we call “me, myself, and I” will never, ever die.

And here’s the best part: It’s a gift! All you have to do is receive the salvation Jesus offers. C. S. Lewis, musing on this notion, describes it as something like “a chuckle in the darkness”—the sense that something that simple is the answer.

Some say, “It’s too simple.” Well, I say, if God loved you even before you were born and wants you to live with Him forever, why would He make it hard?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I want to accept You as my Lord and Savior and follow You. Please forgive my sins and help me, from this moment on, to live a life that is pleasing to You.

Christ has replaced the dark door of death with the shining gate of life.

Insight:

Often when confronted with death, we are tempted to either deny how painful it is or to live without hope, only seeing the grief. In this passage, Jesus holds together both the horror of death and the sure promise of life. Because death is a tragic distortion of God’s good creation, Jesus as the Resurrection and Life is all that is opposed to it. If we read the whole story of Lazarus’s resurrection, we see a fuller picture of how Jesus responds to death and grief. He is “deeply moved” and “troubled” (John 11:33) and He weeps (v. 35). Seeing death in all its horror, He defiantly overcomes it and raises Lazarus to life. Jesus’s shout, “Lazarus, come out!” (v. 43) points to the hope of our own bodily resurrection.

This message was written By David Roper [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

He Will Lead You - Kenneth Copeland’s daily devotional February 28, 2017

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16

Walking in the spirit. That's the key to overcoming the flesh. If you follow the prompting of the Spirit of God within you, you won't be dominated by the pressure your flesh tries to put on you.

As you listen to the written Word and the Holy Spirit telling you what to do, you'll constantly be making little adjustments in your life according to what He says. And those little adjustments will keep darkness from overtaking you.

You see, God knows just what you need. He can look ahead in your life and see the traps and pressures the devil is laying for you. So follow the Holy Spirit's leading and He will maneuver you safely around them to victory.

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith - prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

Sincerity - Open Heavens 27 February 2017: Monday daily devotional

Memorise: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, - Titus 2:7

Read: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (KJV)

14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 24, Isaiah 46

MESSAGE:

Insincerity is one of the greatest reasons behind the downfall of many believers today. Some people claim to love God, but the kind of fruit they manifest makes people question the genuineness of their salvation. Loving God is not just by words, it must reflect in all that we do and in our approach to life. The moment we are saved, we should no longer walk as those who are heading for eternal damnation. The word of God must be obeyed in its entirety. There are believers today who cherry-pick the aspects of the Bible they want to obey. This should not be so! After we are saved, it is expected of us to immediately renounce all the hidden things of dishonesty (2 Corinthians 4:2). We cannot afford to be careless in our Christian walk, because we have an adversary (1 Peter 5:8). To be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, we must be sincere with ourselves. One of the things that gave David victory over Goliath was his sincerity. Although King Saul offered David his armour, David was sincere enough to admit that he had never tried that approach (1 Samuel 17:38-39). His sincerity made him stick to his familiar strategy of using smooth stones and a catapult, rather than wasting his time on an untested line of attack that would not produce results.

Today, there are many ministers of the gospel who have abandoned the true gospel for a social message. They believe that people are not interested in hearing the truth. This is false! Some believe that if they preach the true gospel to people, they will find it very hard and most will turn away, hence, they water down their messages. Such ministers need to learn from Jesus(John 6:60-67). If Samson had been sincere with himself, he would not have died the kind of death he died (Judges 16:21-30).The devil had tested Samson several times and had found out that he had no wisdom. Samson knew he had a weakness for women, but he refused to admit it. He felt things would always remain as they were (Judges 16:20). If he was sincere, he would have built a wall of defence between himself and his weaknesses. He kept a relationship he knew God did not approve of. He kept visiting places he should not visit, just like some Christians today who visit bars; even though they know ungodly things happen there. Are you finding it difficult to stop stealing, yet you still join others in counting offering money? Are you finding it difficult to keep your eyes off your female secretary, despite speaking in tongues, and yet you have not eased her out? Are you competing with the grace of God in other people’s lives, despite the fact that God has told you your own area of strength? If any of these describes you, then you are not being sincere with yourself!

Prayer Point: Father, grant me the grace to sincerely deal with every weakness in my life.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Two Destinies, One Way - DCLM Daily Manna February 27, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi

Text: Matthew 7:13-20

Key Verse: "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:14).

One of the difficulties travelers on first visit usually face is finding their way. The difficulty becomes complex if the traveler comes to a crossroads where he/she has to take a decision which way to go. At such a time, it becomes imperative to seek a guide. The same is true of every person who is a stranger in the journey of life. Two ways are before us all. One is straight and narrow which leads to eternal life; the other is broad with a wide gate. The first way leads to eternal life with God but the latter to hell with Satan.

The text gives an example of broadway travelers - the false prophets and their followers. These are easily identified by the evil fruit they bear. Their evil character and conduct are manifest to them, to onlookers and God. Jesus Christ is the true and only way to life. To find Him, you must humble yourself, turn from your sins and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. That is why the way is narrow but not impassable. When you come on this way, your life is transformed and you are able to bear fruit of righteousness. You cannot be born into this way nor come on it by good works. Entrance is only through repentance and faith in Christ.

The broadway is the way of the world. It is so wide that there is no restraint. All men are born into it. Broadway travelers are also known by the works of the flesh they manifest. The choice is yours today, and your choice will ultimately determine where you will spend eternity; either in hell or in heaven. Are you on the narrow or on the broadway? Are you living a righteous or sinful life? If you are still on the broadway, it is not difficult to come into the narrow way. Jesus has paid the price for your redemption. Come now, for all things are ready for you.

Thought for the day: The way of the cross leads home.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Samuel 1-2

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Ring of Invisibility - Our Daily Bread Devotional, February 27, 2017

Topic: Ring of Invisibility [Monday February 27, 2017]

Read: John 3:16–21, Bible in a Year:Numbers 17–19; Mark 6:30–56

Everyone who does evil hates the light.John 3:20

The Greek philosopher Plato (c. 427–c. 348 bc) found an imaginative way of shining light on the dark side of the human heart. He told the story of a shepherd who innocently discovered a golden ring that had been hidden deep in the earth. One day a great earthquake opened up an ancient mountainside tomb and revealed the ring to the shepherd. By accident he also discovered that the ring had the magical ability to enable the wearer to become invisible at will. Thinking about invisibility, Plato raised this question: If people didn’t have to worry about being caught and punished, would they resist doing wrong?

In John’s gospel we find Jesus taking this idea in a different direction. There, Jesus, known as the Good Shepherd, speaks of hearts that stay in the cover of darkness to hide what they are doing (John 3:19–20). He isn’t calling attention to our desire for cover-up to condemn us, but to offer us salvation through Him (v. 17). As the Shepherd of our hearts, He brings the worst of our human nature to light to show us how much God loves us (v. 16).

God in His mercy calls us out of our darkness and invites us to follow Him in the light.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the light of Your presence in my life. May I walk obediently in the light of Your truth in all that I do this day.

Sin’s darkness retreats when Christ’s light is revealed.

Insight:

Often we think of judgment and eternal life as primarily future realities, but John’s gospel emphasizes that each person experiences either judgment or eternal life now, based on how we respond to Jesus. People experience judgment, are “judged already” (v. 18), when they reject Jesus—through the pain and emptiness of life outside of the fellowship of God. This judgment is not because God is eager to judge. If He was, He would not have sent Jesus (v. 17). Jesus was a pure gift from the heart of a God who loves His creation (v. 16). Those who reject Jesus condemn themselves by rejecting the only solution to the evil and brokenness in the world (v. 18), choosing darkness when God has made His light freely available in Jesus (vv. 19–20). But when anyone turns to Jesus, they experience life—overwhelming, overflowing, abundant life (see 4:14, 10:10).

Questions to consider: Why do we sometimes struggle to believe that God is more eager to show us love than judgment? How can we be more rooted in Christ’s love?

This message was written By Mart DeHaan [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Better Things to Come - Kenneth Copeland’s daily devotional February 27, 2017

But [God's grace] is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel - 2 Timothy 1:10

Have you ever wondered what it will be like when your body dies and you go on to heaven? Well, according to the Word, when that time comes, this flesh and blood tent you live in will die, but you won't feel a thing. You'll just take off the cloak of your flesh, lay it down and go to a better place.

Believers who have died and come back say that they have no sensation of loss—no sting. Their minds stay intact, and they even have arms and legs, but they are spirit and not flesh. One man said he couldn't even tell he wasn't in his body until he tried to grasp something. His hand would just go right through the material object. He was spirit and not flesh.

According to the Apostle Paul, to be absent from the body is to be present with God (2 Corinthians 5:1). So, when God calls you home, you'll just abandon your fleshly body and go to be with Him forever.

It's interesting though. God doesn't even refer to our old, abandoned bodies as being dead. He says they're just asleep. Why? Because He knows that just as sleep is temporary, so is the death of the body. He's planned a day when our sleeping bodies will be awakened and raised up in glory just like Jesus' was.

Hallelujah! There's coming a day when not only our spirits have victory over death, our physical bodies do too!

Death is not the "end" for you. It's only a change to a better place!

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith - prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

Hypocritical? - Open Heavens 26 February 2017: Sunday daily devotional

Memorise: But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Matthew 22:18

Read: Luke 11:37-44 (KJV)

37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 21:23, Isaiah 45:14-25

MESSAGE:

One of the characteristics which the Holy Spirit warns us will be rife in the last days is hypocrisy (1 Timothy 4:2). No wonder the Lord Jesus Christ made it very clear that many who expect to be granted access through the pearly gates will be turned back on the last day (Luke 13:24-27). Do you know that many bishops, pastors, general overseers, apostles, etc who are professing Christ today will not make it on the day of judgement? May that not be your lot in Jesus’ Name. To prevent this from happening to you, you need to periodically examine yourself to see if you are still in the faith, as received from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says,

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Ask yourself if your name is still written in the Book of Life. Does the Spirit of God still bear witness with your spirit that you are a bona fide child of God? Is your conscience free from guilt and dead works? Can the devil and his agents testify that truly, you are no longer in their camp? Don’t pretend to be a child of God when you know you are on your way to perdition.

The greatest challenges Jesus had with the Pharisees was the issue of their mindset. They appeared to have good intentions, but it was all a lie. Jesus knew the state of their hearts. The human heart is like a computer. Whatever you feed it with will determine what comes out of it. The heart of a man is what shapes his destiny. The reason why some people come to church and are still not blessed is the state of their heart. Their hypocritical hearts are hardened, and so they cannot receive anything from God. If the Pharisees had allowed the message of Jesus Christ to penetrate their hearts, their perception would have been different. If you allow God to work on your heart, your breakthrough will be immeasurable. Our heart is a reflection of who we are. Every time Jesus performed a miracle, instead of being happy that someone in need had received help from God, the Scribes and Pharisees would rather question by what authority He did it (John 9:13-27, Luke 20:1-2). That is what a hypocritical heart looks like. I wish we all knew that God is watching not just our actions but also our motives. He hears and watches everything we do behind closed doors. There is nothing hidden from Him that will not be exposed on the last day. Hypocrites know how to find faults in the lives of others, but their own lives are like sepulchres which appear beautiful on the outside but are full of dead men’s bones (Matthew 23:27). God wants us to reflect a life of righteousness and transparency, a life that radiates the glory of God, a life of virtue and of good works.

Prayer Point: Father, deliver me from all forms of self-deception.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Click HERE to DOWNLOAD Daily Open Heavens Devotional from January to December 2016.

DO NOT DESPISE YOUR BIRTHRIGHT - EaglesDevotional by Ayo Oritsejafor

“And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? … “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.” (Gen. 25:31, 32 &34)

It all appeared uneventful. Esau ate, got up, and went his way, thinking he had eaten ordinary pottage. But something had already happened in the spirit realm. The fact that something is not physical doesn’t mean it cannot happen. He ate the food that became his albatross.

Esau was slow of spiritual understanding while Jacob knew better. Esau said, “Feed me … with that same red pottage….” (Gen 25:30) Esau was in the habit of eating Jacob’s food for free. Jacob must have thought, “You can’t continue eating my pottage for free; you must have to give me something in return.” That was why he asked for Esau’s birthright. Do you see what food can do? Jacob knew the value of the birthright and had been waiting for the right opportunity to get in the real world the manifestation of the battle he won in the womb.

Jesus said in Luke 24:25, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”

How well Scriptures work for you depend on how fast you are at understanding and believing in what it says. Some people hear the Word of God, believe it, apply it to their lives, and get results. Others hear it, are slow to believe it, and like Esau, just eat the pottage and go their way, not knowing the spiritual implication of what they have done. Hard as it may sound, the Bible calls someone that is slow of understanding a fool.

WORDS OF WISDOM:  Understanding breeds speed.

PRAYER/CONFESSION:  I refuse to be a fool. I will not sell my birth right, in Jesus’ name.

FURTHER READING: Luke 2:49, 2 Chronicles. 13:10-11

Eagles Devotional is a daily revelatory and inspirational Publication by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the founder and presiding Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Nigeria.

His Extravagant Love - Kenneth Copeland’s daily devotional February 26, 2017

And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. -Deuteronomy 28:2

Some people have very low expectations of what God will provide for them materially. They trust Him to feed and clothe them, but they don't trust Him to feed and clothe them very well!

Somehow they've gotten the idea that God's an old miser who will do little more than put rags on their backs and beans on their tables. But that's not what Jesus told us. He said in Matthew 6 that God would clothe us better than He clothed Solomon. That one statement alone proves that God wants to do more than just meet our basic needs. He wants to bless us abundantly. I know that from personal experience.

A few years ago I came home and found two expensive automobiles parked in my driveway. They'd been given to me to use by men who'd been blessed by the Lord through my ministry.

I was baffled. "Lord," I said, "I didn't need these cars. I hadn't asked You for them, and I wasn't believing for them. What are they doing here?"

Then the Lord spoke up on the inside of me. Have you ever read the scripture in Deuteronomy that says blessings shall come on and overtake those who hearken to My voice?

"Yes," I answered.

Well, son, He said, you've just been overtaken.

Am I saying God gave me those expensive cars just so I could enjoy them? Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying.

First Timothy 6:17 says, "[He] giveth us richly all things to enjoy." God is a loving Father. He gets great pleasure from blessing His children. He's extravagant where we're concerned. But don't let that worry you. He can afford it.

Once you truly believe that and begin to hearken to His voice, it won't be long before His blessings will be overtaking you.

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 10:1-24

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith - prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.