Monday 23 April HEEDING EARLY WARNINGS?

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 2 Corinthians 2:9                                                                                               

Read: Acts 12:18-23

Several people have missed the mark through carelessness and a wrong attitude. One of such persons was Herod (Acts 12:1-23). First, he killed somebody who was very dear to God. Then he locked up another in prison. But with the prison doors intact and all guards in place, the man was nowhere to be found. That was enough to send him some signals that the God of that prisoner was powerful ?nd capable of doing mysterious things. Yet he failed to heed the warning signs. If he had, he would not have got the disgrace of his life. From this we learn that God gives warnings to people through certain deeds to prevent more drastic judgement. The plagues in Egypt are a case in point. The Lord warned a particular minister not to seduce the wife of another believer. He refused to heed the warning and God began to touch his business. Things went bad. As he continued in this evil with the lady. God sent a plague of painful boils which defied treatment to him since the b.id state of his business did not get his attention. After battling with this unsuccessfully, he realised itwas divine judgement so he repented. Gradually as he was getting healed, he tried his evil games again and more boils came back until he finally stopped.

What are the early warning signs God is giving to you that you are paying deaf ears to? Heed God's warning today or a worse thing will come. It may even get to a level that no intercessions for you by any man of God will get God's attention. Be warned! If you are still gossiping and backbiting about your leaders, desist. Miriam did it to Moses and she became leprous. Today, the wombs of some ladies have been shut because of this and that is just an early warning sign because worse judgments will follow if they don't repent. For some people who touch God's anointed, it could be some kind of persistent sickness that defies treatment. Heed the warnings, repent and restitute where necessary and obey God all the way. The sufferings of many believers are self-inflicted and can therefore be easily lifted through obedience to the Word.

KEY POINT:

Disobedience is a major cause of affliction among God's children. If only you can obey God completely, you will see sickness leave without fasting or prayer.

Bible in one year: Acts 1-2