OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY 20/05/2013 - SIGNS STOPS OPPONENTS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

MONDAY 20 MAY, 2013

SIGNS STOPS OPPONENTS

MEMORY VERSE

Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Isaiah 8:18

READ

Acts 13:6-12

Act 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

Act 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Act 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Act 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

Act 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Act 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Act 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

MESSAGE

Signs and wonders have a way of instigating faith and compelling belief. You cannot tell the impact just one sign or miracle will have on the assignment of a church, particularly if it is a notable or spectacular miracle. For instance, in the early church, when signs and wonders were wrought by the hands of the apostles, great multitudes were converted to the Christian faith (Acts 5:12-14). You need the power of the Holy Spirit in order to demonstrate to unbelievers that our God still performs wonders. In the life of a User of this Devotional, the Lord is beginning a spate of signs and wonders that will draw many to His kingdom. When the Lord does this, share your testimony and give God all the glory. You are for signs and wonders from now on. Even your children will begin to testify of the wonders that God will be performing through them.

In a meeting of apostles that was held some years ago, someone made a particular remark. He said that here in Africa we go for signs whereas they in the developed countries go for wisdom, as if we were focusing on the wrong thing. I replied that we go for signs and our churches are overflowing with people, but they go for wisdom and their churches are empty. In Acts 13:6-12, while preaching to a governor, a sorcerer tried to disturb the message, Paul simply commanded him to be blind for a period. The sorcerer left their presence blind. When the governor saw this, he immediately accepted Jesus. Even today, there are many agents of darkness like the sorcerer who do everything to hinder the spread of the Gospel. If you put the power of the Spirit to play and a wonder takes place, nothing will hinder those you are preaching to. Sometimes, you need the power to demonstrate the superiority of God's power above contending powers. When this is done, God's Kingdom will record a great harvest like on Mount Carmel. In addition, you and your family need signs and wonders. When the enemies try to hurt you but fail according to the promise in Isaiah 54:17, it is a glorious experience as they may end up surrendering to you, and asking to be introduced to your God. Ask God to manifest His power in your life as never before.

ACTION POINT

If antagonists of the Gospel experience a sign, they will change. Ask that antagonists of the Gospel would experience the wonder that will move them from their evil path.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalm 22 - 24