OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 20/09/2013 - BENEFICIAL PROBLEMS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

BENEFICIAL PROBLEMS

MEMORY VERSE

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

READ

Acts 8:1-8

Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Acts 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

Acts 8:8 And there was great joy in that city.

MESSAGE

From Mark 11:22-24, we understand that it is possible to move mountains. What is a mountain? It can mean a hindrance to progress. It can also be an obstacle preventing you from reaching your goal. A mountain can also be anything standing between you and your destiny. A hill is a problem while a mountain is a problem of a higher magnitude. Contrary to what many think and desire, mountains can really be useful. A mountain can be God's own way of advertising you. Israel did not know David until Goliath came to the scene. God used the incessant harassment of Goliath to bring David to limelight. The mountain, through which God will advertise you, may you not run away from it. May it fulfil its divine purpose in your life!

Moreover, a mountain could be God's way of waking you from sleep. In Acts 12:1, when Herod killed James, the church kept snoring, but when he grabbed Peter, they suddenly realised that if they did not do something about it, he would not stop at Peter but also kill the rest of them. So they began to pray. Are you sleeping spiritually? May the Lord get your attention by using a challenge to wake you up. In addition, a mountain can be God's avenue for drawing you closer to Him. God can use it to develop your spiritual muscles. For instance, it was while Joseph was in prison that he became an interpreter of dreams. Until then, he was a mere dreamer. Also, a mountain can help you to discover your potential. Philip never knew he had the potential to be a great evangelist until the intense persecution against the church that scattered all of them. Until then, he thought it was enough for him to aspire to be an outstanding deacon, but when his friend and fellow deacon - Stephen was killed, and Saul was throwing Christians into prison, he ran and that was how he got to Samaria and brought joy to the city after leading them to Christ. You may never really know what is in you until you face a big problem. Henceforth, problems will have their positive effects on you

PRAYER POINT

Father, from today, let me see and benefit from the good sides of problems.