Open Heaven: 21 Days of Fasting and Prayerنموونە

WEEK TWO - STEPPING INTO AN OPEN HEAVEN
This week’s focus is on Stepping Into an Open Heaven. We see what it looks like to step into an Open Heaven when Jesus obeyed God and came to John the Baptist to be baptised before beginning His ministry. The heavens opened above Him and the Spirit of God came down and rested on Him. And the Father’s voice thundered from heaven declaring His affirmation and love for His son.

What triggered this awesome event? It was Jesus’ earnest desire to obey His Father in whatever was required of Him, and it must be the same with us. To step into an Open Heaven, we must obey what He tells us to do. When we obey, we enjoy deeper intimacy and a closer walk with Him. We can then hear His voice more clearly, know our identity as children of God, and step boldly into the plans He has for us.

OBEYING GOD’S CALL
Love is a verb. To know if someone loves us, we need to see it put into action so we can feel and experience it. This is true of a child’s relationship with his parents, where an expression of love is his obedience. What a joy it is for a father when his child chooses to obey, not out of compulsion, but because of love and trust that his father has good intentions for his life!

Today, God is calling us to love Him and walk in His ways. He does not compel us but gives us a choice. Deuteronomy 30:16 says “If you do this…” because God wants us to respond to His call to love Him by choosing to obey Him. This verse was written as a promise to the children of Israel that He would bless them if they would obey His commands. Our obedience is the key to unlock the promises of God over our lives!

We can show our obedience to God in the choices that we make today. Saying ‘yes’ to God is a tangible way to show that we trust in His love. We can choose to put a stop to an ungodly relationship or forgive someone who has offended us, or take a step of faith to serve Him in a ministry. We can set aside some time everyday to communicate with Him by reading His word and building a consistent prayer life. Whatever the Holy Spirit is saying to us today, choose to obey and say ‘yes’ to Him.

God wants to lead us to walk under an Open Heaven because He loves us. When we love and obey Him, we embark on an adventure with Him, and can expect a great reward for it!

Response:
Make a list of the ways God has blessed you in the past when you obeyed. Remembering God’s goodness gives you the courage to trust Him more.

Write down some things that might be holding you back from obeying God. Talk to Him about it and let Him assure you that what He has for you is greater than any of these things.

Prayer:
Dear God, I thank You because Your plans for me are always good. Help me to trust in Your love for me and love You in return by obeying You. I want to receive Your blessings and experience the abundant life You have planned for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.