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Topic: Living Faith
(Open Heaven 7 September 2019)
Memorise: Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. – Ephesians 5:14
Read: James 2:17-22 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 7, Ezekiel 46:13-24
Open Heaven 7 September 2019 Saturday MESSAGE:
Many years ago, during one of our church services at Ebute-Meta, Lagos, I announced that there will be no prayers on that day, because we were only going to praise God. Incidentally, a woman in a wheelchair had been brought to that service for prayers. When those who brought her asked to see the pastor for prayers, the ushers told them that the pastor had instructed that no one would be prayed for; instead, everyone should dance and praise God. These people felt disappointed, but the woman asked them to help her up and support her as she tried to dance even in her pain. However, before long, she pushed them aside and was dancing without any help – she had been healed! Some people have their miracle right in the front of them, but they never get it because they do not make any move of faith. Our memory verse says Christ will give you light after you have awoken and arisen, not before. In other words, you have your role to play in getting whatever God has promised you.
As a lecturer and pastor in Ilorin many years ago, I was so ill one day that I could not go for midweek service that day. I lay in bed and decided that since I couldn’t go to church, I would at least listen to a sermon on the radio. As I lay there in pain listening to the radio, it seemed as if the preacher was talking to me directly. He said, “if you are sick and you have asked God to heal you, then what are you still doing on the bed? If you are still lying in bed, then you don’t believe that God has healed you, and you will remain there until you believe.” I immediately got up from the bed and went to church, even though I was still in serious pain. Getting to church, I met the brethren still praising and worshipping God, since I, the pastor, wasn’t around to preach. I stayed at the back and tried my best to dance, even though I was still in pain. Soon, I felt like using the toilet, so I went to the restroom. By the time I was done, all the pain and sickness had gone! Hallelujah!
Are you expecting something from God? Tell Him about it and make a move. If you have faith that is not combined with works, it is dead faith. Make your faith come alive today by moving in the direction of your miracle. Healing is already yours by His stripes; all you have to do is get up and claim it.
Open Heaven 7 September 2019 Saturday Key Point:
The proof of living faith is the work it produces or action it yields.
Open Heaven 7 September 2019 Saturday Hymn 3: Trust And Obey
1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3 Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4 But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5 Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
