Open Heaven 10 May 2023

Open Heaven Topic:

DIVINE HELP I

Memory Verse:

Psalm 121:2 (KJV) – My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Bible Reading:

1 Kings 17:8-16 (NIV)

8. Then the word of the Lord came to him:

9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”

10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”

11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.

14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.

16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

Open Heaven 10 May 2023 Message

Divine help refers to the intervention of God to get a man to a place he is trying to reach.

The help of God is always on time; God is never late (Psalm 46:1). Just at the moment when you need help, He will be there-in the nick of time (Psalm 124:1-7).

In 1 Kings 17:8-16, we read the story of a widow in a time of famine. She was going to prepare her last meal so that she and her son could eat before dying.

Unknown to her, help was already on the way and that seemingly last meal was the first of many more. Your help is already on its way, in Jesus’ name.

Many years ago, during our annual Convention in The Redeemed Christian Church of God, my wife came to me and said, “Darling, we need N5,000 to feed the people today”. This was a lot of money in those days.

Although I had no money on me then, I responded, “Good, I will send for you”. She left and I turned to the Helper of the helpless, praying for a way to feed everyone there.

Not long after, a man was driving past and decided to stop by. He asked what we were doing and I told him we were having a convention.

He said, “That is a very wonderful idea. Next year, I will be part of I thought, “I am talking of today; this man is talking of next year.

The man then put his hand in his pocket and said, “But for now, have this”. He gave me an envelope and left. I opened the envelope and found N1000 in it.

I said, “Thank you Lord; one down, four to go.” Before long, the youths came to my office and at the end of their visit gave me an envelope with N2000 in it.

Within a short time, I had all the money needed for the feeding. In the nick of time, God sent help to me. Your help will come today, in Jesus’ name.

The interesting thing about God is that He is the Reverse of the irreversible, so even when it looks as if He is late, He can reverse time for your sake.

Sarah laughed when God told her she would carry a child because she believed it was already too late for her and Abraham, but she carried a child to term and delivered safely (Genesis 21:1-2).

Even if it seems as if God is late, I decree: He will reverse time for your sake, in Jesus’ name.

Hymn:

In Christ Alone

Prayer Points:

Father, even if You have to reverse time so that You can help me, just help me in this season, in Jesus’ name.

Bible in one year:

2 Chronicles 8, 2 Chronicles 9, 2 Chronicles 10, 2 Chronicles 11