Open Heaven 2012-13 November-FIRST, THE FRUIT

Pst. E. Adeboye 13 November

FIRST, THE FRUIT

Memorise: For the fruit of the Spirit is in alt goodness and righteousness and truth;  

Ephesians 5:9

Read: 2 Kings 2:23-24

In encounter with the King of glory adds glory into you and changes your life and destiny forever. Take for instance erstwhile blind Bartimaeus who begged for several years in blindness. The day he had an encounter with the King of glory, his garment of shame was forever removed. His blindness and darkness were replaced with sight and light. He never begged again, he was never stagnant again and was never a burden for the rest of his life. Yet, over 2,000 years later, his testimony is still touching lives and stirring them up to receive theirs.

An encounter with the King of glory changes everything, but there is a price to pay. To encounter the King of glory, you must be ready to pray and be prepared for dramatic changes. When Moses asked to see His glory. He told Moses, anyone who sees Him will die. Let us put aside physical death for a moment. If you want to see the King of glory, you must die to the desires of your flesh -anger, laziness, immoral thoughts, etc. If these are not dead in your life, they will rubbish God's glory or anointing in your life. Take for instance Elisha. He got the double portion of the anointing on Elijah. While returning from healing the bad water and barrenness of Jericho, some children mocked him because of his bald head and he cursed them, and they were immediately destroyed. What would their parents say if they got to know he was responsible for the death of their children? Again he became angry with some kings and their armies. The King of glory realised that if He did not do something fast, Elisha would destroy the world, so He withdrew from him for a while. It took him sometime singing and praising God before the power returned, but after that, he learnt his lesson and was never angry again. Some years ago, I asked for double portion of the anointing on Elisha, Peter, Paul and Jesus Christ while on earth, all rolled up together and doubled again. God told me I was courting trouble and asked if I could pay the price. He said If He gives me that anointing, I must never be angry again. This explains why I try not to be angry when people are pushing me here and there. I know what God has put in me and what I am still expecting from Him. Can you control your temper? First concentrate on building the fruit of the Spirit before taking in dangerous levels of the anointing.

KEY POINT

You need the fruit of the Spirit to ensure you don't end up in hell, after receiving and manifesting the gifts of the Spirit.