RCCG Open Heaven Devotion 2012 – Pastor E. A. Adeboye (ISBN: 978-36079-4-4)
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(Previously available online @: http://www.rccgna.org/Resources/BibleStudy/Devotionals.aspx)

Bible in one year: Chronicles 30-32

Memorise: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 1 Thessalonians 4:4

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

Those who carry God’s mighty presence or glory cannot but benefit immensely from it. There are several blessings that can come to you from God’s presence. According to 2 Samuel 6:6-11, there are two sides to this: you could invoke God’s presence while you are not holy enough to receive it or you can receive it in the place of holiness. Uzzah, in an attempt to stop the Ark from falling, touched the Ark and the Lord struck him dead. Why? He was not sanctified to do so in His presence. Holiness must never be compromised when calling down the presence of God or else the fellow could receive judgement instead. Uzzah had the best of intentions but because he was not a priest, he lacked the level of sanctification required to touch the Ark and this ended his life abruptly. This tells us that zeal is not enough. It is not enough to want to help God. It is not enough to desire to serve God. You must be in a spiritually acceptable state to do this, you must be doing what you are called to do by God and you must be doing it after the pattern you were given by

Him. God will not compromise on His standards.

It is very dangerous to be living in sin in God’s presence. This is becoming rampart these days. Some people come to God’s house to seek ungodly friendships with the opposite sex. That you have not dropped dead suddenly like Uzzah does not mean God approves of your evil deeds. God’s judgements vary depending on the individual, the offence committed and other factors known only to God. For instance, when He rejected Saul, He took His Spirit from him and gave him an evil spirit that kept him continually disturbed until his death. Gehazi got leprosy instead of the anointing; Michal got permanent barrenness for despising her husband king David, etc. As a pastor or house fellowship leader, it is good to pray down God’s presence but pray that His presence will convict those living in sin and encourage members to live holy lives; so that those living in sin do not attract judgement. Are you prepared for His glory?

Father, help me not to do anything that will attract judgement from You.