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: 2 Chronicles 10-13

Memorise: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7

Read: Acts 7: 54-60

Having shown their true standing, the Lord immediately told the rich but empty church in Laodicea what to do.

He did not only talk about the problem but also about the solution. This clearly tells us that Jesus Christ who is the Head of the church knows exactly the challenges of every parish or church denomination under His control and the solutions to those problems. As the leader or member of a local assembly, if you can pray, the Lord will guide you on what to do. The problem with present day leaders is that they are too busy to pray or they always rely on doing things the way they have always done it, or the way others have always done it. The Lord did not call you to be a copy cat. You can be original and creatively different in your approach to ministry if only you find time to acquaint Him with what is going on and seek His help and direction.

The Lord told them, if you want to be rich, buy gold tried in fire. 1 Peter 1:7 says: That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

This talks about the indispensability of faith. If you must be rich, you must demonstrate your faith in Him. Similarly, you must be ready to undergo a trial of your faith. The tougher the trial, the richer you will turn out to be. God holds in high esteem those who can stand before men and go through Nebuchadnezzar’s fire for their faith in God. Why is this so? It is because by their golden faith, many can turn unto the Lord, irrespective of whether God intervenes in their trial or not. Do you want to be rich in Heaven? Then gladly accept situations that try your faith in Christ. If others are compromising, you stand tall and straight for Jesus, even when you have to suffer terrible things before men. When you succeed in coming out victorious, God will be proud of you and cause Heaven to give you a standing ovation like Stephen.

If you desire God’s standing ovation, first stand for Him without yielding to adverse pressures.