COVENANT PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD
Memorise:
And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: .. 2 Chronicles 6:14
Read:
2 Kings 4:8-37
Message
In today's Bible reading, the Shunamite woman sowed into Elisha's life continuously until he was inspired to find out what he could give her in return. Eventually, she got a blessing that transformed her life. I learnt from this story that if you bless a genuine man of God, you have entered into a covenant partnership with God, and you won't have to pray about some of your needs before God meets them.
We have a group in RCCG called Covenant Partners. These are people who quietly lift up my hands financially. I meet with them once every year, and at one particular meeting I was led by the Holy Spirit to say, "Those of you who have been lifting up my hands, if there is any of you in debt, God will pay your debt." One man among them shouted "Amen" loudly. He was about 50 years old and was heavily in debt. The following week; the bank that he owed called him to meet the Managing Director. The MD asked him, "Sir, how are you going to pay off this debt? Give us a plan so we know what to work with." He looked at the MD and said, "Even if I pay you a million naira for every day that I have lived, I can't finish paying this debt." To his surprise, the bank later informed him that the loan had been written off. I pray that my Father, who owns the cattle upon a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), will do exceeding abundantly above your wildest imaginations in Jesus' name.
Abraham understood covenant partnership with God. After he went to war against the five kings who fought against Sodom and Gomorrah and conquered them, he gave Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, the tithes of all (Genesis 14:18-20). This covenant partnership shifted Abraham into an unprecedented realm of abundance such that when he was old, the Bible said God had blessed him in all things (Genesis 24:1). Joshua's service to Moses positioned him as God's choice to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Exodus 33:11,Joshua 1:1-2). Also, Elisha's service to Elijah made him a candidate for a double portion of the anointing (2 King 2:1-15).
Beloved, God wants you to come into a covenant partnership with Him through the genuine spiritual leaders He has placed over you, Honour them by giving10 them and supporting them, and like the great woman0 Shunem, God will meet your needs even before you ask
Him.
Bible In One Year:
Psalms 141-150
Hymn:
There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing
Action Point:
Commit to blessing genuine minister of God and meeting some needs in your local assembly today.
King James Version
2 Kings 4:8-37
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. [9] And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. [10] Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. [11] And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. [12] And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. [13] And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. [14] And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. [15] And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. [16] And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. [17] And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
[18] And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. [19] And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. [20] And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. [21] And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. [22] And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. [23] And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. [24] Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. [25] So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: [26] Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. [27] And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. [28] Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? [29] Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. [30] And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. [31] And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. [32] And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. [33] He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. [34] And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. [35] Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. [36] And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. [37] Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
Christly Living