Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Week 3: "Windows"

We have been studying about how to access the promises of God in our lives over the past several weeks. We've looked at the Walls, Rooftops, and today we studies the Windows. Each point of access has a different blessing that is waiting for us. Our job is pursue and take ownership of what God has for us.

Walls - The security of our lives is built and rebuilt by prayer, compassion, determination and focus.

Rooftops - The rooftops of God provide protection, health, vision, communion and anointing. Remember, He is Jehovah Nissi, The Lord Our Banner.

Windows - These are the openings in our lives where things go out and things come in.

In Malachi 3, God begins to confront Israel about their disobedience toward Him. He exposes the sin issue and also gives a way to become reconciled. He discusses with them in detail what the issues are so they know what to move away from in their lives. Because our God is a loving God, He will give us the opportunity to get restored back to Him. He is the God of reconciliation!

Israel had been allowing things to escape their lives because they were sinning against God. The next step was to recognize what God was saying and stop the movement of things out of their lives and get the access point of provision. When Israel began to question God and deny what He was saying, God cut the conversation short so He could get to the turn around. 

Malachi 3:10 - Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meet in mine house, and prove me now, herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 

This was and is the key to the turn around. How do we open the windows of Heaven? Tithing opens them. God's answer to their issue was giving. It is amazing how becoming a giver can set you free from all types of issues. God does not just bless or give back to us with money. He gives us ideas and things also that can sustain us for years to come. He provides for us.

He challenged Israel in this teaching and told them to "prove" Him. He wasn't saying to prove Him for His sake, but for their own. They needed to experience that God would do what He said He would do. This act of holiness toward God would allow them to see the hand of God moving toward them. That's a big moment in our lives when we release what is in our hand and trust that God will release what is in His. He only has holiness and goodness to release. So, why wouldn't we give and trust what He has waiting for us?

The Blessing From The Windows of Heaven:
  • Super-Abundant
    • God is a God of more than enough
    • He can supply whatever we need
  • The devourer is rebuked
    • God will rebuke the enemy from your life
    • Rebuke - express sharp disapproval of someone for their behavior
    • The enemy cannot fulfill his desire for you when God rebukes him
  • All nations shall call you blessed
    • When the windows of Heaven open up for you, there's a good reputation that follows
    • You will become known as blessed
  • You shall be a delightsome land
    • Delight - joy, happiness, pleasant, beauty, fun, peaceful
    • The blessings of God make our lives a delight
Suggested Readings
  • Malachi 3:1-12
  • Deuteronomy 4:31
  • 2 Chronicles 31:5-6
  • Psalms 34:8-10
  • James 3:17
  • Proverbs 22:1
  • 2 Corinthians 5:18

2 comments:

  1. Thank you Pastor Cindy for your words of wisdom. I enjoyed learning the definition of what "rebuke" means in this passage today. God is faithful to rebuke the devour! And even our enemies shall call us blessed. Thank you Jesus. Super Abundant! Not sprinkling, but pouring out blessings according to Malachi 3:10. If your reading this, and haven't tithe before, try Him in this, He says.

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  2. This is such a true word. A simple, wonderful expression of God's provision tied to "action" of our faith in giving what is His back to HIM! I concur wholeheartedly with the wisdom shared here! I love the premise of Walls - The security of our lives is built and rebuilt by prayer, compassion, determination and focus, which is a picture of truth, God's truth as well. I too, have witnessed the "turnaround" of tithing. It is amazing!

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