5 Keys to Maintaining Open Heavens 預覽

(Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture verses are taken from the King James Version Easy Read Bible.)

KEY #1: You Must Not Be Won Over by Fame, Favor, or Finance

Jesus died for our sins and rose victoriously, ascending into heaven and giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit to reside within us. Because of what Jesus accomplished on our behalf, the heavens are now open for us. This is a reality that we can access every day. However, not every believer is living in the fullness of this reality. What is the proof of this? Many believers themselves are the proof of this because they do not demonstrate the victory Christ won for them. They are living defeated lives.

We must realize that open heavens require an open earth. If we want to experience heavenly blessings, we must be willing to do whatever it takes to connect with the open heavens and keep them open over our lives. Stated in another way, Jesus is our eternal open portal into heavenly glory, but we must become His portals of glory so that His manifest presence is displayed on the earth.

There are five specific keys for maintaining open heavens. They are a call to right motivations, prayer, devotion to God, purity of heart, and a passion for God’s kingdom.

It’s All About Motives

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. (Psalm 1:1–3 NLT)

God really knows how to deal with the deep issues that we struggle with as humans. We know that the Bible says, “God is not a man, that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19), so we can trust that when He speaks to us, He is speaking His truth and not holding anything back. I’m glad that the Spirit doesn’t back away from addressing the difficult matters in our lives.

The very first key to maintaining open heavens is all about motives. If we get our motives set right in the first place, that will keep us for the long run. Too many people have burned out because they didn’t have their hearts set in the right place to begin with. Before we can move any further, God wants to deal with three main issues: fame, favor, and finance. In other words, whose attention are you seeking? What position do you desire? And are you only in it for the money? Anyone who is considering a life of ministry would be wise to answer these questions honestly. Your heart must be set to seek the attention of an audience of one—God and God alone. 

As far as seeking positions of prestige is concerned, humility before God should always take priority in our lives. Being humble before Him will save us from grief and drastic downfalls, and it will open up the opportunities the Lord has ordained for us. As for the money issue, if we can get our hearts right about money, we can get our hearts right about anything. Complete dependence upon God, through faith, in all areas of our lives will enable us to establish some of the greatest places of spiritual power the world has ever known. But it must be all about Him.