Windows in Heaven

Windows in Heaven  1/31/21
2Kings 7
Our God is a God that supplies.  He gives a supernatural supply.  He is El Shaddai, the God who causes nature to operate in ways contrary to itself.  He is the God who nourishes, supplies and satisfies
We wiIl continue to focus on the principles of sowing and reaping,  learn how to honor Him with the first fruits of our increase.
We will learn how 2Kings 7 relates to this principle and where we are in the world today.
“1 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. 2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be?”
Elisha was responding to the King, who was in desperation. THERE WAS GREAT FAMINE IN THE LAND,   Like the king’s servant, people trust in the arm of the flesh rather than the wisdom of God.  Our trust must be in God!  WITHOUT God there is no hope in this world,  Ephesians
The King came to Elisha understanding that if there is any way for the famine to stop, it has to be by the hand of God.
In the last days we will see chaos and confusion, men’s heats failing them for fear,because of the things coming on the earth, and the hearts of many will wax cold.  The evil of man’s heart will manifest at a higher level,
 
We must have the spirit of Christ or we won’t know what to do.
The King sent a messenger to Elisha for instruction.
2Kings7:33
Behold this evil is from the Lord, what shall I wait for the Lord any longer?
Famine, pestilence and war were signs of God’s judgement on Israel.
I Would not be surprised if It is not God’s judgement on the earth right now,
In the midst of judgement on Egypt,  there was bondage in Egypt, but the people of God were in a place of peace. Light in great darkness, peace in great confusion.
God takes care of His people. In gross darkness, His favor shines.
 
If we maintain a covenant with God, He will supply all our need, according to his riches in glory.
 
Currency:  heavenly supply From God
Operate in the economy of heaven
Principles we must walk in to partake in the blessings of the Lord.
We place our trust and confidence in operating under the authority of heaven.
(If we refuse and rebel, we shall be devoured by the sword.)
The King recognized God’s judgement on the land and sent his servant to Elisha for answers.
Elisha responded that in a 24 hour period, a turn around would come.
When people are in crises, they will lean toward anything.   When desperate, they do desperate things.
Verse 26 – When Benhadad, King of Syria, besieged Samaria the people became desperate.
Inflation had gotten so bad that a donkey’s head sold for 80 pieces of silver while dove droppings sold for 5.
Get better or get bitter,
 Hard times either make you grow closer to God, or drift away from him. Two different responses/reactions to hard times:   Choose humility or pride.   Draw nigh or become bitter and run away)
We hold to foundational scriptures in our spirit at all times to maintain joy.     
(Romans 8:28  )And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
And even when we don’t know how to pray the Spirit prays through us. 
(Romans 8:26,27) 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God
The Spirit of God prays through us.  We must keep ourselves praying in the Holy Spirit. Knowing that God is in control, He loves us.  When a man’s ways please God, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
People will be looking to see how you react.  How can they have hope in a hopeless situation?  Elisha said that God would turn it around.
God sometimes used miserable people to show his grace. We look at 3 examples  of this here:
1)The Lepers-  deadly, contagious diseases Isolated outside the city,
“what do we have to lose?
2Kings 7:3,4  And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? 4If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
The Syrians had left all spoils in the camp.  God had caused a great sound of a great army to cause the armies to flee!
In time of famine, chaos confusion and lack
God used people not normally respected n the eyes of society
He will give a testimony through them that God is real!
Lepers brought word of abundance to the King and the people came out of lack!.
Elisha reminded them of what God had said.
Some mock us for believing God
They may say it’s not going to work, but
contrary people will see God’s glory in your life!
It’s happening even now in other lands.
 
 
2) the Macedonian Church
. Macedonians’ response in great trial of affliction:  abundance of joy, deep poverty and liberality.
We need a A double portion of humility and trust like never before
Grace bestowed on the Macedonian church
2Cor 8Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
the riches of their liberality abundance of joy in obvious poverty
They knew that giving was their way out to give…
Understood the principles of reciprocity, giving and receiving
Keeping the windows of heaven open for free flow from heaven
Willing to give of themselves
tithes, offerings, vows and alms gifts to the poor
 
3) the widow with two mites acknowledged by Jesus  - giving out of need brings greater response
“beyond their power
Receive the gift and take on the ministry to the saints

As ye abound in all things
1)they gave willingly  (give and it shall be given unto thee)
2) gave themselves unto the lord
 
What if you gain the whole world and lose your soul
 They realized that their lives were not their own because they belong to God
 rejoiced in tribulation and gave all
 
we want this same grace to be upon you                                                                                   
 
we want the grace of God so we can have more faith, more utterance, wisdom of God
 
make sure you abound in this grace also
 
I speak not by commandment.  This is proof of your sincerity

Malachi 3  Pouring out blessings
Reciprocity
There are principles to maintain in the world today
Creation groans, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God
 
They must see an example that we set.
He came that we might have life abundantly.  His word cannot return void.
Lord impart unto us to be faithful in giving.
Help us keep the windows of heaven open so we can  be a blessing.
Malachi 3:8-10 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat 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.
Resources are needed to get work done in the house of God
We put God to the test when we tithe!
God says “try me!  Watch and see if I don’t do just what I promised!
We acknowledge him with our first fruit  
God will prosper you if you do what He says
 
Our barns will overflow
He will open the windows of heaven and close the doors of the adversary
 
10
He pours you out a blessing
Causes favor to come in resources, supernatural
If you are not faithful, the enemy comes in and devours your seed
If you are faithful, He guarantees your seed sown will produce a great harvest
Many kernels come from one single kernel of corn
Gods favor will cause others to bless you as they see that God takes care of his people.
 
He proves himself faithful as we prove ourselves faithful to Him.  Windows of heaven are open all around us.