Operating under an open heaven

Introduction

The Word of God had two sides. It reveals "the person of Jesus" and "the principles of Jesus." Many are trying to receive from God without applying His principles.

The Word of God produces the life of God but also displays the laws of God.

"Prayer will not work without the principles of God's Word."
"Fasting will not be beneficial without the principles of God's Word."
"Your breakthroughs and blessings will manifest when you apply the principles of God's Word."
For example, when one prays for prosperity, the Principle in God's Word is "Sow and you will reap!"
One asks for forgiveness and the principle is "Forgive those who sin against us."
Just as much as His Word is forever the same, so too are His principles! He is God, He will not change!

My true beliefs are the precise instruction that I follow.

The instruction that I follow will determine the outcome of my life.

Operating under an open heaven

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live"

Deut. 30: 19

3 forces are evident in this scripture: 1) Force of life. 2) Death. 3) CHOICE!

Your choice determines the outcome of your life.
Your choice affects heaven and earth.
Your choice TODAY affects your children TOMORROW.
I am blessed by choice and not by chance.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Romans 8:1-2

There are two laws in operation – Law of the spirit of life In Christ Jesus and Law of sin and death.
There are two ways of walking – Walk after the flesh or walk after the spirit.

"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God."

Deut. 28:1-2

IF is a condition! This outpouring of blessing is based upon my choice to walk in obedience.

"And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron."

Deut 28:23.

Disobedience brings a closed heaven.
A closed heaven clearly means:

No answered prayer.
No breakthroughs.
Stagnant life – which brings emotional symptoms such as disappointments, sorrows, discouragements, sadness, frustrations, fears, inferiority complex…
No outpouring of God. No evident manifestation of God's wisdom and power.
No blessings, prosperity, peace, success…

Notice that God says that it is a curse to be under a closed heaven.

"Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

Matthew 24: 40

Heaven can be open to one person and closed to another (even in a close relationship). One experienced an open heaven whilst the other had the heaven's closed over him.
The devil will use his primary weapons to keep you in disobedience and under a closed heaven:
1. Deception
2. Temptation
3. Accusation
4. Condemnation

How to deal with closed heaven in order to operate an open heaven.

Between the books of Malachi to the books of Matthew, there is a 400 years gap. For 400 years, God's voice was not heard – there were no prophets or man of God to bring the Word of the Lord. Therefore, heaven was closed.
Both John and Jesus, in the beginning of their lives and ministries, operated under a closed heaven. That is why there were demons in the synagogue – people were found with spirit of infirmity in synagogues. Under closed heavens, demons take control and there are curses, sickness, poverty, suffering, disorder to people and places such as synagogues and homes.
So what was the first call of God in order to operate under an open heaven?

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea; And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Matthew 3: 1-2

"The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Matthew 4:16-17:

First step to an open heaven is repentance. This is a heavenly order!
Repentance is a change of mind, direction, ways, season, action – It's a total change of Life.

"If we (John includes himself) confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9

"And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, 'Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Mark 1:10-11

Jesus lived in obedience. He prayed and lived under this open heaven, in His Father's approval and blessing. There was nothing in the way to hinder His prayers. There was nothing in the way to hinder His (ZOE) life flow. Nothing was impossible now, because of the open heaven above Christ.
It gave Him His direction and clarity for ministry. It caused healing, deliverance, miracles and changed lives wherever he goes. It permitted the anointing to flow abundantly and spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, social and financial breakthroughs and blessings were evident. Signs and wonders followed.

That is why the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

"And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Luke 11:1

Notice both John and Jesus had a prayer life! They operated under an open heaven and their prayers were answered because they lived a righteous life!

In the Gospels you never see Jesus sweating because He did not have enough food to feed thousands of people. There was not a sickness or malady that was too big for God to heal. There was no false accusation or criticism that could cause discouragements or frustration and disappointments. There was no storm He could not rest in, and no circumstance that was impossible for Him to fix.

Repent and confess your sins today. Be free from any bondages and weaknesses. Let go of unconfessed and hidden hurt and bitterness or grudges that you may have and you will see the glory and the blessings of God manifest in your life.