Where are the Open Windows of Heaven?

by Becky Melendez

Things that can hinder you from receiving, or from keeping, God’s blessing of prosperity:

Fear – that Gods word doesn’t really work, or fear of not having enough. Fear comes from satan, not from God.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Lack of faith – Faith keeps on believing God’s promises in spite of circumstances. Romans 10:17 and Hebrews 6:12

Wrong desires – Ask God to show you if the things you want are what He wants for you. And ask Him to put in your heart those things He wants for your life. Psalm 37:4-5

Wrong relationships – You need to be very careful who you go into business with, who your friends are and who you marry.

2 Co. 6:14
 

Unreconciled differences – Unforgiveness will cause you to keep having the same problem over and over and over again for the rest of your life until you make things right in your heart. Mark 11:25, Matthew 5:21-26 Divorce and sour business deals steal much money from many people.

Rebellion – against parents, church leadership, the law or your boss. 1 Peter 2:13 and 5:5
 

Not tithing – Malachi 3:8-12 - The # 1 reason

Double-mindedness – not understanding or believing that God really truly wants you to prosper. Study the Word or find some good teaching on prosperity and finances. Hosea 4:6 and Isaiah. 5:13
 

Wrong priorities – Seeking after things and money instead of God. God already knows what you need and wants to give them to you. But you must seek Him more than things or money. Matthew 6:33

Unaccepted Offerings – Don’t give grudgingly, but with a cheerful heart. Don’t give just to get more or just because someone asked you to give, give because God told you to. 2 Corinthians. 9:7

Not keeping your word - If you have made a promise that you can not keep, go to the person you made the promise to, or write to the ministry you promised to support and ask them to release you from your vow.  Ecclesiastes 5:2, 4-5 Psalm 50:14-15 says God is pleased when we make vows and keep them.
 

Bad stewardship - Everything we have belongs to the Lord. If we manage what we have properly, the Lord will give us more to manage for Him. Matthew 25:14-29 Luke 16:10-12, Proverbs 21:20

Loving money more than God / greed - Luke 12:15-21 says greedy people are fools. Acts 20:35 says it is more blessed to give than to receive. It’s O. K. for you to have money, as long as money doesn’t have you. Luke 16:13

Persecuting Christians - All who are born again regardless of their religion are the body of Christ. If we persecute other Christians we are persecuting Jesus. Acts 9:1-9 Matthew 25:35-45
 

Not hearing the poor - When we give to the poor we are lending to God and he promises to repay us. Proverbs 19:17, 21:13, 28:27

Hidden sin – Sin in our heart will keep the Lord from hearing us. Psalm 66:18 If we think something is sin it is to us, although it might not be to someone else. Romans 14:14-23 Proverbs 28:13 says if we cover our sins we will not prosper, but if we confess them we will have mercy.

Debt - A Borrowers future doesn’t look very bright because all he has ahead of him is paying for his past enjoyments. If you are a prisoner of debt, do these things: 1 Pray to God to break the spirit of debt over your life. 2 Stop buying on credit. 3 Ask God to give you a plan to help you get out of debt. Proverbs 22:7, 10:22

Laziness - God expects us to work at whatever we do as if we were working for Him. Ephesians 6:5-7, Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 6:6-11

Lack of patience - Your faith must patiently stand until you receive the full manifestation of what you are believing for from God. When you sow seed and don’t see an instant harvest don’t begin to say “It’s not working.” Hebrews 10:36
 

Improper thinking - Whatever you are thinking will eventually come out of your mouth. Mark 11:22-24 says what we say will come to pass.

Negative words - The words we speak can bring us blessings or cursing. Proverbs 12:13-14, 13:2-3, 18:21