John Avanzini - Keys to an Open Heaven

Keys to an Open Heaven

Perception Can Become Reality

Did you know that the way you perceive God can keep you from knowing the truth about Him? It's true. Your perception of a person, even if it is wrong, will keep you from seeing him as he really is. That is the reason I make this statement: you will have the God you perceive.

If you perceive Him as a poor god, you will always think he is trying to get money from you. But when you understand He is a rich God, you will realize He is trying to get money to you not from you. Your perception of God and His relationship to your financial status will cause you to see Him in one of two ways; He will be either Jehovah Needy or Jehovah Jireh .

According to the Bible, God is Jehovah Jireh and is ready and able to prosper and abundantly bless you beyond all you can imagine or think. He is not Jehovah Needy, standing with his hand out trying to get all you have for his own selfish needs.

Here is the bottom line. You are a living epistle (letter) that is being read by every unsaved person who observes your life.

... you yourselves are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and read by everybody.

2 Corinthians 3:2, Amplified

If the God you perceive from the teaching you have received is a needy god, all who observe you will perceive your god to be needy or greedy, and they will have no desire to know him. However, if the God you perceive from a correct understanding of His Word is a God who abundantly blesses and prospers His children, those who observe His goodness to you will perceive Him to be a good God who supplies and blesses, and they will come to your light.

... Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

... His glory shall be seen on you.

And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Isaiah 60:1-3, Amplified

The primary purpose of this book is to provide some key requirements for keeping heaven open over your life.

When the windows of heaven are open, the abundance of God can continually flow into your stewardship, revealing to the world the rich and generous God you serve.

Key #1 You Must Tithe

There is no question that the first step to proper stewardship is tithing, for the tithe belongs to God.

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORDS: it is holy unto the LORD.

Leviticus 27:30

God promises that if you faithfully tithe, He will open heaven over your life and abundantly bless you.

Bring 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.

Malachi 3:10

In light of this verse, it is clear that if you do not tithe, the windows of heaven will not be open over your life.

Key #2 Keep Your Priorities Right

You will not receive increase from God if you ask for the wrong reasons.

Ye ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

James 4:3

You can be assured of an ever-increasing flow of wealth if you will always put the Kingdom of God first in your life.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

When your primary purpose for increase is for the benefit of the Kingdom, God promises He will supply those things you personally desire as well as the things you need.

Key #3 Dont Be Double Minded

A double-minded man does not have the ability to receive from God.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:6-8

You can overcome double-mindedness first by reading and studying the Word of God.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Second, you can overcome by listening to anointed ministers as they teach the Word of God.

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.

Romans 1:11

Key #4 Give Acceptable Offerings

God does not accept every offering, but you can give in such a way that all your offerings will be acceptable to Him.

First, always give from a willing heart.

For if there be first a willing mind, it [ your offering] is accepted....

2 Corinthians 8:12

Second, base the amount of your offering on the good things God has given you.

... it [your offering] is accepted according to that a man hath [according to what God has given you], and not according to that he hath not.

2 Corinthians 8:12

Third, always give your offerings with joy and thanksgiving.

... let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Key #5 Have Proper Understanding

Understanding always governs every part of your ability to receive from God.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul [or understanding] prospereth .

3 John 2

You can't increase in an area if you have no understanding of it. However, when you begin to understand the things God has promised, you will have the ability to receive their manifestation in your life.

Key #6 Cast Out All Fear

The spirit of fear does not come from God.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

You overcome fear by believing and trusting God's Word more than you trust the words of anyone else, the devil included.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Remember that Jesus is the Truth. You can trust everything He said in His Word.

Key #7 Operate in Faith

You can't please God if you don't have faith in Him.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Strong faith is absolutely necessary for increase, for it is the raw material of every promise of God.

Now faith is the substance [raw material] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

The funding of your stewardship will be in direct proportion to the strength of your faith.

... According to your faith and trust and reliance [on the power invested in Me ] be it done to you.

Matthew 9:29, Amplified

Key #8 Cast Down Unbelief

If you are in unbelief, you are not operating in faith. Unbelief will keep you from receiving God's promised blessings.

So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest], because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God [unbelief had shut them out].

Hebrews 3:19, Amplified

There you have it. Unbelief will shut the windows of heaven. But remember that faith in God's Word will bring every blessing of God to your doorstep.

Key #9 Dont Look Back to Your Old Life

You must let go of the past. Whether it was good or bad, it is over. Keep in mind that your future is ahead of you, and in Christ it looks bright. Whatever you are involved in for the Lord right now should be the most important thing in your life.