John 14: 23 ‘He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.’

DAILY READING; • Luke 15; Genesis 27:1-45; Psalm 20

William Branham was one of the most influential ministers during the Voice of Healing revival in the 1950’s. However it is believed his ministry ended tragically because of failure to stay in his place of assignment.
Though he had the gift of divine healing and operated wonderfully in that area, he however had limited knowledge of Scriptures. It was his ministry partner, Gordon Lindsay, who was well versed in the Scriptures that handled the preaching of the Word.
By 1955, Branham‘s ministry took on a radical change when he disassociated from Lindsay and then began teaching the Word. Branham soon plunged into some doctrinal errors and sensationalism, which began to create confusion in the Church.
Ministers like Kenneth Hagin and Gordon Lindsay were sent by God to warn him.
But when Lindsay attempted to reason with Branham, asking him to focus in the healing ministry where God wants him and not try to teach, Branham said simply, “Yeah, but I want to teach.” Apparently he elevated his desire to teach above staying in God’s plan.
In 1964 Branham had a vision where he was riding tired into the sunset. He understood that God was warning him that he would die soon. Also Kenneth Hagin received a prophesy about Branham’s death, saying the Lord told him, He would ‘remove the prophet’ within two years. But despite these warnings it was said that Branham continued teaching doctrinal errors.

In December 18, 1965, a drunk driver hit Branham’s car head on. His first son who was driving in another car ahead, came down and rushed to the accident scene. He found his mother dead, but his father though unconscious, still had a pulse. The healing anointing on Branham was so strong that when he stirred and his son placed his hand on his dead wife, she instantly came back to life. But Branham died soon afterwards. Part of the doctrinal confusion led his congregation to delay his burial for many months, with the hope that he would resurrect again at an appointed time. He was finally buried on April 11, 1966.

Indeed straying out of God’s Will is too expensive, none of us can afford it.
The story of William Branham is not for criticism, but rather contains a lesson for every believer. And the lesson is for us to always do what God says, nothing more and nothing less. Walking outside of God’s will is dangerous. If we stray out of the will of God and eventually fail to correct ourselves, we will have to reap the consequences. Disobedience separates a believer from God and breaks the hedge of protection around him, this is how the enemy is able to attack and oppress. No matter the price of obedience, it is ultimately much cheaper than the high cost of disobedience.
Disobedience is a silent blessing stealer; and it is the core reason why believers sometimes suffer unnecessarily.
God said if we love him, then we should follow his commands. Obeying God is an act of worship and reverence that proves that we truly love Him. And we know that God’s best is reserved for those who love Him.
God has already mapped out our destiny before the foundation of the world. On the path of our destiny He has already provided all we need for life and godliness. And as we follow His instructions , we walk in the path of His blessings. And the path of every one’s destiny is different and unique.
This is why we should not pattern our lives after what someone else is doing or do things just because it feels good. Good ideas are not always God ideas. We should not obey God as convenient, but obey as commanded. As we do, God commits Himself to bring to pass His purposes and plans for us.
Isaiah 14:24 says ‘The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:’
From this Scripture we find that God has bound Himself with an oath to fulfill His thoughts and purposes. It is therefore wisdom for us to follow His plans, because that is what He is committed to bring to pass, not our own plans. Walking in divine plan is how we arrive at our glorious destiny.
This is therefore why we need to constantly wait on God in prayer, worship and study of the Scriptures, so as to become sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and know what God wants us to do.
Today, let us examine ourselves and repent from every form of disobedience. And as we take the decision to always obey God and make the necessary adjustments, surely it will lead to our advancements in life.

PRAYER; Lord, Please enable me to always pay the price of seeking Your face at all times so as to walk in Your plans and avoid walking in error. I thank You Lord, for granting me the grace to always obey You no matter the cost in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
The study of The Word will keep shame and disgrace far from you. WORDBITE 222.