2 Corinthians 2:14 ‘:Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.’

DAILY READING – Luke 24:1-12; Genesis 43; Psalm 34

It is interesting to note that one of the greatest revivals in America known as the ‘third great awakening,’ began through a noon time prayer watch started by a lay businessman. Jeremiah Calvin Lanphier was a member, of the North Reformed Dutch Church who was hired by the church to be a lay missionary to the city of New York. Among the various outreach ministries that Lanphier started was a noon-time prayer meeting. God used that simple prayer meeting to start a revival that would spread across the United States, and eventually to many countries around the world.

At the first prayer meeting on September 23, 1857, only six people showed up.  This could have discouraged Lanphier, but he persisted. The next week the attendance grew to twenty, and by the third week forty people were meeting for prayer. Eventually prayer meetings were held in other locations across the city. By March of 1858, the 3,000-seat Barton’s Theatre was crowded with people praying. Similar prayer meetings were held in churches, printer’s shops, fire stations, and even police stations. Incidentally, on September 25, just two days after Lanphier began his prayer meetings, the Bank of Pennsylvania collapsed, and a few weeks later on October 10 the New York stock market crashed. The financial shockwave sent many businessmen to their knees, not only in New York but in cities all across the nation. God drew these people to Himself as they  sought consolation at the noon-time prayer meetings. All across the nation, the results of the prayer meeting revivals were overwhelming. City crime dropped dramatically. A report from Atlanta, Georgia, said the prayer meeting revivals were so influential that the Atlanta police department had to let half of its force go because there simply was not enough crime for them to deal with. Across the nation bars and brothels shut down. Bar owners poured beer and liquor out in the street and shut down their establishments. The revival resulted in the start of many ministries. The ministries of men like Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey sprang from this revival. The effects of the Third Great Awakening also spread to Britain and abroad, as the Holy Spirit began to move in many other parts of the world.

Indeed sometimes God presents opportunities that look insignificant, or rather ordinary. Initially you may not see how they fit into the big plan for your life. But God has a purpose for every assignment He calls us to. And though you may not see it initially, when you’re diligent in handling the little things, God can increase and multiply it in ways and means you never could have imagined. When that businessman started the noon prayers, he probably did not know that God was planning a revival that would sweep through the nations and across the world.

We cannot put limits on God! If we’re going to accomplish the things that God wants for us, we have to be single-minded about His Word and power. We have to remember who He is and not limit Him in anyway! David did not limit God when He took a sling in his hand and went after Goliath whom the whole army of Israel could not dare. It was his confidence in God’s ability that brought down Goliath. God is moved by faith. When our trust is in God, we are empowered by Him to triumph in every situation.

2 Corinthians 2:14says: Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

When we trust and obey God, He causes us to triumph always. Do not limit what God can do in your life. If He used a layman to start the third great awakening. God can use anyone who yields to Him to accomplish His will on earth. What we need to do is to prepare ourselves through diligent study of God’s Word and a prayerful lifestyle, so as to be sensitive to the promptings of The Holy Spirit as He leads us.

Proverbs 3:5-6,  says “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)

Today,, take the limits off by trusting God. Whatever He has asked you to do step out in faith and do it. And as you move in obedience, God will do for you exceedingly abundantly above all you could ever ask or imagine.

PRAYER; Lord please help me to be obedient to Your Word and to focus on Your promises over my life. I know that You are in perfect control and as I continue to trust in You, You will exceed all my expectations in Jesus Name.

Quote :

The treasures of God are never on the shallow end, but are always buried in the depth of God’s Word. It takes a personal discovery to get there. – WORDBITE 222