Daniel 6:23 ‘.. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.’

DAILY READING; • Philippians 1:12-30; Ezekiel 19; Isaiah 48

In 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, the laws of chance and probability were defied when all the people in a bomb shelter escaped a direct hit from a devastating missile attack.

A group of new Russian immigrants who had arrived Israel at the time of the war were given accommodation in a neighborhood in southern Tel Aviv.
Soon after their arrival, the siren went off warning of an incoming missile attack. They were rushed to the nearby public bomb shelter where about 200 people huddled together.
Many of them began to pray and call upon God, reciting the Psalms and claiming God’s promise of protection as missiles flew overhead.
But suddenly, in the midst of their prayers, there was a great explosion as the shelter was hit by a direct missile carrying 550 pounds of explosives. Many of the people were thrown to the ground by the force of the explosion as the smell of burning sulfur and a thick cloud of dust filled the air.
There were wild screams of terror from different corners of the room, as it appeared that the direct hit had killed many people. But when the noise stopped and the dust began to clear, those who had been thrown to the ground all began to get up and look around. After a while it became obvious that no single person had been hurt. Somehow, miraculously, despite the devastation of the bomb on the building, all of the 200 people in the bomb shelter had escaped, totally unharmed.
The next morning, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir visited the area with the Mayor of Tel Aviv and were astonished to see for themselves the massive damage to the building and yet learn that no one person was wounded.
Indeed God had heard the prayers and supplications of the people in the shelter and granted them an amazing wonder of divine deliverance.

Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”

The missile that exploded at that bomb shelter had the capability of totally killing everyone in the building, but on that day, God rendered its destructive capability powerless as the people prayed and called upon Him.

When Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, it was obvious he could not survive, but Daniel was a man who knew how to call upon God. He was known for his habit of constant prayers.

Daniel 6:10-11 said “He knelt down on his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.’

Because Daniel served God fervently, when he was thrown into the den, God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the lions and render all their ferocious capabilities powerless against Daniel.
When we have formed a habit of constantly seeking God, when we call upon Him in the day of trouble He speedily answers us.
Just as God rescued Daniel from the power of the lions, when you walk closely with God, you can count on Him to protect you.

In these end-times, the believers who take shelter in the secret place of the Most High, will be delivered from the enemy that is going about like a roaring lion looking for whom to devour.

Jesus tells us that a lifestyle of constant prayers will be the key to escaping the evils of these last days.
In Luke 21:36, He said ‘Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass..’

Likewise, as we continue to fervently seek God, we shall escape the spiritual arrows and missiles that are flying about by day and night. Just as death and destruction had no power over Daniel, as a redeemed child of God they will have no power over you either.

Daniel 6:23 says that “No wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”
Certainly, as we trust in the Lord our God, we shall escape every snare of the fowler and emerge triumphant over every battle.

PRAYER: Father I thank You for establishing me in a deeper and more intimate relationship with You. As I seek You passionately and fervently I know that I shall indeed escape every attack and be constantly victorious in every battle in Jesus’ Name.

QUOTE:
As long as Jesus is in your boat, you cannot sink or fail, God’s presence always guarantees your victory – WORDBITE 222.

Zechariah 13:9 says ‘And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.’

DAILY READING; • Philippians 1:1-11; Ezekiel 18; Isaiah 47

The city of Laodicea was a prosperous center of banking and commerce founded in the 3rd century BC. It was famous for wool clothing and for a popular eye salve produced by its medical school.
However, in spite of its prosperity, the city had a major strategic weakness; it lacked an adequate and convenient water source.
Interestingly, Laodicea was located in the middle of two other cities that had abundance of water. On its north was the city of Hierapolis which was famous for its hot spring waters and on the other side was Colossae which was known for its pure, cold waters.
It appears that the Laodicians had an agreement with the city of Hierapolis to obtain hot water from their springs. Archaeology shows that Laodicea had an aqueduct that carried water from the hot mineral springs of Hierapolis to them.
However, though the temperature of the water was usually hot when it left Hierapolis, because it had to travel for five miles, by the time it reached Laodicea it would often become lukewarm. This lukewarm water was less-than-refreshing, but it was what the Laodicians had to use for their daily needs.

In Revelation 3:16 Jesus addressed the Laodician Church in a manner they could easily understand when He said that they were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm.

Revelation 3:16 says ‘So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.’

Among the seven churches in the book of Revelation, the lukewarm church of Laodicea was the only church that was not commended for anything. Yet they were congratulating themselves for being wealthy, increased with goods, and in need of nothing; while the Lord saw them as wretched, miserable, poor, and blind.

The letter written to the Laodiceans has great relevance to us today.
In these last days the Church is experiencing overwhelming prosperity such as the Christian world has never seen in history. Yet we must never allow the comforts of prosperity make us content to live without the fire, power and supernatural element that makes us sons of God.
If we seek gold first we will miss God, but when we seek God first we will meet gold.
The Word of Jesus to the Laodiciean Church should jerk us up from every spiritual complacency and make us continually seek God for fresh fire.

Spiritual fire is what will give us the passion and drive to keep pursuing God even in the midst of prosperity. Without this fire, we will gradually become entangled with the affairs of this world and lose sight of the high calling upon our lives.
But as we stay on fire, we will be purified to become vessels of honor fit for the Master’s use.
Just as the fire of God distinguished Elijah from the prophets of Baal, as sons of God we are to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Let us therefore fervently pursue God’s Word, prayers and fellowship with the Spirit, so as to stay spiritually hot and burning for Jesus.
Staying in God’s Word will not only inform us, but also inflame us. Jeremiah 20:9 says ‘But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones’.
It is certainly time to return to our first love and begin to seek and serve God with fresh zeal. We need to return back to sweet fellowship with the Spirit and become worshippers in Spirit and in truth.
We have to realize that eternity is at stake.
Let us therefore avoid all lukewarmness and stay on fire, so that at the end of our earthly race, we cross the finish line with our torch still burning bright to hear the eternal ‘Well done!’.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to avoid the distractions of these last days and always stay on fire for You. Please enable me to focus on what matters most and fervently seek and serve You always in Jesus’ Name.
QUOTE:
When God’s Word is in your heart, there will automatically be gold in your hand – WORDBITE 222

2 Corinthians 4:17 ‘For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;’

DAILY READING — Ephesians 6; Ezekiel 17; Isaiah 46

Polycarp’s story is the first recorded martyrdom in post-New Testament Church history. Though he had been a Christian since he was a child, the Romans didn’t get around to killing him until he was in his eighties.
Polycarp lived during the era of the church that followed after the death of the original apostles. Tradition has it that he was personally discipled by the apostle John and was appointed as bishop of Smyrna (in modern Izmir in Turkey).
It is not clear exactly why he was suddenly, at age 86, subject to arrest, but when he heard Roman officials were intent on arresting him, he decided to wait for them at home. Panic-stricken friends pleaded with him to flee, so to calm them, he finally agreed to withdraw to a small estate outside of town. But while in prayer there, he received a vision and later told his friends “I must be burned alive.”
Roman soldiers eventually discovered Polycarp’s whereabouts and came to his door. When his friends urged him to run, Polycarp replied, “God’s will be done,” and he let the soldiers in.
After feeding the soldiers, he desired them to give him an hour more to pray. When this was allowed him, he prayed with such fervency, that the soldiers repented that they had been instrumental in his arrest.
He was escorted to the local proconsul, Statius Quadratus, who interrogated him in front of a crowd of curious onlookers. Polycarp seemed unfazed by the interrogation, until Quadratus lost his temper and condemned him to die. The proconsul then urged him to reject Christ and he would release him. But Polycarp answered, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?”
He was taken to the stake and when the flames were kindled they encircled his body, like an arch, without touching him or burning him. The executioner, on seeing this, then pierced him with a sword, but the blood came out with such great force and great quantity that it extinguished the fire. Throughout all this, Polycarp was singing and praising God, until he finally died.

Though today we will not be burned with physical fire, yet there are fires of afflictions and trials that sometimes come to try our faith and commitment to Christ.
Anytime we face fires of trials, we should see them as opportunities to uplift our God before men.
In everything our one purpose must be that God will be glorified.

When we read amazing testimonies of early Christians as Polycarp’s, we should indeed wonder and ponder. Those early Christians totally gave over their lives to God such that for them ‘to live was Christ and to die was gain.’
They walked in the very reality of God’s Presence. They only saw every discomfort or pain as an opportunity to magnify God before men and give a good testimony of their faith.

In the same way today our existence should be centered around Christ.
His Will should always be uppermost in our lives. And in everything we give Him praise.

Often the challenges and trials that come our way serve the purpose of unveiling God’s glory in our lives.

2 Corinthians 4:17 says ‘For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;’

Sometimes, great glory is preceded by great turbulence. When an airplane is about to rise higher, it often experiences turbulence.
As long as we maintain a close walk with God we can always trust He is in control and will cause us to triumph always.

2 Corinthians 2:14 says: 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.

Indeed as we sincerely seek to glorify God in everything He will cause us to emerge victorious and triumphant over the fiery trials and afflictions of this present age.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to bless You at all times, despite any challenge I may face. let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my mouth in Jesus Name.

QUOTE ; Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.

Leviticus 6:13 says ‘the fire shall ever be burning upon the altar it shall never go out.’

DAILY READING – Ephesians 5:21-33; Ezekiel 16; Isaiah 45

Witold Glinski is the last survivor of World War Two’s greatest escape.
While only 17 years, he was separated from his parents, and taken to Moscow’s notorious Lubianka Prison where he was condemned to 25 years hard labour.
Staying in that prison was like a death sentence. So, he had a choice to either wait to die, or try to get away.
Witold began plotting his escape from prison and when he eventually escaped, he and six other men walked 4,000 miles to freedom.. All the way from the Siberian prison camp to India they trekked through frozen forests, over mountains and across deserts on a journey that took 11 months.
Though they were seven men when they broke out from prison in February 1941, only four reached to safety, at a British base in India.
They had escaped from the prison camp in the middle of a snowstorm in 1941 and headed south, avoiding towns. They journeyed from Siberia to India crossing the Gobi Desert and Himalayas.
They did the incredible by surviving the freezing weather and walking on foot for over 4000 miles through the killing cold of Siberia. They would eventually cross through five countries.
Their survival, despite the insurmountable cold, was possible because they had a flint and knife with which they could make fire and keep warm. They also survived because they walked briskly generating heat that kept their bodies warm. After a gruesome journey, they eventually escaped from the hostile soviet territory, into safety.

We can draw a deep spiritual lesson from this story.
Fire is essential for survival when journeying through a cold region.
As believers we are pilgrims journeying through the spiritually cold climate of the world. And to survive this journey we need to keep our fire burning through walking daily with Jesus and spending time in His presence.

Luke 24:32 says that after the resurrection Jesus met two of His disciples as they walked to a city called Emmaus, but they didn’t know Him. Later as He ate supper with them at their house, an interesting thing happened: “Their eyes were opened…they knew Him… and they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’” (vv. 31-32 NKJV).

When Jesus talks to us and reveals His Word to us, our hearts will burn with His fire.
We are therefore to maintain our spiritual fire through spending quality time with Him daily.

Leviticus 6:13 says ‘the fire shall ever be burning upon the altar it shall never go out.’

The climate in the world is growing colder daily. Different manner of sins and perversions have recently been emerging. Thus to be spiritually cold or lukewarm in such an environment is dangerous.

In Revelations 3:15-16 Jesus says ‘So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.’

We must be full of fire and fervency to avoid being disconnected from Jesus. And to maintain this fire, we must stay close to the Word.

Proverbs 26:20 says ‘Where no wood is, there the fire goes out.’ It is the entrance of The Word that gives light. Staying anointed requires that we stay in the Word.
When we stop putting in the wood, the fire is bound to go out. So to always maintain the fire of the Holy Ghost already kindled in us, we must constantly engage in the study of the Word of God.

Failure for any believer to maintain spiritual fire and fervency in this end=times will have dire consequences. We must always keep our fire burning brightly because that is what will keep the forces of darkness away.
Every moment we spend in the Word will count in sustaining the fire. The more we stay in God’s Word the more fire is imparted into us.

In the natural, to keep a fire burning you must tend it, stoke it, and keep fueling it. Likewise, spiritually let us keep our fire burning brightly, by maintaining a fervent prayer life and continually stoking our fire with the wood of God’s Word. This way, we remain always fervent in spirit and too hot for any devil to handle.

PRAYER: Father please help me to stand strong despite the spiritual coldness and fierce winds of oppositions in the world. I thank You Lord, for the grace to keep my fire burning in these end-times in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
God’s promises in Christ in your life may appear delayed, but never forget that delays are not denials. WORDBITE 222.

Ephesians 3:20 (MSG): “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”

DAILY READING; Ephesians 5:1-20; Ezekiel 14-15; Isaiah 44

Bethany Hamilton got born again at a young age and began to develop great faith in Christ. Bethany’s foundation of faith became the backbone and source of strength that helped her to overcome a devastating accident when she was only 13 years old.

Bethany loved surfing and dreamed to become a professional surfer.
However, on October 31, 2003, young Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing off Kauais North Shore. The shark’s sharp teeth completely severed Bethany’s left arm. By the time she was rescued, she had lost over 60% of her blood, and had to undergo several surgeries.

Despite this tragic experience, Bethany refused to remain depressed. While at the hospital, she amazed the medical team with her positive attitude. Doctors believed her strong faith in God helped to get her through the traumatic ordeal.
Miraculously, just 26 days after the shark attack, Bethany returned to the water to continue surfing with only one arm. She didn’t let the handicap stop or deter her from pursuing her dream.
Finally, in 2007, at 17 years of age, Bethany realized her goal of becoming a professional surfer. She went on to win in several competitions and is now ranked among the top 50 female surfers in the world.
The film Soul Surfer released in 2011 was inspired by Bethany’s amazing story.
Today, Bethany Hamilton shares her faith in Jesus Christ with people around the world and has become a source of inspiration for millions.

Ephesians 3:20 (MSG) says “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”

Many times, people allow negative experiences to become excuses to settle into depression, regression and deterioration.
But no matter what you may have lost, God can take what is left and do more with it than you could have ever imagined.
We serve the God of limitless possibilities. He is the God of more than enough; He has more than enough grace, more than enough power, and more than enough resources to exceed our every expectation.
If God can cause a one-armed girl to be ranked among the top surfers in the world, the question is “What’s our excuse? Why can’t we accomplish the dream God has placed in our hearts”?

No matter what we may encounter in life’s race, we must never let it limit our dreams and visions. Anytime we encounter bumps on the road or the going gets tough, it can be tempting to throw in the towel, but the truth is that it is never over until God says so. We must keep faith alive and keep blessing the Lord.
Faith puts no limitations on God and God puts no limitations on faith. If you believe it, God can do it.
Whatever seems to be a limitation or handicap, has not disqualified you from the amazing race before you.
Despite the stumbling blocks, by God’s grace you can still arise, exceed every expectation and win.
Therefore stop looking at your limitations. Stop looking at the doctor’s report, stop looking at your bank account. Lift up your eyes and look up, your help will come from the Lord. Study the Word until your faith is built up to believe God for the miraculous. Certainly, when you believe, nothing will be impossible to you.

The truth is that you are capable of much more accomplishment than you realize. You have potentials for greater victories within you. It is not about you, it is about Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is not about your capability, it is about His ability at work in you.
Therefore today, do not limit yourself due to present circumstances. Do not settle for less than what God has ordained for you.
Inspite of the setbacks and delays, God can still cause your visions and dreams to come to pass.
Just remain joyful and keep judging God faithful.
As you keep blessing God, He will certainly release upon you the overtaker’s anointing to go past men’s expectations and break limits. You will be carried by wind of the Spirit, and ride on the wings of grace.
Indeed God will do for you far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! [Ephesians 3:20. MSG]

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to always remain joyful as I run life’s race. I know indeed that as I continually praise You, everything is turning around for me and You are exceeding my expectations in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE
It’s never over in your life until you win God is still in control of your life. WORDBITE 222

Psalm 50:23 ‘Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.’

DAILY READING – • Ephesians 4:17-32; Ezekiel 12-13; Isaiah 43

Ginette Sainfort is simply known in Haiti as the “Singing Survivor”. She has become an iconic image of the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010.
In the disaster that claimed 316,000 lives, Ginette survived through the miracle of praise.

Though the earthquake had buried her underneath a mountain of concrete for almost a week, she had such great faith that God would deliver her that she spent the time of her entrapment focusing on the song she would sing when eventually rescued.
After an almost hopeless search, likened to looking for a pin in a haystack, rescuers were eventually able to locate Ginette. Though she was weak, and dehydrated, as they began to pull her out, an amazing thing happened, – she started to sing.
Sainfort began to sing her planned song which was a powerful French hymn, part of which said;
“If the sea is unleashed/ If the wind blows hard/ If the boat leads you/ Do not be afraid of death. He did not say you will sink/ He said ‘Let’s go on the other side.’ ”
It was a most moving moment for the rescuers to watch this weakened woman who had not eaten or drunken water for many days use her remaining breath to bless God.

Even after her ordeal, years later she continues to praise God for His faithfulness. Recently, when being interviewed in the News Media, she said that she hasn’t had a single day of depression. “I’m alive,” she said. “I have no time for sadness.”
Every year, on 12th January, at the anniversary of the earthquake, she goes to Church to thank God and bless Him for His mercies that had delivered her from death.

When Jonah was buried in the belly of the whale, for the first eight verses of Jonah 2, all he focused on what his negative situation.
But from verse 9, when he stopped complaining and chose to offer a sacrifice of praise, there was a sudden change in his situation.
Jonah 9 says ‘But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.’
Then the next verse, 10, then says ‘And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.’
As long as Jonah complained he remained buried in the belly of the fish, but when he switched to praise, he experienced deliverance.

Sometimes, we want to wait and only give God praise when we have gotten delivered. But that’s not how faith works. You’ve have to learn to give God praise, even before you see the manifestation of victory.

Oftentimes, in life’s journey you have to pass through some valleys before you can get to your mountaintop.
But even in the valley, you have to continue to give God praise because praise is what causes you to be raised.
Though you may sometimes walk through the valley of the shadow of death, through praise you will fear no evil, because God will be with you.

Praise brings God’s Presence which guarantees deliverance out of every pit of life.
Indeed you can praise your way to victory. When you praise, God causes every situation that has tried to swallow you up to spit you out. Chains are broken and bondages are destroyed.
Praise activates God’s power because it is an expression of our confidence in His ability.

God is pleased, when you may have reasons to be discouraged, but rather you choose to encourage yourself in the Lord and raise a song of praise.

Hebrews 13:15 says we are to offer God praise, “continually.”
This means we don’t just praise God only when things look good, rather in everything we keep blessing the Lord.

Therefore today, fix your eyes on Jesus and not on the negativity. Choose to live each day in God’s Presence, by spending time in His Word until joy is imparted into your heart. Then maintain an atmosphere of joy around you and in all things keep giving God thanks. As you do so, you will see a sudden positive turnaround and abundance of miracles, signs and wonders.

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to always maintain a praise-full lifestyle. I know that You are too faithful to fail and even right now You are at work to turn every mourning into dancing for me in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.

Revelation 12:11 ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.’’

DAILY READING • Ephesians 4:1-16; Ezekiel 10-11; Isaiah 42

The single worst intelligence failure in U.S. history is the Japanese attack on the U.S Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. It is also one of history’s most famous surprise attacks.
Amazingly, despite the many signs that a strike was imminent, the US military ignored them.

In the days and hours leading up to the raid, American code breakers had noted an abundance of ominous chatter from the Japanese communication lines.
On the day of attack, on December 7, 1941, early that morning, an American warship had noticed an unidentified submarine lurking at the harbor’s mouth. American radar operators even detected the Japanese warplanes as they approached Pearl from the north and sent out warnings, but these warnings went unheeded.

A few minutes after 7.am, American soldiers at the Naval Base, awoke to the sounds of alarms, bombs exploding, and gunfire.
Sleepy-eyed men jumped off their bunks, dressing in a hurry as they ran to their stations.
The U.S Navy had been caught so completely off guard that even their ammunition stores were still locked. Guns were unmanned and the aircrafts were parked on the ground.
Though the Americans tried to recover quickly and attack back, the Japanese having the element of surprise on their side, wielded the upper hand.
In less than three hours the Japanese had accomplished their mission and departed, leaving behind devastation that killed more than 2,300 Americans and destroyed twelve ships and 160 aircrafts.
News of the attack took America by surprise. The next day the American President declared war on Japan. Though America would eventually gain victory over Japan, yet the attack at Pearl Harbor taught them a great lesson about military alertness.

The battles of life often come suddenly. At such times, it is your level of preparedness and the reserve of power you have that will pull you through.
Oftentimes, the enemy strikes most when men are spiritually weak. In Matthew 13:25, it was while men slept or were spiritually weak, that the enemy sowed tares.
The Japanese succeeded because their strategy was to carry out a massive attack while the Americans were still sleeping and unprepared.

In wars, each side always tries to attack the other side at their weakest point. The same principle applies spiritually, this is why we must always live ready.
Although the elements of his temptations vary, the enemy keeps looking for those unguarded areas of a believer’s life to strike at.
We therefore need to recognize our weak spots, and continually work at strengthening them. As Christians, we must know our personal danger zones. We need to bring every weakness and temptation to the Lord immediately, asking Him for the strength to resist.

Oftentimes before an attack, we will receive warning signs. One of these signs is low spiritual fire and loss of fervency.. To avoid being caught off guard, we must keep our fire burning through spending time in the study of the Word, prayers and worship.

The Power in the Blood of Jesus has been made available to us to live in victory and dominion. If you find yourself struggling in any area, engage the Blood weapon in battle to overcome. Plead the Blood over every temptation, and spiritual laxity.

Revelation 12:11 says ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.’

The power in the Blood empowers us to live a crucified life of denying the flesh and living in accordance to God’s Word.
Understand that we are in warfare with a vicious enemy who is looking for every opportunity to kill, steal and destroy. Especially in these end-times, the enemy is on a mission of destruction because he knows his time is short. Therefore you cannot afford to allow any form of spiritual weakness in any area of your life.
Do everything you can to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Certainly when every inch of us is sold out to Jesus and every part of us is consecrated and devoted to Him, there will be no room for the enemy to attack.

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for the great price of the Blood that was paid for my deliverance. Today, through the Blood of Jesus I draw the strength to constantly overcome every spiritual weakness and live in victory and dominion in Jesus Name.

QUOTE;
When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction. – WORDBITE 222

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’

DAILY READING Ephesians 3; Ezekiel 8-9; Isaiah 41

For many decades, Christians in China have suffered many attacks and persecutions. Yet, the Chinese Church keeps bouncing back and waxing stronger despite these many challenges.
One of the reasons for this has been the resilient spirit of the believers in China. For many years, the Chinese government has attempted to restrict the Christians in the country, yet their voices cannot be silenced.

This fact was evident, in the story of Pastor Yang Hua who recently faced persecution from the government. When Chinese authorities raided his church, Pastor Yang was arrested for attempting to prevent the authorities from confiscating a hard drive in the Church.
He was charged with the crime of obstructing justice and imprisoned on December 9, 2015. In addition he also faced an accusation of owing the government more than $1 million in fines due to collecting offerings in the Church.
The pastor was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. While incarcerated, he developed diabetes and a severe inflammation in his legs that left him in intense pain and unable to walk for weeks.
He was eventually released on 19th June 2018 after completing his sentence. At his release, despite all his challenges, as he left the prison premises, Pastor Hua burst out into loud praises. He sang and blessed God to show that imprisonment couldn’t stop his faith. Despite all he seemed to have lost he remained grateful to God that he didn’t lose his life.

In the Old Testament, when the priest made offerings on hot coals, accompanied with incense, the Bible says that these offerings made by fire were a pleasing aroma and a sweet savor unto the Lord. [Leviticus 2:16]

Sometimes some of our sweetest incenses of praise are those offered from the fire.
At those times, when everything seems to be contrary and there seems no reason to be thankful, those are the very moments we should offer unto God worthy praise.

God is certainly in control and He will never put on you more than you can bear. Sometimes, tribulation is an indication of the grace He has given you to overcome the situation.
Indeed the fire is not there to burn you, but rather there to reveal the power of God in your life.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were put in jail for preaching the Gospel, but it became an opportunity to reveal the power of God in their lives. As they praised despite their pain, God came down in an earthquake and miraculously delivered them.

Every time you praise despite the pain, you’re making preparation for the rain.

In 2 Kings chapter 3, there was serious drought in the valley. It hadn’t rained in a long time, and there was not a cloud in the sky. And yet the prophet Elijah instructed the people to dig ditches in preparation to catch the water from the rain that was coming. It was a strange command to dig ditches in a desert place, when there was no sign of rain. But when the people dug the ditches, the next day they were filled to overflowing, the drought had ended!

Today, there may not seem to be any sign of rain around you, but make preparations by blessing the Lord at all times. As you do, you will soon hear the coming sound of the abundance of rain. As you keep praising God, your season will start changing.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’

Rejoicing and being thankful in everything is God’s will for us. Therefore, today, no matter the situation, let us keep blessing the Lord at all times. As we do, we will soon see downpours of favor, blessings, and abundance of God’s signs and wonders.

PRAYER: Lord, Please grant me the grace to always give You worthy praise at all times. No matter what happens around me, I thank You for always being in total control and perfecting all that concerns me in Jesus Name.

Quote
Your attitude always determines your altitude in life. –WORDBITE 222.

Hebrews 12:11 [AMP] “For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose]’

DAILY READING; Ephesians 2; Ezekiel 6-7; Isaiah 40

‘The ‘Modesto manifesto’ was the resolutions made by Billy Graham and his close friends early in their ministry on how to escape temptations.
By that time in 1948, Billy Graham was a good looking 31-years old Charismatic evangelist who was beginning to draw a lot of attention with his crusades.
The Media often commented on his good looks and how he had repeatedly turned down offers to go into the movies.
As different people, including celebrities, flocked to the revival meetings, temptations loomed. Billy Graham then decided to take concrete steps to avoid the slightest whiff of controversy.
While holding evangelistic meetings in Modesto, California, he called together the four closest members of his ministry team. These charismatic young men gathered in a hotel room in Modesto, to draw up a compact that became known as the “Modesto Manifesto.”
They drew up resolutions to guide them in terms of financial integrity, sexual morality’, and publicity.
The most famous provision of the manifesto is what became known as the “Billy Graham Rule”, which was Billy’s decision to never be alone with any woman other than his wife.
The “Billy Graham Rule” created some controversy as people thought he went too far, but for Billy Graham, the pledge helped him to discipline himself and dodge any accusations of immorality. He was determined to follow Apostle Paul’s mandate to “Flee … youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 1:22).
Billy Graham also backed up his resolutions with great spiritual discipline. He followed a strict regimen of daily prayers, fellowship and diligent study of the Scriptures.
His ability to avoid scandals led to his appearing 57 times in Gallup polls annual list of “Ten Most Admired People”.
Billy Graham ended up preaching the Gospel to an estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide. He is believed to have preached to more people than any other person in history.

To attain God’s high calling for our lives we need to do everything possible to discipline ourselves to live in accordance to His Word.
Our personal walk with God will determine our outward manifestation before men.

No matter how gifted you are, if you lack self-discipline, you may never realize your maximum potential. Truly to conquer the world, you must first conquer yourself.

Today, we live in an out-of-control, over-indulgent and self-centered society, where many people are taking the path of least resistance and giving in to temptations. Just as a car without brake eventually crashes, many destinies are crashing for lack of applying the brake of self- control.
To be able to live for God in such a generation, every serious believer has to be willing to undergo the training for self-discipline.

Hebrews 12:11 tells us that though discipline for the moment seems painful and unpleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Self-discipline is really Christ-discipline. The more we give ourselves to Him the more we are strengthened by Him to overcome the world.
In these last days, God is grooming us for special assignments of manifesting His wonders on the earth.
This is why it is essential that we begin to receive the necessary spiritual training and pruning to align with His Word.
We are living at a time in the world when distractions and temptations are at the highest level in human history.
At such a time, we can no longer afford to live carelessly because those who live anyhow end up anyhow. We must therefore strive to be controlled totally by God’s Word.
It has been said that the best time to plant a tree is twenty five years ago…The second best time is today.
So starting today let’s take the decision to be more self- disciplined and do all that is necessary to get our lives in alignment with God’s will.
There are many things God wants to do in our lives right now.
And as we begin to sincerely seek His Word, and worship Him in spirit and truth, we are going to see a manifestation of His glorious power that will establish us in the life of wonders He has designed for us.

PRAYER: Lord, Please enable me to constantly discipline myself to walk in Your Will. Indeed by Your grace I shall overcome the lures of the world, as I press forward in Your high calling upon my life in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
God is preparing you for the season He prepared for your breakthrough WORDBITE 222.

Hebrews 13:15  “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name’.

DAILY READING    Ephesians 1; Ezekiel 4-5, Psalm 150.

In Israel’s history, the fig tree was one of their most important trees. Its fruit was valued greatly in their diet and considered among their staple foods.
Israeli farmers often planted fig trees in their vineyards. The tree adapts to most soils and its extensive root system enables it to endure the often long, dry climate of the Middle East. But if any fig tree was unfruitful, it would be cut down. A poor fig harvest was deemed a calamity by the Israeli farmers. They cut down the unfruitful because good soil was too scarce to be wasted on them. Also because fruit trees were taxed, any unproductive tree became an undesirable economic burden and consequently gotten rid of.

In Jesus’ illustration of the unproductive fig tree, [Luke 13:6, 7] He spoke of a certain man who had a fig tree in his vineyard. The tree had been unproductive for three years, and the owner was about to have it cut down. But the vinedresser said: “Master, let it alone also this year, until I dig around it and put on manure; and if then it produces fruit in the future, well and good; but if not, you shall cut it down.”

When Jesus gave this illustration, He had already been preaching for three years, endeavoring to cultivate faith among the Jews. However, the week before He was to be crucified, it became evident that the nation in general had rejected the Messiah.
Four days before His death, while traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem Jesus saw a fig tree that had abundant leaves but no fruit. Normally the fig tree, unlike other trees,  provided a harvest of early figs in June and a main crop generally from August onward.  
Since the early figs appear along with the leaves, and sometimes even before the leaves develop,  when Jesus approached the fig tree He possibly looked for these early fruits. 

The tree’s lack of fruit was unexpected, it showed that it was worthless.
Jesus cursed the sterile fig tree, and on the following day, the disciples noticed that it had withered.

The dried-up tree signified God’s rejection of those who would  not produce fruits. 
John 4:23 tells us that God is seeking for worshippers in Spirit and in truth. God is seeking fruit from us!. We are created to offer up continual worship and praise unto God..

Hebrews 13:15 says ‘By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.’

The fruit of our lips is praise.
Praising God is not an option for the believer, it is a commandment. 

God speaking in Malachi 2:2 says ‘And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings’ 

Is it any wonder then that Jesus cursed the fig tree? He was trying to symbolize to us the utmost importance of bringing forth fruit to God.
We  are required to continually offer up unto God, the fruits of our lips. We are under the bond of the covenant to give thanks continually to God.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 says ‘But we are bound to give thanks always to God…’
We are bound to do it. It is not an option. 

God has planted us on earth for the purpose of receiving the fruit of praise from us. And like every farmer He expects to receive the fruit of what He has planted. Not to Praise God is to deny Him His fruit, but when we praise Him we come under His blessing. As we praise Him, He takes care of us so that we can bring forth more fruit.
So choose to be blessed today and everyday by continually offering God quality praise. And when you give God what He desires you can be sure He will give you in return that which you desire.. 

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to continually offer to You the fruits of praise, indeed You have been good to me, You have done all things well, and  I bless You now and forevermore in Jesus Name… .

QUOTE 

Praise is proof that you believe God to do what He said, He would do in your life, – WORDBITE 201.