Luke 8:1–3  “He went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”

DAILY READING –  Philippians 2:1-11; Ezekiel 20; Isaiah 49

500 years ago, the English Bible did not exist. In 1408, the Roman Catholic Church had banned any translation of the Bible into English. And so English people had no access to the Bible, rather it was only read to them in Church every Sunday in Latin, a language they didn’t understand.  At this time, God raised up a man named William Tyndale and gave him a burning desire to translate the Bible into English. Tyndale could read Latin, knew the Bible and desperately wanted to bring God’s Word into the language of the people. However though  Tyndale had the vision, he lacked the necessary  resources  and funds to make it become a reality.  At this time also God raised   a successful cloth merchant  named Humphrey Monmouth who came alongside Tyndale and funded the translation. Monmouth who was greatly affected by the ministry of Tyndale, not only funded the first translation of the Bible into English, but also housed Tyndale for six months while he worked. And when the English Bible was eventually printed, Monmouth used his merchant ships to smuggle the first 3,000 copies of the English New Testament into England. They came hidden in bales of cloth, stuffed in sacks of flour and sealed in watertight boxes inside barrels of oil and wine. These contraband Bibles were sold in secret. People eagerly bought them up, happy at last to have a Bible  they could read in their own language and know God through it. Though King Henry VIII tried to stamp out the influence of Tyndale’s translation, he was unable to stop the spread, due to the sheer volume of Humphrey Monmouth’s ships carrying the Tyndale translations to every corner of the British Empire. The fruit of Tyndale and Monmouth’s partnership did shake England. However they eventually paid a high price; Tyndale, who had lived in exile from England for over a decade, ended up betrayed, arrested, imprisoned and finally burned at the stake — for translating the Bible into English! While Monmouth spent a year confined in the Tower of London.

Today Tyndale’s work lives on: 90% of the King James Version of the Bible and 75% of the Revised Standard Version are from the translation made by William Tyndale and over 600 million English speakers directly benefit from William Tyndale’s life and work.  However, Monmouth’s contribution was no less as important as the work done by Tyndale.

Not all of us can stand and preach in a church or go to a mission field, but all of us can play a vital role in God’s work like Monmouth, by using our resources for His Kingdom. The kingdom mandate requires us to faithfully serve God through supporting preachers to take the message of the Gospel into all the world.  As God raises heroes of faith like William Tyndale, there is also a call for men like Monmouth to arise to support their vision. Luke chapter 8 mentions certain women such as Mary called Magdalene, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who  ministered unto Jesus out of their substance.

We must be willing to sow willingly towards the work of spreading the Gospel into all the world. God’s financial dominion plan anchors on the covenant of seed time and harvest. To enjoy financial fortune your  desire  must be to see God’s Kingdom prosper. Kingdom wealth is not an achievement, rather it is an entrustment from God to those who will promote His Kingdom. Indeed when we seek first the advancement of God’s kingdom, then He ensures all other things are added unto us (Matthew 6:33).

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for granting me the grace to accept the spiritual responsibility of giving towards the expansion of Your kingdom. Thank You Lord, for Your multiplied blessings upon my life even as I sow in accordance to Your Word in Jesus Name

QUOTE

When you make that which is priority to God to become your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222

John 16:13  ‘Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.’

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

The world’s tallest brick lighthouse was built on Cape Hatteras in 1870. This lighthouse which is a staggering 208′ ft. tall, has become one of the most famous and recognizable lighthouses in the world. Its beam of light spans 20 miles into the ocean, signaling ships at sea. In the 18th and 19th centuries, lighthouses were widely used to warn ships of hazardous coastlines. In dark and treacherous weathers, the constant beam of the lighthouse helped to guide ships into safe harbors and kept them from wrecking. As a result, many ships and lives, have been saved because of the guidance provided by these lighthouses.

The Holy Spirit can be likened to our lighthouse. In the journey of life, we need  His ministry to avoid a shipwreck of destiny. You can’t know greatness until you know guidance.

John 16:13 says  ‘Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.’

The Spirit shows us things to come. He shows us what to do to ascend to the next level of greatness that God has in store for us. What He showed Joseph took him from the prison to the palace overnight. As we fellowship with Him, He will show us what eyes have not seen, nor ears heard and neither has entered into the hearts of men. He is our light in the dark and treacherous waters of this world. It is by His guidance that we can keep our ship afloat as we navigate through the journey of life.

The Holy Spirit empowers us for the Fulfillment of Destiny. He enables us to do exploits, to set the pace, blaze the trail, and ascend to amazing heights. Therefore for us to fulfill destiny, we need Him actively at work in our lives.

Without power you cannot go up. And to experience power there is a price to pay. There are no stars without scars. And the scar of stars is sacrifice. The price for power is prayer. It has been said ‘more prayer more power, and no prayer no power.’ The more time we spend in praying and fasting the more we will be guided by The Spirit. And when The Spirit guides you, He also empowers you to accomplish the destiny God has for you. There is a plan God has laid out for us. And we need The Holy Spirit to fulfill it, because what will be accomplished in our lives will not be by might, nor by power but only by The Spirit.

As believers engaged in fierce spiritual battles  we can no longer afford to live anyhow. To live anyhow, is to end up anyhow. As we can never outgrow the need for divine guidance we must therefore submit to the guidance of The Spirit. There are many pitfalls on the path of destiny and we need the light of The Spirit to guide us out of those traps.

In the days of ignorance, or spiritual immaturity, God may have winked at us, but now He wants us to come to the place of sonship, where we are led by His Spirit. Indeed it is only as many as are led by The Spirit that are the sons of God.

PRAYER: Lord, Please by Your Spirit, guide me on this journey of destiny. Help me to be willing to pay whatever price it takes, to experience the empowerment of Your Spirit in my life in Jesus Name.

Quote

The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained  victorious end for you.

Psalm 107:20 ‘He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions’

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

In past centuries, the South Sea islands have been known for their cannibalism, which only came to a stop in recent times.  Missionaries risked their lives to bring the Gospel to these people. And when the message of the Gospel finally gained a hold on some of these former cannibals, their lives were greatly transformed. Leaving behind their old ways, they served God with dedication.

The story is told of an anthropologist who was carrying out research in the region of the South Sea islands. One day he came upon one of these converted cannibals who was sitting by a large pot reading his Bible. When the anthropologist saw him, he was curious as to what the man was doing. He approached the native and said, “What are you doing?” The ex-cannibal replied, “I’m reading the Bible.” The anthropologist then said, “Don’t you know that modern man has rejected that book?” The cannibal looked him over and said, “Sir, if it weren’t for this book, you’d be in that pot.”

The anthropologist of course became immediately grateful for the transformation upon the cannibal.  The truth is that if it weren’t for the Bible, many of us would have been in various pots of life. But through knowledge of the truth we have been set free. The Word of God is His instrument of rescue to us.

Psalm 107:20 says ‘He sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions’. Indeed The Word of God delivers us from destruction. It  is the supernatural force sent by God into the world to rescue us from every negative situation. And don’t forget that The Word is a person and His name is Jesus.

Jesus came primarily to the earth to rescue men and destroy the works of the devil. And whatever works of the enemy may be confronting you today, Jesus through the instrument of The Word is able to set you free. It doesn’t matter how tight things may seem,  there is power in God’s Word to transform that situation and turn it around for your good. Always know that there is a way out . You can be free, you can have your miracle, you can have the victory. You only need to pay attention to The Word  to gain revelation of what to do. Many people’s sufferings are simply because they lack the knowledge of what to do to get out of their predicament.

Hosea 4:6 says ‘My people perish for lack of knowledge’ And a wise man said ‘there is no mountain anywhere, every man’s ignorance is his ow mountain.’

There is a key of knowledge which when you apply it, will open the door for you to walk out free. The knowledge that comes from God’s Word provides us the ticket to freedom. Our depth of knowledge of The Word will determine the height of liberty we can enjoy in life. The Word of God is able to transform any situation. In-depth knowledge of God’s Word is the way of escape from every negative circumstance.

Just sit down with The Word and ask God to show you the way out. As you begin to diligently study The Word, The Holy Spirit will begin to connect scriptures that will reveal to you what to do to be free. Indeed with God’s Word, you can  sort any situation.!

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the freedom and deliverance that has come my way through the instrument of Your Word. Indeed by Your word I am preserved and delivered from every trap of destiny in Jesus  Name. .. ..

QUOTE :

The study of The Word will keep  shame and disgrace far from you

Jonah 2:9 ‘But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.’

• DAILY READING; Ephesians 6; Ezekiel 17; Isaiah 46

During Idi Amin’s reign of terror in Uganda, many Christian denominations came under his attack.  At one time, Idi Amin placed a ban against twenty-seven denominations in the country. When the ban was announced, many of the churches immediately went underground, and house meetings sprang up throughout the country.

However a church in Makerere, run by the Gospel Mission to Uganda  continued to hold its meetings. Then on April 12, 1978, Amin’s wild-eyed soldiers invaded this church and begun firing indiscriminately at the 600-strong congregation. Instead of fleeing, the assistant pastor, Jotham Mutebi, who was on the platform sank to his knees in prayer.

Amid the mayhem, hundreds more worshippers also quickly dropped to their knees between the pews. With upraised arms they began to praise The Lord. Despite the hail of bullets, these people praised God even in the face of death. The result was that the church  became filled with a cacophony of incredible sound—a combination of prayer, praise and bullets. At one point, a member of the church orchestra, raised his trumpet to his lips and blew it as loudly as he could. At the blast of the trumpet, the soldiers suddenly panicked, they thought the Christians were about to counter-attack and so they quickly fled the sanctuary. Miraculously members of this congregation were preserved and survived what would have been a horrendous massacre.

Indeed God is fearful in praises.  Despite bring surrounded by bloodthirsty soldiers, members of this church knew that in praise was their deliverance. And despite the contrary situation, as they praised, God arose and their enemies were scattered.

In the midst of negative situations praise will always bring deliverance. It can be easy to praise God when on the mountaintop, but even in the valley we should praise Him still. This is what Paul and Silas did. Although thrown into jail, as they switched to praise, God  brought deliverance to them.

When Jonah was in the belly of the whale, his initial utterances in Jonah 2 were a prayer of complaints. But after about 8 verses of such complaint and seeing it was getting him nowhere, he then switched to praise.

In Jonah 2:9, he 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.’

And when Jonah began to magnify God, the next verse says ‘And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.[ Jonah 2;10]

Indeed in our praise is our deliverance. When Jonah offered unto  God the sacrifice of praise, his experienced a positive change of story. Don’t allow your situation to pose as your portion, turn things around by offering unto God  a “Sacrifice” of praise, Continually judge God faithful.

Praise always precedes the victory. When you praise, God will cause whatsoever has swallowed you up  to spit you out. When you praise, God will take what was meant for your harm and use it to advance you. Instead of being a setback, it will become a setup for your comeback.

Giving God praise in the midst of contrary circumstances is what sacrifice of praise is about. A Sacrifice of praise will always get God’s attention, because it is praise that costs you something. David said ‘I will not offer unto God that which has cost me nothing.’

When we offer a ‘tearful’ offering of our substance  unto God it is an expression of the sacrifice of praise. And a ‘tearful’ seed will provoke a ‘fearful’ harvest. When we offer unto God that which costs us something, He releases unusual blessings to us.  When Abraham offered his only son Isaac, God swore a blessing over him.

In this season of fervent prayers we can turn the tides of blessing in our favor by offering a sacrifice of praise to God. Despite how difficult any circumstance,  if we can decide to bless God in the midst of it all, things will surely turn around for us. If we sincerely desire a positive change of story, a sacrifice of praise is the key to it. Indeed the altar of sacrifice is the altar of turnaround

PRAYER: Lord, I choose to bless You at all times. I choose to set the tone to receive Your favor, grace and mercy today by offering unto You a sacrifice of praise. Thank You Lord for Your continual faithfulness in my life in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE

When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction

-WORDBITE 222.

John 15:4-5  ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.’

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

In 1944, a study was done to determine the effect of affection and touch on babies. 40 newborn babies were split into two groups. The first group, which was the control group, grew up normally, while the second group was used for  the experiment. The babies in this second group had a special facility where their basic needs,  such as being changed, fed, burped, etc were met. However, caregivers were instructed not to touch or look at the babies more than needed; No communicating with the babies and no extended interactions, they were just to fill the baby’s basic needs and keep the place clean. But then, after four months, the experiment had to be suddenly halted. because the babies began to die.  There was no physical cause of death as the babies were all healthy. However, scientists noticed that shortly before death, these babies would stop verbalizing or trying to engage the caregivers. Then they’d stop moving, crying and changing expressions. And finally, they died. And the few of these babies who eventually survived would grow up psychologically damaged and mentally deformed. Meanwhile the babies in the control group, who received love, care and constant touch from the caregivers, had no deaths at all; they all thrived and grew up normally.

In the 1960’s, a similar experiment was done, but due to children protection laws, this time, newborn monkeys were used. And the result was the same. Baby monkeys in the control group were fine, but the ones deprived of love would die or become mentally incapable for life. These experiments proved the theory correct, that newborns not only need love but that they depend on it for the best chance at life.

In the same way, our spiritual survival is tied to our closeness to God. God is love and we need Him to survive. Indeed without Christ we can do nothing. But through Christ that strengthens us we can do all things. When we are close to God we thrive, but separated from Him, we wither.

Jesus says in John 15:4-5  ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.’

Indeed without Christ we can do nothing. Without God we have no value. It is only in Him that we can live and move and have our being.  And from Scriptures we know that every lover of God ends up a star on earth. Indeed you cannot celebrate God and not be celebrated. Therefore let us look away from man, and let our total dependence be on God. Man can be used by God to help us, but the helper remains The Holy Spirit. Therefore our focus must remain on Him. Never elevate any man above God in your heart. It is dangerous. Any day God withdraws His hand that will be the end. Therefore keep your focus on Jesus and let your creed be ‘what God cannot do for me, let it remain undone’.

Psalm 146:3-5 says  ‘Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God’

Indeed God is all we need to have all our needs met. He is our source and our sustenance.. Jeremiah 17:5-8 says ‘Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord…’

We must never allow our hearts to depart from The Lord. We must constantly cling to Him and love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. God is our helper and keeper. He is our help from ages past. Those who truly love God end up elevated by Him.  Every lover of God ends up a trailblazer and a pacesetter. However, being in love demands being in constant touch.  And we stay in constant touch with God through a daily time of prayer, worship and intimate fellowship.

Whatever situation you may be faced with right now, learn to run to God and depend on His love.  Psalm 91:14 says that when you set your love upon Him, He will deliver you and show you His salvation,

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to cling to You at all times. In every situation please help me to remain totally dependent upon You. I know that You are ever faithful and as I hope in You, I  shall never be ashamed in Jesus Name.

quote

When God places His hand upon a man in life nothing can come against him, this is because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Zechariah 9: 11-12 ‘ As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee’

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

In 1974, a young soldier, Billy Moore, who just returned from the war and desperately needed money made a wrong choice to rob a house. In the process, he mistakenly killed a man and was later arrested by the police and sentenced to death for murder. His aunt who was a Christian prayed fervently for his salvation. And when she sent her pastor to visit him in prison, Billy prayed with him and accepted Jesus into his life. Afterwards, miraculously when Billy’s execution date arrived, his case went to an automatic appeal with the Georgia Supreme Court and he was given a new execution date. And thus began a series of appeals that lasted the next 16 and a half years, where Billy had 13 new  execution dates set and then postponed each time. During this period, he studied the Bible, taught Bible studies to fellow inmates, and even earned his bachelor’s degree from a Bible college. But then after the 16 and half years, Billy’s execution date was finally set for May 24th, 1984. This time, no more appeals, no more court dates and no more postponements. Yet Billy kept his focus on Jesus. Then a few weeks before his execution, he felt the Lord wanted him to write a letter of apology to his victim’s family. This he did and surprisingly he got back letters from them saying that they were also Christians and had forgiven him. And from then, Billy and this family began writing each other every week. Then finally the day arrived when Billy was to be executed. That day, he  heard The Lord speak audibly to him saying “You shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” And so he began walking back and forth in the cell saying, ‘Jesus said I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord.’

And when it was almost time for the execution, as the guards were about to shave Billy’s hair to prepare him, they were suddenly interrupted. The officer in charge came out of the office and said he just got a phone call from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal to stop the execution. Unknown to Billy his victim’s family, along with local groups, had petitioned the courts to set Billy free! Finally on November 8th, 1991, Billy was released from prison. And today, he is an ordained minister who travels the globe speaking about the power of God’s mercy and love.

Despite the many times Billy could have died, the grace of God kept showing up. God’s grace is indeed extravagant. Ephesians 2:4 describes God as being rich in mercy. Mercy means receiving, what you are not qualified for. Billy didn’t qualify to ever be released from prison. But God’s mercy prevailed and he was set free. Indeed it is because of The Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. [Lamentations 3:23]

Likewise, the Blood of Jesus has purchased for us freedom we are not qualified for. Despite our past sins and failures,  through the Blood,  mercy has prevailed  and today we can be free to walk in dominion and power in God’s prophetic purpose for our lives. Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom, we must therefore not again allow ourselves to be entangled in any yoke of bondage. The price for every affliction was paid at Calvary, therefore  affliction is not permitted to rise a second time in our lives.

When you are in Christ Jesus, the evil that afflicts others, by reason of the blood, passes over you. Every appointment with death is cancelled.  It doesn’t matter how many times death knocks at the door, because of the Passover blood, we are exempted. Indeed we shall not die but live to declare the works of The Lord in the land of the living.

There is power in the Blood to break every chain in your life. Through the blood of the covenant we have been sent forth out of every waterless pit. Jesus paid the price for us to walk out on the devil and every form of slavery.  And  whosoever the son of God has set free, is free indeed. Indeed we are born again not to suffer again, rather we are born again to reign in life.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to understand the amazing power You have made available to me through Your Blood. Thank You Lord for  the practical manifestations of victory in my life today through the  blood in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

True success is not verifiable in the fact a man has never fallen before but rather in the fact that he did not only fall but also got up- WORDBITE 222

Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’

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

When a scuba diver is deep underwater, it is difficult for him to tell which way is up because the water diffuses the light and he can’t feel the pull of gravity. As a result, he can easily become disoriented and lose his sense of direction. His mind starts playing tricks on him, telling him that up is down and down is up. If the diver panics, he will place his life in danger if he swims in the wrong direction. However, the diver can get out of his predicament if he’ll remember one simple rule–to follow his air bubbles. Scuba divers are taught that no matter which way he thinks is the right direction, the bubbles are always correct. They never go sideways. They never go down. They always go up. The diver must therefore ignore his own sense of direction and trust his air bubbles to guide him. Under the sea, the diver is out of his elements, he is in a different world where he can be misled if he follows only his physical senses, but by following the direction of the air bubbles he can always find his way up.

Likewise, as we navigate the treacherous waters of this world, the bubbles of air that guides the diver can be likened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We live in  a world of spiritual influences, and when you are dealing with unseen enemies it is foolhardy to be guided by only what you can feel. Because our senses are prone to deception, the  spiritual guidance of The Spirit becomes an absolute necessity.  The truth is that every destiny is at risk without divine guidance. But when The spirit of God leads you, you never miss your way. The  security of our destiny lies in divine guidance. Indeed it takes the hand that formed our destiny to lead us into fulfilling  it.  We must therefore always take the time to seek divine guidance before making any major move in life. If you are not guided, even green pastures can turn to brown pastures.

Proverbs 14:12 says ‘There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death’.

Indeed not all that glitters is gold. And some ‘open doors’ could be traps in disguise. But when we are led by The Spirit we can escape every such traps of the enemy to arrive at our glorious destiny. All our covenant fathers arrived at their glorious destiny through divine guidance. Likewise to succeed in life we must trust in The Lord with all of our heart and lean not on our own understanding. And as we acknowledge Him in all our ways He will direct our paths. Indeed you cannot know greatness until you know guidance!

And one way to be guided by The Holy Spirit is through living a prayerful lifestyle. Praying and fasting helps us to be in the Spirit, which makes hearing from God easy. When we make prayer our priority, we will be in a place of constant spiritual guidance. And never forget that it is as many as are led by The Spirit of God that are the sons of God. Therefore for us as believers there is no substitute for divine guidance. To avoid a crash of destiny we must always go into prayers to hear what The Lord is saying to us. And even when situations and conditions around you seem contrary, always trust God to lead you in the right direction. And just as the air bubbles are never wrong, God’s guidance is always correct and will point you in the right way up.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to maintain a lifestyle of constant praying, so that I can be sensitive to the leadings of Your Spirit. Thank You Lord for guiding me in the right way I should go to arrive at the glorious destiny You have ordained for me in Jesus Name

QUOTE

To get into the next level of your life, God will always give you a specific instruction. – WORDBITE 222

Deuteronomy 7:9 ” Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations”

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

Modern Israel started off at what was probably the worst starting point in any nation’s economic  history. It had to build an economy while spending millions of dollars on defense.  After it’s declaration of independence in 1948, Israel became engaged in wars where it was vastly outnumbered and outgunned.  At the same time, Israel lacked any significant source of revenue; it lacked oil, gas, gold, iron, coal, timber and even water, and was unable to trade with its hostile neighboring countries. When this fledgling economy was burdened by the costs of the 1973 and 1982 wars, the result was an inflation that by 1985 reached 415%, while national debt soared to 270% of the national product. At that point Israel’s economy was pitiable, and its currency was ridiculed as paper money. Foreign currency reserves dwindled so fast that Israel was almost at a point where it could barely buy a single oil barrel from overseas.

However, the Jews, aware of God’s covenant with their fathers, held on to His promises to prosper them. Though the economy looked bad, the people of  Israel relied on God’s faithfulness. And holding on to His  promises, they  began to do what they humanly could to improve their economy. And a few years later, Israel’s economy has drastically turned around to become  an international success story. Israel’s economic growth has been the fastest in the developed world this past century. Today, the shekel is very strong. The country that in 1985 was on the brink of spending its last dollar now has a trade surplus. What could have caused this spectacular transformation?  In 1985, led by Shimon Peres, the government executed a secretly planned package of drastic measures that added up to shock therapy. A second round of reforms came when they cut taxes, slashed social spending, raised the retirement age, privatized the pension industry as well as oil refineries, banks, ports, the airline, and almost anything else that could be sold. Israel thus completed a dramatic transition from socialism to capitalism. And today their 1985 emergency plan has become a textbook economic reform now studied in universities worldwide. Israel was at the verge of economic collapse, but through reliance on God’s covenant and promise, the situation was turned around and rather than sink, the nation has continued to soar.

Deuteronomy 7:9, says ” Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations”

Israel’s continual existence today as a nation, reflects God’s faithfulness to keep covenant. Despite their shortcomings, God still honors His promises to their fathers.  And if God still honors His old covenant with Israel, He will certainly honor His new covenant with us through Christ. Ours is a covenant based on better promises. And one thing we must know is that in a covenant, we have a part to play.  And if you want God to fulfill His part you must fulfill yours.

For instance Exodus 23:25–26 says: ‘And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfill.’

Our part in this covenant is “You shall serve the Lord your God.” Therefore when we fulfill the covenant obligation to serve God, we can expect His promised blessings to come upon us.

Luke 2:37 said Anna the prophetess was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.’

Therefore, part of our serving God is to spend time in praying and fasting. What that means is that as we fulfill the condition of fasting and praying, we can expect the blessings of Exodus 23:25 to come upon us.

In Jeremiah 29:11-13 God promises that when we seek Him with all our heart, He will be found of us and He will turn away our captivity. Therefore as you seek God in this season, expect Him to honor His covenant and turn every captivity in your life. He has not called the sons of Jacob to seek Him in vain. There is a reward for them that diligently seek Him.

When you are in covenant with God, you will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in its season. When you serve God sincerely favor will come upon your life that will cause you to prosper even in a desert. [Psalm 5;12].

Therefore in this season, as we fulfill the covenant obligation to seek God with all our heart, let us have the expectation for the manifestation of His promises to us. indeed what His mouth has promised, His hand is able to perform in our lives.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to fulfill the conditions set forth in Your Word for me, so that I can receive the blessings You have promised. I thank You Lord, for speedy manifestations of Your promises in my life in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

For you to enjoy victory in the Kingdom of God, you need to develop a Kingdom mindset, that thinks in line with the Word of God. WORBITE 222

Mathew 10: 9-10  ‘Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for workman is worthy of his meat’

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

William Wilberforce was born into a wealthy home and was rich, but the money did not make him happy. Fulfillment was missing until he encountered Christ. William Wilberforce  is best known today as the extraordinary Member of Parliament in the 18^th century whose tenacious efforts played a prominent role in bringing an end to the British slave trade. However, Wilberforce testified that his slavery abolition endeavors and his many other philanthropic works never would have come about without what he always called his “Great Change” – his Christian conversion

Though he was born into a wealthy family, he lacked peace and fulfillment until he encountered Christ. Prior to this encounter, he was part of fashionable society, attending the theatre and races, entertaining, socializing. After leaving university he was elected to the House of Commons, where he was not active, rather spent most of his time at the three most important gentlemen’s clubs in London. At the time he was a heavy gambler, he dressed in the colourful finery of the day and adorned many salon with his amiable manner.

Wilberforce’s “Great Change,” his gradual process of coming to embrace Christian beliefs, began in the autumn of 1784 and continued for a year and a half, through the spring of 1786. During that period of time Wilberforce became convinced of and personally embraced the truths of Christianity, including the Deity of Jesus Christ, His atoning death on the cross for sin and the Bible as God’s authoritative Word.

Wilberforce made a secret visit to the great preacher John Newton who, was then pastoring in London. Newton affirmed Wilberforce’s newfound Christian convictions and encouraged him to serve God by remaining in Parliament.

After his conversion, Wilberforce renounced all “things of the flesh”. He resigned from all his gentlemen clubs, he gave up his racehorse, gambling and “exchanged his socializing and entertaining for one of reflection and re-evaluation”. Some of his friends thought his new found belief was madness. However, as a result of this conversion, Wilberforce became active in campaigning for social reform. He and his evangelical friends were nicknamed “the Saints” by upper class circles of the house of common, but he won widespread respect. He championed many causes but it was the fight against the Slave Trade and slavery and its eventual abolition that he is known mostly for.

It was only when Wilberforce located his calling that he found  value, peace and fulfillment in life. Today, the concerns about what to eat, drink and wear, has derailed many people from following God’s call. The care of this life has diverted their attention from the divine purpose for their lives.  We have to come to the place where we fully realize that our lives can only have meaning and value when we are following God’s call. We must value our calling more than the pursuit of worldly things.  God will judge us according to how well we followed His will for our lives. Your calling is what will matter in the end. You can make all the money in the world  and still be unhappy, unfulfilled. What is more important is ensuring we are following God’s preordained plan for us. Once we are following the will of God we will be fulfilled whether we have or not have. Joy will fill our lives.

In Mathew 10, Jesus said  ‘Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for workman is worthy of his meat.’ ”

Jesus told His disciples to take no purse for your journey, because the provision will come as you pursue the vision. Step out in faith believing God. You don’t have to have enough money before you strike out in doing what God has called you to do. . Faithful is He that called you who also will do it. What God has ordered He is able to pay for.  Psalm 78:18 records that the Israelites questioned if God could furnish a table in the wilderness.  God proved He could by causing quails to fall around their camp all night long. However their doubt of His ability to provide also brought wrath upon them.

As we pursue God’s call, we have to trust that God will take care of us. Following God’s plan for our lives is what will bring provision, joy, peace and fulfillment.  When we follow God’s plan for our lives, and sincerely seek God’s kingdom first, then every other thing shall indeed be added unto us.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for Your continual divine provision in my life. Surely as I seek first Your kingdom, every other thing shall be added unto me in Jesus Name

Quote

It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – – WORDBITE 222.

Psalm 9:2-3  ‘I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.’

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

It is truly amazing the impact and imprint the life of Dr. David Livingstone made in the world. He inspired hundreds of men and women to give their lives for African missions. Mary Slessor, for example, decided to follow his footsteps, and, in 1875, arrived in Calabar, to begin an astounding missionary work.  Peter Cameron Scott, founder of the Africa Inland Mission, was inspired to return to Africa after his first mission failed when he read the inscription on Livingstone’s tomb in Westminster Abbey: “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring.”

Though born into poverty yet despite his poor background Dr. David Livingstone ended up  becoming one of the most popular British heroes of the 19th century.

David Livingstone arrived in Africa in 1840 at the age of 27 as a missionary and physician. He spent most of the remainder of his life on the continent. His exploration of the African interior, particularly the Zambezi River area in 1852-1856 led to the discovery of the Victorian falls.  In early November 1855, Livingstone travelled down the Zambezi River to see for himself the area the natives called “smoke that thunders.” It was during this expedition that he became the first European to witness the magnificence of the Victoria Falls.

He made some of the most prodigious, and most dangerous, explorations of the nineteenth century, travelling through lands which no white men had ever set foot on.. His object was to open a  missionary Road or ‘God’s Highway,’ through which the Gospel could gain access to the African hinterlands. He also fought hard to stop the African slave trade. His life was a reflection of God’s amazing grace  and guidance. He suffered many bouts of fever that could have killed lesser men, yet he survived. He passed barbaric tribes and chiefs, who resisted him, and yet God gave him victory through it all. The story of his exploits remain an amazement even to the present generation. But his great secret was awareness of God’s unmistakable Presence. David succeeded due to a strong assurance of God’s abiding Presence. This also has been the secret of great men of God who have done exploits in the kingdom.

Speaking of Moses, Hebrews 11:27 said ‘By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.’

It was the invisible Presence of God that made Moses to dare pharaoh and lead the Jews out of bondage. Likewise, our greatest asset in life and ministry is awareness of God’s Presence. Knowing that you are surrounded by God’s power will change your walk and embolden your talk. It will destroy fear forever from your heart, and cause you to do the impossible, knowing the greater One is in you.

Psalm 114 records that when Israel left Egypt, it was God’s Presence that made the red sea to part, and caused the mountains and hills to skip.  And in Acts 10:38, The Bible says ‘Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.’. So it was God Presence being with Jesus, that made demons to scream at His appearance and also led to the mighty signs and wonders in His ministry.  Likewise, when we carry God’s Presence, evil will see us and flee, because evil can never stand where God abides. God’s Presence is an unbeatable asset in the journey of life. When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, why you will fear no evil, is because God is with you.

Psalm 9:3 says ‘When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.’ And Psalm 97:5 says, God’s Presence causes the hills to melt like wax before you.  So God’s Presence ensures evil never survives around you. Indeed God’s Presence makes the difference. And God’s Presence is available to every child of God. The same way God’s Presence was with Jesus, so can it be with us.

In John 8:29, Jesus said ‘And He that sent  Me, is with Me, The Father had not left Me alone, for I do always those things that please Him.’

In the same way, for The Father to be with us, we have to do the  things that please Him. And one of the key things that pleases God is praise. And as we maintain His Presence through High praises today, we can be assured of unending victory in every battle of life.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to maintain Your Presence through doing those things that please You always. Grant me the grace to praise You always, so that Your Presence can always abide with me, and make the difference in my life in Jesus Name.

Quote

When God places His hand upon a man in life nothing can come against him, this is because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.