Psalm 37:7 KJV

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked.

DAILY READING – Galatians 4:21-31; Lamentations 3-4; Psalm 146

Colonel Sanders may have started out late by the world’s standards. He was 65 when he went into business. Finding himself penniless, at an age when most men have retired, he decided to re-fire and begin life anew. He had a fried chicken recipe, which he loved and believed people would also love. With the little means at his disposal, Colonel Sanders traveled door to door to houses and restaurants all over his local area, wanting to partner with someone to help promote his chicken recipe in exchange of certain percentage of profit. He was turned down by almost everybody he approached, he was humiliated, mocked & ridiculed at every turn. Colonel Sanders heard 1009 “no”s before he eventually heard his first “yes”. And from there he went into partnership for the franchise of his fried chicken, which in a matter of few years became an enormous success. He became world famous and built a global empire out of fried chicken known as Kentucky Fried Chicken [KFC].  Sanders recognizing the help of God in the  sudden positive turn in his life, became a devoted Christian. And would use his wealth for the promotion of the kingdom of God.

The Story of Sanders is somewhat like the story of Abraham who started life ‘late’, yet he would end up becoming the father of the world’s 3 major religions.  In the race of destiny, it doesn’t take time, it takes God. Every destiny is different, just as each plant blooms in its own season.  Often in the race of life men worry that they are being left behind. They fret and worry and look for shortcuts, so as to catch up with those who seem to have gone ahead. But really when we trust in God we have to be patient to walk according to His times and seasons for our lives. There is always an appointed time for each season of life. The bible says in the book of Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything, and God has made all things beautiful in His own time.

Often while we may feel that life is passing us by God is only preparing us for the grand finale. He knows every experience we pass through has been to position ultimately for the due manifestation of His glory.  So when we trust Him and are walking in obedience to His commands we shouldn’t be bothered, because in one day He can do for us, what we could not have achieved for ourselves in a thousand years. Just like overnight He made Joseph a prisoner and slave, to become a ruler in Egypt. What matters is our being obedient to His divine leadings, and sensitive to His times and seasons

God dwells outside the realm of time, He sits upon the circle of the earth and the   inhabitants  thereof are like grasshoppers,. It is somewhat like someone sitting and observing fishes in a bowl. Not a sparrow can fall to the ground without Him knowing, He has everything in perfect control and nothing takes Him by surprise. He is not moved like we often are by the passage of time because He controls time and already knows the end from the beginning. He knows the plan He has for each life,.

He knows the appointed times and seasons. And while we may worry that time is passing, He only sees His plans coming together and situations working out for the culmination of His eternal purpose.  And He just wants us to be patient and trust Him at each stage as His plans unfolds. And as Psalms 37:7 says, let us rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him, knowing that the thoughts He has for us are thoughts of good to give us an expected end.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to wait for your appointed times and seasons in my life. I know that you are indeed working out everything for my good, help me to patiently wait for your will to manifest in its due season in Jesus

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Illuminate your world for you are a star destined to shine. WORDBITE 222.

Job 14:7-9 

 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

DAILY READING      Galatians 3:19-4:20; Lamentations 1-2; Psalm 145

It is amazing indeed that after thousands of years, some seeds can still germinate when planted. This discovery was made when archaeologists unearthed a small stockpile of seeds in the early 1960’s, during their excavations at the site of Herod’s palace in Israel. These seeds were found in a clay jar dating back 2,000 years. Believing that the seeds would be no good after all that time, the archaeologists abandoned them in a drawer at Tel Aviv’s Bar-Ilan University.

But then after four decades, in 2005, a botanical researcher decided to plant one of the seeds and see what, if anything, would happen. And amazingly, the multi-millennial seed did sprout. It produced a sapling no one had seen in centuries, becoming the oldest known tree seed to germinate.

The sprouting of this 2000 years old seed is indeed amazing. Despite how long it had been dormant, it simply came alive through introduction to water. This validates what the Bible says in Job 14:7-9 ‘For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant’

“Water” in the above verse refers to the Word of God, because Ephesians 5:26 says ‘That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word’. So water speaks of The Word of God. And just as that 2000 year old seed sprouted, once it encountered water, the same way, an encounter with God’s Word will cause any dormant situation to come alive, The Word of God can bring about new beginnings.

God’s Word is indeed pregnant with wonders.  Anything can happen at the instance of The Word. Miracles, signs and wonders can spring forth from any dead situation once The Word of God is introduced. There is no situation so dead that The Word of God cannot revive it. In Ezekiel 37, in the valley of dry bones, the situation had looked utterly hopeless.  But once the prophet began to release The Word of God, there was a shaking. At the coming of The Word of God, things began to move. Suddenly, those age old dry bones came alive and became a mighty army.

In Matthew 8, the Centurion, who came to Jesus, realized that there is revival power in The Word. This is why he said ‘ just speak the Word only and my servant shall be healed.’ And the Bible says that as the Word went forth, his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Indeed The Word of God can revive and reverse any situation.  God and His Word are the same, and just as nothing is impossible to God, so also nothing is impossible to His Word. The Word of God is indeed full of wonders. But for us to experience these wonders stored up in the Word for us, we must take up the responsibility of consciously studying it daily.  The promises of scriptures places a responsibility on us. And for us to see God’s promises manifest in our lives, we must do whatever God has asked us to do. To experience the power of God’s Word, we must take up the responsibility of consciously feeding on it daily.

And today, as we feed on The Word, through faith, we are connected to the scent of water which will establish our desired miracles of restoration, revival and rejuvenation in Jesus Name.

 PRAYER: Lord, by the power from your Word let every dead situation  in my life be revisited and revived, let the good seed You have planted within me come alive for manifestation in this season in Jesus Name.  

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

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

Hebrews 12: 2

 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

• DAILY READING – Galatians 3:1-18; Jeremiah 51-52; Psalm 144

As a teenager, Joni Eareckson loved life. She enjoyed riding horses and loved to swim. However, one summer in 1967, when she was 17 years old, all that changed. While swimming with some friends, Joni dove into a lake not knowing how shallow it really was. She broke her neck, paralyzing her body from the neck down. During her two years of rehabilitation, according to her autobiography she struggled with a lot of negative feelings, even considering suicide.  But eventually she decided to let God be glorified in her situation. During occupational therapy, she learned to paint with a brush between her teeth, and began selling her artwork. Her artworks blossomed and she soon became an internationally known artist. She also began to write books and eventually wrote over forty books. As a conference speaker, her articles began to be published around the world. She became a well known television personality, recorded several musical albums, starred in an autobiographical movie of her life and preached the Gospel all over the world with her husband, Ken Tada.  Indeed beyond her greatest expectations, God turned around  her story,  and she became an international icon of hope and an inspiration to many people around the world.

It doesn’t matter what may have happened to you in life or what situation you may face, as long as you can focus on God there is always a way out. Even if it seems you are shut in, as long as you can keep your focus on God, He will always create a way of escape for you. There is no problem, trouble, situation or circumstance facing you today that God cannot handle.. He is the God of miracles and with Him nothing shall be impossible. Therefore learn to focus on God’s promises, rather than the problem.

Hebrews 12: 2 says ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’

We must keep looking unto Jesus, in every situation. When we focus on Jesus in the face of any challenge, our victory is sure. He is able to turn around any negative situation for our good.  But if we focus on the problems, it only leads to sinking and defeat. The moment Peter shifted his gaze from Jesus to look at the storm, he began to sink.

Therefore to see God’s promises fulfilled in your life, look away from the negative circumstances and focus on God’s Word. Look away from the negative medical report, the red bank account, that discouraging family situation, and declare God’s promises instead.  In the face of problems declare to yourself ‘I’m blessed, so I can’t be stressed; I live in grace, so I can’t be disgraced!’

God has you in the palm of His hand. Don’t limit what He can still do in your life. God is bigger than anything you’re facing. No matter how tough things may sometimes seem, God knows exactly how to tip things in your favor. One explosive blessing from Him can put you into overflow. Truly there is nothing impossible with God. All you really need to change is  your perception. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on God’s promises. Instead of complaining learn to praise God. Instead of wearing a spirit of heaviness, try on a garment of praise. Let the very thing the enemy meant for your sorrow be the very reason for your praise.  And when you learn to praise God in the midst of troubles He will turn your sorrow into joy and your mourning into dancing.

 PRAYER: Lord, I know with you nothing shall be impossible. Please help me to always praise you in every situation, because I know that even right now, You are turning around everything for my good in Jesus Name.

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 It is only when you can see God in the light of who He truly is that you can begin to walk in the overflow of His blessings. – WORDBITE 222.

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK ESTABLISHED IN THE WORD OF GOD]

Matthew 5:16 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven

DAILY READING – Galatians 2; Jeremiah 49-50; Psalm 143

In November of 1904, a spiritual revolution took place in Britain that  greatly affected the nation. The Welsh Revival was unlike anything ever seen before in the nation. Through the young preacher Evan Roberts, God brought a fresh move that brought many souls into God’s kingdom. The deep spiritual hunger that arose afterwards among the people virtually brought social activities to a halt. National sports were deserted,  theaters were emptied; pubs closed and crime rate dropped drastically. This revival invaded brothels, pubs, and gambling dens. Hardened, cursing miners were suddenly transformed. Agnostics repented, Children prayed down the power of God. In Cardiff police reported that drunkenness dropped by 60% within one month of the revival beginning. Even politicians had to take note. Mr Lloyd George a Member of Parliament (and later Prime minister of Britain) said “…it is certainly the most remarkable spiritual movement this generation has witnessed… it seems to be rocking Welsh life like a great earthquake.” indeed the nation as a whole was touched and transformed by this revival.

Mathew 5: 16 says ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven’

It is indeed amazing what God can do with a man who wholly submits to Him. Evan Roberts allowed God to pass through him to invade the nation and establish divine order. Through him, God  by the power of the Gospel, changed the lifestyle of the welsh society.

The truth is that we are to positively affect our environment by the Power of God. God has called us to shine as lights in our world. This is why when we get born again, God does not take us to Heaven immediately, He keeps us on the earth so that we become His agents to change the world and bring men into alignment with His will.  In John 17, Jesus prayed The Father not to take believers out of the world but rather to keep them from the evil. This is because there is work to be done. Lives are ruined and our job is to help make them whole again. We are God’s agents to bring about positive changes in the world. And this will happen by letting our light so shine, that men see our good works and desire to come into God’s kingdom.

In generations past, God planted Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, Ezra among an evil system.  They went in as agents of God to affect and change the system, And in the midst of the wicked nations they brought about positive changes. They let their lights shine brightly, so that men saw their good works and glorified God. And in this end-time, God  once again is positioning us as the Moses, Joshuas, Davids, Esthers of this generation who will arise  and positively change our nation.

Jesus walked on the earth 2000 years ago, and the Light He shined shattered the darkness of the ages. And as the Father sent Jesus, so have we been sent to our world. Today, we  are the manifest form of Jesus that men see. We are the change agents, ambassadors of Heaven, positioned in our various fields of endeavor to positively affect our nation and generation. We must look beyond our immediate occupation to the divine call and assignment before us.  God is going to use us as battles axes to root out and to build up. He will use us to make His enemies His footstool. The kingdom of God must dominate the kingdom of this world. Therefore, wherever we go, we must let the glory of God be seen through us. We are to release the power of Christ to affect our nation. Everywhere we go, the atmosphere should shift. Lives are to be changed, destinies recovered. There should be a difference, because we came.

PRAYER: Lord, I am available, please use me in this generation to affect my world. Let my light so shine that men may be brought into your kingdom.  

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There is something that God has placed within you that the world is eagerly awaiting to see.

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 –  Galatians 1; Jeremiah 47-48; Psalm 142

Today, the world is in the era of technological warfare. And one of the defense  systems used in such wars are antimissile systems that  intercept incoming missiles and explode them in midair.  Israel has one of the best of such antimissile systems in the world. Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile battery is an amazing defense technology that shields Israel’s cities from harm. It has been a game-changing defensive weapon that intercepts enemy rockets, and with employed explosive warheads shatters them in midair, protecting Israel’s citizens from harm.

Hamas and other terrorist groups, have fired thousands of rockets at the Jewish nation. Yet very few ever hit their targets. During Israel’s war with Hamas in 2014, when Hamas fired 4,000 rockets and mortar rounds at Israel from the adjacent Gaza Strip, the Iron Dome batteries were responsible for intercepting 90 percent of their targets. And miraculously even the 10 percent missed by the iron dome, still failed to hit populated areas in Israel or cause significant damage. The Iron Dome is seen as a God-sent that has saved many Israeli lives; it is indeed a testament of God’s love and mercy to His people. Even Hamas has attributed the lack of their accuracy to hit Israeli targets to Israel’s God moving the rockets off-course to protect His people.

Indeed God knows how to protect His own. Every day in the world spiritual battles are being fought on all fronts. But in these battles God has promised protection to His children.

Psalm 91:4b says ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.’

And one of the ways God protects us spiritually is by the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus is a defense for us against the wicked. The blood goes forth as a spiritual missile deflector to destroy every incoming arrow of the wicked.

2 Corinthians 5:4 says that ‘Mortality, [which means death] is swallowed up of life.’ And Isaiah 25:8 says ‘God will swallow up death in victory; And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces;’

This is God’s plan for us. Just as the red sea, representing the blood, swallowed up the Egyptians, so the blood of Jesus swallows up death, sickness, poverty, evil and everything that represents the rod of the wicked in our lives.

In the book of Exodus, despite all the wonders God showed in Egypt, Pharaoh still held the Israelites bound, until the sign of the blood was applied. After the sign of the blood, Pharaoh released them from bondage in a hurry. Oftentimes there are forces of limitations that try to keep men bound on the ground. Perhaps, despite your efforts this year, certain things still seem to keep you from attaining your God ordained heights. But today, whatever is still resisting and limiting your progress, by the blood of Jesus they lose their hold on you. Indeed every pharaoh of limitation resisting your progress, by the blood, you are free from their oppression. Just as the blood made the difference for the Israelites, the same way, the speakings of the blood makes a difference for us today in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, today, I invoke  the blood of Jesus against everything fighting my life and my destiny.  Indeed by the mystery of the blood I have overcome in every battle of life in Jesus Name.

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Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will set you free.- – WORDBITE 222.

• DAILY READING 2 Peter 3; Jeremiah 45-46; Psalm 141

In his book titled ‘With Signs Following,’,  Stanley H. Frodsham, tells the story of a remarkable incident that happened during the war in Manchuria, China. On 18th September 1931, Japanese troops invaded the Chinese town of Manchuria.  Though Japan had a highly developed industry, their land was scarce of natural resources.  Japan therefore decided to invade Manchuria for oil, rubber and lumber in order to make up for their lack of these resources. While invading China, the Japanese troops came to a mission house where there were a number of Christians praying. These Christians had barricaded themselves in  their compound.  The Japanese soldiers shouted at them to open the gates, but these Christians refused and eventually the soldiers forced their way into the house. As these soldiers rushed in, one of them grabbed a  native Chinese evangelist. He was about to kill him, when the evangelist burst into an utterance in tongues by the power of the Spirit. The soldier stopped and after a moment he said: ‘Why did you not tell me there were Japanese here?’ He was told there were no Japanese in the compound, but he insisted that there were Japanese, and said the evangelist had just told him in the Japanese language, that if any harm were done to the compound or its inhabitants the judgment of God would fall upon him and his fellow soldiers. The evangelist of course couldn’t speak Japanese, but rather had spoken by the utterance of The Holy Ghost. As a result of that incident none of the believers in the compound were harmed, and shortly afterward a revival broke out among the Chinese in the district and many were brought to Christ.

Indeed when we speak in tongues we speak mysteries. And whenever we engage this mystery, The Holy Spirit arises for our deliverance.

Isaiah 59:19 says ‘When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.’

The Holy Spirit is indeed our protection. And we need His help greatly now as we draw closer to the end of the age. Jesus already made us understand that the end times will be evil times. And as we draw closer to it, the tempo of spiritual battles on earth is increasing. The battle is ongoing whether you like it or not. The battle is raging in the spirit realm, no matter where you run to in the world. And no matter how nice, docile and quietly you try to live your life, you will be confronted one way or the other. The only way out is to be ready to do warfare.  And our enemies are essentially spiritual entities.

Ephesians 6:12 says ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’

And the way to fight is to pray. Every force of the Spirit is engaged on the altar of prayer. It is the Anointing that breaks the yoke. Therefore, in every area where you are being confronted today, begin to engage the mystery of praying in the Holy Ghost for your deliverance. Do not keep quiet, a closed mouth is a closed destiny. Indeed by the mystery of the Spirit, every misery in our lives will be swallowed up in Jesus Name. 

PRAYER: Lord, by the help of Your Spirit, enable me to escape every trap of the wicked set against me today. Thank You Lord for making me a conqueror in every battle of life in Jesus Name.

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

Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

DAILY READING   – 2 Peter 2; Jeremiah 43-44; Psalm 140

On August 16, 1960 Captain Joe Kittenger became the first man to free fall back to earth from an altitude of close to 20 miles. He made history and set four world records, by ascending up to 102,800 feet in a high-altitude balloon and jumping to earth from there. This was part of an experiment for a research being done at that time by NASA.

On the day of the experiment, he rode up in a helium balloon to a height of 102,800 feet above the earth. It took him an hour and a half to rise up to that altitude. When he got there, he then prepared himself for the great fall he was to take. He went through his 46-step checklist to be sure everything was set. Finally it was time to jump. Wearing just a thin pressure suit and breathing supplemental oxygen, he stood up, and said a silent prayer: “Lord, take care of me now.” Then he just jumped over the side of the helium balloon, and began his free fall into the space. Kittenger’s free fall descent lasted about 4 minutes and he reached a speed in excess of 600 miles an hour, faster than the speed of sound. In so doing he broke the sound barrier. After free-falling for more than four and a half minutes; at 14,000 feet, he felt his parachute open. He then  coasted gently down to the earth, landing in the New Mexico desert. The total time of his voyage back to Earth was 13 minutes, 45 seconds.

Kittinger’s feat showed scientists that astronauts could survive the harshness of space with just a pressure suit and that man could eject from aircraft at extreme altitudes and survive.

However, it is remarkable that at the moment when he was about to take the free fall at a height never attempted before, despite the high level of preparation he still knew he needed God’s help. So he simply committed himself into God’s hand. And indeed God took care of him. Any number of things could have gone wrong but yet God saw him through.

Likewise, there are times we might find ourselves at the edge of something never attempted before. At such times it may feel as if we are about to take a free fall. And it is natural to be full of anxiety and trepidation, but we have to learn to cast our cares upon The Lord and trust that He will indeed take care of us.

Psalm 56:3 says “But when I am afraid. I will put my trust in you.”

God will never leave you nor forsake you when you trust in Him. If you have concerns, worry or anxiety about your finances, relationships, your job or anything else, know that God already has a plan to take care of them. He wants to show Himself strong on your behalf. Joshua 1:9 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

And if God can take care of the sparrows and lilies, how much more you?  Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares upon the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Indeed God will take care of you. Refuse to dwell on problems and never allow them to steal your peace and joy. Instead, choose to meditate on God’s Word and confess His promises over your life. And as you do so, God will keep you in perfect peace because your mind is fixed on Him! [Psalm 26:3]

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for being in perfect control of my life. No matter what happens I know You are always able to take care of me in every situation in Jesus Name.

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When God is on your side, anything is possible. – WORDBITE 222.

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

• 2 Peter 1; Jeremiah 41-42; Psalm 139

General William booth is the founder of the Salvation army. The salvation army is a Christian movement with a quasi-military structure founded in 1865, which has spread from London, England, to many parts of the world, it is known for being one of the largest distributors of humanitarian aid. In 2002, Booth was named among the 100 Greatest Britons in a BBC poll.

Once General booth was asked the secret of his success. Tears came to his eyes as he answered , ‘I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities; but I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.’”

William booth gave his all to God. And God worked through him to achieve great success in the salvation army.

Ability to lay it all down comes from being deeply impacted by Jesus. When the apostles encountered Him, they forsook all and followed Him. When Paul encountered Him, he counted all things dung, that he may win Christ. And such  encounter with Christ comes through meditation in The Word.

In meditation we are rubbing minds with God. As The Word goes into the heart,  it dispels everything not of God and begins to infuse  the life and nature of God into us. .

This is how God takes us over and begins to control us.

When you let God have all of you, He will work through you to accomplish  His will. He will release His power to you. This power envelopes you and empowers you to go forth and conquer. This is how men like William Booth made great impacts,. As Paul said in Galatians 2;20, I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me.

When self dies, and God takes you over, you make great impacts in your generation. It is God that works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Some of us may still be seeking the help of men to rise in life, but in Isaiah 30:7-8, God says ‘For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book..’

God is asking us to sit down in His book, in His Word, and study.  God is saying you can never outrun the enemy on your own. It is only by the Power in the Word, that you can overcome, and succeed in life. It is through meditation in the Word that we can have good success [Joshua 1:8]There is always a price to pay. And why it seems some of us don’t experience  His mighty works, is because we never spend enough time in His  word. We don’t seem to have the patience to sit down for long until God takes control of us. But there is a price to pay, if we don’t want to see defeat. For us to experience victory then Jesus must have all of us. We must lay all else down, and let Him take us over. That is the path to victory. That is the path great men like William booth followed. And that is the path we are called to follow today, so as to have great success in our service to God.

PRAYER Lord help me to return to the place of sitting at your feet, learning from Your Word until You have taken me over, so that I can go forth and do exploits by Your Power  in Jesus Name. .

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The price you pay to discover anything in God’s word is nothing ever to be compared to the prize of the discovery- WORDBITE 222.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

DAILY READING – 1 Peter 4; Jeremiah 37-38; Psalm 137

Bill and Glory Gaither are well known Gospel artistes. They have written over six hundred songs and produced sixty recordings and several musicals. And both have authored or coauthored several books. Many of us are familiar with one of their  best-known songs “Because He Lives.”

The idea for this song came to Bill and Gloria in the time of great difficulties. In the late 1960’s, Gloria was expecting their third child, and they went through a rather traumatic time as a family. At that time also there was social unrest in the US; drug abuse and racial tension were increasing. and there was also conflict in Southeast Asia.   Bill felt that it was a poor time to bring a child into the world. For Gloria, it was a time of fear and torment, the thought of bringing another child into the world scared her.

In her book, ‘Fully Alive’, she recalled sitting in their living room in agony and fear on New Year’s Eve. Then, suddenly and quite unexpectedly, God’s Presence surrounded her and she was filled with a sweet, calming peace. Her panic gave way to an assurance that the future would be just fine, because God is in control. And when their son was eventually born, Bill thought of the living Savior and the words of the song came to his mind: “This child can face uncertain days because Christ lives’

And that is indeed very true, because Christ lives, we can face tomorrow. God is able to handle whatever comes our way. He holds our lives and our future in His hands. He is able to do exceedingly above all we could ever ask or imagine. This is why in all things we praise Him.

In Acts 16, after Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown into prison, the situation looked bleak and hopeless. But how did they respond? At midnight, they arose and praised God. And God responded by delivering them from the dungeon of despair.

Indeed when we praise God in the midnight hours of life, He delivers us from any prison or pit. Many people worry about tomorrow, about their finances, medical reports and many other issues. But God is greater than whatever confronts you.  Therefore stop looking at your problems and start looking at your God. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He knows the beginning from the end. And even right now, He is working all things together for your good. Therefore, rather than despair. maintain your praise.

Nehemiah 8:10 says ” ‘Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ “.

The believer who retains his joy is destined to triumph in the end. If you refuse to be depressed, the enemy cannot oppress you. Therefore remain joyful. In every situation. Keep judging God faithful, keep praising Him. And as you do, God shall turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones, He shall turn your mourning into dancing. He shall put off your sack cloth and gird you with gladness.

PRAYER: Lord  I know that  because You live, I can always face tomorrow. Thank You for the grace to keep praising You in every situation, because I know that indeed all things are working together for my good  in Jesus Name.

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The tests you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222