FEBRUARY 19 : SPEAK WITH POWER!

Romans 8:19

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  

DAILY READING    1 Corinthians 9; 2 Kings 1-2; Amos 7

Slavery in America began in the early 17th Century and continued to be practiced for the next 250 years by the colonies and states.   However in the late 18th century, the abolitionist movement began, and some states in northern United States outlawed slavery. Slaves in the south would therefore try to escape to these states where slavery was outlawed. Often times they used what was called the ‘Underground Railroad’.

This wasn’t a real railroad, rather it was a number of safe homes, called stations, that hid slaves while they escaped to the north. The people that helped the slaves were called conductors. Slaves would move from station to station at night, hiding in the woods or sneaking onto trains until they finally reached the north and freedom.

At this time there was a slave named Harriet Tubman. She was born a slave on a plantation in Maryland around 1820.  Life as a slave was difficult for her, so in 1849 Harriet decided to escape. After a long and scary trip on the underground railroad, she finally made it to Pennsylvania and became free. Yet Tubman was not satisfied with her own freedom. She wanted to help others escape too. In 1850 the Fugitive Slave Act was passed, which meant that slaves could be taken from free states and returned to their owners. In order to be free, slaves now had to escape to Canada. Harriet joined the Underground Railroad as a conductor. Harriet became famous as an Underground Railroad conductor, because of her exploits. She led nineteen different escapes from the south and helped around 300 slaves to escape. She became known as “Moses” because, like the Moses in the Bible, she led her people to freedom. She worked hard to save money to carry out this escapes, and continually risked her life and freedom to help others. She always said the source of her strength came from her faith in God as deliverer and protector of the weak.  She is quoted as saying “I always told God, I’m going to hold steady on you, and You’ve got to see me through.'” And God indeed saw her through. She was never caught and never lost a slave, in her escape bids.

Though infuriated slaveholders posted a $40,000 reward for her capture, she was never apprehended. Today her bravery is applauded, and her   exploits and selflessness has made her become a legend in American history.

Tubman is celebrated for risking her life to  help  several others escape to freedom.

In the same way spiritually, we have been called to help others escape to freedom.

Romans 8:19 and 22 says ‘For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God…   For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.’.

The whole earth has been held down, tormented, afflicted and buffeted. There are cries of oppression as humanity groans in pain, looking here and there in search of emancipation and escape. Indeed the world is awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God, men and women who will, by the power of God, bring deliverance and liberty to mankind;  who will disarm the forces of wickedness and bring the creature out of the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. The whole creation is waiting for these sons of God to rescue them out of shame and reproach.

And the manifestation of the sons of God is the manifestation of power. The captives will only be set free through signs and wonders, just as Moses set the people free from Egypt through mighty signs and wonders. Jesus said in John 4:48 that except people see signs and wonders, they will not believe.

We are therefore called not to preach the gospel in enticing words of men’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and power. Verbal negotiations with pharaoh will not work, he needs to see the power of the living God for him to let go of the captives.

And as sons of God in this era it is our responsibility to manifest God’s power. We are called to pay whatever price is required to see the Power of God in our generation. When Power comes, the devils holding people captive will let them go; the devils of sickness, diseases, poverty, unbelief etc will flee. People will know by the miracles, that they are in the very presence of God.

This is what the manifestation of the sons of God will bring to the earth and the whole creation is groaning, waiting for it.

Psalm 66:3 says ‘Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works!   through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.’

It is through the greatness of the power of God, that the enemies will submit.

We are in the days of His power. There is therefore no room for spiritual weaklings. You can no longer afford to sit and watch the enemy run riot around you and your loved ones. When confronted you should know what to do. When attacked, you should know how to react.

The power of God is released when we speak The Word.  Therefore begin to declare The Word to bring down the head of every goliath contesting your glorious destiny.  As soon as the strangers hear our voice they will fade away out of their close places. Therefore speak with authority and every devil must bow.  A closed mouth is a closed destiny. Learn to speak back to situations.  When you are confronted roar like a lion . And you do not make empty noise, you roar because you are born of God and he that is born of God overcomes the world.  Creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.  It is therefore time for us to begin to speak with power and authority against every contrary situation to secure, not only our own freedom, but also the freedom of everyone connected to us by destiny.

PRAYER; Father, I receive Power today to arise against everything contesting my destiny and the destiny of my loved ones. As I begin to declare Your Word with power I see every enemy bow in Jesus Name.  

quote

When we fight by God’s help we are sure of victory.

 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 18 : LOVE IS EVERYTHING

1 Corinthians 13:1 KJV

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 

DAILY READING –  1 Corinthians 8; 1 Kings 22; Amos 6

In February 2010 the National Geographic magazine featured a story about a 3,000-year-old defensive wall possibly built by King Solomon which was unearthed in Jerusalem. According to the Israeli archaeologist who led the excavation, the discovery appears to validate a Bible passage, in First Book of Kings which says Solomon, king of Israel, built a defensive wall in Jerusalem. The new discovery is the first archaeological evidence of this structure.

Indeed King Solomon built many structures during his reign, however the crowning achievement of his reign was the erection of the magnificent Temple in the capital city of ancient Israel – Jerusalem. King’s Solomon’s temple is undoubtedly the most expensive building in human history!  Its total cost is well over half a billion dollars!  This is an unimaginable cost for one house, but that’s what the value comes to when you include  a total of over 108,002.5 talents of gold, 1,017,000 talents of silver, and greater quantities of bronze. This cost may appear crazy to people in modern times; But if it appears extravagant, it is reflection of king David’s love for God in that he extravagantly prepared materials, over and above, intent on building a magnificent temple for God. [1 Chronicles 29:3].

David served God from a standpoint of love. No wonder God called him a man after His own heart. He loved God deeply and ended up a trans-generational celebrity, immortalized by God in history.

God takes the issue of love seriously. No matter what you do for God, if  it is not done because of your love for Him, it has no value to God.

1 Corinthians 13;1-4 says ‘If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.’

If you do not love God, whatever you do for His kingdom, does not count. God is looking for those who love Him. And for those who love God, the bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9 ‘But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him;’

Now, love for God is not lip service. Songs of Solomon states that love is as strong as death. When we love God we must be willing to lay down our lives for Him. When we love God we must be willing to pay the price of following Him at all costs. Nothing should be able to separate us from the love of God.

Christ proved His love for us by giving up His heavenly status and coming to the earth as a man to die on the cross for our sins. And today we must prove our love for Him by forsaking sin, taking up our cross and following Him in righteousness.

We cannot say we love God and yet be unwilling to pay the price to follow His laws and His ways. Jesus said in John 14 ’he that keeps my commandment, he it is that loves Me.’ and ’if a man say he loves Me and keeps not my commandment he does not love Me’.

Our love for God is manifested in our obedience to His Word. To serve God, we must seek to know Him in His Word.

Through studying His word, we come to know His deeds, His nature and character. It is through study of the scriptures that The Holy Ghost begins to shed abroad the love of God in our hearts. And when you know the greatness of God, His awesomeness, His great and mighty acts, worship naturally emanates from your heart.

God is looking for worshippers in spirit and in truth.  True praise is not just singing popular gospel songs while your mind is on other things. No, true praise is concentration on God, and all His goodness and mercies and faithfulness.

Indeed God is good. And He is worthy of all our worship and adoration. Love can be defined as a God-first lifestyle: This simply means, God having the first place in all our considerations. The “God-first lifestyle” is loving God with all your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:36-40). And when you truly love God, then God will turn you into a wonder to your world. Indeed you will become a man and a woman to be wondered at.

PRAYER:  Lord please grant me the grace to love you by the revelation of The Spirit so that my service in your kingdom can be acceptable. .

 quote

It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – WORDBITE 201.

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]

FEBRUARY 17  : GOD’S WORD IS EVER TRUE.  

 

 

John 14;29  

‘And now I have told you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass  ye might believe’ .

 

 

It is indeed amazing how God’s Word always find fulfillment. A scientist picking out 48 of the prophecies concerning Jesus, determined that the probability of one man randomly fulfilling them all is 1 in 10 to the exponent of 157. That is 1 followed by 157 zeros! Yet, Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies! World class mathematicians have said that there is one chance over 87, followed by 93 zeros that the bible’s prophesies could be true on the basis of random chance. Yet many Bible prophesies have come to pass!

Over 300 Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled by the life of Jesus Christ. For instance it was prophesied that He would be born of a virgin in Isaiah 7:14, this was fulfilled in Mt 1:18-25. It was prophesied in Micah 5:2 that he would be born in Bethlehem, it was fulfilled in Mt 2:1-6. It was Prophesied in Isa 7:14, that He would be Called Immanuel (God with us), it was fulfilled in Mt 1:22-23.

What this means is that the same way these prophesies came to be fulfilled, so also God’s Word will be fulfilled for anyone who believes it.

The Prophesies of The Bible could only have come from God alone. Nobody could attempt to forecast these Prophesies with such accuracy. Neither could they have come true by random chance or probability. Indeed  only God could have done it.

The bible is truly the inspired word of God. It is not an ordinary book. It is the revelation of God to man.

Any promise spoken by God in the Bible is an open cheque for anyone to appropriate.

This is why we need to go to the Bible and find out what God is saying concerning our situation and hold on to it. Whatsoever God has said, He is also able to do.

Whatever His mouth has promised, His hand is able also to perform.  The verdict of man is fallible. Only the verdict of God is infallible.

Jehovah has the final say. He is not man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent. Has He said it? He will surely make it good. God’s word will be still standing when every other counsel has failed.

Only what God has said concerning us is permitted to come to pass. Therefore in every situation go to The Word to locate God’s will for you. And when you find it, there shall be a reward, and your expectations shall not be cut off.

 

When you locate God’s will in His word concerning your situation, you then rise and begin to lay claim to it  by faith.  Situations only move when you forcefully speak the word of God over them. The red sea did not part until Moses stretched forth his hands over it.

Begin to command situations and circumstances in the Name of Jesus and they will surely bow to you. As you speak in faith, your victory will be  established in Jesus name.

 

PRAYER; Lord I know that Your Word is always true and what You have said abides  forever. Please grant me the grace to always speak Your Word with boldness to my circumstances. I thank You Lord for manifestations of miracles in my life as I declare Your Word  in Jesus name.

 

quote 

Faith is more than just believing, it is acting upon The Word that you believe.

 WORDBITE 222.

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

 

 

FEBRUARY 16 : VICTORY THROUGH THE LIGHT  

Psalm 34:5

• ‘They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.’

• DAILY READING -1 Corinthians 6; 1 Kings 19; Amos 3:3-4:3
Eagles are the only creatures that can look directly into the sun. They have two sets of eyelids. One is used for hunting while the other is used while flying directly towards the sun. The ability to look into the sun is very important to the eagle. As a matter of fact, it is part of the criteria used by a mother eagle to test its young. When young eaglets are born, as a test of worthiness, the mother eagle holds them up facing the sun. The birds that cannot stare into the sun are cast out of the nest. Only eaglets with ability to look to the sun are deemed true eagles.

The eagle’s ability to look into the sun is used in battle as an advantage over its enemies. And being king of the air, the eagle has many enemies. Its number one enemy is a bird called the Condor. The Condor is the world’s heaviest flying bird of prey. They can weigh over 25 pounds, and have a wingspan of about 10 feet, while eagles have only about 7 foot wing span. 

However, Condors lack the grace, strength and beauty of the eagle. Unlike the eagle that feeds on fresh meat, condors feed on dead animals. The Condor hates the eagle. So where ever an eagle flies it must be on the look out for its enemy, the Condor. 

In battle, the Condor will try to claw the eagle, but the eagle doesn’t stay and fight, rather it mounts up and begins to fly. And it doesn’t fly back to its nest, nor go to the left or right, instead, it flies directly towards the sun. When an eagle  flies directly towards the sun, no other bird can reach it, because other birds lack its ability to look into the sun. So as the Condor tries to catch the eagle, it is soon blinded by the sun and has to turn away and fall off.

Psalm 34:5  says ‘They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.’ 

When we look to the sun of righteousness, who is the son of God  we will always have the victory in battle. The deeper we go towards the light, the more every agent of darkness departs from us. According to John 1:5, the light shines in darkness and darkness cannot comprehend it.

We are redeemed as spiritual eagles to soar where others struggle: we are redeemed to soar where others sweat; No arrow can target an eagle successfully because it flies beyond where it can be reached. Likewise, no force of the wicked can truncate our glorious destiny in Christ. 

However, though we are redeemed to live above limitations, we need an understanding of our redemptive rights in Christ, so that we do not become cheap preys to the enemy.

Our place of victory in every battle is flying high towards the light. Whenever we are confronted we need to rise and go for light in The Word of God.  This is because the dominion of light over darkness is instant and unquestionable. The established order is, whenever light appears darkness must disappear. Actually darkness is nothing but absence of light. And whenever you intensify your light, darkness will instantly leave. Therefore whatever may be confronting you today, go towards the light. Go deep into the Word of God. Study until you receive the light of revelation that will shatter every darkness. 

Psalm 119:130 says ‘The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.’

When you are illuminated by the word of God, you dominate your circumstances without stress. Indeed we have been redeemed to operate in the realm of unlimited possibilities. And we engage the light through violent declarations of God’s Word for the delivery of our redemptive blessings. 

Our place of victory is dwelling in the light. Indeed When your life is hid in Christ and Christ is hid in God, then you become totally inaccessible to every darkness. 
PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to always focus on your Word so that my life can be filled with Your light. I know indeed that as I dwell in your light no darkness can ever access me in Jesus Name. .   
QUOTE 
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] 

FEBRUARY 15 : THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S!

Psalms 68:1-3

“May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. God arises for his people.’

 

The prickly purple thistle is one of the national symbols of Scotland. It was adopted as an Emblem of Scotland during the reign of Alexander III in the 13th century. Part of the reason why Scotland adopted the thistle as a national emblem is due to the story of how the thistle helped to save the country from invasion. According to the story, in the year 1263 when the Scots and Danes were at war, the Danes managed to land unobserved on the coast of Scotland. Under cover of darkness the Danish invaders removed their boots and crept on bare feet toward the unsuspecting Scottish army. Victory seemed certain for the invaders. But then suddenly a sharp cry of pain shattered the stillness. A Danish soldier had stepped on a thistle and it had pierced his feet. His shout alerted the Scotts and thus ruined the surprise. The alerted Scots sprang into action and drove the invaders from the country’s shores, winning the victory.

It is indeed interesting that a tiny thistle was what caused the invading Danish army to lose the battle. Though they had a water tight plan for a surprise attack, they were defeated due to an  unforeseen circumstance.

Sometimes when the enemy thinks he has a watertight plan to defeat you, God sends him an unforeseen circumstance.

In 2 kings 19, when king of Assyria surrounded Jerusalem, it seemed inevitable that he would destroy the land. However when King Hezekiah cried out to God for help, The Lord told him through prophet Isaiah, not to be afraid of the situation because king of Assyria would hear news that will cause him to abandon his attack plan. And true to God’s Word, shortly after this, king of Assyria received a report that Tirhakah, the king of Cush, was marching out to fight against him. And so he was forced to abandon his battle against Hezekiah to go and fight the king of Cush, and he never came back again, because he died in the process.

Indeed God knows how to send unforeseen circumstances to scatter the enemies’ plans against you. This is why you do not need to bother yourself about whatever noise the enemy may be making. God knows how to deal with them. The battle is not yours but The Lord’s. Just hold your peace and see the salvation of The Lord.

When the people of Judah were surrounded by three major armies, king  Jehoshaphat looked up to the heavens and said, “God, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” And God told him not to be discouraged by the mighty armies, for the battle was not his, but The Lord’s.'”

God is saying the same thing to us today; to quit worrying about situations that may seem too much for us to handle. It’s not your battle; it’s the Lord’s battle. The enemy doesn’t have the final say, only Jehovah does! God is saying “Stand still, and I’m going to show you My goodness. Stay in faith, and I’m going to turn that battlefield into your blessing field!”

God knows how to fight our battles and give us the victory. He knows how to use ways and means we never even thought of, to give us the victory.

Eph. 3:20 says, God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. The Lord is mighty in battle.

Psalms 68:1-3 says “May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.’

When God arises, all our enemies will be scattered. And one way to get Him to arise is to give Him praise. When you praise God He arises to fight for you. When you praise Him, He takes over your battles and gives you the victory.

 

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to learn to hold my peace and hand over my battles to You. Indeed You can fight for me in ways and means that far exceeds my expectations. I therefore thank and praise You, for I know You have given me the victory today 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.

 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK DIVINE ORDER FOR A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​FEBRUARY 14 : GREATLY LOVED BY GOD 

1 John 4:8-9 

 ‘ God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him

’DAILY READING – • 2 Corinthians 9; 2 Kings 22:1-23:35; Nahum 3

Today being February 14th, many people across the globe celebrate it as a day of love. But the truth remains that, no matter how sincere human love may be, it will never be perfect. There is only one love that is forever perfect and genuine, and that is the love God has for us. 

In June 2010, several News outlets carried the story of a 43-year-old Spanish  woman named Huang,  who faked her own kidnapping, just to test if her husband still loved her. 

The woman who had suddenly disappeared on June 22nd, had her family worried sick as repeated phone calls to her smartphone were left unanswered. Later her husband had been sent a photo on his mobile phone showing his wife bound hands and feet. A separate text message also demanded 20,000 euros for her release as well as a warning not to go to the police. But her husband ignored the warning and made an emergency call to the police. The local police station took immediate action after the emergency call. A rescue team was set up with a total of 29 officers working on the case. Various police officers scanned different areas and did house-to-house investigations. 

Unable to find her,  the ransom money was then dropped off, with a tracking device placed with the money. The police later tracked the money to a car, which they followed to a shopping mall in the town of Gandia, on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. There they finally discovered the true identity of the “abductor” to be Huang herself. When confronted she confessed that she had staged the abduction ‘to find out what her husband would be willing to do for her’. Huang later stated that, although she was happy with her marriage of ten years to her husband and their family of two daughters, she just wanted to “test” how much her husband loved her, and if he would pay the £20,000 ransom for her rescue. 

Although this woman had a happy home she was still uncertain of her husband’s love. Though staging her own kidnapping was an extreme way of testing if she is loved, her uncertainty however mirrors the general state of the human heart. Many people are unsure they are truly loved. Living in a world full of uncertainty, human love, no matter how sincere, will always be imperfect, and leave room for doubt. Only God’s love remain ever perfect and steadfast.   

1 John 4:8-9 says ‘ God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him’

God is love. You cannot truly talk of love outside of God. Love is not a feeling, love is a person. And you cannot truly know love without knowing God. 

God’s love for us is beyond all human measurement. Ephesians 3:19 tells us that the love of Christ, ‘passeth knowledge”.  He loves us unconditionally. We cannot even understand why He loves us in the first place, but we know He does! So if you are wondering if anyone loves you, know for sure today, that you are loved by God. As a child of God, you are especially chosen by God to be part of His family.

It says in 1 Peter 2:9, “You have been chosen by God Himself.” 

That means to God you are special. You weren’t randomly chosen. God, on purpose, looked at you and said, “I choose you, to be My son, to be My daughter.”

So no matter your situation, always remember, you are handpicked by God — valuable, lovable, with something great to offer. And whatever you may have gone through in the past, God loves you unconditionally. People may reject you, but God accepts you. He’s already chosen you, and He’s the One that matters most. 

When you understand how much God loves you and that He has a great plan for your life, there is no outside circumstance that can change your inner confidence.  Don’t allow what somebody did or didn’t do cause you to lose confidence in God’s love for you. Don’t ever allow any situation cause you to go through life feeling not good enough. No, realize that you’re a child of the Most High God. Your value doesn’t come from people or accomplishments; it comes from your Creator. Put your shoulders back. Hold your head up high. Live with confidence. Know that God loves you. And His love is what matters most. And as the world celebrates love today, know that you are truly loved by the one who is the greatest. 

So most importantly let today be a day of thanksgiving to God for the amazing love He has for you, a love that made Him to pay the ultimate price at Calvary for your redemption. 
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always know that I am greatly loved by You. Thank You today for loving me unconditionally. I am truly grateful for your love for me.   

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. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE] 

FEBRUARY 13 : THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Isaiah 48:17 KJV

Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

In his poem “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

In the journey of life, it is not always easy to take the less traveled road. By nature men always want to go on the popular road, which is often an easier and familiar route.

When Israel left Egypt in the exodus, they had two options on the route they could take to the promised land.   There was a shorter familiar route, they could have taken, it was  a few days journey of not more than about 200 miles. But because it led through the chief towns of the hostile Philistines, The Bible says “The people would probably have repented when they saw war, and would have returned to Egypt.” God knew once the Israelites saw immediate challenges,   they would prefer to return to Egypt, where, although enslaved, they at least felt a certain degree of consistency in their lives, a familiar routine.

Then the other option, was a less familiar and longer route. It did not seem a popular way to go, however, it was on this route  that God decided to lead His people on. For the Israelites, the Exodus from Egypt was laden with fear of the unknown. They needed a lot of training and preparation before they could enter the promised land. And God knew how best to gradually prepare them.  This longer route was where God intended to gradually train them, to purge them of the tendencies of Egypt and imbibe in them the new character of Canaan.  It was while on this longer route that they saw God’s wonders as He led them through the Red sea, destroyed Pharaoh and his host, and brought them into the wilderness where they were taught the laws by Moses.

God knew the better route to take to prepare His people for the coming glory.

In the same way today, as we journey through life, God knows the best route to take us on.

Isaiah 48:17 says ‘Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.’

God knows the best way to lead us on, in the journey of life. And though sometimes it may seem an unfamiliar route or a road less travelled, when we are being led  by The Spirit of God, we are assured that all things are indeed working  together for  our good. However it is not always easy to take the road less travelled.

Mathew 7:14 says ‘Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’

The narrow path is not a popular path. Only few people are on it. It is the road less travelled. It is not easy to take the narrow path of holiness when others are on the broad path of sin. It is not easy to commit to a life of prayer and fasting and constant study of The God’s Word, when others are engaged in fun filled pursuits. It is not easy to decide to always live in conformity with scriptures, when others live their lives according to the dictates of the flesh.

Yes, it is not always easy to take the road less travelled, but then, it is the road that eventually leads to the promised land. The path of obedience to God’s Word may seem long and difficult sometimes, yet ultimately, as we travel on it, we become stronger from our experiences, and more spiritually mature through overcoming adversities.

In the journey of life you have to learn to trust God.  Understand God loves you, and whichever way He leads you, is the best way.  Do not try to lead yourself. Take the time to seek His counsel in all you do. And no matter the route God takes you, though it may seem to be the longer unfamiliar  route, trust that He is leading you to your own Canaan, to your land flowing with milk and honey. 

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to trust you with the journey of my life. No matter how I feel, may I always submit to only your guidance. Please grant me the grace to always walk on the narrow path of obedience to Your Word. May I never deviate from following You all the days of my life in Jesus Name.   

quote

God protects and shields us when we are being led by Him. – WORDBITE 222.

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]

 

FEBRUARY 12   : BECOMING LIKE CHRIST… 

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  
• DAILY READING – 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Kings 18; Amos 2:1-3:2
God has an expected end in mind for us. That end is glory. It doesn’t matter how things may appear, as long as you love God, be assured He is working out all things for your glorious end. 

In 2016 the Japanese auto giant, Toyota Motor Corp., issued two global recall for its cars. One of these was a recall for 3.37 million hybrid cars worldwide to fix the faulty airbag system and emission control unit. These faults were as a result of deviation from the Toyota prototype. Though this exercise cost Toyota a lot of money, they didn’t relent as they were determined and focused on creating excellent products that conformed to the prototype. In manufacturing design, the prototype is the early model, of a product which is replicated severally. And manufacturers always strive to conform to the  prototype in their products.   

We are God’s products; His people and the sheep of His pasture. And God has specifically set Christ as our prototype. God is patterning us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Jesus is the pattern son. And God is committed to ensuring that we all become reflections of His perfect image. Romans 8:29 tells us  that God has predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son.

Christlikeness is the eternal predestinated purpose of God for us.

 God therefore uses life experiences to teach and train us daily to become like Christ. Therefore when you go through trials and challenges, understand that ultimately God is at work to manifest His glory through you.  He is pruning and preparing you to conform to the prototype. 

This is why we count it all joy, when we meet trials of various kinds, for we know that the testing is producing in us something far greater. 

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’

The trials, challenges and temptations are presenting to us opportunities to manifest a Christ-like character. We are being pruned to become more and more like Christ.  Hebrew 12:11 says that no chastising for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous, but afterward, it yields the fruit of righteousness, unto them which are thereby exercised.  We may not enjoy being disciplined. It may seem to cause more pain than joy. But later on, we will see the benefits of the exercise. 

The important thing is to use every opportunity God brings our way to be daily more like Jesus. No matter what challenges, we should never give up on the quest to be like Jesus. Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up each time. Like Paul we must keep pressing forward towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

And one way to achieve a Christ-like character is by daily renewing our mind through constant study of The Word. The more we look into The Word the more we are being transformed by The Spirit, from glory to glory. It is only when your eye is single that your body can be full of light. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.  Therefore in the quest to be Christ like, we must root out distractions and focus on The Word. We can only successfully become Christ-like, when we daily look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. 

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to become addicted to Your Word, so that as I study daily, I will be transformed by The Spirit into the very image of Christ in Jesus Name  

QUOTE 

God is preparing you for the season He prepared your breakthrough. – WORDBITE 222.  

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BRING BACK THE GLORY] 

FEBRUARY 11 : GUIDED BY THE WORD!

PSALM 119:130

The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 
• DAILY READING   2 Corinthians 8; 2 Kings 20-21; Nahum 2
God gives us light via His Word to see our way forward in life.  It is in His Word that we see light to understand the mysteries of our lives. We can never understand our times, seasons and reasons behind them except we come to The Word and allow The Holy Spirit to unravel truth to us. It is the entrance of The Word of God that gives us light.   

When Alexander the great arrived to  conquer Jerusalem. Something strange happened.  According to the historical account given by Josephus, a Jewish historian, as Alexander approached,  Jaddua the Jewish High Priest went out to meet  him having in his hand a copy of the book of Daniel. He opened the scroll and showed  Alexander  the  prophesy concerning   him.   In Daniel chapter 8 Daniel had prophesied of the conquests of the he-goat from the Greek empire, representing Alexander,   which were so swift that his feet appeared not to even touch the ground as he devoured “the whole earth” (Daniel 8:5). At that time Alexander had  with unprecedented speed  conquered  Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and all the way to India in only twelve years. With an army of only 30,000, he defeated Darius III who had 500,000 soldiers. His success was so extraordinary and  his  subjugation of the entire known world the most rapid humanity had ever witnessed at that time. Recognizing himself in that prophesy , Alexander marveled.  He was  so  impressed  that instead of destroying Jerusalem,  he peaceably  entered into the city  and worshipped at the Temple.

Alexander was humbled by the prophesy of Himself he found in the scriptures. God knows the end from the beginning and has already decided everyman’s destiny. Our job is to discover the destiny that God has already mapped out for us. And just as Alexander found about himself, there is also something written about you in the scriptures. When you search in The word, The Holy Spirit will begin to unravel to you, the script to the drama of your life. There is a reason why things have happened the way they have. There is truth you need to uncover that will aid you as you journey through life.  The Bible  is not an ordinary book.  It is God’s medium of communicating truth.  It’s our only true light in a world of darkness. To move forward in life, to fulfill destiny, you need to pay attention to what God is really saying in His Word.  When you begin to develop a culture of total regard for the Word, the Spirit will open up its content to you with depth of revelations you never imagined.  It will be the road map to your glorious destination. When you are guided by the light of scriptures you will never miss the path to your high places. 

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to access The Light in Your Word. Please give me understanding as I study scriptures, to  know the way forward for me. Please open me up to the revelation from Your Word that will revolutionize my life, so that I can begin to ascend to the glorious height You have ordained for me in this Eagle’s flight in Jesus Name.    

QUOTE 

There is more to you than meets the eyes.  Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. – WORDBITE 222.  

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS] 

FEBRUARY 10 : WINNING THE BATTLES OF LIFE 

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Matthew 25:7-10
• DAILY READING 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:16; 2 Kings 19; Nahum 1

The battles of life often come suddenly. And what determines if you win or lose is the strength already stored up within you. The Bible says if you faint in the day of battle, your strength is small. So in order to win in battles we need great strength. And this strength is drawn from God’s Word. When we are strengthened by The Word, we become more than conquerors in every battle of life.  

On July 19, 1989, for the first time in aviation history a completely un-steerable plane was brought to the runway in what was a clear Miracle.  Helen Young Hayes who was onboard, shared this story of God’s deliverance, on a CBN News interview. She recalled her experience after she boarded United Airlines Flight 232 in Denver, bound for Chicago. 

As the plane was careening and going down: Chaos filled the cabin with passengers thrown in their seats and flames all around them. But in the midst of that chaos, The Word of God came to fore in Helen’s mind. She prayed that God literally guide the pilots’ hands as they attempted to land a DC-10 with no hydraulic assistance – something that had never been done before. She closed her eyes, focused on the pilots’ hands, and asked the Lord to give them ‘’guidance and wisdom and show them what to do.” Indeed God answered her prayers, and the plane was landed safely.  

The Word already stored in Helen’s heart was what came to the fore in the crisis. In a time of trouble  what works is The Word already stored within you. When confronted suddenly, what is inside of you is what rises to the fore. When you have spent quality time building up The Word within you, during trials and challenges the Word will rise to give you guidance and grant you victory.  

Every believer has the responsibility to go in pursuit of the Word. The Word you are going for may not be the Word you need today necessarily, but it is a Word you will need to access and draw from in the future when faced with a test or trial. When you study your Bible therefore; it should be a deliberate action of making daily withdrawals from the Book of life. It is something you must do consistently, because by so doing you prepare yourself against the day of battle. When confronted, there should be strength within you to rise up to the challenge.

You don’t have to wait for trouble to come first before you know you are to study The Word, it may be too late then. Decide today to begin to store The Word in enough quantity and quality in your heart so that whenever trouble knocks your victory is assured.  
PRAYER Lord Please grant me a renewed appetite for Your Word. Please help me to always store up your Word in my heart, so that by the power in Your Word I can be a conqueror in every battle of life in Jesus Name. 

QUOTE  

When you apply The Word of God, it will work for you, anywhere and anytime- WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]