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; Acts 21:1-36; Judges 16; Psalm 42

Today, the modern Pentecostal Movement has been called, the “fastest growing phenomenon in world religious history”. It has hundreds of millions of adherents in most nations of the world. The modern Pentecostal movement began in 1901, through the preaching and teaching of Charles Fox Parham.
At a time when very little was known about the subject of speaking in tongues, Parham preached distinctively that it was the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Parham started a Bible school in October 1900, where the students were taught the need for a restoration of New Testament Christianity, as found in the Book of Acts.
However, there were those who didn’t accept Parham’s teaching and a great persecution arose against his ministry. Scandalous things were printed in the Newspapers about him to malign his character.
One day, after many such slanderous accusations against him, Parham became concerned that the rising persecution would forever ruin his work. But while deep in prayer, he heard these words, “I made Myself of no reputation.”
Parham then realized that he could not adequately carry out God’s will, if he kept focusing on the persecutions and worrying about his reputation.. He needed to keep his focus on his call and allow God take care of all else.
And so Parham focused his attention on teaching the truth about the baptism in the Holy Spirit and kept his gaze on fulfilling God’s call upon his life.
He held tremendous meetings where thousands were healed and baptized in the Holy Spirit. It was in one of these meetings in 1924 that Gordon Lindsay found salvation and would later establish the international Bible college, Christ for the Nations.
Before Charles Parham died, his ministry contributed to millions of conversions, both directly and indirectly. And even today, the influence of his ministry continues to be felt all over the world, though the explosion of the modern Pentecostal movement.

Indeed great faith is the product of great fights. Great triumphs can only come from great trials. If we are going to achieve anything great in life, we must learn to take our eyes off the persecutions and keep our focus on Jesus. Noah built an ark in a world that had never seen rain. People thought he was crazy. But if Noah had listened to the naysayers, he would have joined them to drown in the flood.
In Mathew 14, as long as Peter kept his gaze on Jesus he could walk on the water. But the moment he became distracted by the storm he began to sink.
If you are going to walk on water and do wonders this year, then you must keep your focus on Jesus. Refuse to be distracted by any storm. Understand that all the commotion the enemy sends your way, is only designed to get you to shift your focus. But keep going forward and never mind the noise.
The difference between great faith and little faith is the object of focus. Focus on Jesus and not the storm. Always look at the One who holds the power over the storm.
Spend time in fervent prayer and diligent study of the Word. Listen to what God is saying and not what man is saying.
Regardless of what comes your way, situations or circumstances cannot limit what God can do in your life.
Even if everything seems to be rising up against you, keep going forward. Always remember that every challenge is only a phase. It too shall pass. Every problem, they say, has an expiry date. Draw strength from God’s Word and always keep the fire burning on your altar of prayer and praise. You may not control what happens around you, but you can control what happens within you by keeping your heart strong in God’s Word.
No matter what comes your way, always remember that you serve the God who does mind blowing things. He does wonders without number. And as we keep our focus on Him in this season of prayers, surely He will do such amazing miracles in our lives that will shut up the detractors and truly cause men to wonder.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always focus on your Word and fervent prayers and praise, so that I can possess the faith to keep pressing forward no matter the challenges. By Your grace, I am overcoming every battle and indeed becoming a wonder to all 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.