HORM Devotional

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth’.

DAILY READING; Mark 5:21-43; 2 Samuel 14; Daniel 8

Max Lucado is a popular American pastor, speaker, and best-selling author of Christian books.
However, he came from a family tree marked by a blight of alcoholism. At 16 years, he already had a drinking problem and would get so drunk that he could not drive.
As he grew older and encountered Christ, he finally overcame the alcoholism. For more than 20 years afterwards, drinking was no longer a problem.
But as an established minister, whose ministry was rapidly expanding, Max Lucado gradually began to lower his guard. At a barbecue or at a restaurant he would permit himself to take a can of beer and feel that wouldn’t hurt. Without meaning to, he gradually began backsliding into his old lifestyle, but tried to keep it a secret and didn’t drink at home, or in public.
He would sit in his car in the parking lot of convenience-stores, drinking beer out of a brown paper bag.
One night he had a long talk with his oldest daughter and admonished her against covering things up. The next day, he was to drive to a speaking engagement at a men’s retreat. On his way there he began to plot on where to buy a can of beer and drink secretly and not be seen.
So he drove to an out-of-the-way convenience store, bought a can of beer, held it close to his side and hurried to his car. But as he opened the can, he felt a sense of conviction because he was doing exactly what he had warned his daughter against the night before.
Then it dawned on him that he had become the very thing he hated: a hypocrite and two-faced pretender.
He threw the can of beer into the trash and sat in the car for a long time, praying and asking God for forgiveness. Next he scheduled a meeting with the elders of his church where he confessed to them about his drinking. They told him that while the devil was determined to get him, they would cover him with prayer, but he must get the alcohol out of his life.
Lucado took their words seriously as if it was God speaking to him. He made a decision to finally put an end to the problem of alcohol. His decision to come clean produced positive results in his life as he began to experience greater blessings and open doors in his ministry.

An important requirement for experiencing greater open doors is the decision to not cover up sin.
Proverbs 28:13 says “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
The word ‘Prosper’ is the Hebrew word “tsalach” which means to succeed or to be victorious. This word has the idea of breaking out or breaking through – and has a military aspect to it. It refers to how an army would break through their enemies’ camp which was a sure sign that they were about to defeat them and win the battle. Proverbs 28:13 suggests that anyone who covers up or conceals their sins will not be victorious over their enemies.
We must realize that we are in a spiritual battle with an enemy who is intent on killing stealing and destroying.
It is the devils desire to attack your business, family, health and generally halt every form of progress in your life. You can’t afford to give him any room by opening the door to sin because anywhere the hedge is broken, the serpent will strike.
We must refuse to be ignorant of the devices of the enemy and constantly keep watch and be on our guard.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.’

To win the war against sin and temptations, we must constantly fill our hearts with God’s Word.
Psalms 119:11 says ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’
As we diligently obey God’s Word, we will enjoy divine establishment and abundant blessings.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.’
Indeed God desires to set us up in business, in our career, in our health, in our families and cause His blessings to come upon us and overtake us.
Let us therefore make the decision to daily become more intimate with Him so that we will have the power to overcome temptations and enjoy His abundant blessings in all our endeavors.

PRAYER: Lord, Please grant me the grace to always pursue holiness and righteousness in all I do. As I diligently seek Your Word, I know that Your abundant Blessings will overflow every area of my life in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE;
The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained a victorious end for you. WORDBITE 222

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

Isaiah 41:10 ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’

DAILY READING; Mark 5:1-20; 2 Samuel 13; Daniel 7

Althea Maria Edmiston, was an African-American missionary, who worked in the Belgian Congo for more than thirty years.
After graduating from University in 1901, she was appointed by the Presbyterian Church in America for service in the Congo.
While working there, she and other missionaries often faced fear and insecurity because of the unstable situation of the nation. There were often rumours of war and internal conflicts.
On November 2, 1904, Althea Brown and the other missionaries at their station received news that Christians were being killed on the order of King Lukenga who ruled the region where they were resident.
The king had ordered his warriors to bring the hearts of all foreign traders and the heads of all missionaries to him, and to burn every white person’s house. So his warriors had gone on a rampage, attacking and burning homes of Christians.
However the Congolese government opposed the King’s order and to protect the foreigners,, the government sent their soldiers to the region.
By evening time, fierce fighting had broken out between warriors from the king and Congolese soldiers. As night fell, fighting surrounded the mission compound where Althea and the other missionaries were.
As the battle raged on through the night and until dawn, the missionaries prayed fervently for deliverance.
After two days of fierce fighting, Congolese soldiers finally were able to come to the rescue of the missionaries and escorted them and about five hundred people to safety.
After the uprising, Althea Brown relocated to another town in Congo where she continued her work. Despite the dangers and insecurity, Althea Brown continued to depend on God’s divine protection and after many years, she successfully completed her missionary work in the Congo.

Everyday in the News there are reports of insecurity, uncertainties, social unrest, riots, uprisings, rumors of wars etc.
Though the rest of the world may be in fear and confusion, as believers, we have a strong refuge in God. Our lives and times are in His hands.
God is in perfect control of what is happening in the world today and nothing takes Him by surprise. He knows the end from the beginning.
In Isaiah 46: 9-10, God says ‘ I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
God’s purpose is being worked out despite current political and social events in the earth. God has already predicted the events of the last days, shown us how the story ends and told us not to fear..
In the first chapter of the last book of the Bible Jesus says “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:17-18)
Indeed Jesus has the keys and He is in charge. Despite negative happenings in the world,, He has us encircled, encompassed, covered and shielded with His power.
When horses and chariots from the King of Syria surrounded Elisha, the prophet was not afraid because he knew that the Heavenly forces with him were more than the earthly forces against him. He was surrounded by horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:15-17)
Likewise, as believers in Christ, we need to be conscious that there are fiery Heavenly security and divine forces always surrounding us, this is why we never have to fear!.
God’s Presence around us causes evil to fall and perish before us .
Psalm 9:3 says ‘When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.’
However, what motivates God to divinely protect us is our depth of faith and relationship with Him.
God’s response to us is determined by our knowledge of who He is. Indeed it is those who know their God that will be strong and do exploits.
In this season, our focus therefore should be in drawing closer to Him. When we know God intimately and diligently obey His Word, we will certainly enjoy divine security and keep experiencing greater open doors, despite the happenings in the world..

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me fresh desire to seek Your Word and Your Spirit so that I can acquire the faith I need to manifest victory and dominion wherever I go in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE :
Your present frustrations are God’s opportunities for manifestations. – WORDBITE 222

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

1 John 3:16 [NIV] – ‘This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.’

DAILY READING; Mark 4:21-41; 2 Samuel 11-12; Daniel 6

CIRA International is a global Christian ministry founded by Abd Al Fadi, a former Muslim from Saudi Arabia.
Interestingly Al Fadi grew up harboring intense hatred for Christians. He was born and raised as a militant Muslim and trained to become a Jihadist.
As a teenager, his hero was Osama bin Laden and it was his goal to fight in a “holy war”, against infidels.
After finishing college in Saudi Arabia, Al Fadi desired to attend an American university so as to receive the best education. But he was apprehensive because that meant having to interact with Christians whom he hated.
In 1989, he arrived in the United States filled with fear and discomfort. He enrolled in the International Friendship Program, which paired foreign students with local volunteers who would provide help and hospitality.
He was assigned to a young American couple and for the next seven months, this family showed him love that far exceeded his expectations. During Thanksgiving celebration, he was invited to their home for dinner. Only then did Al Fadi realize that they were a Christian family because this family had never shared the Gospel with him, but rather had shown him practically the love of Christ.
He walked out of their home with great doubts about his own beliefs and began to do research on Christianity.
A few years later, after joining a local engineering firm, he met another born-again Christian man and again was impressed by the faith, joy, peace, and light that radiated from this Christian.
After this man shared his testimony with Al Fadi, in May 2001, going against everything his Muslim faith had taught him, Al Fadi made his first visit to a Christian church. Over the course of the next six months, he learned more about Christ and in November 2001, without a shadow of a doubt, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. During this time, God revealed His awesome glory to him in ways he could not deny or doubt. Though he faced great persecutions, he remained steadfast in his decision to follow Christ.
Today, Al Fadi leads CIRA [The Center for Islamic Research and Awareness], which he founded in 2010, with the mission to reach Muslims for Christ.

Despite his fanaticism and hatred of Christians, Al Fadi was won to Christ through simple acts of love shown to him by followers of Christ.
People will not know that we are Christians because we wear Christian T-shirts, adorn WWJD bracelets, display Church stickers, or have a fish decal on our cars.
A watching world will be persuaded about our faith when we become purveyors of Christ’s love.
Christian love will always be the best advertisement for our faith. Unbelievers may not understand theology or dogma, but they will understands love when they see it.
Truly, love breaks down barriers. Love is a powerful force that can conquer the impregnable stronghold of the human heart.

In John 13:35, Jesus said that it is through the show of love that all people will know that we are His disciples.
Love is the best investment you will ever make towards the spread of the Gospel. Love is primarily an active interest in the well-being of others which compels us to act for their benefits.
When we perform selfless acts of love, it melts the heart, leaves an impression on the soul and makes a statement that remains unforgotten in the mind.
It is God’s plan that we reflect His character of love to the world.
1 John 4:16-17says “God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.”
When we show love to others, we are showing them God and this is what attracts them to the Gospel. We are never more like God than when we are loving others.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 commands us to ‘do everything in love.”
Doing everything in love means we look for every opportunity to bless and encourage others. Love has the eyes to see pain, ears to listen, the hands to help others and the feet to hasten to their need.
Loving selflessly runs counter to our self-centered human nature, but as believers we can love unconditionally because of the love of Christ which is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Through redemption, Jesus has given us a new mind that is able to overlook people’s shortcomings and see them with the eyes of love.
At the Cross Christ showed us mercy and love we didn’t deserve. Let us show same to people by loving them even when they prove to be difficult and unlovable.
When we love others unconditionally as Christ loves us, it will melt the hardness in them, break the barriers in their hearts and draw them closer to God.

PRAYER; Lord, I thank You for Your deep love for me that made You to sacrifice Your life at the Cross to save and deliver me. May Your love flow through me to bless men and draw them closer to You in Jesus Name.

QUOTE;
There is something that God has placed within you that the world is eagerly awaiting to see. WORDBITE 222

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

Jeremiah 31:3-4 (MSG) ‘God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again..’

DAILY READING; Mark 4:1-20; 2 Samuel 9-10; Daniel 5

Recently the Japanese monarchy was rocked by controversy because Japan’s Princess Mako made a choice of husband that went against the tradition.
The Japanese monarchy is the world’s oldest continuous hereditary dynasty. It has been in existence since around 660 B.C. and is based on strong and strict traditions.
Therefore many people were shocked when Princess Mako chose to give up her royal status by marrying her former classmate, who is a commoner from a humble background. The couple first met in 2012 as students at the International Christian University in Tokyo. They were engaged in 2017 and were set to wed the following year.
But the controversies surrounding their wedding caused it to be delayed for next 3 years.
They finally got married in 2021.
Part of the love sacrifice Princess Mako made to marry a commoner was to forego a traditional lump-sum payment of up to 150 million yen ($1.3m) which is typically given to a member of the royal family upon their departure from the household.
She also had to skip the usual rites associated with a royal family wedding. By skipping both the payment and the rites it made her the first female member of the royal family to do so.
Their marriage strongly divided opinions in Japan, and even incited public protests. But while many in Japan were against the union, many others applauded princess Mako’s courage in giving up everything to marry the one she loved.

There is a general belief in the world that true love is hard to find.
Therefore people are often willing to pay the highest price possible when they think they have finally found true love.
Indeed the greatest quest of the human heart is for real love But unfortunately, what most people find is the opposite. They often end up with heartaches, being cheated on, lied to, betrayed and disappointed again and again.
The pain from extreme heartache is now being considered a medical condition.
A few years ago a group of doctors at Johns Hopkins University reported a lethal heart condition caused by acute emotional distress, which requires treatment by medication.. The problem is technically known as “stress cardiomyopathy,” or simply “broken heart syndrome,”.
Indeed many people have suffered broken hearts in their search for love. So when they finally find the love their heart longs for, no price seems too high to pay for it.
But while such love may appear sweet and thrilling, the human heart will always remain unfulfilled when it lacks the true love of Christ.
It is only through Christ that we can know true and perfect love. This love was displayed at Calvary where Christ sacrificed His life for us, while we were yet sinners. [Romans 8:5]
In our worst, lowest, most unlovable state, God drew us with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3-4)
God’s love is so true that nothing can ever separate us from it.

Romans 8:39 [MSG] says “I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”

God is love. He alone has the capacity to meet the deep needs of our heart and it is only by His strength that we can be able to love others unconditionally.
Today, as the world celebrate a day centered around the concept of love, let our celebration be in the fact that God so loved us, that He paid the ultimate price to purchase us at the Cross. That indeed is the greatest love story of all.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the price You paid to give me a new life and a new heart. Today, I receive from You the divine ability to truly love others unconditionally even as You have loved me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE :
It is not possible for you to have a heart for God and His Kingdom, without God minding you. WORDBITE 201

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

Jeremiah 7:23 ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.’

DAILY READING; Mark 3:20-35; 2 Samuel 7-8; Daniel 4.

Barry Blaze is a singer, composer, and record producer who is a popular figure in American Contemporary Christian music.
He is the founder of the band ‘Code Of Ethics’ which has recorded number one Christian radio hits.
In early 2000, things were really looking good for Barry as he was rising higher in his career. But then only months later, he faced what seemed the greatest battle of his life.
On 1st May 2004, Barry was on his motor bike, driving back from a family gathering, when it started to rain.
As he got to a major bridge that stretched over the ocean, he heard the Holy Spirit speaking strongly in his heart ‘pull off the road!’
But Barry was in a hurry to get home before the rain got heavier and so he didn’t obey the divine instruction to stop.
As he drove his motorcycle on to the bridge suddenly he knew in his soul that something bad would happen. At that moment a strong storm blew across the bridge with heavy lightning, the force of the wind sent Barry crashing headfirst into the bridge’s concrete barrier.
His head hit the bridge so hard it split his helmet, broke all the bones in his ears, ruptured his eardrums and severely damaged both his eyes.
Soon Paramedics arrived and rushed Barry to the closest trauma hospital. There, doctors gave him no chance of survival.
But Barry made it through the night, much to the doctors’ amazement. When he woke up the next day Barry realized he was blind, and partially deaf. He began praying and calling out to God for His mercy.
Barry wondered how he could continue his career as a worship leader and a musician. But in the midst of the trauma he received the assurance that God would see him through.
Specialists performed multiple surgeries to repair his retinas and his inner ears. When Barry was eventually discharged from the hospital he had to learn how to walk and balance himself again. His recovery was long and challenging and one day, he held up his guitar, and cried ‘God just let me stand up and worship you with the gift you gave me.’
God answered his prayers and he was able to see clearly and began to hear well enough to return to the music career.
Once again he returned to leading worship every week at his Church. Barry penned a new collection of songs in gratitude to God who had given him a second chance at life.

Leviticus 18:5 (NLT) says “If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD.”

While we desire greater open doors, we must also realize that new levels also attract new devils.
As you rise higher on the ladder of success, so also does the enemy work harder to try to pull you down.
A tree that produces sweet fruits, must also be ready to attract stones.
The only way to stay safe is to ensure that we are carefully following divine instructions.
Because Noah obeyed the Lord, he was safe and secure when the floodwaters came.
Our prompt obedience to God always guarantees us His divine protection.
But failure to heed divine guidance causes a man to become grounded in life.

In Acts chapter 27, the ship transporting Paul to Rome became grounded because the captain of the ship failed to heed divine instruction. Paul was sensitive to the Spirit, and perceived the voyage would lead to much damage both to the ship and their lives. So he warned those in command not to set sail, but they refused to listen and continued with the voyage.
Soon after, a great storm arose that almost destroyed their lives. Paul then admonished them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to me…’
For the sake of Paul, God had mercy on the ship’s passengers and they were all delivered.
Thankfully, we serve the God of second chances, who prefers to mend rather than to rend.
When Jonah disobeyed God’s first instruction and suffered the consequence of disobedience, God still gave him a second chance.(Jonah 3:2). And as Jonah became obedient, God used him powerfully in Nineveh.
The good news today is that though we may have missed great opportunities due to disobedience, as we become repentant and obedient, God can still use us greatly. God is a potter who is able to turn that which is marred into something amazing.
God can still make miracles out of our mistakes. By His Spirit, He can lead us out of every wrong path and bring us to the greatness He has originally planned for us.

PRAYER Lord please enable me to spend quality time daily in Your Presence so that I can become sensitive to Your divine leadings. Thank You for the grace and strength to always promptly obey You in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
The Place That Appears to be the end of your life may just be a bend towards a glorious destiny if only you can take a second look.- WORDBITE 201

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

Matthew 5:10-11 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’

DAILY READING – • Mark 3:1-19; 2 Samuel 6; Daniel 3

In early 2020, North Korea announced a new law, called the ‘DPRK Law on rejecting reactionary ideology and culture’. This law basically punishes the possession and use of foreign propaganda and materials that are anti-North Korean culture.
Part of what is considered anti-North Korean material is the Bible. What’s interesting about the law is that it makes explicit mention of the Bible which it called an illegal book. Reading and possessing the Bible have been illegal for years, and punishment is very heavy. At the very least you’ll be tortured in prison for months. Then you’ll be sent to a re-education camp or camp for political prisoners. Now with the new law, the punishment for possessing a Bible is much greater.
Possessing it is punishable with ten years correctional labour and even death if you import a lot of Bibles.
The North Korean state sees Christians as a huge threat and send most of them to political prison camps. Prisoners are never released from a political prison camp.
Recently, the North Korean government is reported to have expanded its system of prison camps, in which thousands of Christians are currently being imprisoned.
North Korea is ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians. The government continues to extremely persecute Christians in every element of their public and private lives. Yet despite all these, it still has not stopped an estimated 36 percent of the population – around 9 million – from practicing Christianity.
These Christians pay a high price for their faith and are even willing to lay down their lives if required.
They draw their examples from the early Church, many of whom willingly laid down their lives for the sake of the Gospel.

The courage and deadly dedication of North Korean Christians should greatly challenge us and make us relentless in our commitment to obey God.
While we may not face extreme physical persecutions, yet in our daily lives we are often confronted by spiritual persecutions from the enemy as he tempts and tries to get us to compromise our faith and fall into sin.
Just as these North Korean Christians we must refuse to water down our faith in the face of persecution and choose to live an uncompromising Christian life, no matter the cost.
The truth is that any Christian who is living a godly life in this generation, will surely suffer persecutions at some points. But always realize that anytime you are being attacked or persecuted for righteousness sake, God is right there with you.

God says in Isaiah 43:2 “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not harm you’

In times of fiery trials, when you keep your faith strong, and choose to do what is right and walk in line with the Word, God will surely help you and see you through.
And after you have been tried, God will ensure that you come forth as gold.[Job 23:10]
Though you may go through the fire today, be assured that you are coming out more blessed tomorrow.
In Matthew 5:10-11 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In all the other beatitudes, the word “blessed” is used once, but in this particular beatitude, Jesus used the word “blessed” twice to emphasize the generous blessing given by God to the persecuted.
Therefore, despite the temptation or persecution, we must always remain faithful and continue to choose to please God in every situation.
Our commitment as Christians cannot be complete until we come to the decision to serve God totally and be sold out to His cause. It is our choice for dedication today that guarantees our distinction tomorrow.
Today, as we choose to go all the way with God, surely we will enjoy greater open doors and multiplied blessings.

PRAYER; Lord, may I continue to uphold the truth of Your Word and stand in faith no matter the oppositions I may face. Please grant me the grace and strength to live a life that pleases You no matter how difficult it may sometimes seem in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
The tests you are going through in life today are not for your destruction, they are for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222.

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

Psalm 41:10-11 ‘But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, And raise me up, that I may requite them. By this I know that thou favourest me, Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.’

DAILY READING; Mark 2; 2 Samuel 4-5; Daniel 2:24-49

A. A. Allen was a charismatic and controversial revivalist, who was known as ‘the boldest of the bold’ amongst his peers and loved by thousands of his followers.
Born in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas, in 1911, he grew up in a very dysfunctional home, that negatively affected his childhood and upbringing.
In the book, ‘God’s Man of Faith and Power’ he is quoted as saying ‘By the time I was twenty-one, I was a nervous wreck. I couldn’t get a cigarette to my lip with one hand. . I was a confirmed drunkard.”
After serving a jail sentence for stealing corn in the midst of the depression, he thought of himself as “an ex-jailbird drifting aimlessly through life.” It was at this point that Allen encountered God and surrendered to Christ.
Licensed by the Assemblies of God as a minister in 1936 began an effective evangelistic ministry at a small church in Colorado. Over the years, his ministry expanded and rapidly grew.
As Allen’s fame grew, so did opposition. At the height of his ministry success, his enemies slandered Allen relentlessly such that A. A. Allen considered himself the most persecuted preacher in the world. The Assemblies of God were not happy with the continual stream of criticism.
The straw that broke the camel’s back was in the fall 1955, when he was arrested for drunken driving while conducting a revival in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The charges were believed to be trumped up as R.W. Schambach, who was traveling with him at the time, testified that he was in the car the night he was arrested and that Allen was by no means under the influence of alcohol. Nevertheless, the bad press did great harm to his ministry and reputation. Ultimately he was forced to withdraw from the Assemblies of God denomination and Voice of Healing network.
However, what the enemy means for harm can often work for good. In the midst of persecution, Allen launched the Miracle Revival Fellowship, which licensed ministers and supported missions. Five hundred ministers were licensed in its first ordination. During this time he also began publishing the Miracle Magazine, which boasted two hundred thousand paid subscribers by the end of 1956. In January of 1958, he established the International Miracle Revival Training Camp for ministers near Tombstone, Arizona. He was given 1,250 acres of land and called it “Miracle Valley.” In 1960, he built a four thousand seat church auditorium.
Throughout the late 1950’s, great public controversy continued to surround Allen, as well as hostile persecution, yet he pressed on. The miraculous followed his preaching in unprecedented forms with unheard of signs and wonders that established him as a foremost revivalist in his generation.

Certainly, your misery can be turned into your ministry.
When you face tough times, have the perspective that God can bless you in the valley. As you stay in faith, God can turn that battlefield into your blessing field. What should have defeated you is going to increase you. You’re going to come out better.
As long as you are walking in line with God, anytime a door closes, start expecting new doors of greater opportunities to open.
Don’t give in to negative emotions and allow them to keep you from God’s blessings and promotion. Fix your eyes on Jesus and not on the negativity.
How we respond to issues determines whether we are beaten or blessed, whether we are victims or victors..
People may attack you, but don’t let their negative actions determine the outcome of your life. No matter what anyone did to you, you can put it behind you and rise from the ashes.
Life is not always fair, but God is able to give you beauty in the place of ashes.. You may not understand everything that happens, but trust that God is always at work in your life.
Proverbs says, “The steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord”.
The fact that you encounter a valley, is not always because you’ve done anything wrong. It could be because the valley is a necessary passage to your mountaintop.
It’s an opportunity for you to go to a higher level.
But though you may sometimes walk through the valley of the shadow of death, ahead, God has prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies.
As you stay in faith and keep praising God, surely, your cup is about to run over with blessings!
What was meant to stop you will become materials for your promotion. They will be used to push you forward, and become instrumental in causing you to unleash your greatest potentials and reach your highest victories..

PRAYER;
Lord, please help me to always fix my eyes on promises in Your Word and not on problems. I bless and praise You for I know that even right now, You are turning everything around for my good in Jesus’ Name.
QUOTE;
When we fight by God’s help we are sure of victory. WORDBITE 222

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

Psalm 18:29-30 [NLT] ‘In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.’

DAILY READING; Mark 1:21-45; 2 Samuel 3:2-39; Daniel 2:1-23

As a young brilliant engineer, Alexander Mackay was presented with an opportunity that could have led him to great prosperity. He was offered a coveted position to be an engineer of the British East Africa Company, he also had another offer to a high position in the army of General Gordon in Egypt. Alexander declined both offers because he was focused on the call of God upon his life.
His heart burned with the desire to bring the Gospel to thousands in the dark continent of Africa. This desire seemed to weigh upon him like a heavy personal burden. To evangelize Africa was the great passion of his life, and this led him to offer himself to the Church Missionary Society for service in Uganda.
Alexander Mackay wrote to the Church Missionary Society on December 12, 1875 and said, “My heart burns for the deliverance of Africa, and if you can send me to any one of those regions … I shall be very glad.”
His request was accepted and he left England on the 27th April, 1876. In Uganda, he spent many years of devoted and loyal service, but he often suffered bitter persecutions and oppositions.
When sympathetic friends at home and even officers of the Church Missionary Society urged him to take a furlough, to leave Africa and return back home, he wrote back: “What is this you write—’Come home?’ Surely now ..is not the time for anyone to desert his post.”
He refused to accept the tempting offer to return home, and abandon his missionary endeavors due to the hardship of the mission field. Rather he spent the rest of his life forging ahead as a brave explorer, using his skills as an engineer to create roads for the spread of the Gospel in Africa and win souls for Jesus. His life has become a record of heroism that has inspired in other missionaries a God-like zeal to continue the work which he began. Alexander Mackay is known as the Christian who changed the face of Uganda.

As believers, we are never to turn our back in retreat.
Ephesians 6 lists the whole armour of God, that we should put on. In this list of armour there is no back plate and nothing to cover the back half of a Christian. The reason is because we are never meant to turn back and flee from oppositions. Rather our role is to keep going forward with the banner of Christ, advancing God’s kingdom, taking new territories and defeating the powers of darkness.
We are not to flee from the devil rather the Bible tells us the devil must flee from us [James 4:7]
Therefore no matter how tough the battle we must keep pressing forward. Regardless of what comes your way, do not let any situation or circumstances cause you to stop your progress. Turning back should never be an option.
Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
Obstacles or resistance to our progress should never discourage us. Everyone who has ever experienced greatness in life has moments when they had to overcome the urge to quit. But the purpose of the problem is not to discourage us: it’s to develop us. Problems are nothing more than resistance. Without the resistance of gravity, we cannot walk, without the resistance of water, a ship cannot float and without the resistance of air, planes cannot fly.
God will never let you face a challenge that you can’t overcome. He will never put on you more than what you can bear. In every temptation He will always make a way of escape.
Wherever God sends you, He goes with you. Therefore you are never alone.
In Isaiah 43:2 God says ‘I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:’
Today, believe that God is indeed going ahead of you to destroy the barriers to your progress. By Gods help, you will outlast the oppositions. This year, you will run through every troop, leap over every wall of hindrance and arrive at the mountaintop of victory destined for you.

PRAYER: Father please enable me to keep going forward despite any challenge I may face. Help me to always see that You are with me and by Your grace I will never turn back but will press on to the Gatsby open doors You have for me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
Everything that ultimately has a glorious ending usually has a humble beginning. WORDBITE 222.

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

DAILY READING; Mark 1:1-20; 2 Samuel 2:1-3:1; Daniel 1

The Guinness Book of World Records names Madam C.J. Walker as the first female self-made millionaire in America.
Surprisingly, Madam C.J. Walker was a daughter of African American slaves, she grew up at the time of deep racism and segregation in America, yet she didn’t allow this to limit her.
She was born in 1867 on a plantation in Delta, Louisiana, where her parents had been enslaved. She was given the name of Sarah at birth. After her parents died, at age 7, she began living with her older sister. Sarah got married at age 14, and gave birth to a daughter. She was widowed just two years later and moved to St. Louis where her older brothers had migrated and established themselves as barbers.
Sarah who had little formal education began working as a washer woman. But her life was positively impacted by a community of Black women at the Church where she worshipped and served in the choir.
These women of faith who were educated schoolteachers and leaders in the community, helped to mentor Sarah and encouraged her to have a greater vision of her life other than being a washer woman.
During the 1890s, Sarah developed a scalp ailment that led to her suffering severe hair loss. With the advice of her brothers who were barbers and had haircare knowledge, she developed a home made ointment that was effective in curing her hair problem. She soon began marketing her hair product.
She later moved to Denver, where she continued serving actively in Church while selling her hair products to Black women, and also working as a cook for the owner of a large pharmacy. From this pharmacist she gained further knowledge of how to improve her hair product.
With a vision of starting a haircare empire, Sarah launched a hair care and cosmetics line for black women. Following her marriage to Charles Walker in 1906, Sarah became known as Madam C. J. Walker. Soon she founded her own business, the Madam C.J. Walker Company and traveled throughout the South and Southeast America promoting her products. As business boomed, Sarah created opportunities for other Black women, hiring them as sales agents and devising strategies for them to increase their profits.
She became a philanthropist, supporting schools, the arts and civil rights organizations, as well as providing wealth-building opportunities for other black Americans. She is recorded in history as the first Black woman millionaire in America.

Though Madam C. J. Walker had lived at a period in which racism severely restricted the upward mobility of African Americans, yet through God’s grace, she worked her way to success. She
could have ended up in obscurity as a washerwoman, but her contact with women of faith gave her a new vision that established her in history.
God has ordained us for a glorious life of global impact on earth, but we need to break out of a limited mindset in order to experience the greatness destined for us. The truth is that limited thinking can cause a person to live a limited life.
Too often, we allow the limitations modeled to us by our upbringing and circumstances set the ceiling on how far we can go in life.
If you are not careful, you can allow your past to chain down your future. Overcoming limitations starts with changing your mindset. It can be easy to get stuck in a rut, dealing with daily pressures and believe that is all there is to our lives. But you need to stop listening to the negative voices in your head that say you are never going to do better in life. The scripture says the path of the just keeps shinning brighter and brighter, [Proverbs 4:18]

Therefore raise the bar of your expectations because you are capable of greater things. To see greater open doors, we must enlarge our vision and stay open to new possibilities. It is time to step out of our safe zone and step into the faith zone!
Where you are is not where you’re supposed to end up. Quit believing lies that you’ve reached your limits.
You may start out in obscurity, but as you keep lighting up your life with knowledge from God’s Word, you will end up as a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. As you remain persistent in seeking God, you will surely triumph in life.
No matter how impossible things may look like, focus on following God’s plan through prayers and consistent study of the Word.
There is so much God has deposited inside of you. Trust Him to bring them into manifestation in due season. As you keep walking closely with God, you shall surely end up as the head and not the tail, you shall be above only and never beneath.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for Your glorious plans to open greater doors of destiny for me in this season. Please enable me to walk more intimately with You so that I can overcome limitations and soar to greater heights in Jesus Name.
QUOTE :
Refuse to be a local champion. Hang around those who can feed, nurture, and challenge your dream to go to the next level – WORDBITE 201.

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

PLS FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥
(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)

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; Romans 16; 2 Samuel 1; Psalm 72

Bishop Orrin Pullings and his wife Medina, started pastoring in 1996 in Hollis Queens, New York. In just 14 years, their ministry, United Nations Church International had grown to four branches in four states. They worked non-stop pastoring the churches and were also parents to five children. Bishop Orrin operated a tight ministry schedule and was often stressed out and sleepless over his bid to see the ministry expand. Due to the stress, in 2007, Orrin started getting headaches and seeing black spots in his vision. He began taking up to 12 pain pills a day, yet continued his grueling ministry schedule.

On May 18th, 2011, he was preaching at his Church in Charlotte, North Carolina when he had a severe head pain. He managed to finish his message but moments later, he collapsed. He was rushed to the Hospital where it was found he had a very serious bleed in his brain, called an intraventricular hemorrhage.Doctors said emergency surgery had to be done but there was great risk he might not survive and even if he did survive, he might suffer long-term brain damage.Despite the fearful news, Bishop Orrin’s wife Medina chose to trust God for a miracle. Their family and Church members waged spiritual warfare in prayer, praise and declaring the Word.Over the next two weeks, his condition worsened. But on May 26th as Medina sought the Lord, she said, God gave her a promise that He would give her husband rapid recovery and in 10 days, raise him up.On June 6th, 2011, ten days after Pastor Medina heard from God, her husband Bishop Orrin was released from the hospital, with no residual effects. He walked out of that hospital on his own two feet, in his right mind, no rehabilitation. Doctors said it was a miracle!Two weeks later, Bishop Orrin returned to the pulpit, with a new perspective to life, choosing to no longer spend time being worried and stressed out about the ministry, but rather choosing to trust God to make all things beautiful in His own time.

The work of God is not done by power or might, but by the Spirit of God. This is why we must be guided by vision and not by ambition. We should not stress or struggle to force doors of destiny to open, rather we learn to rest in the Lord and follow His own timing and schedules.The faithful God who called us is able to do what He has preordained to do in our lives.Therefore our focus should be seeking to walk in His plan and purpose.Anytime we come to waters too high for us, we can trust in His deliverance. Despite the raging of the sea God is able to create a path through the mighty waters.When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord by His Spirit will raise up a standard against him. By the Blood of the lamb and by the word of our testimony, we are always guaranteed to overcome the trials and afflictions of the enemy.

According to Isaiah 53:4-5, Jesus’ sacrifice at the Cross covers every area of our need. He bore spiritual torment for our sins, mental distress for our worry, care, sorrow and fear, as well as physical pain for our sickness and disease. The stripes He bore and the Blood He shed were for our healing. By His stripes we are healed. Truly the Blood of Jesus Christ has the power to rescue us from every trial and affliction.If today, you are confronted by any situation that seems dark and gloomy, keep your gaze on God’s Word. There is a need to keep filling our hearts continually with the Word, until our actions are dominated and controlled by what God says. No matter how tight or tough things may seem, keep looking unto Jesus. Refuse to be intimidated or defeated, you’re not a victim, you’re the victor. And through faith in Christ you can rise above every valley and reach your mountaintop.Surely God’s promises will eventually manifest in your life. God is faithful to His Word and all of His promises are “Yes” and “Amen.”As you keep giving glory to God and keep declaring Him faithful, surely God will turn around every captivity and turn every mourning into dancing for you.

PRAYER: Lord I thank You for the release of supernatural faith in my heart to believe You for my own miracles. You are forever faithful and You never fail and I know that even right now You are performing amazing wonders in my life in Jesus Name.

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

Shalom!

GOODHEART- EKWUEME.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE IF THIS BLESSES YOU!🔥

(I would love to hear your testimonies via WhatsApp +2348052234444 / Email: apostlegoodheart@gmail.com)