HORM Devotional

Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me”.

DAILY READING; Hebrews 11:23-40; Exodus 15; Proverbs 6:1-7:5

In his Autobiography “Just as I am” Billy Graham wrote about a missed opportunity to have spoken to President John Kennedy, just before his death.
Evangelist Billy Graham had become closely acquainted with John F. Kennedy during his 1960 presidential campaign.
After winning the election, John F. Kennedy invited Billy Graham to play golf and have lunch with him.
After lunch, JFK himself drove Billy Graham to the golf course. On their way back, JFK who was a Catholic told Graham that his Church didn’t preach much about the second coming of Christ and said he wanted to know more about it.
Graham then told Kennedy what the Bible said about Christ’s incarnation, death, resurrection, and promise to return.
“Very interesting, ” Kennedy replied. “We’ll have to talk more about that someday.”
The last time Billy Graham would be with the president was at the 1963 National Prayer Breakfast. At that time, Billy Graham had the flu.
After Billy Graham gave his short talk, and JFK gave his, at the occasion, the two men walked out of the hotel to the President’s car together. At the curb, the president turned to Billy Graham and said.
“Billy, could you ride back to the White House with me? I’d like to see you for a minute.”
But it was a cold, snowy day, and Billy graham felt quite chilly as he stood there without his overcoat.
Graham declined the President’s invitation and said “Mr. President, I’ve got a fever, not only am I weak, but I don’t want to give you this thing [the flu]. Couldn’t we wait and talk some other time?”
“Of course,” the president said graciously.
As he entered his car and left that would be the last time Billy Graham would ever be with him.
Sometime toward the end of the second week in November 1963, Billy Graham unaccountably felt such a burden and premonition about the president and tried to reach him but couldn’t. He shared his inner foreboding that something terrible was going to happen to JFK, with two of his friends.
Few days later, on 22 November 1963, Billy Graham heard the sad news that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated.
It seemed the president had a feeling he wouldn’t be alive for long, because in one of his last interviews he had said “There’s so little time and so much to do.”
Billy Graham later said that declining the President’s invitation to have a talk was one of his life’s greatest regrets. For the rest of his life, he was haunted by that missed opportunity to have given President John F. Kennedy, a much needed spiritual counsel.

It is remarkable that the great evangelist Billy Graham always regretted that one missed opportunity to discuss Christ with President Kennedy.
From that incident he learned the value of taking advantage of every single moment to preach. No wonder he ended up preaching the Gospel to more people than anyone else in history
The truth is that we don’t know what the future holds for anyone.
In the world today, many people are afflicted with the contradiction of looking powerful and in control outwardly but being conflicted inwardly.
There are friends, colleagues and loved ones around us, who may seem fine outwardly, but their lives are headed towards disaster.
It is through sensitivity to the Spirit that we can perceive what is going on spiritually and promptly respond to deliver them from the plans of the wicked.
Spiritual sensitivity is developed through intimacy with God.
When we always abide in God’s Presence, through a lifestyle of prayers, study of the Word, and worship, we will be divinely directed per time on how to help people.
We must understand that we are in a fierce battle with the kingdom of darkness over the souls of men. Everyday millions are headed for hell.
Promptly ministering God’s Word is literally a matter of life and death, because we don’t know what may next befall a person.The world is in dire need of light. Every life without Christ is in crisis. They are under torment of the adversary and within them there is a cry for freedom. We can’t remain insensitive to this silent cry.
We are God’s watchmen in these last days.

Twice God told Ezekiel: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Ezekiel 3:17; and Ezekiel 33:1-9).

It is through an intimate relationship with God, that we hear His voice and give prompt warning to men. This is how we can avoid regrets and wishing we had helped people before it was too late
Today, let us receive the grace to constantly walk in the fear of God so that we can develop greater sensitivity to His voice.
As we obediently serve God, in turning many to righteousness, surely we shall shine as the stars of Heaven for ever and ever. [Daniel 12:3]

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to preach Your Word in season and out of season, As I speak, may the glorious light of Your Gospel shatter the darkness in men’s hearts, and bring them to salvation in Jesus Name.
QUOTE :
Illuminate your world for you are a star destined to shine. WORDBITE 222.

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Acts 10:38 ‘How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.’

DAILY READING; •Hebrews 11:1-22; Exodus 13:1-14:31; Proverbs 5

Dr. David Livingstone made some of the most prodigious, and most dangerous, explorations of the African continent, travelling through lands which no white men had ever set foot on.
During his explorations he witnessed the evil of the slave trade. His book, ‘Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries’ (1865) is full of pathetic stories of Africans being captured by Arab and Portuguese slave traders and driven in chains to be sold in the slave market.
Dr. David Livingstone was appalled by these atrocities. He fought hard against the slave trade as he pursued his aim to open a missionary Road or ‘God’s Highway,’ through which the Gospel could gain access to the African hinterlands.
During his expeditions, he often saw the bodies of slaves floating in the river, as many of the slaves perished on the way from floggings, starvation, and broken-heartedness.
He wrote “Wherever we walk, human skeletons are seen in every direction.’
Villages which were once full of people, living vibrant lives, were turned by slave traders into deserts literally strewn with human bones.
The Zanzibar slave market was where slaves were brought from different regions and sold in great numbers.
One day Dr. David Livingstone suddenly came upon a long line of men, women, and children, chained to one another, with cruel slave-sticks fastened around the necks of the men. Slave drivers, carrying muskets, swaggered along beating the captives with whips to make them go faster. But when the slave traders saw Livingstone, a white man, they became afraid and fled into the forest. With great rejoicing, he cut the bonds of these men, women and children. These people, who were eighty-four in number were not only freed from physical slavery, David Livingstone, also led them to Christ, freeing them from spiritual slavery. These people became the first-fruits of a great harvest for Christianity in that section of Africa.
Livingstone’s fight against the slave trade, eventually led to the abolition of slavery on 5 June 1883. Not many years after his death, a beautiful Church would be erected on the very site of the Zanzibar slave market.

Dr. Livingstone’s life and great accomplishments remains a wonder even to the present generation. However, the secret of his success was drawing strength from Jesus’ promise in Mathew 28 ‘Lo I am with you until the end of time.’
The assurance of God’s Presence made him to see the invisible and do the impossible.
In the same way, it was the Presence of God that made Moses to do the impossible by daring Pharaoh and leading the Israelites out of bondage.
Speaking of Moses, Hebrews 11:27 said ‘ for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.’
Awareness of God’s invisible Presence is our greatest asset as we obey the great commission to go into the world and preach the Gospel, setting captives free.
While we may be appalled by the evil of the transatlantic slave trade, spiritually, many people are bound in slavery by the enemy in all sorts of bondages, afflictions and oppressions.
As believers, we were once held in this spiritual slavery, until through His Blood, Christ delivered us and ordained us unto a glorious new life!
It is unimaginable what life would have been like, if Jesus has not paid the price to redeem us.
Having been set free, Christ has called us today into the ministry of reconciliation to go and tell the world the Good News of redemption.
To succeed in this assignment, we certainly need God’s Presence to be with us.
It was God’s Presence with Jesus that led to the mighty signs and wonders in His earthly ministry.
Acts 10:38, said ‘Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.’.
Likewise, when we carry God’s Presence, our lives will be a wonder to many as we continually manifest amazing miracles, signs and wonders.
However, for God to be with us, we have to do the things that please Him.
In John 8:29, Jesus said ‘And He that sent Me, is with Me, The Father had not left Me alone, for I do always those things that please Him.’
One of the key things that please God is when we walk in fear and reverence of His Word. As we live a life that pleases Him, God delights in turning us into living examples of His goodness and a wonder to our generation.

PRAYER: Lord, By the Blood of Jesus, I receive the grace to always do those things that please You. As I do, I thank You for causing me to experience the blessings of greatness You have ordained for me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE :
You will never need more than God to experience the impossible in life. WORDBITE 222.

Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,”

DAILY READING; Hebrews 10, Exodus 7, Proverbs 3.

Michael Faraday, was a British chemist and physicist in the 17th century. He is famous today for his great contribution to the advancement of science.
What is interesting is that Faraday was born into a very poor family, yet he rose against all odds, to become one of the greatest scientists in history. His achievement is considered remarkable because in his days, the study of science was the preserve of mostly the rich and privileged.  By society’s standards, Faraday really had no chance at success. His father was a poor blacksmith and his mother served as a maid. Michael hardly had formal education, because his family couldn’t afford it. He only attended a local school until he was 13. When he dropped out of school due to financial hardship, he then began working at a local bookshop. This job provided an opportunity for young Faraday to educate himself. And during the next seven years, he educated himself on a wide range of scientific subjects. Faraday was a devout Christian and he looked to God to see him through despite the limitations of his background. Indeed God helped him and by divine orchestration Faraday came in contact with a great scientist, who employed him to work as his assistant. Through divine favor and hard work, Faraday would grow to become a great scientist himself, recording many remarkable achievements. His discoveries greatly helped technological advancements. 
In the study of science, the unit of electrical capacitance, with the symbol F, is named ‘the Farad’ in his honor.

Coming from a disadvantaged background can never be a limitation to greatness. The decision to reverence God and walk in obedience to His Word can change anyone’s story.
What God requires of us is to live to please Him and He will take care of everything else..

Deuteronomy 10:12 says “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,”

As long as you look to God  and you are willing to pay the price of diligence and hard work, you can accomplish great things in life. 

Faraday could have had good excuses not to be successful, after all  his background had already set the pace of poverty for him. Yet he refused to accept the sleight of hand fate handed him.  He dared to believe that with God he could break the limitations.
Certainly, those that do know their God will do exploits.
Anyone willing to obey God and pay the price of diligence, will surely become outstanding despite the hurdles and hindrances on their path .
There is something God has put in each of us to manifest to our world. But often times we allow excuses to limit our progress.
In these end-times Heaven is waiting on us to do the greater works Christ said we will do.
It is therefore time to shake off limitations and press forward to our high calling.
The solutions the world needs to their many problems, God has placed within us. And if we don’t manifest what is in us, many people may never experience their deliverance. This is why it is important to pay whatever price it takes to bring forth the gifts and callings within us.
Through Christ we can do all things.
It doesn’t matter the constraints or challenges, we may face, we can trust God to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever think or imagine.
One good break, one idea, one person God divinely connects to you, can suddenly change your story. Things will just fall into place. You won’t fathom or understand how it may happen, but that is the goodness of God in manifestation. There is nothing He cannot do.
All we need is to maintain a closer walk with God and stay committed to prompt obedience to His instructions.
As we remain faithful in the little, there is coming gradually a tipping point. One touch of God’s favor can tip you into the reward of hundred years of labor.
Certainly, what God did for Faraday, He can do for anyone who trusts in Him. 

PRAYER: Lord, please enable me to pay whatever price it takes to accomplish Your will for my life. Please guide me every step of the way as I go on in this journey of destiny in Jesus Name.  

QUOTE : 
For you to enjoy victory in The Kingdom of God, you need to develop a kingdom mind, that thinks in line with The Word of God. – WORDBITE 222. 

Proverbs 14:27 [AMPC] ’ Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.’

DAILY READING; Hebrews 9:1-22; Exodus 6:28-8:32; Proverbs 2

Angela White-Fannin is wife of pastor Jerone Fannin of Greater Poplar Springs Baptist Church in LaFayette, Alabama.
In addition to being a pastor’s wife, Angela also led a busy life as a successful real estate agent.
However, in October 2006, Angela’s world came crashing, when she was diagnosed with bone cancer and told she had only six months to live.
Her health rapidly deteriorated to a point where she couldn’t swallow, couldn’t eat and was throwing up constantly. Angela knew that her death was quickly approaching. Having no faith to believe for her healing, she began making preparations for her own funeral.
She picked out the dress and jewelry she wanted to be buried in and wrote out her obituary and eulogy.
She then pointed her husband to three of her single girlfriends and asked him to choose any of them for a wife, after her demise.
After giving away her personal belongings to family and friends, Angela waited for death. However, fear dominated her mind as she did not know what waited her after death.
Although raised in the Church and married to a pastor, Angela had never accepted Jesus as her savior.
For her, being a pastor’s wife meant playing a role where she sat on the front row with her hat, high heels, suit and gloves and did official duties of christening of babies, attending to Church members etc.
But now faced with death, she had to tell herself the truth, that being a pastor’s wife would not guarantee her access to Heaven.
She then began to seek God, asking for forgiveness for playing religion.
She said God told her to rededicate her life to Him, and He would take her cancer away. Angela fell on her knees and did what God said. She now truly accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior.
After making peace with God, the next day, something amazing happened. The doctors discovered that she had zero cancer count.
Her blood was tested in three different labs and all resulted in zero cancer count.
The doctors were amazed but Angela told them, that the God that she served has all power in His hands and has healed her. Later, speaking in an interview with 700 club, she said that experience woke her up spiritually and brought closer to Christ.

A covenant relationship with God is our only sure guarantee of victory in life’s battle.
Shallow believers who are not serious with God but are only playing ‘Church’ will find it difficult to overcome when confronted by troubles and tribulations.
We need to wake up and get serious in seeking God.
The dangers involved in “playing Church”, is that in times of battles, we will lack the strong faith that comes from an intimate relationship with God. It is not enough to say we are Christians we need to be certain we are daily seeking God.

Psalms 10:4 says “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God”.
God’s definition of wickedness is those who fail to seek Him.

Walking in true fear of the Lord means daily fervently seeking Him, which will release His presence and power in our lives.
When our hearts begin to pant after God, we no longer need to struggle for Heaven’s response when we call.

2 Chronicles 26:5 says of king Uzziah that ‘as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.’
Verse 7 said, that God helped him against the Philistines, who were his enemies.
Likewise, when we seek God and walk in line with His Word we will prosper and have dominion over the enemies of sickness, diseases, failure, etc.

Proverbs 14:26-28 [AMPC] says ‘In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge.’
A reverent and worshipful fear means your confidence and trust in God will result in faith for the miraculous.
But walking outside of God’s will lead to defeats and tragedies.
It is important to ensure that we are in a covenant relationship with God because victory in battle is sure for those who know their God.
God says in Psalm 91:14 -15 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
When we have taken the time to build up strong faith in God, we will certainly see great manifestations of His power in our lives and endeavors.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace, to build a strong relationship with You by spending quality time in Your Presence daily. Please help me to align myself with Your Word so that I can keep triumphing always in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
As a child of God you have to recognize that you are in the middle of an ongoing battle, and your victory is assured’. WORDBITE 222

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Luke 21:12-13 ‘But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.’

DAILY READING; Hebrews 8; Exodus 5:1-6:27; Proverbs 1

In the 1980s, the Communist party in Bulgaria was determined to eliminate Christianity in their nation. Their ideology included removal of religion and the introduction of atheism. The Communist regime regularly harassed Christians and killed some in the process.
In 1985 Pastor Christo Kulichev, an evangelical pastor in Bulgaria became a marked man by the Communist party in Bulgaria for his outspoken faith and preaching. On January 9, 1985 he was arrested, tried, and imprisoned for his disobedience to the Communist regime. His trial was a mockery of justice. He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment. During his time in prison he made Christ known every way he could. When he finally got out of prison, he testified that he had a more fruitful ministry there than he could have expected in Church. He said God
was glorified as even their jailers heard the Gospel and souls were brought into God’s kingdom by his presence in prison. He was able to achieve more in that period than if he had been free .
It turned out that the communist government while trying to restrict Pastor Christo Kulichev, only ended up helping to expand his ministry through the imprisonment.

One glaring sign of the end-times is that those who fear God and are bold about their faith will be targets of persecution. But no matter what the enemy does to silence believers, God knows how to turn around the tables in our favor. What was meant for evil will only end up propelling us to greater heights of destiny.
This is why in everything we keep giving thanks to God and stay steadfast in faith, trusting He is working things out in our favor.
Obstacles or resistance to our progress should never discourage us. Understand that obstacles are part of the road map on the path of destiny. Therefore no matter the oppositions that may rise up against you, don’t get discouraged. Regardless of what comes your way, continue to press forward in faith, giving glory to God.
To fulfill destiny we must despise present challenges and keep our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despised the shame, and eventually sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(Hebrews 12:2)

Indeed there is a joy set before you. There is light at the end of the tunnel, there is victory ahead. Therefore never give up. Trust that God who sent you on the assignment, will go ahead of you to handle the oppositions on your way.

God said in Isaiah 43:2 ‘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:’

Indeed God will go ahead of you to destroy the barriers to your progress. The important thing is to ensure we keep walking in the fear and reverence of God and closely follow His Word.
Because the path of the just shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day, there is a brighter future ahead for you.
Therefore, no matter how dark situations may sometimes look, understand that it will surely end in praise. In every circumstance we keep trusting God, knowing that He that has begun this good work in us is able to bring it to perfection.
The truth is that sometimes some of the negative experience only help to prune, purge and prepare us to become vessels of honor fit for the master’s use.
Job 23;10 says ‘But He knoweth the way that I take, when He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold’.
Indeed you are coming forth as gold. what the enemy meant for evil, God shall turn it all around for you. Though the enemy may think he is persecuting you now, you will only end up being multiplied. What looks like tribulation right now is working out for your good, and The Lord shall be glorified through your testimony.

PRAYER: Lord, please give me the grace to see beyond the present and see Your will being done in my life. Whatever situation I may face, please give me the wisdom to discern your voice as You guide me to my place of destiny in Jesus Name..
QUOTE:
The test you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222

Isaiah 61:7 ”Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. ” “

DAILY READING – Hebrews 7; Exodus 3:1-4:31; Psalm 41

Eric Liddell was Scotland’s fastest runner in the 1920’s. He was also a Christian who walked in the fear of God and always desired to honor Him.
At the 1924 Olympics in Paris, Eric was Scotland’s only hope of winning a gold medal in the 100-meter dash. However, few days to the race, Eric found out that it would take place on a Sunday. For Eric, Sunday was a day of worship and rest, and he wouldn’t miss Church, not even for an Olympic gold medal. When he announced that he would not run on a Sunday, it caused an uproar in Scotland. Many Scottish people were very upset with him and criticized him; some even called him a traitor. But Eric would not shift his stance. He decided rather to compete in 2 other races that would not take place on a Sunday; namely the 200 metres and the 400 metres races. Though he had not trained for these races and had little time to prepare, Eric believed God would help him.
Surprisingly, he qualified and won a bronze medal in the 200 meters race. But his country still needed a gold medal. The remaining race was the 400-meters, which no one thought he could win, because he was to compete against two runners who had already set world record times. To worsen matters, on the day of the race, Eric was assigned to the worst lane.
Though the situation looked discouraging, just before the race, a young Christian handed Eric a note, on which was written “1 Samuel 2:30, …’Those who honor Me I will honor.’” Eric drew strength from this scripture, knowing that as he had honored God, God would in turn honor him. When the race started, Eric gave it his best shot. When he rounded the turn on the track, where all the runners usually come together, he expected to see the world record holders ahead of him. But he was surprised to find he was there alone. The two world record holders were behind him. Eric crossed the finish line first, setting a new world record and winning the gold medal! His country was jubilant. When Eric returned back to Scotland, he received a hero’s welcome. The newspapers, which had criticized him earlier, were now applauding him.

The fear of the Lord is a deep seated reverence for God that causes you to want to please Him at all costs.
Living such a life that seeks to honor God, may sometimes come with a price. People may criticize you and say things against you, just as Eric was criticized and jeered at by his countrymen.
In the story of Joseph, he was thrown into prison for his decision to reverence God by not committing adultery. But in the end, we also saw how God honored Joseph by giving him the highest ranking position in Egypt.
When we decide to do what is right in honor of God, we may become unpopular. People may term us ‘too spiritual’ or even ‘fanatical’. But no matter what anyone may think, we have to decide to always give God first place.
When Daniel purposed in His heart to follow God, he faced consequences. When he decided to pray to God despite the king’s commandment he was thrown into the Lions’ den. But God delivered him from all his troubles and caused him to be promoted as the ruler over the province of Babylon.
When we love God and seek to always honor Him, God ensures our deliverance from troubles. Though initially, it may not be easy going against the tide, as we seek to do what is right, in the end God rewards us for honoring Him. When others are exalting sin and promoting unrighteousness, it may not be easy to decide to live a life of purity and holiness. When others are compromising and dining at the tables of Babylon, it may not be easy to purpose not to defile yourself with the king’s meat. But whatever we may suffer for the sake of Christ, God says He will give us double for all our troubles.

Isaiah 61:7 says ” Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. ”

You can never lose when you make the decision to reverence God. For Eric Liddell, though it looked initially like he was going to lose by honoring God, we also saw how in the end, God lifted him and caused him to be celebrated. In the same way, as you decide today to always honor God in all you do, God will surely see to it that you are rewarded and celebrated in return.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to reverence and honor You in every aspect of my life. By Your grace, I shall continually conduct my affairs in a manner that will only bring glory to Your Name in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
You are too loaded on the inside, to ever consider failing in life. WORDBITE 222

James 4:6 ‘But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.’

DAILY READING; Hebrews 6:13-20; Exodus 1:1-2:25; Psalm 40

In the spring of 1912 the world stood in awe. A colossus was setting out on her maiden voyage. This ship was supposedly a marvel of modern engineering.
The Titanic had taken nearly 12,000 men more than two years to construct.
It was one of the fastest ships of that day. Not only was Titanic the largest man-made moving object in the world, it was also the most luxurious ship the world had ever known. It was a floating palace loaded with fine amenities; a five-star hotel on the sea. Never before had anyone seen anything like it.
Its first-class accommodations rivaled the finest hotels on shore.
Besides its other great features, it had 16 compartments that were presumed to be watertight, in fact, four of these compartments could be filled with water and yet the ship would not sink.
The cost for a one-way passage in the finest suites would equate to about $100,000 in today’s money.
On its maiden voyage, the docks were packed with admirers who came to watch this floating palace steam out to sea.
The press proclaimed that the impossible had been done with the building of this unsinkable ship.
But it’s first voyage was doomed by pride.
When one of the inventors of the ship named Edward John Smith was asked about the ship’s capability, he was quoted as saying “Not even God himself could sink this ship.’
The arrogant shipbuilders were so sure that they had built a megaship that as a result, they didn’t think it necessary to provide enough lifeboats.
Some forty-eight hours later, in the night between 14th April and 15th April 1912, the Titanic grazed the side of an iceberg. It was so slight that most passengers hardly felt it. Yet it tore a three-hundred-foot-long gash in the hull. Within three hours the “unsinkable” Titanic sank four hundred miles south of Newfoundland. This horrible disaster went down as one of the greatest in history, and over 1500 people sank to death on that day. Because the ship was believed to be unsinkable and enough life jackets were not onboard, many people died needlessly.

Pride makes men arrogant and behave as if they do not need God.
Pride is the undoing of many great destinies. Pride drove King Nebuchadnezzar from being a king to becoming a beast that ate grass for seven years in the wild (Daniel 4:14-16).

One of the major problems in society today is a lack of the fear of God. However, the fear of God is so important, that there are at least 144 references to fearing God in the Bible.
Unfortunately, many people think that they can ignore God and achieve their own goals. But that is dangerous, because just like the Titanic with all the right components, they could suddenly ‘sink’ unexpectedly.
We must understand that our achievement does not lie in our strength, hard work, or mental smartness. God is the Doer of every good thing in our lives.

Psalm 127 says, ‘except the Lord watches over the city the watchmen watcheth but in vain.’

In our endeavors, it is important that we walk in the fear of God and always acknowledge His hand in our lives, because our plans and projections can crash if Christ is not our anchor.
It is indeed dangerous for anyone to think they can make it in life without God, because by strength shall no man prevail.
James 4:6 says: …God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
When God resists a man it means he will lack grace in his endeavors and surely end in disgrace.
It is only by God’s grace that we exist. It is by His favor that we make progress in life.
Psalm 44:3 says ‘For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.’

For every little progress we see in our lives, all the glory must go to God.
However we can only walk in fear and reverence of God when we continually come to His Word. The more we know God through His Word, the more of His fear we will walk in.

Today, let us make the choice to continually celebrate God’s hand in all our affairs., because everything we are we owe to God; everything we have comes from Him.
Certainly, the more we fear Him and humble ourselves under His mighty hand, the more He will exalt us to great and unimaginable heights..

PRAYER: Lord, I ask for the grace to grow in my fear and reverence of You and to always walk in line with Your Word. As I do, I thank You for unfolding the good and grand plan You have ordained for me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
There is something that God has placed within you that the world is eagerly awaiting to see.– WORDBITE 222.

Job 28:28 ‘And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’

DAILY READING; Hebrews 4:14-6:12; Genesis 49:1-50:26; Psalm 39

William Cameron Townsend was an American Christian missionary who founded Wycliffe Bible Translators, which is one of the largest Christian missionary agencies in the world, today.
As a young man, fresh out of college, Townsend had gone to Central America as a short-term volunteer. At that time, selling books, including Bibles, was a way Protestants could do evangelistic work in Latin America without getting in trouble with the authorities. So Townsend became a traveling bookseller or what was then called a “colporteur.”
After his return to the U.S., Townsend felt called to go back to Guatemala as a career missionary where he again took up colportage evangelism. One day Townsend tried to sell a Spanish Bible to a Cakchiquel man who came by his book table in a village market.
Finally, the Cakchiquel man said something which meant: “Mister, if your God is so smart, why doesn’t He speak my language?”
At that point, Cakchiquel was an unwritten language. From that man’s statement, Townsend realized that world evangelism efforts would be somewhat ineffective unless they were done in people’s native tongue or “heart language.” He found that indeed the greatest missionary to native people is the Bible in their Mother Tongue.
Townsend then began learning the language of Cakchiquel and set about inventing an alphabet so the language could be written. He gave more than a decade of his life to translating the New Testament into Cakchiquel.
He then dedicated the rest of his life to the cause of Bible translation. He founded Wycliffe Bible Translators which has led to the translation and production of New Testaments in more than 1,000 languages and ongoing Scripture translation projects in more than 2,000 additional languages.
Because Townsend applied wisdom and worked strategically, the Bible is now in many languages of the world and many lives are being blessed and impacted greatly as a result.

We certainly need divine wisdom to carry out God’s assignment for our lives. We need to work strategically if we are to fulfill the enormity of the great commission before us.
As children of the Most High God, divine Wisdom is our heritage in Christ. However, we need to know how to access it.
One of the important commandments in the Scriptures for accessing divine wisdom is the fear of the Lord.
Psalm 111:10 says: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, what then is the fear of the Lord?
Proverb 8:13 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil .
Those who fear God abhor evil and constantly strive to please God in how they conduct their lives, business and affairs.
When you fear the Lord, you will always have the consciousness of His presence. Though you may not physically see God, yet you are so aware of His Presence that it makes you act in obedience to His Word.
It means that God has the final say in your life. You regard Him as the final authority over your marriage, family, business, career and relationships. It means that you make God the first, the last and final consideration of your life.
When you arrive at this level of fearing God, it makes you completely fearless in the face of the world. Nothing and no one can make you to compromise your position as a child of God. You are as bold as a lion and courageous in the face of adverse circumstances.
When God sees our hearts so devoted to fear Him, there is no height of success He cannot take us to. He grants us automatic access to supernatural wisdom that causes us to excel in life.
But those who refuse to fear the Lord, end up walking in foolishness and making many blunders in their lives.
Job 28:28 says ‘And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’
Surely, the decision to depart from evil will grant you understanding that will make you to be outstanding in life and achieve superior results that turns you into a wonder to your world.

PRAYER: Lord, Please give me the grace to always put You first in my life. Please help me to connect to Your Wisdom, so that Your foreordained plan and purpose for me, can come into full manifestation, in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE
When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction WORDBITE 222

Psalm 34:7-8 ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.’

DAILY READING –Hebrews 3:1-4:13; Genesis 48; Psalm 38

Liu Zhenying, known as ‘Brother Yun’ was arrested for the first time at only 17 years of age for sharing the Gospel in communist China.
As he continued his involvement in the underground Church in the 1980s, he was arrested numerously and in the prison he was often beaten and tortured terribly.
However, on more than one occasion, God miraculously broke him out of prison to the astonishment of the guards.
One of these instances of miraculous escape occured after Brother Yun was paraded through the streets with a red cross tied behind him. After that, in the night he was locked inside a large interrogation room with his hands tied up. Suddenly, the rope that bound his hands snapped by itself freeing him. He then walked out of the room and went through the prison courtyard. Surprisingly, no guard stopped him or said anything to him. It was as if God had blinded their eyes and they did not even recognize who he was.
Because the front gate was locked, the only way Brother Yun could get out was to climb over an eight-foot high cement wall. When he managed to climb up, he looked over the wall and saw that there was a ten-foot wide open tank directly below. Suddenly, he felt as if someone had lifted him up and threw him so far that he landed without falling into the tank.
Thus Brother Yun escaped from the prison and eventually left China. He sought asylum in Germany in 2001 and from there. he has continued with his ministry internationally. The book ‘The Heavenly Man’ is about his extraordinary life and amazing story.

Psalm 34:7-8 says ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”

Psalm 34 was written in response to an incident in David’s life where he miraculously escaped danger.
In 1 Samuel 21:10-15, David was on the run from Saul and sought safety in Gath [Goliath’s place of birth]. When he was brought before their king, he realized his life was in danger. David then pretended madness and was able to escape.
In verse 7 of Psalm 34, David says he was delivered because “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.’

Certainly, God is able to miraculously deliver and rescue those who fear Him from impossible situations.
In Acts 12:6 Peter was in prison, bound with chains and placed between two soldiers. In that situation, where escape appeared unthinkable, God suddenly showed up through angelic intervention and Peter was miraculously delivered.
It is wonderful to know that we serve the same God who executes miraculous deliverances.
Though we may sometimes face troubles— when we fear God, we can trust that He will deliver us from every single one of them.
We serve the warrior King in whose Hands all powers reside.
Jesus told us in Luke 12:4-5, not to fear what man can do, but rather to fear God who has total power over life and death. .
Our lives and times are in God’s hands and certainly, He can save to the uttermost those who trust in Him. He can make a way of escape out of every temptation and break us out of every prison of afflictions.
Jesus suffered on the Cross to ensure that affliction never arises a second time in our lives. Therefore, by the power in His Blood, every instrument of oppression being used to sponsor afflictions in your life will suffer total technical failures. Despite how the enemy may have tried to hinder your progress today, you are escaping from every prison of limitation and soaring to greater heights of destiny. Certainly, by the Blood of Jesus, our soul has escaped as a bird from every snare of the fowlers. Indeed the snare is broken, and we have escaped.[Psalm 124:7]

PRAYER; Father, I thank You for Your divine intervention in my life. By the power in the Blood of Jesus, I have escaped from every prison, bondage and captivity of the enemy in every area of my life in Jesus Name.
QUOTE :
Your present frustrations are God’s opportunities for manifestations. – WORDBITE 222

Psalm 103:11 [AMP] ‘For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].’

DAILY READING; Hebrews 2; Genesis 46:28-47:31; Psalm 37

Dwight L. Moody was one of the greatest evangelists of the 19th Century.
Surprisingly he had no formal theological training and was somewhat illiterate. Yet this ordinary man was mightily used by God to affect the world.
Dwight Moody was born into a poor family. He was only four years old when his father died and his mother was left to struggle to support the family.
As Dwight grew older, he gave his life to Christ and sought to live a life that pleased God..
In 1872, he attended a meeting in Dublin, Ireland. In the meeting, he heard a Pastor make this statement, “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man, who is fully and wholly consecrated to him.”
Somehow, this statement greatly moved Dwight and took a hold of him. The next Sunday, he attended a Church service and listened to one of the greatest pastors of the time, Charles Spurgeon.
Again, Moody was haunted by the statement he had earlier heard; “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man, who is fully and wholly consecrated to him.”
He then understood that Charles Spurgeon was being mightily used by God because of his dedication to His purpose.
Moody then took a definite decision that by the help of the Holy Spirit, he also would become wholly consecrated to God.
After dedicating himself to that high purpose, he was filled with such joy, that he began to weep. From then on, the hunger for more spiritual power was upon him. He began to seek God with great fervency until he had a definite encounter where he was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s hand came upon his life.
As a result of this encounter, D. L. Moody began to mightily display the power of God in his ministry. Indeed God did extraordinary things through this ordinary man and turned him into one of the greatest evangelists of modern times.

Truly, revelations will lead to revolutions in our lives.
Everyone God has used mightily has always been a man or woman who made the definite decision to be wholly consecrated and dedicated to God.
It doesn’t matter how ordinary or mediocre anyone’s life may be, the choice to wholly seek God will transform that destiny.
2 Chronicles 16:9 says “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”
God is always looking out for those whose hearts are fully yielded to His purpose. God will use them to do exploits and overflow their lives with His blessings..
It is often said ‘no one knows tomorrow’, but the man that fears the Lord can be certain to end well in life and is guaranteed a glorious future.
Psalms 37:37 says “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace”.
The man who walks uprightly, in the fear of the Lord, will live a settled life because God Is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.
If we desire to see our lives make extraordinary impacts in our generation, then we must be willing to walk in the fear and reverence of the Lord. This requires commitment to a lifestyle of fervent prayers, purity, study of the Word and fellowship with the Spirit.
Certainly, those who make such spiritual deposits, are those who can make withdrawals of miracles, signs and wonders.
The truth is that every man is limited to the extent of his spiritual commitment. Therefore let us accept spiritual responsibility so that our lives can become living proofs of God’s wonder-working power.
As we decide to go deeper and seek God with greater fervency, we will begin to see supernatural turnarounds, miraculous healings, breakthroughs and eruption of great revival in our midst. Through the great manifestation of God’s Power in our lives, we will accomplish great things for God and stand out in our generation

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for igniting fresh fire and fervency in me. Please help me to pay the necessary spiritual price so that I can experience an eruption of Your power and miracles in my life in Jesus Name
QUOTE;
God’s word is God’s ‘prescription’ for every area of your life, let God’s word fix that situation in your life. WORDBITE 222.