HORM Devotional

Luke 22:46 ‘And He said unto them, “Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.”

DAILY READING; Acts 11:1-18; Joshua 11-12; Job 26

The festive period that accompanies the end of year is meant to be a time of good cheer, relaxation and celebration. However, in some countries where Christians are persecuted, it can be a season of spike in violence and hate crimes.

In 2020, Christian News outlets reported the story of a Christian in Egypt named Nashaat, who was killed over a very trivial matter involving Christmas purchases.
It all started when Nashaat’s daughter, Maresta and his sister in law, Maryam went on Christmas shopping and purchased shoes. When they later found a defect in one of the shoes, it was not supposed to be a big problem as such shoes could be returned and replaced with new ones.
However, when Maresta and Maryam returned the shoes, the merchant identified them as Christians due to tattoos of the Cross on their wrists. He threw back the shoes and shouted that as a Moslem he would not trade with Christians.
Surprised, Maryam tried to explain, but the merchant began to rage and pulled her hair so she hit her head against the wall. Then he punched Maresta and shouted obscenities at them for being Christians.
Maryam and Maresta left the store in great shock. At that moment, Nashaat happened to call Maryam and heard her crying. After hearing what had just happened to them in the shop, Nashaat promised to come to the scene immediately. When Nashaat arrived and tried to speak calmly to the store owner about beating his daughter, the merchant acknowledged it and added, “And there is nothing you can do about it, Christian!”
Other radicals in and around the shop, surrounded Nashaat and started beating him with metal pipes and pulled out knives and stabbed him to death, as they shouted, “Gentiles, false believers!”
Although later four men were arrested and charged, only the merchant was punished with seven years in prison. But he never served any time in prison, rather he simply sold his store and moved to another town.

It is a sad but true fact that we live in a world, where Christians face persecutions and glaring injustice.
Remarkably, even Jesus our Lord faced persecutions and attempts against His life right from birth. When He was born in Bethlehem, Herod made every attempt to kill him. The baby had done nothing wrong yet Herod killed thousands of children while pursuing after Him. It was only by divine guidance that Joseph and Mary were able to flee with their baby and escape Herod’s murder squad.
Jesus foresaw the persecution that believers would continue to face, this was why after he left the earth, He sent to us the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to always overcome.
The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to triumph over the many persecutions that come against them. Through the power of the Holy Spirit they became an impossible case for the Jewish opposition to handle, despite the several efforts to crush the preaching of the Gospel.
Today, we need the Holy Spirit’s power to be victorious over the many trials that come against us for our faith.
Aside the physical dangers, everyday believers face spiritual persecutions and attacks from the enemy and his agents. Even in the midst of the festivities of this period, while Christians are celebrating, there are agents of wickedness who would busy themselves, seeking for ways to cause sorrow.
This is why we must always be sober and spiritually vigilant. Indeed, one of the ways we prepare for the coming year is to develop spiritual sensitivity to the leadings of the Spirit because we are at a stage and in an age where no believer can afford to live carelessly or take things for granted.
With few days left to the end of the year, let us brace ourselves to begin seeking God like never before. Let us study the Word and spend quality time in prayer and worship.
As we pray, the Holy Spirit will lead us out of the temptations of the enemy and make every crooked path straight before us.
Also, let us take time to count our blessings and thank the Lord for all He has done for us this year. Surely, God has been faithful and it is only by His mercies that we have been preserved.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the grace to begin to seek You fervently. Surely, through the power of the Holy Spirit, I will overcome every temptation and stand victorious over every opposition in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
The study of The Word will keep shame and disgrace far from you. WORDBITE 222

Matthew 1:21 ‘And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.’

DAILY READING; • Acts 10:34-48; Joshua 9-10; Job 25

On a Friday morning in December 2008, Donna Molnar, who lived in Ontario Canada and worked for the local Catholic school board, left her home to go for Christmas shopping.
When she didn’t come home by afternoon, her husband called police. By that time, weather conditions were horrific, with heavy winds, blowing snow and cold temperatures.
The next day, being Saturday afternoon, officers found Donna’s SUV parked by a roadside and so they launched a full-scale search for her. About 20 police officers and trained volunteers searched the area with the help of all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and police search dogs.
The search team covered several square miles, without success.
Three days later, being Monday, they were set to call off the search, believing she was dead. But around 12:30p.m one of the police dogs started pawing at the snow near a pond. The dog’s handler began digging at the spot and dug through the snow to find Donna Molnar lying underneath.
Surprisingly, she was still alive, though suffering from severe hypothermia. She was immediately rushed to the hospital where doctors were amazed that she survived being buried for three days under the snow.
As many media Networks reported the story, she was severally described as a miracle.
Indeed to her family, her survival was seen as a Christmas gift from God, who preserved her life to stop them from sorrowing in that festive season.

This woman was miraculously rescued just when it seemed all hope was lost. At a time when everyone had almost given up, God suddenly showed up and delivered her from death.
In the same way spiritually, when we were without hope in the world, Christ came and rescued us from death and gave us the gift of new life in Him.
Just as that woman lay in the snow helpless and hopeless, that could describe the spiritual condition of many of us before Christ found us.
In the past, many of us can relate to the feelings of helplessness that we used to have as we struggled with sin in different areas of our lives. Our repeated attempts to be free from bondages only resulted in failures that produced chronic hopelessness to the point where we gave up trying. Broken and crushed, buried in sin and doomed, Christ found us and rescued us.
As our spotless Passover lamb, He shed His Blood to break the yokes and bondages of sin and addictions in our lives.
This divine rescue of our soul is what we celebrate at Christmas. We have to keep in mind that this season is not all about the gifts under the tree, but about the One who died on Calvary’s tree to redeem us from death.
Let us remember the baby who was born in Bethlehem’s manger, to take our place in death and grant us the gift of eternal life! This is indeed the true reason for the season!

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for divinely rescuing and preserving me through the precious Blood of Jesus. Thank You Lord, for sending Your Son into the world to bring an utter end to every oppression and affliction in my life in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE;
God is preparing you for the season He prepared your breakthrough. – WORDBITE 222.

John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’

DAILY READING; • Acts 10:1-33; Joshua 7-8; Job 24

Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was an evangelical minister who endured 14 years of imprisonment and torture by the Communist government of Romania.
In his book, ‘Tortured for Christ’, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand told a remarkable story about the power of love and forgiveness that happened while he was in the prison.
It was a Christmas Eve night and Pastor Richard who was suffering from tuberculosis, was lying down weakly.
In his cell were also other Christians who had been imprisoned for their faith.
Earlier on, to their surprise, a communist officer who had been one of their torturers, had been brutally beaten and thrown into their cell, by his colleagues who fell out with him.
This Communist officer had been responsible for torturing another priest in the cell who was now close to dying.
As Pastor Richard lay in the cell, by his right hand was the dying priest named Iscu, whose face radiated joy as he spoke about his hope of Heaven and his love of Christ.
Then on Pastor Richard’s left side was the Communist Murderer who had been responsible for the priest’s torture. Due to the brutal beating he received from his colleagues, he seemed to be also dying but his soul was in agony.
During the night he awakened Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, saying, “Pastor, please pray for me. I can’t die, I have committed such terrible crimes.”
At that moment, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand saw a miracle unfold, as the dying priest on his right side dragged himself to the bedside of his torturer and began to caress his head.
The priest told the communist officer that he had forgiven him for what he did and told him he loved him with all his heart. He then went on to tell him about the love of God and the importance of accepting Christ so that he too could have the hope of Heaven.
In that prison cell where there was no privacy, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand overheard the confession of the murderer to the priest he had almost murdered. They prayed together, embraced each other, and the priest went back to his bed.
Both men died that same night.
Pastor Richard marveled at the love of God at work in the priest who used his last strength to ensure the salvation of his murderer.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus came to the earth, to spread the Gospel and show love to the most unlovable. In the end the very people He came to save, crucified Him.
Remarkably, when Roman soldiers were killing Jesus, nailing his hands and feet to the cross, with Blood flowing from the deep wounds they had inflicted, yet He was focused on forgiving them.
While they were slaying Him, Jesus was praying for them.
Jesus said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Jesus forgave those who were killing Him, who had flogged Him, spit on Him and mocked Him.
He not only forgave them, all of mankind was forgiven when He finally died on the Cross for our sins.
This is the power of the love of God.
Indeed, Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection is God’s statement of love to the world. The Christmas story is the story of the amazing love of God who gave His only begotten son to die for us and redeem us.
Christmas is the story of redemption. Indeed Jesus was born to die to save us from sin and every affliction of the devil. Through His death, Christ has given us the power to live in victory on earth.
The journey of life can be full of twists, bumps, betrayals, troubles, detours, pits and unexpected turns. However in all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ that loved us.
By His power at work in us we can overcome the trials and tribulations and even afford to love the unlovable amongst us.
Certainly, through Him we can do all things.
Let us therefore continually rejoice in the salvation we have through Christ and stay focused on experiencing the gifts of redemption He has brought into the world for us.
Indeed without the birth of Jesus and the price He paid for us, there is no reason to have Christmas. He’s the only reason for the season!

PRAYER; Lord I thank You for the price You paid at the cross for my deliverance and salvation. Please grant me the grace to continually share the good news of redemption with everyone that comes my way in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
For you to enjoy victory in the Kingdom of God, you need to develop a Kingdom mindset, that thinks in line with the Word of God. – WORDBITE 222

Isaiah 9:6 ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’

DAILY READING; Acts 9:26-43; Joshua 5:2-6:27; Job 23

On Christmas Day 2008, the Assemblies of God Church in Liberia celebrated their 100th anniversary.
The story of how the Gospel first came to them is an amazing manifestation of God’s wonder.
In 1908, in one of the Liberian villages lived a man named Jasper Toe. He had faithfully followed the tribal animistic religious rituals, but within him he longed to personally know the creator of the universe.
One night in December 1908, as Jasper looked at the sky, his heart hunger reached a point of desperation and he cried out, “If there is a creator God, help me find you.”
Suddenly, he began to hear vivid instructions within his heart and he was told to go to Garraway Beach, where people would come from a ship to tell him about God.
Jasper followed these directions, and walked for seven days from his inland village to get to the beach where he waited, scanning the horizon. He had never heard the Name of Jesus, and he had no idea that day—Christmas Day, 1908—was a time of celebrating the birth of God’s Son on earth.

At the same time, a young American missionary named John Perkins and his wife were on a ship to Liberia after they had felt prompted by God to travel there to evangelize.
While crossing the ocean, they spent time in prayer seeking God’s guidance. When they got to the coastal town of Garraway John Perkins felt they should disembark there. However, the ship’s captain feared for their safety and told them “It’s cannibal country. People go in there and disappear,”
However, the Holy Spirit’s direction was urgent and John insisted until finally the captain relented and brought them ashore.
When they got to the shore they were surprised to see the native man, Jasper Toe already waiting, who received them with great joy. Using hand signals and a few words of tribal languages and broken English, Jasper communicated that the missionaries should follow him.
Jasper led them back through the jungle to his village, where the missionaries began to learn the language and share the Gospel. Jasper was their first convert. The missionaries built a mission station and opened a school. In a few months an outpouring of the Holy Spirit brought revival and from there, the Gospel began to spread throughout Liberia.

Just as God answered the hunger in Jasper Toe’s heart on that Christmas day, the longing in the human heart was met when God sent Christ into the world.
For thousands of years mankind was held captive in sin. They were under wrath and under a curse and had no access to God.
The birth of Christ, over 2000 years ago, was God’s invasion of planet earth to set humanity free from the bondages and oppressions of darkness.
We were doomed to be forever separated from God, but Jesus came into the world and saved mankind from wrath.
Today at Christmas, we celebrate that the Almighty, Glorious God became a man, taking on the limitations of time and space, that we might behold and receive His glory.
He is Emmanuel, meaning God with us. He is the incarnate Word. He is our Savior. He is our healer. He is our baptizer. He is our deliverer. His Name is called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
He is our eternal hope of salvation and our help from ages past. He is the everlasting Father. He is the hope of glory. He is the rock of ages. He is the light to those who stumble in darkness. He is the great shepherd of our soul, He’s the soon-coming king!
Without Him we had no hope. But today, through Him, every chain of captivity has been broken off and we are able to serve and worship God in spirit and in truth.
Because of Jesus, we can be called the sons of God. Through His Blood we have been washed from sin and now have the victory over hell and its horde.
Christmas therefore, is a yearly reminder of God’s love. And out of gratitude for what He did for us, we should respond by giving thanks to God today and for eternity, daily rejoicing and praising Him for the amazing gift of Christ, which has brought joy to the world!

PRAYER: Father God, I thank You for the gift of Jesus that You gave unto me to save me from sin and unrighteousness. I thank You because through Your priceless gift of the Savior, I have eternal victory today and always, in Jesus’ Name.

QUOTE
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise. Learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.

John 1; 4-5 ‘In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.’

DAILY READING; • Acts 9:1-25; Joshua 3:1-5:1; Job 22

The book, ‘Heaven Is Closer Than You Think’ is written by Dawn Cypret and it is about the Christmas miracle that revived her from the dead.
In December, 2011, Dawn Cypret went to see her doctor about a burning pain in her throat. Blood test results were taken and from there she went on to do some Christmas shopping.
Just as she came home the doctor called her and told her the tests revealed very serious health conditions and she was asked to call an ambulance immediately, because she was about to have a heart attack. .
Dawn did as instructed. As the ambulance rushed her to the hospital , Dawn and her husband Mike both prayed desperately, asking God for a miracle.
At the hospital doctors discovered four of her arteries were almost completely blocked, and she would need quadruple bypass surgery.
Christmas was just a week away when dawn went in for surgery. Friends and family prayed fervently for her.
Surgery went as planned and Dawn was taken to recovery. But five hours later, she flat lined and was rushed back into surgery where she died on the table.
They called in a pastor to pray for her. Then, miraculously after, Dawn had been dead for 20 minutes, without any medical explanation, her heart started beating again.
Two days later, on Christmas Eve, Dawn was alert and talking and she told everyone what she experienced those twenty minutes she was dead. She had been to Heaven and seen Jesus.
Soon Dawn recovered fully enough to be discharged from the hospital. Many called her ‘The Christmas Miracle’ and her miraculous story of revival and survival is captured in her book, ‘Heaven Is Closer Than You Think’.

Indeed Heaven is closer than many of us think. The birth of Jesus has brought the miracles and possibilities of Heaven closer to us. We no longer have to agree with the negative conditions of life on the earth, rather through the power of Christ we can experience the miracles we desire.
Sometimes, there may be situations that could seem overwhelming and it may look as if there is no way out of it. There could be negative conditions that may appear insurmountable and inescapable.
But then, no matter how dark the night, the coming of Christ into the world has brought to us the light that shatters every darkness.
Anytime it seems you are locked in and there seems to be no way, always know there is a way out through Christ. Jesus says ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’.
Jesus is our way maker and light in the darkness.
Through the power of Christ we can locate our way out of every tight situation and experience healing and deliverance from every affliction.
The goodness that Christ brought into the world is what we celebrate in this season of Christmas. His birth has indeed made all the difference for us.
Through the power of Christ we can experience divine rescue and inexplicable miracles that beats sense and logic.
Therefore, whatever negative thing you may be faced with, never get discouraged or think that it is the end of the journey. No enemy can have the final say over you. Sickness, disease, poverty or lack cannot have the final say. Jesus has paid the price for us to experience continual victory.
No matter how gross the darkness, as long as you can believe, the glory of the Lord will arise and change the story.
In this season, let us continually give God worthy praise for the gift of the divine possibilities we now have through Christ.
And as we celebrate His birth, let us deliberately desire definite gifts of miracles from Heaven. It is certainly our season to see wonders, inexplicable blessings, unmerited favors, healings and grace for speedy accomplishments. In our family, health, finances and all areas, we shall experience definite and tangible proof of the victories that the birth of Christ has ushered into the world.

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for giving us the amazing gift of Your son Jesus Christ. Please help me to experience my own tangible miracles of wonders in this season. Thank You Lord for all You are set to do in my life in Jesus Name.

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

Joel 1:12 ‘The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men’

DAILY READING; • • Acts 8:26-40; Joshua 1-2; Job 21

James O. Fraser was a young English college graduate who gave up a potential career and fame to serve as a missionary in the remote regions of China. He was the pioneer missionary to the Lisu people in China.
He was born in London and by the time he was 20 years, he enjoyed a promising future and became an honors student in engineering.
But his life changed drastically when a fellow student gave him a small booklet that stated that more than half the people in the world had not yet heard the gospel.
James Fraser was so touched that he turned his back on his lucrative career in engineering. He also gave up the possibility of success as an accomplished concert pianist and applied to the China Inland Mission to become a missionary. In 1908, he was commissioned and he sailed for China.
Arriving in China at age 22, Fraser devoted his life to preaching to the unreached Lisu people. Fraser saw many hardships, often having only meager food.
He also found it difficult winning converts. However, six years after he reached China, the breakthrough came; 600 Lisu people turned from their idol worship and followed Jesus Christ.
When Fraser began his ministry amongst the Lisu there were no believers and no Christian churches, but through his ministry almost half of the entire Lisu people became Christians.
Today, Christianity continues to thrive strongly in the region. By 2007, it was estimated that 90 percent of the population were Christian and also sending people into other areas to preach the Gospel.
Fraser is remembered as one of the most successful Christian missionaries in East Asia of modern times. His story is contained in the book, ‘Mountain Rain’.
Also ‘Breakthrough’ is an inspiring short film about Fraser and the Lisu People.

If you go through a season of unproductivity or hardship, it is tempting to want to sit down among the ashes and wallow in despair.
However to eventually see fruitfulness, we must despise contrary circumstances, remain strong in faith and keep giving glory to God.
As the year draws to a close, most likely, many of us will be looking at our score cards. For someone today, perhaps you may be thinking, you scored poorly because this year has not turned out the way you had hoped. Maybe you have gone through some trials and unfair situations. But though it seems you have every reason to be bitter and discouraged, remember that God is still in control of your life. He alone has the final say!
You may have gone through the fire of afflictions, but that is not the end, there is still something greater waiting ahead of you.
Despite the setbacks, what matters most is the faith and resilience power within you.
Never stop believing God’s Word no matter what you may face. God is too faithful to fail you.
As long as you walk in obedience to His Word, His promises will surely be fulfilled in your life.
Though you may have passed through the water and fire, you are about to come into your wealthy place.
Just keep your focus on God. Keep looking to His Word and keep blessing Him in every situation.
Stay praise-full, knowing that the faithful God who called you is able to see you through every difficulty. As long as you remain joyful you will eventually be fruitful. Lack of joy is what destroys your harvest.

Joel 1:12 says ‘The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men’

Let us never allow our joy to wither, rather let us keep blessing the Lord at every given opportunity.
In this Christmas season, let us be deliberate in joyfully celebrating the birth of Christ, thanking God for this great gift of love He has bestowed upon humanity.
Indeed the benefits of Christ’s divine birth, is more than enough reason for us to be joyful in this season.
Truly God is good and He has been faithful to us. Therefore, let His praise continually be on our lips, in every situation and circumstance. And as we thank Him for His goodness we have seen so far, it will position us to see yet greater favor, fruitfulness, blessings, breakthroughs, divine turnarounds and miraculous change of story!

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to always maintain my joy despite contrary situations. I know that this is certainly my season to see speedy manifestations of Your signs and wonders in my life in Jesus Name.

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

2 Timothy 1:12 ‘..Nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.’

DAILY READING; • Acts 8:1b-25; Deuteronomy 33-34; Job 20

Brian Dickinson served for six years in the US Navy as a Special Operations Air Rescue Swimmer. Then in 2001, he began to pursue his passion for extreme sports and mountain climbing and set a goal to climb the highest peaks of the seven continents.
Brian not only fulfilled his goals but eventually became one of the only few people to have ever climbed Mount Everest all alone. However it was an experience where he only survived because of God’s grace.
In 2011, Brian set off on a climb to the summit of mount Everest, taking with him a Sherpa, who are local guides that usually assist climbers on the mountain.
Eventually they climbed up to an area known as “the death zone”, which was roughly 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount. At this point Brian’s Sherpa guide became ill and too weak to continue climbing and decided to turn back. This left Brian with a difficult decision to either go back too or continue climbing alone.
After carefully weighing the options, Brian chose to continue toward the summit—alone. Four hours later, he was able to finally reach the summit of Everest. It was an exhilarating moment!
After taking a few pictures, Brian got ready to begin his descent. However, at that moment disaster struck as the snow affected his sight and his vision became blurry and his eyes started to burn. Within seconds, he was rendered almost completely blind.
Brian was confronted with an impossible situation, being all alone at a height of 29,035 feet, low on oxygen, and stricken with snow blindness.
It took Faith and focus to keep him alive as he began the dangerous descent. Completely blind and unable to see his way forward, he began placing one deliberate step in front of the other. Though fear and panic tried to creep in, Brian felt the continued presence of God around him. At a point, he suffered a major fall and eventually ran out of supplemental oxygen. But through the whole ordeal, he just felt God’s calming presence and this kept him moving forward until he was finally able to get to the high camp where his other team members were.
His story is captured in his book, ‘Blind Descent’, which details his extraordinary experience on Everest, demonstrating that there is no challenge too big for God.

Brian’s story shows that when God’s presence is with you, no matter how impossible your physical circumstances, you will surely make it against all the odds.
In life’s journey we are called to walk by faith, not by sight. If we’re going to be a people of faith, not of fear, then our hearts must be dominated more by what is written in God’s Word than what is happening around us.
Faith is not moved by obvious facts, rather it looks at defiant circumstances and decides to trust God against all odds.

In 1Kings 18, right in the middle of a famine, Elijah declared, “I hear the sound of an abundance of rain”. That’s faith.
Elijah spoke those words in a place and a time where there had not been one drop of rain from the sky or on the ground, in over three years.
Significantly, Elijah didn’t say he ‘saw’, he said he ‘heard’.
If we are going to experience abundance in the coming year, then we have to prepare our minds to hear God above the drought and discouragements we may see around us in the world.
To walk by faith will require a decision to daily spend quality time in God’s Word because faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.
Today, with the increasing uncertainty in the world, we can only make true progress by depending more on the inward witness of the Spirit, than the outward things we see.
Therefore one of our major preparations for the coming year is to learn to walk by faith, not by sight.
Walking by faith means total dependence upon God, trusting Him with our lives and believing He will lead us aright.
We have to abide by the statement of confidence in God found in 2 Timothy 1:12, “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

Despite, the increasing pandemic, economic downturns and global instability, we can be absolutely certain that God’s Presence will preserve us. We are persuaded that God is indeed able to take care of our lives committed to Him.
Therefore, in every situation, let us continue to praise and bless God for His presence in our lives, which is our strong anchor and confidence no matter happens in the world..

PRAYER: Lord,. Please help me to always trust in Your guidance, as I go through the journey of life. Enable me to always walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that indeed You are leading me to my high places in life, in Jesus Name.

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

Psalm 20:1 (NIV) ‘May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.’

DAILY READING; Acts 7:23-8:1a; Deuteronomy 31-32; Job 19

Gerald and Donna Johnson were missionaries from Assemblies of God World Missions, who began serving in the Philippines in 1978. One day, Gerald went alone to minister for several days in a neighboring city and at the conclusion of the meetings he began driving home in a journey that would take him almost 4 hours.
The road he was driving on passed through a mountain area that was a stronghold for Moslem rebels who were battling Philippine government troops.
Gerald knew that to be in that area after dark was dangerous and so he took off on time. But he got delayed when his vehicle developed a fault. By the time Gerald had taken care of the problem, and was ready to continue on the journey, darkness was fast approaching. While contemplating how he could drive alone through the dangerous mountains, Gerald saw three trucks and a car pass by him, heading in the same direction. Gerald quickly pulled into line behind them, glad to have company. Two other cars also soon followed behind him. The road was bumpy and unpaved. On an incline, the vehicle in front of Gerald’s van slipped sideways and blocked the road forcing Gerald to stop his van. Eventually, the vehicle that blocked the road got going again, and the other vehicles also began moving. But when Gerald tried to start his van to join them, he found that his vehicle wouldn’t start. He turned the ignition key severally but nothing happened. As the other cars passed him and moved on, Gerald was left behind in the darkness, alone on the mountain, deep in rebel-held territory. He knew he was in danger. There were no people or houses nearby and he had no mechanical tools with him and had no idea what to do. So he began to pray asking Jesus for help. His prayer was hardly finished when he heard knocking on the van door. A man with a toolbox was standing there. Without any introduction or greeting, he said, “I see you need help. I think I know what is wrong.”
Without any direction from Gerald, the man went to work in the engine and in a few minutes, he told Gerald to turn the key again. In one click the engine came on, running smoothly. Gerald turned to thank the man, and found no one was there! He realized that in answer to his prayer for help, God had sent an angel to assist him and enable him to drive safely back home

Indeed God is not limited in how He will deliver us. He can even send angels, to assist us when necessary.
When we talk about angelic assistance, the spiritually unenlightened think it’s just religious sentiment. But the truth is that angels are real and have a long history of helping believers.
There have been several instances of divine visitations, where God sent angels to bail His people out of difficulties. In truth, the Mighty God we serve can use every possible means to deliver His children at every time of their need.

Psalm 145 lets us know God has more than enough resources to meet all the desires of every living being. He is able to take care of you and all that concerns you.
Today, you may be worried about a number of issues, but as you call upon God, He will send speedy help to you..
If it seems as if you are stuck in the dark over any situation, believe God to send even angelic assistance to bail you out. We are in the season when God crowns the year with good things, therefore, believe Him for sudden divine visitations in any area of need.

Because every divine agenda speaks loudest at the end, as the year ends, be prepared for sudden prophetic fulfillments of God’s Word to you.
What is entitled you in this season by covenant, you will not miss it! Therefore, do not allow the enemy to cheat you by telling you, that you will never see your own portion of wonders this year. As long as you will keep believing God, it is never too late. The expectations of the righteous shall not be cut off.
When we live with expectancy it gets God’s attention. As you keep believing, keep expecting, keep honoring God, He will suddenly move in your direction to establish His Word in your situation.
God is greater than whatever may be confronting you today. Therefore, rather than fret or worry, remain joyful and keep praising Him for what He is about to do in your life.
Certainly, God is too faithful to fail us, He is too dependable to disappoint us. What His mouth has promised, His hand is able to accomplish in our lives.
Let us therefore build up our faith to receive through diligent study of God’s Word, prayers, and praise.
Today, in every area where we need divine intervention, let us trust God to send us help from His sanctuary, strengthen us out of Zion and answer us speedily in every time of distress [Psalm 20:1]

PRAYER: Lord , I thank You for the grace to keep praising You in every situation. Please help me to always maintain my joy at all times, so that I can experience Your speedy divine intervention and deliverance in every area of need in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
Everything that ultimately has a glorious ending usually has a humble beginning. WORDBITE 222

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Ephesians 3:20-21 ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.’

DAILY READING; • Acts 7:1-22; Deuteronomy 29-30; Job 18

In 1992, a man’s search for a lost hammer led him to find the largest cache of Roman treasure ever found in Britain.
On November 16, 1992, an elderly British man named Eric Lawes set off for a friend’s farm in Hoxne village, Suffolk to find a hammer he had previously lost on the farmland. He had with him a metal detector he had received as a retirement gift.
When he got to the field and began searching for the hammer, he found that the metal detector began to pick up a strong signal at a particular spot in the earth. This led Lawes to start digging at the spot. As he dug, to his greatest surprise he discovered a stash of hidden gold treasures.
After he brought up a few shovelfuls of silver spoons and gold coins, Lawes decided to quickly call the police and the local archaeological society. The very next day, the archaeologists began excavations on the farmland. By the time everything had been brought up from the ground, the archaeologists had nearly 60 pounds of gold and silver objects, including 15,234 Roman coins, dozens of silver spoons and 200 gold objects. It would become the largest treasure hoard ever found in Britain. These treasures had been hidden in that land since the 5th century.
For finding the gold, Lawes received £1.75 million from the British government, which he split with the owner of the farmland on where the treasure was uncovered. Lawres also later found the hammer, which he had been originally looking for.

In I Samuel 9 Saul the son of Kish set off to look for his father’s missing donkeys. But he had no idea that God had planned for him to find far more than the donkeys, he ended up finding the throne and kingship of Israel. It was all a divine setup to bring Saul to Samuel, that he might be anointed as King over Israel.
Indeed it is amazing how God could use the mundane details of a quest for lost donkeys to work out His divine decree of leadership and deliverance for His people.
God will often use circumstances in our lives the same way. This is why in everything we should always give Him thanks.
No matter what you may seem to have lost this year, keep giving praise to God, trusting that He is working behind the scenes to restore to you far more than you could ever imagine..
While the loss of the donkeys was frustrating to Saul, yet, unknown to him, God was working out a higher purpose and moving him into greater things. Likewise, God has a plan and a purpose for you right where you are now. As you align to His Word and obey His guidance, you will be amazed at the treasures you will eventually find.

Psalm 37:23 says “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”

All the events that led to Saul eventually meeting Samuel were not coincidences, rather they were divine providence.
When we are guided by God, we experience divinely orchestrated fulfillment of His Words in our lives.
This is why Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Saul’s story should remind us that sometimes even in ordinary circumstances God has an extraordinary goal in mind. We need to look beyond the obstacles and look for the miracles.

Today, you may have concluded that this year will end in an ordinary way for you. However, if you will choose to deliberately be guided by the Spirit of God in every step, you will be amazed at the wonders you will find.
It is our season of 11th hour miracles. As you continue to bless and praise God in every circumstance, He will exceed every expectation and do far more than you could ever ask, think or imagine.
Certainly, you will not end the year in defeat, but rather you will end it in resounding victory because you serve the God of awesome wonders!

PRAYER: Lord, I praise You for the great and miraculous things You are about to do in my life in this last month. I know that what may seem impossible to men is totally possible with You. Thank You Lord, for indeed exceeding my every expectation in Jesus Name.

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

Romans 8:18 ‘For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

DAILY READING; Acts 6; Deuteronomy 28; Job 17

Silver had great value and aesthetic appeal in many ancient cultures. It was used to make jewellery, tableware, figurines, and rough-cut pieces known as hacksilver which could be used in trade or to store wealth. Easily mined, worked, reusable, and brilliantly shiny, silver was one of the few truly international commodities which connected the ancient world.
Throughout history , silver along with gold, was treasured by many cultures. Many wealthy families owned utensils, jewelry, and décor made from silver and gold. Even in Biblical times, silver and gold played great roles in financial transactions. And even today great worth and value are still placed upon these precious metals.
However the process of refining silver and gold to become valuable metals is not easy. It involves putting the metals through intense heat that literally burns and consumes all the impurities in them.
In refining silver for example, the silver smith, holds a piece of silver over the fire and lets it heat up. He needs to keep the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames are hottest so as to burn away all the impurities. He also has to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it is in the fire. This is because, if the silver is left even for a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

In the same way as Christians, we oftentimes pass through processes of purification that burn off impurities in our lives..
Sometimes we can pass through seasons of trials where it seems we are in the fiery furnace. But whatever we go through, we should know that it is all for a reason and it will last only for a season. And the end result of the trial should always culminate in praise to God.

1 Peter 1:6–7 says “Now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold, which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The end result of our trials is to bring glory to God. We have to understand that in the midst of the trial, God is working out a higher purpose. Though the enemy may bring trials and temptations, God still causes it all to work out together for our good, when we trust in Him.
The Bible says that, Jesus for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. He knew it was a very difficult task, but He also knew that beyond the cross, joy waited for Him. So he endured the cross because of this anticipated joy.
The same way, we should be joyful even in the midst of trials. Storms are not meant to kill you, but rather to make you stronger.
The purifying process is meant to result in glory and praise for us.

Romans 8:18 says “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

God uses the trials to reveal His Glory in us. Temptations and trials come to everyone.

Isaiah 43:2 says, ” When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned” The Bible didn’t say ‘if’ but ‘when’. This means we will all surely pass through the fire at some points in life.

Apostle Peter says we should not think these trials strange. Indeed there is no temptation that comes our way that is not common to man.

1 Peter 4:12-13 says “ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trail which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

No matter what we are going through we should always give God the praise. The battle is not yours, but the Lords. We must learn to praise God through the storm. When we praise God, we hand over our battles to Him.
Do you want God to do the unusual for you? Then tune in to high, wild praises. In the midst of your high praises, God will make you to ride upon your high places.
Don’t let the devil steal your joy. Shake off the gloom he’s trying to cover you with. Praise God in the face of your problems. Sing in the midst of your stress. Shout Hallelujah, for your God is mighty.
Instead of looking at what the enemy may be doing, rather use the time to count your blessings. You will be surprised to see what God has done already. And what God has done will always far outweigh whatever trial the enemy is trying to bring your way. Therefore in everything keep praising God, for it is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always praise You, no matter what comes my way. Let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my mouth. I know that You are good and You have indeed done all things well for me. Thank You Jesus for Your faithfulness.

QUOTE
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.