HORM Devotional

Romans 12:11 ‘Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;’

DAILY READING • Luke 13:1-17; Genesis 23; Psalm 16

Warm clothings are produced and sold by many fashion brands including Nike, Gucci, Adidas, Louis Vuitton, Cartier etc.
However, long before these companies began business, Eskimos had already perfected some of the world’s warmest clothing.
Parkas – a jacket with an attached hood that gives protection from cold and wind, are manufactured all over the world today using all sorts of modern materials. However, parkas were originally invented by Ancestral native Eskimo people.

Inventing warm clothing has been a way of life for the Eskimos. It is how they have survived and thrived in the world’s most challenging environment. The Eskimos live among the coldest regions on the earth. Their experiences from living in earth’s harshest regions, have made them among the world’s greatest experts in dealing with deep cold environments.

They wear traditional native clothing which are often warm and waterproof in extreme winter conditions. Most Eskimo clothing are made from animal furs, the same materials that keep animals warm in the far northern climate. Once warmly dressed, Eskimos can be out for days, unharmed, in temperatures far below zero, often accompanied by gales and blinding blizzards.
Indeed, warm clothing is a crucially important aspect of the Eskimos’ survival as they live in the world’s coldest regions.

Originally from creation, God intended that mankind be covered continually by His Spirit. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were covered by God’s glory, this was why they could be naked and not be ashamed. As long as they were covered by the warmth and glory of the Spirit, they were shielded and protected.
It was when this covering departed, after they had sinned, that their suffering began.

Today as believers, it is again God’s plan that we be covered by His Spirit. It is through the covering of The Spirit, that we are protected from the evil in the world
Today, the world is a spiritually cold environment.
For believers, the key to surviving this spiritual polar climate of the world is by staying warmly covered by the Spirit of God.
Just like the Eskimos need warm clothing to survive their environment, spiritually we need the warm covering of the Spirit to survive in the spiritually cold world.

We need the Presence of the Spirit constantly surrounding us to keep the spiritual coldness in the world from sipping into our hearts and damaging our spiritual health..
To walk around in a cold climate without adequate covering is dangerous, it can result in breakdown of health or even death. Likewise, the fire of the Spirit around us, keeps us spiritually alive, revived and warm..

Romans 12:11 tells us to be “fervent in spirit..’

The Greek word for fervent, is ‘zeo’, which means “to boil with heat.”
We therefore need to stay on fire for God if we are to survive the evil and temptations in the world. When we are constantly generating heat in the spirit, through prayer and study of the Word, we become too hot for any devil to access.
.
Matthew 24:12 tells us that in the end-times, because iniquity shall abound, many people’s love for God will wax cold.
We therefore need to constantly guard our hearts from growing cold towards the things of God by deliberately staying spiritually hot. This we do through a lifestyle of fasting, fervent prayers, study of God’s Word and intimate worship and fellowship with The Holy Spirit.
As we do these things, we will constantly dwell in the secret place of The most high and abide under the shadow of The Almighty, where we become inaccessible and untouchable to the world’s spiritually cold climate.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to remain always spiritually fervent and on fire for You. I thank You Lord, for keeping me in Your secret place; surely under Your shadow I am completely protected from all harm 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.

Philippians 4:6-8 ‘Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God..’

DAILY READING Luke 12:1-31; Genesis 21; Psalm 14

In his Book “Gifted Hands”, Dr. Ben Carson writes of occasions in which God helped him, protected him and looked out for him, sometimes in direct response to prayer.
He said that while he was a student at Yale University, he was chronically short of cash, however at every point, God always miraculously provided for him.
One day during his sophomore year, he realized he had no money at all, not even enough to take the bus back and forth to his church.
That day, as he walked across the campus alone, he prayed “Lord,, please help me. At least give me bus fare to go to church.”
He continued walking and few minutes later, when he looked down he saw a ten-dollar bill lying crumpled on the ground three feet in front of him.
“Thank You, God,” Ben said as he picked it up, hardly able to believe that he had the money in his hand.
Through instances like this, Ben Carson received direct answers to prayers, as he persevered through the university. As he stayed in faith, step by step God helped him to scale through every difficult moment to eventually arrive at his dream. Today, Ben Carson continually acknowledges and celebrates God’s grace that helped and enabled him to become a globally acclaimed neurosurgeon.

Life is in phases. If we sometimes pass through trying situations, we must know that we are only passing through a momentary season.
As we maintain our focus on God, He will gradually guide us through every difficulty and bring us into His preordained plan for us..

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says ‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.’

We may sometimes pass through different challenges in our journey. However, the important thing when we pass through these difficult times is to know that we are on a journey and that tough times never last, but tough people do.
We must not become discouraged because of momentary challenges. Rather, through diligent study of God’s Word, we will build tenacious faith that always trusts God to make a way.

No matter how tough things may sometimes get, we must look beyond the present, and see the greater divine purpose being worked out in our lives.

At each juncture of our journey we must learn to commit every situation to God in prayer and thanksgiving, knowing that He cares for us.

1Peter 5:7 [NLT] says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Whatsoever we desire, no matter how small or big, God is able to accomplish it as we approach Him through prayers.

We have not been left alone to fend for ourselves in this life. Divine help is only a prayer away.
God is faithful to those who diligently seek Him. He has asked us to call upon Him in the time of need and He will answer us.

Therefore today, let us approach His throne of grace to make our requests to Him with supplications and thanksgiving.
God”s ears are open to the cry of the righteous. Surely, as we make our requests to Him in faith, He will answer us speedily with amazing miracles, signs and wonders.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for granting me the strength and grace for a consistent prayer life. Whatever I pass through, I know I am coming out a better person in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE

The study of The Word will keep shame and disgrace far from you. WORDBITE 222.

Hebrews 13:5 (AMP), “I will never under any circumstances desert you nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you, Assuredly not!”

DAILY READING; Luke 11:29-54; Genesis 20; Psalm 13

The amazing survival story of Dayalan Sanders made Headline news in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami.
Dayalan Sanders is an American missionary who sold his house in America to build the Samaritan Children’s Home in Navalady, Sri Lanka in 1994.
He and his family lived together with 28 orphanage children in the small fishing village which was near a river.
Sanders had a boat they used when going across the river. This boat was usually brought into the building every night as a precaution against theft.
A day before the 2004 Tsunami, being a Christmas day, Sanders held Church services and dinner for 250 Hindus from the village. After the event he was so exhausted that he went to bed early and forgot to bring in the boat.
The next morning, Sanders woke up early, as was his custom to pray. He was a man of prayer who had a habit of getting up at 4 a.m. in the mornings to walk around the orphanage grounds and pray.
After praying he went back inside the house. Then around 7:30am, his wife raised an alarm, and Sanders ran outside and saw a 30-foot wall of water racing towards them.
At that point the mistake of forgetting the boat by the riverside, became a divinely orchestrated miracle that saved their lives. Everyone in the orphanage all quickly jumped into it to escape the approaching tsunami.
Another miracle was that at the first pull of the starter cord, the boat engine instantly came alive. This was something that had never happened before as it normally took four to five pulls to start the engine.
The boat roared into the lagoon at almost precisely the same moment that the wall of water came crashing down on the single-story orphanage building, pulling it down and virtually destroying everything in sight.
They escaped across the river and arrived at the other side of the shore, where they found shelter in a Church and joined other survivors of the epic earthquake which claimed the lives of an estimated 240,000 people. Sanders ever remained grateful to God for causing all things to work together in their divine escape from the tsunami.

Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

Paul begins this verse by saying: “And we know.”
As believers, we indeed know that God is faithful and good, however, in life there are so many things we don’t know.
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, we don’t what world events will turn out to be, we don’t know about the weather, the economy, pandemics etc. We don’t even “know what we ought to pray for” except the Holy Spirit helps us.(Romans 8:26 NIV).

In the uncertainties around us, God is the only constant in the midst of the chaos. He never changes, never fails and abides faithful forever. Our hope and anchor is in knowing that He is always watching over us and will never leave us nor forsake us.

In Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified Bible), God tells us: “I will never, under any circumstances, desert you nor give you up nor leave you without support; nor will I in any degree leave you helpless; nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you. Assuredly not!”

Indeed God is our only hope and ever present help in this world. This is why we ought to constantly draw closer to Him, through intimate fellowship, study of the Word and prayers.

Perhaps today, you are worried about the future and the uncertainties of life. Perhaps you are concerned over your health, family, business, career, relationships etc.
But why worry when you can pray?
You may not understand everything that’s going on in your life, but one thing you can do is to pray. Prayer is life’s engine room where things are turned around for our good.
As we pray, God goes ahead of us to make every crooked path straight. He takes every adversity and every difficulty and supernaturally turns them all around to work together for our good.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace for a consistent prayer life and study of Your Word. I know indeed that You are causing everything to work out together for my good and giving me the victory in all situations in Jesus’ Name.
QUOTE
There is more to you than meets the eyes. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. – WORDBITE 222

Proverbs 28:13 ‘He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.’

DAILY READING • Luke 11:1-28; Genesis 19; Psalm 12

Between yesterday and today, all normal life across Israel has come to a halt. This is because they are observing the Yom Kippur, which is the holiest holiday in Israel.
The Yom Kippur began yesterday September 15th and will end today September 16th, by nightfall.
For this period, all Jews and Israel as a whole will embark in fasting and praying and seeking repentance from God.
All businesses have been closed, there are no radio or television broadcasts. All transportation have been stopped, even Ben Gurion Airport, which is Israel’s major airport is not functioning. The roads have become virtually empty as Jews traditionally observe most of the day in synagogue services. The peace and tranquility on Israeli streets for this period is truly amazing, with no human activities, no cars moving and virtually no noise.
Yom Kippur is based on Leviticus 16:29 which mandates establishment of a holy day as the day of atonement for sins. It is called the Sabbath of Sabbaths and its central themes are atonement and repentance. The prayer services include private and public confessions of sins. It is the time of the year, when Jews focus inward to seek for atonement and renewal as they wait before God.

The English word “atonement” comes from a Hebrew word which means “to cover”. The concept of this originates from the book of Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned and attempted to cover themselves with fig leaves which was indicative of trying to cover their sin. Rather, God covered them with animal skins which required the shedding of blood to make atonement for their sin.

Proverbs 28:13 says ‘He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.’

Attempting to hide and cover our sins is unacceptable before God. Rather, we are to come before Him in true repentance and seek the covering provided through the atoning Blood and sacrificial death of Jesus.
Unlike the Day of Atonement, which the Jews observe year after year, Jesus’ death on the cross has made atonement for our sins once for all.
Anytime we go contrary to God’s will we can always repent and through the Blood, ask for forgiveness and restoration.
The word “repent” means to acknowledge our sins, renounce it, seek God’s forgiveness, and try to live differently. It means doing an about-face turn and heading in the right direction.
If we miss God’s direction on the road of life, He allows U-turns. God’s mercies are always greater than our mistakes.
Indeed there is always healing, revival and restoration available at the throne of grace.[Hebrews 4:16]

Hiding and covering sin, leads to living under the weight of guilt and condemnation. Being in such a state can be disastrous and deadly, because the serpent will strike if the hedge is broken. Any struggle with sin should be brought before the Lord. He is merciful and just and His arms are always open to receive the lost.

The Bible says very clearly, “Whosoever confesses and forsakes his sin shall have mercy with the Lord”.
The Jewish day of atonement is a reminder to us to often take the time to sit before the Lord to seek for cleansing, fresh fire and revival.
No matter the cost, no matter how busy we are, we should sometimes stop all activities and just come before God and get our lives right with Him.
Just as the Jews are observing the Yom Kippur, today, let us take the time to look inward, and search our hearts. It is indeed time to seek personal revival. It is time to seek greater grace to live holy and pure and to keep our fire burning as we run the race set before us.

PRAYER: Lord, I ask for fresh fire and renewed zeal to pursue Your will and live a life that constantly pleases You. As I do, I thank You for the manifestation of Your wonders and abundant Blessings upon my life in Jesus Name.
QUOTE:
When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction. WORDBITE 222.

SEPTEMBER 15; THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE.

Matthew 11:12 ‘And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.’

DAILY READING • Luke 10:21-42; Genesis 18; Psalm 11

John Knox is known as the most famous Protestant Reformer of Scotland.
He was mentored by a fearless preacher named George Wishart who boldly peached against the evil leaders of his day. At that time, the Church in Scotland was in a sorry state and the nation was steeped in doctrinal and ecclesiastical compromise.
Because of his fearless preaching, George Wishart was arrested and burned at the stakes.
As John Knox witnessed his martyrdom he resolved to continue the work of George Wishart by speaking out against the evil in the nation.
However, realizing that he greatly needed divine help to overcome the tyrannical leadership, he embarked on fervent prayers to draw grace and strength.
John Knox is especially known for his prayer “Give me Scotland, or I die.” This was the passionate prayer of a man willing to die for the salvation of his countrymen.
Although he was imprisoned and enslaved, and often suffered under the threats of persecution, he always believed that “one man with God is always in the majority.”
Indeed the prayers of this one man heard at the throne of God became a threat to the throne of Scotland.
It was said that Mary Queen of Scots trembled whenever John Knox went on his knees to pray. She even once said that “she would rather face the armies of England than the prayers of John Knox”.
Through the many persecution and battles, John Knox refused to give up his quest. He persevered and prayed with such intensity until revival came to Scotland. John Knox led the Protestant Reformation which became a revolution that eventually delivered Scotland from its tyrannical leaders and brought positive changes to the nation.

Mathew 11:12 says “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force”.

The word “violence” suggests ferocity, passion, and intensity. As believers, we must be relentless in prayers to fight on our knees until we see the results we desire.
The Amplified Bible translates Matthew 11:12, “…a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion.”

Indeed spiritual zeal and fervency is needed to see God’s will established in our lives.

This year, there is a prophetic word over our lives.
However, we must be willing to wage a good warfare on our knees if we are to see the fulfillment.
Victory will come when we become spiritually violent against the hindrances and oppositions against our progress. It is not enough to leave the prophecy hanging dormant.
You can’t be docile when dealing with the devil. If you don’t engage violence in prayer and remain persistent, you may not see the fulfillment of the prophesied wonders for this year.
The enemy knows that if you persist, you will surely receive, this is why he has been trying to discourage and weary you to give up before your answer comes. But if you refuse to faint, it is only a matter of time before you finally reap.[Galatians 6:9].
Indeed to every sowing season, there is a reaping season.

Perhaps today, you are believing God for answers in your finances, health, family, business, relationships or for a breakthrough in a certain area; make up your mind to push in prayer until something happens.
Don’t give up on sowing seeds of prayer into those situations until you see your desired miracles. Surely, as you continue to press on in faith and keep an attitude of victory, you will soon see your harvest of blessings and manifestation of wonders.

PRAYER: Lord I thank You for the grace to persevere in prayer until I see the wonders You have in store for me. Thank You for speedy fulfillment of every prophetic word over my life this year in Jesus Name.
QUOTE:
The tests you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222.

..

Ephesians 3:20 ‘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,’

DAILY READING – • Luke 10:1-20; Genesis 17; Psalm 10

One of the greatest revivals in history known as the ‘third great awakening,’ had an interesting beginning.
Exactly at 12 noon on September 23, 1857, a former businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier entered into an empty room in an office building in New York City to start a prayer meeting. However no one else had turned up.
Though in the preceding weeks, he had gone around town to invite many people, he was alone at the meeting that afternoon. Instead of giving up, he decided to stay and pray all by himself. Eventually, before the end of the one hour prayers, six other people gradually showed up.
Despite this discouraging response to the first prayer meeting, Jeremiah Lanphier did not grow weary in his decision to obey God. Rather he went into more prayer to draw greater strength from the Lord.
At that time in America, many people had little interest in things of God. This was during the time of the Californian gold rush when many people’s fortunes were booming.
Though Lanphier was only an ordinary Church member who was not ordained into any ministerial office, he knew that men needed God and so was moved to begin the prayer meetings.
In the second and third prayer meetings that he held, few more people attended. However the week after that, on October 14th 1857, came the staggering news of the worst financial panic in American history. Banks closed, men lost their jobs and many people lost their fortunes.
With this economic crash, men began to earnestly seek God and attendance at Lanphier’s prayer meeting suddenly soared to crowds of more than 3,000 people.
Thus began one of the greatest revivals in world history. This revival soon spread all across the nation and all across the world and eventually ushered millions of people into God’s kingdom. This revival also resulted in the birth of many powerful ministries, including that of D.L Moody.

When that businessman started the noon prayers, he had no idea that God was planning a revival that would sweep across the world. But as he was faithful in the little, God entrusted him with much more.
Indeed God loves to use ordinary people who are willing to trust Him, and take steps of faith.
Sometimes God presents opportunities that look ordinary, but embedded within them are the great purpose He has for our lives. Those acts of obedience that seem insignificant could actually be leading to an encounter with God that will change everything.
God has a purpose for every assignment He calls us to. And though you may not see it initially, when you’re diligent in handling the little things, God can increase and multiply it in ways and means you never could have imagined. If He used a layman to start the third great awakening, certainly, God can greatly use anyone who yields to Him.
If we’re going to accomplish the things that God wants for us, we have to learn to be faithful in the little things. We have to learn to be faithful in our personal spiritual preparations of study of the Word, prayers and fellowship with the Spirit.
Today, you may look ordinary, but there is gold in you that God will bring it out of you if you will trust Him.
In these last days, God is raising up an army to display His power and usher in a great end-time revival on earth. Many of us are being targeted by God for this next great move. And as we remain faithful in the little, God will entrust us with greater things and certainly, do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever ask, think or imagine.

PRAYER; Lord please help me to be obedient to Your Word and follow Your every instructions. I know that indeed You have great things in store for me and You will exceed all my expectations in this season in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
When you make God your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222.

Isaiah 57:15 – For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’

DAILY READING; • Luke 9:28-62; Genesis 16; Psalm 9

Stanley Frodsham’s book, ‘Smith Wigglesworth, Apostle of Faith’, tells a story of how revival broke out in a train when Smith Wigglesworth was travelling.

Wigglesworth was a man known for his life of purity, deep prayers and study of the Word. This made him to greatly manifest God’s power wherever he went.
One day, he boarded a train to travel to Cardiff in South Wales. Throughout most of the journey he was engaged in praying quietly and communicating with God.
The carriage where he sat contained other passengers who were engaged in various conversations. There was so much talking and joking that Wigglesworth seemed unable to find an opportunity to share the Gospel with these passengers. However he continued quietly in prayers as the journey progressed.
As the train was finally nearing the station, Smith Wigglesworth stood up and went to the convenience to wash his hands. However as he returned back to his seat, a man jumped up and said, ‘Sir, you convince me of sin,’. On saying this the man fell on his knees. Soon the other people in the carriage also began crying out the same way.
They asked Wigglesworth ‘Who are you? What are you? You convince us all of sin’…”
Indeed, as Wigglesworth prayed throughout the journey, the Holy Spirit had worked in the hearts of the other passengers to convict them of sin and cause a revival to erupt on the train.

In the history of the Church, revival has never happened in a place that had not first been saturated with prayers.
Everyone God has used to bring revival has always been a man or woman of prayer and purity whose life overflowed with God’s Presence and power.
Likewise for us to see revival and the eruption of God’s power in our generation, we need to commit to a life of prayers, holiness and study of God’s Word.
The truth is that God works in us, before He can work through us. He will cleanse, purge and purify us with His fire, before His power will flow through us.

When we accept spiritual responsibility and pay the price for revival, our lives will be so filled with God’s power that people around us will sense it and know it.
When you walk into a place, even without saying a word, the power of the Spirit will begin to affect the men and women around you. They will acknowledge that you are different and treat you as such.

Indeed, there is a price to pay to see the manifestation of God’s power in our lives. It 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.
Today, as we sincerely make the decision to pay the price for revival, we will see amazing eruption of God’s power, that will affect the world around us and certainly turn us into a wonder.

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

Romans 8; 28 ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’

DAILY READING; Luke 9:1-27; Genesis 15; Psalm 8

Dr. Nelson Bell was father in-law to Billy Graham.
Long before he ever met Billy Graham, Dr. Bell and his wife Virginia were among the earliest missionaries to China.
In 1916, they obeyed God’s call and left behind the familiarity of their home in the United States and sailed to China, which at the time was a land of mystery where only a handful of missionaries dared to go. However putting their hope and trust in God, they arrived China in December 1916. They were met with a frigid land fraught with political tension and chaos. Additionaly the superstitious Chinese people eyed the missionaries with distrust. This discouraging situation was enough to have made Dr. Bell and his wife turn back home, but rather they bravely stayed on and faithfully served God as medical missionaries. They established a hospital which existed primarily as an avenue for preaching the Gospel. Patients at the hospital who were able to, were encouraged to attend a daily chapel service.
Dr. Bell and his wife, through daily endeavoring to mirror the life of Christ, were able to eventually influence many Chinese people for Jesus. Their exemplary Christian lives also shaped the lives of their children, especially their second daughter, Ruth Bell, who would later become wife to evangelist Billy Graham.
Dr. Bell became a valued mentor to his son in-law Billy Graham. His life greatly influenced Billy Graham to become the great evangelist who positively affected millions of people around the world.

When we first step out in simple obedience to God”s call we may never know where the journey will eventually take us. But One thing we can be sure about is that everything will work together for our good.

God has our lives well planned out and it will take our obedience to connect the dots in His plan.

When God calls us to an assignment, though we may not initially see the whole picture, we need to trust Him and begin forward, taking steps of faith. We are not to lean on our understanding, but rather to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
When we follow God’s will, we are in the safest place in the world.
When we yield ourselves in complete and whole-hearted obedience to God, He will lead us inch by inch into the grand plan He has for us.

If God is going to use us, we must be willing to follow His leading.
He alone knows what He wants to accomplish in and through us. As we begin to obey Him in the simple things the bigger picture of what He has ordained for us will begin to unfold.

Following God’s plan demands time spent in prayer and study of the Word. We must take time each day to devote ourselves to seek the Lord and His will.
Indeed our willingness to follow God in complete faith and obedience will determine how well we will fulfil our destiny.

Walking by faith will sometimes take us through paths that are wrought with thickets and thorns. Storms will come, lions will roar, and fears will be confronted. But as long as we are doing what God has called us to do we will have peace and fear no evil, because we know that God is in perfect control.
Indeed as we persistently follow God’s guidance, eventually we will see the full manifestation of His plan and realize that indeed everything has been working together for our good.

PRAYER: Lord, I ask for the grace to always follow Your vision and not my own ambitions. As I do, I thank You for indeed causing everything to work together for my good in Jesus Name.

Quote
God’s promises in Christ in your life may appear delayed, but never forget that delays are not denials. WORDBITE 222.

Isaiah 26:3 ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ‘

DAILY READING – Luke 8:26-56; Genesis 13:1-14:24; Psalm 7

Today, there are 4.48 billion social media users around the world, which is equal to almost 57% of the world’s total population.
While social media helps keep the world connected, it is also creating a global problem. Although people don’t walk around thinking they are addicts, the truth is that many people have become addicted to social media.
According to a new study by Harvard University, pleasure gained from social media usage lights up the same part of the brain that ignites when a person is taking an addictive substance. Social media produces the same neural circuitry caused by gambling and recreational drugs which can keep a person hooked.
The constant stream of retweets, likes, and shares from social media sites cause the brain to trigger the same kind of chemical reaction seen with drugs like cocaine. In fact, neuroscientists have compared social media interaction to a syringe of dopamine being injected straight into the system.
When an individual gets a notification, such as a like or mention, the brain receives a rush of dopamine, rewarding that behavior and giving a feeling of pleasure.
The desire for more likes, retweets, and emoticon reactions, gradually leads to social media addiction, which is making it increasingly difficult for people to find time to be quiet, to think, or to pray.

As believers we must be careful to avoid the distractions of this age. We cannot spend more time seeking likes on social media than we do in seeking God and studying His Word.
Time spent with God should always have our priority attention.
The Bible tells us that Jesus would wake up long before daybreak to go to a quiet place to pray and spend time with God.

Luke 6:12 says “He went out into the mountains to pray, and prayed all night.”

If Jesus who is our perfect example made it priority to spend time in prayers and communion with God daily, how much more should we in this time and age?
Throughout history, anyone who was greatly used by God was a person of prayer, who fervently sought God’s Word.
To succeed in life, we must never neglect our personal time spent with God. Even spiritual leaders who get caught up in the work of the Lord and neglect spending quality time with God, are bound to fail.

God said in 46:10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God!”
Indeed it takes stillness to know God. It is when we quietly wait in His Presence and study His Word, that our spiritual ears are trained to hear Him and know Him.
Therefore time spent with God each day in fellowship should be none-negotiable. No matter how busy we are, we cannot compromise our time of devotion. Martin Luther, the reformer, is quoted as saying “I have so much to do that I must spend the first three hours each day in prayer.”
Indeed nothing is more important than seeking God and spending time in His Presence.

Isaiah 26:3 says ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ‘
Surely, as we keep our minds focused on God, He will fill our lives with His perfect peace and cause us to experience victory in all our endeavors.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to make You top priority in my life and not give in to distractions of the world. May I always spend time in fellowship with You so as to carry Your Presence that will make all the difference in my life, in Jesus Name. .

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

Psalm 3: 3 ‘But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head..’

DAILY READING ; Luke 8:1-25; Genesis 12; Psalm 6

In 1941, when segregation still existed in America, there was a 22 years old black man named Doris Miller who served in the American Navy.
Miller’s skin color usually relegated him to the role of cook and laundry attendant. Aboard the ship ‘USS West Virginia’, he worked as a cleaner and shined officers’ shoes.
However on 7th December 1941, the story suddenly changed for Miller.
That was the day of the famous Pearl Harbor surprise attack, when Japanese warplanes suddenly swooped down on American ships.
The early morning attack caught many of the Navy officers off guard, but Miller was among the first to quickly respond. He had woken up at 6 a.m. to collect laundry when the attack began and he immediately swung into action, helping to move the injured. Despite having no weapons training, he manned one of the machine guns and began blasting away at the Japanese fighters.

His brave actions that day, made Miller to be hailed and celebrated as a war hero. He became the first black man to be presented the Navy Cross.

And recently in 2020, the American Navy announced that a supercarrier will be named after Doris Miller and it will be called the ‘USS Doris Miller’.
Usually, most supercarriers are named for U.S. presidents — e.g the USS John F. Kennedy. USS Ronald Reagan. USS Abraham Lincoln. Henry Kissinger etc.
Doris Miller became the first African American to have a supercarrier named after him.

Indeed from an unknown cook and laundry man, today, Doris miller’s name has been included among those of presidents.

Your change of story can be just as dramatic. Indeed God can suddenly turn the tables and give you what you did not qualify for.
God can shift you from a zero to a hero, from the back to the front. God can put you in positions you didn’t earn and didn’t even solicit for.
In Genesis 48, when Jacob was about to bless Joseph’s sons, he suddenly crossed his hands and put the right hand on the last and put his left hand on the first son. This sudden prophetic shift elevated Ephraim who was the last born to receive the blessings of the first born, which he did not qualify for.
That is the way our God can suddenly cause things to shift in our favor.
As long as we walk in obedience to His Word and follow His will, our supernatural turnaround is sure.

When your focus is to honor God, He can suddenly put you in positions you could have never gotten on your own.
Doors will open that had never opened before for you. What should have taken you many years to accomplish will be achieved with divine speed.

Indeed we should never limit what God can do in our lives. .
Especially, as we draw close to the end of this year, it is our season to expect a positive turnaround because God crowns the year with His goodness. Though you may have toiled in the past months, your story is about to change.
In these remaining months, signs and wonders will chase you down and overtake you. Things are about to change supernaturally in your favor.

Therefore let us remain heavily expectant because something good is about to happen.
Certainly, God will exceed our expectations and do in our lives what no man can do.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for giving me a positive change of story and turning every disappointing situation into a blessing for me. I know that even right now, You are causing all things to work together for my good in Jesus Name.

QUOTE;
When you are living and walking in the supernatural everything natural becomes subservient to you – WORDBITE 222.-