HORM Devotional

Acts 4:13 ‘Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.’

DAILY READING; • Acts 5:17-42; Deuteronomy 25-27; Job 16

Paul Schneider was a Christian leader who refused to compromise with the Nazis as they rose to power in Germany in the 1930’s.
He refused to give the German salute of ‘Heil Hitler’ because he saw it as idolatrous. In 1937 he had members of the church he pastored who compromised their faith by openly supporting the Nazis excommunicated.
After a series of short jail terms he was finally sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp. He had no privileges as a pastor, working 16 hour days and fasting one day each week to have food to give others.
On Hitler’s birthday, April 20th, 1938, all inmates were ordered to remove their headgear and salute the swastika flag. Everyone but Schneider complied. His punishment was 25 lashes and 15 months solitary in a 1.2 x 2metre cell. Toward the end of this time he heard other inmates close by and began to call out gospel invitation scriptures. He was again given 25 lashes.
Weighing up the punishment over against the destiny of a saved soul, Schneider continued to call out scriptures from his tiny cell. He continued to be beaten, lashed and starved but would not give in or give up.
On July 18th, 1939, he was given a lethal injection. Paul Schneider became the first publicly heralded Christian martyr under the Nazis.
His cell in Buchenwald carries a plaque honouring his bravery and an unknown number of men, now with Christ, owe him their lives.

The truth is that end of the age is really here. And at this time, we should be urgently engaged with the salvation of the souls of men because there is no more time left.
Let us not be deceived by the seeming ‘normalcy’ in the world around us. Jesus said that at the time of the end people will be eating, drinking, building and giving in marriage until the very last day. That is the state of the world today.
Despite all the glaring end-time signs, the world is going on as if the end would never come.
As believers we should not be seduced by the ongoing deception. It is the time for us to first, be certain of our own salvation and then secondly, go forth and win as many souls as we can.
No matter the opposition, we must boldly proclaim the Gospel, because the eternal destiny of men hang in the balance. Many who hear our words will be quickened by the Holy Spirit to dedicate or rededicate their lives to Christ.
Today there is a fierce spiritual battle going on in the world for the souls of men. Because the enemy knows his time is short, he is fighting to snare as many destinies as he possibly can.
Looking around at the growing spiritual lethargy in the world, we can see how people would readily take the mark of the beast when the antichrist comes. Therefore while there is still time, we must boldly proclaim the Gospel and let men know the truth. A time is coming when it would be difficult to openly preach the Gospel. Believers in the world today are perhaps the last line of defense, against this coming apostacy. We therefore cannot afford to be silent. We must speak up and boldly proclaim the truth of Christ.
Anyone who is serious about proclaiming the kingdom of God will face persecutions one way or the other. You may be labeled a fanatic, called all sorts of names and face pressures. However, while Persecution is certain, so is God’s grace!
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can develop a ‘thick skin’ to oppositions.
Though the disciples had been fearful after the crucifixion of Jesus and locked themselves in the upper room, but when the Holy Spirit came, all fear left and they were emboldened to break out into the city and preach the Gospel. The Jewish authorities, were so astonished by the boldness of Peter and John, that they noted “that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Likewise for us to fearlessly proclaim God’s Word we need to be empowered by the Spirit through spending time with Jesus in His Word.
As we daily seek God, we will not be afraid of what any man can do to us. With faith and fire we would move boldly and fearlessly proclaim the Gospel wherever we go.

PRAYER; Father, I ask for more grace to preach the Gospel with boldness whenever I have the opportunity. May every fear and timidity be removed from me and by Your Spirit may I indeed go forth and do exploits for Your kingdom in Jesus Name.
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To enjoy divine opportunities you must be willing to take the risk of faith. WORDBITE 222

Proverbs 22:29 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men”

DAILY READING; • Acts 5:1-16; Deuteronomy 23-24; Job 15

The Essenes were an ancient Jewish sect who existed around the 2nd century. Very little is known about them and they had almost been forgotten by history until the discovery of their work, the Dead Sea Scrolls.
They had lived in isolation, in caves along the Dead Sea where they would copy important Jewish texts. The Essences were one of the three sects of Jewish philosophy alongside the Pharisees and the Sadducees, though they were not major sects like the others. The Essenes congregated in communal life dedicated to the propagation of God’s work. Their disciplined life style and dedication helped to produce the Dead Sea scrolls, which today has given major authentication to the modern Bible.
Indeed one of the greatest things to happen to modern Christianity was the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls in 1947, after having been stored in jars for almost 2000 years.
The Essenes painstakingly copied by hand each text of the Dead Sea scrolls. There are no mistakes in the scripts today because of their carefulness and loyalty to their cause. It is indeed remarkable that the Essenes, who could have gone into oblivion in history, have been brought to limelight and celebrated today because of their dedication and diligence which continues to speak loudly in this modern generation through the Dead Sea scrolls.

Proverbs 22:29 says “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men”

Wherever we are serving in God’s kingdom, we must learn to serve diligently. We must endeavor to be dedicated and faithful in every assignment. Some of the seemingly inconsequential work we do might be the pivotal hinge upon which greater doors will swing.
The truth is that everything we are called to do in God’s kingdom is adding up to achieve a greater purpose. Though we may not see it now, God knows the bigger picture. He is working it all together.
Every part of the body of Christ does a crucial work.
Therefore in everything we do we must aim for excellence.
As believers, we have the capacity to achieve great results, because we have the mind of Christ. Through redemption, we have been empowered to be effective and efficient. Therefore we must accept full responsibility and be committed to being the best in our service to God and humanity.
When we aim to be the best in what we do God is glorified. We are called to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

However you cannot impact your world until you have first been impacted by God. This is why it is important to sow the right spiritual seeds into our lives. Our spiritual life is the engine room that generates the light that shines from our lives to the world.
You can’t be outstanding on earth, if you there’s no depth of understanding in God’s Word. We must therefore first be diligent in sowing the seeds of diligent pursuit of God in the secret place of prayer, Study of the Word, fasting,worship etc.
What we sow in secret is what eventually manifests openly. It is when we have been first watered in God’s Presence that we can then water others also. You cannot give what you don’t have.
Therefore to diligently fulfill destiny and our divine purpose let us seek God and His kingdom first.
According to Deuteronomy 28, when we diligently hearken to God, then shall we become the head and not the tail, above only and never beneath.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to make You priority in my life. Please keep my heart always panting after the affairs of Your Kingdom. May my love for You only grow deeper and may my zeal for Your House never wane in Jesus Name.
QUOTE: To get into the next level of your life, God will always give a specific instruction. – WORDBITE 222.

1 Timothy 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy”.

DAILY READING Acts 4:23-37; Deuteronomy 21-22; Job 14

One of the tragic aftermath of the recent 2020 stock market crash was the death of a 20-year-old U.S college student, Alexander E. Kearns, in June 2020. He committed suicide after mistakenly believing he owed $730,000 on the Robinhood online stock trading App.
According to the media reports, Alexander E. Kearns had received a negative $730,165 cash balance in red following a period of experimental trading with the App. Believing he had incurred a huge amount of debt that he may never be able to pay, he decided to take his life. He died after throwing himself in front of a moving train in his home town of Naperville, Illinois. His family found a suicide note where he explained he had been “financially devastated.”
Responding to the news, the owners of the trading App indicated that the $730,165 Alexander E. Kearns had mistakenly thought he owed could actually have been temporary figures until stocks underlying his assigned options settled into his account later. Had he waited a little while longer, he would have seen that the situation was not what it had first appeared to be.
Indeed studies have shown a relationship between stock market fluctuations and the rate of suicides among the general population. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, there was about 6,566 suicides that were a direct consequence of the rapid decline of equity values. The financial fortunes of many people are tied in some way to the markets either directly through investments or indirectly. Therefore when markets collapse, the effects can reverberate through the whole of society.

Proverbs 11:28 says “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage”

Putting one’s trust in money can indeed have a devastating effect..
In today’s modern society many people have turned money into a small god by putting in it all their hopes for material provisions. Money is often seen as something that can fix just about anything. This is why once money is lost it seems everything is lost. A total loss of money often make people feel their entire life is over.
As believers in these last days we have to really be careful about money. Money really can have a corrupting influence and has a way of causing displaced trust. Instead of trusting God for the needed provisions, it is very easy to fall into the trap of fixing one’s hope on money. As Christians we need to be aware of that potential danger and guard ourselves against it.
While money can be useful, we should never put it on a pedestal and give it an exalted place in our lives. It should never take a hold of our hearts. The love of money is certainly the root of all evil.
Jeremiah 17:5 says ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the LORD.’
We should never allow our heart to depart from the Lord for any reason. Anything that tries to take the place of God in your hearts or causes you to take your eyes off Jesus can certainly cause spiritual ruin.
Rather than trusting in riches, believers are to fix their hope on God.

1 Timothy 6:17 says “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy”.

The truth is that with the uncertainty of things in the world today, only those who puts their hope in God are truly secure. God provides far more security than any earthly investment. God is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Therefore when we lay up treasure in Heaven instead of on earth, we are building a firm foundation for the future. And we lay up Heavenly treasures through giving to the poor and investing in the promotion of God’s kingdom.
Certainly when we lay up true treasures in Heaven, then we would not be moved by the uncertainties of earthly riches. God will be our ever present help in every time of need. In every situation He will be our strength, our refuge and our shelter from every storm of life.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always put my trust in You. May nothing ever take Your place in my heart. Thank You Lord for the grace to always lay down whatever You require of me. As I do, I thank You for Your exceeding abundant blessings released upon my life in Jesus Name.
Quote ‘When God places His hand upon a man in life nothing can come against him, this is because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance’ WORBITE 222

Galatians 6:9 ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’

DAILY READING; Acts 4:1-22; Deuteronomy 19-20; Job 13

Peter J. Daniels came from a dysfunctional family and disadvantaged background. His family was third generation welfare recipients and many of his relatives had been in jail.
As a child he suffered from ill health and dyslexia. He never passed one grade at school and found himself to be virtually illiterate. By the age of thirteen years he commenced full-time menial work and became a bricklayer and stonemason, working sometimes from 6am to 8pm, seven days a week. At 26 years of age he was hopelessly in debt and it seemed his life was at a dead end.
However everything changed when he attended a Billy Graham Crusade on 25 May 1959 in South Australia. This crusade marked the turning point that brought a revolution in his life. After giving his life to Christ, Peter purchased three Dictionaries and began to study them to understand words, pronunciations and speech. Without a tutor or mentor he began to study economics, politics, modern and ancient history, theology, law, philosophy and business. From someone who was considered an illiterate at 26 years, he went ahead to read 2,000 biographies.
Thereafter Daniels went into business three times. Though he failed each time, he didn’t give up, he was persistent in his faith. Subsequently he succeeded in building a large real estate business in Australia, which expanded to South East Asia.
Peter J. Daniels eventually became a respected international business statesman, Author, Motivational Speaker and Entrepreneur. Today, he has spoken to more live audiences throughout the world than any other Australian.
He has served on International Boards with some of the world’s greatest intellectual, business, academic, religious, and corporate giants of the 20th and 21st centuries. He has conducted over 1,000 seminars in many parts of the world and. Peter J. Daniels has been honored by universities, theological colleges, institutions, governments, businesses and humanitarian organizations from around the world for his entrepreneurial ability and benevolence. He is most especially well known for his Christian faith, promotion of Christian causes and great support of missionary work.

Galatians 6:9 says ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’

Peter J. Daniel’s life shows the remarkable turnaround God can cause in a person’s life. Though born physically into a disadvantaged background, new birth gave Peter new life and hope. And as he pressed forward in faith, he experienced an extra ordinary new life in Christ.
Truly, redemption grants us amazing possibilities and capabilities. What it means is that no matter the odds against you, as a child of God, if only you will keep pressing forward, in due season you will surely win.
It doesn’t matter what your past story may have been, what is certain is that there is a reaping season for you when you press forward in Christ. As long as you remain steadfast in obeying God and walk in obedience to His Word, your supernatural turnaround is sure.
It doesn’t matter the discouraging situations or overwhelming odds against you, if you don’t give up, you will certainly experience your miracle.
God promises in His Word that you shall never labor in vain nor bring forth for trouble. Though weeping may have endured for a night, certainly your joy is coming in the morning. Surely there is an end and your expectations will not be cut off.
Especially, as we come to the end of this year, it is our season to experience a positive turnaround because God crowns the year with His goodness. Though you may have toiled in the past months, the story is about to change. According to Zechariah 9:12 God will give you double for all your trouble.
In these few remaining days, God’s blessings are about to chase you down and overtake you. Things are about to suddenly change in your favor and you will experience an overflow. Indeed your cup is about to run over.
This is why we must keep hope alive and remain expectant. If you have recently experienced any discouragement it is only an attempt by the enemy to get you to quit before your miracle comes. But quitters never win and winners never quit.
Therefore do not give in to depression for any reason, rather it is time to switch to praise. Praise is the sickle of harvest. As we give God high praises, He will take us to our high places.
Certainly, as we praise God in this season, He will give us a sudden turnaround and supernatural change of story.

PRAYER; Lord I thank You for what You are set to do in my life in this last month of the year. I know indeed that everything is turning around for my good as You crown the year for me with Your goodness. Thank You Lord for exceeding my expectations in Jesus Name.
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When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. WORDBITE 222

Exodus 23:25-26 ‘And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.’

DAILY READING; • Acts 3; Deuteronomy 17-18; Job 12

This week is the eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah. The event which started on 10th of December 2020 will end on 18th of December. Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights and it is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah.
The Hanukkah is an event that represents the Jewish indefatigability. Despite all the horrors they have passed through in history, the Jewish nation keeps rising and shining as light out of the darkness.
The particular events that inspired the Hanukkah festival took place around 200 B.C. At this time the Jews had risen up against their oppressors and overcome them.
During this particularly turbulent phase of Jewish history, the Land of Israel came under the control of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who outlawed the Jewish religion and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. His soldiers descended upon Jerusalem, massacring thousands of people and desecrating the city’s holy Second Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls.
The Jews revolted in a large-scale rebellion led by the Jewish priest Mattathias and his five sons. After the death of Mattathias, his son named Judah Maccabee continued to lead the revolt. Relying largely on guerilla warfare tactics, the Jews soon successfully drove their enemies out of Jerusalem.
After their victory they gathered to cleanse and rededicate the Temple to the Lord. Part of the ceremony involved lighting the menorah which was the gold candelabrum with seven branches that was to be kept burning every night in the temple.
However to their dismay the pure olive oil found in the temple was only enough to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day. But they witnessed a miracle when the little oil kept the flames burning for another eight nights, until they were able to produce more pure olive oil. This wondrous event inspired the Jewish sages to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival known as Hanukkah.

Indeed despite all the darkness that has come against them in history, the Jews continue to shine today among the nations. The indestructibility of the Jews is something that has amazed historians. Yet the success story of the Jews is an indication of the power of God’s blessings.
The blessings God swore upon Abraham on Mount Moriah when he laid down Isaac, continues to uphold the Jewish nation today. Truly the power of God’s blessing will always overcome the enemy’s attack against a people who are walking in covenant with the Lord.
Balaam tried three times to speak a curse upon Israel, yet he was unable to penetrate God’s protective shield around His people. In Numbers 23 every time Balaam opened his mouth to speak a curse, a blessing came out instead. Finally, Balaam conceded that his divination was no match for the power of God and said “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?” He found it was simply impossible for a curse to be pronounced where God had pronounced a blessing!
The same holds true today over us. By shedding His blood at Calvary Christ has brought us into a new covenant relationship with God, where the blessings of Abraham has come upon us. And as spiritual Israelites, we have become untouchable and uncursable. It doesn’t matter how much anyone may hate you or try to curse you, the power of God’s blessings will always nullify every evil words spoken against you.
The power of God’s blessings speaks especially over us when we stay in covenant through service in God’s Kingdom.
Exodus 23:25-26 says ‘And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.’
Truly when we commit to serving God, the power of His blessings will uphold us. Despite the social or economic climate in the world we will keep shining as light in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation.
Through the Blood of Jesus we have been divinely rescued from every curse and are now the blessed of the Lord. And surely, whoever the son of God has set free, is truly free indeed.

PRAYER; Father, I rejoice that I am the blessed of the Lord and protected by the blood of Jesus Christ. Indeed by the precious Blood of Jesus I am separated from all evil. Thank You Lord for the overflow of Your blessings upon my life in Jesus Name.
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It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – WORDBITE 201.

Psalm 34:19 ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.’

DAILY READING – Acts 2:14-47; Deuteronomy 15-16; Job 11

When Britain declared war on Burma in 1824, no western foreigner in Burma was safe. The Burmese military began arresting and imprisoning all white men in their region. Among those arrested was the American missionary, Adoniram Judson.
He was imprisoned in the infamous death prison of Ava for 17 months. Fifty prisoners, mostly foreigners, shared the same cell. There was hardly food or water and their feet were bound in iron fetters attached to a bamboo pole. Day and night the scream of prisoners could be heard as they were being tortured. Most of the other British prisoners-of-war died due to the sufferings and brutalities.
However all this while Adoniram’s wife and other Christians continued to pray relentlessly for his release.
After some months the remaining eight prisoners, including Adoniram, now all sick and emaciated, were taken to another prison where they were meant to be finally annihilated.
When they arrived in this new prison a caged lion was brought into the compound. Everyone knew what was coming. The lion had not been fed for some days in order to make it ravenous enough to kill the men. However just before the lion could be released to devour the prisoners, that night something amazing happened. The Lion which had been kept hungry, suddenly died from starvation.
With the death of the lion, eventually the eight prisoners were all released, including Adoniram.
After his release he continued his missionary work. And would go on to translate the entire Bible into Burmese language and planted 100 churches and won 8,000 converts.

The truth is that anyone who is committed to serving God will sometimes face hardship and trials. But no matter what comes your way, through Christ, you can always be sure of victory. Whatever was meant to devour you, God will always ensure their death and destruction.
Your decision to serve God will attract opposition from the forces of hell, the enemy will often bring fiery trials and temptations as a way of discouraging you or making you give up. But in every situation, always be sure that the faithful God who called you, is able to fight for you and deliver you.

Psalm 34:19-20 says ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken..’

In every temptation, God will surely make a way of escape for you. He will deliver you from every temptation of financial troubles, sickness, troubles, trials etc.
As long as you are on the Lord’s side, you are certainly on the winning side. Indeed Jehovah is the man of war, who has never lost a battle, and will never lose. He is the consuming fire who is able to destroy every opposition that comes against us. He can close the mouth of lions, move mountains and cause walls of Jericho to fall for your sake.
Therefore anytime you are faced with impossible battles, never give in to fear, just keep your eyes on the Lord. Fill your heart with faith through study of God’s Word and keep praising God in the face of the raging storm.
As long as you keep looking to Jesus, the red sea will never swallow you. The storm will not stop you and the billows will not blow you away. God is indeed our ever present help in the time of need. No matter who or what gathers against you, God will cause them to fall for your sake.
In Isaiah 43:4 God says ‘Since thou was precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy sake.’
We position ourselves to be precious in God’s sight through diligent service in His kingdom. Therefore in this season, as we faithfully promote His kingdom, He will rebuke every devourer for our sake. Indeed as we committedly serve Him daily, God will fight our battles and we will hold our peace.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for always being my ever present help in every time of need. No matter what I may face in life, I know indeed that You will always give me the victory and cause me to triumph always in Jesus Name.

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When God is on your side anything is possible. WORDBITE 222.

Proverbs 11:25 ‘The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.’

DAILY READING; Acts 2:1-13; Deuteronomy 13-14; Job 10

Bob Pierce was the founder of two well known ministries, World Vision and Samaritan’s purse.
A man of tremendous compassion for children and the poor, Bob had written in the flyleaf of his Bible, the now famous words “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.”

After World War II, Bob Pierce had worked as an evangelist and journalist with Youth For Christ, traveling throughout Asia.
While on one of these trips to Asia, he stumbled across some courageous women who were living among lepers and orphans, sacrificing everything to share the love of Jesus Christ. Bob was quite moved. One day, one of the relief workers showed him an abandoned little girl and asked him the probing question, “What are you going to do about her.” The relief agency that the lady worked for could not afford to care for any more orphans. Bob Pierce gave the lady some money, promising to send her a monthly gift to provide for the child.
As compassion and concern for orphans burned powerfully within him, Bob began photographing Asian orphans and asking Americans to support them. This led to birthing of World Vision.
It was an evangelical organization that focused on the physical needs of the poor in third world nations. Bob traveled so much in the course of ministering to the poor in Asia that between the years of 1956 and 1964, he would become one of the ten most traveled men in the world.
Unfortunately due to conflicts with the board members of World vision, Bob was later fired by the board from the organization he had founded. But that didn’t stop him. He went ahead and founded another relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse.
In the summer of 1973, Bob Pierce met his successor Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham and they began working together.
When Bob Pierce died in 1978, Franklin Graham became the President and Chairman of the Board of Samaritan’s Purse.
For over 40 years, Samaritan’s purse has been making a huge difference across the globe, following the Biblical example of the Good Samaritan by helping victims of earthquakes, hurricanes, wars, famine and other disasters.

Indeed each of us can make a difference. Through his decision to respond to a need he saw, Bob pierce started organizations that are positively affecting the world today.

Jesus Christ has made a difference in our hearts so that we can make a difference in our world.
As we mature in Christ, the focus of our lives should increasingly shift to living a life of service. The mature believer no longer asks “Who’s going to meet my needs?” but rather the question becomes “In what ways can I meet the needs of others?”
Jesus needs a body through which to love people today and it is our choice to allow Him to flow through us to bless humanity.
God uses our arms to hug and our voices to encourage and our feet to visit.
Many people right now are praying for a miracle. We can be an answer to that prayer. No matter where you are or what challenges you’re facing, you can look beyond your needs and allow God use you to bring succor to others.
The truth is that our destiny is connected to helping others.
There are people God has designed to be the fertile soils for our advancement. When you sow into their lives, those seeds bring the multiplications that catapult you to your next level.
Indeed when you water others you will be watered also. When you live to give, you will never lack God’s blessings.
God designed us to make a difference in the world, one life at a time. We may not be able to single-highhandedly effect broad systemic change, but every loving deed, every kind word, every positive action makes a difference in the world.
Indeed just like the story of Bob pierce, we may never quite know how one small action inspired by love can have a ripple effect that will change the world.

PRAYER: Lord, Please grant me the grace to always sow good seeds into the lives of others. Help me to look beyond my own needs and seek rather for ways to be a blessing. As I do, I thank You for overflowing my life with Your blessings in Jesus Name..

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Illuminate your world, for you are a star destined to shine- – WORDBITE 222.

Proverbs 4:7 ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’

DAILY READING Acts 1; Deuteronomy 11-12; Job 9

Isaac Newton was certainly one of the greatest scientists who ever lived. During his lifetime Newton developed the theory of gravity, the laws of motion (which became the basis for physics), a new type of mathematics called calculus, and made breakthroughs in the area of optics such as the reflecting telescope.
During his lifetime, Newton’s fame was such that even his contemporaries revered him. At his death in April 1727, he was buried like a king. Newton lay in state in Westminster Abbey for a week. At the funeral, his pall was borne by three earls, two dukes, and the Lord Chancellor. No scientist before or since has been so revered and interred with such high honor.
Newton stature has dominated the scientific landscape for three centuries and his achievements has had much impact on society. However Newton’s faith played a great role in his life and work.
Newton was a devout Christian who apart from science wrote extensively about Christianity. Interestingly, he spent more time on theology than on science. His writings show that he deeply studied the Bible along with writings of early Christian leaders. Newton’s understanding of God came primarily from the Bible, which he studied for days and weeks at a time. Though meditation. he connected with the divine wisdom and inspiration that made him to greatly impact the world.

It has been said that until something changes within you, nothing changes around you. Through connection to divine wisdom a man becomes a wonder to his world.
Many of the inventions that have taken place today are because of the inspiration men received from God. Indeed it is the wisdom of God that makes stars of men. No one gets far with common sense, you need extra ordinary sense to get ahead. However that extra ordinary wisdom comes through divine connection with the God of all wisdom. Just one idea from God is enough to cause your generation to celebrate you. Truly, in the school of success, wisdom is the principal thing.

Proverbs 4:7 says ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’

Wisdom controls success and riches. Solomon who was the wisest king also became the richest king. Through the display of divine wisdom Joseph was promoted from a slave to the prime minster of Egypt.
However, the wisdom we manifest depends on the level of attention we pay to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit begins to relate with a man’s spirit, He connects him to the deep things of God, which make him a wonder on the earth. I Corinthians 2:9-10 says that the spirit of God searches out all things which includes, intellectual things (Daniel 1:17); scientific things (Genesis 4:38-44, Genesis 30:37-43); economic things (Genesis 13:2, Genesis 26:12-14); political things (Daniel 6:1-3 & 28), etc
If we must have good success, then we must connect to divine wisdom because it is indispensable. Therefore today, let us make the deliberate decision to seek divine wisdom through a diligent study of God’s Word and fervent prayers. In all our endeavors we must let God have first place. Truly when we make seeking God our priority then everything else will be added unto us. [Mathew 6:33]

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

Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”—

DAILY READING ; Matthew 28; Deuteronomy 9-10; Job 8

John Davison Rockefeller, Sr. was America’s first billionaire with a fortune worth nearly 2% of the national economy. One of the greatest lessons he learned in his life time was the importance of giving.
He became a millionaire at the age of 23, and by the age of 50 he became a billionaire. However by the age of 53 he became afflicted with a strange illness that made his personal physicians to predict he would die within a year.
During this gruesome ordeal, one night Rockefeller had a dream that showed him he would not leave the earth with his wealth. By the time he woke up, that very day, John D. Rockefeller called his team of attorneys, accountants, and managers to establish a foundation that would channel his assets to hospitals, research, and mission work.
And so John D. Rockefeller threw himself into the work of creating the Rockefeller foundations that would have a major impact on global medicine, education, and scientific research. His foundations pioneered the development of medical research and was instrumental in the eradication of hookworm and yellow fever. His foundation led to the discovery of penicillin, cures for current strains of malaria, tuberculosis and diphtheria along with an enormous amount of other discoveries.
Rockefeller supported many church-bases institutions throughout his life. He gave $80 million to the University of Chicago, turning a small Baptist college into a world class institution by 1900. His General Education Board was especially active in supporting black schools in the South.
The amazing part of this story was that the moment John D. Rockefeller began to give generously, his body‘s chemistry was altered so significantly he got better. Instead of dying at 53, he lived to be 98.
He gave away more than $555 million during his lifetime. He came to believe he was a steward of all he had and taught his family the same. Rockefeller strongly believed that the ability to make money is a gift from God which is to be developed in order to make as much money as possible, and then use the money wisely for the good of mankind.

What could have been Rockefeller’s darkest night, God turned around to become the brightest day of his life when he began to give. Indeed giving is the mystery that provokes the release of blessings.
Truly the blessings of God makes rich and adds no sorrow. But the reason why people get rich and sometimes experience sorrow is because of abuse of the purpose of wealth.
When a river is flowing out to other channels, it is clean and fresh. But if that river becomes stagnant, stops flowing out and begins to accumulate its water, it begins to stink and becomes a problem to the environment.
In the same way, wealth that is only accumulated and does not flow out becomes a problem. We are to not to accumulate wealth but rather to use it to carry out God’s purpose on the earth. In Genesis 12:2 God told Abraham that He would bless him and through him the world would be blessed. The truth is that we are blessed essentially to be a blessing to others.
The giving covenant is not about the volume, but about the heart. It doesn’t matter your financial level, when you start giving from the little you have, you are creating room for more blessings to flow into your life. Whatever level you are, God’s covenant of Prosperity stands sure. As long as the earth remains, seed, time and harvest shall not cease. The more you sow, the more you are qualified to reap. You never get blessed anymore than you are committed to be a blessing.
When you live to give, God will ensure that every of your need is met in abundance to His glory.
Your seed is the custodian of your future. You can determine what your future will look like by the seeds you sow today When you live a lifestyle of giving, you are living a lifestyle of blessing!
As was revealed to Rockefeller in his night dream, no one is leaving the earth with any material possession. Therefore rather than laying up treasures on earth let us layup treasures in Heaven by using whatever resources God gives us for the promotion of His kingdom and for the good of humanity.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to freely use every money that comes my way to carry out Your purpose on the earth. As I give, I thank You for causing me to experience a turnaround and miraculous change of story in Jesus Name.

Quote
When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction. Wordbite 222

Jeremiah 32:27 ‘Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?’

DAILY READING; • Day 97 – Matthew 27:32-66; Deuteronomy 7-8; Job 7

The Winans family from Detroit, Michigan are a family of Gospel musicians, singers, producers, and songwriters. The family’s influence was first established through their parents, David “Pop” and Delores “Mom” Winans.
After getting married in 1953, David and Delores Winans had ten children who they endeavored to raise up in the ways of the Lord. Being constantly in the Church, singing and music became an outlet for these ten kids. And as they grew older their singing talent began to really manifest.
However, though talented and full of dreams, the Winans family for a while remained in obscurity and didn’t make much impact outside their church. But the family continued to have great faith in God and nursed their big dreams. Through their parents’ encouragement they stayed in the church, and remained rooted in God’s word.
As a step of faith, the family annually sponsored Christmas concerts in the Church. And at the end of these concerts, the kids, would give themselves imaginary Grammys — for best male vocal, best female vocal, best dressed etc.
Eventually, after recording their first album in 1983, the Winans began to gain recognition. As their music began to gain impact in the world, their dreams eventually did come true. And they started winning Grammys for real. Since their first album, they have won many Grammys. Prominent among the Winans family is CeCe Winans who is the best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time.
Indeed few families have been influential on the development of Gospel music as the Winans family and today they are globally celebrated for their contributions to the music industry.

When the Winans children were giving themselves Grammies as kids they were setting in motion the laws of faith. What they believed and acted, eventually manifested as their reality. Truly what you believe is what you receive.
No matter how bleak any future, as long as you sow seeds of God’s Word, you will reap the faith to believe for your miracles.
God’s Word births the pictures of possibilities within us. And as you hold on to those inner pictures, they will eventually manifest as your outward reality.
Every great tree we see today, was once a seed. However, no matter the smallness of the seed, the farmer is not discouraged because he knows the potentials within it. He knows that when he plants that seed, waters and tends to it, that the seed will grow to become a great tree.
This same principle of seedtime and harvest applies to our lives.
God has put a lot of potentials within us. God has placed within you everything you need to be successful in life. However those seeds of greatness are watered by the Word of God. The more you study the Word, the more faith is released within you to begin to see great possibilities.
Therefore don’t be intimidated by the size of your vision or fret about how to accomplish it. Fill your heart with faith through the study of God’s Word, dispel doubts through constant declaration of God’s counsel over your life and maintain God’s Presence around you through praise.
No matter how contrary any situation, keep your focus on the greatness of the God you serve. He is the God of miracles to whom nothing is impossible. Even in the face of overwhelming facts, God has a way of doing inexplicable miracles that beats logic and reasoning. Even in these remaining few days of the year God can do miracles in your life that men cannot fathom or explain.
Just keep faith alive and maintain an attitude of expectancy. Indeed great things are coming your way.
You may be small today, but keep your dream alive and keep looking unto God. You may have no money, no name or fame, but never limit what God can still do in your life. When God is on your side you have the majority on your side.
Truly nothing is too hard for God. Just as He parted the red sea and made a way through the mighty waters, so will He make a way for you today. Surely, He will exceed your expectations and do that which no man can do in your life.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to constantly sow the seed of Your Word in my heart. As I do, I thank You for the release of the faith to believe for the miracles I need. Surely, I know that You will exceed my expectations in Jesus Name. ..
QUOTE
When you apply The Word of God, it will work for you, anywhere and anytime- WORDBITE 222.