HORM Devotional

Isaiah 60:1-2 ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.’

DAILY READING; Galatians 3:1-18; Jeremiah 51-52; Psalm 144

Pastor George McLean and his wife Sonya, are pastors of the Hosanna Church in Los Angeles. On Christmas Day of 1989, the McLean family decided to go cross-country skiing in the Laurel Mountains in Pennsylvania. It was a quiet, relaxing family outing and as they got on the trail, they became engrossed with the snow, singing Christmas carols.
After hours of enjoying the snow, they realized it was getting late and time to go back. However, to their dismay, they found they had gone further than they had planned and could no longer backtrack because the snow had covered their trail. As they tried to find their way, they only kept going deeper into the snow, until they had become completely lost. It was a dangerous situation because they were not prepared for hours in sub-zero weather and also they were in a treacherous area, where hunters many times often died because they got lost.
As the day became dark, they really knew without God’s intervention they would not survive that night. Miraculously Pastor Mclean’s son had some matches on him and so they were able to start a signal fire, hoping to attract help. To keep the small fire burning, they emptied their pockets, adding any dry thing they could find, including dollar bills. However, as time lapsed and the little fire began to burn out, the hope of rescue seemed lost. But then, all of a sudden, coming out of that thick darkness, was this bright light. As it came through the forest, it was a ranger on a snowmobile. He had followed the signal smoke from the fire to find them. To the McLeans, it was the most beautiful light they had ever seen. They had been found at last! The ranger helped them to get back to safety. And this rescue became for the Mcleans, a Christmas Day miracle.

Indeed there are situations that can seem overwhelming and it may sometimes look as if there is no way out of it. There are negative situations that may appear insurmountable and inescapable. That relationship crisis, the worsening financial situation or that negative medical condition can sometimes seem like something you can’t find your way out of. But then, no matter how dark the night, God also has a way of causing His light to break forth. He knows how to show up for our rescue and do those inexplicable miracles that beats sense and logic.
No doubt, this year, many people have faced overwhelming odds. Many have experienced financial setbacks, disappointments, medical challenges or even relationship crisis. But whatever negative thing may have happened, we should never get discouraged or think that it is the end of the journey. No matter how gross the darkness, the glory of the Lord is about to arise upon His people. Indeed by the shed blood of Jesus we are about to be ushered into a new season.
The month of August is the eighth month of the year. The number eight in the Bible signifies Resurrection and Regeneration. It is the number of a new beginning. Eight is also associated with the beginning of a new era or a new order. In the bible there are many examples which associate the number eight with a new beginning. Therefore as we enter this eighth month, it is our season to resurrect from every stagnancy and redundancy. It is indeed our month to rise and shine.
A new season with God is when He prepares to launch us to a new level. In this new month therefore, we are about to be launched into a new level of supernatural favor. In this season, the blood of Jesus will be speaking better things for us. The blood will empower, strengthen and deliver God’s goodness to us. God who helped us to get started this year will surely help us to finish it well. He didn’t bring us this far to leave us alone. His grace is sufficient for us and the good work He has begun in us, He will surely bring it to completion.
Let us therefore stay in faith and continually give God worthy praise. He is indeed about to do a new thing. No matter what has happened in the past months, God is about to usher you into a place of ease and peace. Inexplicable blessings will be coming your way. Favors you may not understand will locate you. Grace will be released for speedy accomplishments. In your family, health, finances and all areas, you are rising to a greater level and the glory of the Lord shall be seen upon you. Welcome indeed to your new season.

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me not to be discouraged by any negative experience I may have had in the past months. I know indeed you are working out all things together for my good, and now is my new season to see beauty for ashes in Jesus Name. ..

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

Jeremiah 29:13-14 ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations,..’

DAILY READING •   Galatians 2; Jeremiah 49-50; Psalm 143

The 19th century was a period of great change and rapid industrialization in America. However what really made the huge positive difference in the Nation was the discovery of oil. In 1901, oil was discovered in Texas and this provided a new source of fuel and drove huge growth in the American economy.  Within a year, more than 1,500 oil companies had been chartered.

The discovery of oil had a great transformative effect on the state of Texas. Over the next forty years Texas became the center of oil exploration and production and was elevated to global importance, changing the economic, social, and political climate of the state. Before then, the state of Texas was predominantly rural with no large cities, but few decades after the discovery of oil, the state became heavily industrialized, the population exploded and before long Texas became one of the top states in America. The city of Houston was among the greatest beneficiaries of the boom, and the Houston area became home to the largest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants in the world. The city grew from a small commercial center in 1900, to one of the largest cities in the United States. Indeed the discovery oil made a huge difference in the state of Texas. And this is similar to what happens in any region of the world where oil is discovered. Oil is a highly sought after commodity  and anywhere it is found, drastic changes and sudden economic boom often soon follow.

In the same way, the discovery of the oil of the Spirit or the Anointing also brings sudden positive changes into a man’s life. The Anointing is a mystery and a rare commodity on earth, but for anyone who pays the required price to find it, it makes a world of difference in their lives. In Acts chapter 2, when the Anointing came upon the apostles, their lives became suddenly revolutionized.

The Anointing is the power of the Holy Spirit, as can be seen in 1 Samuel 16:13. When David was anointed with oil, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward. And this Anointing upon David was what caused him to do exploits and to stand out in his generation.

Today, as believers, the Anointing is what will distinguish us and announce us to our world. It is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us, producing extraordinary signs, wonders and mighty miracles. However to acquire the Anointing there is a price we must pay.

Anyone who will carry the oil of the Anointing must be willing to dig deep into the Spirit. The oil is not found on the surface, it is in the deep. When oil companies dig for oil, they go thousands of feet below the surface. Likewise, spiritually, we must be willing to dig deep into the Word, prayer, fasting and intimacy with the Spirit to find the oil that we need.

Our lives need the unction of the Spirit to function, just like an engine needs oil to run smoothly. Therefore if you find yourself feeling spiritually dry or things seem not to be working, it is because this oil is lacking. The Anointing is what breaks every yoke and destroys every stagnancy. It is what causes our lives to bloom, bringing rapid progress and sudden positive changes.  The Anointing will cause the glory of the Lord to arise upon us and draw kings to the brightness of our rising. Moreover, it will drive away evil beasts from our habitations and surround us with inexplicable favour. Indeed the Anointing is what enables us to live in victory, supernatural faith and power.

Today, having come to the end of this month, we truly need fresh fire and Anointing  in order to finish well and strong through the rest of the year. And seeking God with all our heart, is what will bring His Presence that will make the difference for us.

In Jeremiah 29:13-14, God says ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity’.

Let us therefore make the decision to pay the required price to dig deep spiritually and seek God like never before. And surely when we find Him there shall be a reward and our expectations shall not be cut short.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to pay the required price to carry the oil of Your Spirit upon my life. Truly by Your Anointing every yoke in my life is broken today and I shall soon begin to see miraculous positive changes in Jesus Name

Quote

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

Psalm 71:7-8 ‘7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.’

DAILY READING –•            Galatians 1; Jeremiah 47-48; Psalm 142

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Tony Stevens holds the record for surviving more bombs than any other soldier in Iraq. He survived 11 roadside bombs during his tour of duty in Iraq. The first time he encountered a bomb, was when a car packed with 155 mm shells exploded next to his vehicle, just as a device containing five more shells detonated beneath it. He came out without being wounded. This was followed by ten more bombing incidents during the period of his deployment in Iraq. Miraculously he survival them all without any injury.

Roadside bombs contribute to an injury rate of one-in-five Marines during their 6-month-old deployment in Iraq. The bombs also kill U.S.-allied Iraqi police and Iraqi National Guardsmen patrolling in unarmored pickups and cars. Tony Stevens amazing rate of survival has therefore made him to become an icon and the awe of his fellow soldiers. However, Tony Steven’s secret of survival has been his faith in God. He believes God’s protection is always around him.  Besides the prayer he prays for himself, every day, a lot of families in his church also pray for him.

Tony Steven’s work as a marine corps serving in Iraq was quite a dangerous one. He served with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment that patrolled an area in Baghdad called “triangle of death”.  Yet he survived all the attacks he encountered and finally returned back home to America from his foreign mission, without any injury. That indeed is a miracle.

Psalm 71:7-8 says ‘I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.’

Weighing the probabilities, it is of course not normal, that a soldier would be involved 11 times in bomb blasts and not get wounded once. But that is what divine protection can do. This is similar to what happened to king David, despite all the battles he fought, he was never wounded. Indeed God is the one that covers our head in the day of battle.

In life, battles are real, but even more real is our victory. As believers we are called into warfare, but much more importantly we are also called into victories.

2 Corinthians 2:14 says God, always causes us to triumph in Christ.

Our victory is always guaranteed because God causes us to triumph. It doesn’t matter how great the odds may seem or how big the obstacles may look, we serve the God who is greater and mightier than them all.

Psalm 24:7-8 declares ‘The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.’

The Lord is indeed strong and mighty in battle. When He comes into the battle arena, every opposition bows. Though the enemies gather, they will always scatter, when God arises. Through faith in Him our protection is always guaranteed and we have the victory that overcomes the world.

However, it is through knowledge of God’s Word that we can appropriate and enforce our divine rights and privileges. Surely victory in battle belongs to those who know their God.

Daniel 11:32 says ‘But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.’

When we truly know the God we serve, our case will be different. Though a thousand fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, it will not come near us. No weapon formed against us shall ever prosper, because that is our heritage as the servants of the Lord.

Indeed seeking and serving God puts a seal of divine exemption upon our lives. God has not called the sons of Jacob to seek Him in vain. He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. Let us therefore endeavor to seek God and know Him more daily through His Word. Let us exalt His Word above our circumstances and continually praise Him for His faithfulness. Through our faith in God, we shall do exploits and live as a wonder to our world.

PRAYER: Father I thank You for enabling me to grow in faith through the study of Your Word. Thank You for placing  Your seal of divine exemption upon my life and causing me to be a wonder to my world in Jesus Name.

QUOTE :

Faith is more than just believing, it is acting upon The Word that you believe.

WORDBITE 222.

1 John 5:4 ‘For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.’

DAILY READING –  2 Peter 3; Jeremiah 45-46; Psalm 141

Seattle Slew was one of history’s greatest racehorses. However, when he was born, he was a diminutive colt no one expected much from and he looked nothing like a champion. Seattle Slew was not considered attractive rather he was so awkward that people said he looked more like a mule, than a racehorse.

However, as he began to mature, he developed a graceful front-running style with a great acceleration that led him to win many horseraces. He just kept raising the bar with every record he broke and would go on to become the most complete thoroughbred the industry has seen. Though he was bought for a bargain price of $17,500, he would end up earning more than $75 million for its owner. Today, he is considered one of the greatest racehorses of all times.

However, his winning streak was not a surprise because he came from a bloodline of champions. He was born by a winning racehorse named ‘My Charmer’,  who also descended  from champions. And so, though physically at first, Seattle Slew did not look like a winner, but because he came from a bloodline of champions, the winning nature in him eventually manifested.

It’s indeed a proven fact that the fastest race horses in the world, often come from generation of champions. Horse owners understand that winners don’t just randomly happen, it is in their DNA. This is why before buying a horse, they do a careful research to find out about the horse’s history and bloodline. And when a horse comes from a bloodline of winners, though it may initially appear weak, the owners are not bothered, because they are confident that inside of it is the DNA of a champion.

Revelation 12:11 says ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death’

Through the Blood of Jesus we are born overcomers. And though we may not sometimes look like it on the outside, what supersedes everything else is that on the inside, we have the DNA of a champion.

When we got born again we entered into a new bloodline. Through our new spiritual bloodline, we now carry the DNA of the Almighty God and the blood of Jesus who is the ultimate winner. Also through redemption, we became connected to the bloodline of the heroes of faith who overcame great challenges and were victorious in battles. Hebrews 11 gives a list of these heroes, who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.[Hebrews 11:33-38]

Coming from the bloodline of these heroes of faith indicate that there’s also victory, faith, power and dominion in us.  Because we come from an ancestry of overcomers, winning is in our blood. Therefore, we are expected to be more than conquerors, to be the head and never the tail, above only and never beneath. When we indeed know who we are, we’ll start thinking like winners, talking like winners and carry ourselves as winners.  Indeed through the Blood of Jesus, we have been connected to a royal bloodline of kings and priests. And being born of God, we are truly born to overcome.

1 John 5:4 says ‘For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.’

Today, it doesn’t matter what your present circumstances may look like, through faith there is no battle that is beyond you. If it was beyond you, God would not have allowed it to come your way. God knows your capacity as a winner. However, we need to continually feed on God’s Word so that the inherent winning nature within us can fully manifest. The more we feed on the Word, the more the nature of faith and victory within us will arise. You are not meant to be ever defeated in any battle, you have within you all it takes to constantly win. Feed the divine nature within you by feeding on God’s Word. Through the Word, we connect to the Blood of Jesus who is the ultimate winner and because the greater One lives in us, we are bound to always overcome.

PRAYER: Father I thank You that I have within me the Blood of Jesus who is the ultimate champion. Indeed through the blood of Jesus, I have victory, dominion and power and I am more than a conqueror over every challenge 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

Luke 8:48 ‘And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace’

DAILY READING; 2 Peter 2; Jeremiah 43-44; Psalm 140

In 1990, Pastor Duane Miller was serving as the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, when he contracted a flu virus that penetrated the mylan sheath of his vocal chords and damaged the nerve tissue beyond repair.

He sought out the best medical care in hope of healing. And in the following months, he was seen by over 63 specialists and their teams, totaling about 200 doctors. Yet despite all the diagnosis and treatment, there was no solution.

Given his inability to speak clearly, he had to resign from his post as the senior pastor. But though it looked like his preaching career was over, God was not yet done with him. Soon after, Pastor Miller and his wife moved to Houston where they began attending Houston’s First Baptist Church. One year later he was asked by the Church leaders to teach an adult Sunday school class. Though it looked like he would make a fool of himself, because of his inability to speak coherently, yet he decided to step out in faith.

That Sunday morning, as he stood to teach the class of over 150 people, he experienced intense feelings of conflict and doubt. But as went ahead to speak, talking about the healings of Jesus, suddenly he felt the pressure that had been in his throat for three years suddenly disappear. It was as if a hand that had been choking him was suddenly lifted.  Amazingly he found himself speaking very coherently.

When he visited his doctors afterwards, they confirmed that his voice had indeed been totally restored. The doctors even said they couldn’t find any evidence that he ever had a voice problem. Pastor Miller has written a book, detailing his amazing story of supernatural healing and he continues to reach millions of people through his online ministry page aptly titled ‘Nuvoice’.

Luke 8:48 says ‘And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace’

The truth is that, it is never over, until God says so. No matter what any medical report or financial situation may look like, Jehovah alone always has the final say.  Even when the experts give up, Jehovah never gives up.

In Luke 8, the doctors gave up on the case of the woman with the issue of blood. She had spent all her money on doctors and yet she was not cured, but when she came to Jesus, her closed case was reopened and she immediately got her miracle. Her faith triggered the flow of virtue that ended her shame and reproach.

Indeed when we exercise faith, power is released for our healing and deliverance. The truth is that there is no impossible case with God. This is why we must never give up, no matter how long our miracle seems to linger.

Everyone, even the most gifted and strongest of men, face challenges. However, no matter how tough the situation, we must always remember that we have God on our side. Whatever may be your situation, Jesus, who remains the same yesterday, today and forever, is always available to address that matter and give you an instant miracle. He is the greatest physician and He has a cure-all medication called the balm of Gilead. All medical conditions are curable by this balm. Everything that needs healing in our lives, including even our finances can be cured by this balm. But just like that woman with the issue of blood, we need to come to Jesus in His Word, and touch Him to draw the healing virtue that we need.

The Word of God is the real influencer and game changer in a man’s life. Focus on God’s Word is what brings divine healing, health, prosperity, favor and many other blessings into our lives.  From the living Word of God we draw the living force of faith that gives us the miracles we need.

Through faith, you can overcome every obstacle, you can climb over every mountain, and you can get out of every valley. Always remember, God is watching over you to fulfill His Word.  And through the exercise of faith, you can overcome the world and all of its challenges.  Indeed through Christ, you can do all things.

PRAYER Lord I thank You because You are able to handle whatever comes my way today. Please grant me fresh appetite for Your Word so that I can draw the faith and strength I need to always overcome every challenge that comes my way in Jesus Name.

QUOTE :

You will never need more than God to experience the impossible in life. WORDBITE 222.

John 8:32 ‘And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’

DAILY READING- 2 Peter 1; Jeremiah 41-42; Psalm 139

Nat Turner was a black American slave, who led the only effective, slave rebellion in U.S. history. in August 1831. It all began when he taught himself to read the Bible. From the things he read, he experienced a revolution that made him desire to break free.

After Nat Turner’s slave uprising was put down, a law was passed in many of the American states making it illegal for slaves to read or write. Part of the saying at this time was ‘If you would keep a people enslaved refuse to teach them to read.”

Slaves caught reading or writing were severely punished, together with their teachers. However despite these laws, some black slaves still secretly learned to read and write. Often, the first books many of these slaves learned to read was the Bible. And Bible stories, such as the Book of Exodus with its powerful message of Israel’s freedom from Pharaoh gave them the hope that one day, they too could be free. Through the Bible they not only found literacy, they also found faith in Christ that gave them unusual confidence to strive for freedom. This was what led some of the historically famous slaves, such as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, to accomplish amazing exploits.

Eventually on September 22, 1862, their dream of freedom came true when the Emancipation Proclamation, was issued by President Abraham Lincoln freeing black American slaves. After they became free, faith in God continued to be a unifying force in the black community as Churches served as educational institutions and support system that helped the black people to thrive and progress.

John 8:32 says ‘And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’

Just as these black slaves caught the picture from the Scriptures, that led to their freedom, likewise as believers, when we look into the perfect law of liberty, which is God’s Word, we will find liberty from every bondage.

The Bible is not a book of letters but the book of life. Everything that has to do with our life and destiny can be found in the Bible. Indeed no matter the situation, there is always a solution in God’s Word.

Faith which comes from God’s Word, is the master key to all possibilities. In Mark 9:23 Jesus tells us that all things are possible to those that believe. Through faith, you can break free from every bondage in any area of your life. There is no closed door or closed case against faith. Spiritual slavery and bondage exists only as a result of spiritual ignorance, but when you know the truth you shall be set free. The power in God’s Word is able to break down every prison door and deliver from every captivity.

Ecclesiastes 8:4: says “Where the word of a king is, there is power:’

The Power in the Word can give you freedom from sickness, evil addictions, poverty and every affliction. Understand therefore that whatever keeps you from God’s Word is only keeping you from your freedom. But when you meditate, until faith arises in your heart, you will find the key to every closed door.

Indeed there is power in knowledge and to be informed is to be transformed. Therefore today, let us begin to study the Word of God as a lifestyle and not just as a religious activity. And as we study we shall indeed know the truth that sets free.

PRAYER: Lord, I Thank You for the grace to study Your Word until faith arises in my heart. I thank You Lord, for deliverance from every bondage and for doing exceedingly, abundantly, above all I could ever ask or imagine in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE

Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will set you free.- – WORDBITE 222..

Isaiah 40:31 ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint’

DAILY READING – 1 Peter 5; Jeremiah 39-40; Psalm 138

If you ever go up to an altitude of 10,000 feet and find a bird flying at that height, then it must be an eagle. Eagles are the only birds who can get up to such great heights. They not only fly high, they are also able to swiftly land on the ground.

Eagles indeed have many amazing characteristics. Their eyes are specially designed for long distance focus and clarity. They can spot another eagle from 50 miles away. Even when flying, their eyes are always keen as they search for their prey. Eagles do not only have keen vision, they are highly observant and attentive. When an eagle sits above the tree or cliff of a mountain, its body is often still and the head tilted to the side, as it observes what is happening below, around and above it. Eagles are also fearless, when other birds fly away from the storm with fear, an eagle spreads its mighty wings and uses the current of the storm to soar to greater heights. The eagle takes advantage of the very storm that lesser birds fear.

An eagle displays remarkable hunting strategy, preying on animals much larger than itself, such as goats and antelopes, it often kills these larger preys by throwing them off the cliff face. The crushing strength of its talon provided by powerful leg muscles enables it to hunt effectively.

The Eagle’s amazing strength is attributed to its diet. Eagles do not just eat anything, they feed mostly on freshly killed meat. Also they feed very well. An eagle has such a voracious appetite that it can consume half a kilogram of fish in about four minutes.

Isaiah 40:31 says ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint’

Those that wait upon The Lord acquire strength that enables them to mount up with wings as eagles. Indeed for a man to rise high in life, he must have the strength to overcome the forces that resist upward movement.

Power is a necessity for any upward movement. This is why an air plane uses a greater amount of its fuel when it is taking off from the ground.

For us as believers, the power to rise high comes from our spiritual diet. Because eagles feed on fresh meat, they are strong and able to fly high. Also the lion, known as the strongest among beasts, gains its strength from feeding on fresh meat. In the same way, when we wait upon the Lord, and feed on His Word, we will receive the strength and faith to go far in life. The Word of God contains the complete diet for our spirit. When we feed on The Word, we will be strong and do exploits. Therefore to build spiritual muscles, we must be choosy over the things we feed our minds.

Eating dead things can impair the Eagle’s ability to fly high and so they avoid such. On the contrary, low flying birds like the vulture, feed on dead carcasses, and tend to overeat. Because of this, they are slow,, have their vision impaired and often become prey to their enemies.
Likewise, eating dead things can dull a man’s spiritual sensitivity. Feeding on sinful images and media, and keeping wrong companies, can weigh a man down, and keep him on the floor, unable to soar until inevitably he becomes an easy prey to the enemy. While sin is a sinker, righteousness exalts. We must therefore be vigilant over what goes into our minds. We are what we eat and we are what we think. Let us therefore decide today to always feed on the strong fresh meat of God’s Word, so that we can be strengthened to mount up to the great heights of glory God has ordained for us this year.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to feed constantly on Your Word, so that my heart can be strengthened with faith and power to do exploits. By Your grace I shall continue to rise higher to my glorious destiny in Jesus Name

QUOTE

Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will set you free.- – WORDBITE 222..

Psalms 11:3 ‘If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

DAILY READING; 1 Peter 4; Jeremiah 37-38; Psalm 137

According to a report in the New York Times, one of the survivors of the Great Japanese earthquake of January 17, 1995, was Mr. Yasuhisa Itakura.  He was working all night in his office at a big construction company in Kobe, when the earthquake started at 5:46 a.m.  However, though his office swayed, there was no damage at all, the books stayed on their shelves and nothing fell off his desk. The minimal disturbance made him to think what had taken place was a minor earthquake. However, he was shocked to eventually emerge from his office and realize that the city had been hit by a catastrophic earthquake, which killed more than 6,000 people and injured 26, 000.

What had had cushioned Mr. Itakura from the violence of the earthquake was the fact that his three-story office building was sitting on a foundation fitted with shock-absorbing devices that greatly prevented collapse.

After the 1995 Kobe earthquake, Japan began to massively use this  technique in most of its constructions. The nation’s advanced structural engineering, ensured deep foundations and massive shock absorbers which would prevent energy produced by an earthquake from tearing skyscrapers apart. The result of this was that when Japan was again hit by a devastating earthquake in March 2011, the damage was far less.

Today, Japan is the best-prepared country in the world for the twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami. The country has spent billions of dollars in developing the most advanced technology against earthquakes and tsunamis. This has resulted in Japanese buildings that tend to be much stiffer and stouter than similar structures in other earthquake-prone areas in the world. Chile, China, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Turkey and other countries vulnerable to earthquakes  are also adopting the same technology to safeguard their buildings.

Likewise, spiritually, as long as you have a good foundation, you can survive whatever comes to shake you. No matter the fierceness of any storm, with a strong foundation of faith, you will stand and not fall.

In Matthew 7:24-25 Jesus says, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock”

Basing our lives on the foundation of hearing and obeying God’s Word, will cause us to be truly unshakable. The depth of your foundation in the Word of God will ensure you are not torn apart no matter what comes your way. The stream, rain, wind, in the parable of Jesus represents the storms of life. These troubles and challenges can sometimes strike unexpectedly.  At such times, a man will stand or fall based on the strength of his faith, which is a function of his depth in God’s Word.

This is why we must take time to deliberately build up our faith through quality time spent in fellowship with God through His Word, prayers, and worship.

The truth is that  you are either going to pay the price to build a strong spiritual foundation or you pay the price of crumbling in the face of the storm.  People who don’t have time for God, eventually end up having time for troubles. We shouldn’t be so busy pursuing the things of this world, at the risk of losing our spiritual battles. We shouldn’t be running after high ambitions, while our  spiritual foundation remains shallow. No matter, how high a man rises in life, he can easily fall, if there is no spiritual strength built from the Word of God to resist the attacks of the enemy.

Psalms 11:3 says  ‘And if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

One financial misfortune, sickness, accident or calamity is enough to wipe out everything a man has spent his entire lifetime laboring to build. This is why Jesus asked ‘what does it profit a man to gain the world and yet lose his own soul?’

For a man to survive those evil attacks that sometimes strike like an earthquake, it takes a solid spiritual foundation.  Our spiritual depths is what will sustain the heights we attain in life. Do not wait for a storm to strike before you seriously begin to seek God. If we accept the spiritual responsibility of daily building up our faith through spending time in God’s Word, we will live ever ready, and remain unshakable and indefatigable, even in sudden challenges. Indeed when our lives are built on the solid rock of God’s Word, no matter how hard the winds blow or the storm rages, we will always stand and never fall.

PRAYER; Lord  Please help me to build up my faith through spending quality time in Your Word. With a strong foundation of Your Word, I know that I will always remain unshakeable no matter what comes my way in Jesus Name. .  .

QUOTE

When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. WORDBITE 222.

Hebrews 11;1-3 ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.’

DAILY READING; 1 Peter 3; Jeremiah 35-36; Psalm 136

Jackie Pullinger  was a graduate from the Royal College of Music in London. At 20 years of age, she began to sense a deep calling to be a missionary. She wrote to various missionary organizations but was unable to get a positive response. Feeling God was calling her to evangelize in Hong Kong, she obeyed and stepped out by faith. Without support from any missionary organization, she boarded a ship with nothing but a £10 note and arrived in Hong Kong in 1966.

Inside Hong Kong was the infamous Walled City where strangers were not welcome. This place was not policed and was one of the world’s largest opium producing centers, run by Chinese criminal Triad gangs. It was a haven of crime and sin, where prostitution, pornography, and drug addiction flourished.

However, it was in this place of darkness that Jackie Pullinger felt led to begin her ministry. Despite the danger, Jackie began to reach out to the gang members and leaders, telling them that Jesus could give them a purpose and reason for living without having to use drugs.

As she got to work, loving the unlovable, God showed up with His power and the people began to accept Christ. Brutal neighborhoods were converted, and heroin junkies found new power that freed them from the bondage of drug addiction. Thousands discovered new life in Christ, until eventually in the mid-1990s, the infamous Walled City ceased to exist, as it was demolished and replaced with a park.

Today, Jackie Pullinger’s work continues among Hong Kong’s poorest through the organisation she founded, St Stephen’s Society. From Hong Kong to the Philippines, Thailand, and beyond, her ministry continues to positively  affect many lives. Jackie Pullinger’s amazing story is contained in her classic autobiography ‘Chasing the ragon’.

It is truly amazing to see the great things God accomplished through the life of a young girl, who decided to step out in faith and obedience to God’s will.

Hebrews 11;1-2 says ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.’

We have to understand that the journey of destiny is a walk of faith. To arrive at our destination, we must step out boldly, trusting God with our whole heart and not leaning on our understanding.

God has a route overview of our lives and even before we were formed in the womb, He already knows our paths. But then, though God knows our destination, He doesn’t give us all the details at once. This is why faith becomes necessary, requiring us to be totally dependent on God. The journey of destiny is not only about arriving at a destination, but about getting to know God and obeying His voice. Through the guidance of His Word and His Spirit, God leads us step by step on the path He has planned for us.

Psalm 119:105  says ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’

A lamp gives you just enough light to see in front of you. At night your car head lamps only show you about a hundred feet of the road ahead. Not seeing the rest of the road, does not mean you stop your journey, but rather as you continue to go, inch by inch you finally arrive at your destination.

Faith is active partnership with God in order to arrive at the destination He has ordained for us. When we boldly step out by faith into the unknown, and do what God is asking us to do, God will show up with His power and we will see miracles, signs and wonders.

Faith always leaves us with a responsibility, because faith without works is dead. To see God’s promises fulfilled, we must learn to put God’s word to work, by obeying His guidance.

So today, though you may not have the full details of the plan God has in front of you, decide to step out boldly in faith and obey what has already been revealed to you.  Decide to continually seek God’s will through His Word and fervent prayers. You must also keep expressing praise and appreciation to God, because life is a privilege, not a right.

And as we sincerely keep seeking God, walking in faith and obedience, it is only a matter of time before we arrive at that glorious destiny  He has packaged for us.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for Your Presence that constantly surrounds me as I travel on the journey of destiny.  As I walk in faith, I thank You for fully manifesting Your Word and Your promises in every area of my life 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

Matthew 5:16 ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’

DAILY READING; 1 Peter 2; Jeremiah 33-34; Psalm 135

Lee Strobel held his position as an award-winning legal editor at The Chicago Tribune for 14 years. He was well respected in his field and had no need for organized religion. Logic ruled his every decision and he lived his life based solely on proven facts. By the late ’70s he had become an atheist who readily denied the existence of God.

However, things took a sudden twist when his wife converted to Christianity. When his wife first began attending church and talking about Jesus, Lee decided his marriage was going to be over. However, soon he began seeing positive changes in his wife’s character and values. He noted and observed a marked difference in the way she treated people and cared for others.

He then decided to put his professional investigative skills to work to research the life of Christ. From his investigation, based on scientific evidence, he became convinced that there’s indeed a Creator of the universe. And based on historical data, he became confident in Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. He was convinced perhaps more than anything else, through the practical evidence he saw in the transformation of his wife. And so in 1981, Strobel surrendered his life to Christ. Ever since he has written award winning books in defense of Christianity, including the bestseller ‘the case for Christ’, which has been turned into a drama film.

Matthew 5:16 says ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’

The real power to be a witness is in the evidence people see in our lives. We are the Gospel in motion. Every minute, every second, our life is a preaching a sermon. And what people hear and see from our actions, helps them draw a conclusion. Indeed our actions speak louder than our words and our life is our message to the world.

In the world today, the gross darkness is increasing as truth is no more absolute and there are now many shades of grey. Perversions such as; same sex marriage, bestiality, homosexuality etc, are fast becoming the norm. However, because light shines brightest in dark places, the negative state of the world is only an opportunity for our lights to shine brighter. This is when the light of Christ is needed the most. Therefore instead of complaining about the things that are wrong, let us shine Christ’s light the more.

In Genesis 1:3, God commanded light to shine when He saw the deplorable state of the earth. And today, as believers we have a responsibility to let God’s light shine as an answer to the darkness.

Isaiah 60;3 says that the Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

The light shining through us is what will attract men to God. This is why we must keep our fire burning and blazing hot. Psalm 104:4 says God makes His messengers winds, and His ministers a flaming fire. And in this end-time we are to be the light of the world and a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. God will bring people across our paths that need our light and Heaven will be counting on us to make the difference. It has been said that people may never remember what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel. This is why we need to let men feel the warmth and love of God shining through us, drawing them to Christ.

However, to be able to shine effectively we must first carry light within us. You can’t give what you don’t have. And it is the entrance of God’s Word that gives light. The more we fill our hearts with God’s Word, and maintain a fervent prayer life, the more His glory will manifest through us.

Just as when Moses came down from the place of fellowship with God, his face began to shine, as we spend time in God’s Presence, His Glory will rub off on us. And this manifestation of glory is what will attract men to the Gospel. As men see us live a life of faith and power, resulting in miracles, signs and wonders, surely they will be attracted to the God we serve.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to represent You well on earth by being a positive influence in the world around me. May my light so shine before men that they may see my good works and continually glorify You in Jesus Name.

Quote

It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. WORDBITE 222.

– WORDBITE 222.