HORM Devotional

1 Timothy 6:12 ‘Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.’

DAILY READING ; • 2 Thessalonians 3; Isaiah 29-30; Psalm 119:1-32

In 2010 many international news outlets celebrated the bravery of a British soldier, Acting Sergeant Dipprasad Pun, who single-handedly defeated 30 Taliban soldiers.

On the night of 17th September 2010, Sergeant Dipprasad Pun was keeping guard on the roof of the checkpoint at their military unit’s compound in Afghanistan. He was alone because the rest of his platoon had gone out on a patrol for a coming parliamentary elections in Afghanistan. When Pun heard some clinking noise, he at first thought it was a cow, but it turned out to be Taliban soldiers who were trying to plant a bomb at the gate of their military unit’s compound. The attackers came at the complex from all sides with rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47s.

As they shot at him, Pun fought back, firing from his machine gun. Though grossly outnumbered, being on the roof gave him an advantage as he fought fiercely. Pun fought until he had exhausted the ammunition of his machine gun. He tossed 17 grenades on the attackers. He also detonated a landmine on the enemy. When he was out of grenades, he started shooting from his service rifle SA80. At all times, the Talibani militants who were about 50 ft from him, kept shooting, yet Pun was able to overcome them all. By the time he was finally out of ammunition, all the terrorists had been gunned down except for one remaining Taliban soldier, who tried to climb up the roof where Pun was. With no ammunition left, Pun threw the metal tripod of his machine gun at that last man, causing the attacker to instantly fall off the roof. It took less than an hour for Pun to defeat them all. In all, he fired 400 machine gun rounds, 180 SA80 rounds, threw 17 grenades, and threw one claymore mine. Pun’s astounding display of bravery perhaps was not so surprising, considering that he was trained as a Gurlack warrior. Gurlack warriors are special soldiers from Nepal who are considered one of the fiercest militaries in the world and are employed to fight in the British army. Pun’s valor was later rewarded in a ceremony at the Buckingham palace by the Queen. He was awarded a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, the second highest British military decoration awarded for bravery.

This Gurlack warrior was able to overcome, because he made good use of his weapons. Likewise to be victorious in our battles, we must know how to wield the weapon of our faith.

2 Corinthians 10:4 ‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

As believers, God has given us superior and mighty weapons with which to overcome in every battle. And the superior weapon that will constantly guarantee us victory is the weapon of faith.

In Ephesians 6, we find that faith is a principal aspect of the whole armour of God. Ephesians 6:16 tells us ‘Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked…’

Indeed faith has the capability to immobilize every dart and arrow of the wicked. This is why it is the victory that overcomes the world.

The truth is that a fight of faith awaits every believer who will enter into the fullness of God’s destiny. Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. (I Timothy 6:12). To lay hold on our glorious destiny, we must indeed be prepared to fight the good fight of faith.

Matthew 11:12 says that the kingdom of God suffers violence and it is only the violent that takes it by force . And that force is the force of faith. The weapon of faith is indeed crucial to our victory.

In the world we live in today, we can’t afford to go about without being spiritually armed. Neither do we wait for battle to arrive before we begin to prepare. We must daily build up our faith, so as to be ready to confront and conquer whatever comes our way. There is a serious spiritual warfare going on and we can’t ignore that fact and hide our heads in the sand. And these battles have no timetable, they can come suddenly. This is why we must live ready, and constantly armed with the faith to overcome. Let us therefore daily build up our stronghold of faith through diligent study of God’s Word. Through the entrance of God’s Word we will indeed see that we are more than conquerors and bound to be victorious in every battle of life.

PRAYER: Father please open my eyes to behold the wonders that are stored up in in Your Word. Please grant me the grace to always dig deep into Your Word so as to access the faith that will enable me to be a constant winner in Jesus’ Name.

Quote :

The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained a victorious end for you. WORDBITE 222.

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

DAILY READING; • 2 Thessalonians 2; Isaiah 27-28; Psalm 118

Watchman Nee was a famous Chinese Christian leader who worked in China during the 20th century. In his book ‘Sit, Walk, Stand’, Watchman Nee tells the story of God’s amazing miracle during their preaching mission to an island off the South China coast. He had gone on the mission with six Christian brothers, including a zealous sixteen-year-old new convert named Brother Wu.

While on the island, their preaching seemed fruitless and Nee soon discovered it was because of the Island people’s dedication to an idol they called ‘Ta-wang.’ The people were convinced of this idol’s power because on the day of his festival each year, the weather was always near perfect.

One day, when 16 year old brother Wu went out alone to preach, he boldly declared to a group of people that on the day of the next festival for Ta-wang, the rain would fall.

The crowd was outraged at his statement, however they promised, that if indeed it rained on that date, then they would stop worshipping ‘Ta-wang’ and begin to worship the God of the Christians. When Watchman Nee heard about this confrontation, he realized they had to engage their faith in God for victory. And so he called everyone in their group to prayer.

Finally the morning of the festival came. At first there was not a cloud in the sky, but then suddenly heavy rain began to fall. Worshipers of Ta-wang carried it outdoors for the festival’s parade, hoping this would stop the rain. But the rain only increased and after only a short distance, the carriers of the idol stumbled and fell, dropping the idol and fracturing its jaw and left arm.

However, the village elders made excuses saying, what happened was because a wrong date had been chosen and so they gave a new date for the festival and parade. Again Watchman Nee and his group went into prayers. And again on the new date, although the weather seemed fine at first, suddenly there was torrential rain and floods as before.

At this point the villagers believed indeed that the God of the Christians was more powerful than Ta-wang. As a result of this, many of the people stopped their idol worship and became converted to Christianity.

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

Indeed through faith in God we will always overcome the world. As believers, we are bound to face battles, however we are not permitted to be defeated, because God has guaranteed us constant victory through Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14 says ‘Now thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ.

To triumph always means we are challenged always. The Christian life is indeed a life of constant warfare. However in all these things we are more than conquerors. And the victory with which we constantly overcome is our faith. .

When you are born of God you are born to overcome. You cannot be defeated as long as your faith is in place. It doesn’t matter how difficult any situation, you have all it takes to be a winner. The greater One lives in you. Even when it seems you are facing goliath, always remember that the battle is not yours, the battle belongs to the God in you. And He has guaranteed you constant victory through faith.

However, our victory in the world will be determined by our labor in the Word. Faith is putting God’s Word to work, not waiting for God to Work. Therefore to engage the force of triumphant faith, we must commit to diligent study of God’s Word. Indeed the more studious we are, the more glorious our destiny.

In this new month, it is our season to see the glory of the Lord like never before. July is the seventh month and seven is the number of perfection. Therefore in this month God shall be perfecting all that concerns us. It doesn’t matter where you may have been defeated before, in this new season God is set to give you new victories and new territories.

Today is also the beginning of the last half of the year. And better is the end of a matter that the beginning thereof. Indeed in this new month the Blood of Jesus will be speaking better things for us. It is our season to see great and mighty things. It’s our new day and season to triumph. God has put a new song of victory in our mouth. And as we continue to praise Him in this season, we shall keep moving from victory to even greater victory.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for bringing me into this new season of victory. Thank You Lord, for causing me to triumph always in every battle through the power that is in the Blood of Jesus, Indeed in all things I am more than a conqueror in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

God’s Word is God’s prescription, for every area of your life! Let God’s Word fix that situation in your life today! WORDBITE 222

Isaiah 25:4 ‘For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall’

DAILY READING; • 2 Thessalonians 1; Isaiah 25-26; Psalm 117

Mike Couillard, is a Colonel in the United States Air Force, who served in Turkey, as the operations chief for the Office of Defense Cooperation.

On January 15, 1995, Mike took his 10 year old son, on a skiing trip along with some people from the American Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. However as father and son went up the slopes to a mountain summit, a blinding blizzard hit, and the pair lost their way.

As they strayed deeper into the frozen forest, with no food or source of light, their survival looked very unlikely. For the first few days, Mike applied his knowledge from his Air Force survival training to keep them alive. However, after one week of no food, warmth or proper shelter and having come to the end of his knowledge on how to survive, Mike cried out to God for help.

Though, the News of the missing American Air force officer and his son dominated the Headlines in Turkey, all search and rescue efforts failed to yield results. And after missing for eight days in the cold forest, they were given up for death, and a “service of hope” was held in their honor.

However, though on the very edge of death, Mike continued to pray to God and hoped against hope. Then at the last minute, a miracle happened. Some Turkish lumberjacks who by God’s providence, had come to that remote forest to gather wood, found Mike. Recognizing him from the news reports, they immediately rescued Mike and his son and brought them to safety. Mike’s story is captured in his book, ‘miracle on the mountains.’

Isaiah 25:4 says ‘For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall’

For many people this year, it indeed feels as if they have been hit by a blizzard. The magnitude and speed of collapse in global activity, has left many lost and looking for a way out. In just a few months, the world has experienced dramatic and unprecedented changes that has left many people now struggling for survival.

However, as believers, looking back sincerely at these past few months, we can see that God has indeed been faithful. Despite our coming close to the edge of the precipice sometimes, God has always showed up for our rescue. In our finances, in our health, in our families, in our careers and businesses, God has remained our ever present help in time of need.

Truly, if the Lord had not been on our side, there is no telling where we would be by now. Despite the global shaking, God has kept us. We have not survived because of our expertise or knowledge of survival, neither have we thrived because of our strength or smartness. We have survived so far and will continue to survive because of God’s love wrapped around us.

Indeed God has been our refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones was as a storm against the wall (Isaiah 25:4)

When we have been weak, He has been strong for us. And even in the times when strength seemed to fail us, He has been our rock. The eternal God has been our resting place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. In every tight situation, He has always been our way of escape.

Therefore on this last day of the month, let us lift up our voice and bless the Lord because of His many mercies. Let us bless Him for giving us peace and rest, even in the midst of the global storm.

And as we praise Him for bringing us through the first half of this interesting year, surely He will do even greater things for us in the remaining half of the year.

PRAYER: Lord, I am truly grateful for Your grace and mercy that has seen me through the first half of this year. I know indeed that with You on my side, I shall yet see even greater and more glorious things in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

You are too loaded on the inside, to ever consider failing in life. WORDBITE 222

Proverbs 10:22  ‘The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it’

DAILY READING –  1 Thessalonians 5; Isaiah 23-24; Psalm 116

A report from Fox News on 24th July 2019, stated that the wealthiest billionaire in Singapore, Philip Chee Tat Ng, said that he valued his relationship with Jesus Christ more than anything else in the world.

This was interesting news to many people, considering that Philip is Singapore’s largest private landlord and property developer, and estimated by Forbes magazine to be worth $12.1 billion. Yet despite all his wealth, Philip said he had no peace or rest, until he found Christ.

Though he had attended a Christian school, taken up a course in theology while in King’s College London and even married a wife who is a Christian, still Philip had no real understanding of what a relationship with God was like. That was until he was invited to a Christian event in year 2000 by the wife of his good friend. She had wanted her husband to get to know Jesus Christ and realized that the only way to get her husband to sit down at the Christian event was to get his buddy, Philip to come along too.

During the program a facilitator had said something that struck a chord with Philip. Suddenly he began to see things in a new light, realizing that his life was vain and empty without Christ. And from that moment he took the decision to become a Christian and since that day, he has faithfully been serving God.

He said recently in a video posted on Instagram “I treasure my faith more than anything , so I just wish for everyone to have that peace and joy. It sure beats a lot of money and material things that you may have.”

In the world today, people are made to believe that having enough money will give them rest and fulfillment in life. But that is just not true. True rest only comes when we place our lives entirely in the hands of Jesus Christ in faith. Then and only then will we have complete rest.

No matter the volume of wealth a man gathers and how influential he becomes, if Jesus is not at the center of it all, it would all be vanity and chasing after the wind. Trying to achieve success outside of God only ends up making people’s lives chaotic. Juggling careers, relationships, financial demands and a host of other issues eventually results in stress and loss of peace. For many of these people, life becomes a constant rat race with no finish line in sight.

God indeed wants us to succeed in life, but He wants us to do so through His grace and not through our strength. We open ourselves up to all kinds of stress when we try to make our own way through life, independent of God.

Psalms 127:2  says “It  is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep”.

God created us to operate out of rest, not out of stress. It is His blessings that make rich and adds no sorrow to it. We enjoy His blessings, His unmerited favor, rest and peace of mind when we rely on His grace. And grace is rooted in the finished works of Jesus, who has made available to us everything we’ll ever need.

We have to understand that God has already finished all the work before the foundation of the world. He has outlined every detail of our lives and all we are meant to achieve on earth. Therefore we are not here to decide our destiny but rather we are here to discover it.

Let us therefore through prayer, supplication and thanksgiving, daily seek God’s face and His grace, to run life’s race. Let us seek to know His will for us and diligently follow it. And as we walk in His revealed plan for us, we will enter into our rest.  And when we rest, then we will see God’s best.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank and appreciate You for Your good plans for my life. Thank You for Your grace that is at work in my life and I know indeed that my story this year shall only be from glory to glory in Jesus Name.

QUOTE;

The best is not behind you. Your best is yet in front of you, keep on moving! No need to ever move back!  Wordbite 222

Psalm 119:89 ‘For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven’.

DAILY READING –• 1 Thessalonians 4; Isaiah 20-22; Psalm 115

In 2013, Israeli archaeologists announced that they had found the remains of a palace believed to be the seat of power for the biblical King David. The discovery of this sprawling 3,000-year-old palace, supported the fact that a biblical kingdom, ruled by King David and later Solomon, had actually existed, according to the Hebrew Bible. The site is located in the central part of Israel in a region called the Shephalah.

The archaeologists who excavated the house, said that the date, design and size of the house indicates that a strong organized government had existed in Israel around 3,000 years ago. They strongly believed this government to be the United Monarchy of David and Solomon.

Though for many years scientists had argued that there was no proof that King David did exist outside of the Bible, today more and more evidence are emerging to prove them wrong. Earlier in 1993 archeologists had found another proof of King David’s existence, at an ancient mound called Tel Dan, in the north of Israel. There they found words carved into a chunk of basalt, which translated as “House of David” and “King of Israel”.

Scientists are often stunned after years of disbelieving the Bible, to eventually find evidence that supports what the Bible says. Indeed the integrity of God’s Word is unquestionable. Whatever God says, so it is forever.

God’s Word is infallible. His Word is true from the very beginning and will be true forever. Jesus said, “… Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” [Matthew 5:18.]

Psalms 119:89 declares; “For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in Heaven”

In the same way whatever God has said concerning you abides true. No matter how contrary things may sometimes look, if you will hold on to God’s Word, you will see it eventually manifest just as God has said.

Before the foundation of the world God has already settled everything that concerns you. You are not an emergency project, God planned your existence and mapped out your destiny ever before you arrived on the earth. He knows your end from the beginning and He has already settled your health, finances, marriage, education and every issue of your life. You only need to come to terms with the truth of His Word, through locating the promises that concerns you.

As far as your eyes can see is what will be given unto you. This is why we need to labor in the Word, to locate the great and precious promises God has given us. As long as you can find it in the scriptures, it is obtainable. Indeed what God’s mouth has promised, His hand is able to perform. And when you do your part by fulfilling His conditions outlined in the scriptures, then God will definitely do His part by manifesting the promises. He is not man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent. Has He said it? Then He will surely do it.

The integrity of God’s Word is truly unquestionable. Therefore learn to overlook any contrary and negative situations and continually focus on God’s promise. Keep believing, keep expecting and Keep confessing. And if you don’t grow weary in well doing, surely, in due season, the truth of God’s Word concerning you, will surely come into full manifestation in your life.

PRAYER: Lord, I know your Word is always true, please grant me the faith to access your promises so that my miracle can be made manifest in Jesus Name.

Quote

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

Matthew 6:19-21  ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:’ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’

DAILY READING – 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13; Isaiah 17-19; Psalm 114

The concept of the ‘afterlife’ was a part of Egypt’s long history. The afterlife was imagined as a paradise where one lived eternally, with all the good things of life of earth, the only difference being an absence of unpleasant or sorrowful things. And so in order to enjoy this paradise, Egyptian kings were buried with the items that would enrich their afterlife.

For instance, in 1922, when Archeologists  excavated the tomb of Egyptian King, Tutankhamun, who was buried in 1323 B.C, they found in the tomb more than 2,000 treasures, including a throne decorated with precious stones and silver, gold coffins, gold-plated chariots and alabaster vases. Researchers also found more than 200 pieces of jewelry, tucked into the king’s body wrappings during the excavations. All these items were meant to aid him in the afterlife.

Because of this belief in the afterlife, Pharaohs ordered builders to construct elaborate burial chambers stocked with food, furniture and favorite items, including pets for comfort and servants that will serve them. Treasures buried with the ancient Egyptian kings included valuables owned during their lifetime, and new items made to demonstrate their high social and political position to the people in the afterlife. But though these kings laid up treasures on earth to use in their afterlife, we now know that none of those treasures followed them there. Rather those treasures were laid up for moth and rust to corrupt and for thieves to steal.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21 ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’

The worldly treasures that people accumulate in this life can’t be taken with them after they leave the earth. All these things will fade away after men have passed through this mortal existence. The question however is; what will a man be left with when he has been stripped of these worldly treasures?

The Heavenly treasures we laid up while on earth are what has eternal value. This is why we must keep our focus on what really matters. While earthly treasures will someday fade away, eternal treasures abide forever.  Therefore rather than make earthly treasures a priority, we need to focus on laying up eternal treasures. And the most important eternal treasure we can lay up is our relationship with God.

We make  God our greatest treasure by making a definite choice to serve Him with our lives. In our daily lives we must always prioritize our relationship with God above all else.

In Revelation 3:14-22 the church in Laodicea, had worldly riches, but they lacked the true riches of an intimate relationship with God. And in Revelation 3:16, Jesus says ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth”

The truth is that with God, it will always be all or nothing. You are either going to be hot or cold. The Christian life often requires difficult choices, where we must chose the will of God over what is comfortable and easy. However, when we truly love God, then we must be willing to pay the price of putting Him first and following Him at all costs.

Christ proved that He treasured us by giving up His heavenly status and coming to the earth as a man to die on the cross for our sins. And today we must prove our love for Him by choosing Him above all else.

Those who truly treasure God are those who like Apostle Paul, count all things dung that they might gain Christ. When we decide to make God our priority, then we will be willing to pay the spiritual price of intimacy with Him. We will spend quality time in His Word, in prayers and in fellowship with the Spirit.

And when we truly make God our treasure, then He will in turn, give to us the treasure of living in victory on earth and reigning in eternity with Him in the afterlife of Heaven.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always make You my priority in life. No matter the situations I am faced with, may I daily choose never to compromise my faith. Thank You for granting me the grace to live a life that pleases You at all times, in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

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

Psalm 67:5-6 ‘Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us’

DAILY READING; • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16; Isaiah 14-16; Psalm 113

When Angie Rodgers was pregnant, doctors said her baby had serious issues in the womb and gave her the option of abortion. However, as a Christian, Angie never considered the option, choosing rather to put her faith in God. And no matter what the doctors said, she told them she was not aborting her baby.

Her daughter, Grace Anna was born with a rare form of dwarfism called Conradi Hunermann, which causes spinal deformities, scaling of the skin, cataracts and little to no hair. Grace Anna spent most of her first weeks hooked up to machines in the hospital. However, despite the baby’s medical condition, never once did Angie Rodgers regret her choice to allow Grace Anna to live.

Then when Grace Anna was about a year and half,  something amazing happened. Before she could even speak, she just started singing ‘Amazing Grace’ out of nowhere.  For Angie Rodgers, it was a big sign of God’s hand upon the child. And from that tender age onward, Grace has continued  singing praises to God.

In 2013, when she was only 3 years old, a video of her singing was posted on Youtube.  This video made her to become an instant social media sensation. And today, at 10 years of age, she continues to amaze people all over the world with her singing ability. Despite the many health issues she faced, Grace remains joyful and goes about constantly singing and professing her love for Jesus. She has appeared severally on Television programs and media publications.

Her mother, Angie Rodgers, finds it amazing that this baby, doctors suggested should die via abortion, is today bringing glory to God, across the globe. Angie Rodgers has written  a book about her story titled “Grace Anna Sings.”

Indeed when you are a child of God and walking in obedience to His Word, there can be no disappointments in your life. No matter the challenges you face, God will always cause it to work together for your good.

When you decide to honor God, despite how initially disappointing any situation, you can trust that He will turn it all around and cause it to end in praise.

Indeed God knows how to establish a change of story for those who trust in Him. According to Zechariah 9:12, God will give them double for their troubles.

The truth is that God never allows those that put their trust in Him to be ashamed. If you will focus on the promise and not on the problem, God will positively change your story in ways and means you could least have fathomed.

To many people globally, this year has indeed turned out quite contrary to expectations. However as believers, through praise God has given us the power to turn things around to our favor.

Psalm 67:5-6  says ‘Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us’

Indeed we can experience a total turnaround, and see ashes turned into beauty, by raising the volume of our praises to God. And as we remain Joyful and praiseful in this season, we shall be experiencing divine increase, supernatural harvest and sudden dramatic positive change of story in every area in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the grace to keep praising You in every situation. I know that indeed it is my season to see divine increase. Thank You Lord for causing me to experience a positive change of story in every area in Jesus Name.

Quote

Those who throw pity parties stay in the pit longer, but Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, …WORDBITE 222

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’

DAILY READING; 1 Thessalonians 1; Isaiah 11-13; Psalm 112

The Thirty Years’ War was a 17th-century religious war between the Protestants and the Catholics in central Europe. It remains one of the longest and most brutal wars in human history, with more than 8 million casualties resulting from military battles as well as from the famine and disease caused by the conflict. The war lasted from 1618 to 1648, However, out of this war came one of the most glorious hymns sung today, which was as a result of one Pastor’s decision to give God thanks in everything, even in the face of difficulties.

Martin Rinkart was the pastor in his native town of Eilenburg, when the war broke out. Their little town suffered severely in the war, with the influx of refugees bringing plagues that ravaged their town four times, killing many people.

Martin Rinkart was one of the only surviving pastors in the town and he sometimes had to conduct funerals for 50 persons in one day. The plague was followed by a famine that caused residents of their town to endure many horrors. Yet through it all, Rinkart stood by his flock, he was a faithful, caring pastor who attended to the needs of the sick and the hungry. Despite the desperate situation, Rinkart always looked to his Savior, thanking God for the blessings he still had.

And even in the midst of the hardship, he penned a hymn from his meditations on Ecclesiasticus 50:22, which says “Now bless ye the God of all, Who everywhere doeth great things, Who exalteth our days from the womb and dealeth with us according to His mercy.’

This hymn, titled “Now Thank We All Our God” became very popular and after the war, it was sung during national events. It etched Martin Rinkart’s name in history and today it remains the most widely sung hymn in Germany. It has also been translated to many languages and is sung around the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’

We all face difficult situations in life. No one on earth is exempt from trials. But despite the difficult times, we have to deliberately make gratitude our attitude. We have to make it a habit to thank God in all things. We have to learn to exalt God above our circumstances.

Regardless of your current situation, always keep your focus on God’s faithfulness. And as you keep blessing Him at all times, God will surely turn things around for your good and to His glory.

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

In other words your sufferings will not be in vain. It will culminate in greater Glory in the end. The difficulties you are passing through are only preparing you for something better.

This is why you must hold on to God’s Word, no matter how fierce any battle. We don’t thank God for trials, we thank Him in them. We should have the attitude that says, “No matter what’s happening, I’m going to choose to be grateful to God.’

The truth is that God is always faithful. If we look back at our lives, at past trials, we will see that despite all we passed through, God’s grace has always brought us through.

Do you remember those times when you thought you wouldn’t make it? Remember the times when money was low and it seemed there was no help in sight? Remember that medical report that looked like it was the end of you? Yet in the midst of those trials, God had showed up and delivered you.

Indeed despite all you have been through, look at what the Lord has done in your life! In spite of the obstacles and the opposition He has blessed and taken care of you.

And therefore no matter what you pass through today, the same God is available to again give you the victory. This is why we praise Him in all things. Because His grace and mercy never runs out, they are new every morning.

And as you give thanks in everything, you will see God’s hand move mightily on your behalf. He will turn your mourning into dancing and give you all round victory.

PRAYER: Father, today I choose to give You thanks in all things! And no matter how difficult things may sometimes seem, I thank You because I know You are at work in my life and Your Glory is being revealed through me 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

Revelation 12:11 ‘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..’

DAILY READING;  Revelation 21-22; Isaiah 9-10; Psalm 111

‘The witch that switched’ is a book written by Irene Park, who was a former high witch of Florida before she later converted and became a Christian.

This book, published in the early 1980’s, detailed Irene Park’s involvement with the occult. After living a wild life of drugs, prostitution and witchcraft, Irene came very close to death. However, as she lay on a hospital bed at Tampa General Hospital, weighing only 69 lbs and slowly slipping away, Jesus came to her and offered her a new life. Irene accepted Christ and her life was changed by the life transforming power of God’s love.

As a born again Christian, she would spend the rest of her life preaching the word of God and telling her story in the hope of saving others. In later years, Irene was ordained an evangelical minister and traveled across the United States and around the world, preaching in churches, schools, prisons, and even on the streets.

In one of her testimonies, she said that while she was a high witch in the state of Florida, part of her work was luring young boys and girls into occult activities. However, one remarkable thing she discovered was that, the children she could never reach were those whose parents protected them by praying over them in the name of Jesus, standing on the merits of Christ’s atoning blood. She found that those Children, covered by the Blood of Jesus, could not be touched or harmed by any of her evil manipulations.

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.’

Indeed the power in the Blood of Jesus is very real. While we may not see the Blood with our physical eyes, nevertheless, its effect and manifestations are real.

Jesus through His Blood has given us a strong spiritual defense against every weapon of the enemy.  The covering of the Blood places a ‘touch not’ seal upon every child of God

In a world where spiritual wickedness is on the increase, the divine covering of the Blood has today become a great necessity. A believer who is outside the cover of the Blood is like someone walking about spiritually naked. Such a person becomes open to any attack and vulnerable to any manipulation.

We are in spiritual warfare with no demilitarized zones. There are arrows flying by day and by night and just as no soldier can think of walking unclothed in a battlefield, we can’t afford to be without the covering of the Blood.

We must understand that Jesus died on the cross and shed His Blood to give us the strongest protection ever known to man. The Blood of Jesus makes us inaccessible to the hosts of wickedness.

Therefore let us take advantage of this spiritual defense by continually taking cover under Christ’s precious Blood. Let us plead the Blood daily over household and all that concerns us. And as we do, we will indeed be divinely shielded and made untouchable to every evil.

PRAYER:

Lord, I am grateful for the power that is available to me through  Your precious Blood.  Thank You Lord, that indeed by the Blood, my family and I, are truly defended and made untouchable to every evil in Jesus Name.

Quote

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

Philippians 3:13-14 ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’

DAILY READING –   Revelation 20; Isaiah 7-8; Psalm 110

Kurt Warner has one of the biggest ‘grass to grace stories’ in American sports history.

While in college, Warner was a talented football player and many people believed he would soon be playing in the big leagues. However, after his college graduation, while some of his college mates went on to play for big teams,  no scout or coach seemed to have noticed Warner. Things became so bad that he took up a $5.50 per hour job at a grocery store, packing grocery for people.

He worked night shifts, so that he could train and keep in shape during the day. And though things looked hopeless, yet, Kurt Warner who is a devoted born again Christian, never gave up on his faith and he kept believing God for a miracle.

Then in 1998 things began to turn around. Warner was signed on by the St. Louis Rams and his big opportunity came when he was asked to replace a player who had suffered a knee injury.

Warner’s great performance on the field enthralled and amazed many people. And by the next year, 1999, when Warner led the St. Louis Rams to win the Super Bowl, he was immediately catapulted to stardom.

And just five years after working a job of $5.50 per hour, he signed a contract for more than $46 million. His sudden rise to fame was such a surprise that Sports Illustrated magazine put him on their October 18, 1999 cover with the caption “Who IS this guy?”.

However, in the midst of this sudden fame, Warner always gave Jesus all credit for his success. He is famously known for countering a reporter right after the Super bowl win. The Reporter had asked Warner, “first things first–tell me about the final touchdown pass..”, But  Warner had responded, “Well, first things first, I’ve got to thank my Lord and Savior up above–thank You, Jesus!”

And in every media interview, Warner was always particularly vocal about his faith in God.

Warner would go on to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player [MVP] awards in 1999 and 2001, as well as the Super Bowl MVP award in 2000. He holds numerous records as one of the greatest playoff performers in National Football League[NFL] history.

God has great things in store for us, but we must be willing to press in to where they are.  In our quest, we must be willing to pay the price of persistence and resilience.

Though things may not happen when and how we expect them, we must continually trust God to do what He has said He will do in our lives.

We must pay the price of persistence, if we are to see the manifestation of God’s glory. Pressing forward may be hard, but that’s the path to follow if we are to reap the rewards God has promised us.

The truth is that many times, giants are the first sign that you are on the road to your Canaan. Therefore don’t be intimidated by the challenges that try to resist you, when you are walking on the path of destiny and following God’s will. Rather persist in prayer, be filled with the Word, and remain full of praise.

There is a labor that precedes entering into your rest. The children of Israel did not stroll into the promised land. They fought giants and resisted all the things that tried to stop their progress. But because they never gave up on their journey, they eventually entered into their prepared place of rest.

When you persist in well doing and refuse to be weary, surely in due season you will reap. In this season, we must be tenacious about following God’s will for our lives. In this end-time, our utmost focus should be on running the race that is set before us. There is no more time for frivolities, we must be diligent to follow God’s call upon our lives.

You may get knocked down, but you have to keep getting back up and going forward. Do not let disappointments or discouraging situations cause you to become grounded. Rather, trust God for the strength and the grace to keep mounting up with wings as eagles. .

And if you refuse to become weary and keep pressing forward, one day you will look back and see how each setback played into God’s master plan for your life. You will indeed see that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

PRAYER: Father  Please grant me the needed strength to keep pressing forward no matter how hard the journey may seem sometimes. Thank You Lord, for giving me the boldness and tenacity to run the race set before me 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