HORM Devotional

Psalm 125;1 ‘Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever’

DAILY READING • Revelation 19; Isaiah 5-6; Psalm 109:20-314

In 1735, a young Anglican minister, John Wesley, was invited to serve as a pastor to British colonists in Savannah, Georgia. When he boarded a ship in England to head to his new station, he also found that on the same ship were a group of German Moravian Christians, who were on their way to preach to American Indians.

However, as they sailed on the high sea, the weather became very stormy and their ship was caught in serious turbulence. The situation became so bad that Wesley feared for his life. However, while he was worried and afraid, he noticed that the group of German Moravian Christians were not afraid at all. In fact, throughout the storm, they sang praises to God.

Wesley found their calm in the midst of such a terrible storm quite amazing. And when the trip finally ended, he asked the Moravian leader about their serenity..

The Moravian responded with a question, asking Wesley if he had faith in Christ. Later when Wesley reflected on the man’s question, he realized that if indeed he truly had faith he would not have been afraid. And so this experience led Wesley to a period of soul searching that resulted in a fresh encounter with Christ. Through seeking God earnestly, his life was totally revolutionized and he emerged as a new and better preacher who made profound impact in Church history and founded the Methodist Church whose membership numbers in millions today.

Psalm 125;1 says ‘Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever’

Faith is unwavering confidence in God, that makes you immovable despite any negative circumstance. Such steadfast faith in God is what will keep you calm in the midst of any storm. When you have taken the time to build a strong anchor in God’s Word, you will not be moved or shaken by happenings around you.

Today, the world is full of troubling news and anxieties as fear seems to lurk at every corner. In the News there are often diverse tales of evil occurrence and in the society, the sense of insecurity runs high.

However, those that put their trust in God are like mount Zion which cannot be moved. No matter the stormy situation in the world, our strong confidence at all times is in our God, who is our constant shield and defense.

Unwavering confidence in God is what makes us victorious in any contest. What defeated Goliath was the confidence David had in God. It was this confidence that made David to run towards Goliath whom the whole army of Israel was running from. (1 Samuel 17:32-37)

The Bible said concerning Abraham: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (Romans 4:20-21).

Indeed when you truly trust God, your confidence in Him will be expressed through the praise coming from your mouth. Praise is giving verbal expression to your faith.

The Lord’s promise of protection is to those who maintain fellowship with Him, who dwell in His secret place and abide under His shadow.

In Psalm 61: 2-4 David says, ‘In the midst of this storm I will cry out to You, “when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings”

Indeed under the shadow of God’s wings we have a safe place, a refuge, a shelter. And thanksgiving and praise are covenant platforms through which we can access this hiding place in God. Let us therefore maintain a lifestyle of diligent study of the Word, prayer and praise. By so doing we will be continually preserved from every trouble and kept safe in every storm.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to build up strong faith and confidence in You through committing to a lifestyle of diligent study of Your Word, and praise. Thank You Lord for always persevering me by Your Presence in Jesus Name.

QUOTE :

Praise is proof that you believe God to do what He said He would do in your life, WORDBITE 222

Habakkuk 3:17–18, “Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vine, though the olive crops have failed and the fields have produced no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation”.

DAILY READING; Revelation 18; Isaiah 3-4; Psalm 109:1-19

In the book ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work’, Francie Swartz tells about a restaurant manager named Jerry who was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. Waiters loved to work for him because he was so positive. One day, Jerry’s restaurant was robbed and the thieves panicked and shot him.

While in the ambulance, the paramedics were encouraging him, but when they wheeled him into the emergency room and Jerry saw the looks on the faces of the doctors and nurses waiting to operate on him, he got really scared. In their eyes he could see hopelessness, they did not think he would survive.

However, Jerry realized that if those doctors were going to operate on him feeling so negative and working in such a gloomy atmosphere, he may really not survive. He thought of how to lighten the air. There was a big burly nurse shouting questions at him and she asked, ’Are you allergic to anything?’

’Yes,’ Jerry replied. And the doctors and nurses stopped working, as they tensely waited for his reply. ’Bullets!,’ Jerry answered. The doctors and nurses burst into raucous laughter, lightening the atmosphere of doom and gloom.

They operated on Jerry for 18 hours and he survived thanks to the grace of God. And after several weeks in intensive care, Jerry fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital, still positive and full of joy.

Indeed the atmosphere we surround ourselves with matters a lot. There is an enabling atmosphere for miracles and there is also an enabling atmosphere for negativities.

Habakkuk 3:17–18 says, “Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vine, though the olive crops have failed and the fields have produced no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation”.

Salvation means “deliverance.” When you stay full of joy despite what come against you, God says that salvation is coming, breakthroughs are coming, healing is coming.

Trials and temptations may come, but when you know the God you serve, you will ever remain hopeful and positive. Like Job, you will always say ‘I know my redeemer liveth’.

An atmosphere of doom and gloom is an atmosphere of hopelessness. It is an atmosphere that suggests that you have given up and no longer believe God can come through for you. This kind of atmosphere hinders the working of miracles. When Jesus came to His home town, He could not do miracles there because of the atmosphere of unbelief.

We need to be careful the kind of atmosphere we create around us, it can make the difference in the outcomes that we see. Don’t allow negative people, who speak negative things into your space, especially in a time of crisis. Such people, are only creating a conducive atmosphere for disaster. Stop them before they stop your miracle. Counter their negativity by speaking positivity and declaring your confidence in God’s Word. Keep the atmosphere joyful and full of hope. As you do so, you are creating the right atmosphere for miracles to occur.

In God’s Presence is fullness of joy, not doom and gloom. And at His right hand there are pleasures for ever more, not pressures.

Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 tells us ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.’

Let us therefore rejoice always, because God is forever on the throne and He is in perfect control and always working all things together for our good.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always maintain Your Presence around me through keeping my environment joyful and filed with praise. Indeed You are faithful and I know You are working all things for my good 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. WORDBITE 222

Isaiah 42:16  ‘And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.’

DAILY READING    Revelation 17; Isaiah 1-2; Psalm 108

One of the most infamous moments in music history is what has come to be known as “The Day Music Died.”

On that day, February 3, 1959, four famous American rock and roll musicians, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J. P. Richardson and Roger Peterson all perished, when their small plane crashed in Iowa.

However, it was quite saddening for many of their fans to realize that they had met their tragic end simply due to a sudden and seemingly inconsequential decision made by one of the musicians, Holly.

These musicians had all been on a road tour, playing music from town to town.  However, as their buses continually broke down amid the cold weather, they became frustrated. In addition, they were also beginning to run out of clean clothes. And so when they were about to take off to their next show in Minnesota, Holly made the hasty decision to charter a plane so they could arrive early and do everyone’s laundry before the show. This desire for fresh clothes proved to be fatal.

And then due to the limited space on the small plane, the decision about who could get a seat was partly made through the flipping of a coin. The ‘lucky’ ones got the available four seats, while the rest continued their journey by road.

However, soon after taking off late at night and in poor, wintry weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the light aircraft, and subsequently crashed into a cornfield, killing all four musicians on board.

The event has since been mentioned in several songs and films. Various monuments have been erected at the crash site and a memorial concert held annually at the venue that hosted the artists’ last performance.

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) ‘There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death’

It is indeed amazing how small, seemingly inconsequential decisions can make the difference between life and death. The truth is that as human beings, we are grossly limited in our ability to dictate the pitfalls in the journey of destiny.

This is why we need to always consult God before every decision, great or small. Guesswork or flipping the coin is not really the way to right choices.  Rather, involving God in all our decisions is how to avoid the hidden traps in life’s journey.

God is ever willing to help us avoid life’s treacherous routes. However, it is the meek, those who are willing to submit to Him, that He will guide.  God does not just lead anybody, He leads only His sheep who are willing to follow Him.

And we follow the voice of God through study of His Word and guidance of His Spirit. The more we can hear God through His Word the more we can recognize His voice when He speaks to guide us.

Also spending time in fellowship with the Holy Spirit through daily prayer is important if we are to be led by Him. And whenever we sense His leading, we should be willing to follow, even if it is contrary to our previously set plans. Our hearts must remain tender and sensitive and ever ready to adjust to the slightest nudging of the Spirit of God.

And we must maintain a lifestyle of praise if we are to enjoy constant divine direction. Psalm 22:3 says ‘But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel’.  In a conducive atmosphere of worship and praise, where God’s Presence abides, it becomes easier to hear Him.

No decision is too small to consult The Holy Spirit on, because such small decisions could prove fatal. However, when in all our ways we acknowledge God, He will surely direct us on safe paths, and help us to avoid the hidden snares of the enemy.

Indeed being guided by the Spirit is how we can truly enter into our rest, because His thoughts towards us are always thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give us an expected end.

PRAYER:  Lord please help me to always acknowledge You in all my ways.  May I never depend on my own wisdom, but by Your grace, I shall pay the required price in diligent study of the Word, prayers and praise to always be guided by  Your Holy Spirit in Jesus name. .

Quote

When you apply The Word of God, it will work for you, anywhere and anytime- WORDBITE 222.

Job 22:29 ‘When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.’

DAILY READING –Revelation 16; Esther 9-10; Psalm 107:23-43

The Panic of 1857 was a financial panic in the United States caused by the declining international economy. It became the first worldwide economic crisis. It destabilized America, with banks failing, railroads going into bankruptcy, and financial chaos arising everywhere. A civil war seemed unavoidable as America tottered on the brink of disaster.

However at that same time in 1857, the “Third Great Awakening” started, as a great move of the Spirit began sweeping through the nation. Soon reports of revival began to emerge from various states in America. Evangelistic work blossomed on every hand. Prominent at the time was a prayer movement started by a businessman, Jeremiah Lanphier in September 1857, which led to the harvest of over a million souls in two years. Other ministries that blossomed included that of Dwight. L. Moody, William Booth of Salvation army and Charles Haddon Spurgeon. They saw a remarkable work of the Spirit and preached to capacity crowds each week, filling the largest halls available. Churches everywhere were being shaken by a revival of prayer never before seen in Church history. The revival also swept around the world as rapid growth of the Church was reported in continental Europe, western Russia, Australia, the South Seas, South Africa and India.

However, in America, there was a very glaring contrast; while the Kingdom of God prospered as the revival fire swept through the nation, outside of the church, the national financial chaos continued to shake many, as banks failed and businesses went into bankruptcy.

Isaiah 60:2-says ‘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.’

While the gross darkness prevails in the world, in God’s Kingdom our light shall be shinning more and more. This is typical of what happened in Exodus 10:23, while there was light in Goshen there was darkness in the rest of Egypt.

We have to understand that we are operating in a system different from the world around us. When you are a part of God’s kingdom, while darkness covers the earth, the glory of The Lord will be seen around you.

It is not God’s will that we suffer what people in the world suffer. When we make seeking God our priority, He concerns Himself with taking care of us. No matter the global situation, as long as you are serving God with undying passion, He will exempt you from hardship. This is why we can have peace even in the midst of the storm. We can enter our rest, trusting that God is in control of our affairs. As believers we are operating under a divine covenant, which is not affected by the condition or climate in the world. Despite the famine, Isaac sowed and reaped a hundredfold. Genesis 26:12 [NIV], says “Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.”

It is the blessings of God that makes rich, not the climate in the country. Redemption makes your case different. Therefore do not use the yardstick of the happenings in the world to measure your portion. Our concern should be ensuring that we are diligently seeking God, because God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. And He has promised that we shall laugh even in the tough times.

Job 5:22 says ‘You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth’

Indeed as long as we maintain our love for God, while the world is saying there is a casting down, we shall be saying there is a lifting up. Therefore despite the climate in the world, let us focus on God’s Word and keep blessing Him at all times. Truly, God is faithful and they that trust in Him shall never be ashamed. And as we keep seeking His kingdom first, surely everything else shall be added unto us.

PRAYER: Father please help me to always keep my focus on Your Word and not on the happenings in the world. I thank You Lord that my case is different, and for the rest of this year, I know that my path shall only keep shinning brighter and brighter in Jesus’ name.

Quote :

Spiritual laws are no respecter of persons, they will work for anybody who will believe and apply them. WORDBITE 222

Hebrews 4:16 ‘Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’

DAILY READING; Revelation 15; Esther 6:14-8:17; Psalm 107:1-22

‘The Sound of Music’ is one of the most popular movie musicals of all time. It is based on the true life story of Maria Von Trapp, a young unknown nun from Austria, who eventually became a celebrated figure, known worldwide.

Maria was a woman of tenacious faith in God, who refused to give up in the face of the many challenges her family faced. As recounted in the movie, Maria had married the widowed Captain Von Trapp, when as a young nun, she was sent to be governess to his children. Then in 1938, the Von Trapp family had to flee Austria because they would not compromise their faith and principles by submitting to Hitler’s rule. Leaving their wealth behind, on arrival to the United States, the family had only $3.50.

Yet through faith in God, they persevered and eventually found a home and settled down. Years later, they started building a family lodge in Vermont. This lodge was nearing completion when a great a storm struck, and destroyed the structure.

Despite this discouraging situation, they started all over to build a second lodge. This lodge eventually was completed and became well known. However, on December 20, 1980, a fire broke out and razed down this second lodge.

On the verge of giving up, the family received a gift of a rug, which had been shipped to them by a family friend weeks before, but the rug only arrived the day after the fire incident. This rug had on it the Latin inscription ‘Nec Aspera Terrent’ (Be Not Terrified by Adversity). These words, seemed like a message from God, encouraging them not to give up. And so the Von Trapp family began again to rebuild the burnt lodge.

It took three years and $7 million to rebuild the lodge, but the family looked on to God and He enabled them to complete the project. On December 18, 1983, the renovated lodge was opened again to the public. And the rug, with the inscription ‘Nec Aspera Terrent (Be Not Terrified by Adversity] was prominently placed in the lobby of the new building. Indeed despite all the adversities faced by the Von Trapp family, through God’s help, they eventually overcame all.

‘Psalm 34:5 says ‘They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.’

When we look unto God we are able to overcome life’s adversities, no matter how difficult. Everyone at some point comes to those times, where it seems as if you are fighting a battle that seems bigger than you. However, despite how insurmountable any situation or how overwhelming the facts, when you turn to God, He will always give you the strength to overcome.

It doesn’t matter how high the odds may seem stacked against you, when you learn to rely on God’s strength and His help, He will fight your battles.

Always remember that you are serving the same God that parted the red sea and closed the mouth of lions. He is the same yesterday today and forever, and He is still available to save to the uttermost all that come to Him.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said ‘ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’

The rest Jesus gives us is when He takes over our battles. We do not overcome by our strengtht but through God, who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. God works through us to manifest His plans and purpose. Therefore in spite of any challenge, always realize that your destiny is too great and your assignment too important for you to get discouraged or give up. Indeed God, who began His good work in you, is able to bring it to completion.

Therefore, no matter the adversities we may sometimes face, let us always keep looking unto Jesus. As we focus on following His will and walking in obedience to His Word, surely He will perfect all that concerns. And in our times of need, we can always come boldly to His throne of grace, to obtain mercy, and find grace to help us overcome every adversity.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for keeping me strong in faith, and enabling me to conquer any challenge that comes my way. And as I come today to Your throne of grace, I know indeed I shall obtain the help and the strength I need in Jesus Name.

QUOTE;

Your present frustrations are God’s opportunities for manifestations.. WORDBITE 222

Exodus 12:13 ‘And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.’

DAILY READING;  Revelation 14; Esther 5:1-6:13; Psalm 106:24-48

Pastor Joseph Prince is a popular televangelist and the Senior Pastor of New Creation Church (NCC) based in Singapore. In a recent teaching, he shared a personal testimony of the Power in the Blood of Jesus.

Around 2004, his family lived in a rented house that was located quite close to the woods. One day, Pastor Prince heard a lot of buzzing noise around the house. And on investigation, he found there were many bees on the balcony trying to get into one of the rooms. This room belonged to his little  daughter, Jessica, who was about five years old at the time.

Realizing the danger of a bee infestation, he immediately contacted a pest control company who came and fumigated the house. However, after the fumigation, strangely, the bees seemed unaffected and continued buzzing around the house.

One day, when the door to Jessica’s room was left slightly open, Pastor Prince found that some of the bees actually invaded her room, but thankfully she was away at school.

Realizing the great risk the bees posed to his little daughter and perplexed that they had not responded to fumigation, Pastor Prince then resorted to prayer.

He began to plead the blood of Jesus over the house. He took a bottle of anointing oil and went out to the balcony and drew a blood line, decreeing that the bees would not cross the line, to invade his house. His wife and daughter were unaware of what he had done.

However, the next day he heard his daughter screaming, “Daddy, Mommy!” So, the parents rushed to her room to see what had happened. They found the little girl pointing outside to the balcony area. And there they saw dead bees lying almost in a straight line at the very edge of the parameter where Pastor Prince had drawn the Blood line. Somehow, the bees couldn’t cross the Blood line, but had died just at the very edge of it.

In Exodus 12:13, God’s condition for exemption is ‘when I see the blood, I will pass over you’

The sign to the destroying angel was that any house marked by blood was under God’s divine protection and therefore was untouchable. And likewise today, the mark of the Blood of Jesus exempts us from harm and makes us untouchable to every force of wickedness.

Whenever we invoke the Blood, it provides an invisible barricade around us which no evil can cross. In the world today there are all sorts of spiritual attacks targeted at believers. There are invisible arrows that fly by day and by night. But through the Blood of Jesus, God has provided constant divine cover around us.

As we plead the blood over our lives, The Spirit of The Lord lifts up a standard against every encroachment of hell.

Indeed we are living in the last days, which are truly perilous times. However, because of the Blood  we are exempted from all harm. Let us therefore continually invoke the Blood around us, both as our weapon offence and defense.

Indeed by the power in the Blood of Jesus, we can completely silence every assault of the enemy and continually enjoy all round rest.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for bringing me  under the covenant of divine exemption.  Truly by the blood of Jesus, my case is different and I am untouchable to evil in Jesus Name. ..

Quote

God knows how to work everything together in your life for your own good. WORDBITE 222.

Isaiah 49:25-26  ‘But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children’

DAILY READING; Revelation 13; Esther 3-4; Psalm 106:1-23

Dr. Bill Clemmer is an American Medical missionary who has served in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for over two decades, partnering with USAID to combat the health challenges of the region. Residing in Goma, on the Congo-Rwanda border, he has been witness to the violent fighting in the region. He once told the story of how God miraculously saved the life of a young pastor and his family. According to the story, Tutsi soldiers had invaded the village, and had broken down the door of this young pastor’s house and stood poised to slaughter by machine gun fire, him and his entire family. However, the pastor asked them to allow him and his family a moment to pray.

This pastor and his family holding hands knelt down and began to call upon God. However after they had prayed, surprisingly, no gunshots followed. They slowly stood up and were amazed to find that the soldiers were all gone, not only out of their house, but away from their village as well.

Several months later, this pastor was at a church meeting in another town where he told his story and the miraculous way in which the soldiers had disappeared.

At that moment a man spoke up, and identified himself as one of the Tutsi soldiers who had invaded the village that night. He then explained why they had run away. He said that while they were in the pastor’s home, suddenly a strange fire had started burning around the pastor and his family, surrounding them as they prayed. Frightened by this mysterious fire, the soldiers had run out of the house and fled from the village. The result of this strange event had caused the soldier to begin to seek to know the God the Tutsi pastor served and it eventually led to his conversion to Christianity.

Isaiah 49:25-26 says ‘But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children’

Indeed God’s supernatural deliverance is real. When we are in a covenant relationship with God, we can be sure of His help any time we call upon Him.

There is no captivity so tight that God cannot deliver His children from it. Even in the midst of what looks like an impossible battle, always remember that the God in you is greater and mightier than whatever situation you may face.

Jeremiah 32:27 asks ‘is there anything too difficult for God?’

Indeed nothing is impossible to God. However, it is our responsibility to always ensure that we are in the right place with God, because victory in battle belongs only to those who know their God.

In these end-times it is important that we develop a strong intimate relationship with God. With the situation in the world today, it is dangerous for any believer  to walk around without confident assurance of their relationship with God.

We therefore need to constantly invest in that relationship by spending time in God’s Word, prayer and intimate fellowship with the Spirit. When you know the God you serve, you can always rest in His love.

And in Psalm 91:14-15, God assures us that when we set our love upon Him, He will always deliver us. He promises that when we call upon Him, He will answer us, He will be with us in trouble and show us His salvation.

PRAYER: Lord, please wherever I go, may Your Presence always surround me as a spiritual shield and defense, which no enemy can access. Thank You Lord, because of Your  ‘touch not’ seal upon me and my family  in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE

As a child of God you have to recognize that you are in the middle of an ongoing battle, and your victory is assured’. WORDBITE 222

Ephesians 6:12 ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’

DAILY READING Revelation 12; Esther 2; Psalm 105:26-45

John Alexander Dowie was a 19th century minister of the Gospel who made very profound impact on the lives of many people. However, in the course of his ministry, Alexander Dowie faced a lot of persecutions, especially from the media.

As his ministry expanded in Chicago and thousands flocked from other cities, Dowie opened several large lodging houses called “Healing Homes” to accommodate some of the sick who came from far places. But the newspapers greatly criticized him, and called the homes “Lunatic Asylums”.

In 1895, he was arrested on the charge of not having a license to “practice medicine.” And though he won the case, the city officials decided on the tactic of getting him discouraged by constantly arresting him and fining him on other charges. He was arrested so many times that before that year was over, he had been arrested one hundred times. However, while they severely persecuted him, Dowie resorted to prayer to deal with the oppositions. And God indeed fought his battles. While his ministry continued to wax stronger, his enemies began to grow weaker.

By the following year, 1896, one of Dowie’s greatest persecutors, a prominent Newspaper editor, was put in prison and made a public spectacle. And by the end of that year, Dowie’s congregation had so multiplied that his ministry now had great influence over the city of Chicago. In fact the political officials, including the mayor, were all voted in by Dowie’s people.

Soon many of his former enemies now either turned to become his friends or became silent. Even the local police, who had once arrested him a hundred times, now supported him. And divine healing, which they had formerly opposed, was now allowed to be preached on every street corner. Indeed God had given Dowie rest all around.

As believers, we are all called to preach the Gospel and promote God’s kingdom. However, in the course of carrying out this assignment, the enemy will often wedge his greatest battles to hinder our progress;

Therefore achieving success in life and ministry requires spiritual militancy. To fulfill your calling, you must be prepared to do Spiritual battle on your knees.

And while you can sometimes physically identify the people who oppose you, always understand that the real opposition against your assignment is spiritual.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in high places.

And this is why we must engage spiritual weapons of warfare to silence the opposition. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

In this warfare, our crucial spiritual weapon is prayer. Prayer is one of the greatest assets of any child of God. To enter your rest and be free from harassment, you must learn how to wield the weapon of prayer.

Indeed we must be prepared to labour in prayer if we are to enjoy the rest God has promised us.

With prayer, we contend with the oppositions, in order to possess our possessions in Christ. Through prayer we subdue the forces of wickedness and exercise spiritual authority in our environment.

Prayer will lead to victory in our battles, while lack of prayer will lead to defeat. When Moses prayed, Israel won the battle, when he stopped, Israel lost. Through prayer, you choose to become the victor or the victim.

Understand that the enemy would not let you rest until you begin to exercise power and authority over him. According to James 4:7, it is when you resist the devil, that he will flee.

Therefore, let us be prepared to labor in prayers in order to be free from pressures and enjoy all round victory.

And never forget, that prayer is most effective when it is backed by God’s Word and saturated with praise and thanksgiving.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for granting me the grace to always pray effectively, so as to silence every opposition against my progress. Indeed through the greatness of Your power all my enemies are today subdued in Jesus Name.

QUOTE :

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

Isaiah 32:13-15 ‘Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.’

DAILY READING – Revelation 11; Esther 1; Psalm 105:1-25

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tens of thousands of Jewish immigrants, mostly from Eastern Europe, began arriving in Palestine to establish new Jewish settlements. These immigrants were largely motivated by a desire to live in the land of their ancestors.

The first major such wave of Jewish immigration was called the First ‘Aliyah’, which took place between 1881 and 1903. About 25,000 to 35,000 Jews immigrated to Palestine, though about half subsequently left. About 28 significant Jewish settlements were established, and about 90,000 acres of land were purchased by Jews.

This would be the first time Jews would be returning in such large number after their 2000 years exile from their homeland. And one of the most remarkable things that happened during their years of absence  was that rainfall had diminished over the land. As a result of this decreasing rainfall, gradually the land became deserted. And for those years of Jewish exile, the land of Israel, later renamed Palestine, became desolate and hardly inhabited.

However as the Jews gradually started returning to their homeland, starting with Jewish farmers , who needed  to irrigate the desolate land, a miraculous thing started to occur;  once again rainfall began to increase in the land. And during the 20th Century, rainfall increased 10 percent every decade, till a total increase of over 100 percent.

And as more Jews began to return, with the increased rainfall, they also devised various means of irrigation. The result has been phenomenal. During the 20th Century, over 250 million trees were planted in this land formerly without trees.  Today, the land that was desolate for so many years, is now the food basket of the Middle East, exporting  agricultural products to countries all over the world.

It is indeed amazing, the difference rain can make! For a land desolate and abandoned for 2000 years, the coming of rainfall has made a huge difference.

The Holy Spirit in the scriptures, is likened to rain. And likewise, when He comes into a man’s life, He makes a big difference. From a barren land, a man’s life can become very fruitful.

Isaiah 32:13-15 says ‘Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.’

Things may remain desolate and barren in a man’s life until the Spirit is poured from on high. Just like a ground needs rain to be fruitful, man that is created from the ground also needs the rain of the Spirit so as to be fruitful in life. Often the reason why things may not be working in a man’s life is because the rain of the Spirit is missing.  And so that life becomes desolate and becomes like a dessert.

Many things may stop working, and progress may come to a standstill, once the rain of the Spirit dries up in a man’s life. It is the Power of the Spirit that causes things to work and once that power is absent, then stagnation takes over.

It is God’s will in these latter days to pour  out upon all flesh the rain of His Spirit. However it is only those who are genuinely thirsty that are qualified for this rain.

It is those who ask, who will receive.

Zechariah 10:1 says ‘Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.’

A thirst is what we need for the release of the rain of The Spirit.

In Acts 2:17 Peter said “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh”.

We are already in the latter days and it is God’s will to pour out His Spirit upon all who are thirsty and willing to receive. Why God is pouring out His Spirit upon the church in this latter days is because the end time is the era of power. It is a time the Church will be manifesting the manifold wisdom of God. And if we are to operate as Jesus operated, then we need the spirit without measure to do the works that He did, and even greater works.

The Holy Spirit is the power of God. And in this era of power, we need Him like never before. It is therefore important  to develop an intimate relationship with Him, so that we can experience the power of God in our lives.

We don’t just wish for power, we thirst for it. We have to ask, seek and knock until we receive. And we ask in prayers, fasting and being persistent until the door opens. We also need to create an atmosphere where The Spirit will be welcome. This means we have to constantly maintain a lifestyle of Purity and holiness, even as we surround ourselves with praise and joy.

Just as the coming of rain made a big difference in the land of Israel, the coming of The Spirit will make a big  difference in our lives. By the wind of The Spirit we will be lifted to amazing heights of exploits. Therefore let us be willing to pay whatever price is required to engage His glorious Presence,  and experience progress, fruitfulness and unending blessings.

PRAYER: Lord, Please I need Your power at work in my life like never before. Please grant me the grace to pay the price and do all that is required, for me to experience a greater dimension of Your Spirit in my life in Jesus Name.

Quote

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

Psalm 91:4 ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.

• DAILY READING –Revelation 11; Esther 1; Psalm 105:1-25

Out of 3,400 years of recorded history, humans have only been at peace for 268 years of them. In other words, the world has only been at peace for 8 percent of the world’s recorded history.
Historical evidence seem to indicate that humans have been waging war for almost the entire history of the human race. A historical source claims that about 14,500 wars have taken place between 3500 BC and the late 20th century, costing 3.5 billion lives.
And even in modern times, wars are constantly being fought in one place or the other in the world. Modern warfare has been propelled by the discovery of gunpowder and the acceleration of technological advances . Already the world has seen two major world wars where over 70 million lives were lost.
And even in recent times, there are still many ongoing conflicts in different nations of the world. In 2003 alone, there were conflicts in over 30 nations of the world.

However, though wars seem to be rampant on the earth, what is happening physically is simply a reflection of what is going on spiritually.
Every day, battles are being fought in the realm of the spirit. Spiritually, there are darts flying up and down in every direction.

While the physical battles have specific locations and specific people involved in it, the spiritual battle has no specific location, it is being fought everywhere on all fronts, and everyone is involved. But in these battles God has promised protection to His children. Indeed, no weapon formed against you shall ever prosper.

Psalm 91:4 says ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.

Arrows fly by day, in form of evil manipulations, incarnations, and enchantments. Psalm 64:3 says ‘Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:’
From this scripture we find that, bitter words, evil words are shot forth as arrows. This is why we must daily take up the shield of faith, to quench any of these fiery dart of the wicked.
Ephesians 6 says above all taking the shield of faith wherewith you shall quench darts of the wicked.
The shield of Faith is formed by surrounding ourselves with the Word of God. We must always fill our heart with the Word, and confess it with our mouth.
Life is essentially a battle of words. The stronger the words you speak, the more you dominate over the enemy. The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword. And it is by God’s Word that we dominate over negative situations and circumstances that challenge us.
To be victorious in life’s battles you must learn to put your mouth to good use. A closed mouth is a closed destiny. What you do not want, you do not watch.
With your mouth, you can destroy stagnation, sickness or any other anti-covenant thing that is trying to hang around you.
You can’t afford to keep silent. Release The Word of God against the things fighting your destiny. Stop watching situations silently. It is time to begin to speak. Speak God’s Word to silence every spiritual opposition. Never forget that it is when the strangers hear your voice that they will fade out of their close places. So today, arise and begin to declare the counsel of God over your life.
And indeed as you speak it, so shall it be done unto you in Jesus Name.

PRAYER Lord help me to speak Your Word boldly against the things fighting my destiny. In this season, may I never lose out through a closed mouth. By Your Word I have the victory in Jesus Name.

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