HORM Devotional

Psalm 124:7 “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped”.

DAILY READING – Revelation 10; Nehemiah 13; Psalm 104:24-35

On 13th December 2018, celebrated Gospel artiste, Donnie McClurkin was involved in a serious motor accident at 12:50am in the morning. It was an accident which he said could have ended his life, if not for God’s intervention.

59 years old Donnie, had passed out while driving on the highway. And while he was unconscious, his car kept speeding uncontrolled. However, in those crucial moments, when he seemed headed for a fatal crash and his life hung in a balance, God showed up.

Somehow, two motorists noticed Donnie’s car and perceived something was wrong. These two people, whom Donnie later called ‘human angels’ followed his swerving car. They put on their emergency blinkers to warn oncoming traffic. They drove behind Donnie’s car until it crashed into a middle concrete wall. The force of the impact totaled Donnie’s car, as it crumbled into a crushed mess of metals and Fiberglas, with the airbags deployed.

While Donnie remained unconscious, these two people quickly pulled him out through the passenger side of the car and he was rushed to the hospital.

When Donnie woke up hours later, he had absolutely no recollection of what had happened. However he was thankful and praising God who had delivered him, when he was unconscious and helpless. Despite the seriousness of the accident, Donnie came out virtually unscathed and was able to fly to Kenya about a day later, to fulfill a ministry engagement.

Lamentations 3:22 says ‘It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’

Indeed God’s constant dealing with us shows His goodness towards us. At a time when Donnie was utterly helpless and didn’t even know what was going on around him, God’s goodness covered him and preserved him. .

Likewise, we have all experienced God’s undeserved, unearned, unexplainable goodness in our lives, at some point or the other. We have seen God come into fiery situations that could have consumed us and delivered us against the odds.

Just like Donnie, there were accidents that could have been the end of us, or medical reports that said it was over or troubles that could have wrecked us, yet God always showed up when we needed Him most and brought deliverance.

Indeed, despite how well the enemy sets his trap, somehow, God always makes a way of escape for those who trust in Him.

Psalm 124:7 says “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped”.

Without God our life is a vapor that can vanish at any moment. Without Him we are nothing and can do nothing. Therefore the safest place to keep our lives is constantly in the center of His will.

Psalm 62:1 says “In God, alone, there is rest for my soul, From Him comes my safety. With Him, alone, for my rock, my safety, my fortress, I can never fall,”

Indeed it is only in God that our souls can find rest. This is why we are to wholly entrust our lives to Him. As we constantly live in accordance to His Word, He will take over our affairs. And with God at the driving wheel, we can be sure of safety on the journey of destiny.

No matter what comes our way, we can always remain praise-full, knowing that He is in perfect control and holds our lives and our times in His hands.

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for being in complete control of my life. And I know indeed that no matter what I face, You are able to see me through and perfect all that concerns me 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.

Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:’

DAILY READING ; •            Revelation 9; Nehemiah 12; Psalm 104:1-23

James Hudson Taylor was the pioneer missionary to China.  The classic book, “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret,” tells a story of how God amazingly provided for him during a difficult time in his ministry.

At that time, Hudson had just taken over the running of a hospital from a medical missionary who had to leave China to return back to Scotland. The unique thing about this hospital was that, both the treatment and drugs were all free. And it had an average of 50 in-patients on any given day, who must all be fed and taken care of. Hudson Tailor had no visible means of support for this hospital, and after the funds that the medical missionary left with him had run out, he relied on his faith in God to see him through.

One day, the hospital’s funds were finally used up and supplies ran low. Though he had every reason to worry, rather, Hudson Taylor went into prayers seeking God’s intervention. A day came when the hospital’s cook announced that the last bag of rice had been opened and was finishing fast. At this point anxiety and worries tried to assail Hudson’s mind, but yet he kept praying, trusting God for a miracle.

Then just before the last bag of rice was finished, a letter arrived that was among the most extraordinary he had ever received. The letter was from a Mr. Berger in the United Kingdom, containing a cheque. The writer said his father had just passed away and left him a substantial inheritance and he was offering regular support for the work Hudson was doing in China. The money he sent was more than enough to cover the hospital’s needs. On receiving this letter, Hudson Taylor was overwhelmed with gratitude and was in awe of God.

Of course Mr. Berger had no way of knowing about the urgent needs of the hospital. In fact the letter was sent five months earlier! But God so arranged it that it arrived at the very time when Hudson Taylor needed it the most.

Often times, the things we worry and fret over, are things God has already taken care of in the spirit, and it is only a matter of time before we see the physical manifestation.

In addressing the worry over physical needs, Jesus said “do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the gentiles run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:31]

God is indeed mindful of us. And often times He is working behind the scenes even when we may think nothing is moving.  And rather than be anxious, through prayer and supplication, we need to make our requests known unto Him.

The truth is that we are more effective when pray over a matter than worrying over it.

Jesus asks in Matthew 6:27 “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?’ The answer of course is, “No one!”  So then if we cannot do that which is least, why take thought for the rest?

Surveys say that most worrying is done at night between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. This is the time when activity ceases, and as people lie in bed, thoughts and worries come flooding into their minds, and sometimes it becomes difficult to sleep.

Yet God says all that worrying is in vain. Psalm 127:2 says “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Worry not only robs people of sleep, it also robs them of the joys and blessings God wants them to experience in life. And yet worrying accomplishes nothing. It has been said that a hundred load of worry will not pay an ounce of debt.

God has already asked us to cast all our cares upon Him, so trying to still carry those troubles by ourselves is what leads to worry. George Washington said ‘Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.’

Rather than worry, God wants us to enter into His rest, by keeping our mind focused on His Word.

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

We serve the God of miracles who is able to exceed our expectations. And we can always come boldly to His throne of grace to ask for help in our times of need. His ears are always open to the cry of the righteous.

Therefore rather than worry, let us keep our minds focused on God, through studying His Word, prayer and praise. Indeed as we seek God and His Kingdom first, surely every other thing shall be added unto us.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to keep my mind focused on You always. Please enable me to get rid of worry and anxiety and grant me the grace to always believe You for the miracles that I need in Jesus Name. .

Quote

Faith is more than just believing, it is acting upon The Word that you believe. WORDBITE 222

Isaiah 54:15 ‘Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.’

DAILY READING; Revelation 8; Nehemiah 11; Psalm 103’

In the Yom Kippur war in 1973, Israel’s unexpected victory was attributed to the power of God made manifest because of their observance of the Sabbath day.

The Yom Kippur day, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Israel. It is regarded as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths”. It is a day in which the Jews wait upon The Lord in repentance with fasting and intensive prayer as they separate themselves from worldly things in order to truly focus on seeking God.

In 1973, most of the soldiers in Israel were sent home to observe this holy day. However, what the Israeli military did not know was that a surprise attack had been planned by Egypt and Syria. The details of this invasion was one of the best-kept Arab military secrets, such that even Arab combat commanders were not informed of the upcoming attack until they had need to know.

It indeed looked like everything was set for a complete surprise attack and annihilation of Israel. But while Israelis waited upon The Lord, praying and fasting, something unprecedented happened.

Few hours to the intended war, Israel’s secret service, Mossad, received an urgent warning about the attack from a very highly placed Egyptian officer who was son-in-law to the Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. It still remains a mystery why he took the risk to sell out and warn Israel. However, his warning saved the day by enabling the Israeli military to urgently recall their soldiers, and prepare in the few hours left to the attack.

By the time Syria and Egypt finally attacked on the afternoon of that Yom Kippur day, they had lost the element of surprise. Israeli soldiers had mobilized, and miraculously, despite the odds, God still enabled Israel to win the war.

It has been said the greater your mantle, the greater your battle; the stronger your persuasion, the stronger your confrontation; and the higher your flight, the tougher your fight.

In other words, as you progress in life, you will be constantly faced with battles. However, Roman 8:37 assures us ‘ in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.’

It doesn’t matter the spiritual gang-up, or conspiracy against you, through Christ, victory is always guaranteed

Isaiah 54:15 says ‘Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.’

Indeed through Christ we are more than conquerors. All we need is to be always rightly positioned with God as we constantly pray and seek His face. The more we are hidden in His Presence, the more we can hold our peace and He will fight our battles for us. And by the Blood of Jesus we will always overcome.

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.’

When the blood of Jesus is invoked in battle it disarms and destroys every hidden plans and plots of the wicked. His blood is a weapon of mass destruction against every satanic assault. His blood elevates us to a place of triumph in every contest.

Through the Communion, we engage the mystery of the blood covenant. And today as we partake of the blood, every hidden battles in our body in the form of sicknesses or diseases will be consumed. Indeed by the Blood of Jesus everything and everyone that gathers against us must surely fall for our sakes.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to truly see the victory I have through the blood of Jesus. Today, whatever represents a hidden battle in any area of my life will be destroyed by the blood. Indeed by the blood of Jesus I have all round victory in Jesus Name.

QUOTE;

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

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 ‘..Let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

DAILY READING; •  Revelation 7; Nehemiah 9:38-10:39; Psalm 102

Meriam Ibrahim Ishag was born to a Moslem father in Sudan but raised by her Christian mother. Miriam became a Christian and also married a Christian man, she was industrious, running some thriving small businesses. However, in 2014, her half brother, accused her of abandoning the Islamic faith of their father and opting to be a Christian. The Sudanese Government supported the charges of apostasy against her, giving her three days to convert to Islam. On her refusal to convert she was sentenced to 100 lashes and death by hanging. However, Meriam’s lawyers accused her half brother of wanting her dead so that he could take over her successful businesses.

Meriam who was pregnant at the time was held in Omdurman Federal Women’s Prison. Vital medical treatment was refused her, and she was denied transfer to a hospital. Even during childbirth, her legs were kept shackled to the floor while she gave birth.

While it seemed she had no one to fight for her against the Sudanese government, as she stood strong in her faith, soon God began to raise help for her.

Somehow, her story came to the attention of the international media, and as it was published, an international outcry arose against the Sudanese government. This was followed by an international campaign for her release. People she never knew began to fight for her. Many world leaders showed interest in her case. After much international pressure, the Sudanese government eventually released her. She and her family were welcomed by the Italian government. They later relocated to America where Meriam now works as a Christian activist who speaks up for those being persecuted for their faith.

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 says ‘..let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

Those who say ‘if I perish I perish,’ never really perish, rather they flourish.

Despite the trials and oppositions, when you decide to stand strong in faith, God will surely send you help out of Zion. No matter how your back may seem to be pressed against the wall, God can suddenly turn things around for your good.

Indeed there is no situation God cannot handle and there is nothing too difficult for Him. No matter how tough things may sometimes seem, God knows exactly how to tip things in your favor.

Understand that God is bigger than anything we may face. Therefore we should never limit what He can do in our lives.

We just need to keep trusting in Him and resting upon His promises.

Don’t be discouraged by the things that try to stop or frustrate your journey. No matter how deep or dark the night it has never stopped the day from breaking forth. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.

Always remember as a child of God, the greater One is with you. Indeed the God we serve is a way maker and barrier breaker. He will go ahead of you to break the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron asunder.  He will indeed give you the victory.

God holds your life and your future in His hands. And because Christ lives, you can face tomorrow. Therefore, keep holding on to His Word and His promises. No matter how fierce the battle, you will not be defeated, you will not be overcome.

No matter how dark the night, it will surely break forth into your day.  Your strength will be renewed and you will indeed arise and soar like the eagle.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to stand strong despite the fierce winds of oppositions. I receive the grace to always praise You in every situation.  Thank You Lord for always causing me to triumph in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE

If you can see what is ahead of you, you will be willing to go through what you are going through to get to where God has for you in the future WORDBITE 222

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

DAILY READING – Revelation 6; Nehemiah 8:13-9:37; Psalm 101

Dr. Samuel Doctorian is the Founder and Director of Bible Land Mission, with headquarters in California. On December, 1955, he left Beirut for the United States, with his wife and little son aboard a Pan American DC 7 plane, traveling through Rome. The journey was smooth until around 9:30 p.m, when suddenly one of the engines, just outside the window where Dr. Samuel sat, exploded with a terrifying noise. Immediately the whole engine caught fire. The passengers began to panic as it seemed obvious that the fire would reach the fuel tank at any moment and cause the entire plane to explode.

Amidst the chaotic situation, Dr. Samuel began to lift his heart to God in prayer. As he prayed earnestly, he reminded The Lord of all His promises over his life and how they were yet to be fulfilled. At that moment, he heard God tell him that for his sake, He would save the plane.

Strongly assured by God’s Word, he then began to praise God. However, looking outside the window again, he noticed that the fire was worse than before, but he remained sure of the Word God had spoken to him and this gave him strength and inner peace despite the chaos. Then, just when it seemed the fire was about to reach the gasoline tank, as they watched through the window, something miraculous happened. Suddenly, the whole engine which was on fire completely dropped out from the plane and began to fall from the sky. And that was the end of the fire. The pilot could not explain it. On arrival at Rome, members of the fire brigade already waiting to fight the fire, were all shocked to see the plane land in one piece. The passengers emerged from the plane full of gratitude to God, some were weeping, thanking God for the narrow escape.

Later, the Chicago Tribune reported that the engine which had fallen from the burning plane had landed on the shore of Italy and had continued burning for nearly three hours.

Indeed anything can happen at the instance of God’s Word. Miracles, signs and wonders can spring forth the moment  we engage God in prayer.

God is able to bail us out of any tight corner. He is not unaware of the situation, but we need to be still and know that He is God. Instead of panicking or worrying, we need rather to always turn to God in prayer.

In Acts chapter 27, Apostle Paul was in a ship in the midst of a raging storm.

This storm was identified as ‘Euroclydon,’ and it was the mother of all storms with furious wind coming out of the Northeast. Their ship was being tossed about by giant waves, and the men on board were panicking and loosing hope. However, Paul resorted to prayer. And in the midst of the prayer, he received an answer from God that gave him peace even in the midst of the storm and brought deliverance to them.

And in Philippians 4:6 Paul tells  us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”

In other words why worry, when you can pray?

Here Apostle Paul is essentially asking us to take our worry list and turn it into a prayer list. And as we do that, he adds, in the next verse  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7]

Indeed there is power in prayer. It doesn’t matter what you may be facing, if you can quit worrying and switch to prayer and thanksgiving, God will give you the peace that passes all understanding.

We all face struggles. No one is exempt. But instead of worrying learn to cast your cares upon God; and trust Him with the outcome.  The energy you would have used in worrying, use that same energy to thank God that He is still in control.

No matter what’s going on around you, God has you in the palm of His hand. He has said that not one hair of your head shall fall to the ground without His knowledge. God has promised He will arm you with strength for every battle. Therefore trust in Him and learn to enter into His rest. Stay strong in faith, prayer and praise and watch Him give you the victory in every situation.

PRAYER; Lord I receive the grace today to  turn every situation over to You through prayer. I thank You for causing me to always experience Your peace that passes all understanding and giving me constant victory in every battle in Jesus Name .

QUOTE;

The demonstration of God’s power in our lives will bring men to a place of worship WORDBITE222

2 Chronicles 26:5  ‘And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God, and as long as he sought The Lord, God made him to prosper.’

DAILY READING •   Revelation 5; Nehemiah 7:5-8:12; Psalm 100

James Lewis Kraft is the founder of the Kraft Cheese Company, which became the largest cheese company in the world.

James Kraft was born in 1874 to a Christian family and by the time he was 29 years old, he became part owner of a cheese company.

However his partners abruptly dissolved his contract while he was away to Chicago on a business trip for the company. Stranded in Chicago, the young Kraft had only $65 to his name. Out of necessity, he used that money to rent a horse and a wagon and immediately began to try to sell cheese.

After one very unsuccessful day, Kraft who had grown up on the staple of God’s Word, realized that he needed to reorganize his priorities. He needed to ‘seek first the kingdom of God’ (Matthew 6:33) and then all that he needed would be provided.  So he decided to begin giving 25 percent of his personal profits to the Lord in his offerings.

With that decision, soon came a divine inspiration of how to run his business. And as he followed these steps, it gave him an edge over other competitors.

Kraft showed ingenuity by branding his products, building consumer trust, and creating a niche. His business began to succeed so well that within a short time, four of his brothers joined him in the cheese business.

Kraft’s method of producing processed cheese proved revolutionary. What became a game changer  was when the need arose to feed American troops abroad in World War I and the U.S. government gave him a contract in 1917 to supply cheese in tins, to feed the U.S. armed forces.

Throughout his life, Kraft faithfully tithed 25 percent and more of his profits. Later in life, he made this statement: ‘The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the money I have given to the Lord.’”

However, most importantly, Kraft was a man of prayer. He built his great company by prayer. He never made a decision without going on his knees. He recognized God as the senior partner in his business, who must always be consulted before any major decision.

Kraft remained a faithful Christian until his death in 1953 and his products still remain favorite staples on grocery shelves throughout the world today.

2 Chronicles 26:5 says ‘And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God, and as long as he sought The Lord, God made him to prosper.’

Indeed it is God that makes the difference in a man’s journey. This is why it is important for us to consult Him through prayers in every step we take. When God partners with us, He strengthens us for the race.

Important decisions are not to be taken in a hurry. It is part of the enemy’s tactics to put you under pressure, to hurry you to take a rash decision, often by making you feel it is ‘now or never’.

But to succeed in our endeavors we must prayerfully consult God so as to arrive at the best possible solution.

Many times God does not speak in a hurry. Like Elijah waited for the ‘still small voice’, sometimes you have to wait in His Presence until He drops into your spirit what next to do.

Isaiah 28:16 says ‘He that believeth shall not make haste.’

Though it does not mean we procrastinate or delay in life, it is important for us to  always take time to hear what God is saying.

In 1 Samuel 30, when David came back and found that the Amalekites had attacked and burnt his home at Ziglag and taken away his family, he could have started running after them immediately, but he took the time to seek counsel from The Lord. Based on The Lord’s counsel, he pursued, overtook and recovered all.

Proverbs 19:21 says ‘There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.’

No matter how busy your schedule, take time to hear from God. Do not just rush into decisions. At each juncture of the journey, at each crossroad, let your heart connect to heaven. Always ask ‘Lord what should I do?’

Waiting to hear from God is what causes men to soar in life. Indeed when you wait upon The Lord,  your strength will be renewed and you will mount up with wings as eagles.

PRAYER: Lord, I receive the grace today to always wait upon You in prayer. Thank You Lord for my strength that is being renewed and the  grace that is being released upon me to scale to great heights this year in Jesus Name.

Quote

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

Isaiah 43:2 ‘When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee’

DAILY READING • Revelation 4; Nehemiah 5:1-7:4; Psalm 99

At a meeting of Baptist leaders in the late 1700s, a newly ordained minister, named William Carey stood up to say his mind. He began to argue the need for ministers to begin to embark on overseas missions in order to reach the heathen with the Gospel. But an older minister abruptly interrupted him and said, “Young man, sit down! You are an enthusiast. When God pleases to convert the heathen, he’ll do it without consulting you or me.”
The attitude of this older man represented the general complacency of many ministers at that time towards the spread of the Gospel. However, William Carey chose to stand out and make a difference.
Though greatly resisted, Carey gathered other missionaries and formed the Baptist Missionary Society. He planned to go to India to spread the Gospel, but the mission to India was not as glorious as he had imagined.
The British East India Company opposed their trip, they found it hard to sail until a Danish ship gave them passage to Calcutta. Then on arrival in India, Carey’s family faced extreme hardship. Carey worked tirelessly, yet could not make a single convert for the first seven years. Eventually his labour bore fruit, and in the course of his 41 year ministry in India, he would see many people convert to faith in Christ. When he died at 73 years old in 1834, he had seen the Scriptures translated and printed into forty languages, he had been a college professor, and had founded a college that still exists and thrives today.
Despite all the hardships he suffered which would have left him discouraged, Carey refused to allow that stop him from finishing his course. He stood out as one of God’s giants in the history of evangelism and is known today as the “Father of Modern Missions.”
His life inspired other great missionaries, who gave themselves for the spread of the Gospel. Missionaries like Adoniram Judson, Hudson Taylor, and David Livingstone, among thousands of others, were impressed not only by Carey’s example, but by his words. Carey was often quoted as saying “Expect great things; attempt great things.” This phrase in many ways captured the heart and vision of the nineteenth-century missionary efforts.

Indeed faith will always birth great expectation within you. It will cause you to see possibilities even in situation that look impossible.
As we pursue God’s destiny for us, we may sometimes be overwhelmed by the different trials that may come our way. But when our hearts are filled with faith, we will like Apostle Paul declare, ‘none of these things move me’. [Acts 20;24]
Paul’s central passion in life was that Christ will be honored and magnified, this was what made him to disregard difficulties. And this should be our central theme too.
We should always react to situations with the understanding that God is in control. God knows every setback and challenge you will ever have to face. And therefore instead of getting discouraged, always know that ‘the faithful One who called you, will also do it.’
When we decide to courageously stand out and fulfill God’s destiny for us, God commits Himself to walking with us and working through us. In Mark 16, when the disciples embarked on the assignment of preaching everywhere, the Bible declared ‘Jesus was working with them confirming the Word with signs following.’[Mark 16;20]
And no matter how difficult the road may get, God remains an ever present help in the time of need. And He is able to make a way for us even where there seems to be no way. Our concern should be to always ensure that we are focusing on God’s Word, so that our heart can be filled with the faith to overcome.
Just like Peter, as long as you can keep your eyes on Jesus, you can walk on the water. The storm will not stop you and the billows will not blow you away. When all is said and done, you will still be standing.
Indeed when you pass through the water and the fire, God will be there for you. He will surely see you through. He will arise for you and prevail for you. He will fight your battles for you. He will never leave you, nor forsake you.
Indeed He will perfect all that concerns you. He will put a new song in your mouth and set your feet upon the solid rock.

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to know that You are always there to deliver me. No matter what I may face in life, I know I have the victory, because You will always cause me to triumph in Jesus Name. ….

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

John 16:33, ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’

DAILY READING; • Revelation 3; Nehemiah 4; Psalm 98

Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was a social activist and Baptist minister who became the spokesperson and leader of the Civil Rights Movement in America.

Martin Luther was brought up in a strong Christian family, where almost all the men in his family history were pastors. His father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather had all been preachers. Even his only brother was a preacher, including some of his uncles. And so when Martin Luther also became a preacher, he found himself surrounded by a family of faith from where he could always draw spiritual strength and wisdom. And so somehow, Christianity became to him an inherited religion and he was less reliant on his own personal relationship with God.

However, things changed when he left his family and went to pastor a church in Montgomery, Alabama. There he was appointed as spokesman for the black community in the fight against segregation. And as a result he began to receive hate phone calls from white racists, threatening his life and that of his family.

One night, after a particularly frightening death threat from a caller, who promised to blow out his brains and blow up his house, Martin Luther realized he was in a situation where he could no longer continue to rely spiritually on his family. He now needed to depend on his own personal faith in God. That night he fervently sought God’s face and prayed like never before.  And as he prayed, he had such a definite encounter with God that gave him the inner peace and assurance that he needed. Thus with confidence and boldness he was able to go forth to play the crucial role that he did in the fight against segregation. And today, he remains one of the most celebrated black leaders in American history.

The truth is that there are some battles in life that no one can fight for you. Others may help you with their prayers and their faith to a certain point, but a time comes when it will be your decision to either sink or sail.

Martin Luther came to that point. And when he decided to seek God for himself, he found the peace and confidence that enabled him to go forth and accomplish great things.

We each need to seek Christ individually for ourselves. We all have a responsibility to intimately build our own personal relationship with Christ to find the needed peace and assurance for our soul.

When we come to Christ in His Word, we will experience that peace that passes all understanding. In His Presence we will be full of joy, as all worries and anxieties pale into insignificance.

Presently, the world is bombarded daily with troubling and disturbing news. And if all your focus is on the global News headlines, then you are going to eventually lose your peace because of all the fear and anxiety. Constanlty seeking God’s face, is what will anchor our hearts, at this time when men’s hearts are failing them for fear in looking at the things that are coming to pass in the earth.

Indeed our greatest investment now should be in building a strong relationship with Christ through daily fellowship in His Word.

In John 16:33, Jesus said ‘..in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’

Truly, through Christ we have overcome. Through Him we have the victory over every storm. He is our Prince of peace and our ever present help at every time of need. Indeed He is our bridge over the troubled waters. And despite the tribulation in the world, through Him we can always enjoy continual peace and rest.

PRAYER: Father please help me to invest the needed time to build a more intimate relationship with You. Please grant me renewed appetite for Your Word, so that I can draw the faith and strength I need to enjoy continual victory in life in Jesus Name.

Quote :

As long as Jesus is in your boat, you cannot sink or fail, God’s Presence always guarantees your victory. WORDBITE 222.

JUNE 5; TAKING SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILTY

John 16:33, ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’

DAILY READING; • Revelation 3; Nehemiah 4; Psalm 98

Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was a social activist and Baptist minister who became the spokesperson and leader of the Civil Rights Movement in America.

Martin Luther was brought up in a strong Christian family, where almost all the men in his family history were pastors. His father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather had all been preachers. Even his only brother was a preacher, including some of his uncles. And so when Martin Luther also became a preacher, he found himself surrounded by a family of faith from where he could always draw spiritual strength and wisdom. And so somehow, Christianity became to him an inherited religion and he was less reliant on his own personal relationship with God.

However, things changed when he left his family and went to pastor a church in Montgomery, Alabama. There he was appointed as spokesman for the black community in the fight against segregation. And as a result he began to receive hate phonecalls from white racists, threatening his life and that of his family.

One night, after a particularly frightening death threat from a caller, who promised to blow out his brains and blow up his house, Martin Luther realized he was in a situation where he could no longer continue to rely spiritually on his family. He now needed to depend on his own personal faith in God. That night he fervently sought God’s face and prayed like never before.  And as he prayed, he had such a definite encounter with God that gave him the inner peace and assurance that he needed. Thus with confidence and boldness he was able to go forth to play the crucial role that he did in the fight against segregation. And today, he remains one of the most celebrated black leaders in American history.

The truth is that there are some battles in life that no one can fight for you. Others may help you with their prayers and their faith to a certain point, but a time comes when it will be your decision to either sink or sail.

Martin Luther came to that point. And when he decided to seek God for himself, he found the peace and confidence that enabled him to go forth and accomplish great things.

We each need to seek Christ individually for ourselves. We all have a responsibility to intimately build our own personal relationship with Christ to find the needed peace and assurance for our soul.

When we come to Christ in His Word, we will experience that peace that passes all understanding. In His Presence we will be full of joy, as all worries and anxieties pale into insignificance.

Presently, the world is bombarded daily with troubling and disturbing news. And if all your focus is only on the global News headlines, then you are going to eventually lose your peace because of all the fear and anxiety. Constantly seeking God’s face is what will anchor our hearts, at this time when men’s hearts are failing them for fear in looking at the things that are coming to pass in the earth.

Indeed our greatest investment now should be in building a strong relationship with Christ through daily fellowship in His Word.

In John 16:33, Jesus said ‘..in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’

Truly, through Christ we have overcome. Through Him we have the victory over every storm. He is our Prince of peace and our ever present help at every time of need. Indeed He is our bridge over the troubled waters. And despite the tribulation in the world, through Him we can always enjoy continual peace and rest.

PRAYER: Father please help me to invest the needed time to build a more intimate relationship with You. Please grant me renewed appetite for Your Word, so that I can draw the faith and strength I need to enjoy continual victory in life in Jesus Name.

Quote :

As long as Jesus is in your boat, you cannot sink or fail, God’s Presence always guarantees your victory. WORDBITE 222.

Mathew 11:28 ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’

DAILY READING ; Revelation 1; Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 96

Andrew Wommack is a popular TV evangelist and founder of the Andrew Wommack Ministries and Charis Bible College. He once shared an amazing testimony of how God delivered him from a plane crash.

There was a time he was planning a trip to Costa Rica, to minister in a place where he had been to before. Initially he was excited about the trip, but as he prayed about it, he found himself losing the desire to go. Instead, he actually began to have a sense of dread and foreboding about the trip.

And so he really began to seek the Lord’s guidance about the matter. One day, he spent about seventeen hours praying in tongues. And by the end of the prayer, he had lost the desire to want to go back to Costa Rica. And due to the fact that he had no sense of peace or rest, he took the decision to cancel the trip.

When the people who were expecting him in Costa Rica asked why he had cancelled the trip, he had no concrete reason to give except to say, he just didn’t feel like coming anymore. Though it didn’t seem to make sense to the people. however Andrew Wommack felt peaceful about his decision.

Few days later everything became clear to him. The plane he had booked his flight to travel on, crashed on take-off from Mexico City. The Mexicana Flight 940 crashed into a mountain killing all 169 persons onboard and became the deadliest aviation disaster to occur in Mexican history, and the world’s deadliest air disaster involving the Boeing 727.

Andrew Wommack’s life was saved through the Lord causing him to lose his peace over the trip. It was only after he had taken the decision not to travel that his mind had finally come to be at rest.

Hebrews 4:11 says, ‘Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief”.

Indeed the only “labour” left for us to do today is to enter into God’s rest.

The greatest position we can be in, is to learn how to enter into that confident rest and boldness that comes from the knowledge that we  are walking in God’s will.

God has already finished the work. He has already mapped out the direction of our destinies. And when we walk in the path He has designed for us, everything will work out perfectly.

However, for us to enjoy rest, we must be willing to pay the spiritual price of prayer and study of God’s Word. Indeed it takes faith to enter into our rest.

Failure to pay the required spiritual price to walk in God’s perfect plan is what causes men to walk in fear, anxiety, and worry.

When we take the time to seek God’s face, we will come to the place of peace and calm assurance knowing that God is in perfect control of our lives.

The truth is that, either you will labor spiritually to walk in faith and be at rest, or you will find yourself always anxious through unbelief.

In Mathew 11:28 Jesus said ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’

When we come to Christ in the place of intimate fellowship we will experience His rest. When we come to Him, He will always show us the right direction to follow at every crossroad of life.

We must learn not to lean on our own understanding. Rather as we trust in the Lord with all our heart and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths. Indeed God has finished the works from the foundation of the world, and all we  need to do today is to simply follow each step of the plan that He reveals to us.  That way, we will always avoid the pitfalls of life and walk in continual victory.

PRAYER;

Lord, I thank You for the grace to always follow Your  divine direction in each season of my life. Thank You Lord for always guiding me in the path of Your perfect will and plan for me 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