HORM Devotional

Exodus 14:13-14 ‘And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.’

DAILY READING; Jude 1; Ezra 9-10; Psalm 95

William Marrion Branham was a leader of the healing and charismatic revival that began in America in 1947. His powerful ministry was considered unparalleled with documented evidence of incredible events.

One of these events occurred in November 1947, when a crowd of over 6000 gathered in Portland, Oregon to hear him preach. As the audience listened in rapt attention, suddenly from the back of the crowd, a huge man began shouting threats at Braham. This man had often been jailed for breaking up religious services, and just that afternoon he had hit a street preacher, breaking his collar bone and jaw, and the police had a warrant for his arrest.

As this huge man charged up to the platform, he shouted insults at Braham, saying he was a hypocrite, deceiving the people, an impostor, a snake in the grass, a fake, and would be exposed because he was going to break every bone in his body.

However, as he approached, Braham remained calm and held his peace. Then on reaching the preacher, instead of carrying out his threat, it appeared as if something stopped him.

Then softly and quietly, yet firmly, Braham said to him  ‘Satan, because you have challenged the servant of God before this great congregation, you must now bow before me. In the Name of Jesus Christ, you shall fall at my feet.’

Suddenly this huge man threw up his arms, screamed, and fell across Branham’s feet, sobbing hysterically.

Then Braham calmly proceeded with the service as if nothing had happened. The police later came and took the man away.

Exodus 14:14 says ‘The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.’

Indeed it doesn’t matter the fierce roar and threat of any enemy, we must always understand that we serve the God who is the mighty Man in battle. He is El Shaddai, which means Almighty God, He who destroys, over powers.

He is Yahweh-Sabaoth, the LORD of Hosts, who has military prowess and is the Mighty Warrior. And He is Yahweh-Nissi, the LORD our Banner.

When you have Him on your side, then you can enter your rest, no matter how fierce any battle that comes against you.

Anytime you face adversity, one of the best things you can do is to simply stay calm and keep your peace. When you’re in peace, you are in a position of power. God will fight for you when you stay at rest. Rest doesn’t mean that you’re doing nothing, rather it means you are trusting God and you know that He is in control and fighting your battles.

When Pharaoh had the Israelites cornered by the red sea, the people went into panic. But as long as they stayed in fear and worry, Moses knew it would hinder the mighty miracle God was about to perform by dividing the red sea. And so he told them in Exodus 14:13 ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today:’

God’s desire for us is to be stable, consistent and not moved by circumstances. His will is that we trust in Him and be at rest no matter what happens.

And for us to be at rest, we must stay in faith. And faith comes through hearing God’s Word. Indeed the more we labour in the Word, the more we will experience peace and the more the Lord will fight our battles and give us continual victory.

PRAYER:

Father, today I choose to enter into rest, knowing that You are indeed able to fight all my battles. Thank You Lord for the grace to continually build up my faith through diligent study of Your Word in Jesus Name.

QUOTES

Trials, oppositions, resistances are oftentimes only an indication that your promotion is around the corner. WORDBITE 222

Hebrews 4:10-11 “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

DAILY READING  3 John 1; Ezra 7-8; Psalm 94

The Israeli Newspaper, Haaretz, reported in May 2020, that documents recently found in French and Israeli archives, showed that Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, knew that the declaration of Israel’s nationhood would lead directly to war with the Arab states.

And the question being asked by the Newspaper was; what led David Ben Gurion to make the dangerous decision to still declare Israel’s independence despite the consequences?

On the eve of the declaration, David Ben Gurion had received secret information from French intelligence that the leaders of the Arab states, had decided, to launch a lightning attack (blitzkrieg) and a coordinated invasion against Israel.

Ben Gurion knew that for Israel to declare independence at that stage would be suicidal because they were ill equipped to defend themselves. Most of the population were recent survivors of the holocaust in which 6 million Jews had already died. They lacked the weapons and manpower to fight the formidable coalition of the Arab states.

However, Ben Gurion’s decision was informed by trust in God’s ability to fight for Israel. He was quoted as saying ‘“In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.”

And so against all odds, by 4pm on May 14, 1948, David Ben Gurion declared the birth of the new state of Israel. Immediately the next day, the Arab coalition attacked the new Jewish state.

And indeed God showed up with miracles. Amazingly the tiny nation of Israel not only won the war against the bigger coalition of Arab nations, but it also ended up expanding its territories. And today, the existence of Israel continues to be a miracle and proof that God is able to fight for His people.

Indeed as children of God, in every conflict, we must understand that the battle is the Lord’s. Knowing that God is able to fight for us enables us to enter into our rest.

Hebrews 4:10 says, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”

Ceasing from our own works means we are no longer fretting and worrying, but rather we are trusting in God’s ability to deliver.

Mark 4:35-41 records that while His disciples were desperately afraid and worried, Jesus rested and was sleeping on a pillow while the boat was in the middle of a storm.

Total trust in God, and His ability to deliver, will cause us to be at rest even in the middle of the storm.

As we come into the first day of the sixth month of this year, there is every tendency to fret and worry about so many things. The year seems to be moving so fast and yet it seems progress may have been slow. The world has been battling a global pandemic, and yet it still has not been fully brought to a halt. The financial future seems to look bleak, even as the global economy struggles.

However, whatever the case may be, let us always be assured that our victory over every battle is guaranteed by the Blood of Jesus.

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 by the Blood we are coming into a new season of victory this month. It doesn’t matter what things may look like in the world, in this month a new chapter is opening up to us! Indeed we are coming out of every negative situation and moving into the glory destined for us!

God still has great things in store for us this year and we must keep pressing forward into it. It is indeed a new day! It is our hour of victory! It is our season to see beauty for ashes and to see every mourning turned into dancing for us.

PRAYER: Father please enable me to enter into my rest and not to fret over any situation. I know indeed that You are fighting my battles and giving me the total victory in Jesus Name.

Quote

When you obey God’s instruction, you are delivered from destruction. WORDBITE 222.

Proverbs 18:10 ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’

DAILY READING 2 John 1; Ezra 5-6; Psalm 93

The Rock of Gibraltar, which is known as the world’s premier natural fortress, is a spectacular formation of rocks in the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.
It is a natural strong tower or fortress located in Gibraltar, a territory of the United Kingdom.
The Rock which is 1,398 ft high, has played a significant role in the history of Europe. From ancient times it has served as a refuge for many armies. It has been a British fortress since the early 18th century and a vital factor in British military strategy.
During World War II, Gibraltar played a vital role in helping the British army to control virtually all naval traffic into and out of the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to its commanding position, the rock of Gibraltar provided a strongly defended fortress for the British army during the war.. The Rock was turned into a huge underground fortress capable of accommodating 16,000 men along with all the supplies, ammunition and equipment needed to withstand a prolonged siege. Tunnels constructed within the rock, housed guns, hangars, ammunition stores, barracks and even hospitals.
For the British, Gilbratar was an impregnable rock, a fortress that in many ways often helped them win their wars.

Just as the rock of Gilbratar served as a fortress for the British, likewise, we have need for a strong refuge in the battles of life.

Psalm 61:2-4 says “when my heart is Overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings”

Indeed The Lord is our strong tower! When we run to Him, we are guaranteed safety from all battles.

Proverbs 18:10 says ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’

Strong towers are built not only for protection but to provide sustenance for those abiding within it. When God is our strong tower, we find in Him all we need for survival and sustenance on earth. In Him we find our Healer, Deliverer, Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Provider, the Redeemer, the Strong Tower of refuge.
God not only supplies all our needs but He is a covenant-keeping God who will never leave us, fail us, or forsake us.

Indeed our safest place is in God’s hands. . In Him we live and move and have our being. God is a tower of refuge for those who put their trust in Him! He is our rock; He is our shield, the horn of our salvation, our high tower, and our refuge. God is Mighty to deliver, Mighty to save, the Mighty man in battle and the Lord of hosts.

When we abide in Him, we are safe from the storms and billows of life. When we abide in Him we are blessed, we are provided for, we are healed and we are more than conquerors. Indeed when we are in Christ our safety from all life’s storms is guaranteed.

Presently, God has really been a strong tower for us, protecting us in these very perilous times. With all that is happening in the world currently, it is indeed only by the mercies of God that we have been protected. And as we mark the end of this fifth month of May, let us continually make seeking the face of God our priority in the months ahead of us.
Indeed by His grace, we shall remain protected and shielded from every evil of these end times.

PRAYER: Lord,. Thank You for being my hiding place, my strong tower and refuge from all storms of life. Help me to always hide myself in You now and always in Jesus Name. . .

QUOTE

It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – WORDBITE 201

Psalm 32:6-7 ‘For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.’

DAILY READING –  1 John 5; Ezra 3-4; Psalm 92

Kenneth E. Hagin once shared a story that reflects the importance of being sensitive to the Spirit and following His divine  promptings.

One day he came into the Church auditorium where the Healing School was taking place, and sat down on the platform. Not long after that, a sudden burden came upon him to pray. He sensed in his spirit that he had to pray immediately because somebody’s life was in danger.

So he got up and said to the crowd, “Folks, I have this burden to pray, so let’s all pray now.”

And so everyone in the auditorium  began to pray.  Kenneth Hagin prayed earnestly in tongues for at least 45 minutes, and continued praying until he finally got a note of victory in his spirit . And with that assurance, he began to laugh and to sing and to Praise God! He knew that whosoever he had been praying for had been delivered from death.

Then at 9:30pm that night, he got a phone call from the daughter of a woman who had been a great supporter of his ministry for many years. She said about three o’clock that afternoon, there had been an explosion in the Texaco refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, and her father had been trapped in there with 17 other men.  They had been in there for about six and a half hours and the firemen had  been unable to put out the fire. She said there was fear that the men may die and  so she was asking Kenneth Hagin to pray.

However, on hearing her, Kenneth Hagin started laughing because he suddenly realized whom he had been praying for earlier that day. So he told the young  woman, “There’s no need to pray at this point. I already got the victory on that, your father will be all right.”

By 1:30am that morning, the phone rang again. It was the same young lady. now calling to say that firemen had finally put out the fire, and when they went in there, to their greatest amazement all eighteen men were alive and safe! Hallelujah!

Indeed the Holy Spirit is ever willing to lead us, when we are willing and ready to follow His guidance. Readiness to obey His divine promptings, will help to avert many dangers.

Indeed if Spirit–filled believers would only become more prayer–conscious, many problems would be avoided. Many calamities would never happen if believers only quickly submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit and instantly obeyed any time He tugs on our hearts.

However, sensitivity to the Spirit will occur when we maintain an unbroken fellowship with Him. When we take the time to build a strong relationship with the Spirit, where we can easily detect His leadings, it becomes easier to hear and obey.

And one way to build such a relationship is through daily intimate fellowship with the Spirit. Even when we leave the secret place of prayer, we can remain constantly connected to Him all day long. As our hands are working , our spirit can remain in sweet communion with God’s Spirit, through ceaseless flow of prayer and worship.

An atmosphere of continual worship and appreciation of God, draws His Presence. This is why we must strive to keep our heart tender and joyful, so as to be constantly plugged into His Presence, where we can easily pick up His divine signals.

We remain constantly spiritually charged up through a lifestyle of prayer, praise and listening to God’s Word.

God is closer than the air we breathe. And it is His will to always guide us and show us the things that will bring blessings to us and people around us. This is why it is important that we create the conducive atmosphere for His miracles and divine interactions with us. And this we do  when remain Word-filled, prayerful and praise-full. Indeed as we bless The Lord at all times and His praise remains continually on our lips, then we can be sure of His divine  Presence wherever we go, because God always inhabits the praises of His people.

PRAYER: Father please help me to maintain an unbroken connection to Your Spirit, wherever I go. Grant me the grace for a continual flow of prayer, praise and hearing of Your Word, so that I can be divinely guided by Your Spirit daily in Jesus Name.

QUOTE :

To get into the next level of your life, God will always give a specific instruction. – WORDBITE 222.

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

DAILY READING; 1 John 4; Ezra 1-2; Psalm 91

In 1989, a massive earthquake struck the country of Armenia, killing over 30,000 people. However, among the devastating News headlines, was the amazing story of a father’s unrelenting effort to find his missing son.

This man had immediately rushed to his son’s school, only to find the building flattened by the earthquake. Tears filled his eyes, especially as he remembered that he had always promised his son he would be there for him, no matter what.

In desperation he rushed to where his son’s classroom used to be, and started digging through the rubble. As other grieving parents arrived, they tried to dissuade him, believing that all the children must be dead. However, to everyone who tried to stop him, he asked, “Are you going to help me?” But with no one offering to assist, he continued digging for his son, stone by stone. Refusing to give up, he eventually dug for thirty-seven hours. And finally in the thirty-eighth hour, as he pulled back a boulder, he heard a voice. He screamed his son’s name, and heard the voice of his son answer him back!

Amazingly, the children in the class had been trapped in a hollow cavity of the collapsed building, and had not been buried by the debris. Eventually, all the children were brought out to safety. And it was priceless for this father to later hear that his son had told his classmates, that as long as  his father was alive, he would come looking for him, because he had promised to always be there for him.

This story is captured by Mark Victor Hansen, in the book “Chicken Soup for the Soul”.

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

Indeed, there is a reaping in the due season for those who refuse to be weary or quit.

In Mark 5:25-34, the woman with the issue of blood could have given up because of her discouraging situation, but because she refused to quit and pressed on to touch Jesus, in the end she got her miracle.

Despite any discouraging situation, we need to keep pressing forward. Especially when we are believing God for the fulfillment of His Word in our lives, we need to be tenacious in clinging to His promises.

Even if it seems the opposite of what you are believing is happening, you need to say like Smith Wigglesworth; ‘God said it, I believe it and that settles it’

All the discouragement the enemy sends your way is only an attempt  to get you to quit before your miracle comes. But quitters never win and winners never quit. It is he that endures to the end that shall be saved.

Therefore, don’t give up too soon. You have come too far to stop this journey halfway. Understand that God has not called the sons of Jacob to seek Him in vain. There is a reward for those who diligently seek God, and serve Him in spirit and in truth. And though weeping may have endured for a night, never forget that joy comes with the morning. Therefore keep believing, keep expecting, there is coming a reaping, after the weeping.

Surely there is an end and your expectations will not be cut off. Remember it is always darkest just before the day breaks. And the battle is often hottest just before victory comes. However, according to Zechariah 9:12 God will give you double for all your trouble. You shall not labor in vain. And you will surely eat the fruit of your labor.

Therefore keep pressing forward and keep giving God worthy praise, because your praise will precede your victory.

PRAYER; Lord I thank you for what You are set to do in my life. Thank You for granting me the grace never to grow weary in well doing. Surely, I shall reap the blessings, You have ordained for me in this season in Jesus Name.

Quote

It is never over in your life, until you win, God is still in control of your life. WORDBITE 222

Deuteronomy 23:5 ‘but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee’

DAILY READING;        1 John 3; 2 Chronicles 36; Psalm 90

Jack Coe was one of the ministers of the Gospel used mightily by God during the 20^th century. One of the most memorable things that happened to Jack Coe was his arrest in Miami, Florida, for “practicing medicine without a license”, which was considered a felony.

In 1956, Jack Coe set up his tent, to hold a crusade in South Florida, and many people came from all over the city to attend. In the meetings, the Spirit of the Lord moved with signs, wonders, healings, and miracles. Though the people were blessed, the government officials in Miami were not pleased.

They accused Jack Coe of praying for the sick without a medical license and the city’s next action was to send him to a jail cell in the Dade County prison on February 8th, 1956.

However what the enemy meant for evil, God turned it all around for good. Without planning to, the Miami officials ended up giving Jack Coe’s ministry a great publicity.

The Miami Herald Newspapers headlines carried the new of his arrest, and Jack Coe took advantage of the incarceration by posing for a photo behind the steel bars in his cell.

When Christians read the News, and viewed his photos, they were outraged that a man of God could be thrown in prison for believing God could heal sickness and disease. So many Christians called the Miami Herald newspaper that, for the first time in the history of that newspaper, its switchboard broke down. The Staff of the Newspaper was swamped for days with expressions of outrage from Christians throughout the country.

When the case was charged to court, it brought even more national attention to Jack Coe. And finally in a packed-out courthouse, Jack Coe won the case. All this ended up giving Jack Coe greater fame and expanded the scope of his ministry, making him to plan even more healing crusades.

Romans 8:28 speaks of God’s ability to turn situations around for us.  It says;

‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.’

And again Deuteronomy 23:5 says, ‘The LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing.’

The word ‘turned’ in this verse is the same word we find in Exodus 7:14-15, where the Lord tells Moses to confront Pharaoh with the rod which was ‘turned’ to a serpent.

Indeed what was meant to harm you can be turned around by God to promote you. God can turn a curse into a blessing for you and turn your misfortune into a miracle. Sickness can be turned to health, poverty can be turned to prosperity and stress can be turned to strength.

Indeed when we love God all things work together for our good.

There is no situation God cannot turn around. There is no night so dark, His light cannot penetrate. In situations where you don’t know what to do, always trust that God knows what to do. Just turn over the battle to Him through prayer and thanksgiving.

Even when you may not immediately see how things will work out, just keep trusting God. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine. He has it all figured out. No matter what happens, God has it all under control. He has a plan and a purpose. And as long as we are sincere in following Him, He will cause everything to work together for our good.

So don’t fret or bother yourself no matter what oppositions you may be facing today. Just keep looking unto Jesus. Keep looking to The Word of God and maintain your praise.

God knows how to turn the table in your favor. This is why we need not bother about evil schemes against us, because whatever the enemy meant for evil, God is able to turn it all around for our good.

Where you may have recorded losses, God is about to turn it to profiting. What was a disadvantage, God can turn into an advantage. Indeed God is able to turn your mourning into dancing and turn your sorrow into joy.

PRAYER:  Lord, I thank You for a positive change of story for me in this season. I know that even right now, You are causing  everything to work together for my good. By Your grace I am moving to greater heights of glory in Jesus name.

QUOTE

Eat God’s Word and boost your Joy level – WORDBITE 222

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 READUNG; 1 John 2; 2 Chronicles 35; Psalm 89:38-52

America’s Independence Day is annually celebrated on July 4^th and is the anniversary of the publication of its declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776.

American colonies were first founded by Christians trying to escape religious persecution in England. However, as these colonies began to thrive, the British government sought to gain greater control over them. Thirteen of these  colonies rebelled against the British rule. Things came to a head when the British Parliament placed harsh new taxes on them.  Led by a group called ‘the Sons of Liberty’, the American people began to protest against these British taxes and laws. And when the matter could not be resolved, on April 19, 1775, the Revolutionary War began between the American forces and the British.

About a year later, on July 4, 1776, the Founding Fathers of America formally

signed the declaration of independence that freed them from the British rule. Copies of this document was sent to every corner of the new nation.

However despite this Declaration of Independence , it wasn’t until many years later that the American nation actually experienced freedom. The war continued until 1781, when under the leadership of General George Washington, the American forces finally defeated the British military.

The Treaty of Paris was signed September 3, 1783, formally ending the war and confirming America’s complete independence and separation from the British Empire.

What is interesting was that despite America’s formal declaration of independence, the British remained unwilling to let them go. But the American nation, determined to gain their freedom, continued to fight until their independence fully became a reality.

This is similar to what happens spiritually when we fight the good fight of faith to secure the freedom Christ has already won for us.

1 Timothy 6:12 says ‘‘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.’

Every believer will be faced with the fight of faith to enter the liberty Christ has won for us. It’s a good fight because it is a fixed fight, you are already programmed to win. And as long as you persist and not give up, you will eventually have your desired liberty.

Understand that according to God’s Word, through the Blood of Jesus, you have already been set free from every bondage and affliction.

However, your freedom becomes a reality when you are prepared to fight the good fight of faith to secure what Christ has already purchased for you by His Blood.

In Genesis 15, God made a blood covenant with Abraham, promising liberty to his seed after they would have been in bondage in Egypt for 400 years. At that time Abraham had no child, but he was so persuaded by faith in the covenant that he did not stagger at the promise, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. And despite his seemingly impossible situation, God’s promise was eventually fulfilled and Isaac was born.

Today, through the shed blood of Jesus, God has established a covenant with us. It is a full redemptive package that guarantees us all that pertains to life and godliness.

Therefore do not accept anything that is contrary to your divine heritage in Christ. Whatever situation you may be faced with today, refuse to bow to the opposition.  Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set you free and fight the good fight of faith.

You will win the fight by continually declaring your liberty and maintaining your confession of faith in God’s Word, even in the face of staggering oppositions.

And as you keep giving glory to God, it is only a matter of time before your freedom becomes manifest for all to see.

PRAYER: Lord, I Thank You for the freedom I have today through the Blood of Jesus. I thank You Lord for overturning every contrary situation in my life and giving me the continual victory at all times in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

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

Lamentations 3:22-23 ‘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.’

DAILY READING; – 1 John 1; 2 Chronicles 34; Psalm 89:19-37

Samuel Wesley, the father of John Wesley, during the 18^th century, served as a dedicated pastor in his parish. However, there were those who did not like him. And it is believed that one of those enemies, on February 9, 1709, set fire to the rectory at Epworth where the Wesley family lived.

That night, Samuel Wesley’s 11-year-old daughter, Hetty, was awakened from sleep around 11:30 p.m by burning pieces from the roof of the house falling on her bed! She immediately raised an alarm.

The parents, eight children, and a handful of servants had to run for their lives, with no time to take any possession with them.

However, after everyone had run to safety, the parents were alarmed to realize that 5 year old John Wesley had been left behind.

Though the father tried to go back inside to find him, the burning flames made it impossible. And so believing John would die in the fire, the father asked the family to pray and ask God to receive his soul. But just at that moment, one of the neighbors who had gathered to help, spotted little John at a window of the burning house. With no time to look for the ladder, one man stood upon the shoulder of another man to reach the little boy and they pulled him out just in the nick of time. Immediately he was pulled out , the burning roof collapsed into the building and the house eventually burnt down.

Later on, John’s mother, Susanne Wesley called him ‘a branch plucked out of fire’ in reference to Zechariah 3:2. And throughout his lifetime, John Wesley believed that God had saved him that night to fulfill His purpose on earth. which included the founding of the Methodist Church.

Lamentations 3:22-23  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.’

Many of us like John Wesley are branches plucked out of the fire. We are only alive today because of God’s grace and mercy. Right in the midst of many fiery situations, when it had looked like the end of us, God had intervened just in the nick of time and plucked us out.

And this is why we remain ever grateful to Him. Indeed we are all products of God’s mercy. None of us would be here today, if the Lord has not been on our side.

David said, “By this I know the Lord is on my side, He has not let my enemies triumph over me” (Psalm 41:11).

Indeed, God has not allowed the enemy to triumph over us. Despite all the things that came against us, God has kept and preserved us.

That trouble could have been the end of you, that sickness could have taken you out, but yet by the grace of God you survived it all.

Some of us have been through fires that should have left us battered, shattered and tattered, we should have been broken by those severe seasons of trauma, but yet today there is no sign around us of what we have been through. God has so delivered us, that just like the Hebrew boys, there is not even the smell of smoke around us.

So, while it may sometimes be easy to worry or complain about the things we think are not working, let us never forget how far God has brought us. Indeed a living dog is better than a dead lion, and as long as you are joined to the living there is still hope for you.

Indeed God is ever good and faithful.  This is why we appreciate and praise Him. Even when we may not trace Him, we keep trusting Him, knowing that He is working everything together for our good. And we are thankful that His mercy endures forever and ever.

PRAYER: Father please help me to always maintain a lifestyle of gratitude in appreciation for all Your goodness towards me and my family. Indeed You have been faithful to me and for this, I praise and bless You forever in Jesus Name.

QUOTE :

Thanking God in whatever situation you find yourself in life stirs up the Heavens to move on your behalf- WORDBITE 222

Psalm  32:7 ‘You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.’

DAILY READING – •           John 21; 2 Chronicles 33; Psalm 89:1-18

Darlene Deibler Rose, was a Christian missionary in Papua New Guinea  and the first American woman to enter the Baliem Valley of New Guinea. She served there as a missionary with her husband during  World War 2.

Soon after the Japanese declared war on America and attacked Pearl Harbor, they also attacked the island where the Deiblers worked in the Pacific, and made them prisoners of the Japanese Imperial army.

Darlene Diebler was taken to a prison so terrible that the prisoners preferred death. Yet she held on to God‘s Word and strived to be a good soldier for Jesus Christ.  She risked being punished with death, by preaching Christ to the cruel Japanese officer in charge of their prison camp, telling him how much God loved him, visibly shaking the officer by her words.

A most harrowing experience came when the Japanese authorities accused her to be an American spy and summoned her to the dreaded Kempeitai prison for solitary confinement and intense interrogation. On the final day, she was led into another room where she was meant to be executed. She saw her executor begin to draw his sword, and she began to prepare her mind to meet her Maker.

At that moment, the Lord brought the song lyrics to mind, “I’ll live for Him who died for me!”

She felt confused that the Lord would bring a song to her in such moment of great despair. However, as this song began to play through her mind, at that very  moment a car screeched to a halt at the front of the building where she was. Before she knew it, she found herself being whisked away by other officials and returned to Kampili, her previous camp. God had delivered her from death.

She later learnt that the Japanese officer she had preached to, was the one God used to save her. On hearing that she was about to be executed, he had lobbied for her rescue and had come in the nick of time to whisk her away.

She was later released from the prison and continued with her missionary work.

The truth is that everything visible and physical is controlled by the invisible and spiritual. And to effectively handle the visible and physical world around us, we must correctly utilize the invisible and spiritual weapons God has given  to us.

Praise is a spiritual weapon that can instantly break every visible yoke and bondage and grant you speedy deliverance.  It doesn’t matter how tight any situation may appear, when you engage the spiritual weapon of praise you can effectively overcome it.

We live in a world where we constantly face battles and all manner of oppositions as we try to carry out God’s assignment. This is why out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, God has ordained praise as a way of stopping the enemy and the avenger.

Praise is a covenant escape route that God has ordained for believers. This is because praise will always bring God on the scene  for our deliverance.

We need to constantly maintain an atmosphere of praise and joy around us because we constantly need God’s Presence. It is not a matter of whether we feel like it or not. As a matter of fact anything that can hinder your joy is hindering your deliverance. But as we develop a grateful attitude, and constantly live a life of thanksgiving and praise, we will see manifestations of God’s power, and significant miracles in our daily lives.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to constantly engage the power of praise.  Thank You Lord for helping me to overcome every obstacle to my joy, and to constantly live a life of praise and thanksgiving 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 24:8-10 ‘Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.’

DAILY READING : John 20:19-31; 2 Chronicles 32; Psalm 88

Bruce Olson is an American missionary who was used mightily by God to bring the Gospel to the primitive Motilone Indians of Colombia and Venezuela.
However in October, 1988, a shocking news came that he had been captured by a band of guerrilla terrorists intent on controlling Motilone territory as part of their strategy for revolution. Bruce was in captivity for nine months and endured constant torture and death threats. At one time, he was placed before a firing squad, only to find that the bullets were blanks; all these was in an attempt to break him, but it didn’t work. Yet despite all that he went through, Bruce Olson remained joyful in The Lord. He handed over his battles to God, knowing that God was able to deliver him from the mouth of the lion. He continued to show his captors unrelenting love and eventually was able to lead many of them to the Lord.
Finally, one day, one of the guerrilla leaders came and told him that he was released and free to go home. He told Olson that they had made a mistake when they captured him. He went on to say, “It’s an embarrassment to us that you’ve been held in our camps. If we’ve mistreated you we hope you can find the greatness to forgive us.’
Bruce was thankful that despite everything that happened to him, God was working out His sovereign will. What the enemy had meant for evil by causing the guerilla fighters to capture him, was turned all around for good, when God caused the fighters to come to Christ.

In life, battles are real, but even more real is our victory. Though as believers we are called into warfare, but much more importantly we are also called into victories. Battles are a necessary part of the journey of faith.
Even Jesus, fought battles when he was on earth. He started fighting from birth, when Herod wanted to kill Him and His parents had to flee with Him to Egypt. Though He fought every inch of the way, He also won every inch of the way!
2 Corinthians 2:14 says God, always causes us to triumph in Christ.
“Always” means all ways. Our victory is guaranteed in all ways and in every place.
It is God that causes us to triumph. The battle is His and we are only His battle axes and weapons of war. This is why He says ‘you do not need to fight in this battle only stand Ye still and see the salvation of The Lord.’

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

The Lord is strong and mighty in battle. When He comes into the battle arena, the earth trembles. He makes every opposition to bow to us. He establishes victory for us. When you understand that the battle belongs to God then you will not need to fret or cry over any challenge, rather you maintain your joy and let God fight the battle for you.
Many of the challenges you face on earth may appear natural but when you look closer, there is an extension to the world of the spirit. More than a physical challenge it is a spiritual warfare. And every spiritual battle requires a spiritual approach.
Our greatest guarantee for victory in every battle is God’s presence, and praise is what it takes to get God on the scene. And when He arrives every enemy scatters. It is very clear in Scripture that God will not keep you from fighting, but He has guaranteed that as long as you are in Him you will always have the victory.
So do not let the enemy stop your praise or your singing and dancing because of challenges. It is your praise that will determine your victory. Therefore in every situation give God worthy praise, and He will cause you to triumph always.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for granting me the victory in every battle. Please help me to praise you despite any situation, let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my mouth 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.