HORM Devotional

Psalm 91:5-7 ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.’

DAILY READING –John 13:21-38; 2 Chronicles 19; Psalm 78:38-55

“Defender of the Faith” is an official title of the Queen of England. However for Queen Victoria who reigned in the 19^th century, faith for her was more than a title, it was a reflection of her personal relationship with God. One incident that happened during her reign indicated why she had such deep faith in God.

One night she was being transported on the British express train. However as the train raced through the night, suddenly the engineer saw a startling sight. In the beam of the engine’s headlights was a weird figure in a black cloak, standing in the middle of the tracks and waving its arms. The engineer grabbed the brakes and brought the train to a grinding halt.

He and his crew climbed out to see who had stopped them, but they could not find any trace of the strange figure. On a hunch, the engineer walked a few yards farther up the tracks. Suddenly he stopped and stared into the fog in horror!. A bridge had been washed out and had fallen into a swollen stream. If he had not heeded the ghostly figure, and stopped when he did, the train would have plunged them into the river.

Despite an intensive search, they failed to find this strange flagman. However, when they got back to London they were finally able to solve the mystery.

The engineer found a huge moth at the base of the engine’s headlamp. When he placed this moth on the glass and put on the headlights, he then realized what had happened: it was the moth that had in the fog, formed a shadow that appeared to be a phantom figure waving its arms. This moth had saved their lives! And When Queen Victoria was told of the strange happening she said, “I’m sure it was no accident. It was God’s way of protecting us.”

Just like God used a simple moth to save Queen Victoria that night, often times, in the night seasons of life God shows up for our deliverance.

Spiritually speaking, the night seasons of life represent times of trouble and afflictions, when life seems most difficult. However, through the Blood, God has made deliverance available for those who trust in Him.

It is indeed quite interesting that the Communion is called “the Lord’s Supper,” not “the Lord’s breakfast or lunch.” The Holy Communion was instituted in the night, when Jesus ate the last supper with His disciples. The Passover was also instituted in the night, when the blood on the doorposts, stopped the death angel that night from touching the children of Israel.

In the night seasons of life, God has made the blood available to deliver us. Remember Psalm 91 talked about the pestilence that walks in darkness. Plagues and pandemics are part of these afflictions of darkness. As a matter of fact every affliction upon men comes from the regions of darkness. However, the Blood of Jesus is available to deliver us from all evil. This is why we must continually apply the Blood of Jesus upon our lives. When we are covered by the Blood we become a ‘touch not’ to every affliction of darkness.

Isaiah 60 tells us that while gross darkness will cover the earth, glory will cover the children of God.

Let us therefore stay under the glory cover by continually rejoicing in The Lord and in the power of His might. That way, whatever afflicts the world, cannot afflict us. Indeed, through the Blood, God is able to deliver us from every evil and protect us from all harm..

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for Your glory that is rising upon me, despite the gross darkness in the world. Thank You Lord, that through the precious Blood of Jesus, my family and I are continually protected in Jesus’ Name.

Quote :

The treasures of God are never on the shallow end, but are always buried in the depth of God’s Word. It takes a personal discovery to get there. – WORDBITE 222

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

DAILY READING; John 13:1-20; 2 Chronicles 18; Psalm 78:21-37

John Geddie was a Canadian missionary who was known as “the father of Presbyterian missions in the South Seas.” He pioneered missionary work in the New Hebrides islands.
In 1848, John Geddie got on a ship with his wife and children to travel to the South Sea Islands to begin a mission work there. After a voyage of more than 20,000 miles, they arrived in the New Hebrides Islands. However, the island chain was filled with cannibals.
It was quite frightening for John and his wife to discover, shortly after their arrival, that more than twenty crew members of a British ship had been killed and eaten recently by the cannibals on the island.
This piece of bad news was enough to have sent them running back to Canada. However, they decided to trust God and forge on with their missionary work. In the course of their work, the islanders often stole their belongings and they were under constant threat of being killed, yet they didn’t give up.
When a deadly measles epidemic swept through the island, killing almost a third of the population, John and his wife trusted God for divine protection and He preserved them.
And because they refused to quit, despite the many challenges, they soon began to see positive results of their labour. Though there had never been a convert on the island, soon the people began to receive the Gospel and many eventually became Christians.
John Geddie continued his ministry faithfully, including translating the entire Bible into the native language and planting twenty-five churches.
Through his work, many of the islanders gave up their evil practices such as killing wives at their husbands’ death. Soon virtually everyone on the island got converted to Christianity through John Geddie’s ministry.
Years later, after his death, in the pulpit of the church where Geddie had pastored in the island, stands a plaque in his honor. It reads: “When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left in 1872 there were no heathen.”

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

Perspective is indeed important. To succeed, we must always see life from God’s point of view. Without such a perspective we follow natural inclinations of fear and doubt, when faced with challenges.
In trying situation, we must depend on God’s grace and walk by faith, not by sight. We must focus on God’s Word and let His promises shine on our problems.
The truth is that what sometimes appear as impossible situations could actually be great opportunities in disguise, arranged by God for our lifting.
When the men of Israel ran from Goliath and David ran towards him, the difference in their reactions was perspective. While the men of Israel saw a looming crisis, David saw a looming opportunity.
Indeed challenges are common obstacles on the path of every man’s destiny. But how we decide to respond to them will determine if we win or lose.
We must therefore learn to always access situations based on the perspective of God’s Word. What could look like a casting down for others could actually be a lifting up for you.
When God’s Word girds our minds, we will always see God at work in every situation around us. When we trust that the God who runs the universe cannot mismanage our destiny, then we can afford to be joyful and thankful in every situation.
The truth is that as a man thinks in his heart so is he. What you see within you is what will eventually manifest around you. Therefore let us keep the right perspective of faith, instead of fear, by constantly meditating on God’s Word.
It doesn’t matter the present challenges, when God is on your side, majority is on your side. And truly when you know your God, you shall indeed be strong and do exploits.

PRAYER; Lord please grant me the grace to constantly focus on Your Word, so that faith can be ignited in my heart to always see things from Your own perspective. Thank You Lord for causing me to triumph always in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

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

1 John 4:4 ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’

DAILY READING; John 12:27-50; 2 Chronicles 16-17; Psalm 78:1-20

One of the most well-known Christian leaders in China was Pastor Samuel Lamb. He began preaching when he was 19 years old, and always lived ready to suffer for the sake of Christ.

He was first imprisoned for two years, from 1955 to 1957, in a wave of Christian persecutions that arose in China. He was later imprisoned again for the second time in 1958, where he spent the next 20 years in gruesome labor camps, mostly working in coal mines. Despite the harsh punishments, Lamb continued to preach and teach, becoming the beloved secret pastor to hundreds of fellow inmates.

He took joy in suffering for the sake of Christ. Even before he went to prison, he was so ready to be arrested that he always had a bag packed with some clothes, shoes and a toothbrush. And when the police finally came for him, he simply picked up his bag and followed them.

After his release in 1978 from 20 years imprisonment, undaunted, he again took up his work as a pastor. He later built a phenomenal ‘house church’ congregation of more than a thousand people. As attendance continued to grow, he had to move his congregation to a bigger building in the same city. Despite his past sufferings he was rewarded to witness the exponential growth of the Chinese Church. At the time when he was first imprisoned, the estimated number of Christians in China was about a million, but today estimates say there are now about 100 million Christians in China.

Pastor Lamb is known for famously quoting “More persecution, more growth.”

He often taught against murmuring and grumbling in times of persecution, but rather encouraged others to count it all joy. Despite all he went through he remained undaunted, standing boldly — and with spiritual grace, against the fierce opposition. He became an example for millions of Chinese believers, as well as Christians in many parts of the world.. The book ‘as bold as a lamb’ captures his compelling story of finding joy in the midst of relentless persecution.

In the history of Christianity, persecution has often been a necessary fodder for the growth of the Church. This is why the Bible tells us to count it all joy when we pass through fiery trials, because it is all working out together for our good.

In Acts chapter 8, the church grew after the disciples were scattered from Jerusalem. Earlier also in the book of Exodus, we saw how Pharoah tried to destroy the children of Israel through oppression, but the more he persecuted them, the more God multiplied them.

Indeed no matter the persecutions, believers always rise stronger because the greater One lives in us.

1 John 4:4 says ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.’

The truth is that being born of God has destined you to always be an overcomer.. As a child of God, no matter the adverse situations you may face, you will only keep coming up and rising higher, because by nature you belong to the top. No matter how many times you may be pushed down, you will only keep rising above. And even right now, what may look like a cutting down, is only pruning you to grow bigger, better and stronger.

Instead of diminishing, persecution only helps Christians to thrive and grow. Just like oil by nature always ascends above water, the anointed of The Lord will always rise above the waters of afflictions.

John 3:32 speaking about Jesus says ‘He that cometh from above is above all’.

By virtue of carrying the nature of Christ we are meant to be above too. As believers we are always to be the head and never the tail. So it doesn’t matter how other people may get cut down in this period of difficulty in the world, always know that as a believer it will all work out for your good. Therefore do not be discouraged by what may look like a setback, it is only a set up for your glorious comeback. Through Christ you have all it takes to keep going forward. Indeed you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you. And Just like Christ, because you are from above, you will always be above all.

PRAYER: Lord, please give me the grace to persevere through this time of difficulty in the world. By Your grace, I will keep rising despite how many times situations try to bring me down. Thank You Lord for causing me to be above always 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.

Psalm 66:3  “Through the greatness of thy power shall thy enemy submit themselves unto thee.”

DAILY READING; John 12:1-26; 2 Chronicles 14-15; Psalm 77

It takes power to go up in life. This principle is reflected in how a Rocket uses up most of its energy when getting into space. This is so because a rocket needs much fuel to overcome Earth’s gravity as it rises.

Gravity is a constant force that never shuts off.  It is constantly exerting a “downward” force on every object within its range. And in order for a rocket to move up, an upward force greater than the downward force of gravity needs to be applied. If the rocket stops pushing upward and stops opposing the pull of gravity, then the gravity will slow down its upward acceleration, and eventually reverse its upward progress and make it to start falling back to earth.

Therefore to have enough power to go up, fuel-based rockets,  have to carry much fuel. In fact 90% of the weight of a typical rocket is fuel. And in order for all that fuel to lift itself up off the ground  the rocket needs to generate an enormous amount of acceleration. Most rockets are made up of two or three stages. When a stage has used up all of its fuel, to get rid of the dead weight, it separates itself and then falls back, usually into the ocean or burns up in the atmosphere.

Rockets have to travel about 25,000 miles per hour to get into space… that’s at least seven miles per second. A rocket will keep speeding up as long as the force pushing it upwards  is greater than the forces pulling and pushing it downwards. But once in orbit, with no more gravity to overcome, the spacecraft can then “coast” along without expending any more energy .

There is a great spiritual truth to be learned from this. It explains why we constantly need to build up spiritual power through maintaining a prayerful lifestyle. Indeed to go up in life, we need great power. It is only by the exercise of great power that we can overcome the forces of the enemy.

Psalm 66:3  says “Through the greatness of thy power shall thy enemy submit themselves unto thee.”

Indeed life is a warfare. And it is our power level that determines our level of dominion. The greater your power, the more you can dominate.  And Supernatural empowerment answers to an effectual prayer life.

In Acts 6:4 the disciples declared “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” And the effect of this was that power kept on erupting, resulting in miracles, signs and wonders!

We are in the last days which are the days of God’s power. As such, every child of God is empowered to operate in the realms of supernatural exploits. John 1:12 says ‘for as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become sons of God.’

With salvation comes a level of power, but we need to keep increasing that power, because the battles of life are getting hotter every day. Though, Jesus was anointed without measure, yet He kept going to the mountain of prayer to increase His power. We increase our power through diligent study of God’s Word and a strong prayer life, especially praying in the Holy Ghost. The more we pray in tongues, the more we are supernaturally charged up and empowered. And most importantly we can be sure of victory every time, when we engage praise, which brings God’s very Presence.

It is our depth in God that determines our height in life. You can’t dominate the world until you are dominated by God.

To rise up to that place of glory God has ordained for us this year, we must be willing to pay the price for His Presence and His Power. As we commit ourselves to the study of God’s Word, passionate praise and a fervent prayer life, we shall indeed be soaring to greater heights of glory.

PRAYER: Lord, Please grant me a renewed desire for Your Word, prayer and praise, so that I can be empowered to soar to the great heights of glory You have ordained for me in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

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

[11:14 PM, 5/8/2020] Joy Of The Lord: Luke 8:16 ‘No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.’

DAILY READING – – John 11:1-27; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Psalm 75

God has created many amazing marine animals who dwell in the deep sea. One of these is a fish called the “flashlight fish,”. The “Flashlight fish”, also called lantern-eye fish, are characterized by the presence of luminescent organs just below the eye. They are among the few species of non-deep-sea fishes to possess such organs.
When it is night, some animals are overcome by the darkness, and so hide in their holes, but other creatures like the flashlight fish, who emit light from their bodies, light up their surroundings.
Other animals, we are familiar with, who also glow in the dark, are creatures like the firefly, whose light flickers in dark nights. They can turn their lights off and on, like a flashlight.
This phenomenon of emitting light is known as bioluminescence. And it occurs through a chemical reaction that produces light energy within the organism’s body.
When these creatures are in the dark, they do not allow themselves to be overcome by the darkness, rather from within, they produce their own light for illumination.
As Christians, though we may dwell in a dark world, we are to light up our environment with God’s light. Jesus is the light of the world and when He lives in us, we also become the light of our world.
Light is most effective in dark places. And in today’s world, our light is most needed, because of the millions of people who live in the darkness of sin. Today, many feel that there is nothing wrong with perversion, adultery, hatred, prejudice, lying, stealing etc. In many countries, evils like same sex marriage, abortion, bestiality, incest, etc has become legalized. Yet, though the world may be growing darker, it only provides opportunity for our light to shine brighter.

Luke 8:16 says ‘No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.’

God sends us into dark places so that we can shine His light for men to see. You may be in a difficult family, city, workplace or neighborhood. You’re not there by accident. God has sent you to brighten things up. You are to shine with your actions. Your godly light will speak louder than any words. Because Jesus let His light shine among sinners, many became believers. God will bring people across your path who will need your light. Even if these people seem difficult to get along with, keep shinning your light. Be a consistent witness. People may not change overnight, but as you keep doing what is right, one day your light will overtake their darkness. They’ll get tired of being negative and want what you have. Love never fails. Light will always overcome darkness.
2 Corinthians 4:6 says ‘For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”

People are to see the light of God through our lives. And one of the lights they need to see through us today is our being joyful in every situation. Today, while the world is full of fear and anxiety, men are to see us constantly manifesting peace and joy because of God’s Presence with us. At a time of crisis in the world our light is meant to give men hope. The truth is that our lives are sending messages to the world around us. People can’t see God, but they see us. We are therefore to keep representing God with how we live our lives.
And for this to happen we need to keep filling our heart with The Word of God. It is the entrance of His Word that gives light. Through the Word, God shines from within us, to draw all men to Himself.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always fill my heart with Your Word and Your joy, so that Your light can constantly shine through me. Wherever I go, help me to light up my world, so that men can be drawn to You in Jesus Name. ,

Quote :

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

Psalm 23:4 ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’

DAILY READING    – John 10:22-42; 2 Chronicles 9; Psalm 74

Bruce Van Natta is the founder of sweet bread ministries located in Wisconsin and author of the book, ‘Saved by Angels.’

Years ago, Bruce was a self-employed diesel mechanic and worked on engines that weighed thousands of pounds. On November 16, 2006, he was working underneath a logging truck, when the 20-ton capacity jack holding up the truck suddenly shot out from its position. The 10,000 pounds weight of the truck’s two front wheels then came down on Bruce’s chest, crushing him. As blood splattered into his throat, Bruce felt himself dying and called out, ‘Lord, help me.’

At that point, he became unconscious and his spirit left his body and floated up towards the ceiling. Bruce found himself looking down at the accident scene from above and saw two huge angels, on their knees by his side, with their arms angled in toward his body. In that desperate moment, Bruce found he was not alone, God had sent His angels.

On the edge of life and death, somehow he felt his spirit go back down into his body and he became conscious. When rushed to the hospital, doctors on seeing his condition, doubted he would even survive the next few hours. His ribs were broken, his pancreas and spleen crushed, and several major arteries had been severed.  He should have bled to death in a few minutes, but didn’t. Bruce stayed in the hospital for over two months and survived five major surgeries. As friends and families prayed, miraculously God restored his damaged body organs. Doctors would later testify that he was the only person in the world that has ever had five major arteries severed and yet survived. Bruce however knew his survival was because God had been with him and walked him through the valley of the shadow of death.

Psalm 23:4 says ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’

God allowed Bruce to see those angels to let him know how even in the midst of trouble, he is never alone. When you go through complex challenges in life, it may sometimes seem as if you are walking alone. But the truth is that God is always with us, even in times of difficulty. Whatever we may pass through, God never leaves us, nor forsakes us. God will always send us help out of Zion, He is an ever present help in the time of need.

God said in Isaiah 43:2, “When you go through the waters, I will be with you, when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you, when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned”.

God may not keep us out of every fire or flood, but He promises to be right there to pull us through. Today the world is passing through a very difficult time. But despite the fears and anxieties in the world, we can afford to be joyful, because of God’s ever abiding Presence.  Even in the midst of what seems like a chaotic situation, God is with us.

And because we know He is with us, we can have joy in the midst of adversity, we can have a song in the night season and be at peace even in the storm.

Even when obstacles seem too much, it is never too much for our God. God is our refuge, our strong tower, our deliverer and our fortress.  In the midst of the fiery furnace, He will turn up as the fourth man. And He will deliver us through every fiery trial and turn every test into a testimony for us.

PRAYER; Father, I receive the grace to always praise You in every situation. Thank You Lord for giving me continual peace despite the situation in the world. Indeed through Christ I have the victory over every contrary situation in Jesus Name.

Quote

When we fight by God’s help we are sure of victory. WORDBITE 222

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

DAILY READING; – John 10:1-21; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 73

Eric Henry Liddell was a Scottish Olympic Gold Medalist, who shocked the world in the 1924 Paris Olympics by refusing to run a qualifying race on a Sunday, because it was the Lord’s Day. When he later ran on another day, he won the gold medal and broke a world record. And though he attained great fame as Scotland’s greatest athletic hero, he later gave it all up to travel to China to serve as a missionary. After working for some years, by 1941 life in China became dangerous as the Japanese army invaded. Soon the mission station where Liddell worked was overrun by the Japanese army who detained him at an internment Camp with other missionaries. Life in the detention camp was tough, with food, medicine and other supplies quite scarce. However despite the tough conditions, Liddell remained cheerful and busied himself by helping others; he taught Bible classes and became a leader and organiser at the camp. Years later, one of his fellow prisoners, Norman Cliff, who later wrote a book about their experiences described Liddell as “the finest Christian gentleman it has been my pleasure to meet.’ Another survivor from the camp, Langdon Gilkey, who later became a prominent theologian, said of Liddell: ‘He was overflowing with good humour and love for life’. He said Liddell came as close to being a saint as anyone he had ever known. And in 2008, just before the Beijing Olympics, Chinese authorities said during Liddell’s time at the camp, he was once given an opportunity to be free by the Japanese, but Liddell gave up his chance by allowing a pregnant woman to take his place and be freed instead. Eric Liddell died on 21 February 1945, and his last words before giving up the ghost was, “It’s complete surrender”, in reference to how he had given his life completely to God.

When we make a complete surrender of our lives to God, we will seek to bring Him glory in every situation. Life is not always a bed of roses and sometimes, tough situations may arise, but in everything we keep giving God thanks because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. There are no crown wearers in Heaven that were not once cross bearers on earth. Joy is not necessarily the absence of difficulties, rather it is the assurance of God’s Presence even in the midst of adversity. When Joseph was in prison, despite being in an adverse situation, he went about cheering up other prisoners and brought glory to God through his conduct. And the result was that God brought him out of the prison and elevated him even above Potiphar who had put him in prison. In life there are often seasons of temptations when it may seem as if you are in a ‘prison’. You can feel imprisoned by the challenges and problems that seem to overwhelm you. However, your attitude is what will determine your outcome. Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. Indeed it is your mentality that determines your reality. Complaining will complicate your situation, but praise will raise you out of it. When Paul and Silas were in prison, it seemed there was no way out of their trouble, their feet were chained and there were soldiers on each side. But instead of being depressed they turned to praise. And God broke every barrier and miraculously set them free. Thessalonians 5:18 says ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ Indeed we must remain joyful in every situation. What the enemy meant as a reason for your tears, let it be the reason for your praise. When you praise God in the midst of trials, God will cause you to triumph and turn every mourning into dancing for you.

PRAYER: Lord, I know that indeed with You nothing shall be impossible and even right now, You are turning around everything for my good. Thank You Lord for the grace to keep praising You at all times in Jesus Name.

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

Psalm 124:7-8 ‘Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth..’

DAILY READING; – John 9:24-41; 2 Chronicles 7; Malachi 4

In April 2012, a New York Police Department officer named Eder Loor, and his partner, responded to a distress call from a woman who said her schizophrenic son was off his medication and was acting crazy and needed to be hospitalized. The officers met the woman, outside of her apartment building and found her son in the lobby.

The officers then offered to escort the young man to the hospital, but he refused. As they were trying to persuade him, without any warning, he suddenly brought out a knife and stabbed Eder Loor in the temple, and then ran away.

The 3 1/2-inch knife blade went straight into Eder’s brain. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors battled to save his life. His family was later told that Eder’s chances of survival were very slim, and even if he pulled through, he would end up brain dead, unable to ever walk or talk again. However after the neurosurgeon did all the x-rays, and the results came back, he was shocked!. The amazing thing was that the knife blade missed the part of Eder’s brain that controls motor skills by less than a millimeter. It missed the part of the brain that controls speech by less than a millimeter. It missed the main nerve that gives sensation by less than a millimeter. It missed the main artery that supplies blood to the brain by less than a millimeter. The doctors said it was unbelievable and said Eder was less than a millimeter away from death in every direction. The Surgeon said ‘A fraction this way, he’d be dead. A fraction this way, totally incapacitated”.

Two weeks later Eder Loor was out of the hospital. And one of his first destinations after leaving the hospital was to go to Church that Sunday, to thank God for His amazing grace that saved him from certain death.

Indeed God’s grace can be amazing. Eder had escaped death by a hair’s breadth on every side. Scientifically that was hard to comprehend, but it is how the grace of God operates, it beats logical reasoning and cannot be explained. Indeed God knows how to manipulate time and space in our favor to create a way of escape.

Grace is the tangible and undeniable hand of God that makes a way where there seems to be no way. It is the divine help of God that shows up when we are at our wit’s end. Indeed we serve a supernatural God who does wonders without number. No matter how tight the trap, God is able to deliver through grace.

And in this season, we need the grace of God more than ever before. With what is going on in the world right now, we need the grace of God to keep showing up for our deliverance.

While the pestilence and pandemic rages in Egypt, God’s grace will indeed make a way of escape for His people. Through the Blood of Jesus there will be a demarcation between God’s people and the Egyptians. When grace showed up in Goshen, God’s people escaped the plague of the death angel ravaging Egypt. And so shall it be for us in this season. Through the Blood of Jesus we shall escape every plague of these end-times in ways and manners that cannot be logically explained. In every tight situation, God will make a way for us where there seems to be no way. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it all around for our good.

it doesn’t matter how tightly the enemy may seem to have woven his nets or dug his pit, God will surely cause you to escape. It may seem right now as if there is no way out of that looming financial crisis, health challenge or family problems,

but trust God to show you the way out. Indeed the grace of God is sufficient for you.

We don’t qualify for God’s grace, it is His gift made possible by the Blood of Jesus. Through the price Jesus paid at Calvary we are today recipients of God’s grace. And this is why we can rest in His love and praise Him always, knowing that we are kept continually by His amazing grace.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always escape every trap of the wicked in these end-times. No matter how difficult things may sometimes seem, please grant me the grace to always praise You in every situation in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

God’s promises in Christ in your life may appear delayed, but never forget that delays are not denials. WORDBITE 222.

Matthew 5:11-13 ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:’

DAILY READING – John 9:1-23; 2 Chronicles 6; Malachi 2:17-3:18

John Wesley was the founder of the revival movement that became known as the Methodist Church. When John Wesley’s ministry started, his fiery preaching was unnerving to many of the priests and laity of his day. Many of these offended priests closed their Church doors to him

Wesley then began preaching in the fields and marketplaces, but these offended people often hired thugs and rabble-rousers to disturb his gatherings. They constantly persecuted Wesley. During nineteen years of preaching, Wesley was pelted with rotten tomatoes, manure, and stones. He was dragged before magistrates, beaten with fists, pummeled with rocks. Homes where he stayed were set afire, he was harassed, harangued, and lampooned by thousands. This was his weekly, even daily experience, but he refused to give up.

One day he was riding along on his horse when he realized that three days had passed, and he had not been persecuted in any way. Not a single brick had been thrown in his direction. He had not been hit by an egg. So he actually stopped his horse and said out loud, “Could it be that I am backslidden or I have sinned?” Slipping down from his horse, he knelt on one knee and asked the Lord to show him if there was anything wrong with him spiritually.

A man who disliked Wesley saw him kneeling in prayer, so he picked up a brick and threw it at him, barely missing the preacher. When Wesley saw the brick fly by, he said, “Thank you, Lord! I know I still have Your presence.”

Indeed in his persecutions John Wesley counted it all joy. And God protected him and gave him miraculous deliverance from harm.

In Matthew 5:11-13 Jesus tells us ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:’

Here Jesus is asking us to be joyful in the midst of persecutions. He didn’t say ‘if’, He said ‘when’, which means that every believer will experience persecution at one time or the other.

2 Timothy 3:12 says “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”

The truth is that if you live a godly life, you will be persecuted. As a matter of fact, one of the signs of the end-times is that believers will suffer persecutions. The end-time is a period when our faith will pass through many tests and trials. These seasons of trials are actually processes that refine us and make us better. Remember that Jesus is coming for a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle. When we have been tried, we shall come forth as gold.

So however things may seem right now, believe that God is at work in your life. Though sometimes it may seem as if you are in a tough battle, understand that God knows how to turn that battlefield into your blessing field. Through that situation, God will be working out His perfect will concerning you. His grace will be sufficient for you. And even in the midst of the trying times, God will manifest His blessings all around you.

David said, “God prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” He didn’t say, “God will remove all of my enemies, eliminate everything that’s bothering me and then prepare the table.” No, in the midst of the trouble; in the midst of the adversity, He prepares the table. He doesn’t have to deliver you from it; He can deliver you in it.

Therefore don’t complain about the valley; it is only a transit point on the way to your mountaintop. This is why you should count it all joy. No matter how things may look, keep giving God praise. Indeed God is able to deliver you from every valley of trial, and turn it all around to become a valley of new beginnings and greater fulfillment for you. No matter what may come your way, always know that God is in perfect control of your destiny.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to praise You despite any situation I may face. I know that even right now You are working it all out for my good, therefore let nothing ever stop the continual flow of Your praise from my lips 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.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 ‘Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.’

DAILY READING; John 8:48-59; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14; Malachi 2:10-4:7

In 2019, Christian News outlets featured the amazing story of Ella Nicole Woods, who was brought back to life through the power of praise.

When Ella was born prematurely on December 18, 2013, her mother found her too fragile to hold. As Ella began straining to breathe, doctors diagnosed her with pulmonary hypertension. As the hours passed, she only got worse and when her condition continued to deteriorate, her parents called upon family and friends to come to the hospital to pray. But despite the prayers, Ella’s vital signs continued to go down.

At that point, Ella’s father, Stephen Woods went out to the Hospital parking lot, to be alone with God. He prayed ‘God, what am I supposed to do? I’m helpless.’ And then he believed he heard God say to him, ‘Believe that you will bring Ella home alive and well.’

On hearing this word of promise from God, Stephen went back into the hospital room, and shared the news with his wife. However, Ella still showed no signs of getting better and by the following day, December 20th, doctors had run out of options, Ella was lifeless and they told the parents she would be dead in a few minutes.

Stephen knew he heard God promise him his daughter would be well. And though the situation now seemed hopeless, he held on to God’s promise. And in that desperate moment, the family switched to praising God. And as they began to praise God, something miraculous happened! Amazingly, Ella’s eyes opened, and she started to look around. The room erupted with joy. The doctors and nurses were amazed. It was truly a miracle, as they saw the lifeless baby, now come alive. From that moment, Ella’s health rapidly improved and she was released from the hospital in January 2014. And today she continues to grow as a healthy child, and her parents see her as the living proof of God’s faithfulness.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 says ‘Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.’

If we are to translate this verse into our everyday language today, Prophet Habakkuk would be saying something like this; “Listen, this may seem a bad year, there is no food, and income seems low. The future may look uncertain, but this is not the end for you. God is able to turn things around. So rejoice in Him. Rejoice now—rejoice forever!”

Indeed the time of trouble is not when to stop praising God. Rather, that is even when to turn up the volume of your praise. In their midnight season, when Paul and Silas prayed and nothing happened, rather than stopping, they switched to praise. And they praised so loudly the other prisoners heard them. And praise brought God’s Presence for their deliverance.

Despite the circumstances of life, we are to rejoice in God. Whatever challenges come your way, you can always count it all joy, because God is indeed able to keep His promises of deliverance to you. We are to delight ourselves in God and His Word because nothing can change the immutability and infallibility of God’s written Word. Even if circumstances change, the goodness of God remains unchanging! In Malachi 3:6 God says ‘For I am the Lord, I change not . .’

God never changes. And no matter what things may initially look like, we can trust that God’s Word will always prevail in our lives. 2 Cor. 2:14 says ‘God always causes us to triumph in Christ’

Anytime you encounter troubles, tests, or trials, always realize that they are temporary. You’re just passing through! In other words, ‘this too shall pass!’

So don’t pitch camp on the problems, just keep on walking, because ahead of you is the victory. Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me . . . .”

God being with us is the key to victory in every battle. And His Presence comes through praise.

If you have been facing a situation that doesn’t seem to be getting better, then switch to praise. Praise will cause that lifeless situation to come back to life. Indeed praise brings God’s Presence and when God appears, every evil must disappear.

PRAYER: Lord, I choose to praise You at all times, no matter how things may look like around me. I know You are too faithful to fail and even right now You are bringing a positive, dramatic turnaround to my story in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE

Your attitude always determines your altitude in life. -WORDBITE 222.