HORM Devotional

John 1:5 ‘And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.’

DAILY READING ; John 4:27-42; 1 Chronicles 16:7-43; Zechariah5

Technology has long been a deciding factor on the battlefield. And one technology that has often given the United States, undue advantage in battle is night-vision technology.
For decades, the U.S. military has prided itself on its unmatched night-vision ability. During the Gulf war of 1990, the United States had a chance to fully deploy its latest technology of Night Vision Devise or NVDs. These devices allowed U.S. troops to fight with unrelenting pace during the night as they did during the daytime. Normally at night, an army’s fighting ability is reduced to about 10 percent because of the darkness, but Night Vision Devices enabled the U.S to continue fighting unhindered even during the night. And without the same equipment, the Iraqis didn’t stand a chance during the Gulf war.
America’s high-tech military had a host of night-vision tools at its disposal. Foot soldiers wore helmet-mounted goggles as they stalked in jungles, while snipers used rifle scopes that lit up their targets. Drivers raised periscopes to guide their jeeps and tanks, while pilots flew at tree-top level using helmet-mounted binoculars, and tracked and illuminated targets on CRT screens, etc.
Night vision was so essential to America’s success in the Gulf war, that it inspired a new U.S military slogan. “We own the night,”
And so during the Gulf war, while the Iraqis were hindered in the dark, the Americans continued to operate with nearly complete mobility even in utter darkness. At the end of the war, night-vision devices were declared the “single greatest mismatch” that gave US undue advantage and victory.

Indeed light gives advantage in warfare.
Isaiah 60:2-3 says ‘For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee’

The light of God shinning upon us will distinguish us in this end-time. Despite the darkness that covers the earth, we shall arise and keep shining. While people in the world are hindered by darkness, and cannot see their way forward, through the light and guidance of The Spirit we shall continue to move forward and go from glory to glory. Our path like a shining light, will be brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
And in spiritual warfare especially, we shall gain advantage over the enemy by operating by the light of God’s Word. While the whole world lies in darkness, God’s Word will be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
However to enjoy the dominion of light, we must realize that it is the entrance of God’s Word that gives light.

Psalm 119:130 says “The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple’.

God’s Word is our source of divine light. When we are full of God’s Word, our light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot comprehend it. In other words, the forces of darkness can never overcome us. We become an impossible case, that they cannot handle. Therefore whatever trial or challenge you may face today, through the light of God’s Word, you can have the dominion. Indeed light and darkness can never struggle for right of place.

Let us therefore seek the entrance of God’s Word into our hearts and minds. As we commit to the constant study of God’s Word our lives will be flooded with His divine light. And as the light of God’s Word dominates our lives, we will indeed have the advantage and victory in every battle.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for causing my life to be illuminated and dominated by the light from Your Word. As I study Your Word please grant me the revelations I need to upgrade my mind and walk in total victory in Jesus name.

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Illuminate your world, for you are a star destined to shine- – WORDBITE 222

Zechariah 9:11  ‘As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.’

DAILY READING –   John 4:1-26; 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:6; Zechariah4

In the her book, “Healing From Heaven,” Dr. Lilian B. Yeomans tells the story of one of the early missionaries to China. This female missionary contracted smallpox, which at that time was a deadly disease, without cure.

She was then quarantined in her room, with ugly smallpox marks covering her body. Stricken with the deadly disease, with little medical assistance, destitute, and in a faraway country, she was virtually given up to die. However, in her desperate condition, she began to fervently seek the Lord through His Word and prayers.

As she earnestly sought The Lord, one day, God showed her a vision of two baskets. One basket contained her test and trial; the smallpox. That basket was full. The other basket contained her praise, and that basket was only half full. The Lord told her the praise basket needed to be filled with praises so it would outweigh the basket of the test and trial. And when the praise basket was full, her healing would be manifested.

As this missionary lay quarantined in her room, she began to fervently praise and worship the Lord, day and night. People around thought the loud praises coming from her room was little more than the act of a delirious woman. But she continued to praise God. She sang praises to God from her heart; she did nothing but praise the Lord. She praised Him for His greatness. She praised Him for all that He had ever done for her. She praised Him for His faithfulness to His Word. She praised Him for her healing.

After several days of this heartfelt praise, the Lord showed her that the praise basket was full! And miraculously she was instantly healed! Thereafter she walked out of that quarantined room with her skin as smooth and clear as that of a child’s; no smallpox marks were to be found anywhere on her body.

Indeed God is fearful in praises!

The truth is that God has given us spiritual weapons, such as praise, with which we can overcome in this world. And the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. It is God’s will that we should not suffer what people in the world suffer. But many times believers end up suffering unnecessarily simply because of ignorance of the spiritual provisions God has made available.

Hosea 4:6 says ‘”My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”

That missionary would have died, had she not gained knowledge of what to do as revealed to her by God.

We really need knowledge of the truth to triumph over life’s trials. Everyone born of God is born an overcomer, and is by heritage destined to live a triumphant life (1 John. 5:4). But it is only those that seek and know their God that will do exploits.

God has made total victory and freedom available to us through the Blood that Jesus shed at Calvary. Through His Blood, Jesus has delivered us out of every waterless pit of oppression.

Zechariah 9:11 says  ‘As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.’

Indeed Christ’s Blood has purchased eternal freedom for us. But access to that freedom is through Knowledge. Deliverance will come through the right application of spiritual knowledge.

There is always a way out of every closed door.  The key is Knowledge.

And knowledge comes through in-depth study of God’s Word. Let us therefore commit ourselves to seek God through His Word. And as we continue in His Word, we shall indeed know the truth and the truth shall make us free. [John 8:32]

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to deeply feed on Your Word, so that I can grow in spiritual knowledge and enjoy the freedom You have ordained for me.  Thank You Lord for granting me victory over every trial in Jesus Name.

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The tests you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony.  Wordbite 222

Mark 9:23 ‘Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.’

DAILY READING • John 3:22-36; 1 Chronicles 13-14; Zechariah3

The book ‘From Red earth’ captures the miraculous survival of Denise Uwimana during the Rwandan Genocide.

In 1994, as tension mounted in Rwanda, Denise who was pregnant, spent time studying God’s Word and praying. She eventually received a definite Word from God that assured her of His protection.

On 6^th April 1994 the killings began. Denise who was a Tutsi, was home with her two little sons and four other people who had sought refuge in her home. Her husband was out of town. Suddenly her Hutu neighbors who were killing Tutsis burst into her house. As everyone scattered in different directions, Denise hid behind the bathroom door. One of the killers did find her, but inexplicably spared her life. Then unexpectedly her labor pains started. Without anywhere to go and no help, she put her life in God’s hand and crouched to the home of her nearest Hutu neighbor, whose husband was among the killers.

The woman seeing her condition, pushed Denise into a room. There Denise delivered her baby alone. The killers who had been searching from house to house soon found her, but as they were about to kill her, some Hutu women pleaded for her life. Miraculously God made this blood thirsty mob, who had been killing Tutsis, to spare her a second time. Already by this time they had killed all the other four people who had taken refuge in her home, but again miraculously her two little sons escaped. The Hutu women escorted her and her children to the local health center. Even there, Hutus continued to kill Tutsis. Yet, in the midst of all the chaos, Denise held on to God’s Word and somehow inexplicably, God preserved her and her children for days, until, the Rwadan Patriotic Front soldiers eventually came to their rescue.

It is indeed a mystery how Denise could have survived in the midst of such desperate circumstances. But faith in God is one of the greatest mysteries of life.

Denise received God’s Word and held on to it, and despite the overwhelming odds, God honored His Word and preserved her.

It is important to have a personal encounter and hear God for ourselves. We need to study The Word to the point that we receive a definite promise from God.

No one truly hears from God and still doubts. When Abraham heard from God, despite the impossible odds, he remained strong in faith, giving glory to God until his Isaac came.

Mark 9:23 says ‘Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.’

Faith will always make the ultimate difference in a man’s life. Despite the roaring fire, God delivered the Hebrew boys in Daniel 3 because they trusted in Him.

Today, in a time of uncertainly in the world, we each need to hear a definite Word from God. It doesn’t matter what others are saying, study God’s Word and hear from Him yourself. Nothing provokes faith like the voice of the Lord. God’s direct Word to you will ignite supernatural faith in your heart. It will empower you to overcome even impossible situations.

Indeed God’s Word never fails.

Let us therefore accept the personal responsibility to dig deep into the Scriptures until we receive the Word we need. And when we find it, there shall be a reward and our expectations shall not be cut off.

PRAYER: Lord, I know that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I can ever ask or imagine. I therefore Thank You today, for granting me the grace to build up my faith so as to be able receive all You have in store for me in Jesus Name. .

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

Matthew 17:20 ‘for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

DAILY READING – John 3:1-21; 1 Chronicles 12; Zechariah2

The book ‘Smith Wigglesworth: Apostle of Faith’, written by Stanley Frodsham, tells the story of an exceptional experience that Wigglesworth had early in his ministry. One day, Smith went with a friend of his to pray for the dying wife of another friend, Mr. Clark. When they got to the house and saw the woman’s desperate state, Smith asked his friend to begin praying.

However, Smith was appalled by his friend’s faithless prayer, as he asked for grace for the husband and children to bear the loss. Smith then asked Mr. Clark, to pray for his dying wife, but he also prayed along the same line of unbelief, asking for strength to bear the death of his wife. Though neither of his friends believed in divine Healing, Smith had been learning a lot about the subject and knew it was real. And so now he brought out a small bottle of oil which he had concealed in his hip pocket, remembering the Biblical injunction to anoint the sick with oil. He then proceeded to pour all the contents of the bottle upon Mrs. Clark’s body, praying by faith in the name of Jesus!

Suddenly at that moment Smith saw a vision of the Lord Jesus, who appeared and gave him a gentle smile. After the vision vanished, something happened that day that changed Smith’s whole life and marked the beginning of his profound healing ministry. Mrs. Clark was raised up from her death bed! She was filled with life and remained healthy afterwards, living for many more years and even outlived her husband.

What made the difference that day between the three men was the level of their faith. Smith’s unquestioning faith in God’s Word brought about the spectacular miracle.

In Matthew 9:29 Jesus said ‘According to your faith be it unto you.’

The result of any man’s life will be a function of the faith at work in him.

Indeed what you believe is what you will receive and there is no irreversible case with faith. Faith has the capacity to revert any situation. When Martha told Jesus that Lazarus was already dead for four days, Jesus replied: ‘…Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:39-40).

Through the situation seemed impossible, yet through faith, Lazarus after four days in the grave was raised back to life. That’s how powerful faith is!

Great faith will produce great results and little faith will produce little results.

When the disciples couldn’t deliver the boy possessed with demons, Jesus told them the reason why. He said ‘Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. [Matthew 17:20]

If the disciples had enough faith, they would have delivered the boy, but because they didn’t, they couldn’t deliver him. Could we then imagine how many people today remain in bondage, because there is no one with enough faith to bring about their deliverance? It goes without saying also that many people have died, that could have been alive today, if only someone with enough faith had been available to secure their deliverance.

From our illustration, Mrs. Clark may have died that day, if Smith Wigglesworth had not been there to pray the prayer of faith.

We therefore have a great responsibility to build up our faith. Even our own lives depend on it. Habakkuk 2:4 says ‘the just shall live by his faith’.

The depths of our faith will determine the height of our lives. Let us therefore invest in building up our faith for maximum impact. Nothing of value is free. We must, therefore, pay the price to acquire enough faith through committed study of God’s Word. Indeed when faith comes alive in us, exploits will begin to erupt all around us.

PRAYER: Father please open my eyes to behold the wonders stored up in Your Word. Please grant me the grace, to continuously dig deep to great depths in Your Word, so that great faith can be ignited in my heart to do exploits in Jesus’ Name.

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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

Gal. 6:7-8  ‘Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

DAILY READING         John 2; 1 Chronicles 10-11; Zechariah1

The biggest animals on planet earth, are blue whales.  Far bigger than any dinosaur, the blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived. An adult blue whale can grow to a massive 30m long and weigh more than 180,000kg – that’s about the same as 40 elephants or 2,670 average-sized men.

But this giant among giants started as something far smaller. Surprisingly researchers have found that these whales have not always been so big. Fossil records show that ancient whales were much smaller than the current size of whales.

The question then is; how did whales get so big?  A new study suggests their great size is as a result of efficient filter-feeding. They have specialized system of a comb of keratin along the upper jaw instead of teeth. The comb filters massive amounts of food from the water, providing such efficient nutrition that it allows these whales to get bigger and bigger, until they end up with such massive size.

Spiritually also, our feeding will affect our spiritual size and strength. In order for us to grow spiritually, our spirit must feed right and feed well. This is why we wait upon on The Lord, to feed on His Word.

Gal. 6:7 says ‘Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap.’

What we sow spiritually is also what we will reap. If you eat healthful foods you’ll be healthy, but if you eat unhealthful foods you’ll be unhealthy. The Word of God contains the complete diet for the human spirit. When you feed on The Word, you will be strong and do exploits.

What you feed on will determine how your life turns out. Because eagles feed on fresh meat, they are strong and fly high.  Also lions, feed only on fresh meat and are known as the strongest among beasts.

Eating dead things can impair a man’s spiritual sensitivity. Feeding on things like unedifying posts on social media, gross entertainment,  pornography, gossip, slander, dirty jokes, dirty scenes in movies etc; are like feeding dead things to the mind. These weighs a man down, and keeps him on the floor, unable to soar until inevitably he becomes an easy prey to the enemy.

You will stand or fall in life depending on what you are feeding your spirit. The Word of God gives you strength in your inner man. This strength keeps you strong in the face of every  storm. When your house is built on the rock of God’s Word, you will never fall. The rain, storm and wind that come to test men on the journey of life will only turn to your testimony. When you feed on The Word, you will be a winner in every battle of life. Indeed through feeding on The Word and getting to know God more, you will be strong and do exploits.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to feed constantly on Your Word, so that I can grow to the spiritual height You have ordained for me. As I feed on You Word, may my heart also be strengthened by faith to begin to do exploits in Your kingdom in  Jesus Name.

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

Habakkuk 3:17-19  ‘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 1:35-51; 1 Chronicles 9; Haggai 1:1-2:23

Bill and Gloria Gaither are two of the most prolific and popular Gospel music writers and performers in the world. They have written over 700 songs, but arguably the most popular of them all is “Because He Lives,”.

The song was written during the 1960s, which was a chaotic era in American history. Indeed the 1960s remains the most consequential and controversial decade in America. It was an era of irresponsible excess, activism, violence and racial tension. Bill and Gloria found all this  very deeply disturbing. And with the fear and uncertainty in the atmosphere, they began to wonder if God hadn’t given up on the world. The winter of 1969 was a particularly bleak one for them. Not only had the winter been long and hard, Bill had been stricken with a severe case of mononucleosis. Also at this time Gloria discovered  that she was pregnant. Although elated by the news, but with all that was going on, she really became concerned about bringing a baby into such a chaotic world.

One day, while walking across their office parking lot,  Bill and Gloria saw a tiny blade of grass that had pushed aside layers of dirt, rock and concrete to reach the sunshine above. It had overcome all the odds to fulfill its purpose. That blade of grass became a symbol to the Gaithers of how God works in His creation.

Later on, as Gloria was sitting in their living room, she began to sense the agony and fear rising again within her heart. But then, suddenly and quite unexpectedly, God’s Presence surrounded her and she was filled with a sweet, calming peace. At that point, her panic gave way to an assurance that the future would be just fine, because God is in control.

And this inspired Gloria to write the song ‘Because He lives.’ The song expressed the hope that was shaped by the resurrection of Jesus. It states in part ‘…Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives!’

And indeed, because Christ lives, we can all face tomorrow. God is able to handle whatever comes our way. He holds our lives and our future in His hands. And even in the midst of chaos and bleakness in the world, God still reigns supreme and is in control of all that concerns us. This is why in all things we praise Him.

In Acts 16, after Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown into prison, the situation looked bleak and hopeless. But how did they respond? At midnight, they arose and praised God. And God responded by delivering them from the dungeon of despair.

Today, many people may be worried about tomorrow, their finances, medical reports and many other issues. But God is greater than whatever may confront you.  Therefore stop looking at the problems and start looking up to God. He knows the beginning from the end. And even right now, He is working all things together for your good. Therefore, rather than despair. maintain your praise.

Nehemiah 8:10 says ” ‘Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ “.

The believer who retains his joy is destined to triumph in the end. If you refuse to be depressed, the enemy cannot oppress you. Therefore remain joyful. In every situation. Keep judging God faithful, keep praising Him. No matter what may be happening in the world our lives and times are in God’s Hands. And because Christ lives, we shall indeed live also.

PRAYER: Lord  I know that  because You live, I can always face tomorrow. Thank You for the grace to keep praising You in every situation, because I know that indeed all things are working together for my good  in Jesus Name.

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The tests you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222

Thessalonians. 5: 1 ‘But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.’

DAILY READING – John 1:19-34; 1 Chronicles 7-8; Zephaniah 3

One of the most surprising aspects of world war 11 was how Stalin, leader of the USSR was caught completely off guard by Hitler’s attack. This was quite surprising because the USSR was far larger than Germany, both geographically and militarily.

However the German attack succeeded because Stalin refused to heed warnings until it was too late. Due to a non-aggression pact, he and Hitler signed months earlier, Stalin virtually went to sleep believing that Hitler would not violate the pact. As a result of this belief he refused to listen to all the intelligence reports that showed that Hitler’s army were preparing to attack the USSR. Even when the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill both tried to forewarn him, Stalin distrusted their intentions and stubbornly clung to his belief that Hitler would never attack. But he was wrong.

In a surprise assault called “Operation Barbarossa”, Hitler’s army struck on June 22 1941! On that first day, they destroyed almost 2,000 aircrafts—which was one quarter of the entire Russian air force. Most of these aircraft were destroyed on the ground, parked at their airbases. And over the next week, the Soviets lost an additional 3,000 aircrafts in battle,

Hitler’s forces advanced quickly across the Russian countryside. In little more than a week, by July 1, the Germans had pushed 200 to 300 miles into Russia and captured the major cities of Riga and Dvinsk in the north, Minsk in the central region, and Lvov in the south.

The German attack was devastating, involving some of the bloodiest and atrocity-filled fighting ever seen in the war. It took the USSR a long time to recover lost ground. And by that time several million Russians had perished, all because Stalin waited too late.

It has been said “All military defeats, can be summed up in two words: ‘too late’. Indeed battles are lost when one is too late to discern the danger and too late to act against it.

The five foolish virgins waited until it was too late before they began seeking oil for their lamps. And in the world today, many people are waiting until it is too late before they will begin to seek God seriously.

Everything today points to the soon return of Christ. But how many are heeding these warnings? While many people may claim to be waiting for the return of Christ — the truth is that only few are really watching for His return! “Waiting” indicates a passive and inactive stance, while “watching” indicates alertness and vigilance.

The Bible doesn’t teach us to wait, but to watch and pray for His return.

Thessalonians 5: 1 says ‘But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.’

Paul’s reference to “like a thief in the night” is to emphasize how Christ’s coming will be sudden, catching many off guard. When people are least expecting it, while they are still eating, drinking and making merry, suddenly the trumpet will sound. This is why the Bible admonishes believers, to live constantly watchful, prayerful and alert.

1 Thessalonians. 5: 4 says ‘But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others;’

Those who sleep, who are in spiritual darkness, will be caught off guard. But those who walk in the light of God’s Word, who are spiritually alert and vigilant will be ready when Christ returns.

Smith Wigglesworth said “Don’t get ready, live ready”.

We need to live ready. We need to buy oil into our lamps while we still can. We need to spend time in fasting and praying and in-depth study of God’s Word. We need to spend time in fellowship with The Spirit seeking to know Heaven’s agenda for the hour. Let’s not wait until it is too late. Eternity is at stake. Let’s do all we can, while we can because indeed no man knows the day or the hour when the trumpet shall sound.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to continually live ready. Please help me to overcome every form of spiritual laxity. In this season, enable me to be spiritual vigilant and sober, earnestly watching and praying always in Jesus Name..

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

Joshua 1:8 ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’

DAILY READING – •           John 1:1-18; 1 Chronicles 5-6; Zephaniah 2

Cher Wang is a devout Christian and Taiwanese entrepreneur who co-founded the smartphone maker, HTC Corporation. Her late father was Wang Yung-ching, who was one of the richest individuals in Taiwan. Cher Wang has said that in her career, she never got a cent from her father. Yet even at her toughest times, she never turned to her mega-tycoon father for financial assistance. Rather her total dependence has been on God. She gets up at 5:30 each morning and spends several hours in praying and meditation on God’s Word. .

Wang says her faith gives her a sense of calm and the will to continue, even during the toughest times. Under her influence, her husband, also became a born-again Christian in 1997.

She has been widely quoted as saying that  the Bible is “the best book about management practice”. According to her, one of the most important things she has gained through constant meditation in the Bible is Vision. She said  the vision she receives from God’s Word, enables her to carry on and forge ahead in life. And without looking unto man, not even her own father, she has been able to succeed through God’s divine help and guidance.

In May 2011, Forbes magazine ranked her with husband Wen Chi Chen as the wealthiest person in Taiwan, with a net worth of US$8.8 billion.

Indeed our help is in the Name of The Lord who made Heaven and earth. With the current situation in the world now, a lot of people may be worried about their finances and the future. But we have to understand that God is all we need to forge ahead.

Often a barrier between us and God’s blessings is lack of total dependence on God. Proverbs 10:22 tells us that it is God’s blessings that makes rich.

This is why we need to look unto God and His Word. Meditation on God’s Word will impart into us the grace we need to successfully run the race of life.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 says that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill. It is God that determines the events of every man’s life.

It is the grace of God that makes great. Therefore, we must look up to Him and rely on Him alone.

When grace is at work, you don’t need to fret about the future or seek the help of men. When men lift you up, you will stop where their hands stopped, but when grace lifts you up, you will have no limit, because God is limitless.

Romans 9:16  says ‘So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.’

Indeed the mercy and grace of God is what we need most now to pull us out of the current global situation. And one key factor to obtaining God’s grace and mercy is meditation in His Word.

In Isaiah 30:7-8, God says ‘For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, their strength is to sit still. Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book..’

Here, God is asking us to take our eyes off the Egyptians and their help. Rather we should sit still and meditate on His Word. The grace we need to make progress will come from His Word. Through meditation in God’s Word, our minds will be upgraded to receive divine illumination and guidance. And surely our way shall be made prosperous, and we shall have good success.[Joshua 1:8]

PRAYER;

Lord, Please grant me the grace to constantly sit at Your feet, and to meditate in Your word. As I do, I thank You for imparting into me the power and grace I need to go forth and do exploits in Jesus Name.

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The price you pay to discover anything in God’s word is nothing ever to be compared to the prize of the discovery- WORDBITE 222.

Exodus 12:13 ‘’The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt”.

DAILY READING; 2 Corinthians 13; 1 Chronicles 3-4; Zephaniah 1

Martin Luther was one of the most influential figures in the history of Christianity. He sparked the Protestant Reformation in 1517, and his actions set in motion tremendous reforms within the Church. Later, he and his followers split from the Catholic Church to begin the Protestant tradition.

However, five years after all this, his faith came under severe test. At this time a bubonic plague had broken out in Europe. This plague was a reoccurring outbreak from the Black Death which had earlier haunted Europe in 1347, wiping out almost half the population in just five years.

In August of 1527 this plague struck Wittenberg, the town where Martin Luther resided.  Because the likelihood of survival was very low, many people fled from the town. However, Martin Luther and his pregnant wife Katharina, stayed back.  Despite the calls for him to flee Wittenberg with his family, Luther and Katharina rather opened their home as a ward to the sick. They treated the infected, using the opportunity to preach Christ and pray for healing.  While people around them died of the plague, miraculously Martin and his wife were preserved by God’s power.

The plague lasted in Wittenberg for only three months ending in November of 1527.  After the plague, Martin Luther, amazed by God’s divine protection began to meditate upon Psalm 46 which says in part; ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ From these meditations, he penned the great hymn, ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God.’ This has become one of the most popular and most beloved hymns of all times.

Indeed a mighty fortress is our God. He is our refuge and divine protection in every time of trouble. Part of what Jesus accomplished at the cross was obtaining for us protection by His Blood. Ever since His blood was poured out at Calvary, it has been speaking on our behalf ‘Passover’ to every plague.

In Exodus 12:12-13 God said to Moses ‘I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you..”

The Blood seals and separates us from plagues and destruction. Just as the blood of the lamb protected God’s people from the judgments of Egypt, the blood of Jesus does the same for us today. In Malachi 3:6, God says ‘For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.’

Because God does not change, the same way He exempted Israel from the plagues of Egyptians, so will He exempt us today by the mark of the Blood. We may not see the blood with our physical eyes, but it is a real tangible mark upon every believer. The mark of the Blood, identifies us as Blood-washed and blood-bought. It shows that we belong to the One who was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. Jesus has already paid the price. And indeed affliction cannot arise a second time. The Blood continually speaks over our lives, ‘Touch not’ to every passing plague or evil.

The only way a believer can be afflicted is if he steps out of the hedge of the protection of the Blood. This is why we are counseled by Scriptures not to break the hedge through sin, so that the serpent will not bite. Living in holiness and purity ensures we remain under God’s divine refuge. This indeed makes us untouchable and makes us invincible to every evil of these end-times.

PRAYER: Father I thank You for shielding me from every evil through the Blood of Jesus. Today, I receive the fullness of the benefits Christ purchased for me at Calvary by His blood. Indeed affliction can never arise a second time in my life in Jesus Name.

Quote :

For you to enjoy victory in The Kingdom of God, you need to develop a kingdom mind, that thinks in line with The Word of God. – WORDBITE 222.

Ephesians 3:10-11 ‘To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:’

DAILY READING – 2 Corinthians 12; 1 Chronicles 1-2; Habakkuk 3

In the early years of World War 11, Britain faced a severe shortage of acetone. Acetone was a chemical used in manufacturing the propellant used by the Army and Navy to fire artillery shells. Without acetone, the British could no longer fight effectively and defeat seemed eminent.
However, a Jewish scientist named Chaim Weizmann came to the rescue. At the request of the British Prime minister Winston Churchill, Weizmann devised new ways of converting grains to acetone.
His efforts led to production of more than 90,000 gallons of acetone per year, which enabled the British Army and Navy to fire 248 million shells in the course of the war. Weizmann’s extraordinary scientific knowledge saved the British from defeat.
After the war, the British government sought to reward him. At this time, Weizmann was a leader in the Zionist movement, an organization aimed at establishing a homeland for the Jews in Palestine; an idea greatly opposed by the Arab nations.
However, on November 2nd 1917, the British Cabinet, as reward to Weizmann, approved the signing of ‘the Balfour Declaration’,. This historical document recommended the establishment of a national Jewish homeland in Palestine. This was a major breakthrough for the Jews, and eventually paved the way to the establishment of the modern state of Israel on May 14, 1948.
In February 1949, Chaim Weizmann became the first president of Israel.

Just like Biblical Joseph, God used Chaim Weizmann to solve a national problem and through him secured a homeland for the Jews.
Indeed wisdom is the principal thing. And in the world today, divine wisdom is needed more than ever before. A glance at the world headlines will tell you the world is in confusion. The scientific and medical experts cannot seem to agree on a solution. Conflicting theories and stories are flying around on the social media. Governments and systems are being stretched to their limits. The world’s economy totters on the brink as financial experts predict a recession close to the great depression of 1929.
Indeed the world needs answers. However in God’s agenda the solution to the world’s problem will come through divine wisdom imparted to the end-time Church.
Isaiah 2:2 says ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it’
We are in the last days. And all nations shall come to the Lord’s House to find solutions. We must understand that God has reserved the strongest wave of divine wisdom for the end-time Church. In God’s eternal purpose, His manifold wisdom will be displayed through the church.

Ephesians 3:10-11 says ‘To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:’

As gross darkness covers the earth, the glory of The Lord shall be shining upon His people. We are to be light of the world and salt of the earth. We are meant to be solution providers, a city set on a hill that cannot be hid.
This is why we cannot afford to fold our hands as confusing events unfold on the earth. Every child of God has a crucial part to play. It is time for us to begin to display the manifold wisdom of God. Many problems in the world today are traceable to spiritual ignorance and people are perishing for lack of knowledge. We must therefore begin to tell men the truth of God’s Word that sets free. Instead of engaging in idle talks or posting mundane things on social media, let’s begin to share nuggets of edifying truth from God’s Word. And to effectively dispense the truth we must upgrade our minds through in-depth study of God’s Word. You cannot give what you don’t have. It is the entrance of God’s Word that gives light. And as we carry this light, we can then be able to show men the way out of the darkness.

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to develop a greater appetite for Your Word. And as I study Your Word, let Your light so fill my heart that I indeed begin to manifest Your manifold Wisdom to the world around me in Jesus Name.

Quote

Illuminate your world, for you are a star destined to shine- – WORDBITE 222