HORM Devotional

Jeremiah 31:3 ‘The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee

DAILY READING – Romans 8; 1 Samuel 17:1-54; Psalm 62

Doris Duke, heiress to the American Tobacco Company fortune, was once one of the richest women in the world. She had a fortune estimated at billions of dollars and had fabulous houses in Hawaii, Newport, Beverley Hills, and New York City. When she was about to get married, her wealth was so vast, that the U.S. government had to draw up her prenuptial agreement. When they presented her husband with the document, upon the realization of her net worth, he fainted. The issue of her wealth and the resultant distrust eventually led to the failure of Doris’ marriage, as she was never sure if her husband loved her or her money.

Although she was a fixture on the international social scene, yet she remained desperately lonely, because she was unsure if anyone truly loved her for herself or for her wealth. After two failed marriages Duke became a semi-recluse. Because of her great fortune, she was always suspicious of relationships, especially after realizing that people were going to great lengths to try to win her affection. Unable to trust anyone, she lived a lonely life and eventually died alone at her Beverly Hills mansion, without family or friends.

Many people in the world today like Doris Duke, are desperately seeking for true love. The Samaritan woman was someone who had been burned by bad relationships. She had been in relationship with six men, but was still not satisfied. She had been looking for love in the wrong places. But that day by the well she came face to face with love personified.

John 4:13-14 says ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’

Other things may pacify, but only God’s love can truly satisfy. When you are thirsty, you can drink coke, Pepsi or any other soft drink, but your thirst will not be truly quenched until you drink water. The same way we can receive love from diverse relationships, but the only love that can  truly satisfy us is the love that comes from God.

Part of what we want from friendships is to know that the other person won’t leave us, no matter what is encountered.  Even if we disclose our deepest scars and they see our worst imperfections, we would  still like to know that through thick and thin they will still be there for us.  But that is not always the case.  And because we have had too many bad examples of human love, we find it hard sometimes to understand divine love. But God’s love is unconditional, it is everlasting.

Jeremiah 31:3 says ‘The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’

We don’t have to be broken from place to place and person to person looking for true love. When life has wounded you and you find yourself falling, be assured that God’s hand can catch you and keep you from hitting rock bottom. In Deuteronomy 33:27 God says He is our refuge, and His everlasting arms are ever under us.

And to truly understand the love of God we have to have an in-depth knowledge of His Word. It is through His Word that we begin to grasp the height and depth and reach of His amazing love that passes understanding. And as we begin to receive His love and respond to it, then our lives will be truly transformed.

It doesn’t matter what you may be facing right now, be rest assured that God loves you very much. He has loved you with an everlasting love. He has been using different circumstances to draw you closer to Him. Whatever may be the circumstance surrounding you today, God will always be there for you, He will uphold you with the right hand of His righteousness and He will never leave you nor forsake you.

And as we have experienced the love of Christ, let us also share this love with the hurting world around us, by spreading the good news of the Gospel continually.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me a greater revelation of  Your love so that my life can be revolutionized. Thank You also for igniting in me a deeper hunger of Your Word so that through indepth study, I can truly be established in Your amazing love 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.

Joshua 1:9 [NIV] ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

DAILY READING Romans 7; 1 Samuel 16; Psalm 61

Paula Ann Hiers Deen is an American TV personality and cooking show host. She is someone who learnt to escape from the prison of fear. Years ago, after several tragedies in her life, she had developed severe agoraphobia, suffered panic attacks and was afraid to even leave her house. Almost penniless, she was also trying to raise two teenage sons alone.
But she had been brought up in the Baptist faith and would turn to God for help in this dark season of her life. Still battling with fear and too afraid to walk in public places, she then began an indoor catering service as something she could do without leaving the house. Starting with only $200, she would make the food and her sons would deliver them to customs. Soon things began to look up financially for her and her home business outgrew her kitchen. Through faith in God she eventually overcame her battle with fear, and in January 1996, with her sons, she opened a restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. Within a few years, the restaurant’s reputation quickly spread, and by 1999 her restaurant, named ‘The Lady & Sons’ had received international recognition.
Paula Dean eventually landed her own TV show, published 15 cookbooks, and even had a role in a movie. Today she is one of America’s most beloved television chefs, and it all started when she realized that the power that dwelt inside of her was greater than the fear that tried to hold her back.
Joshua 1:9 NIV says ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Many people today are afraid to move forward and take the territories God has already given them in the realm of the spirit. A man may be full of zeal and passion and vision, but by the time he begins to consider the greatness of the obstacles he needs to overcome, fear of the unknown gets him deflated.
Fear is a stopper of men’s progress. It is what the enemy uses to distort reality and try to keep people from moving forward. As a result many people instead of progressing with their dreams, are stuck with their fears, mostly because they are thinking of security instead of opportunity.
The truth is that you can overcome the fears trying to hold you back and move into the fullness of God’s plan for you. There will always be a Goliath between you and your throne. However, your conquest will be a function of your boldness, based on strong faith in God.
Whenever you face intimidating situations, learn to look up to God. The study of God’s Word and persistent prayers will always impart into your heart the faith that you need to overcome.
Deuteronomy 7:16 says “Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh…”
When we look into the mirror of God’s Word, we are constantly put in remebrance of His migghty acts and this births faith in our hearts. Ultimately, it is faith in God that drives fear out of our lives. Therefore, find out what God says in His Word about you, meditate on it until faith rises in your heart and then begin to make bold declarations through prayers, claiming the promises of God over your life. As you press forward by faith it is only a matter of time before every goliath is defeated, allowing you to ascend the glorious throne ordained for you. Indeed by the power of The Spirit, every barrier of fear that has been holding you back in any area is broken today and you are now free to enter into your Canaan, flowing with milk and honey in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, I praise You today for granting me permanent victory over fear. Please grant me the grace to always walk on the narrow path of obedience to Your Word even as I remain persistent in prayers. By Your grace I shall surely ascend the throne You have ordained for me this year in Jesus Name.

Quote
God protects and shields us when we are being led by Him. – WORDBITE 222

Ephesians 1:7  ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;’

DAILY READING  •  Romans 6; 1 Samuel 15; Psalm 60

The movie titled ‘the machine gun preacher’ tells the story of Sam Childers and his efforts to save the children of South Sudan as he worked in collaboration with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) to fight the atrocities of the terrorist group ‘The Lord’s Resistance Army’ (LRA).

Sam Childers was a former gang biker, alcoholic and drug dealer from Pennsylvania. However, his life took a new turn when on being released from prison, he got born again during a revival meeting at an Assemblies of God church. That same evening the pastor prophesied that Sam would go to Africa on a mission. At the end of 1998, Childers made his first trip to Sudan. In that first trip and the many that followed, he was exposed to the atrocities of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA]. Later, on a missionary trip to Uganda to build homes for refugees, Sam found that large numbers of Sudanese children were being forced to become child soldiers by the L.R.A. The experience traumatized and changed Sam. In an effort to help, he later built an orphanage for the children of South Sudan. However one night, the LRA attacked his orphanage and burnt it to the ground. After the orphanage was rebuilt, he fought the atrocities of the LRA, as he led armed raids to rescue children from them. This led to his being nicknamed the ‘machine gun preacher.’ His life and ministry made very great impact on the people of South Sudan, and today he is internationally celebrated for all his rescue efforts.

Ephesians 1:7 says ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;’

By the power in the blood of Jesus, Sam Childers a former drug dealer was delivered to serve God and mankind. Indeed there is no life so steeped in sin that it cannot be redeemed by the blood of Jesus and transformed.

No matter how disheveled any destiny may appear, through the mystery of the blood, there can be restoration and divine completeness.  This is why we should never give up on any one we are called to preach the Gospel to.  We could never know the potentials locked within any soul. 2 Cor. 4:7 calls it a treasure hidden in an earthen vessel.

When a building is under construction, to the untrained eye, the building can look really messed up. But the architect isn’t concerned because he drew the plans and knows that emerging from the mess is a beautiful structure. Our architect and Master builder is God. He has designed the blueprint of our lives. And no matter how messed up things may sometimes seem, God is always at work behind the scenes, to unveil His perfect will and plan.

Indeed everyone called of God, is full of amazing potentials. If you do not yet look like it, know that your life is still under construction and God that has begun a good work in you will bring it to perfection. God says we are created after His image and likeness. We are designed to function as He does. We are to operate as sons of God on earth, ruling and dominating by the power of God. Indeed everyone called of God is born to be great. All we need is to be rightly positioned in Christ and every other thing will fall into place.

Just as Sam’s life was dramatically transformed, God is able to turn things around and cause us to become a wonder to our world. Therefore whatever may be hindering your glorious destiny, today, as you engage the mystery of the blood in the place of prayer every such yoke will be permanently broken. Indeed by the power in the Blood, the glory God has ordained for you in this season, must surely come into full manifestation.

PRAYER: Father I thank You because even now You are turning me into a sign and wonder to my world. Indeed by the power in the blood of Jesus I receive divine strength to boldly proclaim Your Gospel and do exploits in Your kingdom in Jesus’ Name.

Quote :

For you to enjoy victory in the Kingdom of God, you need to develop a Kingdom mindset, that thinks in line with the Word of God.  – 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; • Romans 5; 1 Samuel 14; Psalm 59

Bobby Gruenewald is a Pastor and Innovation Leader who founded the YouVersion Bible App. As a young believer, after college, he had started two technology companies and served as an advisor for various startups and venture capital funds. He wanted to use technology to effectively distribute the Bible. He was especially inspired by how a century ago, Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press revolutionized the accessibility of the Bible by mass producing and making it available to everyone. Bobby wanted to use technology to do something similar for the present generation. And so in 2006 he developed a website where the Bible was available with a lot of other innovative features. Though it was a good idea, yet after the first month, only 20,000 people had visited the site. The result didn’t seem worth all the effort, time and money he and his team had invested. And so after a year they decided to shut down the website.
But two weeks before they would shut down, he had an idea of making the Bible available on mobile phones so that people could access the Bible wherever they went. In 2008 he and his team designed and built a mobile website for the Bible. Soon after that, Apple Computer, Inc. announced that they were offering the opportunity to develop apps for phone. Bobby Gruenewald submitted his app, it was approved and available the first day the App store launched on Apple. In just three days they had 83,000 downloads and today the Youversion Bible App, has been downloaded on about 500 million phones all over the globe and is making amazing impact in the world offering all versions of the Bible, in 1074 languages.
In our efforts to spread the Gospel we must be tenacious in our approach. The challenges we may sometimes encounter should never dampen our zeal. It can be easy to get discouraged, when we are not initially seeing the results we expect. But one of the best principles we can learn is to always hold on to God’s Word, and stay strong in prayer, no matter how discouraging any situation. If we refuse to lose faith, things will surely work out for our good.
Galatians 6:9 says ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’
When God sends you on a mission, He goes before you, He walks with you, and He works through you. In Mark 16:20 as the disciples went about preaching the Gospel Jesus was working with them. In all the challenges they faced in the course of preaching the Gospel, Jesus was right there working it all out to achieve His perfect will.
In acts 8, the disciples faced a very difficult time as they were met with strong persecutions. These disciples could have chosen to abandon their efforts to spread the Gospel, because of these difficulties. However, though the persecution made them to leave Jerusalem, in the end the Lord turned it all around and it led to the wide proclamation of the gospel in other cities. This caused the church to grow mightily, achieving the very opposite of what the enemy planned.
Romans 8:28 says ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose’
Blessings come from the breaking. Strength comes from the struggles. Indeed new beginnings are often disguised as painful endings. And an initial setback can become great opportunities to take new territories and come back stronger.
This is why we count it all joy when we face trials, because God is able to turn it all around for us. As long as you are in God’s will, trust Him to work it all out for you. He will turn your mourning into dancing, He will give you beauty for ashes. And even when it seems you are being scattered, know that on the contrary you are being multiplied. Indeed whatever the enemy meant for evil in your life, God will turn it all around and cause everything to work together for your good.

PRAYER: Lord, Please grant me the strength to keep pursuing Your will against all odds. By Your grace I will never get discouraged, nor grow weary, rather I will keep pressing forward to the glory You have ordained for me in Jesus Name.

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

Isaiah 48:17 ‘I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.’

DAILY READING ; Romans 4; 1 Samuel 13; Psalm 58

Billy Graham was one of the most significant Christian leaders of the 20th century. During his life, he proclaimed the gospel to more persons than any other preacher in history, with nearly 3 million people responding to his invitation to accept Jesus. However when he initially started his evangelistic campaigns in 1946, he almost gave up on being a revivalist because of some of the challenges he had faced.

At that time he was 30-years-old and after it seemed some of the revival meetings he initially held were unsuccessful, he almost gave up. But just before the decision to quit, he decided to go on a spiritual retreat at Forest Home in the San Bernardino Mountains for a time of prayer and contemplation – seeking God’s direction for his life.

It was during this period of seeking divine direction, that he received word from The Lord not to quit the ministry he was doing. And shortly after coming out of the spiritual retreat, he was contacted by some Christian businessmen in Los Angeles, to hold a revival in their city. It was initially planned to be a three-week revival starting in late September 1949, but when the crusade started, it was so successful that it extended for a total period of eight weeks, all the way into November. During this crusade, some famous celebrities from Hollywood began to attend and got saved, as a result the media began to report about the crusade. And suddenly Billy Graham was on the front page of newspapers across the country overnight. This soon made him famous and he became a household name. The Los Angeles crusade was indeed a turning point in his life and ministry.  In his autobiography he called the chapter about the Los Angeles crusade ‘watershed.’” And from Los Angeles, Billy Graham began to preach in packed stadiums in major cities around the world.

In Isaiah 48:17 God  says ‘I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.’

We need divine guidance in order to profit in life and ministry. Especially to successfully win souls and make impact in God’s kingdom, we must constantly hear from Heaven. Jesus Himself set the pattern of victory for us during  His earthly ministry,  by  often spending time in fellowship with The Father, to hear and heed His instructions.

We can’t make it in life without God’s help and direction. It is by the grace God releases to us that we are propelled to our colourful and glorious destiny. But to connect to God’s grace, seeking God’s will must constantly be our priority. No matter how gifted a man is, he will always have to make a call at every crossroad.

When you hear from heaven before you act on earth, every barrier will be turned into a testimony.

Men may exclaim and wonder at you when you finally come into the limelight, but then, they didn’t see the hidden places of preparation where you desperately sought God’s face. A hidden season of spiritual establishment and preparation is crucial to our outward manifestation because things are first established spiritually before they manifest physically.

God has great things in store for us in this season, but we must be willing to press in to where they are. There are mighty manifestations of power and glory, ordained for us, but we must be willing to pay the price of seeking God’s face, to see the glory manifest.

Sometimes what we may see as challenges could rather be the fuel or catalyst that God has ordained to propel us to our next level. Therefore when we face challenges, instead of becoming discouraged or giving up, we must rather take time to seek God’s will and guidance. And when we find it, there shall be a reward and our expectation shall not be cut off in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Father Please grant me the grace to always seek Your face to know Your will for me. Thank You also for granting me the needed strength to keep pressing forward despite the challenges, until I attain the fullness of the destiny You have ordained for me 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 ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’

DAILY READING; • Romans 3:9-31; 1 Samuel 12; Psalm 57

Christopher Columbus is the explorer who is credited for discovering America. He was a master navigator and admiral whose four transatlantic voyages opened the way for European exploration. it was Columbus’ voyage that started the exploration and colonization of the Americas.

Columbus’ original plan was to sail straight to China by crossing the Atlantic Ocean. He spent years trying to convince someone to pay for his voyage. Finally, he was able to convince Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain to pay for the trip. He set sail on August 3, 1492 with three ships named the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. A deeply devout man, Columbus was always grateful to God and dedicated his mission to the New World to the conversion of pagan peoples; like the apostles, he hoped to bring the Gospel to those who had never heard of Christ.. However the journey was much longer and more difficult than he thought.

But  after one month of sailing and not sighting land,  the crew became restless.  After a while, his crew threatened mutiny. Christopher Columbus was on the verge of giving up. However, it was at that point when he was discouraged and about to turn back, that he finally discovered land. At the moment when all hope seemed lost, Columbus realized his dream;  America was discovered.

On landing at the shore, he threw himself on his knees, kissed the earth, and returned thanks to God with tears of joy. His example was followed by the rest of the crew.

Galatians 6:9 says ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’

Often breakthroughs come at the point of giving up.  It is always darkest juts before the day breaks. The battle usually rages at its highest, right before the victory. Therefore when it seems all hope is lost that is not the point to give up, that is when to continue to press on. If you don’t turn back, with God’s help you will inherit new territory.

The Enemy often fights hardest when he knows you are close to your victory. Therefore don’t give up at the border of your breakthrough. As you pursue the prophesied glory for this year, do not be discouraged by the things that may sometimes seem to frustrate you. keep pushing forward, keep trusting in God to make  a way even where there seems to be no way. No matter the challenging situations that may confront you, always know it too shall come to pass. It will not linger forever.

There is no situation God cannot handle for you. There is nothing too difficult for Him. Believe Him to do for you above your expectations. So turn your pain into power by releasing your praise. Thank God for what He is set to do. Trust Him for a miracle. No matter how your back may seem to be pressed against the wall, God can suddenly change everything in your favor. It is only a matter of time. And suddenly your mourning will be turned into dancing.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me not to be discouraged by what I may see physically around me, I know indeed you are working out all things together for my good, and in due season I will see a manifestation of Your glory in my life in Jesus Name..

Quote

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

Proverbs  29:18  ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keeps the law happy is he.’

DAILY READING;   Romans 2:1-3:8; 1 Samuel 10:17-11:15; Psalm 56

Florence Nightingale, who was born on May 12, 1820, in Italy, was an English social reformer and the founder of modern nursing. She was famous for her nursing work especially during the Crimean War. She changed the face of nursing from a mostly untrained profession to a highly skilled and well-respected medical profession with very important responsibilities.

Also remarkable was Nightingale’s genuine relationship with God. It was through divine revelation that she became inspired to serve humanity in the best possible manner. She first heard the calling of God in 1837 when she was 17-years-old. She sincerely believed God called her for a divine purpose and that her calling was nursing. However, Florence was born to a wealthy family, and her parents, especially her mother, did not approve of her divine inspiration. Her parents were concerned about their daughter’s reputation, as well as the reputation of their affluent family. Nightingale’s parents, like many protective parents during the Victorian Era, expected her to follow the societal norms established for young women of such social stature, which was for her to marry a wealthy gentleman and raise a family. They essentially forbade her to pursue her dream of nursing, which was seen as lowly menial labor for the lower class. However, she defied her parents’ expectations and rather than marry, decided to spend her life in service and ministry to the sick and poor.

And because she obeyed the call she heard from God, she succeeded greatly and is viewed as a historical icon and a heroine today..  Despite her family’s effort to talk Florence out of her call, she was determined to follow and obey the will of God. Though she faced a lot of oppositions initially but because of her deep conviction, she was able to prevail and achieve success in the end.

It is the conviction of being in the will of God that gives men the power to forge though oppositions and achieve their vision. The secret of men who succeed, is that they seek God to know His calling upon their lives and they walk in obedience to that calling.. When they see the vision ahead, it gives them the confidence to move against any opposition, knowing God is backing them.

To be successful in life you need to hear from God for yourself. And we hear God through His Word. Therefore take the time to sit down with The Word and hear what God has to say concerning His assignment for your life. Every one of us have a calling from God. It may not be necessarily to preach from a pulpit, but we are to serve God in whatever area He has called us to. And as believers most importantly we must obey the call of the great commission to go into the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Every instruction of God  is for our lifting.

Job 36:11 says: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

God’s commands are not grievous, (1 John 5:3), but it is profitable for reproof, correction and guidance towards the fulfilment of our glorious destiny. No doubt, there is greatness inside every believer, but if it will only manifest when we become willing to diligently follow God’s commandments.

PRAYER;

Father, please help me to hear You clearly concerning the assignment You have for me. Grant me the grace to spend time in Your Word and prayer to know exactly the area of Your calling upon my life. Thank You for divinely strengthening me to obey You always 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.

Exodus 23:25 “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.’

DAILY READING Romans 1:16-32; 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16; Psalm 55

Andrew Wommack is an internationally known American TV evangelist, who has been serving God for many years. His popular television program, ‘Gospel Truth With Andrew Wommack,’ airs daily on TBN and other Christian Networks.

On March 4, 2001, Andrew Wommack received a dreaded news. He was told his youngest son, Peter, had died. As soon as he received the news, he and his wife spoke their faith and said, “The first report is not the last report.” They spoke resurrection life into Peter’s body, and then they headed to the hospital. It was one hour and fifteen minutes from the time they got the call until they got to the hospital. During that time, Andrew operated in faith and began to rejoice, confident in God’s promises to those who serve Him. Andrew knew God was faithful to keep His promises and so he rejoiced and refused to entertain any picture of his son being dead. By faith he continued to see Peter alive and well.

However, by the time they received the call, peter had been dead for almost five hours, and had already turned black. His toe was tagged and he was lying on a slab in the hospital morgue. But as they drove to the hospital and Andrew praised God prophetically, something incredible happened. As soon as Andrew arrived at the hospital, his oldest son, Joshua, met him at the door and said, “Dad, after I called you, Peter just sat up.” Peter who had been dead for hours had suddenly came back to life!

In sharing the testimony Andrew said he didn’t rejoice more once he saw Peter raised from the dead than he did while he was still driving to the hospital. During the drive, by faith he praised God, rejoicing with all his might, because he knew God was faithful to keep His promises to those who serve Him.

Exodus 23:25-26 says ‘And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.’

Surely when we serve God we can be assured of victory in the face of any challenge. This is the heritage of the servants of The Lord. God has not called the sons of Jacob to seek Him in vain and He is truly a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

An understanding of our covenant position when we serve God, gives us confidence in the face of any confrontation. This was what made Abraham to refuse to stagger at the promise of God but remained strong in faith, giving glory to God, until his miracle came.

Confidence in God is what makes us to praise Him despite any situation. And when we praise God even impossible situations are reversed. Praise is a verbal expression of faith in God and faith is the victory that overcomes the world. At the instance of praise, God’s hand is stretched forth, and when His hand is stretched forth, who can turn it back?

Indeed serving God is the master key to a life of sweatless triumph. Therefore as we pursue the kingdom service of soul winning let us be assured of God’s blessings. And His blessings make rich and add no sorrow to it. Therefore whatever may look like sorrow coming against you today, as long as you are serving God, be assured of victory. In the face of any confrontation remember whose you are and whom you serve. He is the same God who parted the red sea, and shut the mouth of lions. Therefore no matter how intimidating any challenge, switch to praise and keep your faith strong in God. The battle is indeed the Lord’s and He will surely do even the impossible for you!

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to serve tirelessly in Your kingdom, for I know that You are indeed a rewarder of them that diligently seek You. As I praise You today, I thank You for victory in every area of my life in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

You will never need more than God to experience the impossible in life. WORDBITE 222.

Matthew 5:16 ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’

DAILY READING – Romans 1:1-15; 1 Samuel 8; Psalm 54

One of the most amazing and significant facts of history is that within five centuries of its birth, Christianity won the professed allegiance of the overwhelming majority of the Roman Empire. Prior to the coming of the Church, the Roman empire was steeped in traditional pagan religions, which they defended fiercely. And when the early Church started, Rome unleashed wave after wave of persecutions to squash it and completely destroy the church. Yet, despite the persecutions the church only seemed to wax stronger and stronger.

It is indeed amazing that Christianity, a small, despised movement from a corner of Palestine could quickly dominate the mighty Roman Empire. Yet the Jesus-movement, in a relatively short period transformed into a major religion with millions of followers spread out from India in the east, Ethiopia in the south to Britain in the west. The amazing growth of the early church continues to be one of the most amazing phenomena in all of human history.

One of the powerful reasons for the church’s rapid growth was its practical show of love. The Gospel spread as neighbors saw the lives of the believers close-up, on a daily basis. Those opposed to Christianity were often won over as they saw the extraordinary lives of the early Christians, noting their amazing love for God and for their neighbors. Christians became known as those who cared for the sick. Many people experienced healing that resulted from their prayers. Early Christians were feeding the hungry and destitute in Rome every day. And through the loving service rendered to strangers by these believers, many came to the faith leading to the rapid advancement of Christianity.

Matthew 5:16 says ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’

Often times our actions speak much louder than our words. The Bible said Jesus went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God [Luke 8:1]. He was not only preaching it, He was also showing it.

As we preach with words, we are also to follow up with our actions. More than what you say, people are watching how you live. When people see us living in faith, holiness, purity, excellence and integrity, it can have a great impact on how they receive the Gospel we preach.

Unbelievers may not read the Bible but they’re reading our lives. They may never come to church but they are listening to the sermon our life is preaching daily. Your life is your pulpit. And the truth is that people believe a sermon that they see more than a sermon that they hear. Your example, more than your words, will draw men to Christ. When Jesus was on the earth, many times, He was among sinners, not to condemn them but to let His light shine in the darkness. When the religious people criticized Him, He told them it was the sick that needed a doctor, not the healthy.

There are many sick people in the world today. We only need to browse through the social media to see just how sick the world is becoming by the day. However these negative situations are only opportunities for us to shine the light of the Gospel. The darker the situation, the brighter we shine the love of Christ. Love never fails and light will always overcome darkness.

The Bible says we are the light of the world and light works best in the dark places. In the dark and negative environment of the world people need the light we carry. We need to take off judgmental glasses and let the light of God’s love shine on them. We need to be willing to overlook their flaws and rather show them mercy and love. We have to realize that the difference between them and us today is simply the mercy of God. Some of us were in worse states than them until God led someone to shine the light of Christ in our lives. And as we have obtained mercy let us also show mercy.

The early Christians shone the light of God’s love into the dark world around them and many were drawn to that light. Likewise today, as we shine the light of God’s love to those around us, many will be drawn to Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to live in a way that will reflect the truth of the Gospel I preach. May my light so shine before men that they may see my good works and glorify Your holy Name in Jesus Name.

Quote :

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

1 John 3:16 ‘ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren

DAILY READING Acts 28:17-31; 1 Samuel 6-7; Psalm 53

The worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canada’s history occurred on 29 May 1914. This was when the ship ‘Empress of Ireland’ sank in the St. Lawrence River near Québec, killing 1,012 of its 1,477 passengers. Although the tragedy impacted the whole country, the Canadian Salvation Army perhaps bore the brunt of this blow, as it lost almost 167 of its members, including senior leaders who were on their way to London, for an International Congress. To the Salvation Army, the day the ‘Empress of Ireland’ sank has become known as “Black Friday.” Only eight of its members on board the ship survived. However, remarkably, many more could have survived, if not that they chose rather to willingly lay down their lives.

On the night the ship sank, many of its passengers had gone to bed and were asleep. Another oncoming ship, blinded by a fog, had accidentally rammed into ‘The Empress,’ creating a deep hole that caused water to begin to flood the ship. The crew members of ‘The Empress’ had immediately sounded the alarm, to alert the sleeping passengers. In the confusion, as many tried to rush out of the sinking ship, only few were able to put on their life jackets. Members of the salvation army were among the few who were able to quickly access the life jackets and put them on. However when it became obvious that many of the other passengers were about to perish in the waters, these salvation army members, began to swim through the cold waters, seeking out people who didn’t have a life jacket and were struggling to survive. Each time they found someone, they asked: ‘Do you know Jesus?’ If the person replied ‘No’, then in an act of unbelievable courage and sacrifice, the Salvation Army member took off his or her own life jacket, and gave it to save the other person.

As a result many of these Salvation Army members drowned. But they chose to die so that others could live and have the chance to find Christ. Their sacrifice has continued to astound the world as each year the sinking of the empress is remembered. In 2014 its 100 year anniversary was marked with many coming from all over the world to Canada, to commemorate the event.

1 John 3:16-18 says ‘ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.’

Death is the pathway to glory. All men who made generational impact were those who learned to die to self and lived for others. People who live sacrificially go beyond the norm, they are willing to lay down anything for the sake of God and His kingdom.

When we truly love God we will be concerned about the welfare of others. We will not live life as convenient but rather as commanded. And Jesus has commanded us to put the welfare of others before ours. Loving God means to be truly sold-out to His cause so much so that nothing in life matters to us except those things that matter to God. It is to be devoted to God and His work and be ready to live and die for God’s purpose on earth without due consideration to self. This means joyfully allowing God to exercise full ownership and control over our lives, time, resources, career and decisions. When a man is so dedicated to God he will stand out on the earth. Indeed true dedication is a deadly commitment to God and dedication is the mystery behind distinction.

However often times, though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Though we are willing to fully follow God’s will, we often find ourselves hindered by fleshly struggles.

But at the cross, Jesus lay down His life that we might live. And because of the blood He shed for us at Calvary we have been given infusion of life and power to overcome every spiritual weakness and hindrance of the flesh. By His sacrifice we have been given authority to live in victory and dominion. Therefore today, by the power in the blood we take authority over everything that tries to hinder our obedience to the great commission. By the blood we come against every spiritual laxity that tries to keep us from stepping into the fullness of our calling and going forth to do exploits for God’s kingdom. Indeed by the Blood we receive the grace for divine strength and enablement to lay down our lives for others as we step out and begin to win souls for Christ. As we begin to truly make God’s kingdom priority, and become addicted to His purpose, God will indeed cause us to be distinguished on the earth!

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to live in power and victory because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me at Calvary. Through the Blood of Jesus I receive the strength today to go forth and do exploits for Your kingdom in Jesus Name.

Quote.

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