HORM Devotional

Lamentations 3:22-23 ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’

DAILY READING –  2 Thessalonians 1; Isaiah 25-26; Psalm 117

There are scientists who closely monitor what goes on in the outer space. And recently these scientists have been expressing concern about the number of asteroids flying close to the earth. Already, on their watch list, about 1,894 asteroids are currently listed as “potentially hazardous objects.” However, the most dangerous of them all is a 1,500-foot-wide asteroid named Bennu which is expected to closely pass by the earth on Sept. 25, 2135. Though there has been speculations and fear that it might impact the earth, space experts at NASA are assuring that it will only closely approach Earth, and will miss impact by at least 65,000 miles. However NASA  is not taking any chances; if Bennu hits the earth, the consequences would be devastating. The 40-million-ton space rock would unleash a force equal to 80,000 atomic bombs, enough to flatten buildings for dozens of miles in all directions.. NASA has therefore come up with the concept of a planetary defense shield with the acronym HAMMER. It is a fleet of spacecraft that would either bash directly into a dangerous asteroid or set off nuclear charges to deflect it to prevent it from hitting the earth.

Psalm 127 says ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.’

As noble as NASA’s objective to protect earth is, the question is who has been protecting the earth these past many years?  If a sizeable asteroid were to hit any city on the earth, it would bring widespread death and destruction. And yet such has never happened. Why? Because God is in perfect control of the universe.

Lamentations 3:22-23  says ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’

Indeed we are kept only by God’s grace and mercy. If The Lord does not watch over the earth, every plan of science to defend it will be in vain. But God rules in Heaven and on the earth. When He calls the stars by their names, they all stand up together, and all of creation obeys Him. God is indeed in perfect control. And we can bank on His grace and mercy. Nothing can happen to the earth without God’s knowledge and permission.. He has set perfect order in the universe. That is why the sun shines in the day, moon shines at night, and rain falls in its season etc. In outer space each planetary body follows its path and pattern.

This serves as a sign to man. That if only we submit and follow God’s laws, there will also be perfect order in our lives. Men suffer only when they leave the path of God’s plan to wander in uncharted territories. Disobedience to God’s law is what has brought suffering and problems to the earth. God has set forth laws in His Word for man to follow so that it can be well with him. He has already planned our individual lives and set the paths of our destiny. And as we stay on course with His plan, God will surely perfect all that concerns us.

PRAYER: Lord, I know that it is only by Your grace that I have come thus far.  I thank You Lord for the great things You have in store for me this year. Indeed I know that I will only keep going from glory to glory in Jesus Name.

Quote

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

Proverbs  22:29  ‘Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men’.

DAILY READING – – 1 Thessalonians 5; Isaiah 23-24; Psalm 116

Navy SEAL Team 6, is today the most celebrated of the U.S military’s special units. This elite group is trained to carry out top secret operations and has a plethora of nearly impossible missions under its combat belt. They are the team that raided an Al Qaeda compound in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, and killed the world’s most wanted terrorist: Osama bin Laden. When it comes to special forces, no group is more well-known than the Navy SEALs. However what is less known is the rigorous training that it takes to become a member of the Navy SEAL team.

For instance though the entire Bin Laden operation had lasted only 40 minutes from start to finish, it had taken the team years of calculated planning and training to achieve it. When the hideout in Pakistan was confirmed by the CIA as a security fortified three story building, the Navy seal team built an exact replica of this house to practice their drill in it. SEAL training is often described as the toughest training available to any special forces anywhere in the world. The first six months of training, known as Basic Underwater Demolition (Buds) is the toughest. It includes one period which lasts a continuous 120 hours, and involves swimming, running, obstacle courses, scuba diving and navigation. SEAL training is almost torturous, with about 80% of trainees dropping off. Last year out of the 245 that registered, after only three weeks, 190 of the recruits dropped out. However, though the training may seem too rigorous, it is through it that the Navy determines the elite few who have what it takes to become a SEAL. And due to focus, dedication, training, and an attitude that ‘Failure is not an option’ the Team has been very successful in many modern warfare with a vast history of achievements.

Indeed it takes training to reign. In order to reign, you must be trained; in order to lead you must learn. The moment we get born again, we get enlisted in an intensive spiritual boot camp. God begins to train us and prepare us for the high places He has ordained for us in life. And if we must actualize the destiny that God has ordained for us, then we must be committed to effective and tireless training.

The impact we eventually make in life will be as a result of the qualitative training we have undergone. No matter how great your calling, you may not see your desired result if you lack the needed know-how to excel in that field.

Ecclesiastes 10:15  says  ‘The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.’

Though we desire to go to the city, we need to know what it takes to get there. That is where training comes in. The benefits of training are highlighted in the story of David, when he was in the cave of Abdullam. In I Samuel 23, while in hiding from King Saul, David gathered riffraffs under his tutelage and trained them to become great warriors, known as the mighty men of David. Although, initially they were human trash, through training, David brought out the treasure in them. To fulfill our calling we need to diligently run the race set before us. We need to go the extra mile, pay the extra price and take the extra steps that will see us to the top.

Proverbs  22:29  says ‘Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men’.

How much we invest in our destinies today in terms of training , will determine where we stand tomorrow. The quality of our walk will define our work and determine our worth.  The  more we commit to training, the more we will be reigning in life. We need to commit to working hard today, so that we would not live hard lives tomorrow.  As Galatians 6:7 says ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap’.

There is no crown without a cross, there are no champions without challenges, there will be no stars without a scar. Though, success will demand from us sacrifice, we must always remember that the benefits of sacrifice will always outweigh its cost. We must pay whatever price it takes, to fulfill our God-ordained destiny because  “creation eagerly waits for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). Therefore let us be willing to embrace the process of preparation, because God won’t project you unless He has first prepared you.

PRAYER: Father please help me to be willing to submit to the necessary process that will prepare me for my next level.  Please destroy every force of limitation, and enable me to rise to the place you have ordained for me in Jesus name.

QUOTE ;

When you make God your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222.

.

Proverbs 15:24 says ‘The way of life is above to the wise that he might depart from hell beneath.’

• ’DAILY READING   1 Thessalonians 4; Isaiah 20-22; Psalm 115

Often snow can be seen on the top of very mountains all year round. This is because the temperature at the top of mountains is lower than at the bottom. The higher a place is above sea level the cooler it will be. Some mountains reach higher than the clouds. and generally the climate on mountains get progressively cooler with increased altitude. This happens because as altitude increases, air becomes thinner and is less able to absorb and retain heat. Temperatures on mountainous areas are generally cooler than temperatures on lower lands. This is why geographically, it is said the higher you go the cooler it becomes. While the air on the lower grounds are hot, the air on the higher grounds remain cool.

The same can be said spiritually. Our lives are cooler and free from heat of trouble when we learn to rise higher in the place of prayer. Proverbs 15:24 says ‘The way of life is above to the wise that he might depart from hell beneath.’

When you live above, it becomes harder for the heat of harassment, problems and troubles from below to reach you. Therefore to live victorious we must seek the higher life.

Isaiah 57:15 says ‘For thus says the High and Lofty One

Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’

When we go higher spiritually, we dwell in the high and holy place of intimacy with God. Those who abide in this secret place of The Almighty are those who like Apostle Paul, count all things dung that they might gain Christ. These people seek God with their whole heart, and it is to them that God reveals Himself.

Jesus has asked us to rise and pray so that we do not enter into temptation. So rising in prayer is an escape from temptation. Sin is a sinker that keeps men bound to the ground, but through prayer we arise above its  shackles and bondages. The more we pray the more we move from the confines of the flesh into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

PRAYER: Father please grant me the grace to always rise in the place of prayer. Please destroy every spiritual weakness that tries to keep me on the floor. Indeed by Your Grace I am rising to my high places  in Jesus name.

 Quote :

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

Mathew 5:16  “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven

• DAILY READING – 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13; Isaiah 17-19; Psalm 114

On 6^th June 2019, hundreds of veterans gathered in France to honour the sacrifice of those who died in the D-Day landings. World leaders attended the two day commemoration ceremonies honouring Allied forces who fought in the largest combined land, air and naval operation in history.

The “D-Day” refers to what happened on 6 June 1944 –the day on which the Battle of Normandy was fought during world war 2.. This battle was the climax of the War and  on that day, thousands of Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, in northern France, in a battle to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation. By nightfall on 6 June 1944, some 156,000 Allied troops – including British, US and Canadian forces – had landed on Normandy’s beaches, despite challenging weather and fierce German defences.

The ‘D-day’ was probably the most carefully planned and executed military operation in history. But the carefully laid out plans depended on one crucial factor; the moon. Because the invasion began in the early morning hours before the sun came up, aircrafts and Parachutists needed the moonlight to see the ground to know where they should land. They crucially needed the moonlight so as to avoid all the barricades and barbwires, Hitler had mounted on the seashore to hinder an invasion.

The allied forces engaged a team of astronomers and meteorologists who helped them to plan the invasion around days with a full moon and low tide. The Invasion of Normandy began early in the day on June 6th 1944. It was a joint effort by all of the Allied Forces, which comprised of 326,547 British, American and Canadian troops, 54,186 vehicles, 104,428 tons of supplies, 5,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft.

At the end of the invasion the Allied Force were in full control of Normandy. The Allied Forces marched forward and continued fighting until they forced a German surrender on May 8th 1945, officially ending the Nazi reign in Germany.

Victory in this battle was only possible because of the crucial role the light of the moon played on that day.

In the same way, in the battles of life, light from God’s Word is crucial to our victory. No matter how carefully we plan, we need the light of God’s wisdom to know which way to go. Jesus is the light of the world and without Him we can do nothing. Indeed nothing works until light comes. And the density of your light will determine the intensity of your victory. When your Light is intense, it swallows up every darkness around you. Therefore to experience victory, go for light. And the source of light is The Word of God. It is the entrance of His Word that gives light.

Faith, the victory that overcomes the world, comes from hearing The Word. Genuine encounter with light from God’s Word will always deliver victory to you.

Do you need victory in any area of your life? Then it is time to seek an encounter with light from God’s Word. Like peter, have you been toiling all night long in the dark without any catch? Then it is time to hear the voice of the Master from His Word. No man-made plan can compare to the divine direction God gives. One word from God can revolutionize your life. In our health, in our families, in our businesses, we need light from God’s Word to show us the way to victory. To overcome sin and live in true holiness, we need light from God’s Word to shatter the hold of sin. In this age of darkness, light is our rescue. Wherever light appears, darkness must bow.  Therefore every light bearer is naturally a victor in the battles of life.

In Mathew 5:16 Jesus says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven”. Indeed as we daily abide in God’s Word, our light will shine to swallow every darkness and deliver victory to us.

PRAYER: Father please help me to always walk in Your light so that Your Glory can continually reflect through me.. Please  enable me Lord, to abide  close to you, so that as You shine through me, I can be a wonder to my world 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.

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 – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16; Isaiah 14-16; Psalm 113

English Gardner is an American track and field star, who specializes in the 100-meter dash race.  After undergoing knee surgery in 2008, Gardner was told by doctors that she could never run again. Due to the severity of her condition, many people truly thought her athletic career was over. As a result many colleges that had previously offered her scholarships with the hope that she would run for them, withdrew their scholarship offers, except for the University of Oregon. Though it seemed the end of the road, Gardner who is a fervent Christian, knew that somehow the grace and mercy of God would prevail. She never gave up and continued to do all she could to recover. And eventually, miraculously, her heath was fully restored, and she began to enter into races again.

In 2016, she qualified for the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.  On the day of the Olympic trials, Gardner ran with a plan to praise God. For her to be back on her feet running again, was indeed a great miracle. And God surprised her further by causing her to win the race in an amazing record time. She set a record of 10.74 seconds which ranked her in the top ten all-time runners of the 100-meter race. As soon as Gardner crossed the finish line, she went down on her knees, praising Jesus and thanking him for her victory. On the online video of her record-breaking run, which has been viewed by millions around the world, she was seen crying out. “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Oh God I praise you. I give you so much glory”.

Gardner shed tears of joy after her record-shattering run which her doctors never imagined she could do after her injury. Later in a media interview, she said that not many people knew the cost of the oil of her praise. She said she gained the inspiration to beat the odds after reading the biblical accounts of David and Goliath, Noah and Daniel in the lion’s den. And through this Biblical inspiration, she not only recorded one of the fastest times for an American female athlete, but became the fourth-fastest American in history and the seventh fastest sprinter in the world.

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’.

Indeed God remains faithful in every situation. And when we choose to bless Him even in times of discouragement, He shows Himself mighty on our behalf. Not many people have experienced what David felt when he and his men returned to their home in Ziklag to discover their property destroyed and their wives taken by the Amalekites. To worsen matters, his men spoke of stoning him. Yet, in the midst of all these, David chose to praise God.

1 Sam 30:6 says David “encouraged himself in the Lord his God”. And because he decided to trust God even in the midst of despair, God gave him victory and full restoration of all he lost. David was able to pursue, overtake and recover all.

In our journey through life, sometimes we can be confronted by adverse situations. Despite the pain, when we lift our hands in praise and worship, we are breaking spiritual alabaster boxes of oil at the feet of Jesus. The sweet fragrance of our sacrifice of praise creates the conducive atmosphere for God to do the miraculous. The truth is that if you complain, you will remain, but when you praise, you will be raised. Therefore in every situation, let us choose to bless God. He is in perfect control, He is seated upon the throne of  His glory, holding the scepter of His dominion in our favor.. Situations may vary but God never changes, He remains the constant. Nothing moves Him or takes Him by surprise. And when we chose to bless Him at all times, He will indeed arise in His  might and power to cause a forceful turnaround of every contrary situation for us.

PRAYER: Father I choose to bless You at all times. I choose to set the tone to receive Your favor, grace and mercy. I thank You for being in complete control of my life and exceeding my expectations 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

Galatians 6:9 ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’
DAILY READING 1 Thessalonians 1; Isaiah 11-13; Psalm 112

Jermaine Green is known as the ‘wheelchair miracle preacher’. Recently Christian Broadcasting Network [CBN], featured the story of his miraculous healing. Born to parents who are ministers of the Gospel, Jermaine began early to serve God. However, when he was 23 years old, on November 14th, 2004, he was on his way to work, when a trash truck slammed into his car. The accident put him in a coma with severe head trauma. Doctors diagnosed him with hemiparesis, a weakness of one side of his body. And he was told that he would never walk again. Days later when he was discharged, he left the hospital on a wheelchair. His parents and their church members prayed non-stop for his healing.
All attempts of physical therapy failed and Jermaine had to face life confined in a wheelchair. In the midst of this trauma, Jermaine and his wife divorced, and he became a single father of four children. Jermaine fell into deep depression and came close to committing suicide but was saved by God’s timely intervention.  Jermaine then made up his mind that no matter what his circumstances, he would live his life for God. He decided never to let paralysis stop him from doing God’s will. And so he became active in the church, moving  around in his wheelchair to prophesy, minister, and pray for others.
Then, two years later, on Easter Sunday 2007, Jermaine was bringing the church service to a close, when he said God told him to tell the church to praise Him because He was about to perform a miracle. Then while still praying, Jermaine did not know when he got off the wheelchair and began to walk across the room. The church erupted with joy. It took Jermaine a moment to realize he had been healed. Suddenly he found he could walk perfectly. And when he left the church, that day, he walked out pushing in front of him the wheelchair that had carried him for several months.
Galatians 6:9 says ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’
Indeed there is a reaping for us when we faint not. Despite his problem, Jermaine decided to keep serving God and he was rewarded with a divine visitation. It doesn’t matter how long you may have toiled in the past when it’s your due season, things suddenly will fall into place. When your clouds are full you will experience a downpour of blessings.
Therefore, don’t get easily discouraged because of the seeming delay of your expectations.  Faithful is He that called you, who will also do it. We serve the God of divine suddenlies and when we live with expectancy it gets His attention. Maybe you’re facing a situation you’ve been praying about for so long. Get ready, weeping may have endured for a night but now joy is coming with the morning. Keep believing, keep expecting, keep honoring God and your cup will soon run over.
As the seasons change in the natural, so does it change in the spiritual. When we concern ourselves with honoring God, He will suddenly change things in our favor, We recognize that we serve a God of sudden visitation. On one ordinary day, God visited Abraham and Sarah, and they experienced a sudden change of season that brought their Isaac and released laughter into their lives.
Likewise, you may have been waiting long for your miracle, but God is going to surprise you. You may have been digging for long, but suddenly, out of the ordinary, God will cause you to strike gold. He will exceed your expectations. God will amaze you with His goodness. You’ll see favor, health, increase, God will cause blessings to flow towards. you He will give you double for your trouble. He will give you beauty for ashes;  and laughter in the place of sorrow. But the secret is to keep making God your number one priority. Keep serving Him and keep judging Him faithful at all times. When you place God first, you can never be last. Surely, when you seek God’s kingdom first, all else will be added unto you.
PRAYER Lord I thank You for the grace to always make You my number one priority. I know You are forever faithful and You never fail. As I keep praising You in every situation, I know that You shall perfect all that concerns me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
To get into the next level of your life, God will always give you specific instruction. – WORDBITE 222.

Zech. 9:11 “As for thee also, by the Blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water.”

• DAILY READING Revelation 21-22; Isaiah 9-10; Psalm 111

Apostle Octavia Standley is an American minister of the Gospel who, together with her husband, pastors a thriving church in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the author of several books, one of which is the bestseller titled ‘I Dated a Serial Killer,’. In the book, she speaks about how prompt obedience to the voice of The Spirit saved her from possible death. Years ago, while working as a supermodel, she had been far from God and living in sin. However, one day she was invited to a church, and while there, the Holy Spirit convicted her of her lifestyle. She confessed her sins, made her peace with God and decided to turn a new leaf.
That very night as she returned home, a man she had been dating turned up at her home wanting to lure her back into sin. But having made the firm decision to follow Christ she turned him down and asked him to leave her house. He was reluctant to leave. She kept praying within her for the Holy Spirit to make him leave. Eventually, when he saw she wouldn’t budge, he left. Apostle Octavia said she knew God had delivered her from something that night, though she didn’t exactly know what it was then. A few weeks later, while watching television, she saw on the news that her former boyfriend had been arrested and to her great shock, he was identified as a serial killer, who had killed a number of women. What perhaps shocked her the most was the discovery that the night he killed his last victim was the very night she had turned him out of her home. Apparently, after leaving her home, he had visited another girlfriend who he ended up killing that night. Octavia said she knew without a doubt she would have been his victim, had she not listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit to begin to live holy.
The truth is that the instructions of God are meant to deliver us from destruction. His Words are designed to deliver us from the traps and pits of the enemy. His commandments are not to grieve us, but to groom us.
Many times when God gives instructions, we may not know what He is saving us from. Some people are suffering today, what they could easily have avoided, had they obeyed The Holy Spirit’s early promptings.
Spiritual insensitivity can be disastrous. Indeed you can’t afford to live carelessly especially in this endtime. You can’t afford to give the enemy the slightest access to your life. Once the hedge is broken through sin, the enemy has the opportunity to strike. Any sin that is not dealt with will eventually deal with the sinner. You must therefore  stop sin, before it stops you!
However, the fight against sin will not be won simply by strong will or self-control. It is a spiritual battle needing weapons of divine intervention. In this generation especially, the enemy is releasing the greatest assault and temptations against the church and believers. According to scriptures, he is the man of sin, and knowing that his time is short, he has come down on humanity with great wrath. To overcome, we must fight back with the weapons of our warfare which are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. And in this warfare the Blood of Jesus is our ultimate weapon.
In the book of Exodus, despite all the miracles Moses performed, Israel could not be free until the blood was invoked. The truth is that no one can get out of Egypt without the application of the blood. Salvation means deliverance through our blood covenant with God. Only the blood has the atoning power over sin (I Corinthians 5:7). The blood holds the key to freedom from every pit.
Zech. 9:11 says “As for thee also, by the Blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water.”
Prisoners in the waterless pit are set free only by the blood! Therefore if you find yourself in any form of bondage, the blood is the way out. Grace has been made available to us through the Blood. And as we constantly plead the Blood over our lives, every yoke of sin, sickness, poverty and every evil affliction will be permanently destroyed in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, Today I invoke the blood of Jesus against everything fighting my destiny. Indeed by the mystery of the blood, I declare my freedom from every form of bondage in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

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

Exodus 14:13-14 ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
• • DAILY READING – Revelation 20; Isaiah 7-8; Psalm 110

The Ottoman Empire was one of the largest and longest lasting Empires in history. The Ottoman army was the largest in Europe. In 1565, the Islamic army of the Ottoman Empire began marching to conquer Rome and other parts of Europe. Crucial to their plan was to capture the island of Malta, because of its strategic position near the center of the Mediterranean sea. From there it would be easy for them to conquer other surrounding European countries. Many Christians feared that if the invasion was successful, it would mark the end of Christianity in Europe. However as the Ottoman army marched, a group of Christian crusaders in Malta known as the ‘Knights of Malta’ prepared to fight them to the finish. But it was like a David and Goliath situation because the Ottoman empire was regarded as the superpower of that time, while the Knights of Malta were a small defense force originally made up of monks. Moreover, while the knights were only about 8000 men, the Ottoman army, led by the feared Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, was about 40,000 soldiers, including 6,300 Janissaries, fearsome warriors trained as fighters from the age of seven.
Finally, the day came when the great Ottoman army arrived at Malta, expecting an easy victory. But they found the resistance of a much greater level than they had anticipated as the Knights of Malta fought bravely to defeat them. Surprisingly, the Ottoman army began to lose many of their soldiers. After a protracted siege, which became known in history as “the Great Siege”, the Ottoman army, threatened by fast approaching winter storms, and the loss of thousands of their men, conceded defeat and left the area. After this humiliating defeat, the Ottomans made no further significant military advances into Europe and a few years later Sultan Suleiman died. The victory of the ‘Knights of Malta’ became one of the most celebrated events of the sixteenth century. Miraculously the grossly outnumbered knights had been able to win. Logically it didn’t make sense that the Knights could have defeated the army of the great Ottoman empire. It was indeed obvious that they had divine help on their side.
Often, God uses battles that seem impossible to teach us who He is and to display His glory in our midst. This was what happened in Exodus 14 when the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh and the red sea.
In Exodus 14:13-14 Moses told them ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
The truth is that every great destiny will be confronted with great battles. Among these battles, there are some you face that may appear mightier than your strength, and tougher than your wisdom. And sometimes because of the complex nature of the battles, you can come to your wits’ end. But those times when all the odds seem stacked against you, always remember that Jehovah is a man of war! He has never lost a battle, and He will never lose any. And when we hold our peace, He fights our battles for us.
When the Egyptian soldiers began to bear down on the Israelites, they began to cry out in terror. And when Moses, in turn, cried unto The Lord, God told him ‘why are you crying to me, speak to the children of Israel that they go forward’
In other words, God was telling them not to get distracted by the opposition, but rather to keep moving forward in their journey. Why? Because the battle was not theirs but The Lord’s.
In the case of the nation of Judah, when they were besieged by three enemy nations, God showed them how to enter their rest and allow Him to fight for them. In II Chronicles 20: 17 God told them to ‘set’ themselves to praise Him and He would take over their battle.
Indeed when any battle looks stronger than your capacity, then it is time to switch to praise. Maybe you have tried your best since the year began and you have still not yet seen the kind of progress you desire. Well, in this second half of the year, engage the weapon of praise and enter your rest as God handles every opposition for you. Praise provokes God’s divine visitation and intervention. And as we make praising God our priority in this season, God will not only grant us ease and speed, but also restoration of every lost ground. Indeed in the midst of high praises, God will make you ride upon your high places.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank You today for the grace to hold my peace, and give You worthy praise while You fight my battles. Thank You, Lord for indeed perfecting all that concerns me 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

Phillippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

• DAILY READING – Revelation 20; Isaiah 7-8; Psalm 110

In the Bible, the first day of the 7^th month is the day of the feast of trumpets.  In Leviticus 23:23-27 God says “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.’

Today the feast of trumpets is celebrated in modern Israel as  ‘Rosh Hashanah’ which means the ‘’head of the year”. For the Jews this first day of the seventh month marks the Jewish New Year. On that day everyone will wish each other “Shana tova!”[Happy new year]. And it is customary to give gifts for a sweet new year.

The Feast of Trumpets is the first of the three feasts commanded by God which all fall in the 7^th month, namely;  the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. At the beginning of these feasts, on the first day of the seventh month God commanded the Jews to blow the trumpet, signifying victory.

This period being a season of victory became very glaring in 1973, when the Jews were celebrating these feasts of the seventh month and their enemies decided to spring on them a surprise attack. During this holiday period, Israeli soldiers had been given time off  to be with their families. Therefore the attack by the coalition of Egypt and Syria caught the nation of Israel completely off guard. But  through a series of amazing miracles God gave Israel the victory in this war.

Indeed this seventh month is a season of victory. In ancient Israel the shofar was blown for various reasons, including as praise to God and a shout of victory. In the book of Joshua, when the priests marched around Jericho on the 7^th day and blew the trumpets Joshua told the people to shout; for The Lord hath given them the city. Likewise today we can shout for indeed The Lord has given us the land.

It doesn’t matter what defeat you might have suffered in the first half of the year,  starting from today, you are marked out for victory.  The Egyptians you saw yesterday, you shall see them  no more.  It doesn’t matter what setbacks you may have experienced, it is your time to win. Perhaps in the past months you have tried to rise, only to hit the lid and fall back, and as a result your mind has become conditioned to think, you can never achieve your goals. But it is time to try again. And this time every lid of limitation is coming off because you are in the season of victory. Indeed God will surprise you with His surpassing grace. You will not only be victorious but there will be restoration of lost ground. It doesn’t  matter how things may look presently be encouraged to know that God always completes in us what He has started.

Phillippians 1:6 says “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

In this seventh month, God shall be completing and perfecting all that concerns us. In this second half of the year, we shall be experiencing a fresh start in God. It is a new season. God will make all things new for you. When you stay full of faith, giving glory to God, He can suddenly turn things around in your favor. Whatever disappointments, you may have suffered, learn from it but keep moving forward. You are about to take that one step that will put you into overflow. Never forget that the hardest battles, are often at the verge of your greatest victory.  The truest Fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets today is the New Covenant Jesus had made with us through His blood. Indeed by the Blood of Jesus, our victory is eternally secured.  And through God’s incredible grace His glory shall surely be unveiled in you in this new season.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the great and amazing things You have lined up for me in this second half of the year. I know that even right now you are working out all things together for my good in Jesus Name. ..

QUOTE

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

Ephesians 6:12  ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities,against powers,against the rulers of the darkness of this world,against spiritual wickedness in high places.

’DAILY READING – – Revelation 19; Isaiah 5-6; Psalm 109:20-31

Maria Woodworth-Etter was an outstanding preacher of the Gospel. She has been called the ‘Mother of Pentecost’ because her dynamic Holy Ghost ministry. Soon after her call to preach she began to see conversions, signs and wonders following her ministry – destined to continue in power for over 50 years! Wherever she preached people from all walks of life were saved. Entire towns became positively affected by her ministry. The manifestations of the Holy Ghost that followed her drew thousands to Christ.

Of course the enemy was not happy and began to oppose her ministry, even using fellow Christians. Some self- righteous and religious church leaders began questioning the manifestations of The Spirit in her meetings. On one night in particular, three well respected, dignified ministers walked into her meeting intent on investigating these manifestations. Being well known in the area, they were given seats on the stage. But when Marie started the service and the power of God came down, these 3 dignified ministers suddenly found themselves under the power. They fell off their seats unto the dusty ground and lay there motionless. By the time they finally got up, they quickly headed for the exit, dazed by their encounter with God’s power.

Having failed with religious leaders, the enemy tried to use hoodlums. During a Crusade one man came to a meeting intent on disrupting it. He headed for the altar shouting vulgarity and cursing. But ten feet from the altar, the power of God suddenly gripped his vocal chords, and his voice ceased. Two newspaper reporters who were there to write about the meeting asked the shaken man why his voice died away and the man still shaking from the experience said to them “Go up there yourself and find out, and feel that power.”

And so it was that those who came to investigate, condemn, or harass Marie Woodworth Etter, often ended up being stopped by God’s Power. With such manifestations, God effectively silenced the oppositions against her ministry.

Every great destiny naturally attracts great oppositions. 1Corithians 16:9 says ‘For a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries’. Every child of God has a great position in Christ. And so naturally we also attract great oppositions.

But you do not bow to the opposition. We are redeemed to reign on earth. When you are challenged, you are to engage the Power of God to silence the enemy. The opposition is angry with your position, and you cannot afford to let them have their way. It is when you resist the devil that he flees. You must therefore fight the good fight of faith. The encroachment of darkness in this end times has made it necessary for Christians to be ready to do battle. Indeed every great destiny will be confronted with great battles.

Eph 6:12 says ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’

Our enemies are invisible forces. Though they often use people as their agents, our real enemies are the invisible forces of wickedness. And because they are invisible, they can only be confronted with superior invisible force. This is why we need the power of God. The Holy Ghost is the carrier, and transmitter of the invisible power of God. Isaiah.59:19 says ‘So shall they fear The Name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.’

The force of the enemy must bow to the superior power of The Holy Ghost. Wherever The Holy Ghost is in operation, no enemy can stand. Therefore we must engage The Power of The Holy Ghost so as to keep triumphing over every opposition.

And to engage the Power of The Holy Ghost, you must submit to a lifestyle of prayers and consistent Study of The Word. There is no shortcut to power. To win in the battles of life, you must accept spiritual responsibility. Every man is limited to the extent of his spiritual commitment. Therefore make up your mind to increase your power level through renewed fellowship with The Holy Ghost. It is only by the greatness of God’s Power, that enemy will submit. By the display of God’s Power, every opposition contesting your position will surely bow in Jesus name.

PRAYER: Lord, by the power of Your Spirit, let everything contesting my glorious destiny be silenced forever in Jesus Name. please grant me the grace to rise up and take spiritual responsibility, so that I can be victorious in every battle 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.