HORM Devotional

Revelation 12:11

‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death’
DAILY READING –John 8:1-20; 2 Chronicles 1:1-2:16; Zechariah14

A story featured in ‘The Voice of the Martyrs’ publication in 2016 told of how 6 Christian men escaped a terrorist attack. On the fateful day, in Afghanistan, around 5:00 a.m, this handful of men, had gathered secretly inside an apartment to share fellowship and pray. The group leader was named Farid, and his prayer was barely above a whisper, so as not to be heard. . But as he introduced the book of Acts suddenly someone began pounding on the door. Before anyone could react, dark-clothed intruders burst in brandishing rifles and knives. Farid was slammed to the floor and a knife was placed just inches from his neck. However, amid the panic and confusion Farid prayed, asking God to forgive his would-be-assailants. Farid believed it was an honor to die for God’s glory and didn’t want the intruders’ blood on his hand. He then closed his eyes, waiting for the pain of the knife and the end. However, nothing happened. Farid sensed God wanted him to stand up and leave the room. So he stood up and walked toward the door, which was guarded by two armed men.
One pointed his AK-47 rifle at Farid and squeezed the trigger. But surprisingly nothing happened. The rifle had jammed! He fired again and yet no bullet was released. As the rifle’s failure diverted both guards’ attention, Farid fled. As he raced down the stairs three or four steps at a time, he heard gunfire, but he escaped unharmed.
The story of his escape is even more amazing in light of the fact that none of his five companions were injured. Only the leader of the terrorist group was accidentally shot. According to police, the terrorists had planned to videotape the beheading of all six men and send it on social media. Evidently, the attackers knew Farid was winning Afghan Muslims to Christ. The videotape would warn missionaries, evangelists and former Muslims that they would be killed if they didn’t stop their evangelism and discipleship. However, what the terrorists wanted to accomplish that morning did not happen. Heads did not roll. Blood was not spilled, rather the only casualty was their leader.
Isaiah 54:17 says no weapon formed against us shall prosper. And Psalm 91:11 says God will give His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways.
Indeed God’s promises of divine protection are real. And we need to constantly walk in a conscious understanding of our covenant rights and privileges. Through the power in the blood of Jesus, we are exempted from harm.
In Exodus 12:13, God’s condition for exemption is ‘when I see the blood, I will pass over you’ The night that God passed through Egypt there was wailing in every house except the houses whose door posts were marked with blood. Why the Israelites escaped was because they had the mark of the Blood.
This is why it is important for us to know what to do so as to be exempted from the evil of the end-times. For the law of divine exemption to work for you, you must walk in an understanding of God’s Word and His covenant. As a child of God, things are not permitted to happen to you anyhow. Evil may be happening to others, but it is not permitted to happen to you; only with your eyes shall you see the reward of the wicked. All those who serve the Lord genuinely are exempted from evil and affliction.
Revelation 12:11 says ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death’
By the blood we are able to overcome every evil. Therefore in your goings and comings continually plead the blood over you and your household. As you do The Spirit of The Lord will lift up the standard of the blood against every flood of the enemy.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the covenant of divine exemption. I know that indeed my case is different, because by the blood of Jesus I am separated from all evil in Jesus Name. ..

Quote
The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has

already foreordained victorious end for you

Romans 8; 28 ‘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.’

• DAILY READING –     – John 7:25-52; 1 Chronicles 29; Zechariah13

Denis E. Waitley is an American motivational speaker, writer and best-selling author. One day in 1979, he was on his way from Chicago to Los Angeles to deliver a speech and had been booked to fly on DC10 flight 191. However, he was late to the airport and found himself racing to catch the flight. To his great disappointment, just as he arrived, he saw the gate agent locking the entrance. He pleaded with her to open the gate and let him board, but she refused. All of Waitley’s plea fell on deaf ears. Furious and fuming, he left the boarding area to go and complain to the airport authorities.

However, only twenty minutes later, the news came through that the plane he had just missed had suddenly crashed on take-off, killing all on board.  Denis was shocked to his bone! Instantly, all his anger and disappointment at missing the flight, turned to gratitude to God. Overwhelmed, he left the ticket line and checked into a room at the airport hotel. There, he knelt beside the bed thanking God for causing him to miss the flight. And instead of returning the unused ticket for a refund, he decided to keep it as a reminder that disappointments can be blessings in disguise.

Indeed everyone experiences disappointments in life. And it is not always easy to get over those disillusionment that seem to be bumps on our path. However, we must learn to trust God at such times.  Many times what we may think are disappointments eventually turn out to be blessings in disguise.  Sometimes, life may appear to be treating you wrongly, but understand that God knows our future from the beginning. The road we pass may meander through several sharp bends, but it ultimately leads to a destination. You may not understand everything you are going through right now, but know that God is in control and He has a great plan and purpose for your life. Your dreams may not always turn out exactly as you had hoped, but the bible says that God’s ways are better and higher than our ways.

God knows our heart’s desires. He also knows what is best for us and more importantly, He knows when to bless us with the things that we need and want.  As humans, our scope of understanding is very limited. But God sees beyond the present, far into the future. He knows the beginning from the end. His desire for us is that we prosper and live fully. However, this can only be possible, if we place all our cares and worries on Him. There is a plan and purpose to our lives and we must be patient and wait on God’s timing. When He leads He always leads us to green pastures.

Joseph’s story illustrates the fact that God superintends our lives so that even the bad things work out for our good in the end. Our disappointments are God’s appointments. we need to constantly remind ourselves that God really is in control. God is sovereign and knows all about your situation. Joseph recognized that the disappointments which he had experienced, even evil at the hands of his own brothers, were miraculously woven together by God to preserve many lives from starvation in the ancient world.

Genesis 50:20 gives us the conclusion of the story “God meant it for good…”

And the same applies to us. When we are in God’s will then we can be rest assured that indeed all things are working together for our good.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You that indeed You are causing everything to work together to favor me. I thank You Lord, that everything the enemy meant for evil in my life, You have turned it all around for my good 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.

2 Chronicles 26:5  ‘And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God, and as long as he sought The Lord, God made him to prosper.’

DAILY READING  John 7:1-24; 1 Chronicles 27-28; Zechariah12

Today, many people around the world drink fresh-chilled orange juice produced by Tropicana.  Anthony Rossi is the founder of the ‘Tropicana’ company. From scratch he has built his company into one of the greatest businesses in the world and has donated millions of dollars to further the work of Bible schools and the work of missionaries.

It is amazing to note that Anthony Rossi started from nothing. He immigrated to the United States from Sicily at age 21; with nothing but the clothes on his back. He was unable to speak any English, without formal education, and with no money or connections to help him get started in America. However, through divine favor, he was befriended by a Christian couple and through them he came to know Christ as his Savior and Lord. One Sunday in church, he prayed: “Lord, if you give me an idea for a business, I will be faithful to give a portion of everything I make back to Your work.” And that very morning, the idea of “Fresh squeezed orange juice” popped into his head. Anthony Rossi went on to eventually take over a small orange juice company and through innovation, creativity and tenacity, has today transformed it into the industrial leader, “Tropicana Co”. And just as he promised God, he has been  faithful to give 50% of his income to the work of the Gospel!

2 Chronicles 26:5 says ‘And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God, and as long as he sought The Lord, God made him to prosper.’

Indeed it is God that makes the difference in a man’s journey. When God partners with us, He strengthens us for the race. And it is only by His grace that the race is made great. When God is with any man His favour elevates  that man.

Psalm 5:12 says ‘For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield’

It is the favour of God that makes the difference in a man’s story. When God’s favour is upon any man, nothing can hinder that man’s progress.

We must understand that in this month we have come into a new season where we will be winning through engaging God in our affairs.  A new season with God is when He prepares to launch us to a new level. In this month therefore, we are about to be launched into new levels of supernatural favor. No matter what has happened in the past, God is about to usher you into a place of ease and peace. Inexplicable blessings will be coming your way. strange favors you may not understand will locate you. Grace will be released for speedy accomplishments. In your family, health, finances and all areas, you are rising to a greater level. The force of favour at work in your life is greater than any force that is trying to stop you. The favor of God upon your life is going to propel you forward to your  destined place. What God has purposed for your life will surely come to pass. Just concern yourself with being faithful to His call and God will surely perfect all that concerns you. Welcome indeed to your season of supernatural favor.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You that Your favor has been released upon me today to do great exploits and scale even greater heights. Thank You Lord, for this new season of ease and peace, in Jesus Name.

Quote

There is something that God has placed within you that the world is eagerly awaiting to see.

Mathew 7: 24  ‘Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;  and it fell not:  for it was founded upon a rock.-

• DAILY READING      John 6:60-71; 1 Chronicles 25-26; Zechariah11

Building on the rock is the best flood insurance anyone can invest in. In the journey of life, storms will come and go. Nevertheless, if you’ve built your life on the foundation of Christ, you have nothing to fear.

During Hurricane Andrew in 1992, thousands of homes in South Florida were destroyed. Yet in an area where the wreckage looked like a war zone, one house remained standing, still firmly anchored to its foundation. When a reporter asked the homeowner why his house had not been blown away, he replied, “I built this house myself. I also built it according to the Florida state building code. When the code called for 2” x 6” roof trusses, I used 2” x 6” roof trusses. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane—and it did.”

Indeed this house survived the hurricane because the owner built according to instructions. In Mathew 7:24, Jesus lets us know the importance of building according to instructions. It is the house that is built upon the solid foundation of the Rock, representing The Word of God, that survives the storm. A storm will always demonstrate the stability of your foundation.

Psalms 11:3 says ‘If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?’

When personal storms come many lives are often destroyed and left in shambles, but if you construct your life according to Christ’s building codes you will not be disappointed. Obedience to Jesus’ words is protection in the midst of troubles. The time you invest in laying a strong biblical foundation will pay off, when the storms of life strike. That means you must guard your foundation and ensure that it is rooted and grounded in the Word of God, because it is only that which is built upon Christ that will last and  not suffer loss.

Mathew 7:24 says ‘Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;  and it fell not:  for it was founded upon a rock.’

Rock is strong and immovable. But sand is always shifting. Building on the rock is building your life based on the Immovable Word of God. God’s word abides forever, it never shifts or changes. What God said 6000 years ago still remains the same today. Heaven and earth shall pass away but His Word remains infallible forever. It doesn’t matter the present situation, The Word always prevails in the end.  It’s like pouring water over oil, the oil will always ascend to be on top of the water. The Word of God will always arise to be on top of every situation. But building upon sand is building upon the shifting ways of the world.. The man who builds on such shifting policies and promises, in time, his house will fall. The arm of flesh would always fail. But when you base your life on the Word and trust in God, no matter what happens God will always keep you, so that you cannot fall.

PRAYER:  Lord please help me to always build my life on the strong  foundation of Your infallible Word.. Grant me the grace to pay the necessary price to store up Your Word in my heart. By Your grace, I will always stand, no matter what storms may come my way in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

God’s Word is ever unchanging, changing everybody who truly comes in genuine contact with it. – WORDBITE 222.

1 Corinthians 2:9   ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:

DAILY READING      John 6:22-59; 1 Chronicles 24; Zechariah10

Electricity is an amazing thing. We tend to take it for granted that when we flip the switch, the lights will come on. However, the discovery of electricity took scientists a long time to arrive at.  Indeed learning how to produce and use electricity was not easy. For a long time there was no dependable source of electricity for experiments. Finally, in 1800, Alessandro Volta, an Italian scientist, made a great discovery. He
soaked paper in salt water, placed zinc and copper on opposite sides of the
paper, and watched the chemical reaction produce an electric current. Volta
had created the first electric cell. By connecting many of these cells together, Volta was able to “string a current” and create a battery. It is in honor of Volta that we rate batteries in volts. Finally, a safe and dependable source of electricity was available,
making it easy for scientists to study electricity. And in the study of electricity, one of its most outstanding characteristics  is that electricity always takes the path of least resistance.

Often the power of the Spirit has been likened to electricity. And likewise too The Holy Spirit will flow where He is not being resisted. It is also interesting that in nature, we find the same character in two things often used to represent The Spirit; the river and the wind.  Rivers flow in the path of least resistance, and the wind will take the path of least resistance. The Holy Spirit will always go where He is welcome and wherever He is resisted He tends to withdraw Himself.

To be successful in our Christian walk  we must be sensitive not to resist, grieve, or quench The Spirit of the Lord. In Acts 7:51, Stephen rebuked the Jews saying “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you”.

And in Ephesians 4:30-31 Paul writing to the church at Ephesus, commanded them: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” In the next verse he indicated the things that grieve The Spirit of God. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice”.

Indeed if we are going to be led by The Spirit, then we have to get rid of such things from our lives. The Holy Spirit is a person,  and He can be saddened by our behavior. When we, God’s people, harbor bitterness in our hearts and malicious words in our mouths, then we are “grieving The Holy Spirit of God.”

Just as a fire can be quenched, the promptings of the Holy Spirit can be stifled.

God has a plan and a purpose He wants to accomplish through our lives. There are great plans God has in store for us, but they can only be accessed through the guidance of the Spirit.

1 Cor 2:9 says ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:

If you fail to submit to The Spirit and let Him lead, He can withdraw Himself. And for you to be led by The Spirit, there cannot be 2 captains. The Holy Spirit must lead while you follow. And for Him to lead you, you must have come to the point where you say ‘not my will, but yours be done.’ You must come to the point where whatever He says is alright with you. As you submit wholly to Him He will begin to reveal Himself to you and show you the secrets that make stars of men. Wherever The Holy is welcome and is not being resisted He will begin to manifest mightily and blaze like a mighty fire. May we receive the grace today, to never resist The Spirit, but rather to always follow His divine guidance that leads men to glory.

PRAYER:  Lord, please help me to never resist Your Spirit. By Your grace help me to live a life wholly submitted to Your Word, so that The Holy Spirit will flow freely and mightily doing wonders through me for all to see in Jesus name.

QUOTE

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

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       •        John 6:1-21; 1 Chronicles 22:2-23:32; Zechariah 9

Past heroes and modern champions of the faith, have often encountered their greatest discouragement at the verge of their breakthroughs. In 1904 in Wales, a Bible school student named Evan Roberts felt led by The Spirit to return to his hometown to preach. Before then, for a number of years Evans had been fasting and praying for a revival.  However when he returned back home to preach, the reception from his townspeople was not very warm. Yet he persisted in faith.

When the adults appeared unwilling, Evans began to hold services for young people. Though the first meeting was somehow disappointing with only about 16 youths in attendance, Evans still didn’t give up. In another meeting, a newly converted girl got up to share her testimony. She ended by saying to the young people’s congregation “I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart”. As she said this, the effect on the other young people was electric. Many of them also became converted. Suddenly a new zeal and fire began to burn among the youths. Unexpectedly the revival Evan Roberts had been praying for, had begun!

The Holy Spirit began to move mightily among the people. Soon the Church overflowed with crowds and meetings sometimes lasted till after 3am.. As revival fire spread, whole communities were radically changed. The crime rate drastically dropped, leaving the police force with little to do. Magistrates turned up at courts to discover  there were no cases to judge. Bars and brothels closed down, and the alcohol trade was decimated. Many souls were saved, and the Society itself was transformed. All these happened because Evan Roberts refused to give in to discouragement.

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

Now imagine if Evans had given up after the initial discouraging response from the people? The truth is that it is often darkest just before the day breaks. Most challenges come at the verge of new horizons. Just when you are about to break forth and rise to a new level, the enemy fights hardest at that point of emergence.

You are coming  into a new season of glorious blessings. Therefore do not be surprised at the enemy’s strategy to discourage you through the people or circumstances around you. Understand that most of the conflict is a distraction. The enemy’s aim is to get you off-course. Your job is not to mind people’s attitude. Your job is to run your race. Quit being sour about your critics,  they are helping your destiny. Without the betrayal of his brothers, Joseph would have never made it to the palace.  Instead of being discouraged, like David encourage yourself in The Lord. Sit down in God’s Word to receive fresh fire and unction. Focus on maintaining your joy. Switch to praise to engage God’s Presence for the miraculous. Do not be distracted, stay focused. Indeed your due season is here, and if you don’t faint you will surely reap.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me not to become weary in well doing.. Please grant me the grace to always keep pressing. Thank You Lord for causing all things to work together for my good in Jesus Name. .

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ILLUMINATE YOUR WORLD FOR YOU ARE A STAR DESTINED TO SHINE. WORDBITE 222

Psalms 5:12  ‘For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.’

DAILY READING John 5:19-47; 1 Chronicles 20:1-22:1; Zechariah 8 

Dr. David Yonggi Cho is the well known pastor of the Yoido Full Gospel Church  in South Korea, which is believed to be the world’s largest congregation.

However at the beginning of his ministry, David Yonggi Cho started out as a very poor pastor, struggling to make ends meet. In his book, ‘the fourth dimension’, he records  how he learned to take bold steps that began to lead to the rapid growth of the church. In 1969, he embarked on the construction of  a church building that would seat 10,000 people costing $5 million. In the course of this project, Dr. Cho once wrote a $50,000 cheque that was post-dated to 31st December.

As the date approached, he tried all he could to gather even a small portion of the amount, but that proved almost impossible. When 31st December arrived, which was the day that the funds had to be deposited in the bank, he still did not have the money. As the evening approached, he paced around and prayed in desperation to God.  If his cheque bounced, the newspapers would carry headlines saying that the pastor of a large church in Korea wrote a hot cheque. As he continued praying, he suddenly had the idea to go to the president of his bank and ask him to write a $50,000 cheque. Of course the idea seemed far fetched and outlandish; it was December 31^st, almost 5 o’clock and the banks were about to close, he had no previous appointment with the bank president, he had no assets for collateral, nor had any paper work been done. It seemed indeed an impossible idea. However, Dr. Cho believed that the favor and grace of God could accomplish the impossible in his life. And so trusting God for a miracle Dr. Cho headed to the bank and went straight to the president’s office. When  the secretary stopped him and asked him who he was, and if he had an appointment, he told her he was from the highest authority, meaning that he was from God. She however thought he meant he was from the President of Korea and so she ushered him past the line of waiting people, straight to the president’s office.

Confidently Dr. Cho told the bank president, that he was the pastor of a church with more than 10,000 members and he would give the bank 10,000 new bank accounts, if the president would do him the small favor of writing him a $50,000 cheque.  Though the bank president seemed to hesitate at first, eventually he wrote the $50,000 cheque. Thus miraculously Dr. Cho was delivered from trouble. Indeed though it had appeared like an impossible situation, the unusual favour that surrounded Dr. Cho compelled the bank president to show him inexplicable goodness.

Psalms 5:12 says ‘For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.’

When you are clothed with God’s unusual favour men will be compelled to do you good. It is only by God’s Grace that we can be able to accomplish great exploits.  And it is only by His favour that we can go forth to possess our possessions.

Psalms 44:1-3 says ‘For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.’

God is committed to giving His people favour and we are privileged to be His people by redemption. Indeed in God’s plan the set time to favour Zion has come. Just as God gave the Israelites favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so shall it be for us in this season. We shall not go empty. We are in the latter days, the era of supernatural favour in the body of Christ. As a result, there will be an unusual release of favour upon every child of God. Indeed by the grace of God we are set to become signs and wonders to our world.

PRAYER:

Father, I thank You for the unlimited grace and favor you have released to me today. Please help me to take the limits off my life and move in boldness to possess all You have ordained for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

QUOTE

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

2 Cor. 12:9  “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness”  ’

• DAILY READING ;  John 5:1-18; 1 Chronicles 18-19; Zechariah7

A major function of the human blood is its capacity to bring healing to the physical body.  Human blood is composed of more than just red blood cells. In fact, over half (55 percent) of our blood is not red at all. It is a clear liquid, known as plasma, that is 92 percent water. The other 8 percent includes many essential substances necessary to keep our bodies healthy. These are proteins, hormones, vitamins, enzymes and salts. Should the body become ill, the blood alters its normal functions, to adjust and promote healing. The white blood cells (leucocytes) are the body’s first line of defense against bacterial invaders. When bacteria enter the body, white blood cells are produced in great numbers. They travel to engulf the invaders. and rid the body of these  intruders.

Likewise, the blood of Jesus spiritually does the same for the body of Christ. His blood brings both healing and cleansing to us. Hebrews 9:14  says that it will “…purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Indeed through the blood of Jesus our hearts and minds and consciences are  purged and renewed to serve God acceptably.

interestingly the month of May is when renewal is brought to the earth. It is a month of new births to animals and new bloom to plants. It is a month of beauty and colour. And what that means is that by the power in the blood of Jesus,  it is also  our time and season to experience beauty for ashes. Every good seed which God has planted in our lives is about to bloom and bring forth fruit and colour. And it will not be by power or might but by the help of The Spirit.

May is the fifth month and the number 5 symbolizes God’s grace, goodness and favor toward humans. Therefore in this fifth month divine grace to run the race is being released to us. Grace is so significant because it is God’s supernatural ability that enables us to do His will. Therefore, we never have to be fearful as to whether we have what it takes to be used by God. In this season God is confirming to us that He has released to us the grace sufficient to accomplish great things.

In 2 Cor. 12:9 The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness”  likewise, God is saying to us that, starting this month of May, as we yield to Him, His grace will be enough to supernaturally deal with every  issue that comes our way.

By definition  the word “May” means possibility; opportunity or permission; or to express wish or prayer. By implication therefore, this month of May will be a month of possibility, opportunity and prayer. In this month of May God will enable us to access doors of breakthrough that have not been accessible before. In this season, God is giving us leverage in the spirit realm to be bold, to step out and do great  and mighty things in His Name. Indeed in this month God will be doing for us exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. The glory and beauty hidden in you is about to erupt.  This year’s theme of ‘Glory unveiled’ will not be another slogan, rather it shall be your definite reality and experience in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, I am truly grateful for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. And I thank You for bringing renewal and restoration to me in this season. I know that in this new month Your grace for great accomplishment has been released to me in Jesus’ Name.

QUOTE

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

Romans 12:11-12 ‘Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;’

DAILY READING –John 4:43-54; 1 Chronicles 17; Zechariah 6

For people who live in the world’s coldest regions like the Eskimos,  constantly maintaining bodily warmth is crucial to survival. And one way the Eskimos survive and thrive in the earth’s most challenging environment is by wearing traditional native clothing which are often warm and waterproof in the extreme winter conditions.  Most Eskimo clothing are made from animal furs; the same materials that keep animals warm in the far northern climate. Caribou fur, for example, consists of densely packed hollow hairs that trap the air and super-insulate the animal. Other furs that are used in traditional clothing include beaver, moose, wolf, Dall sheep, snowshoe hare, muskrat, and marten.

Indeed, long before the arrival of Euro-Americans, the Eskimos had already perfected some of the world’s warmest clothing.  Ancestral native Eskimo people invented the parka—a jacket with an attached hood that gives unequaled protection from cold and wind. Today, parkas are manufactured all over the world using all sorts of modern materials. Indeed, the Eskimos have proven to be among the world’s greatest experts in dealing with deep cold environments. Once warmly dressed,  Eskimos can be out for days, unharmed,  in temperatures far below zero.

Likewise, the world is a spiritually cold environment, and we need the warm covering of The Spirit to survive. Indeed the world lies in evil and wickedness, and  we need the Presence of The Spirit constantly surrounding us to keep off the spiritual coldness that tries to grip men’s hearts.  And key to surviving the spiritual polar climate we live in, is to stay warmly covered. To survive, you’ve got to dress for the weather. To walk around without spiritual covering is dangerous,  it can result in injury or even death.  Therefore we constantly need the fire of The Spirit, as a spiritual shield around us. And we maintain this fire through a prayerful lifestyle.

Romans 12:11 tells us to be “fervent in spirit.” The Greek word for “fervent,” is zeo, which means “to boil with heat.”

We have a responsibility to stay hot for God no matter how cold our spiritual environment is. Whenever, the spiritual temperature is dangerously low, if we are not careful, our love, like many, will grow cold (Matthew 24:12). Therefore, if we are to survive the world’s harsh spiritual atmosphere,  then we must keep our fire constantly burning through a life of fervent prayers. Originally from creation it is God’s intention that we be covered continually by His Spirit, which is the covering of glory. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were covered by God’s glory, this was why they could be naked and not be ashamed. It was when this covering of glory departed, after they had sinned, that their suffering began.

Today as believers it is God’s plan that we be covered by His Spirit. It is through the warmth of The Spirit, that we are protected from the spiritual coldness and evil in the world. When we dwell in the secret place of The most high and abide under the shadow of The Almighty then we are totally protected from harm. Indeed when The Lord becomes your refuge, you become completely inaccessible to every evil.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to constantly maintain spiritual warmth by surrounding myself with Your Spirit. I thank You Lord, because  under Your shadow I am completely protected from all harm 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.

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

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

Alyson Felix is currently the most decorated woman in U.S. track and field history. However, when she was growing up, as a teenager, she faced a lot of challenges that could have deterred her from her course. Part of these was enduring a lot of mockery from her peers, especially for her lanky body frame.  Her legs were so thin that she was nicknamed  ‘chicken legs’.

For a young growing girl, being so mocked, must have sought  to diminish her sense of self-esteem and self-worth. But Alyson came from a  Christian family where she was constantly encouraged to turn to God to build up inner strength  and resilience. Her father, an ordained minister and seminary professor, taught her to always place her faith in God above all else. And so Alyson chose early in life to engage the help of God in resolving the challenges that came her way.

She therefore, decided to ignore her mockers and chose rather to press forward in her sport and allow the results to speak for her. From high school, she began to excel and became a winner in many competitions. Eventually at the age of 18, she won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. She went on to compete at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics, winning a total of nine medals; six gold and three silver medals. Winning nine Olympic medals, has made her to become the most decorated woman in U.S. track and field history, And yet she attributes all her success to God. Allyson Felix excels today, because, she chose to serve God with the best of her ability while ignoring her mockers and the naysayers.

The truth is that oftentimes, God allows men to first mock you before He makes you. However the question is; are we able to withstand the ‘mocking’ season that precedes, our ‘making’ season? Can we endure the story that precedes our glory?

If you’re going to see the fullness of God’s promises in your life, you have to develop the ability to see beyond where you are right now. God has amazing things in store for you, but your eyes have to be lifted up to see Him and what He is doing. No matter what trials and temptations come our way, we must  learn to ignore the storms and keep looking unto Jesus.

When peter kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to walk upon the water, but the moment he looked at the raging storm fear accessed his heart and he began to sink.

Though men may sometimes mock you, do not get distracted by their mockery, realize that beyond the present you see now, are greater heights, greater victories, greater strength and greater anointing. Though weeping may sometimes endure for the night, surely joy comes in the morning. And despite what may look like groaning now, glory is coming in the end.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 says ‘Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,’

Indeed through the heIp of God we will always  come out triumphant in every trial. It doesn’t matter how the enemy tries to destroy your dream, if you don’t give up, surely you will win in the end. Therefore hold on to God’s Word, hold on to His promises. And as long as you don’t give up on your vision it is only a matter of time before you arrive at your destined place. Where no vision is the people perish, but where vision is the people flourish. Therefore keep your eyes on Jesus, and no matter how the storm rages, keep pressing forward to your desired goal.

PRAYER: Father please help me to always keep my eyes upon Your Word and Your promises. Thank You for causing me to triumph always, by Your grace I will surely fulfill Your destiny for me in Jesus Name.

Quote :

God is preparing you for the season He prepared your breakthrough. – WORDBITE 222.