HORM Devotional

Psalm 34:3-4, ‘Oh magnify The Lord with me and let us exalt His Name together, I sought The Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears’.

DAILY READING –      Mark 7:14-37; 2 Samuel 18; Daniel 11:21-45

The story was once  told of a little boy who was bothered by a big bully down the street. One day his father bought him a new telescope. He was looking through the wrong end, when he saw the bully coming down the street. And as he looked at the bully through the telescope, suddenly the bully looked so small. And the boy found he was no longer afraid of him. So the little boy realized that as long as he could look at the bully from the end of the telescope  that he made him look small, he was no longer afraid of him.

Perhaps also we should look at problems from the ‘other side of the telescope.’ Too often we magnify the problem rather than God. In Numbers 13, Moses sent 12 men to spy out the land, 10 said they are giants; we can’t defeat them. Joshua and Caleb said they may be big but our God is bigger. ‘we are well able to take the land’.

While the ten men focused on the problems; Joshua and Caleb focused on the promise. The difference between the two groups was perspective. Joshua and Caleb had another spirit, they knew their God was bigger than the problem. Likewise could it be that our own wrong perspective is keeping us out of our Promised Land?

David could get to the throne because he had a right perspective of God. When David faced Goliath he never called him a giant. In 1 Samuel 17 he called goliath an uncircumcised Philistine. He didn’t even give him credit for being big.

While the Israelites were intimidated and afraid, and thought David didn’t have a chance, David knew he was strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. While they thought goliath was too big to hit, David  said  he was too big to miss. The difference between the Israelites and David was perspective. David knew how to magnify his God. He said in Psalm 34:3, ‘‘Oh magnify The Lord with me and let us exalt His Name together,.’

To be victorious in battles we must have the right perspective that the Most High God is on our side. We should learn to make our boast in The Lord. You can’t talk defeat and expect to have victory. In 1 Samuel 17:45. David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’

David made his boast in The Lord. And through confidence in his God he brought down the head of goliath. No matter what you are faced with today, see it from God’s Point of view. There is nothing too hard for God to do. Like Abraham, consider not your negative circumstance but rather consider the greatness of Your God. If the issue seems insurmountable, turn the telescope around and look at things from God’s perspective. That mountain can be leveled, the hill can be made plain. God said to ‘Abraham, I am the God of all flesh is anything too hard for me?’

Indeed there is nothing too hard for our God. Whatever situation may face us today, let us be assured that God is able to do what He said He will do. Even if it seems impossible to men, truly to our God all things are possible.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You that indeed, nothing is impossible with you. Whatever I may face today, I know You are bigger and greater than them and even now You are working all things together for my good in Jesus Name. . .

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God will never allow the flames of trial to burn you more than is necessary. – WORDBITE 222.

​ Luke 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God’

DAILY READING   –Mark 7:1-13; 2 Samuel 17; Daniel 11:1-19

The American Revolutionary War was the war waged by the American colonies against the British to gain their independence. George Washington who was the commander in chief of the Continental Army became a central figure  in this war . The events and decisions that he took during this period were pivotal in helping  him to become one of the most revered Commanders in Chief in US history.

George Washington was a man of prayer who once he had sought and obtained divine guidance moved forward with persistence, tenacity and a strong  positive focus. He refused to let go even in the face of extreme adversity. And through his strong faith in God, he took decisions that led their army to victory. One of those pivotal decisions happened when General Washington was approaching one of the fiercest battles of the war. He and his troops had crossed over a bridge as they were nearing the battle; when one of his officers came to him and asked whether or not to burn the bridge behind them. It was customary to burn the bridges as they crossed over them to prevent the enemy from slipping up on them from behind and to prevent soldiers from running away from the battle when it became too hot.

General Washington looked toward the battle and then looked back to where they had come from and then back toward the battle and then gave his answer.

“Burn the bridge, it is either victory or death’

He eventually led the colonial forces to victory over the British and became a national hero. In 1787, he was elected president of the convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution. Two years later, Washington became America’s first president.

Washinghton became successful and outstanding in history because of his great focus. He would never turn back from his goal no matter how difficult the challenge.

Luke 9:62 says ‘And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God’

When we have made the decision to follow Christ we should burn the bridge and destroy other options. There should not be any room for turning back. When we know there is no other way but forward then we have to keep moving forward.

Your faith will be tested many times and in many ways. But you have to make up your mind that going back to Egypt will never be an option. When the Israelites left Egypt, on the journey to the promised land, several times they wanted to turn back and go back. and that angered God.

When you put your hands to the plough there is no more room for going back, it is forward ever. Lot’s wife was turned to a pillar of salt as a warning to anyone who wants to turn back after they have started out. Jesus said ‘Remember Lot’s wife’. Paul said anyone going back to the vomit of sin is crucifying Christ afresh and making an open mockery of Him. It is true sometimes the journey may seem hard, and we could get weary, but no matter what you face or are confronted with make up your mind never to turn back. It is not an option. Going back to sin and the ways of the world is never to be considered.

Once you have put your hand to the plough, decide you will never turn back. No matter the lure and temptations decide to trust God in every situation. Decide you will never end your journey halfway. Decide you will follow Christ to the end.  Like the Hebrew boys you have to determine that you will never bow.   And one thing you can be sure of is that no matter how difficult the road, God will never leave you stranded. He will always see you through. Those who like Esther declare ‘if I perish, I perish’ are those who end up flourishing. Surely they that put their trust in God shall never be ashamed.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the  grace to follow You all the way. No matter how difficult the journey or how weary I may sometimes get, please help me to  keep pressing forward, because surely there is an end and my expectations shall never be cut short in Jesus Name.

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

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

‘For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind’..

DAILY READING –   Mark 6:30-56; 2 Samuel 16; Daniel 10:1-21

The words “Fear not” occur 365 times in some Bible versions. This cannot altogether be a mere coincidence. It would seem as if God has designed each ‘fear not’ for everyday of the year. This is because fear is a major problem that plagues the hearts of men. 2 Timothy 1:7 says ‘for God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind’.

So fear is a spirit. This is the spirit that keeps men bound in limitations and stops them from taking bold steps in life. But where The Spirit of The Lord is there is liberty. To counter the spirit of fear, we need the liberty The Spirit of God brings. The righteous are as bold as a lion. It is The Spirit of God that imparts boldness to a believer. This was clearly seen in the life of Peter. Standing before a small maid Peter out of fear denied Jesus 3 times, but when The Holy Spirit came upon him, standing before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish highest ecclesiastical council, under threat of death, he boldly proclaimed Christ.

If a man lacks The Spirit of God he will be plagued by the spirit of fear. The Spirit of God sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts, and perfect love casts out fear. Escape from the spirit of fear therefore is by binding ourselves to The Spirit of God.  For the assignment God has called us to, we need boldness to accomplish it. Because on our journey we will be confronted by giants, battles, and all manner of challenges. Except The Spirit of God leads us and goes with us we will be too afraid to make any move. Moses understood this when he declined to continue on the journey to Canaan except God’s Presence goes with Israel.

The fear that afflicts men is  often based on the bad news they have heard or even witnessed at one time or the other. 1 John 5:19 lets us know that the whole world lies in wickedness. So men are full of fear because of the wickedness in the world. But believers are exempted from such. Psalm 46 lets us know that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble therefore shall we not fear.  If God be for us who can be against us. 1 Peter 3:13 questions ‘who is that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good’.

All these assures our heart that our case is different. And emboldened by The Spirit of God we can go forth and do exploits, knowing that we are truly unstoppable. Faith is the answer to fear. It was said that fear knocked, faith opened the door and there was no one there. Fear flees when faith appears. This is why it is important to fill our heart with The Word that produces faith. When Joshua was about to go forth with the army of Israel to possess the promised land, God commanded him to meditate on the Word day and night, by so doing he will be strong, courageous, and not be afraid or dismayed. Likewise to possess our promised land, that which God has promised us we must be filled with faith. Faith will cause the impossible to happen. In our lives, in our nation, let us keep declaring God’s Word. because what we speak is what we will see.

PRAYER: Lord, please enable me to meditate constantly on Your Word so that my heart can be filled with the faith I need to possess my possession. By Your grace what looks impossible to men will become possible in my life in Jesus Name. .  

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

Psalms 127:1 ‘Except the Lord watches over the city the watchmen watcheth but in vain.’

DAILY READING    Mark 6:1-29; 2 Samuel 15; Daniel 9

In May 1962, the musical group, ‘the Beatles’ were signed to EMI subsidiary label Parlophone. Their first single, was released on 5th October 1962. And by the following year The Beatles had become a worldwide phenomenon. they were very popular and their success looked unstoppable. In March 1966, John Lennon, leader of the Beatles, in an interview by journalist Maureen Cleave, was quoted as saying that the Beatles will be more popular than Jesus, and that Christianity will vanish and shrink away in no time. The quote led to protests in the southern and midwest US states, which included public bonfires of Beatles records and memorabilia.

However just a few years after his statement, the Beatles broke up and vanished and  John Lennon was killed. And Christianity? Well, still very far from vanishing and Jesus is still very popular.

How can a man ever strive against his maker? Indeed without God, man truly is helpless. It doesn’t matter how fast one may seem to be racing on the path of life. Like the rich fool in Luke 12, who gathered wealth, and yet couldn’t live to enjoy it; without God all of man’s labour is in vain.

For anyone to think they can ignore God and do whatever they like, it is dangerous. How can a man ever think he can do anything Without God’s help? Without God we are helpless and hopeless. It is only by His grace we exist.

Romans 9:16 says ‘So then, it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.’ It is only because of The Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. When king Nebuchadnezzar woke up one morning and declared that his hand had built his great kingdom, God sent him to the school of animals to learn humility. And after seven years in the bush, Nebuchadnezzar recovered and came back to declare that God rules in the Heavens and on the earth.

We must continually acknowledge the hand of God in our affairs. We must always proclaim Him the doer of every good thing in our lives. No man can keep himself. We are all kept by the mercy of God. Any day God withdraws His hand we cease to exist. This is why we give Him praise, knowing He is our keeper and protector. All the glory belongs to God, and He will not share His Glory with any man. Let us therefore today give God deliberate praise for His hand of goodness and protection upon us. Because if it had not been for The Lord on our side, where would we be? But despite all the attempts of the enemy to destroy us, we have been kept by the mercy of God. We have been preserved by His love. And for this we are eternally grateful.

As we go about today, and in all that we do, let us maintain an attitude of praise and gratitude. The God who never sleeps nor slumbers but watches over Israel, is truly watching over His people. He will surely perfect all that concerns us and make a way for us through the mighty waters.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the  grace to know that without You I can do nothing, Help me to always acknowledge Your divine help in my life and  to always be  totally dependent upon You at all times in Jesus name.

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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.

II Chronicles 20:12 ‘For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee”

DAILY READING –Mark 5:21-43; 2 Samuel 14; Daniel 8

During the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya in 1960, missionaries Matt and Lora Higgens were returning one night to Nairobi through the heart of Mau Mau territory, where Kenyans and missionaries alike had been killed and dismembered. Seventeen miles outside of Nairobi, their Land Rover stopped. Higgens tried to repair the car in the dark, but could not restart it. They spent the night in the car, but claimed Psalm 4:8: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” In the morning they were able to repair the car.

A few weeks later the Higgenses returned to America on furlough. They reported that the night before they left Nairobi, a local pastor had visited them. He told how a member of the Mau Mau had confessed that he and three others had crept up to the car to kill the Higgenses, but when they saw sixteen men surrounding the car, the Mau Mau had left in fear. “Sixteen men?” Higgens responded. “I don’t know what you mean!” While they were on furlough a friend, Clay Brent, asked the Higgenses if they had been in any danger recently. Higgens asked, “Why?” Then Clay said that on March 23, God had placed a heavy prayer burden on his heart. He called the men of the church, and sixteen of them met together and prayed until the burden lifted. Did God send sixteen angels to represent those men and enforce their prayers? We may never know exactly., but one thing is sure, when the saints pray as they did in Acts 12, God does release angelic activities. Indeed supernatural power is released when the Church prays.

Acts 12:5 and 7 says ‘Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.’7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.’

When Peter was arrested and incarcerated, Herod conjectured that if he killed the head of the church, the body would soon perish. But unknown to Herod God had other plans. And though Herod thought he had the church in a fix, as the saints prayed without ceasing, God sent an angel to rescue peter. And afterwards God caused His judgment to come upon Herod and worms ate him up.

Likewise at this time in response to the prayer of the saints we can be sure divine activity has been greatly heightened, and over our nations angels are ascending and descending. And as we maintain an attitude of praise we shall soon see speedy manifestations of God’s visitation and judgment.

In II Chronicles 20:12 King Jehoshaphat prayed ‘For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee”

Indeed in this season our eyes are upon God. and as we engage the power of praise just as Jehoshaphat and the men of Judah did, God will do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. Indeed Jehovah alone has the final say.   He is the God of all flesh and nothing is ever too hard for him. Indeed we serve a God who raises a standard against the flood and makes a path through the mighty waters. God will surely do what He has said He will do. Therefore let us continue to declare His praise and steadfastness. Let us judge Him faithful at all times. Never mind what may be happening, let us keep looking at what is written in God’s Word, because what is written will eventually control what is happening. Therefore having cried unto God, let us await speedy answers, as we maintain an attitude of praise. Indeed God will perfect all that concerns us. He will put a new song in our mouth and turn out mourning into dancing.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You because You are my ever present help in time of trouble. Therefore, no matter what I may face today, I know I have the victory,  because You  will always cause me to triumph at all times in Jesus Name.  ….

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

Psalm 35: 7-9 ‘For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation’

• DAILY READING – Mark 5:1-20; 2 Samuel 13; Daniel 7

The feast of Purim is a widely celebrated Jewish holiday. This holiday which is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, commemorates the saving of the Jews from Haman, who was planning to annihilate them. According to the Book of Esther, Haman, royal vizier to King Ahasuerus  planned to kill all the Jews in the empire, but his plans backfired against him.

Esther, though a queen was a strategic prayer warrior who knew what Spiritual warfare was all about. Esther pronounced a 3-day fast to pray against the plot of Haman, and then began to act according to the divine wisdom she received. By divine mercy she was able to convince the King to reverse Haman’s evil agenda. The tables were turned against Haman and his evil plan turned around to become his own portion.  And the day the Jews were meant to have been killed rather became their day of deliverance, feasting and rejoicing.

This story is a Biblical example of how prayer and fasting can work to reverse an outcome and also work to backfire against the plans of the wicked. Today, there may be some Hamans in your life trying to plot against you and your divine destiny, but just as God turned the tables against Haman, so shall the table be turned against every enemy of our destiny.  The same thing will also happen to every Haman plotting against our nation. Every evil agenda will backfire and God’s people will be delivered in Jesus Name.

Psalm 35: 7-9 says ‘For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation’

Indeed the evil plots of the wicked will fall upon their own heads.  Because like Esther, we have engaged the strategic weapon of prayer and fasting, God will arise for our help. The God who never sleeps nor slumbers but watches over Israel, will fight for His people. And rather than what the enemy planned, the opposite will happen.

Exodus 15:3,6 says  ‘The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is His name … Your Right Hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.”

Indeed God will fight for His people and give us definite deliverance from every evil plot. What we have to do is to maintain an attitude of praise, as we watch God do what He has said He will do.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You that what the enemy meant for evil You have turned all around for my good. Indeed You have given me beauty for ashes, and turned my mourning into dancing. Thank You Lord, for reversing every evil plot to my favour in Jesus Name.

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The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained  a victorious end for you.  WORDBITE 222.  

Numbers 23:23 ‘Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

DAILY READING –  Mark 4:21-41; 2 Samuel 11-12; Daniel 6

The Holocaust is one of the most terrible events in human history. It is seen by many as perhaps the ultimate manifestation of evil. In a systematic annihilation, Hitler killed  over 6 million Jews. Hitler’s hated for the Jews was unprecedented, he blamed them for Germany losing World War I. Even before he  became the German leader, he had said in his manifesto that he planned to rid Germany of all the Jews. Though, many people didn’t think he was serious, as soon as he came into office, he began his systematic destruction of the Jews. He made laws that said Jews had no rights. Then he organized attacks on Jewish businesses and homes.

During World War II, whenever the Nazis took over a city in Europe they would send  the Jewish people to concentration camps. The stronger Jews were forced to do hard labor, while the weak, old and sickly  were quickly killed in gas chambers with poison gas. Yet despite all these persecutions, the Jewish people remained indestructible. And today, despite all they passed through, Israel has become one of the most successful nations on earth. Indeed the blessings of God upon the Jews have overshadowed and superseded the hatred of their enemies. Truly,  if God be for you, who can be against you?

The example of Balaam shows the power of God’s blessing will always overcome the enemy’s attack against a people who are walking in covenant with the Lord.

Balaam was one of the most famous sorcerers in the ancient times. Balak’s own kingdom of Moab almost certainly had a plethora of diviners. But because none was capable of cursing Israel, he sent emissaries nearly 400 miles to plead with Balaam to come and curse the people of Israel on his behalf.

Balaam tried three times to speak a curse upon Israel, yet he was unable to penetrate God’s protective shield around His people. The book of Numbers, chapter 23 tells us that every time Balaam opened his mouth to speak a curse, a blessing came out instead. Finally, Balaam conceded that divination was no match for the power of God. He told  Balak, “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?” It was simply impossible for a curse to be pronounced where God had pronounced a blessing!

The same holds true today. By shedding His blood at Calvary Christ has brought us into a new covenant relationship with God. And by the strength of that covenant we have become untouchable and uncursable. The story of Balaam serves as a perpetual reminder that what God has blessed is blessed, and that fact cannot be reversed. Therefore when you are in Christ and walking in obedience to God’s Word, you are safe, secure, and sealed in the protective blood of Jesus.  It doesn’t matter how much anyone may hate you, it doesn’t how much they may have tried to send spells, enchantment or curses against  you. In Numbers 23:23 Balaam confessed and said ‘Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

Therefore today be assured that the blood of Jesus which speaks better things than the blood of Abel, will continue to speak in your favor. By the precious blood of Jesus we are separated from all evil. Therefore cast off the fear of any voodoo, juju or dudu having effect upon you. Just concentrate on maintaining an intimate and holy walk with The Lord. When you are in Christ, you are the blessed of the Lord — and what God has blessed, no one can curse!

PRAYER;  Father, I rejoice that I am the blessed of The Lord and protected by the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore whatever the enemy plots against my destiny, the opposite will happen. And whatever was  meant for evil, my God shall turn it around for my good in Jesus Name.

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

Psalm 126:6 ‘He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’

DAILY READING   Mark 4:1-20; 2 Samuel 9-10; Daniel 5

Part of the fulfillment of endtime prophesies is Daniel’s prediction in Daniel 12:4, that towards the time of the end  many shall run to and fro. This prophesy is perhaps fulfilled today by the drastic change in transportation brought about by the industrial revolution which began in Britain in the 18th century. It is  amazing to realize that for thousands of years and up till about 150 years ago, the fastest mode of transportation was horse riding, but suddenly with the Industrial Revolution all that changed. From riding on horses, today men fly across the sky at lightning speed.  The industrial revolution indeed  marked a major turning point in human history.

However, the Industrial Revolution came only as a result of a spiritual shift in the lives of the people. The industrial Revolution was never a possibility without the Reformation. The reformation was a period spearheaded by Martin Luther, when a lot of excesses in the church were dealt with. From the reformation, a new generation of believers were birthed who were fervent in spirit and diligent in their work. The new work ethic then led to the development of capitalism, which eventually brought about the industrial revolution. The Industrial Revolution brought about many cultural changes. Manufacturing of goods moved from small shops and homes to large factories. From living in the villages, people began to cluster in cities to work in factories.  The revolution introduced new technologies. Transportation changed dramatically,  introducing new and faster ways of travel including railroads, steam boats, automobiles etc.  Generally the revolution changed the world, and opened up the new chapter of civilization still being experienced today.

Indeed a revelation will often provoke a revolution. When we move higher spiritually, a definite change and shift takes place outwardly in our lives. When you position yourself rightly, God causes a revolution in your life,  that will catapult you from where you used to be to where you ought to be.  When God took Joseph from prison to the palace it was a revolution. When God made David a shepherd boy to become king of Israel it was a revolution. But before the drastic change took place in their lives, they were first rightly positioned with God.  Likewise, today, we can experience our desired change of story if we are willing to pay the required price of moving higher spiritually. There is always a price to pay.

Psalm 126:6 says ‘He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’

Those who sow in tears, reap in joy. The altar of sacrifice is the altar of turnaround. For us to experience a revolution, we need to move up higher in our prayers, study, fasting, worship and sacrificial giving. Indeed to see further we need to move higher. To take our portion, we have to become spiritually violent in the place of prayer. It is only the violent that can take it by force. Indeed it takes a lion heart to have a lionshare. For us to experience the change we desire in our nation, we must be willing to lay down in sacrifice. But when we go forth bearing precious seed weeping, we can be sure that we will definitely come back rejoicing bearing our sheaves with us.

PRAYER: Lord, Please show me the areas where I need to increase my spiritual investment so as to see a definite turnaround and experience the revolution that will move me to a higher level in life in Jesus Name. .  

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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.

Ephesians 5:14  ‘Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’

DAILY READING – •        Mark 3:20-35; 2 Samuel 7-8; Daniel 4

In the 18th and 19th centuries, lighthouses were widely used to warn ships of hazardous coastlines. In dark and treacherous weathers, the constant beam of the lighthouse helped to guide ships into safe harbors and kept them from wrecking.

In the state of North Carolina, lies one of the most dangerous stretches of ocean in the world. Over the past 400 years, more than 300 ships have sunk in this area, which has come to be known as “The Graveyard of the Atlantic”. What makes this area so dangerous is a 14 mile stretch of shifting sands, called “Diamond Shoals”.

Recognizing the need to warn ships at sea of this dangerous sandbar, the U.S. government constructed a lighthouse on Cape Hatteras in 1870.

This lighthouse is the world’s tallest brick lighthouse. At a staggering 208′ ft. tall, it has become one of the most famous and recognizable lighthouses in the world. Its beam of light spans 20 miles into the ocean, signaling ships at sea. As a result, many ships and lives, have been saved because of the guidance provided by this lighthouse.

In the journey of life, we need  the light of God’s Word guide us so as to avoid a shipwreck of our destiny. Both as a nation and as individuals we are in a crucial season. And in this season we need the power and wisdom of God to navigate through every trap the enemy may have set.

We need the light of God’s Word activated through prayer to give us the wisdom to know what to do per time. The truth is that you cannot afford to be passive in your prayer life in this season. Prayer is not optional for any child of God.  The days are evil and the enemy isn’t playing around with you. Prayer is not a play fair; it is a warfare.   If we must win always then we must pray always. And it takes a warfare disposition to prevail in prayers. Indeed no pain, no gain and there are no stars without scars,.  And the scar of stars is sacrifice. Let us therefore be willing to pay the price of prayer.

Our greatest battle in prayer is the war against the spirit of slumber.. Sleep may seem too good to give up to pray, but it won’t feel so good when you realize that while you slept the enemy sowed tares and you didn’t do anything to counter-act his attacks. There was a time in the ministry of Jesus Christ, when three of His apostles, Peter, James and John, accompanied Him to go and pray. Right there, the spirit of slumber rendered the apostles helpless at the altar of prayers. (Matthew 26:36-43). They were sleeping, while Jesus was praying. And Jesus admonished them  ‘watch and pray lest you enter into temptation’. It is either you pray or you become a prey.  And indeed if we must prevail in prayer , we must overcome the spirit of slumber. A sleepy state is a helpless state. Except you resist the devil, he cannot flee (James 4:7).Therefore wake up! Sleep is a robber of destiny. Let us watch and pray, so that our destiny and the destiny of our nation will not be robbed.  The battle against the spirit of slumber can be won. And this will happen when we allow the light of God’s Word to fill us up so that  every darkness  is dispelled.

Ephesians 5:14 says ‘Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’

Indeed it is the entrance of God’s Word that gives light. Therefore Feed your spirit with the Word until you are filled with faith and then release The Word when you pray. Indeed  the weapons of our warfare  are not carnal but  mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). And as we continue to engage that weapon of prayer in this season every strong hold of the enemy in our lives and in our nation must be forcefully removed in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, Please by Your Spirit, enable us as individuals , as a nation to wake up and stand in the place of prayer. Help us to be willing to pay whatever price it takes, to experience the glory you have planned for us this year in Jesus Name.

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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.

Isaiah 1: 19  KJV ‘if you be willing and obedient  you shall eat the good of the land , but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured

DAILY READING Mark 3:1-19; 2 Samuel 6; Daniel 3

Oil is the biggest source of power generation in the world. It has been one of the most massively produced, consumed, and traded commodity for many years. It is like oxygen in the lifeblood of the world economy.  Oil powers over 99% of all the transportation in the world. Its  production and consumption have been influential factors in the rise or fall of many nations. The middle east controls a sizeable  percentage of oil in the world, in this region alone is found four of the top eight oil-producing countries.

In the old testament God laid out the boundaries of the land He originally gave His people. Looking at the map in modern times, it is an area far bigger than what the modern nation of Israel is occupying today.  And parts of it are rich in oil deposits. But due to disobedience and being cast out of the land through God’s wrath, Israel is not in full possession of its allotted inheritance today.

In fact ironically, the land being occupied by Israel today seems to be the only patch of land in the middle east that is not oil rich. While its Arab neighbors revel in oil wealth, Israel has had to look to other source to boost its economy; such as Agriculture, armament  and technology.

Certain Bible verses hint at the oil reserve in the land God originally promised Israel. Jacob, speaking in Gen 49:22 , says Concerning his son Joseph, ’The Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath [Genesis 49:22, 25- 26].’

Another prophecy by Moses over Asher whose land adjoins Joseph’s, says ‘Asher is most blessed of sons; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil [Deut. 33:24.]’

Some Bible scholars believe this refers to oil beneath the ground. Had Israel been fully obedient they would have possessed oil rich lands today; a land flowing with milk and honey as God promised. Disobedience can be costly.

However God in His mercy has made available other sources of income, so that relatively the Israeli economy is not doing badly. And as finding oil has become a major agenda in Israel, perhaps someday too, oil will be discovered. The point is; God knew there was great oil deposit in the land when He gave the original map to Israel. He had the future all planned out for His people and though He wasn’t giving the full picture, they just had to trust Him.

God says in Jeremiah 29, that He knows the thoughts He thinks towards us, thoughts of good to give us an expected end. When God makes promises we don’t have to really see it all before we become obedient. We have to trust that He knows the end from the beginning and is indeed leading us into a good land. Walking initially on the path of God’s will it may look like things are not working, but in the end we will find it is the best path to have followed. It is a matter of trust. God has good plans for us, He has good thoughts for us, all we have to be is obedient as He leads us on the path of life.

Psalms 16:11   says ‘Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.’

There is a path God has ordained before us. It is a good path, filled with all that we require to excel in life. If we are willing  and obedient we shall eat the good of this land. The laws of God laid out in the scriptures are for our long term benefits. His commandments are not grievous, they are for our good. Perhaps Mary preached the greatest Gospel in John 2:5, when she said ‘whatsoever He says unto you, do it’. Whatever God says we are simply to obey. Whenever we are confronted  by a fork in the road,  let us always go the way of God’s commandment.  The Holy Spirit will always lead us in line with The Word of God. In psalm 19, we are told there is great reward in keeping His Word.

Let us therefore decide today to obey every Word of God so that we can enjoy the reward of obedience. Let us follow the leadings of The Holy Spirit as He guides into the fullness of God’s plan. Let us be determined not to miss our portion, but to experience the fullness of the blessings. We will not dwell in a corner of our promised land but will possess the full  inheritance. We will not miss out through disobedience or partial obedience but will follow God fully to take possession of  what has been promised us; a land flowing with milk and honey as mapped out for us by God.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for guiding me in your perfect will today, please help me to obey every of your commandment so that I can access the fullness of the inheritance you have mapped out for me. May I never miss or forfeit any allotted portion of my inheritance in Christ, in Jesus Name. .

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When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction