HORM Devotional

PSALM 124: 2 KJV

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:   Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

• DAILY READING – Matthew 18:21-35; Numbers 7-8; Ecclesiastes 6

He is known the world over as the miracle man. Goodman is an amazing man with an amazing testimony of God’s grace.  Speaking in a CBN news interview he says

“It’s a modern day story of Job. You know Job lost everything. He lost his health, his wealth, his family. I did the same thing,” says Morris.

Like Job, Morris had it all. He was one of the most successful insurance agents in America.  But one day in March 1981,  his world collapsed, when he took his new airplane out for a test flight. That flight ended in tragedy, when his landing gear got caught in power lines. His injuries were horrific. Morris’ neck was broken in two places. His kidney, bladder, bowel and liver didn’t function, almost every organ in his body destroyed. All he could do was blink his eyes, once for yes and twice for no.

While all thought he would die, Morris Goodman fought for his life. He fought  long and hard, until he began to regain control of his body one step at a time.  After eight months he walked out of the hospital. Morris freely admits that God was a major factor in his recovery, even though he wasn’t even a Christian then. He said the accident in retrospect was probably the best thing that ever happened to him, because it brought him to the place where he made Jesus His Lord and savior.

Today, Morris is a sought-after motivational speaker. His clients include AFLAC, General Motors, and Xerox to name a few. He’s written a powerful book and there’s even a short film made about his life.  He says “I’m very thankful that I didn’t die at the time of my accident ‘cause I don’t know where I would be today. I’m thankful that He gave me another chance to find salvation and to save my soul.”

Its amazing that God gave Morris this incredible deliverance even while he was still a sinner. Lamentations 3:22  says ‘It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’

Many of us like Morris could have died in our sins. We would have been buried long ago and forgotten if not for the mercy of The Lord. Even while we were yet sinners, He preserved us. Some of the friends we started out with died, along the way. Yet by His mercy and grace God preserved us.

That is the humbling part. Knowing that we were defenseless, didn’t know our left from our right. The enemy had every opportunity to have destroyed us, yet God preserved us. Some of the things you passed through could have killed you, but yet you survived it. Not because of your own strength, but because He loves you. Even in the midst of that trouble He still gave His angels charge over you. You did not survive because you are lucky. You survived because of His love.

Really we have to give God credit for our lives.  If it had not been for the Lord who was on our side, where would we be?  God is good and very faithful..And no matter what things may look right now, be assured that He is working it out for you.   This is why we appreciate and praise Him. We may not trace Him, but we trust Him. we know that He is working everything together  for your good.

PRAYER:  Lord please grant me the grace to praise You in every situation. By the revelation of The Spirit, help me to see indeed  that You are working out all things for my good always. Thank You so much Jesus.  .

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When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. – WORDBITE 222.

Romans 8:28 KJV

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 Matthew 18:1-20; Numbers 5-6; Ecclesiastes 5

Joseph Stalin didn’t plan to assist the church in Russia during his purge of political and religious dissidents. But he did help it when he sent some pastors and Christian leaders to the labor camps of Siberia. From Magadan, where they got off the ships, the prisoners were sent in work gangs to forests and mines and remote areas to clear land, dig out vital ore, and cut roads through remote areas. It was grueling work that many did not survive. But those believers were not silent. They banded together, and as they were sent from place to place they witnessed and taught, leaving behind clusters of believers. In many communities of Eastern Siberia, strong churches still stand and groups of Christians witness to the faith and courage of those dedicated servants.

The apostle Paul faced some huge challenges.  He was sharing the Good News when he was arrested and put in  the prison. It seemed the closer he got to his destiny the more obstacles came. But Paul wasn’t defeated and depressed. When he couldn’t speak publicly, he began to write letters.

He wrote over half the New Testament from a prison cell. They thought they were stopping him but they only amplified his voice. God will use the ones trying to hold you down to propel you forward. As long as you stay in faith you will accomplish your assignment. Quit focusing on who’s against you Or how difficult the road is. God has the final say. If God doesn’t turn it around the way you thought, be certain that He is working it all out for your good.

He knows every setback and challenge you have ever had to face.  His grace is sufficient. You’ll never come to a hill where you won’t have the strength to climb it. No matter what happens be assured that Jehovah alone has the final say in your life.

At the end of his life Paul said I have finished my race – with joy. We all have things come against us. It’s easy to drag through life but there’s no victory in that. Determine to finish your course with joy. Thanking God for what you do have.

PRAYER:  Lord please help me to build my life upon the solid foundation of Your Word, knowing indeed all things are working for my good  in Jesus Name. .

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

Acts 16;25-26  ‘And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: 

DAILY READING –  – Matthew 17; Numbers 3-4; Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16

During world war 2, on 10th May 1940, Hitler unleashed a military onslaught on France and Belgium. Within days the British Army – outmaneuvered and unprepared – along with soldiers of other Allied nations, found themselves with their backs to the sea and hemmed in by enemies. Hitler’s army boasted with confidence that they were ‘proceeding to annihilate the British Army’. Indeed the total destruction of the British army seemed  imminent. Prime Minister Winston Churchill found himself preparing to announce to the public an unprecedented military catastrophe involving the capture or death of a third of a million soldiers.  But it didn’t happen. On 23rd May, King George VI requested that the following Sunday should be observed as a National Day of Prayer. Late on the Saturday evening the military decision was taken to evacuate as many as possible of the Allied forces. On that Sunday, the nation devoted itself to prayer and praising God, in an unprecedented way. Eyewitnesses and photographs confirm overflowing congregations in places of worship across the land. Long queues formed outside cathedrals. The same day an urgent request went out for boats of all sizes and shapes to cross the English Channel to rescue the besieged army. About 800 vessels were eventually gathered for this rescue operation. As the prayers went on across Britain, miracles began to take place. In a decision that infuriated his generals and still baffles historians, Hitler ordered his army to halt their attack on the British troops. Had they continued to fight, the destruction of the Allied forces would have been inevitable. Yet for three days the German tanks and soldiers stood idle while the British evacuation unfolded. Not only so, bad weather on the Tuesday grounded Hitler’s warplanes, allowing Allied soldiers to march unhindered to the beaches. In contrast, the sea was extraordinarily calm, making the perilous evacuation less hazardous. By the time the German Army was finally ordered to renew its attack, over 338,000 troops had escaped from the beaches, including 140,000 French, Belgian, Dutch and Polish soldiers. They had escaped an imminent destruction by Hitler’s army. This was truly miraculous. Sunday 9th June was declared a National Day of Thanksgiving, as the people blessed God for this miracle of deliverance for the British troops.

Indeed God is fearful in praises. Exodus 15:11 says ‘Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?’

God does wonders in praises. Praise is a spiritual medium through which we transfer our battles to God. When you praise God, He makes a way for you.  He sets an ambush against your enemies. When the three enemy nations came against king Jehoshaphat, God set an ambush against them. He caused them to arise and begin to kill one another, till the last person was dead.

Indeed, it doesn’t matter the odds against you, as long as God is on your side you will surely escape. When you engage God through praise, He will always arise for you.  Whenever you find yourself in a tight corner, Praise is the way out.  Instead of worrying, switch to praise. And when you praise God, He will always create an escape for you and ambush your enemies. Whether it is the enemy of sickness, poverty, joblessness. disfavor, etc, as you praise God today, He will ambush them and give you the victory in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to always switch to high praises in the face of every challenge, so that I can experience total deliverance in every area of my life in Jesus Name. 

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

Job 14:7-9 

 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

 DAILY READING        Matthew 16; Numbers 1-2; Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

The world’s oldest tree is found in Sweden. It has existed for thousands of years. It is not just one individual tree of great age, but rather a tree that has died severally and regenerated severally. What happens is that each time the trunk dies off, the root grows another new trunk. The trunk may after 600 years die off, but because the tree’s root always remains intact connected to water, after a number of years this root will sprout a new trunk. This new trunk then again grow branches and leaves. Through this process, known as vegetable cloning, this tree has survived for thousands of years.

This is what The Bible clearly describes in Job 14:7 when it says  ‘though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant’

The important thing for the tree’s continual survival, is for the root to remain connected to water. The same thing happens when as a believer you are connected to The Word. No matter where you fail or get cut down, God says you can rise again, you can live again. The bible says the righteous falls seven times, and still gets up. It doesn’t matter the pit where you fall into, through God’s Word, you can always rise.

The story is told of the old mule that fell into a deep pit. When the owner saw he couldn’t bring it out, he decided to bury the animal in the pit. But as he poured sand into the pit, the wise animal began to step on the sand. The more sand the owner poured to bury it, the more it stepped on the sand and rose higher until it was able to get out of the pit. What was meant to bury it became its stepping stone to victory.

Maybe you have been cut down in your finances, health, or relationships. But what the enemy meant to bury you with can become stepping stones to your victory. It doesn’t matter how long that problem may have lingered, God can turn it all around to your good. The important thing is to remain connected to The Word of God. Because it is The Word that imparts faith into the heart and faith is the victory that overcomes the world..  Perhaps because of how old the problem has lingered men may have written you off, or you could even have written yourself off, thinking there can be no solution. But then God has not written you off. As long as you are still joined to the living there is hope for you. You can still sprout again. You can still have your miracle. Maybe past years have not brought the desired solution, but Let go of the past and face the brighter future. The past is a place of reference not a place of residence. Your car has a big windshield and a small rear mirror, because you are supposed to keep your eyes on where you are going, and less than where you have been. As apostle Paul said, forget those things that are behind you and press forward. There is hope for you. The Bible says everything works together for good, for those that love God. Do you love Him? Then, God is working out everything for your good. There is still hope! God is for you, not against you. His resources are endless, and His power and love know no boundaries. God is on your side. Do not let the enemy,, your own thoughts, or anyone else tell you anything different. Keep hope alive and never ever give up! Refuse to be wearied for in due season you shall surely reap.

 PRAYER: Lord, by the power from your Word let every dead situation  in my life be revisited and revived, let the good seed You have planted within me come alive for manifestation in this season in Jesus Name.  

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

 Exodus 12:13   ‘And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.’

• DAILY READING – – Matthew 16; Numbers 1-2; Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

It is said that the safest place on earth is Fort Knox, which is the colloquial for the U.S. Bullion Depository. It houses 137 billion dollars worth of gold—5,000 tons of precious metals—behind a 22 ton door. The safety combination to that door is kept by 10 different people who do not know each other. Each person has a partial code; no one person knows the total code. The code has to be inserted one person at a time. Behind that door in the treasury that houses most of the most precious documents and items of  the world’s governments. And if someone was crafty enough to break the code of the door and get in, he still wouldn’t get far, because he would have to get past armed guards, missile tanks, Apache helicopters, infrared surveillance, video cameras, and concrete reinforced granite walls. At the height of World War II, Fort Knox had the privilege of housing some of the most precious documents in the world, which were: the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and the Gutenberg Bible. It’s housed the crown jewels of the English family and some of the national reserve of other European countries.

Indeed Fort Knox may seem formidable and impregnable, and claim to be the safest place on earth, but it offers no spiritual protection. And spiritual protection is what really matters most, because no matter how physically well a person is protected if he lacks spiritual protection he still remains an easy target to the forces of wickedness.

Proverbs 21:31 says ‘The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.’ And  Psalm 127:1 says ‘ Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.’

Indeed true protection is only from The Lord. The night the angel of death passed through Egypt, Pharaoh’s guards were all standing outside and watching, yet they couldn’t prevent the death angel from snatching away  Pharaoh’s precious first born. But the Israelites who had no guards watching over them, because they had the blood of the lamb on their door post, they were protected from the angel of death.

Exodus 12:13 says ‘ And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.’

The blood of Jesus provides the greatest protection for us. We know that our battles in life are essentially spiritual, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. This is why therefore we must apply the Blood of Jesus as constant protection around us. When we are covered by The Blood then are we truly protected.  In  spiritual warfare through prayers, we plead the Blood or invoke the power in the Blood, for our desired victory.

The mystery of the Blood Covenant is so essential in this wicked world and the days that we live in. Thus, it is expedient that we receive, believe and engage the demands of this mystery in order to command mastery over every force of the wicked.  Let us therefore constantly invoke the Blood of Jesus against sickness, disease, poverty, and against every evil agenda. Let us learn to make much of The Blood.  Being covered by the Blood is what puts us in the safest place on earth. Indeed when we are under The Blood we enjoy total protection, deliverance and victory.

PRAYER:  Lord I thank You that I am protected by the Blood of Jesus. Wherever I go, whatever I do today, I know I am invincible to every arrow of the wicked. Indeed by the  precious Blood of Jesus I am more than a conqueror in every battle 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. WORDBITE 222. 

Isaiah. 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn” .

• DAILY READING   Matthew 15:21-39; Leviticus 26-27; Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26

Joseph Stalin, leader of the soviet union was known as the mass murderer of the century. He oversaw the deaths of about 20 million of his own people. He was also a man who hated the Jews and Christians. And in 1953, Stalin perfected a plan to annihilate the Jews in Russia. On March 3, 1953 Stalin called a meeting of top Soviet leaders and presented to them his proposed plan of public execution of some Jews, followed by a pogrom against all the Soviet Jews, which would lead to transporting them to remote places in the Arctic. There they would meet a slow death in the forced labor camps prepared for them. He anticipated that none of the leaders would dare to oppose his evil plan. However he was shocked when they outrightly opposed him. As a feared dictator of the Soviet Union, it would be the first daring opposition of his plan by his leaders. Overcome by great anger, Stalin suddenly suffered a massive heart attack and  collapsed at the meeting. Two days later, on the 5^th of march he died, just a day before his planned execution of the Jewish people. His sudden death came as a great miracle for the 3 million Jews in the Soviet Union. Stalin’s death saved the Jews in the Soviet Union from a catastrophe similar to Hitler’s annihilation of the 6 million Jews in the holocaust.

It is remarkable that the timing of Stalin’s death would be on the day when Jews were celebrating the downfall of Haman. Just as Haman died before he could execute his evil plan, Stalin also died just before he could begin the extermination of the Jews.

Indeed God knows how to fight for us, He knows how to turn  the tables against our enemies. In Gen 12:3 God says ‘I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;’ Haman, was a descendent of Agag, the king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites, hated the Israelites and treacherously attacked the unarmed Israelites when they passed through the Sinai desert during the exodus. The Lord pronounced a curse to blot out the remembrance of the Amalekites. It was by this curse, that divine judgment eventually located Haman. Likewise God knows how to orchestrate and execute divine judgment against enemies of our destinies. Therefore, do not be bothered about any Haman or Amalekite plotting your downfall. For the fact that you are a covenant child of God, everything and everyone contesting your glorious destiny automatically comes under God’s divine judgment. When we concern ourselves with doing God’s will , He arises to fight for us.

It doesn’t matter what may be fighting you today, trust that God will arise for you. He will turn around every challenging situation in your favor. Indeed it is our season of deliverance and dominion over every enemy of our destiny. God desires that through His manifold wisdom, the Church would disarm all principalities and powers, and rule over them. We are in that age now. And as you key into this season through a closer walk with God, your dominion over every opposition is established. Your deliverance from every evil plot is certain. Whosoever shall gather against you must fall for your sake, and every tongue that shall rise against you in Judgment, you shall surely condemn in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, please, let your deliverance be made fully manifest in my life. In this season, let Your divine judgment come upon everything contesting my glorious destiny, even as I receive the grace to rise to greater heights  in Jesus Name.

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When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction [WORDBITE 222].

Psalm 119:130

“The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple”

DAILY READING- – Matthew 15:1-20; Leviticus 24-25; Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

One of the most famous pieces of classical music ever written is Messiah. it was written by George Frederic Handel who is one of the most notable classical musicians in history. For classical music lovers, every Christmas the performance of Messiah is an annual tradition all over the world.  Handel became a successful  music composer, who composed many popular sacred and opera  music. But at 52 years, Handel suffered from a stroke which incapacitated him, making it impossible for him to perform. The stroke paralyzed his right arm so that he could only play the spinet or keyboard, or conduct,. He also suffered from blurred vision. At this same time, he was also faced with a lot of financial problems. Sick, depressed and in debt, Handel almost gave up on life. But somehow, trusting in God he continued to push forward.

Shortly after these calamities in his life, he came across a piece of music, composed entirely of Scripture portions.   Handel was deeply affected when he read this.  It was drawn from the prophecies about the coming messiah, the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection of Christ. Handel was inspired to compose music, based on this. Thus he began to compose what will probably become the most famous of all Christian musical works. In a surprisingly short period of time the music was composed. And when he came to composing the Hallelujah chorus of the song,  he broke down in tears overwhelmed by Divine Presence. According to him ‘I did think I saw heaven open, and saw the very face of God”.  When the music was first performed during the Easter season in April 1742, it virtually became an overnight sensation. King George of England who came to one of the performances, on hearing the Hallelujah chorus.   abruptly stood up, in Reverence, recognizing that Christ is the King of Kings. It was normal protocol that if the King stood at any time, the entire audience would also stand up. And from that day it became a tradition even till today, that anytime the Hallelujah chorus is sang , everyone in the audience, stood in reverence to Christ. Handel could never have anticipated that this work would become perhaps the most performed piece of classical music in all of history, all to the glory of Christ.

But then, what if Handel had given up, when he was beset by sickness and troubles? What could have been his darkest night, God  turned around to become the brightest day of his life. This is why you must never give up, no matter how dark the situation.  Anytime we feel discouraged, we must learn to encourage ourselves in The Lord.

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

The Word of God ushers light into our lives that breaks the hold of every darkness. His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It is absence of the light of God’s Word that gives darkness room to reign. But when we are filled with The Word we are encouraged to go forward  and succeed in life.

 So don’t despair, no matter what it may look like, God is at work. He will give you a testimony and you will have cause to Glorify His Holy name. Where you are now is not your end, it is only a bend in the road. Though it may sometimes look as if nothing is happening, trust that God is indeed up to something. Your day is coming. Things will surely get better. With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. Your strength will be renewed like the eagles’ and you will rise and soar to the height God has ordained for you.

PRAYER:  Lord,  Please help me to  develop a greater appetite for Your Word,. Through Your Word, keep my life covered by your light so that there will be no hiding place for discouragement in my life in Jesus Name.

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

Isaiah 54:1

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.

 DAILY READING     Matthew 14:22-36; Leviticus 22-23; Proverbs 31

David is the most beloved of all the kings of Israel and Judah. His name even means “loved”. He is arguably the most celebrated individual in Israelite history, even in modern times.  No wonder the Jewish badge is the Shield of David. His shield is also the centerpiece of Israel’s flag, the Sabbath-night meal is his seudah, his tomb is a place of pilgrimage, Jerusalem is the City of David, and the city’s best hotel is named after him and stands in King David Street. In 1996 the 3000^th year of David establishment of Jerusalem was widely celebrated.

He is called a man after God’s own heart.

Being so loved by God, one would think that God would have spared him from challenges. Yet David fought the bloodiest battles, to the extent that God did not allow him to build the temple because his hands had shed too much blood. Even as a youth he had begun facing fierce challenges, fighting bears and lions, killing goliath as a mere 17 year old. That God loves you does not mean He will shy you away from challenges. He will allow them, only as opportunities for you to see His faithfulness in your life. Though David fought so much, yet he never lost any battle in his lifetime as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

It is very clear in Scripture that God will not keep you from fighting, but He has guaranteed that as long as you are in Him you will always have the victory.  So do not let the enemy stop your praise or your singing and dancing because of challenges. It is your praise that will determine your victory.

Many of the challenges you face on earth may appear natural but when you look closer, there is an extension to the world of the spirit. More than a physical challenge it is a spiritual warfare. And every spiritual battle requires a spiritual approach. Your greatest guarantee for victory in every battle is God’s presence, and praise is what it takes to get God on the scene. Give God thanks because He is the one that will cause you to triumph. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, [2 Corinthians 2:14]. Indeed if you are rooted in Christ, you will have the guarantee of victory in every conflict.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for granting me the grace to praise You always, please help me to praise you no matter what I may face, I know in You I am more than a conqueror in every battle 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.

Proverbs  29:18 KJV

Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keeps the law happy is he.

DAILY READING  – Matthew 14:1-21; Leviticus 20-21; Proverbs 30

No one succeeds by accident, men who succeed already see their success before it comes to pass. And this is what gives them the confidence to keep moving. Despite failures and oppositions, they know beyond doubt that at the end of the rainbow lies a pot of gold.  Indeed you must see beyond the ordinary, before you can do the extraordinary.

Florence Nightingale is viewed as a heroine the world over today. But that is so because she obeyed the call she heard from God when she was only 17 years old.  At a time when girls were debuting into the society, marrying and starting families Florence shocked her parents by making the unthinkable request of wanting to become a nurse.  At that time nursing was not considered a respectable profession because nurses were often drunk and conditions in hospitals were dreadful. Nursing was considered a disreputable occupation performed by women who were alcoholics and prostitutes. . Her family tried to talk Florence out of it, but she was determined to sacrifice herself because of the call, she was sure she heard from God.

And through obeying the call she heard from The Lord, she went on to become a historical icon and is regarded as a heroine today. Though she faced a lot of oppositions initially but because of her deep conviction of her call, she was able to prevail and achieve success in the end.  It is the conviction of being in the will of God that gives men the power to forge though oppositions and achieve vision.

As part of his famous speech Rev. Martin Luther king said ‘we got difficult days ahead but it doesn’t really matter now, because I have been to the mountain top, I just want to do God’s will’.  Getting to the mountain top, getting to know God’s will gave him the stamina to forge ahead.  Men go to the mountain top to get a view of the promised land. You must see it before you can march into it. And you can’t see it until you seek God. Only God can show you what lies ahead and when He shows it to you, it is as good as done. This is the  secret of men who succeed,  they seek God to see it before they walk into it. And when they see it, it gives them the confidence to move against any opposition, knowing God is backing them.

Life is a battle, there is an enemy that doesn’t want you to succeed, he is battling viciously against your progress, he is marking your every step trying to get you to stumble, therefore you can’t afford to  keep moving about in life blindly without knowing where you are going.  Jesus said ‘if a man walks in the night he stumbles, because he knows not where he is going’.  To walk successfully, you need light, you need revelation, you need vision. You can’t keep living your life by guesswork or by your human calculations. You need divine illumination to get ahead. One word from God can change everything for you. You need to hear from God for yourself. And we hear God through His Word. Take time to sit down with The Word and hear what He has to say concerning your situation. When you can hear God on any issue, then it is as good as done.

PRAYER Lord help me to hear You Clearly concerning the assignment you have for me, no more guess work, I desire to receive your precise instructions, please grant me that  grace in Jesus Name. .

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

Psalm 34:1

I will bless The Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth…

DAILY READING — Matthew 13:24-58; Leviticus 19; Proverbs 29

One of the greatest stories in the Foxxe’s Book of Martyrs is the story of Polycarp. After the account of St. Stephen’s death in acts of the apostles, the story of Polycarp is the next oldest existing factual account of martyrdom as recorded in the year 156AD.

Polycarp was an important leader in the early Church, a disciple of St. John the Apostle and later appointed bishop of Smyrna (in modern-day Turkey).

According to history, Polycarp was betrayed by a servant,, arrested, and led before the proconsul and a crowd that had gathered in the stadium. Upon being ordered to curse Christ, Polycarp responded, “I have served Him for eighty-six years and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and Savior?” The proconsul, at the urging of the crowd, thereupon ordered him burnt at the stake.

When being burned he praised God amidst the flames. And as he praised God, miraculously the flames refused to touch him. The men who watched could not believe that this “strange man” would not burn. So instead, at the proconsul’s orders, an executioner pierced him through with a dagger. It was said that such a great quantity of blood came out that the fire was completely extinguished.

When we read such amazing testimonies of early Christians we should indeed wonder and ponder. Imagine a man being burned at the stakes and he chooses to praise God instead. He chose to use his last breath to praise God. Those early Christians walked in the very reality of God’s Presence.  They therefore saw every discomfort or pain  as an opportunity to offer a sacrifice of praise unto God.. In the same vein, today, we should in all things give thanks to God, seeking for ways to constantly bring glory to His Name. This is what we are called to do as Christians. Though we will not be burned with physical fire, yet there are fires of afflictions  and trials that sometimes come to try us. When face such fire of trials, we should see them as opportunities to give God worthy praise. Indeed we should bless The Lord at all times. And when you praise, you will be raised out of such fires. In acts 16, when Paul and Silas despite their pain chose to praise God, they were delivered out of imprisonment.  Praise will always guarantee deliverance out of every captivity.

1 Peter 2:9 says ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light’.

God called us out of darkness into light to offer Him praise, continually. When we understand this purpose, then we like David can declare, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.’

In an atmosphere of continual praise, there are no pressures, only pleasures. In His Presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand pleasures forever more. So what is that battle you are faced with? What is that challenge? Cheer up and give God worthy praise. In your praise is your victory!

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to bless You at all times, despite any challenge I may face.  let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my mouth 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.