HORM Devotional

John 15:4  ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

DAILY READING   Luke 21; Genesis 38; Psalm 29

In our relationship with God, we can be likened to the vine that clings to the strong oak in the times of storm. As long as we cling to God we are protected from the fierce winds of the storm. And even when  it seems we are exposed to the wind, rather than separate us from God, the winds only succeed in pressing us closer to Him.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. It brought  floods and gale-force winds that devastated the region and displaced more than a million people. But New Orleans’ live oaks were surprisingly resilient, and many of them withstood the fierce winds of the hurricane. Oaks are known to  withstand incredibly strong storms, like tornadoes and hurricanes. Even when they are stripped of their leaves, oak trees survive because of their strength, their curvy branches, and their incredible root systems.

However, frail plants like vines can barely survive strong storms on their own. But when these vines cling to the oak, they can survive through the protection of the oak. During a storm the vine clinging to the oak is protected from the force of the fierce winds by the oak’s large trunk. And if the wind blows on the exposed side of the vine, the tempest only presses the vine closer to the oak’s trunk, where it is still protected from being blown away.

As Christians we will sometimes face challenges. But times of challenges are actually when we should draw closer to God so as to be shielded from the storm. And in drawing closer to God in those times, we experience greater intimacy with Him. Some of our most profound and intimate experiences of worship have come from those times when we had no one else to turn to but Jesus. In the seemingly dark days, when the wind is blowing fiercest, and your heart seems broken, that is the time you have run deeper into the arms of Jesus. And you’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got.

Psalm 34:18  says  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.”

God really wants us to depend on Him at all times.

Jeremiah 13:11 says ‘For as the waistband clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole household of Israel and the whole household of Judah cling to Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘that they might be for Me a people, for renown, for praise and for glory; but they did not listen.’

In the above scripture, the Lord had asked Jeremiah to take a cloth and wrap it around his waist tightly, then God said, that is how He wants His people to cling to Him, just as tightly. Jesus emphasizes the same principle in John 15:4  ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.’

Without God we have no value. It is only in Him we can live and move and have our being.  God is our only hope in life. When the storms of life come, our only option is to cling to Him with everything in us. Just as that frail vine clings to the strong oak, we must run to God and cling to Him to survive the storms of life. Afflictions are designed not to break us but to bend us toward God.

Psalm 62:1 says “In God, alone, there is rest for my soul, From Him comes my safety.” Don’t be broken by the wind, rather let it bend you towards God.  God is good to those that trust in Him. And He really wants us to trust Him especially in those times when the storm blows the hardest. Whatever situation you may be faced with right now, learn to run to God. What the enemy meant to bring tears to you, let it be the very reason why you praise God. Trust that God is on your side, and even though you may not see the whole picture now, trust that He is working it all out for your good. Trust that whatever you are facing will all end in praise; surely God will be glorified in your life in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, truly without You I can do nothing, my hope and trust is in You always. And even right now I know You will shield me through every storm of 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.

Revelation 5:5   ‘And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

DAILY READING —    Luke 20:27-47; Genesis 37; Psalm 28

Lions are one of the most fascinating creatures in the world.  They are strong and bold; and not afraid of any other animal.  With their ferocious outer appearance and terrifying roar, lions strike terror in man and in other beasts.. Proverbs 30:30 says  the lion is the strongest among beasts, and turns not away for any.

Lions are considered a symbol of strength. They are known as the king of beasts, because of  their raw power.  In many king’s courts across the world, lions are often used on shields and crests and banners to indicate power.  The Lion of Judah was used as a Jewish symbol for many years. It was originally the symbol of the tribe of Judah, but in 1950 it was included in the Emblem of Jerusalem, because Jerusalem was the ancient capital of Judah. The association between Judah and the lion is traced to the blessing given by Jacob to Judah in Genesis 49:9, where Jacob referred to Judah as a “Young Lion”.

Jesus Himself is known as The Lion of Judah. Revelation 5:5 says ‘And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”

We gain access to the lion nature in Christ  through opening of the book. We are to weep no more, because Jesus has paid the ultimate price to break every seal and grant us  access to God’s Word. All that we need to rule and reign in life are contained in God’s Word. As we study The Word, the life of God is imparted into us and the Lion nature in Him comes alive in us. It is indeed God’s will that we live a life of miracles and victory as Jesus lived when on earth. And that will happen when we partake of His nature through feeding constantly on His Word. And when we are one with Him, we begin to manifest the lion nature found in Him. And just as Christ is fearless, we also become fearless.  And as Jesus operated in the realm of unlimited possibilities, so we also live above human limitations. As He is the Lion of Judah, we also operate as spiritual lions, and kings of our domain. By His nature in us, we rule in our environment and exercise dominion over life’s challenges.

Judah means praise. And for us to manifest the lion nature of Christ and rule in our environment, we must engage the power of praise.  Judah is the tribe of those who carry the Presence of God through high praises.  No wonder Both King David and Jesus hail from this tribe of high praisers.

Praise guarantees God’s Presence. And whenever God arises, dominion is established.  Therefore to enjoy unending victory, let us commit to receiving Christ’s lion nature through study of The Word, and then releasing that nature through high praises to God. Indeed when we roar in praise, our dominion is guaranteed.

PRAYER: Lord, please open my eyes to behold the wonders in Your Word and to know my true identity in Christ. Enable me also to constantly praise You, so that  the lion nature in me can manifest to enable me dominate my world 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.

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  Luke 20:1-26; Genesis 35:1-36:43; Psalm 27

In 1920, an 18 year old boy, stood before a Presbyterian Church examining board that was selecting missionaries. As he stood there, one dream dominated his heart; He wanted to be a missionary. Over and over again, he prayed, “Lord, I want to go as a missionary for You. Open a door of service for me.”

Standing before the board he felt his prayers would be answered. But when the examination was over, the board had turned down his offer. He had failed their test; they felt he was not healthy enough. This young man was utterly devastated, and disappointed. His life dream had just been shattered before his eyes.

He could have been offended at members of the board, but rather he chose to seek God’s face. And as he prayed, God planted another idea in his heart. If he could not go as a missionary, he would build a church which could send out missionaries. And that was what he did. This young man was Oswald J Smith, who founded The People’s Church in Toronto. The People’s church would eventually send out more missionaries than any other church at that time. Oswald J. Smith raised about $14,000,000.00 for foreign missions, more than any other pastor in his time, and half of this was from his own church.  He would become one of the most versatile Christian leaders in the history of the church. He was  a pastor, evangelist, missionary, author, hymn writer, world traveler, poet and editor. Over the course of eighty years he preached more than 12,000 sermons in 80 countries. He wrote thirty-five books, as well as 1,200 poems. Oswald Jeffrey Smith was greatly used by God, to impact his generation.

Indeed his disappointment was turned into a blessing!  Instead of bemoaning his fate when turned down by the missionary board, he rather sought God for a way out. And by following divine counsel, he experienced a positive change of story. God transformed his detour into a main thoroughfare of service.

The truth is that anyone who aims to get  ahead in life, will have to overcome setbacks.  As long as you are getting up and trying to do something with your life, you will be confronted by disappointing situations at one time or the other. But the difference between the winners and losers is the way they view such setbacks. While losers see setback as the end of the road, winners only see it as a bend in the road.

Jesus said in Mathew 18:7 ‘for it must needs be that offences come;.’

That means we are bound to face offending situations in life. There will be times you may be treated unjustly or unfairly; but the question is how do you react? Someone said life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

You don’t let people’s actions determine the outcome of your life. You don’t let how someone treated you become the full stop in your life story. No matter what they did to you, you can put it behind you, still forge ahead and become all that God said you are to be in life.

In every disappointment there is an equivalent seed of blessing. What the enemy meant for evil, God can always turn around for your good. Therefore don’t just sit and bemoan your fate over disappointments. Rather seek God in prayer and find out what His will is concerning you in that situation. And as you follow the leading of The Spirit, no matter how initially disappointing things may seem, God is able to cause all things to work together for your good.

 PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for reversing every disappointing situation into a blessing in my life. I know that even right now, You are causing all things to work together for my good in Jesus Name.

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Faith is more than just believing, it is acting upon The Word that you believe.

1 John 5:4 ‘for everyone born of God overcomes the world’

• DAILY READING –  – Luke 19:28-48; Genesis 34; Psalm 26

The 2010 blockbuster movie, ‘secretariat’ was based on the true story of a race horse by that name, born in 1973, whose owner risked everything for her faith in the horse’s ability to win. Her faith was founded on the fact that the horse came from a blood line of champions. And true to her belief, the horse eventually became an astounding winner and one of the greatest race horses in world history.  Secretariat could win, because it was fathered by a horse named ‘Bold Ruler’, who also was a winner. Bold ruler had won the Preakness Stakes and Horse of the Year honors in 1957, and American Champion Sprint Horse honors in 1958.

It’s a proven fact that the fastest race horses in the world, often come from generation of champions. Horse owners understand that winners don’t just randomly happen, it is in their DNA. This is why before buying a horse, they do a careful research to find out about the horse’s history and bloodline. And when a horse comes from a bloodline of winners, though it may initially appear weak, the owners are not bothered, because they are confident that inside of it is the DNA of a champion. Typically, Secretariat also went on to produce children who became winners. Some notable racehorses such as Storm Cat, A.P. Indy, Gone West, Dehere, Chief’s Crown, and many modern race winners were sired by Secretariat .

Likewise, as believers, a study of our spiritual bloodline, show that we are born to win. We carry the DNA of the Almighty God. The blood of Jesus who is the ultimate winner is inside of us.

Revelation 12:11 says ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives to the death’

When you are born of God,  you are born to overcome. We come from the bloodline of champions. So it doesn’t matter what your present circumstances look like, there is the blood of a winner inside of you.

1 John 5:4 says ‘for everyone born of God overcomes the world’

It doesn’t matter the struggles you may presently have, what supersedes all of that is the DNA of a champion in you. There is clearly no battle that is beyond you. If it was beyond you, God would not have allowed it to come your way. God knows your capacity as a winner. You carry the blood of the ultimate champion. You are the head and never the tail; above only and never beneath. Challenges may come; the sea may be raging violently, the storm may be tempestuous, but in all these things, you are more than a conqueror. The greater One lives in you. Therefore, no situation is permitted to defeat you.  Your case cannot be closed until you decide to close it.

Whatever you may be faced with today, understand that you are born to win. You are fighting, not for victory, but from victory. Victory is already in you by reason of Christ’s blood.The Goliath facing you today may look like a champion, but like David, you are the one with the heart of the champion. Therefore begin to declare your victory over every challenge.  And as you begin to confess your victory by the blood, every of Goliath will surely fall.  Indeed by reason of the blood of Jesus, we are assured of everlasting victory in every battle.

PRAYER: Father please help me to begin to live in the consciousness of the victory I have through Christ Jesus. Today, by the blood of Jesus I claim my victory over everything  challenging my glorious destiny 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

Hebrews 12:1-2 ‘Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;’

• DAILY READING – Luke 19:1-27; Genesis 32-33; Psalm 25

Eric Liddell  is one of Britain’s  greatest athletic heroes.  He was born in China to two Scottish missionary parents. When he was 6 years of age, he was sent to Britain to be educated. Desiring to be a missionary just like his parents, he later enrolled in Edinburgh university  for further studies. During his time in school, he showed excellence as an athlete and became known as The Flying Scotsman. Soon what started as a hobby led him to become the best runner in Britain. However despite all the fame that came his way, he never lost focus of his Christian calling to be a missionary.

When he graduated from Edinburgh University. He spent a further year studying theology and preparing for missionary work in China. His final race on British soil came in June 1925. A few weeks after that, hundreds of well-wishers turned up at Waverley Station as he began his journey to China. Asked to deliver a speech, Liddell simply led the crowd in a rendition of the hymn ‘Jesus Shall Reign Where’er The Sun.’

When he arrived in China, he taught science at the Anglo-Christian College in Tientsin, the city where his father had been based before him and where he had been born. Liddell lived in a poor area of the town, where he pursued his burning desire to preach the Gospel. On one occasion he was asked if he ever regretted his decision to leave behind the fame and glory of athletics. Liddell said, having weighed it all, pursuit of God’s will for his life counted far more than all else.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says ‘Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,’

It is indeed important for us to ensure we are focusing on the race set before us. Living in this fast paced generation, there are so many distractions. So many things seek to replace God’s original call and mandate for us. The pursuit of what to eat, drink and wear often seeks to distract us from God’s divine call. .And if we are not careful, we may lose focus on what really matters and begin to pursue the mundane.

However, whatever we do, we must keep in mind that we will give account to God for how we spent our lives on earth. the truth is God will judge us according to how well we followed His calling. This is why we must avoid every form of distraction and focus on the race before us.

Indeed we need to live life with eternity in mind. Though the lure of worldly ambition may constantly be beckoning, we have to bear in mind that there is a particular assignment for which God has sent us into this world. That assignment must override every other ambition or pursuit.

The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. We can only find fulfillment and peace when we follow God’s design for our lives. It is not our will but His that must be done at all times. We must keep our eyes single on God’s call and run with patience, the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Indeed when we seek God’s kingdom first, all else is added unto us.

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to always focus on Your plan for my life. By Your grace, may I run the race that is set before me acceptably, without giving room to any distractions in Jesus Name.    

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

2 Chronicles 16:19 ‘For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him

;DAILY READING –Luke 18:18-43; Genesis 31; Psalm 24

For President George Bush’s 2001 inaugural prayer service, Michael w. Smith was invited to sing a song. This was a great honor, and so Michael began to search for the best possible song that will befit the occasion. But despite his search he couldn’t seem to find the song he needed, until he came across the song ‘Above All’, written by Paul Baloche. Though he had never heard the song before then, Michael W. Smith instinctively knew that was the song he would sing. And when he sang it at the inaugural service, the effect was amazing, many lives were touched including that of president Bush.

However, this song which would later bless many people around the world was birthed from a moment of intimate worship. The writer of the song Paul Baloche was alone, on a Tuesday morning in his church, and simply worshiping at the piano, when the lyrics of the song came to him. As he thought of how Jesus is so much greater than all the temporal things that men esteem highly, the words of the song began to form. “Lord, you are above all kingdoms, above all thrones, above all wonders the world has ever known…” He would later engage a friend and mentor, Lenny LeBlanc to assist him with writing the chorus. When they wrote the last verse “You took the fall and thought of me….above all,” both men were broken. They wept as they were hit with the revelation of the price Jesus paid at Calvary.

This song would go on to become a hit song, loved by many around the world.  Yet it all began in an intimate moment when Paul Balonche, all alone, worshiped God from the depths of his heart. And in that place of intimacy God gave him a song that would impact the world.

There is supernatural praise that can come upon you and lift you into God’s Presence. It is in this place of intimate worship, lost in God’s love, that men receive the revelations that create impact on the earth.

1 Corinthians 2:9 says ‘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’ Truly, God reserves His good things for them that love Him.

God is simply looking for hearts that love Him. He bypassed all the mighty men in Israel, and found a poor shepherd boy, who was just loving and praising Him in the bush. And from the bush, God catapulted David to the throne.

2 Chronicles 16:19 says ‘For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him;’ And in Acts 13:22 God says ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart;’

In this end-time, God is searching for true worshipers. The tabernacle of David is being raised again. This last generation will be again a generation of praise. It is time now to return back to our original mandate and purpose which is praise. No matter what you face today, through praise, the tide of the battle will turn in your favour. When you worship God, He will turn your battlefield into your blessing field.  Through praise and worship, God will lift you to unprecedented heights, He will give you beauty for ashes and turn your mourning into dancing.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to love You like never before. Please destroy every spiritual laxity in me and fill me  always with fresh zeal and desire for You. Thank You Lord for the grace to praise You always in Jesus name.

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

Isaiah 27: 6  KJV

He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root, Israel shall blossom and fill the face of the world with fruit.’

DAILY READING –Luke 18:1-17; Genesis 29:31-30:43; Psalm 23

A prophecy is pre-written history. God who knows the future, has already foreordained everything. God is not looking down the tunnel of time to see the future, He already knows it because He has foreordained it.  His prophecies for the future are recorded for us in the Scriptures. The Bible is said to be 27% prophetic. There are about 1,817 prophecies of some nature in the Bible, and many of them have been coming into fulfillment  at their appointed time.

Isaiah 45 verse 1 records the name of Cyrus king of Persia.  The Bible already spoke of him, 100 years before Cyrus assumed the throne. Imagine being able to predict who will be the President of your country 100 years from today? It’s impossible. Yet, the Bible mentioned the name of Cyrus, even before he was born.

The Bible easily gives such prophecies of rulers, kingdoms, and individuals, long before they come onto the scene. The Bible gives predictions regarding the fall of empires; such as the destruction of Tyre, the length of Judah’s captivity etc.

In Isaiah 27; 6 God  prophesied about a future restoration of Israel saying ‘ He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root, Israel shall blossom and fill the face of the world with fruit.’

This prophesy was made by Isaiah about 2700 years before it came to pass. And after Isaiah made that prophesy there was nothing in Israel’s history at the time that would suggest that such a prophesy would ever come to pass.  In fact everything suggested otherwise. In AD 70 Jerusalem and the temple was destroyed and the  Jews  were carried into exile. And for almost 2000 years afterwards the Jews were scattered all over the world among the nations.  During that period, nothing like the tribe of Israel existed anymore. Their land was taken over by the Arabs and the name of the region was changed to Palestine.

For about 2000 years Israel was in exile, scattered to different parts of the world.  But after so many years in exile God began to re-gather His people again. And  in 1948, to the amazement of the world, the modern nation of Israel came into existence. Despite all the odds against it, the nation of Israel has survived till date. And The Word God spoke through prophet Isaiah is finding fulfillment. Israel is indeed blossoming, being one of the leading nations in technology and innovation today. And practically also Israel is indeed filling the face of the world with fruits as one of the highest producers and exporters of fruits and flowers in the whole world today. 2700 years after Isaiah made that prophesy, it is coming to pass in modern times. Indeed what God says He will do, He will surely do; God is not man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent. Has He said it, He will surely make it good.

This should be an encouragement to you, that the promises of God concerning you will surely find fulfillment. Many times we are the ones that move before God’s Word arrives for fulfillment. Out of impatience we decide to ‘help’ God by following the ways of men. Sometimes, too impatient to keep waiting for the long promise of Isaac, we decide to birth an instant Ishmael.

It is important that we wait for God’s Word to be fulfilled. God may not be early, yet He is never late, He is always on time. His timing is always perfect because He is working with a divine blueprint that will cause everything to work together for our good.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to wait for Your promise, enable me to rest in You, until Your word is fulfilled in my life 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

Romans 8: 28  –

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”      

 DAILY READING – –  Luke 17; Genesis 29:1-30; Psalm 22

Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was a scheduled passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur that was shot down on 17 July 2014 while flying over eastern Ukraine. The crash killed all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.

A Scottish couple, who were travelling with their baby son, almost boarded the Malaysian Airlines flight. They had tried to board the plane at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport but were told there were not enough seats. Though they had been thoroughly disappointed, imagine their relief at finding out they had narrowly avoided the disaster. When they heard of the crash, the couple were overwhelmed with gratitude and thankful that God was watching over them.  Indeed in every disappointment can be hidden the seed of a blessing. Often what may look like a disappointing situation could be God steering you away from evil and orchestrating your steps to a destined place.

In the journey of life disappointments can often lead to divine appointments. As in the story of Saul on the search for his father’s missing sheep, only to end up meeting Samuel who would introduce him to the throne.

It does seem sometimes disappointments happen just at the bend to a greater destiny. You will often find that many of the people who have ever risen to greatness did so as an aftermath of a disappointing situation. In the bible, we find several stories that indicate this. When Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison, it appeared initially to be the end of his world. But then it was only a setup for him to meet pharaoh who would later place him on the throne.

If you find yourself in a situation that is not palatable instead of complaining just be thankful to God. Who knows if that is the place where you will meet the destiny helpers who will catapult you to your next level. That is why the Bible says in everything give thanks, And like Joseph instead of complaining begin rather to be cheerful and thankful to God, and your situation will turn around for good. Don’t allow disappointments and failures to knock you down, don’t settle with them. Don’t sit back and keep bemoaning your situation, don’t give up, get up and keep moving forward, when God is with you it’s only a matter of time before you win. Your success may be just around the corner.  So no matter how much life tries to knock you down, keep getting up and keep going forward. Take the licking but keep ticking. The just man falls seven times yet rises up again and again, how? The Lord upholds him.

Learn to live your life in an attitude of gratitude, trusting God in everything. Always give thanks to God, because though you may not see it clearly now yet, you can trust that He is working it all out for your good. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will always make a way even where there seems to be no way. Therefore no matter what today may look like, give God worthy praise. He deserves it. Even when things seem still around us, God is working behind the scene. He is working it all together for our good. He is making things better. He is causing your path to shine brighter and brighter. And as we praise Him continually, we begin to see a manifestation of His good works around us.

PRAYER; Lord,  I thank  You for turning every disappointment into a blessing in my life. Please help me to remain ever grateful and thankful in every situation, because I know that even right now You are causing all things to work  together for my good in Jesus name.

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When God is on your side anything is possible. WORDBITE 222

MATHEW 13:44

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field

• DAILY READING – Luke 16; Genesis 27:46-28:22; Psalm 21

A shipwreck is the remains of a ship that has wrecked, which are found either beached on land or sunken to the bottom of a body of water. According to UNESCO, an estimated 3 million shipwrecks are spread across ocean floors around the world. Some of these were sunk during wars, for instance during World War II, the battle of the Atlantic alone, claimed over 3,500 merchant vessels, 175 warships, and 783 submarines. However the more interesting shipwrecks, are the cargo ships carrying treasures, many of which sank carrying their treasures with them. Today, these treasures lying under the world’s sea beds are worth  billions of dollars.

One notable treasure ship that sank was a Portuguese ship called the Flower of the Sea.  It set sail from Malaysia, in 1511 carrying the largest treasure ever assembled in Portugal’s naval history. The ship was caught in a violent storm in the Strait of Malacca, split in two and spilled its precious contents into the sea. Another one was Spain’s treasure Fleet; In 1715, at the height of its empire, Spain assembled one of the richest treasure fleets ever seen: Eleven ships, all filled with silver, gold, pearls and emeralds from the New World. The ships left Cuba just before hurricane season in the hope of deterring pirates, but a few days later a storm sank all 11 ships, sending thousands of sailors and tons of treasure to the bottom of the sea. Though seven of the ships have been found, but only a small percentage of the treasures have been recovered.

It is interesting that with all these treasures lying beneath the seas, less than one percent of the world’s ship wreck have been explored. The question is; why is everyone not out there digging up these treasures? Because the cost to access them is not cheap. Buried thousands of feet under the sea, it requires great funds, equipment, time and tireless search to locate them. This is a price, not everyone is willing to pay.

In the same way The Word is full of treasures but it is only accessible to those who are wiling to pay the price to access it. Because the treasures are stored up in the depth of The Word of God.

Jesus said to Peter in Luke 5, launch out into the deep and let down your net for a draught. It is only when you launch out into the deep that you can get a net breaking catch.

Treasures are available, the issue is the ability to pay the required price to access them. And the greatest treasure we can ever find is God Himself. When you find God you have found great treasure. Good things are found in Him. It is His power at work in us that brings divine supplies and all else we need. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that works in us.. This was why Jesus never bothered about supplies during His ministry, He had God’s Presence and power around Him, He could multiply loaves and fishes, turn water into wine, bring money out of the mouth of the fish to pay taxes, have people give him their donkeys and houses without fee. The truth is that He didn’t need money, God’s Presence guaranteed supernatural supplies and favor.

When you find God’s tangible Presence, you have found life’s greatest treasures. And one way of engaging God’s Presence is through praise. God inhabits the praises of His people. And in His Presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand there are pleasures evermore. Do you want to enjoy treasures and pleasures? Then tune into the praise frequency. Praise will bring God’s presence. When Solomon worshiped God with  a thousand burnt offerings, God appeared in the night and asked him what he wanted. And through that encounter Solomon became the richest man in his time. It doesn’t matter the pressures around you, resolve today to continually engage God’s presence through praise. And as you do,  your pressures will be turned into pleasures and treasures.

PRAYER: Father please help me to seek You like never before. I know indeed that when I find You, I have found life’s greatest treasure. Please grant me the grace to move from the shallow waters to the depth of The Word where Your Presence abides in Jesus’ name.

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The treasures of God are never on the shallow end, but are always buried in the depth of God’s Word. It takes a personal discovery to get there. – WORDBITE 222.

 Psalm 46:1-2  KJV

‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;’

DAILY READING     Luke 15; Genesis 27:1-45; Psalm 20

George Washington, America’s first president,  was a man of prayer who greatly enjoyed divine protection from God. Long before becoming the American president, even as a young officer, God’s hand was clearly upon his life.  In his early 20’s, Washington became an aide to the British, who were fighting the French in 1755.  During a particular battle on July 9, 1755, Washington and his men were completely outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the French and Indian warriors. The Indian warriors fought from the cover of the trees, whereas the British soldiers formed perfect battle lines, shoulder to shoulder, marching out in plain sight. Within two hours, 1,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded, while only 30 French and Indian warriors were injured. One by one, the British officers were shot down until only Washington remained. The Indian chief ordered his men and said “Quick, let your aim be certain and he dies.” But round after round was aimed at this man, two horses shot out from underneath him, and still Washington was standing unharmed. Thirteen rounds in all were fired by excellent sharpshooters to no avail. An Indian soldier had seventeen clear shots at him and yet no bullet could bring him to the ground. Finally, the Indian Chief shouted, “Stop firing!” He recognized there was a power at work  stronger than their weapons.

Later that night, as the wounded soldiers were being cared for, Washington assessed his own situation. Upon taking off his coat, he found 4 bullet holes had passed through his jacket but left no marks on his skin. They literally stopped before touching his body! He was indeed amazed at God’s divine protection over him.

Nine days later, in a letter to his brother to confirm that he was still alive, he wrote: “ I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot under me yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!’

This twenty-three year old officer went on to become the commander in chief of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States. And in all the years that followed, George Washington, was never injured in battle.

Indeed God protects those who trust in Him. Battles are real to life. Whether you like it or not, whether you are conscious of it or not, we are all involved in warfare, we are born into it.  But though battles are real, much more real is our victory and triumph in the faith.  As believers we don’t have any cause to worry, because God protects and gives victory to those who trust in Him.

The Psalmist states that while some trust in chariots and some in horses, we shall trust in the name of The Lord our God. Those who trust in chariots and horses are those who trust in human abilities and capabilities, which is an empty trust. Only God can truly protect us in this perilous times.  As arrows of the wicked fly by day and by night, our only place of safety is in the Name of The Lord.

Proverbs 21:31 says ‘The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord’s.’

Indeed true safety only comes from God. If The Lord does not watch over the city, the watchmen are awake in vain. And when God gives peace, who can make trouble? Only God alone is able to keep and cover our heads in the day of battle. Therefore to survive, as the tempo of spiritual warfare increases around the world, we must build greater trust in God. We must make conscious effort to draw closer to Him more than ever before. It is our closeness to God that keeps evil away from us.

Psalm 91 says that when we make The Lord our refuge a thousand will fall by our side and ten thousand at our right hand yet it will not come near us. Indeed The name of The Lord is a strong tower, which  when we run into it, we are safe.

God’s Presence is our place of guaranteed divine protection. David knew the secret of maintaining God’s Presence. This is why he gave himself to constant praise and despite all the bloody battles he fought, he was never wounded. Maintaining God’s Presence requires a life of purity, constant study of God’s Word, prayer and living in praise. And as we maintain such a lifestyle, we will be surrounded by divine presence and continually dwell under divine cover.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for Your protection over me and my household in this trying times. Please grant us the grace to do what it takes to always maintain Your Presence so as to always dwell under Your divine cover in Jesus Name. .  

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