HORM Devotional

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

DAILY READING Luke 14:25-35; Genesis 26; Psalm 19

Nigel Benn is ranked  as one of the greatest British boxers of all times. He competed in boxing from 1987 to 1996 and was known for his fearsome punching power and aggressive fighting style, which earned him the nickname “The Dark Destroyer”. He won the WBO middleweight title in 1990, The WBC super-middleweight title in 1992, and the Commonwealth middleweight title in 1998. Outwardly, Benn appeared very successful and seemed to have it all; yet inwardly, he was miserable and suicidal. He became a victim of his fame as he drank, took drugs, womanized and lived a loose lifestyle. However, despite all his indulgences, he found no pleasure and ended up suffering from more depression. His life spiraled out of control to the point that he even attempted suicide in his car.

However, one day he was invited to attend a Christian men’s event. There, he had a dramatic encounter with Jesus, that completely turned around his life. He got born again and afterwards, spent one full year in solitude, studying the Bible day and night, renewing his mind in Christ. Today Benn is free from all his addictions and is an entirely new person. He now actively pursues a ministry of bringing restoration to men through the power that is in the blood of Jesus.

Indeed the blood of Jesus has the power to break every yoke and bondage and give a man a complete change of story. By the blood you can experience a total turn around in every area of your life. There is indeed deliverance power in the blood of Jesus.

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

We overcome sin and every bondage of the enemy through the power that is in the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus has awesome power to forever change anyone exposed to it. The blood has the power to deliver you from any depth of sin and temptation.

As we approach the end of this age, the power in the blood is needed now more than ever before. The last days are days of fierce spiritual battles on earth. The tempo of temptations  and trials are already on the increase. And you cannot afford to watch the enemy buffet you or tamper with your testimony. You must therefore engage the weapons of warfare made available to us by God. There is no room for being a spiritual weakling in this battle. Everyone born of God is a warrior. As a believer you can’t afford to be spiritually lazy. You must fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life. Therefore begin to engage the power of the blood against every assault of hell.  Don’t let life’s situations or circumstances beat you down or make you bow. No matter what comes your way you are more than a conqueror. Jesus has assured us that the gates of hell shall never prevail against His church. It doesn’t matter the battle you are facing today, there is power in the blood to overcome every trial and temptation. Learn to release the weapon of the blood against everything troubling your destiny.  Indeed by the blood of Jesus, you are a certified winner. Truly by the blood, your victory is assured in every conflict in Jesus Name.

PRAYER:  Lord I thank You for the power that is in the blood of Jesus. Today as I begin to engage the weapon of the blood against every challenge, I know that my victory is continually assured 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. 

 Isaiah 41:10

  ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’

   DAILY READING –  Luke 14:1-24; Genesis 25; Psalm 18

Eric Alexander is a Christian mountaineer who has successfully climbed most of the highest mountains in the world. He had led expeditions throughout Europe, North America, South America, the Himalayas and other mountainous regions of the globe.  On May 25, 2001, Eric Alexander and a team of 19 climbers made history when they climbed Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 29,035 feet.  Mount Everest is not only the highest mountain, but it is also the most dangerous mountain in the world. Many people who attempted to climb the mountain failed and died. Yet by God’s grace, Eric and his large team of 19 people all climbed and came down safely, achieving one of the most successful team climbs in history. Time Magazine covered their story.  

 However prior to the climb, Eric had struggled with a lot of fear. This was mainly because, a year earlier, he had almost died when he fell while climbing Mt. Amadablam. As a result of the fall, Eric had developed pulmonary edema and had needed to be airlifted to safety. For eight months he struggled with pneumonia. And though he finally recovered physically, yet fear of that fall from Mt. Amadablam, greatly dominated his mind.

 So when he was invited to climb Everest he initially didn’t want to make the climb. But Eric decided to pray and put his faith and trust in God. And God enabled him to overcome fear and become part of the history making team that successfully climbed to the top of the Everest.

 Though he failed and fell when he attempted climbing Mt. Amadablam through God’s help, he was able to get up again and climb even the greater Mt. Everest.

Proverbs 24:16 says, ‘The righteous may fall seven times but still get up, but the wicked will stumble into trouble’.

One of the greatest mountains anyone can conquer is fear. Most of man’s defeats in life are traceable to the spirit of fear. The fear of failure has grounded many people and prevented them from taking the bold step to success. But you cannot reach the pinnacle of success without overcoming the fear of failure. You have to realize that the road to Canaan is full of giants.  There is always a Goliath that stands between every man and his throne. The question is; how do you react to them?

Do you run from them or do you like David run to them?  Failure is not an event but rather it is your reaction to the event. When you are faced with any intimidating situation remember there is God who is greater and higher than them all. Whenever you are confronted, remember that the greater one lives in you.

In Isaiah 41:10 God says ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’

On the journey of life, failure at one time or the other is inevitable, but no matter where we may have failed, with God’s help we can always get up and reach our ordained goal in life.

Psalms 34:4 says ‘I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.’ 

Through seeking The Lord, we are delivered from all fears. The more we seek The Lord and know Him through His Word, the more we are freed from fear. Study of The Word inoculates our heart with faith. And faith is the ultimate answer to fear. Indeed when our heart is filed with faith there will be no room for fear.

 PRAYER: Father Please grant me renewed appetite and desire for Your Word. Thank You Lord for inoculating my heart with the faith and strength to overcome every mountain hindering my progress in Jesus Name.

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 For you to enjoy victory in The Kingdom of God, you need to develop a kingdom mind, that thinks in line with The Word of God. – WORDBITE 222

 1 Peter 5:8-9 

‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith.’

 DAILY READING  Luke 13:18-35; Genesis 24; Psalm 17

 John Hagee is the founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. He is also the founder of Christians United For Israel[CUFI],  and is well known for being outspoken. This outspokenness may have cost him his life, if not for the unshakable faith he had built in Christ.

As a young preacher in 1971, one day he was teaching in a Wednesday night Bible study, when a man walked into the church carrying a loaded gun. The man walked to the front of the church and roared like a wild animal and said, he had come to shoot John Hagee to prove that the devil had power. But John Hagee held up his Bible and said ‘this book says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.’ The man became infuriated and said, ‘Get on your knees and beg for your life.’

But John Hagee said, ‘I will not because the Lord is my protector.’

And the man said, ‘I’m going to shoot you on the count of three.’ But instead, he started shooting on the count of two. And he emptied the gun at pastor Hagee from a distance of eight to ten feet. However miraculously the man missed every shot. Seeing his gun was empty, he then ran out of the church building, but men in the church ran after him and he was knocked down. He was later arrested by the police and sent to the asylum for the criminally insane. Ninety days later a team of psychiatrists pronounced him okay and ready to take his place in society. But when this man was released and went home, he immediately climbed the highest tree in his backyard and hung himself.

John Hagee only survived this direct attack, because of the strong faith he had built up in God.

 1 Peter 5:8-9 says ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith.’

 Truly faith is the victory that overcomes the world. And faith comes through hearing of God’s Word. The truth is that the battles of life come suddenly, without time for preparation. This is why you must be prepared against the day of battle.  When confronted suddenly, what is inside of you is what rises to the fore. In a time of crisis what works is The Word already stored within you. When you spend quality time building up The Word within you, during trials and challenges the Word will rise to give you guidance and grant you victory. 

Every believer has the responsibility to go in pursuit of the Word. The Word you are going for may not be the Word you need today necessarily, but it is a Word you will need to access and draw from in the future when faced with a test or trial. When you study your Bible therefore; it should be a deliberate action of making daily withdrawals from the Book of life. It is something you must do consistently, because by so doing you prepare yourself against the day of battle. When challenge arises, there should be strength within you to rise up to the challenge. You don’t have to wait for trouble to come first before you know you are to study The Word, it may be too late then.  Life is a warfare and not a fanfare; it is a battle ground and not a playground. Therefore live ready. Build up your faith in advance. Decide today to begin to store The Word in enough quantity so that whenever trouble knocks faith will arise in your heart. And truly, the victory that overcomes the world is our faith.

PRAYER Lord Thank You for the grace for continuous study of Your Word. Through the faith built up in me, I know I am more than a conqueror in every battle of life in Jesus Name.

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When you apply The Word of God, it will work for you, anywhere and anytime- WORDBITE 222.

Romans 8:28 KJV 

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 13:1-17; Genesis 23; Psalm 16

The scattering of pollen is what causes flowers to grow. Flowers are populated when scattered by the wind. Flowers cannot produce, unless they are pollinated. Once pollination takes place, seeds begin to grow. In the same way, when you are about to grow, it often seems you get scattered first. When you about to go higher, uncomfortable movements begin to take place around you. When a child is about to move from the womb to the world, contractions begin to take place. Turbulence often precedes a change of level. This is why also just before a plane goes up you are told to tighten your seat belt, why? Because turbulence will come as the plane tries to go higher. It’s been said it is often darkest just before the day breaks. In Ezekiel 37, before the mighty army arose in the valley of dry bones there was a shaking and rumbling. In the turbulence, bone came to bone, and things began to take shape. The shaking and rumblings going on around you may be the contractions that precede the birthing of a new thing. Perhaps the discomfort you are feeling now may be a sign that you are about to break out to a new level. Though the enemy may not have the full details, but sometimes by watching events he can get an idea that a heavy blessing is coming your way.  This is why he begins to fight and overturn things. But all the troubles and problems he brings though it may seem to be scattering you, ultimately ends up, serving God’s perfect plan for you.

Romans 8:28 says  ‘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’

In acts 8, the enemy thought he was scattering the Christians. Through Saul he tried to destroy the church of Christ when he launched an intense persecution of the early Christians.  But when the disciples fled Jerusalem to escape persecution, they ended up proclaiming the gospel everywhere they went. This caused the church to grow mightily, achieving the very opposite of what the enemy planned. God will often allow you to be scattered as pollen so that you can multiply. Until you break out, you may not flow out. Blessings come from the breaking. The comfortable and familiar, has a way of stunting growth. Like the disciples,, we can become comfortable in Jerusalem and lack the desire to venture out.  But if we remain where we are, we will not grow.  What you carry inside, what God has placed in you, needs to find full expression. So often times, God allows us to be scattered so that His divine deposits in us can manifest forth. And often, it is after we have been scattered, and find ourselves in unfamiliar and uncomfortable surroundings that our faith really grows the most.

This is why we count it all joy when we face trials, because God eventually turns it  all around for us. As long as you are in God’s will, trust Him to work it all out for you. He will turn your mourning into dancing, He will give you beauty for ashes. And even when it seems you are being scattered, know that on the contrary you are being multiplied. Indeed whatever the enemy meant for evil in your life, God will turn it all around and cause everything to work together for your good.

PRAYER:  Lord please help me to stand by faith  at all times,, may I always see You at work in my affairs, even if it looks like I am being scattered may I know that You are working out everything together for my good in Jesus name. .

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When you apply The Word of God, it will work for you, anywhere and anytime- WORDBITE 222.

Psalm 34:1 KJV

I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Psalm 34:1-2

DAILY READING  Luke 12:32-59; Genesis 22; Psalm 15

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was one of the greatest in the 19^th century, who became known as the ‘prince of preachers.’ He was only 20 years old, when he was invited to revive what used to be one of the six largest Baptist churches in London.  The New Park church, which once had a congregation of 1200 had ebbed to about  200 souls.  Being quite young,  Spurgeon wondered how he could pastor this congregation. But despite his own doubts, he became an instant success. People began to flock to the church to hear him preach. So great was the impact, that a year later in 1855 a new church building was needed to accommodate their growing numbers.

Eventually over 5,000 would flock to hear him each week. The church grew to become  the largest independent congregation in the world at that time.  Spurgeon drew to his services the Prime Minister,  members of the royal family, Members of Parliament, Florence Nightingale, and General James Garfield, later president of the United States.

Inevitably Spurgeon’s success also attracted critics. Some pastors in London claimed he was a glory-hound, while local newspapers issued caricatures of Spurgeon as an egotistical and uneducated buffoon.  Several pastors wrote that they doubted his conversion. Others predicted that he would be like a rocket that would climb high and then drop out of sight.

Due to such criticisms, Spurgeon suffered bouts of depression. Feeling greatly discouraged he ended up tendering his resignation several times. However overtime, he began to find a pattern to the discouragements that attacked him. He discovered that any time he was on the verge of a great assignment from The Lord, these discouragements would come. He came to realize that it was a ploy of the enemy to shift his focus. Having known this, he therefore refused to allow discouragement to rule his life. He pressed on in his calling, despite the criticisms and went on to become one of the greatest preachers England had ever known.

Anyone headed for the top, is bound to face criticisms and slander. Criticisms are inevitable, especially when you are making progress in life. These can often lead to discouragement and depression. David faced criticism, when he returned to his home in Ziklag and discovered that the Amalekites, had attacked. It was most discouraging to find that even his own men unjustly blamed him. (1 Sam. 30). Imagine how he felt as he sat among the ruins of Ziklag and listened to his men talk of stoning him. David could have allowed  grief and bitterness to send him into depression, but rather he decided to ‘encourage himself in the Lord his God.’(vs. 6).

In Psalm 34 David wrote. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. 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”

And indeed God delivered him from all his fears as he was able to pursue after the Amalekites and recover all.

Whatever you are faced with, learn to encourage yourself in The Lord. Refuse to magnify the negative circumstance, but rather magnify your God. Don’t analyze your trouble with a magnifying glass, this will only lead to deeper discouragement. Rather magnify The Lord and His ability to deliver. Speak of His greatness, His power, His might. Talk about how big and powerful God is. When you make God bigger, you make your troubles smaller.

PRAYER Lord help me not to be discouraged by negative situations, rather let me see them as stepping stones to victory, Thank You for always turning my mourning into dancing,  in Jesus Name. 

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When you apply The Word of God, it will work for you, anywhere and anytime- WORDBITE 222.

1 Peter 5.8

‘Be sober, be vigilant. Your enemy the devil prowls looking for whom to devour.’

DAILY READING    Luke 12:1-31; Genesis 21; Psalm 14

It has been said that this present generation is the most distracted generation that ever existed. The Internet with its sub-kingdoms of Google, Twitter, facebook etc, has become a great distraction to many people.  People are always surfing, searching, chatting, emailing, texting etc. Often it seems the  brains has been put on constant alert; in an “always on” mode.

Yet, a great task awaits us, which is God’s assignment for our lives.  In a world of such mass distractions, as believers we need to focus  on what really matters. We need to practice some “planned neglect” of other things, even good things, so as not to be distracted from God’s call.  

We can learn a lot from how the eagle focuses on its target. Indeed an eagle’s focus is amazing. He can focus up to 5 kilometers from the air. When an eagle sites prey- even a rodent from this distance, he narrows his focus on it and sets out to get it. No matter the obstacle, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it. Like the eagle we have to narrow our vision and lock on to God’s assignment. We need to keep our eye single, because how well we follow our call is what will matter in the end.

 1 Peter 5.8 warns us  ‘Be sober, be vigilant. Your enemy the devil prowls looking for whom to devour.’ 

We must be vigilant, No matter where we are or what we do, we must always keep in mind that there is a race set before us. And we will be judged according to how well we run this race. Jesus lived his life on earth focused on His mission.  He did everything he did with a clear sense of purpose.  His vision was sharp, His goal was clear and he never allowed anything to distract him. The disciples when they began their ministry, followed the example of   Jesus and lived a focused and Spirit-driven life. And this is the pattern we should follow, and also inspire others to emulate. We should not allow anything, to distract us from the call of God. Like the eagle we should lock our vision onto our God given assignment.  Let us set aside, every distraction, every besetting sin and all that weighs us down. Let us run this race with patience looking unto Jesus The author and finisher of our faith. 

 PRAYER: Lord, You are always good and faithful, please no matter what happens around me, Please grant me the grace to always stay focused on Your call for me, may I never be distracted  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. 

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1 Peter 5.8

‘Be sober, be vigilant. Your enemy the devil prowls looking for whom to devour.’

DAILY READING

• Luke 12:1-31; Genesis 21; Psalm 14

It has been said that this present generation is the most distracted generation that ever existed. The Internet with its sub-kingdoms of Google, Twitter, facebook etc, has become a great distraction to many people.  People are always surfing, searching, chatting, emailing, texting etc. Often it seems the  brains has been put on constant alert; in an  “always on” mode.

Yet, a great task awaits us, which is God’s assignment for our lives.  We need to practice some “planned neglect” of other things, even good things, so as not to be distracted from God’s call.  In a world of such mass distractions, as believers we need to focus  on what really matters. We need to have unwavering focus on God’s assignment for our lives.

We can learn a lot from how the eagle focuses on its target. Indeed an eagle’s focus is amazing. He can focus up to 5 kilometers from the air. When an eagle sites prey- even a rodent from this distance, he narrows his focus on it and sets out to get it. No matter the obstacle, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it. Like the eagle we have to narrow our vision and lock on to God’s assignment. We need to keep our eye single, because how well we follow our call is what will matter in the end.

 1 Peter 5.8 warns us  ‘Be sober, be vigilant. Your enemy the devil prowls looking for whom to devour.’ 

We must be vigilant, No matter where we are or what we do, we must always keep in mind that there is a call upon our lives, there is a race set before us. And we will be judged according to how well we run this race. 

Jesus lived his life on earth focused on His mission.  He did everything he did with a clear sense of purpose.  His vision was sharp, His goal was clear and he never allowed anything to distract him. The disciples when they began their ministry, followed the example of   Jesus and lived a focused and Spirit-driven life. And this is the pattern we should follow, and also inspire others to emulate. We should not allow anything, to distract us from the call of God. Like the eagle we should lock our vision onto our God given assignment. There is a race set before us, let us focus on it. Let us set aside, every distraction, every besetting sin and all that weighs us down. Let us run this race with patience looking unto Jesus The author and finisher of our faith. 

 PRAYER: Lord, you are always good and faithful, please no matter what happens around me, Please grant me the grace to always stay focused on Your call for me, may I never be distracted  in Jesus Name. .

Ecclesiastes 9:8  “Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head.’

DAILY READING Luke 11:29-54; Genesis 20; Psalm 13

Oil was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 1938 by Americans  This discovery drastically changed the history of Saudi Arabia. From being one of the poorest countries in the world, Saudi Arabia suddenly rose to become one of the richest countries in the world. Before the discovery of oil, Saudi Arabia’s source of revenue was very meager. They depended on pilgrimage revenues and limited agriculture. The country wallowed in poverty, there were no cars, electricity, roads, infrastructure, hospitals, etc. Most of the Saudis were Bedouins and illiterate with low life expectancy and only basic raw food to eat and survive. But with the discovery of oil, Saudi Arabia became prosperous economically and gained political leverage internationally. It saw economic and social development progress at an extremely rapid rate, thus transforming the infrastructure and educational system of the country. And today, it has become the most important and largest producer and exporter of oil in the world and is a major player in global politics and economics. It is indeed amazing the drastic change that came upon this country simply through the discovery of oil.

Oil is a highly sought after commodity on earth. And anywhere oil is discovered, a sudden economic boom often follows. Likewise spiritually, the discovery of the oil of the spirit or the anointing ushers a sudden positive change of story into a man’s life. The anointing is a rare commodity on earth. But for anyone who pays the required price to carry it, a tremendous change comes upon their lives. Power, Peace, progress, prosperity, protection becomes their portion. Where once things were stagnant great progress comes into their lives. The anointing can never leave you the same way it met you. when the anointing came upon the apostles in acts chapter 2, their lives were revolutionized  forever. The anointing is the power of the Holy Spirit. And there is no substitute for power. As believers power is our hallmark, it is what distinguishes us from the world around us. The kingdom of God is not in words but in power. We must therefore pay whatever price it takes to ensure oil rests upon our heads.

Ecclesiastes 9:8 says “Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head.’

Anyone who must carry oil must be willing to dig deeper in The Word, in prayer and fasting. The oil of The Spirit is not found on the surface, it is in the deep. It is reserved for those who are willing to go the extra mile with God. When oil companies dig for oil they go thousands of feet below the surface. Likewise we must be willing to dig deep. But when we find it there shall be a reward and our expectations shall not be cut short. The truth is either you are going to be anointed or you will be frustrated. The oil is what keeps evil forces away from your habitation, but if you lack oil then you will be accessible to the forces of wickedness. Therefore determine today, that enough is enough. Concerning your case, power must change hands. Decide to go the extra mile and pay the required cost to carry the oil of The Spirit. It takes unction to function. The anointing announces you. And once the oil of The Spirit comes upon your life, you become a wonder to your world.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to pay the required price to carry the oil of Your Spirit upon my life. Truly by Your Anointing every yoke in my life shall be broken. Thank You Lord, for giving me a positive change of story in Jesus Name 

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Everything that ultimately  has a glorious ending usually has a humble beginning. – WORDBITE 222.

Zechariah 9:11 says  ‘As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.’

DAILY READING   Luke 11:1-28; Genesis 19; Psalm 12

On August 5th 2010, an unprecedented disaster occurred in Chile. 33 miners were trapped  2,300 feet underground in a mine in Chile’s Atacama Desert. These miners were working deep inside a mountain, excavating for copper, gold and other minerals, when they started feeling vibrations. Suddenly, there was a massive explosion and the passageways of the mine filled up with dust. When the dust settled, the men discovered the source of the explosion:  A single huge block of stone, as tall as a forty-five-story building, had broken off from the rest of the mountain and fallen. This caused a chain reaction that led to the mountain above collapsing and blocking every exit out of the mine.

After assessing the damage, the miners found they were totally trapped with no way of escape. It was then they realized that only God could save them. One of the miners, Jose Henriquez, was a strong believer, who has been a Christian for over 30 years. He rallied the other miners and they began to pray to God. For two weeks, emergency officials were unable to know the fate of these miners, if they were dead or alive. Miraculously these men survived for the first few weeks, on small amounts of tuna and mackerel that were in their shelter, along with water.

Seventeen days after, engineers lowered a probe into the mine. When they brought up the probe again they were delighted to find a note tied to it, written in red ink by the miners saying, “We are fine in the shelter, the 33 of us.”

The families of these miners were especially overjoyed to know they were alive. Eventually the authorities found a way to send food and water down to them. For 69 days, the best engineers around the world battled to find a way to free these miners. The accident received worldwide notice, as over 1 billion people  around the world watched what looked like an impossible rescue operation unfold on live TV.  And for those 69 days these miners started a practice of holding a prayer service every day at noon and 6 p.m. For them prayer became important and they  felt God’s presence with them.They remained confident that God would save them.  And He did! Engineers finally found a way to drill a hole through the mountain. A capsule was then lowered through this hole to bring up these men. When the time came for their rescue, the men came together and prayed, thanking God for saving their lives. And they greatly rejoiced and praised God together when all 33 of them finally made their way above ground again, all safe and sound.

Zechariah 9:11 says  ‘As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.’

Indeed there is no pit so deep that God cannot bring us up from. Jesus has paid the ultimate price for our freedom. When Jesus died on Calvary He descended into the dungeon of death so that we can be set free. According to Mathew 27 after His death, the earth quaked, the rocks rent, the graves were opened, and the saints who had been buried came out of the graves! Indeed it is God’s will for us to come out of every grave, pit, captivity or imprisonment.  So whatever pit may be holding you today, whether the pit of financial debts, poverty, sickness or disease etc, whatever it is, today deliverance has come. Through the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross, prisoners were delivered out of the pit of hell. And as a child of God, by the same shed blood of Christ, you are set free from captivity. Salvation is, being rescued from the pit! Which means you are no longer to be pitied! People only pity men in a pit.

Jesus has declared, ‘All power in heaven and in earth is given unto me.” No one can challenge His orders. No devil can stop you once you’re set free. Because whosoever the son of God has set free is free indeed. It is therefore time for you to rebel against every captivity. Enough is enough. What you do not want, you do not watch. You cannot be held in any habit you don’t want.  You cannot be slave to the sin you hate. Whatever has been trying to hold you down, must let you go. Today you have been set free in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for the power that is in the blood of Jesus.  By Your grace, I am rescued from every pit and captivity. Truly, by the blood of Jesus , my deliverance and victory is established forever 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.

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.    

•  DAILY READING –  Luke 10:21-42; Genesis 18; Psalm 11

Lecrae Devaughn Moore, popularly known  by his first name, Lecrae, is an American Gospel artist, songwriter, record producer, and actor.  He is well known around the world, especially for his music.  Though today Lecrae is a successful Grammy award winning Gospel artiste, his success story may not have happened, if not for what one police officer did years ago.

One night as a teenager, Lecrae was arrested by the police for trespassing and possession of drugs. As he sat handcuffed at the back of the police car, he knew he was in trouble and would go to jail. He waited as the police officers searched his car for more incriminating evidence. Eventually one of the police officers came back holding in his hands, not more drugs or gun; but a Bible. Lecrae recognized it as the Bible he normally kept in his car as a good luck charm. The Police officer looked at him and then said ‘Son, you’ve got a Bible in your car. Do you know what that Bible is about?’

Lecrae said he didn’t, but would like to know. The officer then said ‘Today, I’m going to let you go, ‘cause I want you to get into that Bible and I want you to start living it.’  He then removed the handcuffs and set Lecrae free. Sharing his story recently on CBN news, Lecrae, said what that police officer did became a turning point in his life. Prior to then he had grown up on the streets as a child of hip hop, his life was wrapped up in gangs, drugs and promiscuity. But from that day, his life changed. He decided to know more about the God of the Bible. He joined some friends at a Christian conference, where he heard what Jesus did for him on the cross. And there, weeping, he repented and gave his life to Christ. Today, through his music his intention is to reach many young souls headed the wrong way and give them direction, just as that police officer did for him years ago.

Truly, there is no destiny so battered that God cannot redeem. God is in the business of second chances. Lecrae started out on the wrong track, he could have lived and died as an unknown criminal, but God’s grace intervened. Through that police officer,  God gave him a chance to change his story.

In the bible we also find the story of Jacob, who started off on the wrong lane, as a supplanter, with a bad reputation. But when he encountered God, he received  a change of name and a change of story. The same Jacob is transformed to become a patriarch and monumental figure in the bible.

It doesn’t matter what has happened to you in the past or the negative experiences you may have had.  What matters is what God says about you. God alone has the final say over your destiny. By  His grace you can always experience a supernatural  change of story. You can recover from poverty, disease, disfavor etc. you can recover from a life of mediocrity and low impact, and move forward. You can recover from broken relationships and hurts and have a fresh beginning. No matter how long that negative  situation may have lingered, you can always make a U-turn and locate yourself in the glorious destiny God has preordained for you.

You can’t undo the past, but you can change the present and the future with the Lord’s help.. Jeremiah 29:11 says God wants to give you “a future and a hope”. So allow God to heal you of the past and transform your life into something beautiful. He did it for Jacob, He did for Lecrae, He can also do it for you.

And this should be an encouragement to parents over the destiny of their children. No matter how unpromising your child may seem now, know that God is able to do a work of grace in that young life. Don’t ever give up in your prayers. Surely, God will give you an amazing testimony.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the hope and glorious future You have ordained for me. Please enable me to meditate constantly on your Word so that my heart can be filled with the faith I need for a supernatural change of story in Jesus Name.

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God knows how to work everything together in your life for your own good

 WORDBITE 222.