HORM Devotional

Exodus 23:20

‘Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.’

DAILY READING – – Luke 5:27-39; Genesis 1:1-2:25; Psalm 1

In the 1940’s, in the isolated jungle villages of Peru, lived a warrior chief, named Tariri. He was the most feared headhunter in Peru, famous for taking the heads of his enemies and shrinking them. Chief Tariri learned from his forefathers to kill, plunder and murder in the remote areas of the Amazon river basin. He was filled with hatred for neighboring tribes and white foreigners.

In 1946 Wycliffe Bible Translators developed a central jungle base in Peru and began to establish their workers in many of the tribes. Two of their translators, Lorrie Anderson and Doris Cox, were sent to live in the territory ruled by Chief Tariri. As they embarked on their journey, little did the young women know of the brutal savagery that reigned in Tariri’s jungle kingdom, however they trusted in the guidance of The Spirit of God to lead them aright.

The two young women were transported to the shapra territory in a little float plane. And when they arrived, though Chief Tariri was puzzled by their visit, and ignorant of their message, nonetheless, he gave them permission to live among his people. And miraculously, instead of the feared chief harming these young women, he took them as sisters and protected them.

The reason for the chief’s action was that when the young girls first came in contact with him, they had called him ‘brother’ in the little native tongue they knew. Chief Tariri who would later convert to Christianity said to the Wycliffe directors. , “Had you sent two men, we would have killed them. Had you sent a man and wife, we would have killed the man and kept the woman for a wife. You sent two young women, calling me ‘brother.’ I had to protect them.”

Somehow by divine guidance, these young women spoke the very words that could melt the heart of a savage chief.  They could have called him any number of names such as ‘great warrior’, ‘your highness’ etc. But The Holy Spirit put in their mouth the very right words.

God’s leading always guarantees divine protection. He gives angels charge over us as we walk in His ways.

In Exodus 23:20 God says ‘Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.’

God has a prepared place for us, but it will take the guidance of The Spirit to access it. When we locate His plan for our lives and are following it, God stands strong and faithful, to accomplish it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says ‘Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it’.

God is behind the execution of every divine plan. When God leads, our enemies are silenced and we become unstoppable. Indeed  no force in hell can stop a man who has discovered the plan of God for his life and is pursuing it.

When we allow God to lead, our progress is guaranteed. Indeed we cannot be guided and become grounded. Therefore enough of going your own way and doing your own thing. If you leave your life to chance, you don’t have a chance. Life has no return match, this is why we must secure our lives in God’s will. When we tune our lives to the correct spiritual frequency, we will always hear from Heaven. And when we follow God’s will our path will only keep shinning brighter and brighter.

PRAYER; Father, please help me to always seek the guidance of Your Spirit in all my endeavors. Please guide me through every decision and lead me on the right paths. By Your grace I will never miss Your perfect will and plans for my life 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

Leviticus 6:13

“Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.’

DAILY READING – – Luke 5:1-26; Ezekiel 48; Isaiah 66

Medically, a healthy, safe body temperature has a very narrow window – between 37°C and 37.8°C.  If your body temperature goes lower by just 3 degrees, to 35°C, you might experience hypothermia, which can cause cardiac arrest, stroke, or even death. The body must therefore maintain a safe temperature so as to remain healthy.

In the same way you cannot afford to allow Your spiritual temperature to grow cold. If you lose your fire, spiritual coldness will set in and you find yourself losing interest in the things of God. And it is only a matter of time before sin and iniquity takes over.

Mathew 24:12 says ‘And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.’

Truly in the world today iniquity is abounding. Spiritually, the world is in a cold climate. Evil and perversion such as; same sex marriage, bestiality, homosexuality etc, are fast becoming the norm in many nations.. And for anyone to survive this spreading spiritual coldness, fire is a necessity. To be spiritually cold or lukewarm in this end-time is indeed dangerous.

In Revelations 3:15-16 Jesus says ‘So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.’

Indeed we must  keep our fire burning.  God’s will is for us to always be blazing hot in the spirit. Psalm 104:4 says ‘He makes his messengers winds, and his ministers a flaming fire’. We are destined to be the light of the world, a city set on an hill that cannot be hid. This is God’s agenda for the end-time church. And one of the ways to keep our fire burning is through in-depth study of God’s Word and a strong prayer life.

The truth is that though some people go to church, they no longer feel any zeal in their relationship with God.  If perhaps, you sense you are losing your fire, you need to get to the alter of prayer, there is always fire on the alter. According to Leviticus 6:13 – “Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.”

The Holy Spirit is referred to in Isaiah 4, “as a spirit of burning’. And when His fire begins to burn in you, it guarantees you audacity and authority. You will operate with boldness and dominate your environment by God’s Power. Indeed when you constantly carry the fire of The Spirit , you will be too hot for any devil to handle.

PRAYER; Father, please destroy every spiritual coldness in me and set me on fire by Your Spirit. Empower me to be an agent of change in my generation. Let Your light so shine through me that men will be drawn into Your kingdom in Jesus Name.

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The study of The Word will keep  shame and disgrace far from you. – WORDBITE 222.

Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ purge your conscience from dead works?”

 DAILY READING   Luke 4:31-44; Ezekiel 46-47; Isaiah 65

Blood is life for every human being. The heart pumps it around to all parts of the body through the arteries and capillaries. As blood moves throughout the body, it carries oxygen and nutrients to all the places they’re needed.

Remarkably, blood not only supplies nutrients to our cells, it also cleanses our bodies by removing wastes and toxins. If the blood does not remove impurities and toxins from the cells in the body, they would gradually contaminate and poison the whole body. And this could lead to death. But more than removing pollutants from the body and purifying its organs, the blood also produces antibodies that destroys germs that cause sickness and diseases.

Human blood is indeed remarkable. But much more remarkable and powerful is the blood of Jesus. His blood keeps us alive spiritually, by cleansing us of the sin that brings death and destruction.

1 John 1:7 says “the blood of Jesus God’s Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Sin stains and taints and makes men feel unclean, unworthy, and out of place in God’s presence. We have all had in the past, the experience of an unclean conscience where we felt rotten about ourselves and so unworthy of God. But thank God for the blood of Jesus that has the power to clean us and give us a clear conscience.

Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ purge your conscience from dead works?”

His blood does not just remove  spiritual impurity, but also gives us the power to break the yoke of sin. This means we do not have to be held bondage or shackled by sin anymore. Through the blood we can escape every trap and temptation of the enemy and live a life that glorifies God. The blood also has the power to destroy the yoke of sickness. Just as antibodies in the human blood fight germs, we release the blood of Jesus to destroy the spiritual root of every infirmity or sickness. By the blood, every satanic agenda against our lives and destiny is rendered useless.

The blood also delivers from destruction. When Rahab put out the red cloth in her window, it was a sign of the blood, and  it preserved her family from destruction. By that scarlet chord, she drew a line of blood that spoke from earth to Heaven, before God on her behalf. Likewise today, we invoke the blood of Jesus to speak on our behalf.  Today the Blood of Jesus will speak for you against the voices of disasters and violence. The blood will give you the power to overcome every force of the enemy.  Truly by the blood you  are more than a conqueror in every conflict of life.

PRAYER: Father I thank You for the power that is available to me through the blood of Jesus. By Your grace  I know I have overcome every plot of the wicked. Truly I am more than a conqueror in every battle of 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. Wordbite 222

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 Job 32:8 ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’

DAILY READING   – Luke 4:1-30; Ezekiel 44-45; Isaiah 64

In 1987 , at John Hopkins hospital Baltimore, a team of physicians and nurses rehearsed for months to perform just one surgery. It was the groundbreaking operation to separate infant Siamese twins joined at the head. Such a surgery had never been done successfully before. And the doctors had tasked their brains and stretched their medical knowledge to the limit looking for a solution to the medical puzzle.

On the day of this surgery, leading the team of doctors was a young pediatric neurosurgeon named Ben Solomon Carson. Being a Christian he had prayed and sought God’s wisdom on this matter. Finally came the moment to put a knife to the large vein connecting the Siamese twins, to separate them. This was the most dangerous part in the entire operation. It was a make or break moment. If things went badly it would be terrible for the young doctor’s career. But if it was a success, it would boost his reputation. As a sign of deference and respect Dr. Carson, offered the knife to his boss, Dr. Donlin Long, head of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. But Dr. Long refused and asked young Ben Carson to go ahead and make the cut. Applying a method he had received earlier by inspiration of The Holy Spirit, Dr. Carson took the knife and cut the vein. The Siamese twins were separated without either of them dying. The surgery was a success. This became a groundbreaking moment in medical history. And suddenly the then-35-year-old Ben Carson was launched into  stardom. He has achieved what no other doctor had ever achieved. The young doctor who had grown up in a ghetto, raised by a poor single mother, stepped into a global spotlight that has never dimmed..

Job 32:8 says, ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’

The inspiration of the Almighty will always elevate a man above his peers. Divine wisdom has the capacity to make men stars on the earth. No one gets far with common sense. Many of the Biblical heroes were elevated by divine wisdom.  In the story of  Daniel we see a slave boy who become a ruler in Babylon; Joseph, a prisoner who became a prime minister, David a shepherd boy who became king and Esther a slave girl who became queen.  Indeed it is the wisdom of God that makes stars of men. Divine wisdom, which is from above, will always prove superior to all other kinds of wisdom.

Many times the solutions we need to a problem may not be as complicated as we may think. All we need is to access the wisdom of God on that issue and a solution will be found. And to flow in divine wisdom we must be connected to God’s words. God’s Word is the conveyor of the wisdom of God; it is God’s wisdom bank. In Isaiah chapter 55, God lets us know that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. And it is through the study of the Word that our eyes are opened to see God’s way of thinking and acting. And as we begin to think and act as God, then we truly become a wonder to our world.

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to commit to the constant study of Your Word, so that I can connect to Your divine wisdom, which will elevate me above my peers in Jesus Name.    

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

Exodus 14:14

‘The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

 DAILY READING   Luke 3:21-38; Ezekiel 42-43; Isaiah 63

HMHS Britannic was sister ship to the famous Titanic, which sank in 1912.  After the Titanic sank, the owners of the company that built it, the White Star Line, decided to build a more magnificent ship.  The Britannic, which was launched two years after the Titanic’s tragic end, underwent several design changes, to give her the best chance of survival and to avoid another disaster. One of the biggest changes, was making provisions for more number of lifeboats, that would allow more people to escape from any potential disaster. The Britannic was launched just before the start of World War One.  Though the ship was built for commercial purposes, the increasing demand of the war made the Britannic to be fitted out as a hospital ship, painted white with a red cross on each side. Ferrying the sick and wounded from the Middle East to the UK, the ship was generally given safe passage because of being clearly marked as a hospital ship. However on the morning of 21 November 1916, on her way from Naples and on only her sixth voyage, she was shaken by an explosion caused by an underwater mine. The ship was ruptured by the mine explosion and filled with water. She sank 55 minutes later, killing 30 people fortunately 1,065 people survived, rescued from the water and lifeboats. While the ship had been designed to avoid the Titanic’s fate, yet 10 minutes after the explosion, it was in the same condition, even sinking at a faster  rate than the Titanic. The Britannic was so designed that the exterior conditions of the sea couldn’t  sink her, but when she was ruptured by the explosion and sea water gained access into her, she sank within 55 minutes.

It has been said an entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can’t put you down unless you allow it to get inside you.

Proverbs 4: 23 says ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.’

We must keep our heart diligently, because like a ship at sea, oftentimes it is what gains access to a man’s heart that brings him down. No matter what is going on externally we must ensure our heart remains strong in  God. As long as your faith does not fail, you cannot fail. You can’t stop the storms from coming, but you can stop the storm from getting into you. In Mathew 14, though the storm raged around Peter, as long as he kept his focus on the master and his faith was strong, he could walk on water. It was only when he allowed fear to access his heart that he began to sink.

Faith failure is like heart failure. As long as your faith does not fail you, you can never sink in life. When your heart is full of The Word and faith, you can come out of any pit. You can ascend to any height. It is only a matter of time. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused and spent time in prison. On the outside, there was a lot of turmoil. But Joseph didn’t let what was happening on the outside get inside him. He remained joyful, he operated out of a place of peace, of faith, of hope. And God turned things around for him.

Saul chased David for many months in the wilderness to kill him.  But David did not lose his focus on God. At one point he even had an opportunity to kill Saul while he was sleeping in a cave, but rather David decided to let God fight his battle. Despite all the outward turmoil, he refused to become vengeful or vindictive. His heart remained strong and confident in God. He wasn’t allowing the storm outside to get into him and make him bitter. And in the end, God not only took care of his enemies, but God promoted him and took him to the throne.

No matter what comes our way, it shouldn’t move us. Rather we must stay in peace, and keep our joy, knowing that God is able to fight for us. Whatever may be coming against  you today in your health, your career, your finances or  relationships; like Paul in Acts 20:24, declare in faith ‘none of these things move me’. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your heart strong in God’s Word. Remain in faith. Let God be your vindicator. And as Exodus 14:14 says ‘The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

PRAYER: Father please help me to always keep my heart filled with Your Word, so that I can remain strong in  faith. I thank You that no matter what comes my way, through faith in You,  I am an overcomer in every situation in Jesus Name.

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

Mathew 10: 9-10

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for workman is worthy of his meat

•   –DAILY READING •     Luke 3:1-20; Ezekiel 40-41; Isaiah 62

William Wilberforce was an English politician known as a leader of the movement that helped to abolish slave trade in the British empire in the 18th century. Though he was born into a wealthy family, he lacked peace and fulfillment until he encountered Christ. Prior to this encounter, he was part of fashionable society, attending the theatre and races, entertaining, socializing. After leaving university he was elected to the House of Commons, where he was not active, rather spent most of his time at the three most important gentlemen’s clubs in London. At the time he was a heavy gambler, he dressed in the colourful finery of the day and adorned many salon with his amiable manner. However in 1784, he encountered Christ and  became converted. After his conversion, Wilberforce renounced all “things of the flesh”. He resigned from all his gentlemen clubs, he gave up his racehorse, gambling and “exchanged his socializing and entertaining for one of reflection and re-evaluation”. Some of his friends thought his new found belief was madness. However, as a result of this conversion, Wilberforce became active in campaigning for social reform. He and his evangelical friends were nicknamed “the Saints” by upper class circles of the house of common, but he won widespread respect. He championed many causes but it was the fight against the Slave Trade and slavery and its eventual abolition that he is known mostly for.

Wilberforce was born into a wealthy home and was rich, but the money did not make him happy. Fulfillment was missing. It was only when he located his calling that he found value. Today, the concern about what to eat, drink and wear, has derailed many people from God’s call. The care of this life has diverted their attention from the divine purpose for their lives.  We have to come to the place where we fully realize that our lives can only have meaning and value when we are following God’s call. We must value our calling more than the pursuit of worldly things.  God will judge us according to how well we followed His will for our lives. Your calling is what will matter in the end. You can make all the money in the world  and still be unhappy, unfulfilled. What is more important is ensuring we are following God’s preordained plan for us. Once we are following the will of God we will be fulfilled whether we have or not have. Joy will fill our lives.

In Mathew 10, Jesus said  ‘Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for workman is worthy of his meat.’ ”

Jesus told His disciples to take no purse for your journey, because the provision will come as you pursue the vision. Step out in faith believing God. You don’t have to have enough money before you strike out in doing what God has called you to do. . Faithful is He that called you who also will do it. What God has ordered He is able to pay for.  Psalm 78:18 records that the Israelites questioned if God could furnish a table in the wilderness.  God proved He could by causing quails to fall around their camp all night long. However their doubt of His ability to provide also brought wrath upon them.

As we pursue God’s call, we have to trust that God will take care of us. Following God’s plan for our lives is what will bring provision, joy, peace and fulfillment.  When we follow God’s plan for our lives, and sincerely seek God’s kingdom first, then every other thing shall indeed be added unto us.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for Your continual divine provision in my life. Surely as I seek first Your kingdom, every other thing shall be added unto me in Jesus Name

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It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – – WORDBITE 222.

1 Corinthians 15:10   “I am what I am by the grace of God”.

DAILY READING  Luke 2:21-52; Ezekiel 38-39; Isaiah 61

Several movies have been made about the grim fate of the famous ship, the Titanic. The movie , titled ‘Titanic’, directed by James Cameron, scooped 11 Academy Awards in 1998 and is still the highest-grossing movie of all time.

However  despite the glamour attached to it, the true story of the Titanic is a reflection of the consequence of pride. In 1912, the Titanic was the largest and most luxurious ship afloat. No expense had been spared in her construction. She boasted opulent state rooms, luxurious dining rooms, sumptuous smoking rooms with ornate ceilings and magnificent candelabra, and an elegant grand staircase. She had elevators, libraries, a swimming pool, a Turkish bath, a gymnasium, a squash court, even an eight-piece orchestra—everything to satiate the desires of 325 first-class passengers as well as all the rest. She was at the leading edge of technology, inspiring awe and wonder in those who saw her. And most amazing of all, her builders assured, she was absolutely unsinkable. Before its maiden voyage, the captain was quoted to have boasted ‘even God cannot sink this ship’. But he was wrong. On its maiden trip shortly before midnight on April 14, the ship collided with an iceberg, and at 2:20 am, on April 15, against all expectations the ship sank, killing about 1500 passengers.

Psalm 127 says, ‘except the Lord watches over the city the watchmen watcheth but in vain.’

It is only the fool who says in His heart there is no God. We must understand that our breakthrough does not lie in our strength, hard work, or mental smartness, our breakthrough lies in the grace of God, because it is His grace that makes the difference in any life. Pride is an anti-grace virus that cripples and strangulates grace upon a man’s life. It is a silent destroyer of grace. James 4:6 says: ‘God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble’.

Grace is our guaranteed flight into greatness, but only the meek can get on board. We must therefore learn to be humble and continually acknowledge the hand of God in our affairs. We must always proclaim Him the doer of every good thing in our lives. It is only because of The Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. It is only by His grace we exist. When Nebuchadnezzar woke up one morning and declared that his hand has built his great kingdom, God sent him into the school of animals to learn humility. And after seven years, Nebuchadnezzar recovered and declared that there is indeed God.

It is dangerous for anyone to think God can be ignored in the success equation, because just like the Titanic with all the right technology, one could still ‘sink’ unexpectedly. Success is not only just about making all the right moves, it is about God backing you up.

In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul said “I am what I am by the grace of God”.

We are in the days of greatness. Therefore it is important for us to jealously guard the grace upon our lives. When the happenings around you is bigger than you, then grace is at work. When things occur around you that is unexplainable, then grace has taken over. When no one can describe your life’s turnaround, then grace has made it your turn.  Indeed for every progress we see in our lives all the glory must go to God because without Him we can do nothing.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to always acknowledge Your hand upon my life, enable me to become totally dependent on Your  help in Jesus name.

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The study of The Word will keep  shame and disgrace far from you. Wordbite 222

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’

DAILY READING     Luke 2:1-20; Ezekiel 37; Isaiah 60

Serving God does not mean that you will never have challenges. You may fear The Lord, be serving Him, and still sometimes find yourself in a difficult situation. Daniel found himself in this kind of situation, when thrown into the Lion’s den. But then did his trial change his confession? No! He still believed God, still trusted God through the trial. And God saw him through and gave him victory in the end.

Mr and Mrs Rudolph were Christians who believed in God, but one day they received a verdict from the doctor that was heartbreaking. A bout of pneumonia and scarlet fever had just paralyzed the left leg of their four years old daughter, Wilma. This led the doctors to declare that Wilma would never walk again. But despite the devastating news, Wilma’s parents encouraged her to believe God, rather than the doctors and never to give up hope. Taking her parents’ counsel, Wilma believed God would heal her. Her parents were very poor and couldn’t afford a therapist, so her mother got her brothers and sisters to massage her legs 4 times every day. When she was nine years, Wilma took away her braces and took a step that the doctors said she could never take. Amazingly, Wilma with faith in God, persistence and an indomitable spirit, finally began to walk.   And by the time she was 13 years old, she began to enter races in her school. At first she would always come last. People out of pity begged her to stop. But she refused .And then finally one day she was able to win a race. And from then on, she won every race that she ran. God gave her a natural ability she couldn’t explain. By the time she got to university, she was running so well she was enlisted to join the U.S Olympic team. And when she got to the 1960 Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph became a sensation. She won the 100- and 200-meter races and anchored the U.S. team to victory in the 4 x 100-meter relay, breaking records along the way. She won 3 gold medals and became the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics. But most importantly she ran so fast that she was labeled “the fastest woman in the world”. What an incredible testimony for someone the doctors had said would never be able to walk.

Indeed it is not over until God says so. No matter your situation don’t conclude yet because God is not yet through with you. What may seem impossible to men is totally possible with God.  This is why we keep thanking Him in every situation.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’

In every situation we keep praising God, because praise precedes the victory. We should  get to the point that no matter what comes our way, it doesn’t move us, because we know that our God is able. Apostle Paul faced all kinds of difficulties, but he said in Acts 20:24 ” But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, ‘

Indeed God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you can ever ask or think. The truth is that whatever may seem crippled in your life right now can still get up and run. Whatever they said can never be done can still be done in your life, with God all things are possible.  Don’t look at the negative things around you. Look unto Jesus. He is able. If He can make a girl whom doctors said will never walk become the fastest runner in her time, then He can do even more for you.

Never forget that they that put their trust in The Lord shall never be ashamed. It doesn’t matter what it may look like now, God will surely see you through. He will make a way for you. He will turn around that situation for you. What men meant for evil God will turn it for your good, where you were meant to stumble, God will cause you to soar. He will lift you up, He will turn your mourning into dancing. He will put off your sackcloth and gird you with gladness. He will turn your test into your testimony.

  PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to always know that with you nothing is impossible. Help me never to limit You. in my thinking.  Grant me the faith to believe for the impossible in my life, because indeed you can do all things for me in Jesus Name.

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When God is on your side anything is possible. WORDBITE  201

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

Isaiah 48:13

Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together

DAILY READING –   Luke 1:57-80; Ezekiel 35-36; Isaiah 59

Scientists have often struggled with certain statements from the Bible. And one statement in particular they struggled with for many centuries, was the verse in Mathew 2:9  that says a star stopped over Bethlehem. They found  this hard to believe because from their studies, they know that stars don’t stop over cities. However  recently, a man named Frederick Larson, made outstanding discoveries that proved this Bible statement to be true. Using simulations with modern computer software, he was able to go back in time and recreate what the sky must have looked like at the time of the birth of Jesus. This can be possible because movement of planetary bodies are very precise and can be calculated. Using this system he made the amazing discovery that indeed the brightest star ever known to man, the star of Bethlehem, did appear at the period of Jesus’ birth. And not only that, this star indeed did stop over  the city of Bethlehem. His findings are captured in his documentary titled ‘star of Bethlehem’.This discovery which has astounded scientists, is yet another undeniable proof of the truth of God’s Word.

Indeed The word of God is eternally true. His Word controls creation. In Isaiah 48:13 God says ‘Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together’

God upholds everything by the Word of His power. There is perfect order in the universe because of the infallibility of The Word of God. It is because of this perfect order in the arrangement of the universe that astronauts are able to travel into outer space. They are able to calculate beforehand the movement of the planetary bodies, to avoid collisions on their voyage.

Psalm 147:4 says that God counts the stars and knows them all by name.

If God knows the stars by name, He certainly knows each one of His children by name. And if The Word of God has not failed in the order of the universe, how can it then fail in the matters that concern us. This indicates that when we submit to God’s Word, our lives, will also move in perfect order and precision. This is why when we are in the will of God we do not need to bother because our life is following a divinely orchestrated course.. Things do not just happen, there is a pattern that is gradually unfolding. There is a script being followed.

Angel Gabriel rebuked Zechariah for not believing The Word of God which ‘shall be accomplished in its season’. So The Word has a season, an appointed time for its fulfillment.

This is why Habakkuk 2:3 says, ‘Though it tarry wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry..’

Therefore the greatest service we can do ourselves is to ensure we follow God’s will, so as not to miss our own season for the fulfillment of His Word in our lives. There is an order being followed. There is a season to every of God’s promise. Just as the universe moves in order and precision, when we align with God’s will, at the pointed time and season what is due us will manifest.  No force can stop God’s purpose in our lives, when the appointed time for it comes. We therefore enter into our rest, having ceased from our own works, No matter the storm, we hold our peace, knowing everything is working together for our good.  Through study of God’s Word and prayer, we listen to the voice of The Spirit as He leads us along God’s preordained path for us. And as we obey His leading, our lives will move in alignment to God’s will, just as the planets move with precision in their own orbit.

PRAYER: Lord, please  grant me the grace to constantly study Your Word and follow the leading of The Spirit, so that my life can be ordered to manifest Your purpose  for me in each season 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.

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 1:26-56; Ezekiel 34; Isaiah 58 

Several News media recently featured the story of Richard Phillips, who is America’s longest serving exoneree in history. He spent 45 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Phillips was a 27 years old auto worker in Detroit, when a man was dragged from his car and shot to death in June 1971. The victim’s brother-in-law and another man testified to the police that Phillip was an accomplice in the murder. Based on this, the police arrested Phillips and in October 1972, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. And for the next 45 years, Phillips’ contention that he was innocent fell on deaf ears. However a break came in the case when in 2010, the man who had initially implicated him, confessed to the police that he had lied about Phillips. He told a parole board that he was the one that had committed the murder and that Phillips had nothing to do with it. The legal system, embarrassed by the fact that they wrongly jailed a man for so long, decided to keep quiet, and not let Phillips know about this exculpatory evidence.  However four years later, in 2014, an organization that investigates prisoner claims of innocence, got hold of the information and began working to set Phillips free.  Through their efforts, Phillips was granted a new trial. And in this trial, the judge overturned his murder conviction and declared him innocent. And after 45 years, in December 2017, Phillips finally walked out free from prison. He went in as a young man of 27 years, but came out as an old man of 72 years. A wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act which grants $50,000 for every year that a person has been wrongfully imprisoned,  makes Phillips eligible to receive up to $2,250,000. But still that doesn’t exactly make up for 45 years of his life nor for the pain of not seeing his wife or children who were ages 4 and 2, when he was convicted 45 years ago.

Indeed the truth sets free. For 45 years this man was kept in bondage because the truth was hidden. But once the truth became known his freedom was immediately secured. Humanity was kept in bondage until one day, 2000 years ago, God sent the truth to invade the earth and set captives free. He came and shed His blood and on the cross declared ‘it is finished’. And by that declaration every captivity and bondage came to an end.

Indeed there is total freedom through the blood of Jesus. The price has been paid and you are free to walk out on the devil. Israel was in captivity in Egypt for 430 years, but when the mystery of the blood came, they walked out on Pharoah.

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’.

Truly the blood makes us overcomers and conquerors. Therefore refuse every negative report arrayed against you today. Refuse every bondage of sickness, poverty, lack of progress etc. Any thing trying to hold you captive is illegal. And you must rebel against it.  Life is essentially a warfare. It is therefore  time to engage the weapon of the blood to secure your freedom from every captivity and oppression. The price has been paid and affliction cannot arise a second time. Do not keep quiet, do not keep watching negative situations. Rise up against them and proclaim victory by the blood of Jesus. Redemption has re-positioned you for eternal victory over every curse of life. Jesus Himself became a curse for us that the blessings of Abraham might come upon us. Therefore what afflicts others cannot afflict you. Every siege against your life is over today. Truly by the blood you have been set free.  And whosoever the son of God has set free, is free indeed!

PRAYER: Lord, Today I invoke the speaking of the blood of Jesus against everything fighting my destiny. Indeed by the mystery of the blood I have overcome in every battle of 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.