HORM Devotional

Isaiah 43:18-19

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert’  
• DAILY READING -Revelation 4; Nehemiah 5:1-7:4; Psalm 99

As the year progresses and we run after different goals, it can sometimes have the feeling of being in a football game. The first half of the year can be likened to the first half of the game. And as tomorrow marks the beginning of the sixth month, it can be likened to coming to the last leg of the first half of the game. 
Perhaps, for you, the beginning of the year may have come with some challenges. But really, it doesn’t matter how you may have begun the year, what matters now is what happens hereafter.  
On 3 August 1996, Nigeria made history as the first African nation to become Olympic football champions at the Atlanta Games. In the course of this competition, one of the most dramatic matches Nigeria had was its match with Brazil. At beginning of the match, the Nigerian team started poorly, but by the end of it, they had made football history. 
Indeed it was a match which hardly anyone expected Nigeria to win. They were playing the star-studded Brazilian team, which had won the World Cup only two years earlier. The Brazilian team, were the overwhelming favourites, expected to clinch the Olympic gold. 
In the game’s first half, Brazil scored immediately in the very first minutes. By the end of the first half, Nigeria was down by 3-1, and it seemed there was no way they could equalize,  talk-less of win the match. However with 12 minutes left to go, when it seemed all hope was lost, something truly amazing happened. In succession Nigeria scored two goals to equalize. Then in the extra time given, Nigeria amazed the world by winning the game. 
Consequently, Nigeria went on to win its other matches, and finally clinched the Olympic gold medal, thereby making history as the first African team to do so.
Indeed it is never over until God says so. 
As we prepare to enter the sixth month of the year today, it is a chance for a new beginning. Whatever the past months may have looked like, you are about to enter into a new season of amazing victories. 
In Isaiah 43:18-19  God says  “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert’  
God has seasons for each of us to have new beginnings. We all need new beginnings! And every month starts over again as new beginnings. And in this season, we need to forget what is behind and keep pressing forward to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
In Exodus chapter 12, the establishment of the Passover marked a new beginning for the Israelites.
Exodus 12:2 says ”This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.’
The Passover was marked by the blood of the lamb upon their doorposts, which prevented the angel of death from having access. And today by the mark of the blood of the lamb we are passing over into a new season of unending victories. Whatsoever has been resisting your eagle’s flight so far will be destroyed by the blood of Jesus. Every Egyptian you saw in the past months, none shall cross over with you into this new season. Indeed you shall be experiencing the kinds of testimonies that you have not seen since the year began. God will raise help for you from strange quarters and give you amazing victories in Jesus Name. 
Like every day, each season comes with its own challenges, but God has given us the weapons to deal with these challenges. And one of the vital weapons of our warfare is praise. As we continually bless God all through this month, He shall take over all our battles. We shall be going from victory to victory and from glory to glory. 
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to praise you all through the remaining part of the year . Let nothing ever stop the continual flow of Your praise from my mouth. And as I praise You, I know unending victories shall be my  testimony all through this year in Jesus Name. .  
QUOTE 
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222. 
 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]

Psalms 34:10  ‘The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing’.

DAILY READING – Revelation 3; Nehemiah 4; Psalm 98

In 1973, a 19 years old polytechnic student, was asked by his uncle who was an Area Education Officer, to take up a vacation job as a relief teacher. The assignment would be for 70 days. Soon the young student travelled to Dumagi Village in Shonga LGA of Kwara State to begin his teaching assignment. A vibrant Christian, he was shocked, when he arrived at the village to find that there was no single church in the area. He immediately set about the task of evangelizing the people in the village. Then within only 40 days of his arrival, he invested all the money he had towards erecting a church building on a parcel of land procured from the Village Head.  At the end of his 70 days service, on his last Sunday in the village, a farewell ceremony was organized by the church members. One of the elders presented him with a parting gift of a bush lamp and said “Silver and gold we have not; but we give you this lamp. Let this light you brought to our village shine round the world.” Indeed that gift and that speech ultimately proved to be prophetic.

In 1999, this teenager who gave all he had to erect a village church, was used by God to raise the largest church auditorium in the world. And in 2018 he was named by Forbes magazine as the world’s richest pastor. His name is David Oyedepo.  What is most remarkable is that according to him, he has never asked God for money. Rather the secret of his prosperity has been Matthew 6: 33, which says ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ He calls this scripture the ‘greatest revelation of his life’. And as he has been seeking the kingdom of God first,  every other thing is being added unto him. 

The truth is that not all winners sweat to win. Rather positioning ourselves for God’s favour puts us in command of what others seek for by labour. 

Solomon was the wealthiest king in his days, yet he never asked God for riches; it was added to him because he sought God and the affairs of His Kingdom. 2 Chronicles 1:11 says ‘And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king.’

Serving God and the interest of His Kingdom as a lifestyle puts us in command of the good things other people are struggling to get. The key to good things is ‘seeking first the kingdom of God.’

Psalms 34:10 says ‘The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing’.

As believers, good things are part of our heritage in Christ, but we can only access them when we practically obey and serve God. 

Job 36:11 says ‘If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures’.

No organization or government can offer what serving God procures, which is a guarantee of wealth and health. Exodus 23:25 says ‘And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.’

Indeed when we truly serve God and the interest of His Kingdom, then every other thing shall be added unto us.  

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for enabling me to make seeking Your kingdom priority in my life. Indeed I know that as I serve You, every other thing shall be added unto me in Jesus Name. .   

QUOTE 

When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction 
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS WANT ANY GOOD THING!  

2 Chronicles 20:20
‘Believe in the Lord God, so shall you be Established, believe Also in his Prophets, so shall you Prosper!’ 
• DAILY READING – –   Revelation 2; Nehemiah 3; Psalm 97
The book, ‘African Apostles: Volume 1 (Patriarchs and Pacesetters)’ details the lives and times of great African preachers. In this book the story is told of an unusual opportunity for a blessing that visited a group of passengers on a flight to Lagos. According to the story, in the late 1970’s American Pentecostal Evangelist, TL Osborn, and his wife, Daisy Osborn, after a visit to archbishop Benson Idahosa in Benin, were late to catch their flight to Lagos.  This flight was meant to be a connecting flight from Johannesburg to France, England and then the USA.

By the time Idahosa took his guests to the airport, they were told that the last flight for the day was overbooked. Not one seat was available, the passengers had boarded and the flight about to take off.

However Idahosa requested an opportunity to plead with the passengers, which was granted him. When he climbed into the plane, he explained to the passengers that two of God’s special servants needed to get to Lagos immediately, and asked for two people who will sacrifice their seats, so that God’s servants could board. No one responded immediately. But as Idahosa slowly walked down the aisle, a young businessman rose from the back of the plane and asked his assistant sitting next to him to get up too. They both gathered their belongings to get down, giving up their seats. Impressed, Idahosa stopped the young man in the aisle and inquired who he was. The young man gave his name and his line of business. Idahosa then pronounced a blessing over him saying “The world will get up for you, My God will bless you! God will take you and your business beyond Africa and bless you beyond measure”. Though the other passengers on board cheered and applauded, what they didn’t know then was that the young man had connected to a highly prophetic moment.    

According to that prophetic blessing the world has since stood up for that young man. Though, not a Christian, but through this  strategic connection to prophetic blessing, this man has eventually become the richest man in Africa, the richest black man  and one of the richest men in the world. He has become a household name whose products such as salt, sugar, cement are used almost in every home in the country. 

2 Chronicles 20:20 says ‘Believe in the Lord God, so shall you be Established, believe Also in his Prophets, so shall you Prosper!’ 

Prophetic blessings are real. 

God often gives us opportunities for a change of destiny. And when we recognize and receive such opportunities a sudden positive change of story follows.  

People who think success comes only through strength and skill end up frustrated.  It is through Prophetic blessings that destinies are repositioned. In Genesis 32 Jacob encountered such a repositioning when he was blessed by the angel of God.  

Proverbs 11:11 says, “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted…” This means the blessing from the men and women of God appointed or anointed to bless, is what lifts a city or people to the ‘topmost’ top.

If we therefore desire to reach the top, we must be sensitive to respond to instructions from such men and women of God.  Blessings don’t flow automatically; they flow by a covenant positioning. When the widow of Zarephath in 1 kings 17:1-24, gave up her last meal for the prophet she encountered an unexpected blessing that preserved her and her son from the raging famine. Let us therefore rightly position ourselves today to respond to the divine call to lay down whatever is required of us for the sake of God’s kingdom. And as we are sensitive to step in when the water is stirred, we will never miss our blessings.  

PRAYER:  Lord, please grant me the grace for obedience to divine instructions. May I be sensitive always to lay down whatever is required of me for the sake of Your kingdom, so as to connect to my blessings in Jesus Name. 
QUOTE 

It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – WORDBITE 201. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD] 

Matthew 6:19-21 

 ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:’ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’

• DAILY READING – Revelation 1; Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 96

Ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife. As a result of this, wealthy people prepared for their death, by  assembling items for a luxurious second life. Pharaohs ordered builders to construct elaborate burial chambers stocked with food, furniture and favorite items, including pets for comfort and servants that will serve them in the afterlife. The servants and the pets were all executed to join the king in his next life. Treasures buried with the ancient Egyptian kings included valuables owned during their lifetime, and new items made to demonstrate their high social and political position to the people in the afterlife. Some rulers included items such as silver boats, to carry them on their long journey to the other side of life. 

For instance, archeologists in 1922 excavated the tomb of Egyptian King, Tutankhamun, who was buried in 1323 B.C. In the tomb, the team discovered more than 2,000 treasures, including a throne decorated with precious stones and silver, gold coffins, gold-plated chariots and alabaster vases. Researchers also found more than 200 pieces of jewelry, tucked into the king’s body wrappings during the excavations. All these items were meant to aid him in the afterlife.  

However these treasures Egyptian kings laid up for an opulent after-life, only ended up as a treasures for thieves to cart away. Even in ancient times, tomb robbers emptied the tombs of these valuable contents. The items that survived these raids were only those stored in hidden chambers within the tombs. And it is these items that have helped archaeologists to make educated guesses about the contents of other tombs based on the length of the pharaoh’s rule and the wealth of the kingdom at the time.

Though these kings laid up treasures on earth to use in their afterlife, we now know none of those treasures followed them there. Rather the treasures were laid up for moth and rust to corrupt and for thieves to steal. 

This is what Jesus meant in Matthew 6:19-21 when He said ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’

The worldly treasures that people accumulate in this life can’t be taken with them after they leave the earth. Money, houses, cars, jewelry, and electronics are all things that will fade away after men have passed through this mortal existence. The question however is; what will a man be left with when he has been stripped of these worldly treasures?

The Heavenly treasures we laid up while on earth are what will matter in the end. Earthly treasures will someday fade away but eternal treasures abide forever.  Therefore rather than laying up earthly treasures, we need to lay up eternal treasures. And the way we store up treasure in heaven is by investing in getting people to Heaven. Whatever earthly treasure we have been entrusted with should be used for the purpose of investing in the spread of the Gospel. 

1st Timothy 6:17 – 19 says ‘Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,’

These means that the way to be rich in Heaven is to be rich in good works. We lay up treasure in heaven by laying down treasure on earth. And as we sow into God’s Kingdom then God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19). 

Indeed when we seek first the Kingdom of God, every other thing will be added unto us. 

PRAYER: Father please help me to focus on laying up Heavenly treasures, rather than laying up earthly treasures. I know indeed that when I seek  first Your kingdom, then every other thing will be added unto me  in Jesus Name.
QUOTE : 

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. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS] 

Ephesians 3:20 

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
• DAILY READING      Jude 1; Ezra 9-10; Psalm 95
In 1833, a 24-year-old Midwestern lawyer named Abraham Lincoln met the love of his life, a beautiful 18 year old girl named Ann Rutledge. The two became engaged, and planned their life together. But soon after, Ann became severely ill and died of a “fever” of unknown origin. As a result of her death, Abraham suffered a nervous breakdown. He suffered such deep depression that his friends thought it wise to keep all knives and razors from him. 

Yet, apart from the heartbreak, as he ventured into other endeavors, he was met severally with failure. He twice failed in business and when he went into politics, he lost eight elections. However having been raised by Christian parents, Abraham learned to draw strength from God’s Word. It is said that his favorite book of the Bible was the book of Job. And despite the failures and discouragements he faced, he did eventually recover and went on to become one of America’s most-loved presidents. He could have quit many times – but he didn’t and because he didn’t quit, he eventually won. 

Everyone, even the most gifted and strongest of  men, often face  discouragement. Discouraging situations will tend to arise, especially when you are making progress in life. When you read the psalms of King David, whom God called “a man after His own heart,” you know that David was susceptible to discouragement.

In 1 Samuel 30, David faced discouragement, when he returned to his home in Ziklag and discovered that the Amalekites, had attacked. It was most especially discouraging to find that even his own men unjustly blamed him. 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.’

When he sought The Lord, he received strength and divine direction to pursue after the Amalekites. And indeed God helped him to defeat the Amalekites and recover all. 

Whatever you are faced with today, learn to encourage yourself in The Lord. Refuse to exalt the negative circumstance, but rather exalt 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, and His might. Talk about how big and powerful God is. When you make God bigger, you make your troubles smaller. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” 

Indeed the power of God is at work within us. Through study of the scriptures, The Holy Spirit fills us with the  joy of The Lord that becomes our strength.  Therefore, it doesn’t matter the giants you may face today, through Christ you are more than a conqueror! You can overcome every obstacle, you can climb every mountain, and you can get out of every valley. You don’t have to be discouraged or defeated. You’re not a victim. You’re a victor. Indeed through Christ, you are an overcomer!
PRAYER Lord please grant me fresh appetite for Your Word so that I can draw the strength I need to always overcome discouragement.  Indeed by Your grace, I am a winner over every negative circumstance in Jesus Name.   

QUOTE  

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

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS] 

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        3 John 1; Ezra 7-8; Psalm 94

•

Today, Mary Kay cosmetics stands out as one of America’s greatest business giants, However, the founder, Mary Kay Ash, was a devout Christian, who in her lifetime passed through many tests. In fact her success story didn’t begin until she faced a daunting situation in the early ’60s. 

After working for 25 years with a direct selling company, where she attained the position of national training director, something happened one day that was to change her entire life. A trainee under her was promoted above her and given twice her salary just because he was a male. Shocked and highly disappointed to be treated this way, Mary decided to resign. Though she had no other job to go to, she decided to trust God to make a way for her. Soon the idea for Mary Kay cosmetics was birthed in her.  So, she put her plan into action. With her past experience and $5,000 in savings, Mary Kay Ash created Beauty by Mary Kay.

The company was founded on the Golden Rule, and on the principle of placing God first. With steadfast commitment to dedication and hard work, Mary Kay nurtured her dream. From a small direct sales company it has become one of the largest cosmetics companies in the world. The Company continues to be one of the greatest success stories in business. 

Talk about turning a disappointment into a blessing. Though she was treated unfairly, Mary decided not to sit and bemoan her fate, but rather to trust God for a turnaround. And God indeed turned it all around for her. Today nobody may know the name of the man who was promoted above her or who had done the unjust promotion, but the name of Mary Kay remains well known. 

Many times a disappointment can be a blessing in disguise. Something can happen that may make you think that your world has turned upside down. But if you look deep enough you will see a seed of blessing that can help you turn that situation around. The bible says that with every temptation God makes a way of escape. Hidden in that seeming disappointment is a seed of equivalent benefit.

Therefore, you do not 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. No matter what you face in life, when you are a child of God, be assured God is working out things for your greater good.  Therefore no matter how people may have disappointed or failed you, get up and keep moving forward. There are greater things ahead, there is a destiny to be fulfilled.

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.’

Indeed when you are a child of God and walking in the will of God, your case will always be different. There can be no disappointments in your life. No matter the challenges you face, God can always turn it all around, because all things are bound to work together for your good.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You because You are always at work to turn  every disappointment into a blessing for me.

I believe, even right now, that  all things are working together for my good  in Jesus name.    
QUOTE 

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

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

Psalm 34:1 
I will bless The Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth…

• DAILY READING –    2 John 1; Ezra 5-6; Psalm 93

•

John D Rockefeller was arguably the greatest businessman of all times. At one point in his life his net worth was estimated to be the largest in world history. Much of his wealth was derived from Standard Oil, which at its height, controlled 90% of the US oil refining market. Meanwhile, Rockefeller was a very committed Christian. He attended church every Sunday as well as prayer meetings on Friday nights for his entire adult life. 

Even from an early age, Rockefeller felt the Lord had called him to be a great steward over wealth. Despite how little his initial income was, he began tithing from the very first paycheck he earned at his very first job. And he never stopped that practice for the rest of his life. At age 21, he spearheaded a fund raising campaign that collected $2,000 and helped save his church from going to foreclosure. Later on, John began to broaden his giving outside of just the church. By age 27, he became the controlling owner of the largest oil refinery in Cleveland. The company that would later become the massive conglomerate Standard Oil, which held a mammoth oil monopoly, and produced more profits than any other American business had done before. 

By age 55, Rockefeller retired from active business, using the next 42 years of his life to distribute his great wealth to the betterment of society. Rockefeller would go on to give away $530 million dollars  which is nearly $7 billion in today’s money. He saw giving as vital part of his service to God. He would go on to live to a ripe old age of 97. 

And even today, his descendants continue his giving lifestyle, the Rockefeller family’s financial worth runs into billions of dollars and many of the family members are active in philanthropy. 

Nothing commands a dramatic turnaround like sacrificial giving. Though it wasn’t easy for Rockefeller to give sacrificially from his first meager paycheck, but through maintaining a lifestyle of giving God has made him a trans-generational blessing.  

Psalm 126:5-6 says ‘ They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’

However, for our sacrifices to be acceptable unto God, it must be love-motivated. 

1 Kings 3:3-5 records that King Solomon loved The Lord, and he worshipped God by offering a thousand burnt offerings on the altar at Gibeon. And that very night, in Gibeon, The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.’

God made him wiser and richer than all the men in his days. When we truly love God we are bound to give to Him. The truth is that you can’t love without giving.  Our giving is our worship to God. In Philippians 4:18, God viewed the offering of the Philippian saints as “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God”.

Our giving is an expression of our love to God. When we give to God, we express our appreciation to Him for all the ways He has blessed us. ‘Thanks” and “giving” go together. Indeed giving to God is the heart of worship.

Therefore today, let us bless The Lord at all times and never forget His benefits. Indeed God is good all the time. 

PRAYER: Father, I  just want to thank and appreciate You today for all Your goodness towards me and my family.  Thank You so much Lord for Your faithfulness in my life,  indeed You are good and your mercy endures forever.
QUOTE 

Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE] 

1 John 3:3  ‘And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.’

• DAILY READING       1 John 5; Ezra 3-4; Psalm 92
In 1981, a Minnesota radio station reported a story about a stolen Volkswagen Beetle in California. Police were staging an intense search for the vehicle and the driver, even to the point of placing announcements on local radio stations to contact the thief. Now hundreds of vehicles are stolen each year in California, but this one car brought special attention, because the thief’s life was at risk.  On the front seat of the stolen car sat a box of crackers that, unknown to the thief, were laced with poison. The car owner had intended to use the crackers as rat bait.

Now the police and the owner of the Volkswagen were more interested in apprehending the thief to save his life than to recover the car.

In the same way, if we sin, the tendency is to want to run from God. But what we are actually doing is eluding His rescue. 

In this case, the police was not after the man to punish him but to rescue him. 

After Adam fell into sin, his first tendency was to hide himself from God. But God is more interested in our deliverance than our condemnation. He calls us back from the wrong paths because He wants to save us from eventual destruction.

In these last days especially, we are living in perilous times. Many traps of sin have been set by the enemy against the end-time Church. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 says ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away’

Indeed in this end time, the enemy will be trying his best to trap many destinies in sin. But from scriptural examples we understand that sin is not to be toyed with. 2 Kings 5 tells the story of Gehazi who through covetousness ended up with leprosy, when his destiny was to carry twice the unction of Elisha. The book of judges also tells the story of Samson, the strength and pride of Israel, who through immorality was turned into a toy and destroyed cheaply by the enemy. So, be careful! Be cautious! Many are dying as slaves today because sin has not been put under check. There is a great need for spiritual alertness in this end time. 

Eph. 5:14 says ‘Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light! 

When you wake up spiritually and commit to righteous living, you can escape any trap of the enemy. 

1 John 3:3 says: ‘And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.’

In these last days, there is need for soberness. There is need for spiritual sensitivity so that your place will not be lost in God’s great end-time army. It is better to be impotent than to miss heaven to immorality. It is better to live hungry than to pave your way to hell with stolen finances. Concerning Moses, Hebrews 11:25 says he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

And if by any chance you are already caught in any trap of sin, instead of running from God, run to Him. If we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us. It’s only the rejection of God’s grace and mercy that brings condemnation.  Jesus said that the condemnation is that light has come into the world but men loved darkness and refused the light. No matter how far you may have strayed into the dark regions you can still find your way back to the light.

Through daily spiritual bath in the Word of God, you can dislodge sin from getting a grip on your mind. Through feeding on The Word, your senses will be exercised to discern between good and evil, and you will receive the Power to overcome sin and live a life that constantly pleases God. 

PRAYER: Lord, Please  help me to always run to You in every situation. I need You every hour and every moment especially in these last perilous days.  Thank You Lord for Your grace that is always sufficient for me in Jesus Name. .   

QUOTE 

You don’t have light until you have The Word of God. The Word of God gives light on any issue in your life.  

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT] 

Ephesians 1:7 
 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” 

• DAILY READING – 1 John 4; Ezra 1-2; Psalm 91
THE evil of slavery, which had previously been eliminated by the British, returned to Sudan during the country’s nineteen-year civil war. The Sudanese government backed and armed militia from the North to raid towns to capture children and women, mostly Christians,  who were then held in conditions of slavery in western Sudan and elsewhere. By the early 1990s reports of this slavery began trickling out to the international community. At first the reports were found hard to believe by western countries. However John Eibner, an official at Christian Solidarity International, a group dedicated to fighting the persecution of Christians took action. In May 1995, defying the Sudanese government, he persuaded reporters from around the world to make the dangerous and illegal journey into Sudan’s “no go” areas to document the slave trade. The series “Witness to Slavery,” published in June of 1996, shocked Western officials and human-rights advocates. However, world outrage and economic sanctions did little to diminish the slavery. John Eibner came up with the idea of paying money to buy back these Christians sold into slavery. Raising money for slave redemption became a focus of activity in many Churches, public schools, nonprofit agencies, relief groups, and missionary organizations. These people held in bondage  were bought back in large batches and then set free. The organization called the process “slave redemption.” Through this, many of these Christians were set free from the shackles of slavery to once again live as free citizens.  

Spiritually we were held in slavery until Christ came and paid the price of His precious blood to set us free. 

Ephesians 1:7 says “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” 

The word “redemption” means “the act or process of buying back”. The blood of Jesus is the cost of our redemption. 

Jesus paid the price for you to walk out on the devil and every form of slavery. Our redemption is a spiritual, comprehensive insurance for a life of dignity. It covers all areas of human endeavors. John 8:36 says ‘For whosoever the son of man has set free, is free indeed’. 

Your redemption represents a change of status that places you far above all principalities, power and dominion. Through the blood of Jesus you are truly set free  from every form of suffering, shame and reproach of slavery. You are not born again to suffer again, you are born again to reign in life. Therefore approach issues of life and spiritual battles with the consciousness of being a freeborn and conqueror through the shed blood of Jesus. You can no longer be held by the shackles of sickness, poverty or any evil harassment. You are free indeed. Be conscious of the image of God you carry. Walk everyday in the reality of it. 

It is this consciousness that will make you become an unshakable, immovable, triumphant and ever winning child of God. 

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the redemption I have through the shed blood of Jesus. Please enable me to drop every slavery mentality and walk every day in the full consciousness of my redemption and victory  in Jesus Name. . 
QUOTE 

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

 [CULLED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD

Isaiah 43:2 ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you’  (The Amplified Bible]
DAILY READING – 1 John 3; 2 Chronicles 36; Psalm 90
The last days are battle days. They are the days of the greatest spiritual confrontation on earth. Everyone will be challenged. And how well we fare will depend on the level of our inner strength.  

Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” 

When you wait upon The Lord, you receive strength that enables you to soar above challenges. It turns your trials into triumphs; and your mourning into dancing.  

According to Romans 1:20 Spiritual truths can be understood by studying natural things. Similarly, we can gain knowledge about ‘overcoming’ in life by looking at how the eagle utilizes the storm. 

Eagles have the ability to use the force of the storm to their advantage. When a storm is coming, all other birds seek shelter. The eagle alone avoids the storm by flying above it. An eagle can sense a storm approaching long before it breaks. The eagle then flies to some high spot and waits for the winds to come. As dark storms begin to march across the horizon, and the thunder starts to roll and echo, the eagle sets its wings.  When the storm strikes an eagle, due to how it had sets its wings, the air currents send it above the storm by their very fury. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The stronger the storm, the higher the eagle flies.  

Like the eagle you can take advantage of your storm. Instead of struggling you can ride on the wings of The Spirit, allowing Him to show you how to turn your trials into triumphs. If you go where The Spirit of God leads, you will never struggle.

You can let your challenges take you to higher heights and bring you to greater shores. Let your challenges cause you to go deeper in your walk with God. Let it cause you to wait upon God until He comes and turns your captivity. Indeed His Presence makes all the difference. In Isaiah 43:2 God says, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you’  (The Amplified Bible). This verse makes it clear that when God is with us we become unbeatable in the battles of life. 

And it is important to remember that when we pass through the water and the fire, we are not remaining there, rather we are only going through. That’s the good news: We’re going to go through and come out on the other side better than when we went in.

So realize that challenges are there to make you better and not bitter, Like the eagle take advantage of your storm, and use it to rise higher. 

Your storms are there to make you stronger, they are reasons for you to draw closer to God. And as you draw closer to God, by The Spirit He will show how to turn your trials into triumphs. In this season, stand firm and in fact, rejoice if storms come your way.  Don’t ever give up or give in,  only be strong and very courageous (Joshua 1:5-9). The Lord will carry you on His wings like the eagle. God will not leave you nor forsake you. The storms do not have to overcome you. You are an overcomer and even more than a conqueror. 

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to stand strong despite the fierce winds of oppositions. I thank You Father, for the grace to always rise stronger and better.  

KQUOTE 

True success is not verifiable in the fact a man has never fallen before but rather in the fact that he did not only fall but also got up- WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]