Ephesians 2:4 – 6 
• ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together’

• DAILY READING – 2 Corinthians 13; 1 Chronicles 3-4; Zephaniah 1

• It is archaeologically impossible to know the exact burial site of Jesus.  However today, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has become an acceptable site of pilgrimage for many Christians, as the burial place of Jesus. 

This tomb where Jesus’s body is believed to have been laid, is situated inside the Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. 

This tomb has been sealed in marble since the 1500s in order to prevent visitors from stealing pieces of the original rock as souvenirs.

It was Roman emperor Constantine the Great who sealed it. The emperor had converted to Christianity and around the year 327, in order to protect the tomb he had built a church over it. This church has been destroyed, renovated and rebuilt several times over the past 1,700 years. Which has led to a lot of speculation about the condition of the original burial stone, if it was still intact. Recently a team of scientists supported by the National Geographic Society were allowed to conduct conservation work in the  tomb. 

In October 2016, these scientists were given just 60 hours to carry out their research before the tomb would be sealed possibly for many more centuries. And for the first time in 500 years the tomb was unsealed. 

Their preliminary findings confirmed that portions of the tomb are still in perfect shape since the time it was sealed 500 years ago. And perhaps most importantly they also confirmed that the tomb is still empty. That perhaps is the most exciting news of all. The tomb is still empty!

Today is Easter Sunday. It is the most important day of celebration on the church calendar. It is a day that we as Christians have a reason to celebrate! Jesus is no longer in the tomb. The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen! He is not dead – He is alive and living! Death has been defeated. The debt of sin has been paid for. And through Christ we have hope! Through His shed blood our sins have been forgiven and now we have a purpose for living. That is exciting news!

But more than an event, the resurrection of Jesus Christ represents for us a change of position. 

Matthew 27:50 – 52 says ‘ And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many’.

Many Bodies of Saints Arose When Jesus Resurrected. Through His  resurrection barriers were broken, graves were opened, and the dead saints which slept arose. 

What this means is that you are due for a change of story too. No matter how deadly your situation is, the power of resurrection can change that today. By the power of the resurrection you will no longer be listed among the dead, the sick, the oppressed or the limited. 

Ephesians 2:4 – 6 says ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus’

Through the Resurrection Of Jesus Christ, we have also been raised. Where there was death there now is life. Where there was emptiness there is now fullness. Where there was fear there is now peace. Where there was confusion there is now purpose. This is the reason for our celebration today. Yes, He is risen, and so have we!

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Please help me to fully appropriate the benefits that Jesus won for me on the cross. By His resurrection power may everything dead around me come alive today in Jesus Name. 
QUOTE : 

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

 [ADAPTED FROM TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS] 

1 John 2:6

 ‘Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.’

DAILY READING 2 Corinthians 11; 2 Kings 25; Habakkuk 2

For 16 years, North Korea has been ranked the most oppressive place in the world for Christians. Recently the U.S. State Department re-asserted it as one of the world’s worst religious persecutors – torturing and executing those even suspected of worshipping God. But that still hasn’t stopped an estimated 36 percent of the population – around 9 million – from practicing Christianity. Though life is extremely difficult for all North Koreans, Christians face an even tougher road.

Christianity is practiced at an extreme risk. It is estimated that there are up to 70,000 Christian prisoners in concentration camps in North Korea, and the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights conjectures that more than 75 percent of Christians who are dealt this fate do not survive. Defectors have spoken of Christians being crushed by steamrollers and used to test biological weapons, or hung on a cross over a fire.

Yet despite these efforts to eradicate Christians, it has been  found that the church in North Korea is actually growing. Christians know that only God is powerful enough to break through the darkness of this most oppressive regime on earth, so they serve God even at the risk of their lives.

Though many of us do not hide to practice our faith as people in such repressive countries, the question is; are we living a life that measures up to our claim as Christians?

A popular church marquis posting reads, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” This is certainly a thought-provoking and soul-searching question!  Did you know that Jesus actually went through six different trials the night He was arrested? Three Jewish trials and three Roman trials – none of them were really legal. All of this takes place in about eight hours. He had done nothing wrong. He had committed no crimes. But finally they found one accusation that stuck. They asked Him, “Are you the son of God?” His answer was, “Yes!” And they said, “That is it. We got Him now, crucify Him.’

Jesus was tried and found guilty of being the son of God.

1 John 2:6 says ‘Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.’

As the father sent Jesus so has He also sent us.  Just like Jesus manifested His sonship, likewise we are to manifest as sons of God on earth today. That is why Jesus came and died, to bring unto God many sons just like Himself.

In this resurrection season let us take a decision to consciously  begin to live and walk as Jesus did. Enough of being a secret service Christian. It is time to live in such a way that there will be no doubt to the fact that you are a son of God. Indeed the world is waiting for your manifestation.

Romans 8:19,22 says ‘For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.’

Indeed the whole creation  groaning and travailing in pain together until now, waiting for the sons of God to show forth their identity. The whole earth has been held down, tormented, afflicted and buffeted by the devil. There are cries of oppression as humanity groans in pain, looking here and there in search of emancipation and a way out. The world is waiting for men and women who will, by the power of God, bring deliverance and liberty  to mankind. The world is waiting for these sons of God who will disarm the forces of wickedness and bring the creature out of the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. The world is waiting for saviours, to rescue them out of shame and reproach.

The price Jesus paid at Calvary for our manifestation cannot be in vain. Let us decide today to begin to live and walk as Jesus did. We have to manifest our sonship. No matter the price, or what it may cost us, it is time for us to begin to live in a way that everyone around us will judge us guilty of being a son of God.

PRAYER: Lord, Please help me to conform my life to Your Word and to begin to manifest the character of Christ. Help me to live a life that will always bring glory to You in Jesus Name.

quote :

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

WORDBITE 222.

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS

Gal. 6:7-8 

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
DAILY READING – 2 Corinthians 10; 2 Kings 23:36-24:20; Habakkuk 1
In 1938, as Hitler killed Jews in the holocaust, Jewish parents sought to flee Czechoslovakia. But finding they couldn’t get visas for the whole family, they  desperately wanted at least to get their children to safety. At this time, Nicholas Winton, a 29-year-old British stockbroker working in Czechoslovakia, decided to help. He contacted the governments of some nations for evacuation of Jewish children, but only Sweden and Britain gave a positive response. Through Newspaper Adverts, he was able to locate foster parents who would take in these Jewish children. It was very emotional as anxious Jewish parents brought their children for this evacuation, knowing they may never see them again. Winston ran a race against time trying to rescue as many children as possible before Hitler’s army arrived Czechoslovakia. He managed to organize 8 transports that departed from Prague Railway Station to Britain, bringing the total of rescued children to 669. On September 1, 1939 the biggest transport of 250 children was to take place, but on that day Hitler invaded Poland, and all borders controlled by Germany were closed. Within hours of the announcement, the train containing the 250 children was captured by Hitler’s army and none of the children were ever seen again. Winton was heartbroken. This put an end to his rescue efforts. The vision of the 250 children waiting eagerly at the Station for that last aborted transport would haunt Winston for many years to come. Winton decided to close that chapter of his life, and after the war he didn’t tell anyone, not even his wife about his wartime rescue efforts. But in 1988, a half century later, his wife found in their attic, a scrapbook from 1939, detailing Winston’s rescue operations.  She promptly alerted the media, who took interest and gave coverage to the story. Winston was invited to a BBC television program, where unknown to him, the children he helped rescue now adults had gathered to tell him a special thank you. Emotions ran high, when he finally came face to face with these people. Among those saved, many had become prominent members of the society. Winston could barely contain himself as they all stood in ovation and applauded him.  As a result of this wartime rescue efforts, he also received many international awards and recognition from various nations.  

We may sometimes face situations, where it seems our efforts have been buried. We can especially get discouraged if we don’t see the immediate result of our labor. At those times negative thoughts bombard our minds telling us, “It’s over’. However it all depends on our perspective. The only difference between being buried and being planted is the expectancy of what’s going to happen next. When you go through disappointments, or don’t get the immediate rewards for your efforts, you may begin to feel overwhelmed, burdened or even buried. But the fact is, you’ve simply been planted. That means no matter how low you may have gone, you are coming right up again. And you’re not just going to come back, you’re coming back multiplied, better, increased, and  stronger.

In John 12:24, Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

On the surface, planting and burying look the same; both involve digging into the ground. However what is planted has a future; new life grows from it. While,  for that which is buried, it is dead and over with it. 

On this day many years ago, Jesus was crucified and buried in a dark tomb. On the surface it looked as if it was all over. But the tomb was not His final destination. The grave could not hold Him. Three days later, He arose majestically to bring many sons unto glory. 

In the same way, just because you may be in a dark place now, doesn’t mean that it is your final destination. You are only in transition. You are coming back better and greater. Despite the challenges that you may have experienced, God wants you to live with the revelation that you are coming back stronger and better. Indeed our efforts when we do good are never in vain, rather it is planted. And with time we will reap the rewards of our labor. God is not unfaithful to forget our labor of love. God is indeed a rewarder. 

When you sow seeds of obedience and mercy, you are sowing good seeds that will reap a harvest one day. When we sow our energy into our assignment, it will come back eventually as benefit to us. What we sow as a seed, always comes back, blossoming. 

Sometimes, people can’t deal with destiny concealed, they only want destiny revealed. But the mighty oak tree has to be first planted as a small acorn, hidden in the ground for a period, before it eventually, one day, manifests  as a mighty tree. Regardless of where you find yourself in life, or how tough things may sometimes look, you must constantly remind yourself that you’ve been planted and not buried. That means a reward is surely coming one day. You will reap the harvest  of what you have sown. You will get  double for all your trouble.  And your labour shall never be in vain. The bible says in Psalm 119:71 “It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I may learn Your statues.” If you just trust God in the process you will come out better than when you went in. 

When you put a seed in the ground you don’t say, “I’m burying this seed,” you say, “I am planting this seed,” because you expect something better to come out of it. In the same way, no matter where you may find yourself, because you have the seed of Almighty God on the inside, you will always come out greater and stronger. What looks buried around you, God will cause to spring forth into better and greater things. 
PRAYER: Lord please help me to know that as I serve You my labour can never be in vain. I know that indeed I will reap the harvest of every good seed I have ever sown. Thank You Lord for granting me the patience to wait until my season comes in Jesus Name.  

QUOTE  

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

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK OPEN HEAVENS] 

Phillipians 3:13 
• Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before

• DAILY READING 2 Corinthians 9; 2 Kings 22:1-23:35; Nahum 3

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. However within 2 months of this achievement, the record Roger Bannister set was challenged and broken by another runner, John Landy. He surpassed Roger’s record by 1.4 seconds.

It was then decided that the two men had to race against each other, to determine the better runner. And so on August 7, 1954, these two great runners met together for a historic race.

When the race began the two men put in their best, each determined to win. However as they moved into the last lap, John Landy was leading. It looked as if he would win. But as he neared the finish line, he was curious to know Bannister’s position, probably  to know how much gap he had given him. So he decided to look back. But that was a grave mistake. What he didn’t know was that Bannister  was right behind him. And as John Landy turned to look, suddenly Bannister overtook him and took the lead. Bannister crossed the finish line first and won the race. 

It was devastating for Landy to realize he came so close to winning, but only lost just because he decided to turn back. In an interview with  Time magazine, he said, “If I hadn’t looked back, I would have won!”

Indeed, if you mind the opposition, you lose your position.

In Philippians 3:12-13, the apostle Paul said, “I press on… forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”

In life, we must forget the things that are behind and press forward to the goal before us. we need to be focused on the race. When we are following God’s will, whatever anyone else is doing or saying shouldn’t bother us. Oppositions should be expected when you are moving ahead. 

One of the most descriptive pictures of the Christian life in the Bible is of an athlete competing in a race. And first Corinthians 9:24-27 tells us that discipline is the key to winning in this race. To win in the race of life, we must be focused.  Stay focused instead of getting offended or side tracked by others.

Don’t mind the noise of the naysayers. The truth is that whatever  course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. Backbiters will always be at the back. And all their commotion is aimed at getting you to turn back. But to draw back on the battlefield is not an option for spiritual warriors. Press on if you don’t want to be pressed in. 

When Nehemiah had a dream to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he faced incredible opposition. The city leaders were bent on stopping him from building. He could have gotten discouraged, he could have decided the obstacles were too much for him, rather he decided to forge forward, trusting that the hand of God upon his life will see him through. And indeed God saw him through.  

As we run this Christian race there will always be opposition. If you yield to the opposition, you will quit the race in discouragement.  Even though it was God’s will for Nehemiah to build the wall, God did not remove the opposition. Even though it is God’s will for you to succeed, yet He does not remove the opposition. Because many times overcoming the opposition is what takes you to your destination. The principle is the closer you are to your destiny, the greater the opposition.  David had to fight Goliath before getting to the throne. And the reason you’re facing oppositions today is because just like David, you’re about to step into a new level of your destiny. Often times what was meant to stop you is what ends up promoting you. 

The opposition is there to make you better and not bitter. In fact, the opposition will help drive you to greater dependence on the Lord and to greater determination to do what He has called you to do. 

In Hebrews 12:1-2, we are encouraged to lay aside anything that might hinder our spiritual advancement . Therefore learn to despise oppositions and move ahead with your dream. Do not mind the opinion of the naysayers. No one can make you inferior without your consent. 

You must Keep your eye single on your purpose. And never forget that on this race you are not alone. When God sends you on a mission, He goes before you, He walks with you, He works through you and He works with you. Therefore the forces that are for you are greater than the forces that are against you. Never forget that God is for you and if God be for you who can be against you. 

When situations try to weigh you down or limit you, know that with God, you have what it takes to overcome and rise above. 

Therefore don’t settle for less than God’s best. Don’t settle for average or ordinary because you are designed for the extraordinary. No matter the situation around you, believe that God is turning  every opposition into promotion for you . Every valley you face will become a mountaintop of victory for you. Indeed by God’s grace, we will win this race as we keep running, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.  
PRAYER; Lord, give us endurance as we run this race of life. Help us not to be distracted but to be disciplined and committed to finishing well. May we fix our eyes on the eternal goal set before us and keep looking unto Jesus. 

QUOTE : 

When God  places His hand upon a man in life, nothing can come against him.  

WORDBITE 222. 

 [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 Corinthians 8; 2 Kings 20-21; Nahum 2

On 4th July 1976, the day the US celebrated its 200th birthday, an Israeli expatriate took a phone call that would change his life. His name was Benjamin Netanyahu.  A student in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he went by the name Ben Nitay, an Americanised shortening of the original.  On the phone was his younger brother, calling with grave news. It was the news that their older brother Yonatan Netanyahu was dead. The then 30 years old, Yonathan, who had been newly installed as the head of Israel’s elite commando unit, was killed that day in the now famous Israeli rescue operation at Entebbe, Uganda.  Though the operation had been an astonishing success and the hostages freed, Yonathan, the leader of the commando unit, had been the only Israeli soldier killed.  It was indeed devastating news for the Netanyahu family. 

And though it was one of Benjamin’s darkest nights, it also led to the dawning of a new day in his life. It marked the opening of a chapter, that would eventually lead him to become the Israeli prime minister between 1996 and 1999. Again winning re-election in 2015.

Prior to his brother’s death, Benjamin was headed for a simple life in business career.  But the national honor and recognition accorded his late brother would throw him into the national limelight and pave his way to the path of a political career, that has today etched his name in world history. As Israel’s Prime minister, he has greatly strengthened the relationship between Israel and Christians. He calls Christians Israel’s best friends, and he was instrumental in the forming of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), which is one of the largest Christian pro-Israel groups in the world. 

Genesis 50:20 says ‘But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good,..’

Indeed what the enemy meant for evil in your life can be turned around by God for your good.  What was meant to be Benjamin Netanyahu’s darkness night, eventually turned around to become his brightest day. It has been said that the day of your greatest victory will be preceded by the night of your greatest temptation. Indeed every disappointment can be a blessing, and every challenge can become the seed of a positive change. 

Psalm 30:11 says ‘Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.’

When you faithfully serve God and hold on to Him in difficult times, God will always reward you double for your trouble. He will ensure your labor is never in vain. And though, sometimes weeping may seem to endure for the night, just hold on, because joy is coming in the morning. 

The truth is that the road to greatness is never easy.  It is often filled with obstacles. But then, road blockers are often indication of important destinations. God is taking you to somewhere great, that is why the enemy has been fighting so hard to block your progress. But refuse to quit. Keep pressing on by God’s grace, victory is in view. Don’t allow what you are going through to stop you from where you are going to. Your destination is glory. The challenges you face are only indications of the great glory that is about to be revealed. 

Romans 8:18 says ‘For we reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us’ 

God is working through your story to bring forth His glory.  This is why we must always maintain an attitude of gratitude to God. Our living is determined not so much by what life brings to us, as by the attitude we bring to life.  And an attitude of gratitude will always lift us to a higher altitude. We should use God’s strategy to deal with life’s tragedy. And God’s strategy is for us to give thanks in everything. When we praise, we are raised.

We have to learn to always judge God faithful. He is indeed good. And no matter what may come your way, always know that God is in perfect control of your destiny. He alone has the final say. And even if it looks dark and there seems to be no way out, God will always make a way for you. He is your way maker, He is your light in the darkness. You may not understand how He will do it, but just keep trusting Him. And you will find that despite the initial roaring of the storm, you will come through victorious. Indeed  in all situations you are more than a conqueror through Christ.

No matter how tangled  or confusing your situation may look right now, God will cause the lines to fall for you in pleasant places.  And this is why we praise Him. Let us therefore today, turn our worry into worship and then watch God turn our battles into blessings.. 

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to praise you despite any situation I may face. I know that even right now You are working it all out for my good, therefore let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my lips 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] 

Deuteronomy 30:19 
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”.

DAILY READING – 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:16; 2 Kings 19; Nahum 1
In 1874 the New York State Prison Board noticed that six members of the same family were in prison at the same time. The board suspected it had something to do with their family history, and decided to research back a few generations.  They traced the family line back to an ancestor born in 1720, a man considered lazy, godless, an alcoholic with a reputation as the town troublemaker. He married a woman who was much like himself, and together they had six daughters and two sons. The report looked at approximately 1,200 descendants of this couple who were alive by 1874, and what they found was that: • 310 were homeless, • 160 were prostitutes,• 180 suffered from drug or alcohol abuse,  150 were criminals who spent time in prison, including seven for murder. The report found that not one had made a significant contribution to society, rather the State of New York had spent $1.5 million overtime to care for this line of descendants. 

In contrast, another family heritage was studied, of the family of the famous preacher Jonathan Edwards, who lived about the same time. He was a deeply religious man, who  married a deeply religious woman named Sarah, and together they had 11 children. The research discovered that of approximately 1,400 of their descendants who were alive by 1874: • 13 were college presidents.• 65 were college professors. • 100 were attorneys.• 32 were state judges.• 85 were authors of classic books.• 66 were physicians.• 80 held political offices, including three state governors.• 3 were state senators.• 1 became vice president of the United States.

Indeed studies have shown that families tend to reproduce their own culture for generations. This confirms what the Bible says in Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”.

The choice we make to serve God, can indeed affect our descendants.
About 50 years after David’s death, Abijah great-grandson of King David, wasn’t faithful to God’s law. However in 1 Kings 15 God showed him mercy because of His relationship with his great-grandfather David. Again 250 years later, another of David’s descendants, King Hezekiah, lay dying. The king fervently prayed to God and in 2 Kings 20 God sent the prophet Isaiah with a message to let him know God will add 15 more years to him and bring deliverance to the nation for the sake of His servant David.

How David  served God, had a powerful influence and impact on his descendants for generations. Exodus 20:6 says that God shows love and mercy to a thousand generations of those who obey Him.

The truth is that we are affected by issues from our family line.  Some of the blessings we enjoy today is as a result of how our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and others in our family history sacrificed and honored God. Some people may come in at the end of the movie and see the glory, but they didn’t see the start of the story, what sacrifices our parents made. In the same way, the seeds you sow today in serving God are also setting up your children for success.

It doesn’t matter the kind of family lineage you may have come from, as believers in Christ we have a heritage of blessing. And as you decide to serve God wholeheartedly, you are setting a pattern that will bless not only you and your children, but also your  descendants in  generations from now. 
PRAYER: Lord I thank You for your blessings that are upon my life, Please help me to serve You even better today, so that my family and generations to come will continually be blessed in  Jesus Name. 

Winning quote:

 “Everything that has a glorious end usually has a humble beginning”

 Wordbite 222

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK OPEN HEAVENS] 

Luke 6:38

‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.’

DAILY READING –     2 Corinthians 5:11-6:13; 2 Kings 18; Micah 7

Hetty Green is in the Guinness Book of World Records as “The World’s Greatest Miser”. In the early 1900’s, she was once the richest woman in the world. She had more than $95 million in the bank, yet she only owned one dress and wore it for years. She ate cold oatmeal because she didn’t want to pay for the gas to heat it. Sometimes she will just cook it over the radiator. She refused to use hot water and the water heater during winter. She ate mostly pies that cost fifteen cents. Her son suffered because of her extreme frugality. When he broke his legs, Hetty took him to a free clinic. When the doctor asked for a fee, she refused to pay and brought her son home. Eventually, his broken leg got worse, and it had to be amputated. At Hetty’s death, she amassed a great fortune that is worth $3.8 billion in today’s money. She died one of the richest women in America and possibly, the most miserable.

Now contrast her life with that of Oseola McCarty, a poor washerwoman who gave away her life savings of $150,000 to help poor students complete college education at the University of Southern Mississippi. She made her small fortune a dollar at a time, through laundry and ironing. When she was in her 80’s in anticipation of her death, she decided to give away most of her life savings to help others. After that gift her life changed dramatically. Contributions from more than 600 donors added some $330,000 to her original scholarship fund of $150,000. After hearing of Miss McCarty’s gift, Ted Turner, the multibillionaire owner of CNN contributed a billion dollars, saying, ‘If that little woman can give away everything she has, then I can give a billion dollars,’

The selflessness of her gift brought her worldwide attention. The woman whose only outing was to her church and to buy groceries would be honored by the United Nations, would shake hands with President Clinton and would receive more than 300 awards. The woman who acted in anticipation of death found a life she could have never imagined. People all over the world knew who she was and what she did. People would see her in airports and flock to her. Some people just wanted to touch her, as though she brought good fortune. She became a beloved celebrity before her death at 91 years.

Indeed it is more blessed to give than to receive. Hetty green was born into a rich family and refused to give, and at the end of her life, she became despised and disdained and was even called the ‘witch of wall street’ because of her extreme frugality. But Oseola McCarty was born poor, and gave away all she had and is celebrated all over the world for her selfless giving. What made the huge difference in the lives of these two women is their attitude towards giving.

As Christians one of our greatest tests of faithfulness will be in the area giving. Psalm 37:21 says, “The righteous is gracious and gives.” One of the characteristics of the righteous is giving.

The truth is you either chose to give freely and gain everything or be stingy and lose everything. Proverbs 11:24-25, (NLT) says ‘The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

All through scripture, we read that God wants to bless us. However God has a  system set in place for His blessings. God’s system of blessing is set in motion when we obey His Word. When we honor His Word by giving our tithes and offerings, we are positioning ourselves for open heavens. Malachi 3:10  says  ‘Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.’ When you live a lifestyle of giving you are living a lifestyle of blessing! When you live to give, God meets your needs in abundance to His glory. In that same Malachi chapter 3, God asks us to prove Him. When you honor Him, He will honor you. And you can’t out give God. What you give comes back multiplied as blessings. Luke 6:38 says ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.’

It doesn’t matter what you may need today, God already has a plan to meet it. God wants to bless you, increase you and multiply you! God knows how to multiply your influence, your strength and your talent. He can multiply your income and resources. You don’t have to know how it will happen, just take a step of faith today. Set the blessing into motion by your giving and watch God surpass your expectations.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You,  for releasing upon me today, the giving grace. Every anti-covenant habit of stinginess is destroyed from my life. As I begin to freely give, I thank You for opening the heavens over me, in Jesus Name

quote

It is only when you can see God in the light of who He truly is that you can begin to walk in the overflow of His blessings. – WORDBITE 222.  [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]

Isaiah 54:1 

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.
• DAILY READING 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:10; 2 Kings 17; Micah 6 

David is arguably the most celebrated individual in Israelite history, even in modern times.  Indeed he is the most beloved of all the kings of Israel and Judah. His name even means “loved”. Even thousands of years after his death people in Israel still love and celebrate him. No wonder the Jewish badge is the Shield of David.

The centerpiece of Israel’s flag is also the  shield of David. The Sabbath-night meal is his seudah, his tomb is a place of pilgrimage, Jerusalem is the City of David, and the city’s best hotel is named after him and stands in King David Street. In 1996 the 3000th year of David establishment of Jerusalem was widely celebrated. 

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

Being so loved by God, one would think that God would have spared him from challenges. Yet David fought the bloodiest battles, to the extent that God did not allow him to build the temple because his hands had shed too much blood. Even as a youth he had begun facing fierce challenges, fighting bears and lions, killing goliath as a mere 17 year old.

In the same that God loves you does not mean He will shy you away from challenges. He will allow them, only as opportunities for you to see His faithfulness in your life. Though David fought so much, yet he never lost any battle in his lifetime as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.   

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

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

If you are rooted in Christ, you will have the guarantee of victory in every conflict. 

So what is that battle that is facing you? what is that challenge? Cheer up and give God worthy praise and your victory is assured. In your praise is your victory!
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to praise you despite any situation, let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my mouth.  

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] 

Psalm 91:4b says ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
• DAILY READING – 2 Corinthians 2:5-3:18; 2 Kings 15-16; Micah 5:2-15

Wars are constantly being fought in one place or the other in the world. Already the world has seen two major world wars where over 70 million lives were lost.  Even now there are still many ongoing conflicts in different nations of the world. Though wars seem to be rampant on the earth, what is happening physically is simply a reflection of what is going on spiritually. 

Both spiritually and physically, there are wars going on in the world. Everyday spiritually, there are darts flying up and down in every direction. 

While the physical battles have specific locations and specific people involved in it, the spiritual battle has no specific location, it is being fought everywhere on all fronts, and everyone is involved. But in this battles God has promised protection to His children. Indeed, no weapon formed against you shall ever prosper. 

Psalm 91:4 says ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day. 

Though these arrows are flying God is saying we should not be afraid of them, because we are under divine cover. 

Arrows fly by day, in form of evil manipulations, incarnations, and enchantments. Psalm 64:3 says ‘Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:  Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:’ 

From this scripture we find that, bitter words, evil words are shot forth as arrows. This is why we must daily take up the shield of faith, to quench any of these fiery dart of the wicked.

Ephesians 6 says above all taking the shield of faith wherewith you shall quench darts of the wicked. 

The shield of Faith is formed by surrounding ourselves with the Word of God. We must always fill our heart with the Word, and confess it with our mouth. 

Life is essentially a battle of words. The stronger the words you speak, the more you dominate over the enemy.  The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword. And it is by God’s Word that we dominate over negative situations and circumstances that challenge us. 

To be victorious in life’s battles you must learn to speak to your mountains. A closed mouth is a closed destiny. That is why you must rise up vehemently against stagnation, sickness or any other anti-covenant thing that is trying to hang around you. The enemy is shooting forth arrow of words, you can’t afford to keep silent. Release The Word of God against the things fighting your destiny. Stop watching situations silently.  It is time to begin to speak. Speak God’s Word to silence every spiritual opposition. Never forget that it is when the strangers hear your voice that they will fade out of their close places. So arise and begin to declare the counsel of God over you, And as you do, every tongue that rises against you, shall surely be condemned in Jesus Name. 

PRAYER Lord help me to speak Your Word boldly against the things fighting my destiny. In this season, may I never lose out through a closed mouth. By Your Word I have the victory  in Jesus Name.  

QUOTE  

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

 WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK OPEN HEAVENS] 

Psalm 23:5

‘Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

DAILY READING – 2 Corinthians 1:1-2:4; 2 Kings 14; Micah 4:1-5:1

Summer time can be a traumatic time for sheep. It is generally known among shepherds that “summer time is fly time.”

This is because during summer, the advent of warm weather brings with it, a great cloud of flies, mosquitos and other insects. These insects especially attack the heads of the sheep, burrowing into their ears and noses. The results could range from irritation to disease, even death, as the sheep violently hits its head upon the rocks to get rid of the insects.

However there is one way shepherds can protect their sheep from this torment of insects. It is by anointing the sheep with oil. Shepherds take a mixture of olive oil and anoint the sheep’s head, rubbing the oil into its wool and especially around its nose, eyes, and ears.

When this is done, the oil immediately wards off insects from attacking the sheep, thereby causing the sheep to experience immediate relief. Though the sheep may still be in the presence of the insects, because it has been anointed, it becomes untouchable.

Psalm 23:5 says ‘Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil.’

Indeed when we are anointed with the oil of The Spirit, we become untouchable to every enemy. When God is our shepherd, He not only leads us, He also protects us.

God prepares a table for us in the presence of enemies, because He knows we are too defended to be molested.

The enemies will watch you eat of the dew of Heaven and of the fatness of the earth, but they will be helpless to do anything about you.

The anointing places a ‘touch not’ seal upon the believer.

Psalm 105: 14-15 says ‘He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.’

As we progress in  life, carrying God’s anointing becomes very necessary. Because the whole world lies in wickedness, we cannot afford to be defenseless. The table God is preparing for us will attract the envy of the wicked. It may cause them to fire arrows by day and send pestilence that walks in darkness. But through God’s Presence we become immune to every such attack. Indeed the anointing that promotes you, will also protect you.

Psalm 61:3 says ‘For thou has been a shelter  for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.’

Indeed God is our refuge. King David, with all the battles he fought, was never wounded, because of the thick Presence of God covering him. He said  in Psalm 140:7 ‘O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.’

David enjoyed divine protection because of the anointing.  God said in Psalm 89:20 ‘I have found David My servant, with My Holy oil have I anointed him.’

Because he was anointed, David became untouchable. In the same way, when we are anointed, we become untouchable to the hordes of hell.

Key to carrying God’s anointing is maintaining a lifestyle of praise. That was David’s secret, he praised God seven times a day. The oil of gladness and garment of praise gives us supernatural covering.

Indeed God deserves all our praise. If it had not been for The Lord on our side, where would we be? It is only because of His mercies that we have not been consumed. Despite the traps enemies set for our feet, God always causes our soul to escape as a bird out of the snare of the fowler. When they gathered against us, God made them to fall for our sakes. And when they came against us one way, God scattered them from us in seven ways. Indeed God is good to us, this is why we praise Him.

And as you praise God today, the anointing of His Presence will shield and cover you. By this anointing, you become truly untouchable.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for enabling me to spend time in Your Presence so that I can be  anointed with fresh oil. Indeed by Your Anointing upon my life, I have become immune to every attack of the enemy 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 FAITH CLASSICS]