HORM Devotional

Galatians 2:20.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

DAILY READING 1 Corinthians 16; 2 Kings 12-13; Micah 3

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Historians have long researched and written on the life of the Christianizing Spanish explorer and Conqueror, Hernando Cortez. Quite fascinating is the story of how he conquered the great city of Aztec in Mexico in 1519.  At this time, the Aztecs were a large and powerful empire that had been in power for over six centuries. They were known to hoard what was deemed then as the world’s richest treasures, which no army had ever been able to plunder. 

However Hernando Cortez, believed he could overcome the Aztec stronghold and cart away their riches. On April 21st, 1519, he sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz, Mexico, bringing with him about 500 soldiers and 100 sailors with  11 ships. These band of Spanish soldiers were no match for the great army of the Aztec empire, but they landed on the shores of Mexico, with only one objective; to seize the great treasures. Before leading the men into battle, Cortez rallied them round and uttered these  three words “Burn the Ships”. Initially he was met with resistance from his men. Why would they burn the ships they were meant to escape in? “Burn the ships,” Cortez repeated. He then said “if we are going home, we are going home in their ships”.

Finally convincing the men, Cortez and his soldiers burned their own ships. And by burning their own ships, the commitment level of the men was raised to a whole new level. With no more option of retreat, amazingly, the men conquered the Aztecs and succeeded in something other armies had been unable to accomplish. With the victory Cortez and his men took the treasure. 

It is believed that why they succeeded against all odds was because they had no retreat plan, no fall back position. Their ships were burned, they had no way to get back, therefore they had no choice! It was all or nothing! It was “succeed or die’’ It was a Complete and Total Commitment to their cause. 

The question then is; If these men could be so dedicated in their quest for gold, how much more dedicated should we be in our quest for God?

In Galatians 2:20, Paul states “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

In our Christian walk, we have to decide to burn the ship and follow Christ wholly. We must make a commitment to go forward with Christ and live for God alone. We have to come to the point where we decide it is going to be God or nothing else. We live in a world that loves compromises, and teaches that we are free to pick and choose what suits us religiously. But Christ tells us that to follow Him, means to take up our crosses and never look back. To follow him is all or nothing. Indeed we can never serve God and mammon. There is no cheap grace. To serve God acceptably, means we are to die to everything else and live fully for the one who has saved us.

Dedication has been described as deadly commitment. It means putting your hands to the plough without the option of turning back. 

Our commitment as Christians cannot be complete until we come to the decision to serve God totally. We have to burn our ships and believe that the only way to go is forward. 

Retreat is easy when you have an option. But when you decide like Paul that to live is Christ and to die is gain, then there is no option but to go forward.

That is why in the armors listed in Ephesians 6 there is no defense for your back, because you are never meant to turn back, you must keep pressing forward. 

Your choice for dedication today guarantees your distinction tomorrow. Glory will not come until the mystery of dedication is in place- When our lives are completely given over to God and the cause of His kingdom, then we will keep advancing from glory to glory. Indeed, when we know that turning back is never an option, our lives can only go one way; forward. 
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be totally dedicated to You. Please grant me the grace to make You my top priority in life, Having put my hands to the plough, please help me to never turn back in Jesus Name. .   

QUOTE 

Your heart needs to be filled with The Word of God to the point of overflow. – WORDBITE 222. 

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS] 

Galatians 6:9

‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’

• DAILY READING 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Kings 11; Micah 2

We have often heard the story of the two brothers who gave up hope too soon when digging for gold. During the California gold rush, these two brothers sold all they had and went prospecting for gold. They discovered a vein of the shining ore, staked a claim, and proceeded to get down to the serious business of getting the gold ore of the mine. All went well at first, but then a strange thing happened. The vein of gold suddenly disappeared!  It seemed they had come to the end of the rainbow, and the pot of gold was no longer there. The brothers continued to dig further, but couldn’t seem to trace the vein of gold anymore. They were thoroughly disappointed, their hope of becoming overnight millionaires was dashed. Disgusted, they gave up digging and planned to return back home. Someone else bought their equipment and claim rights for a few hundred dollars. As the brother took the train back home, the new person decided to seek expert advice concerning the gold prospect of the mine. He hired an engineer to examine the rock strata of the mine. The engineer advised him to continue digging in the same spot where the former owners had left off.  So the man picked up from where the brothers stopped digging. And just three feet deeper, the new owner struck gold! What the brothers had toiled and labored for easily became this man’s fortune. A little more persistence and the two brothers would have been millionaires themselves. But they gave up too soon.

Galatians 6:9 says ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’

There is a reaping for us when we faint not. It doesn’t matter how long you may have toiled in the past, when it’s your due season, things suddenly will fall into place. When your clouds are full your rain will fall.

Surely there is an end and your expectations will not be cut off. In Mark 5:25-34, the woman with the issue of blood kept pressing forward to touch Jesus. It wasn’t easy pushing through the hostile crowd that saw her as unclean, but she didn’t give up. Something inside told her that it was her due season. Even though she was weak from losing blood, She knew she had to go on till she touched Jesus. Because she didn’t give up, in the end she got her miracle.

Likewise, we need to keep pressing forward, despite discouraging situations. Don’t give up too soon just because things are not turning out as you immediately expect. keep pressing forward to your miracle. Maybe you’re facing a situation you’ve been praying about for a long time. Weeping may have endured for a night but now joy is coming with the morning. Favor is coming. Keep believing, keep expecting, things are about to turn around in your favor.

This is your year of the eagle’s flight. It is your year to come into overflow. You may have toiled in past years, but this is your year to see beauty for ashes. What was a stumbling block, God is about turn into your stepping stone. According to Zechariah 9:12 God will give you double for all your trouble. You shall not labor in vain. You will not sow for another to reap.  You will eat the fruit of your labor. Faithful is He that called you, who also will do it.

God will take you far beyond your expectations. He will surround you with favor as a shield. It doesn’t matter how contrary your situation right now, what matters is what God’s Word has said. This is why we keep thanking Him in advance, because we serve the God of all possibilities. He is the God of miracles who can move mountains, and cause walls to fall.

So shake off the doubt. Your cup is about to run over. You have come too far to stop this journey halfway. Remember it is always darkest just before the day breaks. And the battle is often hottest just before victory comes. All the discouragement the enemy has been sending your way is only an attempt  to get you to quit before your miracle comes. But quitters never win and winners never quit.

According to Deuteronomy 28:1-2, as you keep obeying God’s Word, His blessings will chase you down and overtake you. Overtake means “to take by surprise”. God is going to surprise you. You may have been digging for long, but suddenly, out of the ordinary, God will cause you to strike gold. He will exceed your expectations. God will amaze you with His goodness. So hang in there and keep believing. Things are about to change, you are about to experience an overflow. Indeed it is your due season and if you faint not, you will surely reap in Jesus name.

PRAYER Lord I thank You for what You are set to do in my life. I know indeed that everything is turning around for my good. It is indeed my due season, and I thank You Lord for my positive change of story in Jesus Name. .

quote

When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise.

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]

Acts 1:8 ‘And you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you..’

• DAILY READING 1 Corinthians 15:1-34; 2 Kings 10; Micah 1
Every child of God is meant to live as a sign and wonder on the earth. By reason of the new birth we have been redeemed by God to live a life of power. And one man who indeed lived as a wonder to his generation was Dr. John G. Lake. He was a man who operated in the power of God at an amazing level. He literally walked and lived in God’s Presence.
John G Lake was in South Africa serving as a missionary, when a deadly bubonic plague broke out. Many people died from the plague. Yet despite the danger to his health,  John G. Lake still went about ministering to the sick and burying the dead. One day one of the doctors assigned by the government, noticing this, enquired from John G. Lake what he had been using to protect himself such that he had not been able to contract the disease. 

John G. Lake answered him, “Brother that is the ‘law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.’ I believe that just as long as I keep my soul in contact with the living God so that His Spirit is flowing into my soul and body, that no germ will ever attach itself to me, for the Spirit of God will kill it.”

He then invited the doctors to experiment with him. He asked them take some foams of living germs of the plague and put on his hand while he kept his hands under the microscope. And as they did so, it was discovered that instead of the germs remaining alive, they all died instantly at coming in contact with his skin.

The doctors were beyond measure amazed!

He then explained to them, that The Spirit of God emanating from his body killed the germs. 

Indeed Dr. Lake lived a life of power. Today, we may look at his life with amazement, but the truth is that such  life of power is what every child of God is meant to live on earth.  1 Corinthians 4:20 says that the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 

In the kingdom of God, power is our identity. Without being clothed with power, we become cheap preys to the enemy. But when we operate in God’s power we dominate in our environment.

We must understand that power is not an option. The scriptures says that the whole world lies in wickedness, therefore we need power to survive and thrive in the midst of such wickedness. If you want to live a successful Christian life, you must be empowered. 

Jesus was anointed without measure and that is God’s target for us. It is God’s will that we rise to the level of power where we live in constant dominion over every opposition to our life and destiny. It is God’s desire that we be in charge wherever we appear. Whenever Jesus appeared, the devils took to their heels and fled. 

Jesus lived and walked in Power and authority. And as The Father sent Him, so has He sent us to manifest likewise on the earth. We need to have our spirit empowered for triumph. We therefore must take spiritual responsibility to increase our levels of empowerment to command dominion over situations and circumstances. 

Acts 1:8 says you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you. 

As Christians for us to see mighty manifestations of power, we have to go deeper in seeking  The Spirit of God. There is a level of anointing you can operate on where  The Spirit of God literally takes you over. This is the level where Dr. Lake operated. If you take a little sip of alcohol in your house and go out to the street, nobody may know you took a drink except perhaps you tell them. But when you sit down with bottles of alcohol and drink as much as you can, when you walk out of your door, your neighbors will not need to be told, they will definitely know something has happened to you. What made the difference? Volume of intake. 

We therefore need to drink enough of the Word for a mighty manifestation of The Spirit in our lives. 

When you are drunk, your talk and your walk will be enough announcement. People will know indeed that something has happened to you. Likewise, by the manifestations of  miracles, signs and wonders around us, 

People we know we are drunk with power. It is not just enough to hear The Word, we must hear till we get to the point of drunkenness, where The Spirit takes us over and begins to move us to do exploits for God. 

Just as Dr. Lake’s amazing testimony brought glory to God, so should our lives be a testimony to our generation. Wherever we go the manifestations of the power of God will announce our arrival. May that indeed be our experience in Jesus Name.  
PRAYER: Lord, please to develop a greater appetite for your Word and your Spirit so that I can begin to see miracles, signs and wonders in my life in Jesus Name..   

QUOTE 

Your heart needs to be filled with The Word of God to the point of overflow. – WORDBITE 222. 

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS] 

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

‘For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind’..    

• DAILY READING –  – 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; 2 Kings 9; Jonah 4

During World War 2, a Japanese soldier, Shohoiya Yokowai was sent to serve on the island of Guam. One day, he sighted the American forces landing on the island. Full of fear that he would be captured by the American soldiers, he fled into the jungle. There he found a cave in which he hid. He was so afraid he remained in the jungle hiding in the cave, only occasionally coming out to find what to eat and go back into hiding. Without any communication with the outside, he didn’t know when the war was over. He would remain hidden in the cave for the next 28 years because he was afraid of being captured by the Americans. 

When he finally emerged after so long, his story captured media headlines. 

Fear sentenced this Japanese soldier to 28 years of self imprisonment. He served, not in a prison of bars and locks, but a self-imposed prison of fear…

Indeed the fear of a man brings him to a snare. 

The words “Fear not” occur 365 times in some Bible versions. This cannot altogether be a mere coincidence. It would seem as if God has designed each ‘fear not’ for everyday of the year. This is because fear is a major problem that plagues the hearts of men. 2 Timothy 1:7 says ‘for God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind’.

So fear is a spirit. This is the spirit that keeps men bound in limitations and stops them from taking bold steps in life. But where The Spirit of The Lord is there is liberty. To counter the spirit of fear, we need the liberty The Spirit of God brings. The righteous are as bold as a lion. It is The Spirit of God that imparts boldness to a believer. This was clearly seen in the life of Peter. Standing before a small maid Peter out of fear denied Jesus 3 times, but when The Holy Spirit came upon him, standing before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish highest ecclesiastical council, under threat of death, he boldly proclaimed Christ.  

If a man lacks The Spirit of God he will be plagued by the spirit of fear. The Spirit of God sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts, and perfect love casts out fear. 

Escape from the spirit of fear therefore is by binding ourselves to The Spirit of God. 

For the assignment God has called us to, we need boldness to accomplish it. Because on our journey we will be confronted by giants, battles, and all manner of challenges. Except The Spirit of God leads us and goes with us we will be too afraid to make any move. Moses understood this when he declined to continue on the journey to Canaan except God’s presence went with Israel.  

Indeed it is God’s Presence that makes the difference. 

If God be for you who can be against you?

1 Peter 3:13 questions ‘who is that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good’.    

All these assures our heart that our case is different. And emboldened by The Spirit of God we can go forth and do exploits, knowing that we are truly unstoppable. 

Faith is the answer to fear. It was said that fear knocked, faith opened the door and there was no one there. Fear flees when faith appears. This is why it is important to fill our heart with The Word that produces faith. 

When Joshua was about to go forth with the army of Israel to possess the promised land, God commanded him to meditate on the Word day and night, by so doing he will be strong, courageous, and not be afraid or dismayed. 

Likewise to possess that which God has apportioned to us we must meditate constantly on the Word of God. When our heart is filled with faith there will be no more room for fear. Through divine boldness we become more conquerors in every battle of life. 
PRAYER: Lord, please grant me renewed appetite for continuous study of Your Word so that I can contact the needed faith to always overcome fear. Please inoculate my heart with boldness to go forth and accomplish all that You have ordained for me in destiny in Jesus Name. 

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QUOTE 

Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will set you free.- – WORDBITE 222. 

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK METAMORPHOSIS] 

2 Chronicles 20:17 KJV

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

DAILY READING –   1 Corinthians 14:1-25; 2 Kings 8; Jonah 3

Indeed God is fearful in praises. When we praise God, He arises to crush even the toughest and roughest battles against us.

In 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles won a victory that shocked the sports world. The eagles were one of those teams that had never won a Super Bowl championship game before, they were seen as the under dogs. On the other hand, their opponent, the New England  patriots were the NFL’s greatest dynasty, having already won the super bowl five times before. The almost-unflappable Patriots, with a lot of talented players and a  mastermind coach, were expected to win.  Yet, God turned the table in favor of the Eagles.

The Eagles are a rare team in that they are greatly focused on serving God. A number of teammates share their faith in Christ, and many on the team are “prayed up” when they go into a major competition. In November 2017, the Eagles released a video on its Facebook page entitled, “The Locker Room’s Binding Force.” It was a look at how Christianity is a big part of the team’s unity. On every Monday night, they have a couple’s Bible study. On Thursday night, team Bible study. And then Saturday nights, they get together and pray and share God’s Word.

When they faced the defending champion New England Patriots, in the super bowl, the eagles were certain God would give them victory. Though many people assumed New England patriots would devastate the Eagles to collect their sixth Trophy, the eagles chose to trust God.  They resorted to praise and indeed God astounded the naysayers. In the very last minutes of the game, when it seemed all hope was lost, the tables were suddenly turned in favor of the eagles. They scored 41-33, over the patriots  to win their first Super Bowl ever! The Eagles’ Super Bowl victory sent people in Philadelphia into a wild  celebration. Indeed God had once again shown Himself faithful. And immediately after the win, the eagles gathered together right there  in the field, to give God worthy praise.

Indeed praise is an unbeatable weapon in the battles of life. Anything that cannot beat God, cannot beat praise, because according to Psalm 22:3, God inhabits the praises of His people. This means that God is in praise and thus, whatever battle cannot resist God, cannot resist praise.

Praise is a spiritual medium through which we transfer our battles to God. Life is essentially a seedtime and harvest adventure and no one ever gets out of life more than he puts into it. Therefore those who take God for granted, are often grounded. It is only those who praise that are raised.

The greatest obstacle facing you in life, through praise can  become a miracle. Indeed God is fearful in praises, doing wonders. When we praise, God takes over our battles. According to 2 Chronicles 20:17, as we praise God, we shall not need to fight in the  battle:, rather  we only stand to see the salvation of The Lord with us. And we invoke God by intense, hearty praise; not just with the lips, but praise coming from the depth of our soul!

When praise becomes your life style, triumph becomes your heritage.  There is a highway of praise,  you just keep going on from triumph to triumph, victory to victory! Indeed as we decide to engage praise as a lifestyle today, all round victory in all spheres becomes our heritage in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You because as I praise You today, I know You have won every  victory for me. I thank You because my life is moving from triumph  to triumph, in Jesus Name. . ….

quote

The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained  victorious end for you.

 [CULLED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]

James 3:4-6 
‘Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.   5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. ’

• DAILY READING – – 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Kings 7:3-20; Jonah 2
During the early days of World War II, Hitler’s army was fast defeating many European countries and taking control of them. In Britain it was believed it was only a matter of time before Hitler also took over the nation. The British people were thoroughly demoralized, and had decided to surrender to Hitler without a fight.  

But at this time in May 1940 Winston Churchill was appointed the new British Prime Minister. When he assumed office, he had to decide whether to negotiate with Adolf Hitler, or fight what seemed an impossible war. 

Soon France also was defeated by Hitler and now Britain was next. Hitler began to make plans for the invasion of England. Hitler ordered bombing raids on the country. Indeed it was Britain’s darkest hour. At this time Churchill was under pressure to commence peace negotiations with the German dictator. But Churchill decided he would rather fight than surrender. It was a very difficult and dangerous decision. 

Britain now stood alone against the power of Germany’s military forces, which had conquered most of Western Europe in less than two months. Churchill was acutely aware Britain’s fate lay in his ability to rouse the demoralized nation. However he understood the power of words. He was a great writer, winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Churchill applied the power of words to inspire and mobilize  the British people. 

He was assisted by the fact that it was in the age of radio broadcasting and mass-circulation newspapers. Churchill gave a number of speeches aimed at building up the morale of the population and the armed forces. The call for bravery and willingness to fight was the main theme of most of his speeches

In his most famous speech on 18 June 1940, when the Battle of Britain was  about to begin, he told his people that upon this battle depended the survival of Christian civilization and their own survival. 

Inspired by his speech the British air force was able to hold off Hitler’s attacks. Churchill’s speeches changed the course of not only the British history but also world history. Once he was able to inspire his people to fight, he also rallied other countries to form an alliance that would later defeat Hitler. Soon came the end of Hitler’s third Reich. And as he lost the war, Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30, and Germany surrendered unconditionally on all fronts on May 8.

Truly words are powerful. The fact that words are invisible does not make them intangible. Words are like the wind; you cannot see it, but you can hear and feel its effect. Words can be constructive or destructive. Churchill by speaking right words was able to inspire a demoralized nation to victory. 

It’s amazing what one kind word can do!

Proverbs 18:4 says, “A person’s words can be life-giving water.” And also Proverbs 15:4 says, “A gentle tongue brings healing.” 

Indeed our words have healing power. Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help them make it through the day. But your destructive words can cause deep wounds, that can  destroy someone’s desire to continue trying.

“There is life and death in the power of the tongue.”

The tongue may be small but it controls great matters. 

James 3:4-6 says ‘Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.   Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. ’

When you’re kind, and encouraging to people you are being a healer. And you are helping others become everything God has created them to be. As you help others rise higher, God is going to cause you to rise higher too!

This is why it’s important to speak God’s blessing over our family and children.

Through speaking right words you can change the atmosphere in your home and  break the chains holding your loved ones back. 

It’s important to note that we can also encourage ourselves by speaking right words. Throughout the day, say things such as, “I have the favor of God. I am strong and healthy. I’m well able to do what I need to do.”

In James 3:3–12, tells how our tongues can express great good or cause great harm. However the problem is not with the tongue but with the source, which is the heart, because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What is in your heart is what will overflow and out flow through the tongue. Where the mind goes, the mouth follows! So if you can control what is in your heart you can also  control what comes out of your mouth. When the Word of God dominates your heart, The Word also will dominate your mouth and your tongue. This is what causes you to speak right words that brings blessings and healing to people.  
PRAYER: Father I receive grace now to always speak right words. May my tongue ever steer me along the path of Your will  and never out of it. Help me to continually fill my heart with Your Word, to enable me to speak right words always 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.

Mathew 11:12 
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

 DAILY READING –  – 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Kings 6:1-7:2; Jonah 1

Probably the most important political event of the second half of the 20th century is the collapse of the Berlin wall.

In 1961 Germany was separated. The Western countries; America, France and England controlled one half of Germany, while The USSR controlled the other half. 

Living conditions in the two sides became distinctly different.

In west Germany, the government of the western countries were democratic and capitalist, and under them people were free and prospered. But the government of the USSR was communist and a dictatorship, and under them people lived in repressive conditions, unable to get simple luxuries such as a cup of coffee. 

It wasn’t long before many people in East Germany began to flee towards the better side. In a short while, three and a half million people had fled from East Germany to west Germany. To stop this mass exodus, the USSR decided to build a wall. The Wall was erected in the dead of night on August 13, 1961. It was built so suddenly that many people were separated from their workplaces or their families on the other side of the divide. People living in East Germany were no longer able to leave. Soldiers patrolled the wall with dogs and many security gadgets were installed; even electric fences and minefields. Some died trying to get over the wall. 

For 28 years from 1961 until 1989, the Berlin Wall divided the city.

However in 1989, people rose up and decided enough was enough. There were protests against the government. And one day, many people gathered around the border checkpoints demanding to be let through. The scenario was too much for the government to handle, they couldn’t crush the protests. In the end people power triumphed. And on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. It was celebrated around the world and was one of the biggest news stories of the last century. Germany was reunified as a whole in 1990. The Berlin Wall’s fall symbolized the defeat of communism. The Soviet Union effectively collapsed in 1991. 

What is significant is that for 28 years people in East Germany accepted the limitation imposed upon them, until the day they decided enough was enough. And when they moved, the communist government bowed and let them go.    

Mathew 11:12 says 

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

The truth is that you can walk out on pharaoh. You don’t have to keep tolerating his bondage. You can rebel against the forces of darkness and declare your freedom. It doesn’t matter how long you may have been in that bondage, the day you react violently is the day your freedom will be established. The kingdom of God suffers violence and therefore everything you’d take delivery of will be by some level of violence.

The violent take it by force. Perhaps you have been docile for too long, that is why the enemy has been taking you for a ride. The only language he understands is the language of power. It is therefore time to react violently, against every limitation. . 

Refuse to be intimidated. Whatever scares you will scar you. In Exodus 7:1, God said to Moses, “See I have made you now a God to Pharaoh” and it changed his disposition.  Until your lion-heart is awakened, your lion share won’t be delivered

By the blood take authority over everything challenging your destiny. Take authority over that evil habit, take authority over lack and want, over sickness, over whatever tries to steal your peace. 

Every enemy of your destiny must bow. By the blood of Jesus come against everything trying to bring you down, against the sickness trying to eat away your life, against the forces of shame, trying to make a mockery of your glorious destiny. Enough is enough. The violent take it by force. 

The knowledge of God’s Word is your ticket to freedom. It is what builds up your faith. A person of faith has a thick mentality of God’s word. They speak with audacity and act with authority. Therefore build up violent faith through a diligent study of the Word. Your faith is your ticket to victory.

 Exercise your faith by speaking against every barrier to your destiny. By the blood of Jesus declare your freedom from every demonic limitation. Hebrews 10:19-20 states that we have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil.

Therefore by the blood of Jesus we have authority to cross over to a new and better way of living. And no devil can resist that access. Indeed by the blood of Jesus our freedom is established forever.  

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You that by the blood of Jesus I am free from limitation and oppression. I know You have so much in store for me, please enable me to meditate constantly on your Word so that my heart can be filled with the required faith to possess my possession in Jesus Name. 

QUOTE 

Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will set you free.- – WORDBITE 222. 

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK METAMORPHOSIS] 

Proverbs 15:24 says ‘The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.’
DAILY READING – 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 2 Kings 5; Obadiah 1

Imagine a place where you can be in a good shape, where your risk of heart and lung disease is less, where you’d be just all-around healthier. There is such a place. Recent studies have indicated that people who live at higher altitudes live healthier. The benefits are seen in longer life span, less disease, and less obesity rates.

One of the key benefits to living at higher altitudes is that people lose weight. 

It is an established fact that the higher the altitude, the lower the obesity rate.

Why this is important is because obesity can lead to a host of other problems — diabetes, heart and lung issues  etc. 

But people who live at high altitude around the world, have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and some cancer. 

For instance, Colorado is the highest state in the U.S. with an average altitude of 6,800 feet above sea level. Researchers note that Colorado has the nation’s lowest death rate from heart disease and has lower rates of lung and colon cancer. It is one of the states where people live longest with an average life span of 81.3 years. 

Indeed people who live higher live healthier. 

Spiritually also, those who live higher live better. 

God has ordained for us to live a mountain top life. We are created for the high places of life. We are meant to live above. After Jesus was raised from the dead, Eph. 1:20 says God highly exalted Him to a position of honor at His right hand and gave Him a Name that is above every name. Jesus is seated in the highest position in the universe; at God’s right hand. 

Ephesians 2:6 says, “. .And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This means that we are also sitting above, reigning with Christ in a position of authority, honor, and triumph. 

Life is in levels.  What you experience depends on the level from which you operate. The above life, is the ultimate life. He that comes from above is above all. 

Proverbs 15:24 says ‘The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.’

If the way of life is above, then the way of death is beneath. In other words, life below is hellish. It is the enemy’s territory, where he keeps men in a low life of oppression and depression. Spiritual laziness will keep a man at such a level. Failure to pray, fast, and study God’s Word will keep a man groveling on the ground where he  becomes a prey to evil forces. The truth is, you either pray or you become a prey. 

The high way of life is for those who are willing to pay the price of holiness. 

Isaiah 35:8 says ‘And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it;’

To live above is to live life beyond the veil. It is a life for only those who mean business with God. It is for those who are desperate for God’s Presence and are willing to pay any price to find it. That is why when they eventually find it there is a reward. Hebrew 11 says God is rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

There is a price to pay to rise above. Nothing happens on its own accord. It is only what you make happen that happens. If you do nothing, you get nothing!

An airplane, with all its high altitude potential, will remain on the floor until it applies the necessary power to rise. We must therefore be willing to pay the required price to rise through prayer and  deep commitment to God’s Word.  

Realize that when you rise to the heavenly realm, you have gone beyond the veil to a place, where no devil can follow you into. The Bible says that in heaven there was no place found for the devil. Darkness cannot dwell where light abides. When you dwell in  heavenly places, seated with Christ far above, you become untouchable. No demonic arrow can reach you. 

Next time someone is looking for you, they’ll need to look in the heavenly places. That is where you belong. And the next time someone asks you ‘how far?’ Tell them, ‘far above all principalities and powers.’ Indeed that is where God has ordained for you to dwell. 

PRAYER: Father please help me to pay the required price of spiritual responsibility, to rise to the high place You have ordained for me. I receive grace to live beyond the veil, in the place of victory and continual triumph 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] 

Luke 6:48 KJV

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock . — DAILY READING Luke 18:18-43; Genesis 31; Psalm 24

In a town called Pisa in Italy, there is an old 7 story tower which is almost

1000 years old. It is called the leaning tower of Pisa. Why it is called the leaning tower is because of its shape. Instead of standing upright like other buildings, it leans as if it wants to fall. Its unique shape has made it to become a tourist attraction in Italy. Yet, it is a glaring example of what bad foundation can result in, because the tower was built on a bad foundation of sinking clay. Though millions of dollars have been spent to keep it stable, there is no guarantee, it will not fall one day.

Psalm 11:3 says ‘If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?’

Indeed foundation matters. In any building the foundation deserves the highest focus and attention to detail, because  the entire house sits on top of it! Though it may seem a simple part of the overall construction process, but getting the foundation right is incredibly important. Any mistakes made in the foundation will only get worse with time. In engineering it is known as compounding defects and it means that mistakes keep growing.  This is true in any form of construction or development venture. If you are going to rise up and stay up, it is important that you dig your foundation deep and make it firm.

In the same way the foundation upon which we build our lives matter. Jesus spoke of two men who built houses, one built on the rock and despite the storms that came against him, his house stood; but the other built on the sand and when the storms came, his house fell. Building our lives can be likened to building a house. Every life will stand or fall depending on what foundation it has.

Spiritually the deeper your foundation in The Word of God, the stronger and higher up, your life goes.

Every day we are confronted by options; to go the way of the world or to go the way of The Word.

If you have not built a solid foundation through constant study of scriptures, you may be swayed to follow the way of the world. It is our depth in The Word of God that keeps us from leaning over and compromising when faced with temptations.

It is only by the strength of The Word of God in us that we can look at temptation and say ‘No’.

Without a strong foundation in God’s Word, you may be surprised by your own actions under certain circumstances.

The victory that overcomes the world is our faith, and faith comes from hearing The Word.

Don’t think you can stand by your own strength. The arm of flesh will fail you.

Psalm 119:11 says ‘Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee’.

It is by hiding God’s Word in our heart that we can stand strong in the face of sin and compromise.

Therefore if you do not want to fall, or lean over like the tower of Pisa, build up The Word in you.

When our life is built on the foundation of God’s Word, we learn to trust God in every situation, knowing that whatever He has said concerning us will eventually come to pass.

Situations can change and men can disappoint, but The Word of God will never fail.

When we build upon God’s promises in His Word, we can be sure that what He has said, will surely come to pass in our lives. Basing our hope in God’s Word is building upon the rock that will never fall. The Word of God is forever stable, solid and never changes. What God says is the same forever. When you stand upon the promise of God no matter the kind of storm that comes your way, you will always overcome. When your foundation is strong in God’s Word, The Word will hold you up in every situation.

PRAYER:  Lord please help me to set my hope upon you and never on man. I know that when I build upon Your Word, I am building upon a foundation which will never fail. Please grant me renewed appetite for Your Word so that my faith can be built up to always trust in You in Jesus Name. .

 quote

Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will make you free. – WORDBITE 222.  

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

1 Samuel 2:30 
Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

• DAILY READING   1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 2 Kings 4; Amos 9
Timothy Tebow is a celebrated professional American football quarterback and current professional baseball outfielder. He played college football for the University of Florida, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and appearing on BCS National Championship-winning teams during the 2006 and 2008 seasons.

The world has noticed Tim Tebow since his days playing college football, mainly for demonstrating his faith on the football field, including wearing Bible verses on his eye black in college and dropping to a knee in prayer, launching the meme “Tebowing”. 

The son of Baptist missionaries,  Tebow is known for his outspoken Christian faith. 

In the 2009 BCS Championship Game, he wore John 3:16 on his eye black; the verse was the highest-ranked Google search term over the next 24 hours, generating over 90 million searches.  Additionally, later, when Tebow switched to another verse, there were 3.43 million searches of “Tim Tebow” and “Proverbs 3:5-6” together. 

It is believed Tebow’s actions later affected the new rule for the 2010 NCAA football season, which banned messages on eye paint. This rule was dubbed “The Tebow Rule” by media. This is because it was believed that the rule was to prevent other players from wearing  Bible verses under their eyes like Tebow did. 

However wherever he goes, Tebow keeps proclaiming his faith. He has shared his Christian faith globally in prisons and schools, to church and youth groups, and at meetings and conferences. Tebow holds a firm stance in favor of faith-based abstinence, and has maintained his virginity until marriage.

God said in 1 Sam 2:30 ‘for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed’.

Honoring God means making Him our top priority. It means putting Him first in everything.  It means making Him our number one consideration in every decision. 

As Christians our whole life should be bringing glory to God. Whenever  we show up people should notice there’s something different about us. When people see the depth of our character they will know that  indeed we are sons and daughters of God.

Our whole life is meant  to bring honor to God. There are people who may never open a Bible to read, but they are reading us daily. Let us therefore be living epistles, an open Bible that men read daily to know that there is a living God.

Many of the 90 million people, who went to Google to search out John 3:16 when Tebow wore the verse on his eye black; were unbelievers. Yet, with his platform as a young college footballer Tebow affected such many lives. 

Every position God has granted us is for us to serve Him and expand His Kingdom. Wherever you are in life use the opportunity to serve God. Use your position to preach the gospel and expand God’s territory. You may not literally carry the Bible, but your stance and defense of the gospel of truth and justice are testimonies of  your allegiance to God. And this is indeed honoring God. Don’t be ashamed to preach the Gospel. Jesus said if you are ashamed of Him before men, He will be ashamed of you before God.

When you keep honoring God, blessings will find you. When you honor God, it will put you in a position for His blessings to overtake you. That’s what makes you a magnet for His favor.

Learn to Honor God by serving Him in all your endeavours. 

Also live a life worthy of the Gospel you preach. Do not bring mockery to God by how you conduct your affairs. Men are constantly watching you to see if your life measures up to your claim to be a Christian. Be a sign post continually turning men to Jesus. You are where you are only by His grace.  And the more you uplift Him before men, the more He will also elevate you to higher positions so that you can keep proclaiming His name. Wherever you may be today,  Keep honoring God with your life,  trust His timing and God will open doors for you that no man can shut.

Wherever we go, whatever we do, let us always live with the consciousness that we  are God’s representative in the earth today!

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to make your Word top priority in my life, help me to lift up your name always  before men,  using  every available opportunity to preach The Gospel…  

QUOTE : 

The purpose of prosperity is for you to proclaim the Gospel. – WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK ESTABLISHED BY GRACE]