HORM Devotional

Deut. 32:11-13

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the LORD alone did lead him [Israel], and there was no strange god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields…” 

• DAILY READING – 1 Corinthians 3; 1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Joel 3

Learning to fly is never easy. Airplane pilots must undergo intensive training in order to learn how to fly. It is a very complicated business, but such training is altogether necessary. You can walk by common sense; you can run by following principles; but to fly, you must fly by instructions. That is why Aviation school teachers are called instructors, not professors. Therefore to experience a glorious flight this year, we must be trained to fly by instructions. Divine instructions are delivered in the place of prayer. It is our depth in the place of prayer that will determine how high we can fly.  When we are rightly positioned in the place of fellowship, we are trained by The Spirit to follow His instructions that will lead us to the heights God has ordained for us.

Before eagles can fly to great heights, they go through a rigorous training. At first, young eagles are fearful to leave their nests. They would rather stay back in their  nest which is safe, and secure. And they may not understand why their mother would want them to leave their comfort zone to begin to learn how to fly. 

This may be the same thoughts that go through a believer’s mind when God begins to move him out of the comfort zone of a shallow prayer life, to a deeper place of intimacy with The Spirit. He may wonder why he needs to get out of a warm bed at 5am to pray, or why he would deny himself a good meal, in order to fast. 

But no eagle can develop its wings while still in the nest. Left on their own, eagles never learn how to fly and may even end up on the floor like the chickens, who are imprisoned in chicken coops until the day of their slaughter. But when eagles are taught to fly, they soar far above, where no enemy can reach or touch them. They attain to heights far above other birds. 

Deut. 32:11-13 says  “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the LORD alone did lead him [Israel], and there was no strange god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields…”

This verse describes the process a mother eagle follows to teach her young ones to attain to great heights. She begins to “stir up the nest’, by making it uncomfortable, so that sticks and sharp ends stick out of the nest, ruining the eaglet’s “comfort zone.”  Then she begins to “flutter her wings” at the youngsters, beating on them, harassing them, and driving them to the edge of the nest. Then she “spreads her wings” for one of the little eagles to climb onto her back. As the eaglet climbs on her back and hangs on for dear life, she launches out into sky, and begins to fly, carrying the eagle on her back. When all seems safe and serene, suddenly, without any warning, the mother eagle dives, plummeting downward, causing the eaglet to fall off her back and begin a free fall tumbling down through the sky. But just before it hits the ground, in a flash the mother catches the little one on her back. Again the mother flies high and drops the eaglet, managing to catch it again just before it hits the ground. This process is repeated with each of her young ones, over and over, until they learn how to use their wings. And finally one day, they are able to soar like true eagles in the sky. The same way, in order to fly high, we must be willing to be trained by The Spirit. We must leave our comfort zone, into deeper depths of prayer. God is calling us to ‘come up hither’. God wants us to rise to the place where we are seated far above with Christ.

Do not limit yourself. God has put within you the ability to rise and soar. You have what it takes to become the spiritual high flyer God desires you to be. Indeed through Christ you can do all things. Like the eagle, you are created for the topmost place, you do not belong to the floor like the chicken. There are divine deposits embedded in you, awaiting manifestation. You are stronger, better and greater than you ever imagined. Therefore arise in fervent prayer and begin to ascend to the spiritual height God has ordained for you. Indeed God is committed to ensuring you manifest the wonder potentials in you. But for that to happen, you must be willing to submit to the training of The Spirit, in the place of prayer.  

  PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace and ability to leave my comfort Zone, and move into a deeper place of intimacy with Your Spirit. Please teach me to fly by instructions. By the leadings of The Spirit, take me to the heights You have ordained for me this year in Jesus Name.  

QUOTE 

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

  [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS].

Isaiah 40:31 
 ‘but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’
• DAILY READING  1 Corinthians 2; 1 Kings 15:1-32; Joel 2:12-32
We have come into a new dawn. It is a new day of great things. It is a year of greater heights. This year, it is God’s plan for us to soar with ease and peace. Like the eagle we shall be mounting up on the wings of the wind.  

Isaiah 40:31 says ‘but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’

An eagle “mounts up” as it soars high into the sky, far above the plains below. The Hebrew word  for “mount up” is alah , which means “to ascend,” “to be high,” “lifted up,” “arise up,” or “carry up.” 

All these words describe the movement of the eagle, when it is carried up by the wind. By mounting up, the eagle does not struggle to fly, rather it simply soars on the wings of the wind. And by so soaring, the eagle flies  higher than any other bird.

However soaring for an Eagle is not an option, but a necessity. This is because eagles are born with big and heavy wings. Part of their survival mechanism is that they learn how to fly without actually flapping their big wings. They do this in order to conserve energy. Eagles can literally die if they expend too much energy flapping their wings during flight. As a result, early in life, eagles learn to soar, thereby using minimum energy during flight.  

How Eagles soar, is that they wait for what are called wind thermals to come up on them. A wind thermal is a big gust of wind that rises up from the atmosphere. Sometimes eagles will remain perched for days before they can catch a good, strong, wind thermal. Once this wind comes upon them, they launch into it and combine a mixture of flying and soaring on the strong winds to get them to where they want to go.

Often we have seen this demonstrated in documentaries, when Eagles are caught on video soaring high up in the sky without  flapping their wings.  Their wings are spread straight out as they literally soar with perfect ease on the wind currents. 

What we can learn from this, is that when we wait on The Lord, the wind of The Spirit like the thermal wind comes to carry us to the height ordained for us by God.  Just like the eagle has to learn  to catch the wind thermal, we have to learn how soar on the winds of The Spirit. 

It is God’s will for us to be above and never beneath. But oftentimes there are forces of limitations that try to keep us bound on the ground. 

In the book of Exodus, God had a plan for the Children of Israel to be free to worship and serve Him, but they were held in bondage by pharaoh. Despite all the signs and wonders God showed in Egypt, Pharaoh still held them bound, until the sign of the blood was applied. After the sign of the blood, Pharaoh released them from bondage in a hurry.

Last year, despite your efforts, certain things may have kept you bound from attaining  the heights God ordained for you. But in this New year, just as the blood made the difference for the Israelites, by the blood of Jesus you are set free from every such bondage in Jesus Name. Whatever is still resisting and limiting your progress, by the blood of Jesus they lose their hold on you today. The Egyptians you saw last year, this year you shall see them no more. Every pharaoh of limitation that tormented you last year, by the blood, you are free from their oppression. Every pharaoh trying to cross over to pursue you, into this new year, just as pharaoh drowned in the red sea, the red blood of Jesus shall drown them all in Jesus name. It is a new day, it is a new dawn. It is the year of our greatest flight.

Deut. 32:11-13 says “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields…” 

As we follow the leadings of The Spirit, God will cause us to rise upon our high places. We shall be attaining results far beyond our human capabilities. And it shall not be by power or by might, but by The Spirit of The Lord. Therefore as we embark on the eagle’s flight, we have to be greatly sensitive to The Spirit.

It is indeed a new day and a new dawn!  

PRAYER: Lord, please may this New year mark a season of new beginnings for me. As I embark on the eagle’s flight, please grant me the grace to continually wait upon You, so that I can mount up with ease and peace. Thank You Lord for the great things You have in store for me this year in Jesus Name. 
When God places His hand upon a man in life nothing can come against him, this is because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK DIVINE ORDER FOR A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS] 

PSALM 103:1 – 2

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

: DAILY READING – 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 1 Kings 14; Joel 2:1-11
Today is the last day of the year! Praise God! 

Looking back at the year, there are so many things to be  thankful to God for. David said in Psalm 103:2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits”

Thanksgiving is not optional. It is a debt we owe God. When we think about all the goodness of Jesus, then we are bound to thank Him. Thanksgiving is important because it adjusts our attitude and calibrates our hearts so that we stop complaining and rather begin to appreciate God.  There are so many things to thank God for. There is so much God has done for us. However, the truth is that so many times the things we ought to be thanking God for, are things we take for granted. 

For instance we go to church as a routine, and openly declare our identities as Christians. But do you know there are countries where to be identified as a Christian is a death sentence?  

North Korea is ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians. In this totalitarian communist state, Christians are forced to hide their faith completely from government authorities, neighbors and often, even their own spouses and children.

In October 2016, a 55 year old North Korean defector reveals he was tortured and nearly killed just for being a Christian.  He managed to escape from one of the country’s notorious jails, fleeing into China and is now living in Los Angeles, US. He  described being tortured in the hermit state because of his religion.  He told Fox News about how he was forced to hide his religious beliefs . He along with eight others started an underground church, but because of the repression of Christians, they were forced to keep it a secret. But in 2008, officials caught and arrested him.  He was about to be sent to one of the country’s terrifying labour camps – where prisoners must undergo “re-education” treatment – when he managed to escape across the border. He  now lives in LA where he has promised to continue spreading the word about North Korean injustices.

Besides North Korea, there are many other repressive countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith.  Recently two Pakistani Christians—a husband and his pregnant wife—were beaten for three days, stoned by an angry mob and dragged behind a vehicle. Finally they were thrown into a brick kiln and burned alive. They were falsely accused of desecrating a copy of the Quran. And without trial or opportunity to defend themselves they were murdered by the mob.

Christians who live in such regions of persecution, whenever they escape, find it strange how those of us who live in religious freedom can be casual about our faith. 

It is said you don’t appreciate what you have until you lose it. This is why people who have a near death experience often come out of it with a new appreciation for life. 

We ought to be grateful that we are not being thrown into jail for going to church on Sunday. We ought to be grateful that we are not reading scraps of scriptures on bits of paper because we cannot openly carry the Bible. 

There are so many things we ought to be grateful to God this year; not only for material blessings, but also for the basic things of life. 

29.8 million people are living as slaves today, according to the Walk Free Foundation, who investigated 162 countries and found slaves in everyone. Aren’t you glad you are not living in slavery of any form? 

The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world’s population is overfed, one-third is underfed and one-third is starving. Approximately 925 million people in the developing world are chronically undernourished. Aren’t you grateful to God you have food to eat everyday?  

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights says there are 100 million homeless people in the world. One in three children in the world live without adequate shelter. And today there are about 42 million people who are living as refugees. Most were displaced by war and live in crude camps. Well then, thank God for a roof over your head!

Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. Those who have college degrees, are only a privileged minority; only 6.7 percent of people in the world have a college diploma. Well, thank God you are able to read and write!

Also thank God you are breathing free air and not in a hospital paying for oxygen. Thank God you are walking with your legs and not being carried. Thank God you are still joined to the living and so have hope. And most of all thank God for the joy of salvation and the hope of heaven. 

Yes, life may have thrown you some curves this year; perhaps you lost some things and went through some trials,  but thank God, through it all you didn’t lose your mind. You are still here! And you still have your praise!

Now, do you have breath?  Well, then use it to praise God! Bless the Lord, and forget not His benefits.
PRAYER:  Lord from the very depths of my heart I bless You for enabling me to see the last day of this year. Lord I am truly grateful. I thank You for Your faithfulness to me throughout this year. And as I get ready to cross over into  the New year, I am confident that I shall see even greater blessings. Thank you so much for all Your goodness in my life in Jesus Name. 

QUOTE 
When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. – WORDBITE 222.  

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]

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

DAILY READING – 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; 1 Kings 12:32-13:34; Joel 1
In the 1800s, a little Austrian town was to be attacked by 18,000 soldiers led by the French General George Muller Massena. Orders had come from the French leader Napoleon, to capture this town because of its military importance. As the army were gearing up for their invasion, the stunned citizens of this little town were terrified, knowing they were about to be beaten, killed or sold into slavery. The town council had nearly decided to surrender, when the old dean of the church reminded them that it was Easter and begged them to hold services as usual and to leave the trouble in God’s hands. This they did, figuring their only defense was direct intervention from God. They put on their Sunday’s best, and went to Church to praise and worship The Lord. And as they usually do on Easter days they rang the church bells joyfully. 

When services ended, these Austrians opened their church doors only to be met by a surprising sight. The entire French battalion had vacated! It turned out that the French General Massena incorrectly confused the ringing of the church bells for Easter service with what he thought was the announcement of the arrival of the entire Austrian army. The city was saved, and Christ was glorified.

Exodus 15:11 declares that God is glorious in holiness, and fearful in praises, doing wonders. Indeed there is deliverance power in praise. The wonder working power of God is often seen in the midst of praises. When we ring the joy bells in the face of troubles and trials, God’s power to deliver arises. In 2 Chronicles 20, when king Jehoshaphat was outnumbered by enemies, he engaged the weapon of  joy. As God arose for his deliverance the enemies were destroyed. It takes praise to engage God’s Presence. When we engage in praise, God comes down. And when God steps into our affairs, He takes over the battle. 

Praise moves God into action. Though God  is everywhere, He does not work everywhere. For God to step in, we must embark on praise. 

When praise is on, God is up. And when God arises mountains and obstacles are moved, prison gates are flung open and captives set free. 

Isaiah 51:11 says ‘Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away’

When we create an atmosphere of praise, God comes to inhabit it. And because in His Presence is fullness of joy, therefore everything that causes sorrow has to flee away. When God appears every devil disappears. Just as light and darkness cannot cohabit, the enemy cannot stand your praise. 

Let us therefore keep praising God, no matter the situation or circumstance. In everything let us keep thanking Him. Indeed God has done marvelously well for us this year. He has fought battles for us, seen and unseen.  He has slain goliaths and parted red seas for us.  He has made a way where there seemed to be no way. Let us therefore, like the one leper, return to bless Him for His miracles we have seen this year. And like David, let us bless The Lord at all times, and may His Praise continually be in our mouth.  
PRAYER: Lord, I thank and praise You. Indeed You have done all things well for me. As this year comes to a conclusion, I have come like the one leper to tell You ‘thank You’ for all Your faithfulness towards me and my family. Indeed I am grateful. Forever, may Your praise flow continually from my mouth 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] 

Hebrews 12:1

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.’ DAILY READING  Mark 16; 1 Kings 12:1-31; Hosea 14

On January 8, 2003, a U.S Airways Flight from North Carolina, stalled after take-off. Just 37 seconds after its lift-off, it crashed into an Airways hangar and burst into flames. All 21 people on board died in the accident.

Investigators determined the crash to have been the result of excess weight. Before the flight, the pilots had checked the take-off weight of the aircraft and determined it to be okay. But unknown to them, they had mistakenly used an incorrect passenger weight estimates in their calculations. So while they thought the plane’s weight was alright, the plane was actually overloaded and out of balance.

After the crash, the weight of baggage retrieved from the crash site and passengers, was found to be 580 pounds above the plane’s maximum allowable take-off weight.

Another factor that contributed to the crash was also negligence. Two days before the accident, the aircraft had been taken to a repair facility. The mechanic who worked on it had never worked on that type of aircraft before, and he incorrectly reset cables that should have helped control the weight of the plane. And the maintenance supervisor, who normally should have done a test run after the repairs, decided not to do so.

All these factors contributed to the eventual crash of the plane.

After take-off, the plane climbed steeply as a result of the excess weight. And though the pilots pushed the control column forward, the plane did not respond, until its eventual crash.

Hebrews 12:1 says ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.’

Life essentially is a race. And to be successful in any race you must lay aside excess weights. Such weights can pull a runner backwards.  Therefore to be successful, an athlete deliberately initiates the process of stripping himself of every excess weight; through dieting, exercising, and wearing only very light sporting attire.

The same rule applies also in aviation.  As we saw in the illustration, excess weights can pull a plane down. Any plane that will fly successfully must carry loads only within its approved limits and get rid of every excess weight.

In the same way, on the flight of destiny excesses can be dangerous. For us to fly high we must lay aside every weight and sin. Sin is a sinker, it is a dead weight that can crash destinies.

We must therefore separate from sin, to enjoy a glorious flight. Right now, we are living in a very sensitive season. Though it is a season of glory for the church, it is also a season of great temptations. Isaiah 60, lets us know that  the season of our rising and shining, is also the season of gross darkness in the world. This is why every child of God has to be very sober and vigilant. Because the enemy knows his time is short, he going about seeking whom he may devour. For us not to be a victim, we must continually rise and pray so as not to enter into temptation.

As we prepare to embark on the eagle’s flight, we must identify the weights that could bring us down.  Are there besetting sins you are still struggling with?  Are there secret habits that seems to mock your Christian destiny? Decide now to stop them,  before they stop you. If you don’t deal with them now, they may take you out of this race. So make up your mind and declare that those things will not accompany you into the new year.

The power to overcome sin is found in The Word of God. Psalm 119;11 says ‘Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.’

The more you hide The Word of God in your heart the more you receive power to overcome sin. We will also be flying high by the wind of The Spirit. It is therefore time to seek greater intimacy with The Holy Spirit through renewing the fire on our prayer altar.

As the eagles flight gets ready to take off, make up your mind not to be left behind, drop every weight that may hinder you. And whatever it takes, ensure you are a part of this glorious flight.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to drop every weight and sin that can hinder my glorious flight. Please give me a renewed appetite for Your Word, and ignite fresh fire on my prayer altar. Please Lord, whatever You are doing in this season, don’t do it without me 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]

I 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 – Mark 15:21-47; 1 Kings 11; Hosea 13

God will always honor those that honor Him. When our aim in life is to honor God in all that we do, then He will also honor us.

Eric Liddell was Scotland’s fastest runner in the 1920’s. He was also a Christian who always desired to honor God. At the 1924 Olympics in Paris, Eric was Scotland’s only hope of winning a gold medal in the 100-meter dash. However, few days to the race, Eric found out that it would take place on a Sunday. For Eric, Sunday was a day of worship and rest, and he wouldn’t miss Church, not even for an Olympic gold medal. When he announced that he would not run on a Sunday, it caused an uproar in Scotland. Many Scottish people were very upset with him and criticized him; some even called him a traitor. But Eric would not shift his stance. He decided rather to compete in 2 other races that would not take place on a Sunday; namely the 200 metres and the 400 metres races. Though he had not trained for these races and had little time to prepare, Eric believed God would help him.

Surprisingly, he qualified and won a bronze medal in the 200 meters race. But his country still needed a gold medal. The remaining race was the 400-meters, which no one thought he could win, because he was to compete against two runners who had already set world record times. To worsen matters, on the day of the race, Eric was assigned to the worst lane.

Though the situation looked discouraging, just before the race, a young Christian handed Eric a note, on which was written “1 Samuel 2:30, …’Those who honor Me I will honor.'”  Eric drew strength from this scripture, knowing that as he had honored God, God would in turn honor him. When the race started, Eric gave it his best shot. When he rounded the turn on the track, where all the runners usually come together, he expected to see the world record holders ahead of him. But he was surprised to find he was there alone. The two world record holders were behind him. Eric crossed the finish line first, setting a new world record and winning the gold medal! His country was jubilant. When Eric returned back to Scotland, he received a hero’s welcome. The newspapers, which had criticized him earlier, were now applauding him.

Eric’s life story is captured in the award winning movie ‘Chariots of Fire’.  Through this movie, the story of Eric Liddell is told all over the world. And his devotion to God has touched the hearts of millions of people. Indeed for living a life that honored God, God has also honored Eric.

I Samuel 2:30 says ‘Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith… for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. ”

To honor God, means making Him top priority in our lives.

Living a life that seeks to honor God, may sometimes come with a price. .  People may criticize you and say things against you. Eric was criticized and jeered at by his countrymen. In the story of Joseph, he was thrown into prison for his decision to honor God by not committing adultery. But in the end, we also saw how  God honored Joseph by giving him the highest ranking position in Egypt.

When we decide to do what is right in honor of God, we may become  unpopular. People may term us ‘too spiritual’ or even ‘fanatical’. But no matter what anyone may think, we have to decide to always give God first place.

When Daniel purposed in His heart to follow God, he faced consequences. When he decided to pray to God despite the king’s commandment he was thrown into the Lions’ den. But God delivered him from all his troubles and caused him to be promoted as the ruler over the province of Babylon.

Psalm 91:14-15 says “Because he loves me,” says the LORD , “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”

When we love God and seek to always honor Him, God ensures our deliverance from troubles. Though initially, it may not be easy going against the tide, as we seek to do what is right, in the end God rewards us for honoring Him. When others are exalting sin and promoting unrighteousness, it may not be easy to decide to live a life of purity and holiness. When others are compromising and dining at the tables of Babylon, it may not be easy to purpose not to defile yourself with the king’s meat. But whatever we may suffer for the sake of Christ, God says He will give us double for all our troubles.

Isaiah 61:7 says ” Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. ”

Whatever you do in honor of God, He ensures you are rewarded in the end.  God has not called the sons of Jacob to seek Him in vain. For honoring God, He will separate you from what afflicts others. Your case will be different.  God will bless your bread, and water; and take sickness away from you.

You never lose by honoring God. For Eric Liddell, though it looked initially like he was going to lose by honoring God, we also saw how in the end, God lifted him and caused him to be celebrated. In the same way, as you decide today to always honor God in all you do, God will surely see to it that men also honor and celebrate you..

PRAYER; Lord, please help me to always make You top priority in all my decisions. May I never be ashamed of You before men. Grant me the grace to always honor You, by living a life that glorifies You before men in Jesus Name. 

quote 

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

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK OPEN HEAVENS]

Zechariah 10:1

Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.’

DAILY READING – Mark 15:1-20; 1 Kings 10; Hosea 11:12-12:14

During the 2000 years exile of the Jews from their homeland, one of the most remarkable things that happened, was that rainfall diminished over the land. As a result of this decreasing rainfall, people moved away from that region, until gradually the land became deserted. And for the 2000 years of Jewish exile, the land of Israel, later renamed Palestine, became desolate and hardly inhabited.

However in the 1890s, Jews gradually started returning to their homeland. Starting with Jewish farmers who looked for ways to irrigate the desolate wasteland. However as the Jews began to return a miraculous thing started to occur; Once again rainfall began to increase in the land. And during the 20th Century, rainfall increased 10 percent every decade, till a total increase of over 100 percent.

And as more Jews began to return, with the increased rainfall, they also devised various means of irrigation. The result has been phenomenal. During the 20th Century, over 250 million trees were planted in this land formerly without trees.  The land that was desolate for so many years, is now the bread basket of the Middle East. It exports agricultural products to countries all over the world. Today Israel is one of the world’s leading fresh fruits and flowers producers and exporters.  Israel has developed the world’s first long shelf-life commercial tomato varieties. The dairies of Israel produce the highest amounts of milk per animal in the world. And Israel is the world’s leader in agricultural research and development. The United Nations, has declared that Israel is “the most agriculturally efficient land on earth.”

It is indeed amazing, the difference rain can make! For a land desolate and abandoned for 2000 years, the coming of rainfall has made a huge difference.

And The Holy Spirit in the scriptures, is likened to rain. And likewise, when He comes into a man’s life, He makes a big difference.

Zechariah 10:1 says ‘Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.’

It is God’s will in this latter days to pour  out upon all flesh the rain of His Spirit. However it is only those who are genuinely thirsty that are qualified for this rain.

John 7:37-39  Says ‘In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

A thirst is what we need for the release of the rain of The Spirit.

In Acts 2:17 Peter said “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh”.

We are already in the latter days and it is God’s will to pour out His Spirit upon all who are thirsty and willing to receive. Why God is pouring out His Spirit upon the church in this latter days is because the end time is the era of power. If we are to operate in the realm Jesus operated, then we need the spirit without measure to do the works that He did, and even greater works. John 3:34.  Says “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”

The Holy Spirit is the power of God. And in this era of power, we need Him like never before. it is therefore important  to develop an intimate relationship with Him, so that we can experience the power of God in our lives.

As we prepare to enter into the New Year, we need His outstretched arm to deal with every pharaoh still resisting our freedom. Just as His outstretched arm broke the yoke of Egypt and brought deliverance to Israel, we need Him to break every yoke of bondage in our lives. Indeed the Egyptians you saw last year you shall see no more forever.

But we don’t just wish for power, we thirst for it. We have to ask, seek and knock until we receive. And we ask in prayers, fasting and being persistent until the door opens.

We also need to create an atmosphere where The Spirit will be welcome. This means we have to constantly maintain a lifestyle of Purity and holiness, even as we surround ourselves with praise and joy.

Just as the coming of rain made a big difference in the land of Israel, the coming of The Spirit will make a big  difference in our lives. By the wind of The Spirit we will be ushered into the eagle’s flight. He will be lifting us to amazing realms of exploits. Therefore let us be willing to pay whatever price is required to engage His glorious Presence, in this season.

PRAYER: Lord, Please release upon me the rain of Your Spirit. I need Your power at work in my life like never before. Please grant me the grace to do all that is required, for me to experience a greater dimension of your Spirit in my life in Jesus Name.

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

 [CULLED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]

Lamentations 3:22

‘It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’

• DAILY READING  Mark 14:32-72; 1 Kings 9; Hosea 11:1-11

God is always watching over us. The following story reveals how God is always watching over us, even when sometimes, we don’t seem to be aware of it.

In the late 19^th century, the famous evangelist D.L. Moody, had a song leader called Ira Sankey.  Sankey was an easily recognizable figure, because his pictures were often in the newspapers.  During the Christmas Eve of 1875, he was traveling on a Delaware River steamboat. Some of the passengers on the boat recognized him and asked him to sing a hymn for them. Sankey obliged them and began to sing the hymn, “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us.”

When he finished singing, one of the passengers in the steamboat, said something quite surprising. He first asked Sankey if he had served in the union army during the  American Civil War.  Sankey said yes, he did. The man then asked, if he recalled ever singing while on a night duty in a particular area during the war. Sankey again answered yes. The man then said he had served in the opposing confederate army, and had  recognized Sankey because of the song he just sang. He said years ago that song had prevented him from shooting Sankey. He said one day during the war, he had been hiding in the shadows when he saw Sankey doing picket duty, standing at his post. The full light of the moon was falling upon Sankey. He said he had raised his musket and took aim to shoot, but at that instant, Sankey raised his voice, and began to sing this same song. So the man decided to let him finish his song, before he would shoot him. But as he sang the song, the man said the words of the song stirred up many memories of his childhood and his God-fearing mother. She had many times sang that same song to him. This man was so moved by that song that when Sankey finished singing, it was impossible for him to shoot again, his arm on its own accord dropped limp at his side. He thought to himself,  ‘The Lord who is able to save that man from certain death must surely be great and mighty.’

And so he departed without shooting Sankey.

When this man finished his tale,  Sankey was utterly amazed, realizing how close, he had been to death; if it had not been for the grace of God. Lamentations 3:22  says ‘It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’

Many times we never how close we may have been to destruction. But somehow God’s grace preserved us. Indeed it is of The Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.  Psalm 124:2 says “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us;’

Indeed if it had not been for The Lord, we would have been dead and buried long ago.  And as the year rounds up, now is a good time to look back and count our blessings. Some of the people who started out this year with us, are no longer in the land of the living. We are still here, not by power, not by might, but only by the grace and mercy of God. You know that some of the experiences you passed through this year could have killed you, yet you survived. Not because you were lucky, only because of God’s mercy.

Yes, you may have had some challenges, yet even in the midst of those troubles, God still gave His angels charge over you. You did not survive because of your smartness, you survived because of God’s love. Really if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side, where would we be?

Do you know how many arrows of the wicked were fired against you this year, and yet none of them found their mark?

That you are still here is an indication of God’s love. And even if your  situation, is still not yet what you desire it to be, thank God that you are still alive. You still have hope. Ecclesiastes 9:4  says ‘For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.’

Yes, there may be so much that still needs to be done, there may be pressures coming from every side. But don’t forget, you can feel pressured only because you are still alive. A dead man has no blood pressure. So instead of complaining, rejoice and bless God. And as you do, He will turn your pressures into pleasure.

Habakkuk 3:17 -19 says  ‘Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.’

Indeed God is good and very faithful. And no matter what things may look like right now, be assured that He is working it all out for you.

And if anything still remains undone, trust that God will still do it.  You will finish well, you will finish strong. Faithful is He that called you, who also will do it.

As we count down to the new year, let us spend the remaining days of this year counting our blessings. And indeed we will see that God has been faithful. Let us therefore keep blessing and praising Him, because He is worthy. And even now, He is working everything for our good.

PRAYER:  Lord indeed I am grateful for all you have done for me this year. As I count my blessings I am overwhelmed by Your faithfulness. I praise and bless you forever. And  for  whatever still remains undone,  I know that even right now,  you are working it all out for my good. I praise You for all your goodness in my life, past present and future. Thank You so much Jesus.  .

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When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. – WORDBITE 222. 

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD. 

John 3:16

‘”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

DAILY READING Mark 14:1-31; 1 Kings 8; Hosea 9:17-10:15

Recently on Fox News, was the story that, the entire nation of New Zealand is hosting a nationwide gift exchange program this Christmas.  This is unique and remarkable because virtually the whole country is involved. This gift exchange program is aimed at ensuring that everyone in the country gets a gift at Christmas. Thousands of people in the country have signed up to take part in the national gift exchange, including the nation’s Prime Minister. This program, was first started in 2010 by an individual, who simply put out a call on Twitter asking if his fellow citizens would like to take part in a gift exchange. The program became so popular that the government took notice and has now made it a state-sponsored event. Indeed it is a lovely idea to have everyone in the country exchanging gifts at Christmas. However the question is; does everyone know the real reason for the season.

For many people around the world, Christmas is simply a season of fanfare, celebrations and exchange of gifts. Sales increase so dramatically at this period, that Christmas is the largest economic stimulus for many nations. In 2013, the United States’ retail industry generated over three trillion dollars during the Christmas holiday season. In some places, Christmas shopping season can start as early as September and some consumers begin even earlier.

Yes indeed, globally Christmas is a period of gift exchange and so much fanfare, but the question remains; do people really know the reason for the season.

Though the wise men may have started this tradition of gifts giving, yet at the heart of Christmas is the fact that God gave the greatest gift of all to mankind. God gave His only Son, born in a humble stable, to shed His blood on the cross, as redemption for us.

For thousands of years mankind was held captive in sin. They were under wrath and under a curse.  Yet God continued to promise, through His prophets, the coming of a savior, who would take on Himself the sin of the world, and save mankind from wrath. And  today we celebrate the birth of this savior. He is the greatest gift of all; Our Savior! Our Redeemer! Our Deliverer!  Without this gift we had no hope. We were doomed to die in our sin, forever separated from God.

Now, because Jesus came and redeemed us, we can be called the sons of God. He the son of God, became the son of man that we the sons of men can be called the sons of God. And according to Psalm 56:13 we can now declare “For you have delivered my soul from death”.

And now today at Christmas, we celebrate that the Almighty, Glorious God became a man, taking on the limitations of time and space, that we might behold and receive His glory. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to save us.

Christmas therefore, is a yearly reminder of God’s love. And out of gratitude for what He did for us, we should respond by giving thanks today to God for His indescribable gift. And not only today, but for eternity, we can shout in praises and thanksgiving daily to God for the gift of Christ.

PRAYER:  Our dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Your son that You gave to save me from sin and unrighteousness.  I thank you for Your love so richly revealed through the precious gift of Christ. Because He lives, I live also, and through Christ indeed I can do all things.

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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 ESTABLISHED BY THE WORD OF GOD]

Prayer –

Until the day I see you face to face to express my appreciation, my worship and praises, please know my heartfelt gratitude and my deep and abiding joy because of your plan, your Son, and your salvation. I thank you in the Name of Jesus.