HORM Devotional

Daniel 11:32 KJV
‘But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
DAILY READING -Mark 3:1-19; 2 Samuel 6; Daniel 3

There are times in life when it seems we are faced with impossible battles. Looking around there may seem to be no way out, but if only we can learn to trust in God, we will find that indeed there is no situation impossible to Him. There is no situation God cannot turn around for us.
During the American Revolutionary War, the Americans and British severally engaged in fierce battles. In one of those battles on December 25th, 1776, General George Washington who led the American army, faced a very desperate situation. His army having been defeated in an earlier battle, the morale of his men were very low and many had deserted. From 22000, the number of his soldiers had dwindled down to just about 2000. To worsen matters, Washington had information that the British had employed a formidable mercenary group, called the Hessians to attack them. If such an attack was allowed to take place their little army may be totally destroyed. It was indeed a desperate situation. But Washington was a man who trusted in God. So he turned to God for help. He and his soldiers prayed to God for a miracle. Feeling led by God to launch the first attack, he planned a secret attack on the Hessian Forces in Trenton New Jersey. The plan was to cross to the enemy side, under the cover of darkness and attack. He titled the operation ‘victory or death’.
Washington informed his troops of the attack. He instructed them to gather 3 days rations of food for their journey. Using ferries and small boats the troop crossed the river. The Hessians, who had been celebrating Christmas the day before, had lowered their guard, thinking they were safe from the American army. Washington’s forces caught them off guard. The Americans attacked at sunrise on December 26 during a driving snow storm, with the wind at their backs and blowing into the faces of the mercenary Hessian troops. After a short but fierce resistance, most of the Hessians surrendered. In less than an hour, General Washington easily defeated the Hessian troops. He lost only 3 men, and managed to capture over 1000 prisoners.
This victory was a much needed boost to the American army. And it inspired the soldiers whose morale had been low. Only a week earlier, the army had seemed on the verge of collapse, but now the dramatic victory attracted new recruits to the ranks. In all, George Washington knew they could only have won by the help of God. He knew the God he served and trusted had once again proved Himself faithful.
In life, battles are real. But even more real is our victory. That you have battles does not mean that you have missed God, it only means you are on the path of destiny. We are called into warfare. But much more importantly we are also called into victories. Battles are a necessary part of the journey of faith.
Even Jesus, fought battles when he was on earth. He started fighting from birth, when Herod wanted to kill Him and His parents had to flee with Him to Egypt. Though He fought every inch of the way, He also won every inch of the way! 2 Corinthians 2:14 says God, always causes us to triumph in Christ.
“Always” means all ways. Our victory is guaranteed in all ways and in every place. It is God that causes us to triumph. The battle is His and we are only His battle axes and weapons of war. This is why He says ‘you do not need to fight in this battle only stand Ye still and see the salvation of The Lord.’
Psalm 24:7-8 declares ‘The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.’ The Lord is strong and mighty in battle. When He comes into the battle arena, the earth trembles. He makes every opposition to bow to us. He establishes victory for us. The God inside of us is strong and mighty.
1 John 4:4 declares ‘Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’
God being with us is our guarantee for victory. And God inhabits us via His Word. Knowledge of God induces strength in us which causes us to do exploits.
Daniel 11:32 says ‘But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. ‘
Victory in battle belongs to those who know their God. That is how David overcame Goliath, the three Hebrew boys defied Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel survived the lions’ den. The basis of their courage lay in their knowledge of God. To win, you must know God through His Word.
Anytime it seems you are locked in and there seems to be no way, always know there is a way out by the Word of God. Jesus says ‘I am the way’, and Jesus is The Word. The victory that overcomes is our faith and this faith comes by hearing of The Word. So The Word guarantees victory. When we know God by The Word, confidence rises up in us, which causes us to rise against the enemy. Victory in battle is secured through this confidence in God.
And this confidence is what the devil targets, he will say all manner of things to try to instill fear into you. This is why it is important to stay in the Word, so as to hear the Word of God that imparts confidence and faith. In Isaiah 36:14, Rabshakeh, the king of Assyria’s representative, spoke words to instill fear into the Israelites and destroy their faith in their God. Sometimes the enemy may even speak through the advice of well meaning people. But whatever anyone says that is not in line with scriptures do not listen to it. Whatever Jesus cannot do, let no man do it! Don’t allow any wrong advise to push you out of your destiny. Don’t allow negative dreams to instill fear into you. Use the name of Jesus and compel every knee of the enemy to bow. Your victory is guaranteed by the blood of the Lamb. You are more than a conqueror. And you are overcoming every situation confronting you. Keep speaking the Word of God. Do not get tired of declaring The counsel of God. As you speak, something is happening. The first strike may not bring down the tree but continual strikes will surely bring it down. So keep hitting that situation with The Word of God. Don’t be weary in well doing, for in due season you shall surely reap. Keep speaking The Word, for indeed your victory is at hand.
PRAYER: Father please grant me renewed appetite for Your Word, so that through study of Your Word I can know You more and more. Because when I know You, I shall do exploits and have the victory in every battle in Jesus Name.

QUOTE :
The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained victorious end for you – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS]

Ephesians 6:12

‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities,against powers,against the rulers of the darkness of this world,against spiritual wickedness in high places.
’DAILY READING – – Mark 2; 2 Samuel 4-5; Daniel 2:24-49

In the 19th century, there was a woman that was mightily used of God. Her name was Maria Woodworth Etter. In her ministry there were great manifestations of God’s power. Wherever she preached people from all walks of life were saved. Entire towns became positively affected by her ministry. The manifestations of the Holy Ghost that followed her drew thousands to Christ.
Of course the enemy was not happy and began to oppose her ministry, even using fellow Christians. Some self- righteous and religious church leaders began questioning the manifestations of The Spirit in her meetings. On one night in particular, three well respected, dignified ministers walked into her meeting intent on investigating these manifestations. Being well known in the area, they were given seats on the stage. But when Marie started the service and the power of God came down, these 3 dignified ministers suddenly found themselves under the power. They fell off their seats unto the dusty ground and lay there motionless. By the time they finally got up, they quickly headed for the exit, dazed by their encounter with God’s power.
Having failed with religious leaders, the enemy tried to use hoodlums. During a Crusade one man came to a meeting intent on disrupting it. He headed for the altar shouting vulgarity and cursing. But ten feet from the altar, the power of God suddenly gripped his vocal chords, and his voice ceased. Two newspaper reporters who were there to write about the meeting asked the shaken man why his voice died away and the man still shaking from the experience said to them “Go up there yourself and find out, and feel that power.”
And so it was that those who came to investigate, condemn, or harass Marie Woodworth Etter, often ended up being stopped by God’s Power. With such manifestations, God effectively silenced the oppositions against her ministry.

Every great destiny naturally attracts great oppositions. 1Corithians 16:9 says ‘For a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries’. Every child of God has a great position in Christ. And so naturally we also attract great oppositions.
But you do not bow to the opposition. We are redeemed to reign on earth. When you are challenged, you are to engage the Power of God to silence the enemy. The opposition is angry with your position, and you cannot afford to let them have their way. It is when you resist the devil that he flees. You must therefore fight the good fight of faith. The encroachment of darkness in this end times has made it necessary for Christians to be ready to do battle. Indeed every great destiny will be confronted with great battles.
Eph 6:12 says ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’
Our enemies are invisible forces. Though they often use people as their agents, our real enemies are the invisible forces of wickedness. And because they are invisible, they can only be confronted with superior invisible force. This is why we need the power of God. The Holy Ghost is the carrier, and transmitter of the invisible power of God. Isaiah.59:19 says ‘So shall they fear The Name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.’
The force of the enemy must bow to the superior power of The Holy Ghost. Wherever The Holy Ghost is in operation, no enemy can stand. Therefore we must engage The Power of The Holy Ghost so as to keep triumphing over every opposition.
And to engage the Power of The Holy Ghost, you must submit to a lifestyle of prayers and consistent Study of The Word. There is no shortcut to power. To win in the battles of life, you must accept spiritual responsibility. Every man is limited to the extent of his spiritual commitment. Therefore make up your mind to increase your power level through renewed fellowship with The Holy Ghost. It is only by the greatness of God’s Power, that enemy will submit.
By the display of God’s Power, every opposition contesting your position will surely bow in Jesus name.
PRAYER: Lord, by the power of Your Spirit, let everything contesting my glorious destiny be silenced forever in Jesus Name. please grant me the grace to rise up and take spiritual responsibility, so that I can be victorious in every battle 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]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

‘ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.. (NIV’)
• DAILY READING – – Mark 1:21-45; 2 Samuel 3:2-39; Daniel 2:1-23

Pictures are developed in a darkroom, using the illumination of a special red light. The film would be transferred somehow to the paper and then the paper would be dipped in several different trays holding chemical solutions. As the photos are moved from tray to tray, the image begins to emerge. The process takes a considerable amount of time and care.
If someone opened the dark room door while, this process is going on, too much light would flood in and mess up every piece of film, and the pictures would be ruined. The darkness of that dark room made the proper development of the pictures possible. In the same way God allows us to be developed in the dark rooms of life. It is in this dark place that we are worked on, and tested with different chemicals until the right image of Christ emerges in us. If we pass through difficult, trying situations and it seems everything around us is dark, we must endure knowing that we are coming out colorful and beautiful. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says ‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all’. (NIV)
Also Hebrews 12:6 and 11 says ‘For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it’. (NKJ)
Different challenges can represent the dark rooms of life for us. The important thing when we pass through these dark rooms is to know that we are there for development. We are being processed. We are there to come out better than how we went in.
God is working out His will in our lives. We must be patient to undergo the process. We do not rush through the stages; we endure every ‘chemical’, knowing that everything is working together to produce the image of Christ in us. Only when the process is complete do we become Christ like. This is when Christ is fully formed in us. When you emerge colorful, beautiful and full of the glory of God, it is because you have patiently endured the process of the dark room development.
Romans 5:3-5 says ‘Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.’ (NIV)
Passing through the process of being developed into a Christ like image is not easy. We will face many challenging situations. God will keep allowing things to come our way that will help our development. There will be discomfort, there will be trials, there will be pain. But 2 Corinthians 2:14 says ‘Now thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ.’
The fact that God causes us to triumph always, means that there are challenges always. Champions are made from triumphing over challenges. A triumph comes as a result of a hard struggle where one of the contenders eventually emerges victorious. Life is a battle. But no matter the challenge or the dark room process we have to pass through, the good news is that God has ordained constant victory for us. And this victory comes from our faith. For this is the victory that overcomes the world even our faith. Your victory is tied to your faith. That is your foundation for victory. It is not faith in your ability, but faith in God’s supernatural abilities. This is why we constantly draw strength from The Word of God to ensure we keep triumphing. To become Christ like we must become married to The Word of God. It must become our constant companion. Because as long as we remain connected to The Word our victory is always sure.

PRAYER: Lord, by the power from your Word help me to become triumphant over every challenging situation. By Your grace enable me to submit to the process that is turning me into the image of Christ daily. All You have planned for my life must come into full manifestation in this season in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

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

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK METAMORPHOSIS]

Nehemiah 8:10
‘Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’

DAILY READING – Romans 15:14-33; 1 Samuel 29-31; Psalm 71
According to Nehemiah 8:10, the Joy of The Lord is indeed our Strength. Joy is not the absence of challenges, it is the reality of the presence and faithfulness of God, even in the midst of the challenges. Joy can be likened to a candle. You light it when it seems you are surrounded by darkness.
When Paul and Silas were surrounded by darkness, at the midnight hour, they sang praises God. Even while in chains and stocks, they were giving glory to God joyfully! Abraham gave glory to God in the midst of his circumstances. He was strong in faith, giving glory to God!
Joseph was joyful in the midst of imprisonment, he even went about encouraging other prisoners. And we know what happened to all of them, God brought deliverance to each and every one of them. Whenever you give God glory in the midst of your troubles, He is sure to establish your miracle.

On the morning of October 31, 2003, a young Christian girl, Brittany Hamilton suffered a shock. She was training to be a professional surfer, and had gone out to surf at the beach with her friends. While lying in the water on her board, she was suddenly attacked by a shark. In a flurry, the shack bit off her left arm. She was immediately rushed to the hospital. Although she lost approximately 60 percent of her blood and underwent several surgeries, she was stabilized and released after a few days. Yet, despite what happened Brittany remained cheerful and kept trusting God. She held on to her faith in God and determined to continue her surfing career even with only one arm. Just one month after the attack, she went back to surfing. Two years later she won the Explorer Women’s division at the 2005 National Championships. She would go on to win in other surfing competitions. Her determination drew media attention. Her story was captured in a book which became a bestseller. And the book was later made into a successful movie. Today Brittany has become a celebrity and a great encouragement to people all around the world. She realizes that though the enemy meant to destroy her with the shark attack, God used it rather to propel her to the world stage.
God never brings evil or tempts any man, but even when the enemy attacks, God can still turn it all around for us. This is why we should keep celebrating Him. As long as we keep praising Him, we can be sure that all things will work out for our good. God is able to turn our stumbling stones into stepping blocks, turn the test into a testimony and turn our mourning into dancing. Many times the stumbling blocks the enemy throws your way is an attempt to turn you against God, to make you think God is not at work in your life. But you have to come to the point where you settle it forever in your mind that God is always good. When you get to that point no matter what comes your way, you will keep judging God faithful. You will keep seeing Him working out everything for your good. This is what moves God to your favor. Murmuring or complaining angers God, and only worsens the situation. Like a wise man said ‘if you have lost anything, God is the reason why you have not lost everything’. And that is indeed true. In the story of Brittany Hamilton she kept thanking God for the remaining arm, even going ahead to use it to His glory, and God honored her. From an unknown youth, God turned her into a generational icon and a world celebrity.
The bible says in everything we should give thanks. Praise is an expression of love for God, and the Bible says all things work together for those that love God. So do you love Him? Then keep praising Him and you can be sure He is working it all out. Keep praising God in the midst of your situation. Joy Unspeakable, Means Joy Inexplainable! You don’t have to understand or be able explain it, but just keep praising God despite what may come your way, and He will surely establish your miracle in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, let the oil of your joy never run dry in my life. In every situation, may I keep praising and blessing You, because you are indeed faithful, and I know even right now, my miracle is on the way, and my victory is sure in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]

Psalms 110:1-3 KJV
‘The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.’

DAILY READING -Romans 15:1-13; 1 Samuel 27-28; Psalm 70
As we all know, we are in the last days, which are the days of the manifestation of God’s power. The power of God comes in waves. These waves are the various moves of God we see in each generation. One of those waves came in the 20th century, precisely between 1947 and 1953. This wave was the great Healing Revival that took place underneath the big Gospel tents across America. During this period there were mighty manifestations of God’s power. And many men and women were raised and used by God in this era. Remarkably one of them was a woman named Kathryn Kulman,  upon whom The  power of God rested mightily.

Now the interesting fact was that Kathryn didn’t even want to be part of the healing revivals at first, because of some of the sensationalism  she witnessed in some ministries.  But it seemed God Himself sought her out. She was just teaching a bible study class, in Franklin, Pennsylvania one day, when without her knowledge God moved and healed a woman of a tumor. Kathryn only got to know about the healing the  following night when the woman got up to testify. And that was how Kathryn’s healing ministry began. God used her mightily and His power was very tangible around her.

On one occasion, one day after preaching at a full Gospel meeting, at a hotel in New york, when she was to leave, she found people had filled the lobby waiting for her. So her aides looked for a way to try to get her out through the elevator, without people seeing her. The only other available exit was through the hotel’s kitchen. So led by her aides she headed towards the Hotel’s kitchen, carefully avoiding the crowd in the lobby. Now the cooks in the hotel’s kitchen were minding their own business, cooking. Many of them didn’t even know who Kathryn Kulman was, neither were they expecting her to be walking through the secluded area of the kitchen. But as Kathryn walked by this cooks, something amazing began to happen. Suddenly the cooks began to fall under the anointing. Imagine the commotion in the kitchen, as these unsuspecting men and women suddenly found themselves on the floor, overwhelmed by the power of God. This was a manifestation of how greatly the power of God rested upon her.

Now in our present generation again, another wave of God’s power is on the move. We are in the days of His power. The end time is the era of power. We are in the era of the dominion of the church And again God is positioning men and women for what He is about to do. Just as Kathryn was faithfully serving God when His power located her, God is again looking for those who will be faithful in manning their positions. You may not be a preacher, but whatever your field of endeavor is, ultimately God is set to make you a kingdom star, as you remain faithful.

Psalms 110:1-3. Says ‘The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power..’

The church will be ruling practically in the midst of the enemy. But you cannot rule except you are empowered. This is why we must maintain our focus on The Word of God so as to see His power. It is the power content at work in your life that makes you rule. And Empowerment answers to focus in the place of prayer and study of The Word. .

Therefore, we must take spiritual responsibility to maintain our focus on God so as to command dominion over situations and circumstances around us.

No matter what happens always maintain your focus. Understand that it is always darkest just before the day breaks, the enemy knows that something great is about to be released over your life, that is why he is set to distract you from your focus. But do not give in to his distractions. God is too faithful to fail. Whatever you may be facing right now He will definitely see you through. He will carry you through every temptation and trial. You may not know how right now, but be rest assured that it will all work out for your good. If you do not quit or shift, you eventually win. This is why you must maintain your position in Christ. Keep looking unto Jesus. Keep focusing on His Word. Your day is coming. It is only a matter of time, your victory is sure.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to focus on You at all times. No matter what comes my way, please help me never to shift from faithfully serving You. By Your grace, enable me to be a partaker of your power being released in this last days in Jesus Name .

QUOTE

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

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

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

• DAILY READING   Romans 14; 1 Samuel 26; Psalm 69

God gives inspiration. He gives counsel and divine wisdom. It is by His inspiration that we can excel in life. 

We have all heard about Rev. Martin Luther King’s famous speech ‘I have a dream’. It’s  been over 50 years since that historic speech was made. It is a speech that has become synonymous with the cry for freedom around the world. It has gained so much fame and global acclaim. It has often been named the greatest speech of the 20th century. Yet it is a speech that came mostly by inspiration. It was not part of the original written text,  Rev. Martin Luther had prepared to deliver on the day of  the March on Washington.  

The night before that memorable event, on 28 August 1963, Rev. Martin Luther King had asked his aides to help draw up a befitting speech. The march was going to be a historic event. Hundreds of thousands of black people from all over America, were expected to be in attendance. His aides worked tirelessly to prepare a good speech. But after a wide range of conflicting ideas over the content, King said to them “I am now going upstairs to my room to counsel with my Lord,” he told them. “I will see you all tomorrow.” 

In the morning a speech was finally put together. And when it was time for Martin Luther to deliver it, he stood before the great crowd. But as he read his well prepared speech, he found it was not making the desired impact on the crowd. A close friend of his, Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who was sitting behind him, noticed him struggling with the speech. She cried out “Tell ’em about the dream, Martin. Tell them about the dream!” 

At that point Rev. Martin pushed aside his prepared written text. He grabbed the podium, and took the stance of the preacher he was. He looked straight into the crowd, never looking again at his written speech. . His eyes were lit up, and his face aglow. With passion, he began to speak the words he felt God had put in his heart. ‘’I have a dream..’. 

These words would become historical. It would be celebrated as perhaps the greatest speech of the 20th century. Though Rev. king had a prepared written speech, it was rather those unwritten words, spoken by divine inspiration that flew into the pages of history.

2Peter 1:21 says ‘. but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,’ . Words spoken by the inspiration of The Holy Ghost will always make great impacts

In Acts 4, Peter filled with The Holy Ghost, spoke before the Sanhedrin. When he finished, these learned men marveled at the speech of a mere fisherman. Indeed when it is The Lord’s doing, it will always be marvelous. When The Holy Spirit begins to relate with your spirit, He will connect you to the deep things of God, which will make you a wonder on the earth. 

I Corinthians 2:9-10 lets us know that The spirit of God searches out all things, even the deep things of God. The ‘all things’ He searches out includes intellectual things as He revealed to Daniel, technical things as He revealed to king Uzziah in II Chronicles 26:14, scientific things as He revealed to Joseph, economic things as He revealed to Abraham etc.

He gives revelations in all areas of human endeavor. He connects men to God’s fountain of divine wisdom, from where divine ideas flow. And ideas rule the world. God not only gives you an idea, He also imparts to you the wisdom to brew the idea into a profitable product that will benefit mankind. Many of the discoveries and inventions that have profited mankind has been by the inspiration of The Holy Spirit. When an idea comes from above it will stand out on the earth. That which comes from God will always be higher than that from men. In Isaiah 55 God says as far as the Heaven is from the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Do you want to stand out in life? Do you need divine ideas on what next step to take? Like Rev. Martin Luther king have you discovered that your written speech, or plans are not making the desired impact? Then you need a closer walk with The Holy Ghost. He that walketh with the wise shall be wise. When you walk with God, You will operate on the frequency of Heaven’s wisdom. You will receive divine ideas that will cause you to make a mark in your world.

PRAYER: Father please help me to engage in a closer and  deeper walk with Your Spirit, so that by divine inspiration, ideas will be imparted into me that will cause me to be outstanding in my world 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 ESTABLISHED BY THE WORD

Psalm 119:105 says 
“Thy Word is  lamp unto my  feet, and a light unto my path.”

DAILY READING – Romans 13; 1 Samuel 25; Psalm 68

In Luke chapter 18, parents brought their children to Jesus. They wanted Him to lay hands upon them and bless them. 

What these parents were doing, was carrying out a  Jewish tradition of having a righteous person bless a child. This tradition is part of the Jewish celebration of the Sabbath. 

Every Friday evening, in Israel, the celebration of the Sabbath begins. This celebration lasts 24 hours, beginning at nightfall on Friday till nightfall on Saturday. The period of the Shabbat is a time where there is no work, no television, no rushing to the demands of a busy schedule or other stressful things. It is a day of rest. At beginning of the Sabbath on Friday night, special blessings are said over the children. Customarily the father lays his hands on the children’s heads and recites blessings. In modern times it is not unusual for mothers to also join in blessing the children. Oftentimes, the mother holds, especially the younger children, on her lap while their father blesses them. Taking time to bless the children on Shabbat is a great way to reinforce the fact that they are loved, accepted and supported by their families. In many homes the blessings are followed by hugs and kisses or words of praise. 

As a result of this tradition, the children as they grow manifest these blessings in their lives. No wonder today Israel is a leading nation in many fields. Israel has more scientists, technicians, and engineers per capita than any other nation in the world. Great inventions and innovations abound in Israel, for instance the cell phone was developed in Israel by Motorola. Many great scientists in history including Albert Einstein come from Israel. Israel ranks high among winners of the Nobel prize. 

Proverbs 18:21 says “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Words are powerful. They can bless or curse, encourage or discourage, hurt or heal, tear down or build up. There is enormous power in words. Our words have the potential to either give life or cause something to die in another person. Encouraging words can lift someone up and help them, while destructive words can cause deep wounds that can  destroy someone. This is why we must apply great wisdom in choosing the words we speak. Let us therefore always speak life to those who cross our paths. 

The Bible says the right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.

Words are real. 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. This is why the words of blessings spoken by Jewish parents are determining the destiny of their nation.  The words of our mouth control over our lives, whether we like it or not. What comes out of our mouth will determine our future. What we say today impacts our tomorrow. As a rudder controls the direction of a ship, your tongue controls the direction of your life. You can re-create your world with your words. The spiritual world is controlled by words. Hebrews 11: 3 tells us that ‘Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear’ The world we see today was created by words unseen.  What this also means is that we can recreate our world by speaking the right words. We are our own prophets. We can change the situations that surround us by changing our words. This is why we speak only what God has said concerning us. 

Words work when they are in perfect alignment with our hearts. When our hearts are right we will speak right. This is why we must feed constantly on The Word of God, so as to speak the words of God. It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. In order to control our mouth, we must first control what is in our heart. Right and wrong speaking is a result of the contents of our heart. God’s Word is a compass that will guide us to speak right and also to walk right. Psalm 119:105 says ‘Thy Word is  lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Let us therefore make a fresh commitment today to fill our hearts constantly with The Word of God so that His Word will overflow through our mouths and bring blessings to us and to those around us. When The Word of God dominates our heart it will bring our lives in alignment with His perfect will for us.  
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to speak right words always. Let my mouth be a fountain of life that brings blessings and healing to everyone I come in contact with  in Jesus name.  
QUOTE : 

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

WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS]