HORM Devotional

 Matthew 6:33 KJV

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. –

DAILY READING Luke 12:32-59; Genesis 22; Psalm 15

 You can set a piece of paper ablaze without lighting a fire.

How? Simply through focus. When you focus the sun’s light through a magnifying glass it can set even grass ablaze. If you can focus it even more, it becomes a laser beam. Concentrate sufficient power behind the light and the laser can cut through steel, or concrete and can even destroy cancer. That is the power and effectiveness of focus. When you have focus you gain power to create amazing impact.

An unfocused life is an unimpactful life.. People spend too much time on distracting thoughts. Human beings think between 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts a day, mainly mental chatter, images or movies playing in the head. 95% of these thoughts are repetitive of previous days and 80% of the habitual thoughts are negative.

It is important to note that what we focus on is eventually what we attract into our lives. Our destiny is consistently shaped by our thoughts. Many people’s lives make   no impact because they are dissipating energy on unnecessary things instead of focusing on what is needful. They may end up as jack of all trades yet master of none. Every tree bears a particular fruit, every successful business has one unique selling point they focus on.  What is your focus? Concerning His own life, Jesus said to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. [John 18:37].  He was focused on His assignment, the reason He came to earth. When they came to make Him king He refused, because He was focused on His mission. His impact is still speaking powerfully more than 2000 years after.

To make impact in life you have to be focused. Persistence breaks down resistance.  Jesus said one thing is needful [Luke 10:42] , and what is that needful thing? Sitting down and hearing His Word as Mary did.  This means giving The Word of God priority in your life and in all your endeavors. When you seek the Kingdom of God first, then every other thing will be added unto you.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be focused on what is truly important, help me to seek your kingdom first.. .. 

Quote :

You will never need more than God to experience the impossible in life. WORDBITE 222.

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

John 1:14 KJV

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

DAILY READING Luke 12:1-31; Genesis 21; Psalm 14

God and His Word are inseparable. They are one. Jesus, The Word, said, ‘I and The Father are one.’  So wherever you find The Word of God, you will also find God . Wherever The Word is spoken in truth, God’s presence is available. So, having The Word of God inside of you, also means carrying God inside of you. And when you carry God victory is assured.  This is why the victory that overcomes the world is faith because faith is a product of The Word.

This is also why you should endeavor to always load up the Word in your heart before you step into the day. Each time you step out carrying The Word of God inside of you, demons see you and flee. The bible gives account of demons recognizing Jesus and screaming in trepidation whenever Jesus came in their direction. The same thing happens when they see The Word inside of you. Jesus is the Word of God. The Word shines as light within you. The Bible says ‘in Him was life and the life was the light of man and the light shines in darkness and the darkness could not overcome it’ [John 1:5].

The Word within you shines as light, and this is what darkness sees and flees.  Philippians 2:15-16 says that we are the sons of God, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life.

Keep yourself lit by The Word. Keep the Word of God in your heart. The Word shining in you keeps the evil in the world away from you. What do you think would happen if a camper’s fire goes out during the night? The evil beasts will come out from their hiding places to attack. So keep your light burning by keeping the Word in the midst of your heart and you can be sure that darkness will always keep away from you.

 PRAYER: Lord, help me to pay attention to Your Word until your light arises in my heart so that every evil and darkness is dispelled from around me forever..  

Quote

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

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT]

1 Timothy 6:12 KJV

12 Fight the good fight of faith lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

DAILY READING Luke 11:29-54; Genesis 20; Psalm 13

WHEN TWO boxers are in the ring, sometimes something happens which the audience many times do not see. Often as they war with their fists, they also war with words. A boxer may say something demeaning or provocative, just to get the other boxer to be angered and lose his coordination, thereby opening up his defenses for a knock out. To win a fight, a boxer must keep his mind focused on winning and shut out every distraction. No matter what he hears or sees, he must maintain his focus. A boxer who gives in to his emotions, will lose his coordination, and it’s a matter of time before he loses his fight.

Paul said I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…

Paul kept the faith, because he kept his focus. He said in Philippians 3:14 ‘but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus’.  

As Paul fought the good fight of faith, he kept his focus. He had his gaze locked on his high calling, and nothing could move him from his purpose. He said in Acts 20:24, ‘but none of these things move me’. A man who will not be moved will soon see his mountains move; it is only a matter of time. You have to learn to cut down distractions and focus on God’s word.

Paul was steadfast, refusing to be distracted by the many persecutions. He realized that as a soldier of Christ, he could not be entangled with the affairs of this life, he could not dissipate spiritual energy on mundane things; he kept his gaze on finishing his course and on arriving at his preordained victory because that is all that matters in the end.

To have victory, you must maintain your focus. The world is full of distractions; so many things calling your name, seeking your attention, trying to shift your focus, trying to derail you from your course. Thus, you must let your focus always be on the Word. Be controlled by the Word. Keep filling your heart continually with the Word, until your actions are dominated and controlled only by what God says. When your heart is full of the Word of God, there will be no room for frivolities. Like Jesus, you will say, ‘My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, [John 4:34]. Your primary concern will be only to please God. When that happens, then you can be sure of victory, because God Himself will arise and fight for you.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to fight the good fight of faith, help me remove distractions and focus only on your Word always.

When we fight by God’s help we are sure of victory.

Quote

Whatever doesn’t kill you will eventually end up strengthening you. – WORDBITE 222. 

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

Isaiah 54:1

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.

  DAILY READING Luke 11:1-28; Genesis 19; Ps. 12

 David is the most beloved of all the kings of Israel and Judah. His name even means “loved”. He is arguably the most celebrated individual in Israelite history, even in modern times. No wonder the Jewish emblem is the Shield of David. His shield is also the centerpiece of Israel’s flag, the Jewish Sabbath-night meal seudah, is called his meal. His tomb is a place of pilgrimage, Jerusalem is the City of David, and the city’s best hotel is named after him and stands in King David Street. In 1996, the 3000th year of David’s establishment of Jerusalem was widely celebrated. He is called a man after God’s own heart.

Being so loved by God, one would think that God would have spared him from challenges. Yet David fought the bloodiest battles, to the extent that God did not allow him to build the temple because his hands had shed too much blood. Even as a youth he had begun facing fierce challenges, fighting bears and lions, killing Goliath as a mere 17 year old. That God loves you does not mean you will be exempt from challenges. He will allow them, only as opportunities for you to see His faithfulness in your life. Though David fought so much, yet he never lost any battle in his lifetime as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

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

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

So what is that battle you are faced with? What is that challenge? Cheer up and give God worthy praise and your victory is assured. In your praise is your victory!

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to praise you despite any situation, let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my mouth. 

Quote

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

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]

Psalm 12: 6 KJV

The Words of the Lord are pure words ; as silver tried in a furnace of the earth purified seven times.   –

DAILY READING Luke 10:21-42; Genesis 18; Psalm 11

The Bible is the oldest book known to man, yet mysteriously also it is the most sold book of all times. Yearly it remains current and in circulation, outselling every other book. It is not an ordinary book.  Its content are more than mere letters, it is the breath of The Spirit encapsulated in living words. These are words which by divine inspiration were penned down and preserved over the ages by the power of God.  As you read, there is such flow and coordination, that it is hard to believe that this is a book written over  a period of 1600 years  [from 1500 BC to AD 100], by 40 different men, who lived at different times. Yet it is all brought together by The Holy Spirit, to make perfect sense.

The Bible is supernatural.  Not only does it give accurate account of the past, it also gives precise predictions of the future. Over 3200 prophesies of the Bible have been fulfilled and more and more are still coming to pass. Perhaps most importantly, The Bible is the only book which  contains the actual words of God.  More than 3,000 times in the Bible you will find “thus saith the Lord”, with the very words of God written down. This is God’s direct communication to humanity. This is God speaking to us.

This is why you should approach the Bible with reverence, knowing it contains the living Word of the living God- Words that can transform you. Reading it as a history book may add historic knowledge to you, but reading it as God’s Word to you gives you access to the life of God therein. Worthy of note is that these Words carry power to bring you to your destined place. So as you approach the Word today, realize that you are coming in contact with living Words which have the ability to change your life forever.

PRAYER: Lord, your Word is unchanging, and true. By Your Word transform me daily into the image of Christ…. . 

Quote

Reading The Bible gives you over view, Studying it takes you to depths. – WORDBITE 222.

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

Psalm 119:89 KJV

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

DAILY READING –  Luke 10:1-20; Genesis 17; Psalm 10

The integrity of God’s Word is unquestionable.  Whatever God says, so it is forever.  Scientists are often stunned after years of disbelieving the Bible to find eventually, evidence that supports the truth of  the Bible. For instance, for  many years scientists argued that there was no proof that  King David did exist outside of the Bible. But in 1993 archeologists found proof of King David’s existence, at an ancient mound called Tel Dan, in the north of Israel, words were found carved into a chunk of basalt which translated as “House of David” and “King of Israel”. Then also in 2005 an Israeli archaeologist named  Eilat Mazar discovered the ruins of King David’s  palace, proving that indeed the biblical account of King David is true.

God’s Word is infallible. His Word is true from the very beginning and will be true forever. Jesus said, “… Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” [Matthew 5:18]. The Psalmist declares, “For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in Heaven” [Psalms 119:89].

Before the foundation of the world God has already settled everything that concerns you. He has settled your health, finances, marriage, education and all that concerns you. Your fears and the cause of your tears are all settled. You only need to come to terms with God’s plan for you, by locating your situation in His Word. What miracle are you believing God for today?  As long as you can find it in the scriptures, then you can have it. Be assured that what His mouth has promised His hand is able to perform. As long as you do your part by fulfilling the conditions outlined in the scriptures, then be sure that God will definitely do His part. He is not man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent. Has He said it, He will surely do it for you. The integrity of God’s Word is truly unquestionable.

PRAYER: Lord, I know your Word is always true, please  grant me the faith to access your promises so that my miracle can be made manifest..  

Quote

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

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK METAMORPHOSIS]

Joel 2:7 KJV  They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march everyone on his ways.

DAILY READING Luke 9:28-62; Genesis 16; Psalm 9

 In 2016 the Japanese auto giant, Toyota Motor Corp., issued two global recalls for its cars. One of these was a recall for 3.37 million hybrid cars worldwide to fix the faulty airbag system and emission control unit. This exercise cost Toyota a lot of money. However it could have been avoided  at the onset if only enough attention was paid in the production of the prototype. In manufacturing design, the prototype is the early model of a product which is replicated severally. The prototype is crucial to overall production; any fault in the prototype will appear in all products patterned after it.

Jesus is our prototype; He is the pattern son. He is the standard God has set for mankind, and He is entirely perfect without any fault. God is raising a new breed, totally patterned after this perfect prototype of Christ. This is the Joel’s army that is forming. They will do exploits and greatly display the glory of God in the last days. They will walk on earth as saviors, just as Christ did, because they are perfect images of Christ. To be part of that army you must live Christ-like, by focusing only on Jesus. You need to deliberately simplify your life, and live in devotion to Christ. Root out the distractions that tend to shift your gaze from Him, and let your life be all about Jesus.  A major distraction for many is the pursuit of money, but Godliness with contentment is great gain. Go at the pace God has set for you, run your race on your lane with Heaven’s timing for you. When you are rightly positioned in your pursuit for God, increase will surely follow you. When you have nothing left but God then for the first time you will become aware that God is indeed enough.  To live in conformity with Christ-like standards that God has set for us, you must be addicted to The Word of God. God has given us the life of Christ in  book form, the Bible, so that when we read this book our lives can begin to mirror and reflect Christ, even as we are changed daily into His very image, by The Spirit of God. .

 PRAYER: Lord, help me to be rightly positioned to be a part of the mighty army you are raising in this end-time. May I never miss my place nor break ranks.

Quote:

God’s Word is ever unchanging, changing everybody who comes into genuine contact with it. – WORDBITE 222.  

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK METAMORPHOSIS]

Psalm 91:14 KJV

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

DAILY READING –  Luke 9:1-27; Genesis 15; Psalm 8

It was a frightful scene that night as the Syrian army gathered around the city of  Dotham. By early morning when Elisha’s servant went out, the entire city was compassed by armies, and they were there on one mission: to capture Elisha! Fear gripped the servant’s heart, panicking he ran back to report the situation to his master, but to his surprise, the prophet remained calm, ‘Alas Master what shall we do?’ the servant cried, still in panic. Elisha simply said they that be for us are greater than they that be for them. Perhaps realizing that mere explanation would not convince the servant, he simply prayed, Lord open his eyes. God did open the eyes of the servant and what he saw was that the mountain around them was full of horses and chariots of fire, angels on the ready to defend and deliver!

Elisha’s confidence came from his intimate knowledge of God. He was not afraid because he knew the God he served. Perfect love casts out fear. In Psalm 91:14 God promises, ‘because he has set his love upon Me, I will deliver him’. When we set our love on God He is committed to our deliverance. We set our love on Him though fellowshipping with Him and getting to know Him personally. When you love someone you spend time with them getting to really know them. It is the knowledge that comes from such intimacy that gives you confidence. He said in Jeremiah 29:13-14, ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD:  and I will turn away your captivity’. When you find Him, He turns your captivity around, He brings deliverance to you. When the love of God has been shed abroad in our heart, there is no more room for fear. When the love of God dominates your heart, you will have the assurance of His deliverance in every battle.

 PRAYER: Lord, help me to know you intimately, to draw closer to you in fellowship so as to experience your love that brings deliverance….

Quote

When you are living and walking in the supernatural everything natural becomes subservient to you, as long as you can ‘see it’, it is changeable. – WORDBITE 222.

 [CULLED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]

Psalm 46:10 KJV

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  –

DAILY READING –  Luke 8:26-56; Genesis 13:1-14:24; Psalm 7

Imagine how the children of Israel must have felt as they stood at the edge of the red sea! In front of them was the huge ocean, with waves rising and crashing, tempestuous winds roaring ;then behind them Pharaoh’s furious force edging in, the hoof beats of the horses drawing closer and closer, the steel grating of the chariots whirring, the glint of the spears and swords flashing in the morning sun. Talk about panic!. Imagine the mothers clutching their children instinctively closer, the fathers looking about wildly for a hiding place, and finding none. Then in the midst of this desperate situation, Moses stands and says, ‘stand ye still and see the salvation of The Lord. Stand still? How can one stand still in such a situation.

Well, many times this is what the Spirit of God says to us in the midst of chaos. Be still and know that I am God. Why should we be still? Because the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. God is able to handle every battle against you, when you trust in Him. Understand that by strength shall no man prevail. When a great battle is set against you, then you need more than your own strength, you need the supernatural strength of God to overcome for you.  In such a tight situation, caught between a rock and a hard place, it took the supernatural  power of God to part the red sea and make a way for the Israelites, even where there seemed to be no way.

When it seems everything has tightened up, and all doors closed, you need God’s power to break through the barriers and make a way for you. This is why you stand still, because it will take stillness to encounter God; it will take stillness in prayer to hear the voice of The Spirit that shows you the way out.

PRAYER: Lord, please give me the strength to be still in every  storm, and the wisdom to discern your voice when you are trying to guide me.

 Quote

God will never allow the flames of trial to burn you more than is necessary. – WORDBITE 222.

  [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

DAILY READING – Luke 8:1-25; Genesis 12; Psalm 6

God has an expected end in mind for us. That end is glory. It doesn’t matter how things may appear now, as long as you love God, He is working out all things for your glorious end. Baby eaglets may not understand their mother as she teaches them to fly, but the mother knows that left on their own, eaglets never learn to fly and may even end up groveling on the floor like chickens. She therefore takes the training of her babies very seriously, intent on seeing them realize their highest potentials.

She begins her training one day, by suddenly pushing one of them until the eaglet falls off the edge of the high nest, and begins to fall through the sky, but just before it hits the ground, in a flash the mother catches the little one on her back. Imagine the eaglets’ thought, Is this murder or what? Undeterred, the mother practices this with each of them day after day. At another time, she begins to tear apart the nest, making it uncomfortable for their continual stay. This makes the eagles even more determined to fly and one day, as their mother watches in satisfaction, they are finally able to soar in the sky, just as she had desired for them.

God is preparing us for glory. He is working things out so that we can soar to the top. We must learn to align our thoughts to His. God cannot be thinking good of you, and then you allow negativity to consume you. Even when you do not believe in yourself, He believes in you, because he knows His abilities in you, He knows that in Christ you can do all things, He knows you are stronger, better and greater than you ever imagined; after all He created you. Even if you are on the floor now, He knows within you is the ability to rise again and soar. Even when it seems as if you are on a free fall from the sky, He has your back covered. He is watching over you to fulfill His Word. He is committed to manifesting His glory embedded in you. So cooperate with The Spirit of God as He begins to negotiate you into your next level of destiny. It may involve sacrifices, it may feel uncomfortable, but know that sacrifice plus obedience will lead to glory.

So do not limit yourself. It doesn’t matter what you have, what matters is who you have. If God be for you, who can be against you. He will never leave you nor forsake you, till He sees His glory manifested in you.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to learn the things you are teaching today, so that I can be prepared to ascend the throne you have prepared for me  tomorrow.. . 

Quote

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

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK BRING BACK THE GLORY]