HYMN - ROCK OF AGES

MAY 1ST

TEXT: EXODUS 17:1-6; 33:17-23; PSALMS 78:35; ACTS 4:12
Memory Verse: For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea… they all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them and that rock was Christ. (I Corinthians 10:1, 3, 4)

This fervent plea for Christ our eternal rock to grant salvation through His sacrifice and to be a place of refuge for the believer is one of the most popular hymns ever written. With strong emotional impact, it proclaims Christ’s atonement on the cross to be the only means of salvation, making man’s tears and efforts to justify himself of no avail. Also it urges us to find consolation and security in Christ our rock- even at the time of death.

Augustus Toplady’s strong and passionate lines were actually written to refute some of the teachings of John and Charles Wesley during a bitter controversy with them concerning Arminianism (which stresses man’s free will) versus John Calvin’s doctrine of election. “Rock of Ages” was the climax to an article that Toplady wrote in The Gospel Magazine in 1776, in which he supported the doctrine of election by arguing that just as England could never pay her national debt, so man through his own efforts could never satisfy the eternal justice of a holy God. Despite the belligerent intent of this text, God has preserved this hymn for more than 200 years to bring blessing to both Arminian and Calvinistic believers around the world.

At the age of 16, as he sat in a barn and listed to the preaching of an uneducated man, Toplady was dramatically converted. Later, he became a powerful and respected minister of the Anglican Church. While he was the busy pastor of several churches in England. Augustus Toplady wrote many hymn texts, but few have survived. “Rock of Ages” is the one for which he is known today.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee; let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure.
Could my tears forever flow, could my zeal no languor know, these for sin could not atone – Thou must save and Thou alone: In my hand no price I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyes shall close in death, when I rise to worlds unknown and behold Thee on Thy throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

Action Point: Give sincere praise to Christ our “Rock of Ages” for His great gift of salvation and for His provision of a place of refuge for us, even unto death.

TAKEN FROM “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION”

SEE THE ADVANTAGES IN YOUR DISADVANTAGE (PART 3)

APRIL 30TH

TEXT: Judges 6:11-16 King James Version (KJV)

11. And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

12. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

13. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

14. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

15. And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

16. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

Many of the time, when things don’t go as planned for us we begin to wonder asking, why is it that things seem to be different when it comes to our turn? Well, it is very possible that in some of those times God is only trying to make us realize that He has something better for us. If all the doors we knock on open for us, we will be very far from fulfilling our destiny. God has to shut some doors so we can see the door He has opened for us.

When you go into fields that people are already plowing, you have the challenge of competing with too many persons. It is always in your advantage to be the first person to see the solution in that problem everyone is running away from.  For you to come up with innovative ideas you must be able to see what others cannot see.

The Bible in Job 32:8 tells us that “There is a spirit in man, the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding.” If you want to have divine ideas and do what others cannot do, you need to take away your eyes from your disadvantages and trust God to show you the answer.

 This is how you will be able to stand out, or else you will have the same ordinary results as others. Do not look in the same direction as others, look up to Jesus and you will be amazed the blessings that will follow.

May God open your eyes to see the advantages in your disadvantages.  Shalom!

SEE THE ADVANTAGES IN YOUR DISADVANTAGE (PART 2)

APRIL 29TH

TEXT: Judges 6:11-16 King James Version (KJV)

11. And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

12. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

13. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

14. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

15. And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

16. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

 “Count your blessings name them one by one” is part of the powerful text of the hymn we all love to sing but not many of us actually take time to count our blessings.  We often would complain about our struggles and disadvantages and in so doing we become blind to the exceptional quality or ability in us that is meant to give us an edge over others. Like Gideon, many of us see so much of our misfortune to the point that we become oblivious of angelic assistance.

Like Gideon, so many of us are complaining about the economic situation of our country in a time the Lord want to use the same situation to bring us to greatness. Gideon did not know that he had something placed there by God to enable him bring deliverance to his people. Even when the angel said to him, “Go in this thy might” (see verse 14), he still focused on his disadvantages. 

Your disadvantages not withstanding there is a seed of greatness in you. Look for it and you will be amazed what God will do with you. Fix your eyes on the Lord and He will take you to where nobody in your family has gone before. You will become empowered to do what nobody has done before. As you do, you will shake your world.

God has a great plan for your life. Fix your eyes on the Lord and you will be able to see the advantages in our disadvantage. Shalom!

SEE THE ADVANTAGES IN YOUR DISADVANTAGE (PART 1)

APRIL 28TH

TEXT: Judges 6:11-16 King James Version (KJV)

11. And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

12. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

13. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

14. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

15. And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

16. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

God did not place you here on earth to frustrate you. It is often our choices that determines whether we will end up in failure or success. There is something that the Lord has planted in you that is intended to give you an advantage in life but not many are able to identify it. Some times in life, your advantage may even be some disadvantages.

The disadvantages of some has given them a niche which has become a calling that gives them advantage over others. The man Nick who was born without limbs was not celebrated at birth but somehow somewhere in life he was able to understand purpose and he began to celebrate his uniqueness and today, the world celebrates him. He travels around the world encouraging many to succeed simply because he saw the advantages in his disadvantages.

When Gideon was thinking about how unfortunate he was to be born in a time when they were living as slaves to the Midianites, he did not know that it was in that misfortune he has been destined to rise to greatness. May God open our eyes to see the advantages in our disadvantage.

As unfortunate as you think you are, there is a divine fortune waiting to be discovered. If you will let the word of God nourish your soul, one day you will find your place and surprise your world. Don’t give up because the Lord has great and glorious plans for you than you can ever imagine. Just trust in God.

GOD IS FAITHFUL

APRIL 27TH 

TEXT: Habakkuk 2:1-3 King James Version (KJV)

1.      I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2.      And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3.      For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

If you are experiencing discouragement and it seem as though your dreams and vision now look impossible, please don’t give up. God has something glorious for you. When God gives you a vision, He will certainly make the provision available, but you have to be patient.  If you choose to run from one person to another looking for help, you may be disappointed. It is more important to seek for God’s leading than to seek the help of man.  When the appointed time comes, things will begin to fall in place by the favour of God. But you must do all you can to understand heavens’ agenda and apply your heart to it. Don’t forget, the vision is for an appointed time, it will certainly come to pass. Just keep your eyes on the Lord. That which is in you may look impossible to achieve, but if you will trust in God, at the appointed time you will see it become reality, just wait.

 In the midst of your struggle to see that vision become a reality, the Lord has already deposited in you a seed of greatness. The potential is inside you as a seed but you need to continually water it with the word of God. As you water it with the word of God doors will begin to open to you and you begin to see the seed germinate. You may not have millions in your account nor be able to afford what some others can afford, but just keep watering the seed with the Word and by some divine intervention things will begin to fall in place to help you accomplish your God given vision.

Stop troubling yourself on how it will happen, that is God’s responsibility. If He has to use strange means or trouble someone to make it happen, He will do it. If you open up your heart to God, He will water the seed of greatness in you so His glory can be made manifest in your generation.

 Your generation is waiting for you, but as long as you are waiting on man, your vision will end in frustration. Keep your eyes on the Lord and you will be amazed what He will do with your life. 

WALK IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER

APRIL 26TH 

TEXT: 2 Timothy 2:15-22King James Version (KJV)

15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18. Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Take some time to look at yourself considering your hope and dreams from childhood before corruption crept in and you will see that there is much more buried in you than what you have settled for. You were not designed to struggle in life but it is only in the understanding of the divine plan of our heavenly Father that we are able to walk in that glory. There is more to your life than this.

CONTEMPLATION

The truth remains that we may never be able to get back the full privileges and potentials of the first Adam but in the second Adam(Jesus) we have the awesome opportunity to walk in the spirit and power. If Enoch without the redemption of Christ was able to obtain an extraordinary testimony that he pleased God then we are without excuse. We are able to and we can truly walk the extraordinary life if only we would surrender our will. The only reason why most Christians still struggle to walk in the supernatural is because they intend to eat their cake and have it. You can only hold one staff of office at a time. Whenever you are holding on to the staff of the flesh it means you have dropped that of the spirit which empowers you to walk in the supernatural. The problem has always been the use of our free will.

   “We are all created with a free will but only the will that is continually yielded to God experiences true liberty and glory. Adam was the crown of God’s creation, but he lost the full weight of the glory intended for him by disobedience.” FFPW P102.

 As you conform more to the divine agenda of heaven for your life you will gradually become engulfed with the glory of God. Don’t stop, keep pressing until you make it over to the promise land. Shalom!

PRACTICAL ISSUES

Your will has always been your will until you surrender it partially or completely.

The much of God we see in a man is the much of the man that is in God.

Any man can walk in the supernatural when they choose to break camp from the dominion of the flesh.

THE PLACE OF GLORY

APRIL 25TH

TEXT: Luke 9:28-36 King James Version (KJV)

28. And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

29. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31. Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Kathryn Kuhlman remains one of the most anointed vessels of God that ever lived. I once read about how she came out of an airplane and as she greeted the band boys who came to welcome her with music, they all fell under the power of God. It was a foretaste of the glory to come in that meeting. Wherever God is taking you, there should be some manifestations to herald it. Begin to rejoice in hope.

CONTEMPLATION

If you listen carefully to most people with undeniable evidences of the presence of God while they minister; you will hear them say words like, “when I was praying” or “... as I spent time in the presence of the Lord...” I heard, the Lord told me..., I saw..., My eyes were opened...” it is obvious they have had a foretaste of the glory they are now encountering. They are all human beings as you are. When you have a glimpse into the glory that is to come, it builds in you a confidence that something good will happen for sure. Whatever God revealed to you through dream, vision or direct prophetic declaration, He is able to fulfill in due season. Don’t give up.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

There is a great difference between a mere dream and a divine visitation from God. What do you have?

Every dream, vision and prophecy must line up with the promises in the word of God, therefore in all your getting, get understanding.

If you can find any man whose life is consistent with the word of God and the glory that is to be revealed, stick with him and your troubles shall be few.

HYMN - O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED

APRIL 24^TH    

TEXT: ISAIAH 53; MATHEW 27:39-43; PHILIPPIANS 2:8; 1PETER 3:18

Memory Verse: And when they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.  (Mathew 27:29,30 KJV).

It is difficult to join our fellow believers each Lenten season in the singing of this passion hymn without being moved almost to tears. For more than 800 years these worshipful lines from the heart of a devoted medieval monk have portrayed for parishioners a memorable view of the suffering Saviour.

This remarkable text has been generally attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, the very admirable abbot of a monastery in France. Forsaking the wealth and ease of a noble family for a life of simplicity, holiness, prayer and ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of others, Bernard was one of the most influential church leaders of his day. Martin Luther wrote of him, “He was the best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.”

“O sacred Head, Now wounded” was part of the final portion of a lengthy poem that addressed the various parts of Christ’s body as He suffered on the cross. The seven sections of the poem considered His feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and face. The stanzas of the hymn were translated into German in the 17^th Century and from German into English in the 19^th century. God has preserved this exceptional hymn, which led Christians through the centuries to more ardent worship of His Son.

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns Thy only crown; how art Thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn! How does that visage languish which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinners’ gain: Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ‘Tis I deserve Thy place; look on me with Thy favor; vouch-safe to me Thy grace.
What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend, for this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever! And, should I fainting be, Lord, let me never outlive my love to Thee!

ACTION POINT: Ponder a new your suffering Saviour; then commit your life more fully to Him. Allow these musical truths to help you in your meditation.

TAKEN FROM “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION”

TRUE GREATNESS (PART 3)

APRIL 23RD

TEXT: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 King James Version (KJV)
6.    But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7.      For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8.     And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9.     But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10.    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

TEXT: Psalm 32:6-8 Kings James Version (KJV)
6.    For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7.    Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8.     I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

As we bring this particular study to an end, it is important that we call our attention to the fact that the understanding of greatness differs from one place to the other. There are people who are great in various aspects of life but that does not guarantee true greatness.
Many who have been celebrated as great men and women suddenly loose their greatness once they are found to be guilty of some crime. Many who were ones celebrated as great, are presently languishing in jail. Others made so much money to attained some form of greatness by cheating, but once they were discovered, all that was left is shame and disgrace.
You can re-write your story, no matter what your situation is right now. This has nothing to do with your father’s name or your family background. Jesus is the game changer.
A true and intimate relationship with Jesus makes all the difference. Your parents do not have to be wealthy for you to achieve your dreams and visions. Go after God with all your heart and you will begin to see the unfolding of a greater glory.
The secret of true greatness in a life is in knowing what to do, when to do it and how to get it done. You can’t walk with God and fail if you are serious with Him. He said, “I will show the way you should go…”
God wants to glorify His name through your life, just stay true to Him. God is at work for your good. Stay focused so you can recognise your divine visitation. Shalom!

TRUE GREATNESS (PART 2)

APRIL 22ND

1 Timothy 6:6-10 King James Version (KJV)
6.    But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7.      For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8.     And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9.     But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10.    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Those who think the abundance of money makes one great try to get as much money as they can by all means, only to end up miserable. Let’s go back to our text for today and take a good look at verses 9 and 10 carefully. It is important to work diligently towards greatness but it is wrong to crave to be rich. We should rather crave after God and as we walk with him,He will reward us with true greatness.

Remember, Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God and it’s righteousness… He then said, All these things shall be added unto us. Verse 9 tells us that those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and pierce themselves with many sorrows.

Many misquote the scripture by saying, Money is the root of all evil. But what my Bible says is,  “The love of money is the root of all evil”. Why is the love of money the root of all evil? This is it.
When you love something, you devote your heart and your life to it, which is a form of worship. Therefore, if you love money, you worship money and whatever you worship has great influence over your life.
Jesus said, you cannot serve God and mammon, because you will love one and hate the other. This is why we must take to the advice in verse 6 of our scripture which says, “ But godliness with contentment is great gain”. Look at it from the amplified version and you will be amazed what you will find. The love of money has led to enmity between brothers. The love of money has destroyed many family relationships. The love of money has lead to man untimely death. And Jesus once asked “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and looses his soul”

Beloved, true greatness springs from a true relationship with Jesus. Go after Jesus with all your heart and your life will never be the same again. Shalom!

TRUE GREATNESS (PART 1)

APRIL 21ST

TEXT: Psalm 32:6-8 Kings James Version (KJV)
6.    For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7.    Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8.     I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Everyone you see today who is at one level of greatness or the other had a turning point in their lives. Yours’ can also be a story that will catch the attention of many if you will let the Lord Jesus take the lead in your life. The secret to your life’s success is hidden in Christ Jesus. But until you come into an intimate relationship with Him, you will continually struggle to attain true greatness. Let’s take some time to consider verse 8 of our text again.
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with my eye.”
From this passage, it is obvious that you can only arrive at true greatness by the divine instructions of the Lord. Common sense is good but you cannot rely on just common sense and be truly great. Common sense is that which is common to all and would at best produce common results, but only those who obey divine instructions arrive at true greatness.
The Lord also said, “I will teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:” So many people have stepped out with great potentials and resources only to end up a failure. They had what they needed to succeed but they missed “the way” to their desired destination. The way is not a geographical location,neither can it be found by a compass or your GPS. The way is a person. Jesus say I am the way…
It is in the place of your personal relationship with Jesus that you are able to know the way to true greatness. The one you learn from determines the limit of your greatness. You cannot be taught by the Almighty and become a nonentity. Except you have your face before the Lord, you cannot be guided by his eye.
Seek His face every day and He will show you the strategies to true greatness.
May the grace and glory of the Lord decorate your life today in Jesus name.

RECOGNIZING YOUR DAY OF VISITATION (PART 2)

APRIL 20TH

TEXT:  2 Kings 2:1-3, 9-12 King James Version (KJV)

1.   And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

2.    And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.

3.    And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

9.    And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

10.    And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

11.    And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

12.   And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

Most of the time, life changing meetings do not look attractive to many. Only those who are hungry for God with a burning desire are able to sense the move of the Spirit. When a man is propelled by his hunger for God, he becomes empowered to blaze the trail for others to follow. Trail blazers are persons who have something burning on their inside. They can also be called path finders, because they are able to create a path where there is none. When you are lined up doing what every other person is doing, you cannot blaze the trail for others to follow. But when you are focused following God, some like the sons of the prophets may wonder if anything good can come out from your dedication, but do not fret because the Lord will not fail to reward you. You have not come this far by chance, but by divine ordering. Focus on what will transform and change your life forever. When the sons of the prophet saw the Jordan river open up for Elisha to pass through, they came and bowed down before him. In like manner, when your moment of glory comes, those who thought you were wasting your time will come bowing before you. The word of the Lord tells us that as we keep our focus on the Lord Jesus, beholding His face, we are being transformed from glory to glory. If you want to rise to a new dimension of glory, keep your eyes on the Lord. Refuse to be distracted by anyone or anything. keep your eyes on Him and your life will begin to witness glorious transformation. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Keep your focus on the Lord Jesus and you will be amazed the glory that will take over your life. God has great plans for you. Don’t give up.

RECOGNIZING YOUR DAY OF VISITATION (PART 1)

APRIL 19TH

TEXT:  2 Kings 2:1-3, 9-12 King James Version (KJV)
1.   And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2.    And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
3.    And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

9.    And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10.    And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
11.    And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12.    And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

Not many of us know how to recognize our moment of change or visitation. When Jesus came out of Jerusalem, He looked at it and wept, because He saw that the people knew not the day of their visitation. He was standing there as the messiah they were waiting for but they could not recognise him because they were blinded by religious traditions and activities. Don't miss your moment of visitation.

The greatest hindrance to anyone recognising a moment of divine visitation is distractions. Too many of us allow ourselves to be distracted from the purpose of God. If you must become what the Lord want you to be, then you must keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him and you will be amazed the glory that will follow.

When Elisha became conscious of the fact that his spiritual father, Elijah will be taken away into heaven by a divine visitation that particular day,he refused to be distracted by anybody. The sons of the prophets at different points tried to distract him from his focus but he simply told them, “Hold your peace”. In other words, please don’t distract me. Once Elisha was able to overcome those distractions, as he was alone with Elijah, Elijah finally asked him, What do you want me to do for you before I am taken away? That was when Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit to be upon him.
Only those who stay focused to the end are able to walk in the full glory of their pursuit. If you will stay focused on Jesus like the way Elisha stayed his focus on Elijah, you will see the salvation and the glory of the Lord. It is not difficult to live a victorious christian life, just stay focused on Jesus.

HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH

APRIL 18TH

TEXT: Numbers 23:19 King James Version (KJV)
19. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

The scriptures says, the word of God is ye and Amen. That tells us that whenever God speaks, it is as good as done. God has promised us divine providence and evidence and yours will not be missing in the name of Jesus. Hold on to whatever God has said to you, run with it, stand on it and decree it until you see it become real. His word will never return to Him void, it will accomplish the purpose for which it is sent and it will prosper in it.

If there is any time to accomplish your vision, goals and dreams. It is now, circumstances and situations may tell you to forget them, but do not consider doing so. Your situation may not have changed for the better, but, today, it is being settled.
Do not look at the wind or the cloud or the wave, go ahead and sow where you need to sow your seed and the harvest will come.

This is the time to plough the field, this is the time to go the distance. Take the step of faith and you will have your results. The man who refuse to take the step of faith will never see the results of faith.

God is waiting for you to take that step and when you do, He will surprise you. Thank the Lord for His word spoken into your life and ask Him to seal it up. There shall be no more delays in Jesus name, your breakthrough is coming to you now in Jesus name. Shalom!

HYMN - THE OLD RUGGED CROSS.

APRIL 17TH.   

TEXT: ISAIAH 53:3-12; JOHN19: 17-25; ROMANS 5:6-11; HEBREWS 9:27, 28
Memory Verse: He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:15).

The author and composer of this beloved hymn, George Bennard, began his Christian ministry in the ranks of the Salvation Army. Eight years later he was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal Church, where his devoted ministry as an evangelist was highly esteemed for many years. One time, after returning to his home in Albion, Michigan, Bennard passed through a particular trying experience, one that caused him to reflect seriously about the significance  of the cross and what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of entering into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings(Philippians 3:10). George Bennard began to spend long hours in study, prayer, and meditation until one day he could say: I saw the Christ of the cross as if I were seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of redemption. The more I contemplated these truths the more convinced I became that the cross was far more than just a religious symbol but rather the very heart of the gospel. During these days of spiritual struggle, the theme for “The Old Rugged Cross” began to formulate itself in Bennard’s mind. But an inner voice seemed to keep telling him to“wait”. Finally, however, after returning to Michigan, he began to concentrate anew on his project. This time the words and melody began to flow easily from his heart. Shortly thereafter, Bennard sent a manuscript copy to Charles Gabriel, one of the leading gospel hymn writers of that time. Gabriel’s prophetic words, “You will certainly hear from this song, Mr. Bennard,” were soon realized as the hymn became one of the most widely published songs, either sacred or secular, throughout America. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff’ring and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear, then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I”ll share.
Chorus: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.

ACTION POINT: Ponder the significance of Christ‘s cross in your salvation. Sing this musical testimony - TAKEN FROM “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION"

HYMN - THE OLD RUGGED CROSS.

APRIL 17TH.   

TEXT: ISAIAH 53:3-12; JOHN19: 17-25; ROMANS 5:6-11; HEBREWS 9:27, 28
Memory Verse: He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:15).

The author and composer of this beloved hymn, George Bennard, began his Christian ministry in the ranks of the Salvation Army. Eight years later he was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal Church, where his devoted ministry as an evangelist was highly esteemed for many years. One time, after returning to his home in Albion, Michigan, Bennard passed through a particular trying experience, one that caused him to reflect seriously about the significance  of the cross and what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of entering into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings(Philippians 3:10). George Bennard began to spend long hours in study, prayer, and meditation until one day he could say: I saw the Christ of the cross as if I were seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of redemption. The more I contemplated these truths the more convinced I became that the cross was far more than just a religious symbol but rather the very heart of the gospel. During these days of spiritual struggle, the theme for “The Old Rugged Cross” began to formulate itself in Bennard’s mind. But an inner voice seemed to keep telling him to“wait”. Finally, however, after returning to Michigan, he began to concentrate anew on his project. This time the words and melody began to flow easily from his heart. Shortly thereafter, Bennard sent a manuscript copy to Charles Gabriel, one of the leading gospel hymn writers of that time. Gabriel’s prophetic words, “You will certainly hear from this song, Mr. Bennard,” were soon realized as the hymn became one of the most widely published songs, either sacred or secular, throughout America. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff’ring and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear, then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I”ll share.
Chorus: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.

ACTION POINT: Ponder the significance of Christ‘s cross in your salvation. Sing this musical testimony - TAKEN FROM “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION"

THE POWER OF DIVINE AUTHORITY

APRIL 16TH

TEXT: 2 Kings 1:1-10 King James Version (KJV)
1.    Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
2.     And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
3.     But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
4.     Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
5.     And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
6.     And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the  LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
7.     And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?
8.     And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
9.     Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
10.     And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

2 Kings 1:13-15 King James Version (KJV)
13.     And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
14.     Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
15.     And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.

When a man has a close walk with God, people begin to see him as the oracle of God. When he speaks, it is obvious he has the backing of God.
One character in the Bible who had such command and authority was the prophet Elijah. He was so confident as the servant of God because of his close walk with Him. When he needed to speak many of the time, he did not have to say “thus says the Lord,” instead he often said “by my word,” this shows how united he was with the will of God.

Some people in order to sound spiritual have to mention God’s name whenever they speak. But if you are intimate with God, when you speak, people can tell you have a close relationship with Him.
When King Ahaziah sent his captain of fifty with his fifty men to forcefully arrest Elijah, the captain was not careful with Elijah, he made a mistake to carry out the order without respect for God’s servant. Then Elijah called the fire of God upon him and his fifty and they were consumed.

Be careful how you obey an order to disrespect a true man of God. He did not have to ask God to release fire from above, he just called it.
There are people who do not need to speak in tongues or dance acrobatics before God manifests His power in honour of their words. Don’t take them for granted, you may be playing with fire. 
Know that when certain persons speak under certain conditions, their words automatically become decrees in the realm of the spirit. Such persons don’t joke with words because they know the God they serve. They are the apple of His eye.
Don’t be fooled by their short comings or struggles, be wise and learn from the wise captain of fifty who was wise to speak with much wisdom pleading. May you not be destroyed by the words of your mouth.

KEEP YOUR TRUST IN GOD

APRIL 15TH

TEXT: Numbers 23:19 - 23 King James Version (KJV)
19. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
20. Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
22. God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
23. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

Beloved, there is security in God, He is the only one who will not fail you. He is the only one you can always rely on. When people scorn at you, they want you to bow down your head in shame but when God extends His divine providence to you, He becomes your glory and the lifter of your head.

The Lord will lift up your head this season in Jesus name. He will also defend you from the arrows released from the mouth of the wicked. They will not be able to make you loose hope because the Lord will help you.

Take your eyes off whatever has dampened your faith and enthusiasm, and keep looking unto Jesus. Do not lean on man for they will cause you to fall. Keep leaning on God’s promises for he cannot fail you. He is the only one who can bring to pass whatever you are believing Him for, so keep your eyes on Him.

So many who are oppressed have their destinies tied down by the devil. They want to go somewhere in life but they have not been able to make any headway. The only way to overcome the enemy is to receive the help of God.

This season, God will give you power and strength to be stronger than your oppressors. His divine providence will address whatever is out of place in your destiny and cause you to overcome in Jesus name. God bless you.

DIVINE DECREES FOR YOUR LIFTING

APRIL 14TH

TEXT: Numbers 23: 19-23 KING JAMES VERSION (KJV)
19.    God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
20.    Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
21.     He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
22.     God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
23.     Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

The Lord has sent me to bless you today and I want you to pay careful attention because the Lord is ready to frustrate every curse against your life and destiny . By my authority as the servant of the Lord,  this is my prayer for you today;

May the Lord remember you in His mercy and forgive everyone of your sins.
May He grant you a listening ear and reject every evil decree against you.
May the blood of Jesus speak and atone for you today and always.
May the Lord give you complete testimony this season in Jesus name. Whatever has been standing in your way as a formidable force is here and now frustrated, destroyed as it crumbles in the name of Jesus.
May you enter into your days of glory from this moment in Jesus name. Whatever help you need to enter into your destiny is released now in Jesus name.
May the Lord look to you in favour and release His glory upon your life in Jesus name.
May He give an answer to every scorning you have received in Jesus name.
May you begin to see evidences to confirm that He is your glory and the lifter up of your head.
May He hear your cry from His holy hill and clothe you with His presence and glory.

Praise Him for He is glorious and awesome, worthy of  all the praise, honor and glory. Thank Him for whatever you are trusting Him for. Thank Him by faith for turning things around in your favor. Believe, receive and it shall be well with you in Jesus name.
He will make nonsense every plan of the evil one, and break off every hold of the enemy over you. His words over your life will come to pass as He will glorify His name.

The Lord says that you should not put your eyes or expectation on any man, for that will hinder what He wants to do in your life.
Some have reduced the magnitude of God’s glory meant for their lives by fixing their eyes on man. Take your eyes off man and look unto Jesus for He is the author and finisher of your faith.
God bless you.

HIS PRESENCE IS EVERYTHING (PART 2)

APR. 13TH

TEXT: Exodus 33:12-18 King James Version (KJV)

12.     And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

13.    Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

14.   And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

15.    And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

16.    For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

17.   And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

18.     And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

The story is told of a little girl who had cerebral palsy and was unable to move. The parents knew the report of the doctors, but they chose to fill her room with the presence of God by playing messages of faith continuously.

One day, they heard a noise from her room and when they got there, she had gotten up and to the amazement of all, she said “By His stripes I am healed.” You are what you hear and believe.

CONTEMPLATION

The first time most of us encountered God, the passion and satisfaction of our souls was just to be in the presence of God. But today, some of us have become too sophisticated to crave for more of God. 

“I know of places where the people started with a strong hunger and total dependence on the Lord, but after a few successes they became too confident and began to trust in their wisdom, methods, gifts, and skills.

They suddenly felt they knew what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. As long as they were still getting results here and there, they failed to see the need to passionately seek God.” FFPW p100-101.

If you celebrate the gift of God over the presence of God, you are probably more concerned about glamour and the recognition of men than the glory of God. Do not exchange your gold for brass. They do not have the same value.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

There are worship houses and individuals that started out in the spirit but are now in the flesh because they wanted to be acceptable, sophisticated and politically correct.They have left their first love.Whatever experience you seek after be careful not to miss the presence of the Lord.

HIS PRESENCE IS EVERYTHING (PART 1)

APR. 12TH

TEXT: Exodus 33:12-18 King James Version(KJV)

12.    And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

13.    Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

14.    And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

15.    And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

16.   For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

17.   And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

18.    And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

The story of Charles Finny visiting a factory and the presence of God causing such deep conviction that brought the workers to their knees pleading for the forgiveness of their sins reveals to us that our God is much more than words. Know that it is a privilege to carry whatever degree of the manifestation of God’s presence you have. Be thankful for it and God will smile on you.

CONTEMPLATION

Until you are confronted with extraordinary opposition that makes nonsense all of your abilities, you may not understand why Moses said except your presence goes with me I do not want to leave this place.

King David understood well that the only reason he was chosen ahead of his older brothers was nothing but the presence of God attracted upon him in the place of intimacy with God. That same presence gave him victory over the Lion, Bear and the giant; Goliath. He fought and won several wars on his way to becoming the king of Israel, and throughout his reign, he was able to subdue all his enemies because of the presence. He was only able to escape the plot of King Saul and other people with evil intentions because of the presence of God. In all your getting, please get the presence; God’s presence is everything.

Whatever you seek can only be a blessing when the glory of God is in it.“A blessing without the presence of God is a curse.

Check out Lot, the nephew of Abraham who thought he was very smart when he chose the well-watered valley of Sodom and Gomorrah over the divine covering he had abiding with Abraham, and you will see better (Genesis 13:8-11).

 Lot thought he got a blessing when he settled for Sodom and Gomorrah, but it was a curse. He later had to run out of Sodom for his dear life, but by this time his wife had become a pillar of salt, and his daughters later committed incest with him (Genesis 19:15-38). ” FFPW p.99.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

When Lot settled for the well watered valley of Sodom, he thought he got a blessing. It was an assessment based on face value. (Genesis 19:15 - 38).

 If your passion for anything exceeds your passion for the presence of God, it will become a problem. 

THE CULTURE OF THE KINGDOM

APR. 11^TH

TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:12-17 King James Version (KJV)

12.     For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

13.     For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14.     For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15.     And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16.     Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17.     Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Sometimes we forget to appreciate and celebrate the gift and grace of God upon others who are meant to be a blessing to us. Without the contribution of the other fellow, your weaknesses and inabilities will become more obvious and you are likely to be less fulfilled. Take sometime today to appreciate this difference.

CONTEMPLATION

“To be able to touch lives beyond the intellect is not in our human abilities. Our skill with languages, theology, psychology, and theories is not sufficient to bring down the glory. This is exclusively the work of the Holy Spirit.” FFPW p97

The opinion, idea, temperament, and disposition of people around us, are grossly inadequate to reveal to us the culture of the kingdom. Often than not, what we understand and pride ourselves in is only a facade. It is a terrible mistake to settle for such obscurity and expect to see the glory of God.

In every spirit filled individual, there is this innate propensity to gravitate towards the culture of the kingdom if we do not allow the philosophy of man to cloud our vision.

Too many people enslave themselves to the views of scholars. They are quick to say “according to ....” but hardly ever make use of “the Lord told me” or “the Lord showed, revealed to me.”

The philosophies and positions of mortal men are fallible and limited in relevance from one generation to the other, but the ways of the Spirit are eternal.

Before you step out with that wonderful idea, take time to be double sure it will stand the test of time (1 Cor. 2:13, Col. 2:8 and 1 Cor. 1:19-21).     

PRACTICAL ISSUES

We are only susceptible to that which we already admire and celebrate. Be careful what you adore, it may enslave you for good or bad. It is your responsibility to commit the word of God to your mind until your mind is set to process everything through the eyes of the Spirit.

Do something productive today. It is an error to commit to your mind to the writings of other men without enough study of the word of God. Apply Col. 3:16. Let the word of God dwell in you...