...See, I do a new thing

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 

[Isaiah 43:19]

A transition period at any point in our lives is usually a tough period for us, because, although we're not who we used to be, we are not yet who we should be or are working towards being. There's that danger of being so caught up in the fact that we are not yet "there" that we fail to see that we have made progress.

The passage today talks about restoration, God told his people He was changing the status quo, they did not "perceive" it but that did not change the fact that His work was in progress. When they looked around they saw the wilderness, all their eyes could see was wastelands all around them. Is that how life seems right now? so barren and dry and empty, all you can see is infertile ground all around you? You look your self in the mirror and you know this is not who you really are meant to be, but you cannot see a way out right now, everywhere you turn there seems to be nothing there for you? Don't loose hope, cos our God is the one who is making a way in the wilderness and springs in the wastelands. 

Isaiah 30:15 tells us, "in quietness and trust is our strength" so let you heart be silent, enter into that silent place in your spirit and speak to Him, find your strength in Him and walk in sync with Him as He works out His plan. The amazing part of it is whether we see it or not, that does not change God's plan, as long as He has planned it, it would come to pass and He has promised saying "say to the righteous, it shall be well with Him" . Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers  him out of them all (not out of some), we Have a God who works awesome wonders even in the bleakest of surroundings.

Prayer: Thank  You father for who I am today, Your child, a heir in Your mighty kingdom. I praise You for because of You I know I cannot be shaken no matter where I find myself . Though the promise seems to tarry, I would wait for it because it shall surely come. So today I set my heart to praise You as the wonderful way maker, and i am rest assured that You who works in ways i cannot see would make a way where there seems to be no way.

One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan  - Nov. 13 2010 - Psalm 33 - 34 (OT) , Matthew 2 (NT)

The Prison Companion

Joseph's master took him and put him in prison...But...the Lord was with him...and gave him success in whatever he did.

[Gen 39: 20-21, 23, NIV]

When God allows us to go to prison, He goes with us. Joseph seemed to have known this truth. He did not sulk, become discouraged and rebellious, or engage in self-pity by thinking “everything was against him.” If he had done so, the prison warden would never have trusted him [Gen. 39: 23].

A prison represents a place where persons are confined, or restrained of personal liberty. A prison in this context could connote something like relationship where you are restrained of your personal liberty, a workplace, or a point in time when you are restrained from going about normal duties due to circumstances beyond your control.  No matter where you are, as a child of God, you have the Spirit of God with you. Joseph simply placed everything in joyful trust upon the Lord, and as a result, the prison warden placed everything into Joseph's care. Should you find yourself in a prison of some sort, may you not give in to self-pity, but never lose sight of the the truth that you have God with you.

If is appears that you are in a place of confinement or a place where you are restrained of personal liberty, remember that God is with you. Not only will He give you peace, He has the ability to make you successful wherever you are and in whatever you do. Place everything in joyful trust upon the Lord.

Prayer: My Loving Father, thank You for the assurance that You are always with me and You are constantly watching over me. Should I find myself in a situation where the prison door closes behind me, keep me trusting You with complete and overflowing joy. May Your work through me have great success and even in prison, make me free indeed. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Wind Of Change

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
[Romans 8:28,NKJV]

Whenever the wind of God blows, it brings about wonderful changes to the area it covers. In Ezekiel 37:1-10, the wind of God blew and dry, dead bones were converted into a great and mighty army. When the wind of God blows, something great is bound to happen. It does not take into consideration, the severity of the present condition, but changes the most unpleasant circumstances into an awesome wonder. Also in Exodus 14:21, the wind of the Spirit blew and the Red Sea parted in two, paving a way for the Israelites to cross over. The wind causes a way to be opened up where there is none. In Numbers 11:31-32, the wind of change blew and there was supernatural supply of food.

The Holy Spirit is the wind of God that brings change into our lives today. In Acts 2:2-4 this wind ushered in the power of God upon the disciples, giving them boldness to do the work of God. The Holy Spirit of God is available to us by the God's grace to bring more and more changes into our lives and circumstances. He is able to turn misdirected efforts to our good. He is able to bring changes that cause breakthrough, changes that we can't get from anywhere else. He is able to surprise us with good things. Cultivate a good relationship with the Holy Spirit whom you received when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior, and let the wind of change blow miracles into your life.

Prayer: I receive your promise, most loving Father, even the gift of Your Holy Spirit. I open my heart to the change that you bring. Fill me Lord with Your wind, blow over my life again and again, let everything in me that does not glorify Your name be blown away, and let the beautiful change that Your love brings fill my being, I pray in Jesus name.

One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan  - Nov. 11 2010 - Psalm 29 - 30 (OT) , Revelations 21 (NT)

Still God...Even Through the Fire

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
   says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
   I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise...

[Isaiah 54:10-11]

Its so easy to proclaim God's majesty when everything is going just fine, but what about when the storm rages and the clouds seem constantly dark and full of rain? Do we still proclaim His awesomeness or do we allow the frustrations overwhelm us.

This passage assures us of God's covenant that would never removed neither would His love be shaken, so even in those rough moments of life when its hard to hold on to hope, He still holds us firm. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, sometimes we would have to walk into that fire, but His presence would follow us right in. Right in the midst of the blazing heat, if we focus on Him, He would keep us and we would not be scorched.

Maybe we are in that fire so that the "bonds" that held us back may be burnt off, maybe we are there because we walked away from God in the first place, Maybe we are there as a testing of our faith, maybe we dont even understand the reason why...but whatever the reason, we are not alone, the same God who was with us in the place of abundance is still here, even in the struggle.

No matter where we are, He is still the Awesome God, The Devil would try to overwhelm you and make you believe you cant go on anymore, but remember this "He created the blacksmith who fires up his forge and makes a weapon designed to kill. He also created the destroyer— but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged.Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar.This is what God's servants can expect. He'll see to it that everything works out for the best." God's Decree. " (Isaiah 54:16-17 MSG) 

Prayer: Lord, right now I am overwhelmed and I have no strength of my own, but as long as I have You and trust in You, I know You would carry me on Your wings. I may not understand the reason things are this way but I know that You would work all thing for my very best. I praise You through this season and I refuse to be held down by depression. I would be strengthened in You and I would exalt Your name because I know that You remain the same, and You never change. Situations may change but You my Lord remain the same.

One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan  - Nov. 08 2010 - Psalm 27 - 28 (OT) , Revelations 20 (NT)

Dealing With The Deception Of The Blessing

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].

[Revelations 3:19, AMP]

There are times we find ourselves saying things like, "I love the Lord so much because of all the things He has blessed me with". We need to beware of the deception that can come with the prosperity of God's blessing upon our lives. Sometimes, God may "try" us to see what is really in our hearts and minds. If our love is only based on His blessing upon our lives, we may buckle under the trial.

Your Loving Father has loved you with an everlasting love. Nothing will ever be able to separate you from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Those He dearly loves, He disciplines and instructs. While a time of chastisement may not seem like a time He is blessing You, it is still true that God loves you, even then.

If you feel your heart is hardening towards God during a period when He is disciplining and instructing You, or you feel your love for Him is based on His blessing upon your life, this is a time to ask Your loving Father for a new heart. Ask Him for a heart that loves Him simply because He is God. Ask Him to take You back to the point where You first met Him.

Prayer: My Loving Father, I thank You because You first loved me and nothing can separate me from the love You have for me. There may have been times when my love for You is conditional - based on the physical things You have done for me. While I must be appreciative of the things You do for me, I pray Father, that I will not be deceived by Your blessings in my life. I pray for a renewed heart that longs to love You unconditionally. I pray for Your help and understanding as my mind is being renewed. May my love for You not be based on the physical things You have done but based on Who You are, even when You are chastising me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

A New Beginning

Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly [Job 8:7, NKJV]

With God's endorsement and support, His children can start any new thing and prosper in that which is started. When the Father is involved, a herculean task becomes effortless because He is able to command help and assistance for His children from the four corners of the Earth. Doors which were previously closed are able to open up on their own volition, and the task at hand becomes easy.

Many a times, we fail or remain where we are, not because we don't know what to do, but because we lack the power to start anything. Some have brilliant ideas that could turn around lives, but they are too afraid to start. Some are afraid to leave their present location for any new assignment for fear of what lies ahead. Have you faced severe challenges in taking a new appointment, assignment or starting a new business? Have you faced untold hardship in starting a new family? You are not alone, but help is available for the beloved Child of God, He loves you so much and is willing to help you.

Take out time to consciously invite Jesus into your new beginning, He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is able to carry you through your new project and sail you through to success, leaving testimonies in your trail. Jesus says in John 15:5, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing'.

Prayer: Dear loving Father, I invite you by your Word into the projects of my life. I thank you for your love and grace that is always available to me. Lord I ask that you please light my path with your wisdom and understanding, grant me your breakthrough and let the song of my success glorify your name. I bless you dear Father for being there for me in Jesus name.

One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - Nov. 08 2010 - Psalms 23-24 (OT) , Revelations 18 (NT)