Exodus 14: 14 - Victory is Certain in Christ

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Exposition

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. – As the Israelites walked towards the Red Sea, Pharoah and his warriors rode furiously towards them. The Israelites did not have any weapons, they had never been to battle, and something had to happen. The LORD God Almighty who knows the end from the beginning, the One who neither sleeps nor slumbers, spoke to the waters and the wind, the rest as we now say is history.

The LORD is a man of war. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lord of Hosts is His name. He protects His own. He has promised He will never leave you or forsake you. The scriptures tell us – the righteous run to Him and they are safe.

and ye shall hold your peace – You will no longer fret, you will have no need to worry. Fear of the enemy is replaced by faith in Jesus Christ. You start to understand that He has done it before and He will do it again. Nothing, no one can withstand the power of the Most High God.

Accept Him as your Lord today and suddenly your story will change as you become too hot for the enemy to handle.

Prayer

I ask Father that you show up today in my battles. I have no power of my own. I ask that you cause the Hosts of Heaven to fight for me. See me through every challenges that I am facing. Help me to be still as I experience my freedom from the dark forces in Jesus name.

Exodus 14: 14 - Victory is Certain in Christ

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Exposition

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. – As the Israelites walked towards the Red Sea, Pharoah and his warriors rode furiously towards them. The Israelites did not have any weapons, they had never been to battle, and something had to happen. The LORD God Almighty who knows the end from the beginning, the One who neither sleeps nor slumbers, spoke to the waters and the wind, the rest as we now say is history.

The LORD is a man of war. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lord of Hosts is His name. He protects His own. He has promised He will never leave you or forsake you. The scriptures tell us – the righteous run to Him and they are safe.

and ye shall hold your peace – You will no longer fret, you will have no need to worry. Fear of the enemy is replaced by faith in Jesus Christ. You start to understand that He has done it before and He will do it again. Nothing, no one can withstand the power of the Most High God.

Accept Him as your Lord today and suddenly your story will change as you become too hot for the enemy to handle.

Prayer

I ask Father that you show up today in my battles. I have no power of my own. I ask that you cause the Hosts of Heaven to fight for me. See me through every challenges that I am facing. Help me to be still as I experience my freedom from the dark forces in Jesus name.

Psalm 24:8 - The LORD is Mighty

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Exposition

Who is the King of glory? – Have you asked the same question? What are His attributes? What has He done before? Verse 1 of this Psalm says He owns the earth and its fullness. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. Verse 2 says He founded the earth upon the seas and the floods. Can you imagine what He did at creation? It was an exhibition of power.

The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle – The LORD is God Almighty. He is powerful. I am sure you are aware that there are gods that are made by the hands of carpenters or sculptors. Those gods have no power. Those who worship these gods have to feed them. The Almighty does not need food from any man.

The LORD fights and has never lost a battle. He fights for His own children. The LORD through His Son, Jesus Christ conquered death. He conquered sin and destroyed all principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places.

The beauty of this truth is that the LORD is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is interested in your situation. He will make a way for you where there seems to be no way.

Prayer

Remember me Lord. I come to you in truth. Help me defeat my enemies as you have done before. Let me experience your power in my life. Let the grip of sin in my life be broken permanently in Jesus name. What you did in the past, I know you can do again. Thank you Father in Jesus name. Amen.

Psalm 24::7 - Let the King of Glory Come In

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It is believed that the writer of this beautiful Psalm was referring to the gates of the temple that would be built by King Solomon.  The Psalmist wrote that when the temple is dedicated, the ark of covenant would be carried into it and the glory of the LORD would fill the temple

Exposition

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in – how can you relate to this?

Gates are built for protection and to keep away the unwanted. Gates would usually have locks held by the inhabitants/owners of the house. Your heart has a gate and you own the keys. You can open up and allow the King of glory to come in.

You can allow the gospel of Jesus Christ to come in by receiving and acknowledging that Jesus Christ died for you.

You can open up for the glory of God to envelope you and your future will be secured in the King of glory. The glory of God brings favour and victory over agents of the enemy. Do not continue to miss out.

Prayer

Come into my life Lord. Let all opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ be defeated now in Jesus name. Open my heart to understand what Jesus has done for me.

Let your glory fill my life and all that concerns me from this moment O God. Thank you for this opportunity. Let your name be glorified in Jesus name. Amen

1 Samuel 30:6 - Be Encouraged in God

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In the earlier verses while David was away, the Amalekites had invaded Ziklag, burnt it and carried women and children captive. Many people must have lost their homes, farms or businesses. To compound the situation, women and children were carried away into captivity. The nation wept until there was no strength to continue weeping.

Things do not go according to plan all the time. Disappointments will happen, things that are easy or things other people achieve easily suddenly become difficult. Sometimes it feels like failure and stagnation seem to have moved into your back garden. Supposedly good friends or members of the family rather than help turn their backs. You are alone and discouraged.

Exposition

but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God – David could have accepted the situation and waited until he was stoned by the people. He did not withdraw into his shell like many do, he lifted up his eyes to the hill for help.

David did not wait for anybody to encourage him, he believed God for His faithfulness. He believed God would not leave him in such a situation. David had experienced the power of God before and he knew that same power would respond on his behalf.

Friend, the call is to encourage yourself in the word of God. It is time to allow the word of God to start working for you. Rather than giving in to the circumstances that discourage you, stand on the covenant you have with God through Jesus Christ. It worked for David, it will work for you.

Prayer

Help me to remember that you will always be there for me for you said I will not leave you or forsake you. Help me Lord to encourage myself in you at all times. You are a covenant keeping God. You will come good for me in Jesu name. Amen

1 Thessalonians 2:13 - Receive the Word

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Exposition

For this reason we also constantly thank God – We who receive the word of God also have to thank God constantly because we have been saved not by our power but by God.

that when you received – Many hear the word of God and do not receive it. Many are in God’s presence and do not understand they are in His presence. Hearts are closed to the word of God.

the word of God which you heard from us – The word we hear from Ministers of God is the word of God. The written word of God is inspired by God. The word is given for the benefit of man and is meant to be a blessing at all times. The beauty that is incontestable is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the word of God.

you accepted it not as the word of men – The word that will impact you has to be accepted as the truth. It has to be received with joy no matter how you feel about it. The word of God is different from the word of men for the word of men is the wisdom of men in action to seduce those who hear it.

but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe – The Almighty is the Almighty. What He says He will do, He will surely do. The word of God is backed up by the power of God. On your part, the key word is believe. Without believing the word can’t work.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for saving me. Thank you Father for I am in the land of the living. The dead can’t praise you. Help me Lord to praise you forever.

Lead me to Ministers who do not dilute your word to please men or for their sinister purposes. Help me to appreciate those who preach your word at all times. Help me to accept your word. Help me to refuse the word of men which is meant to confuse and mess me up.

Let your word work in me and for me. Let it come with a quickening that will renew me at all times.

Titus 3: 3-5 - Salvation is not by Works

Exposition

But after - After living in the depth of sin and wickedness, lies, malice, disobedience, unfaithfulness and things of this nature, what happened?

that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared – Out of the kindness of God, out of His love for the man that He created, God the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ sent His Son to die in the place of every man. The colour of the skin did not matter then, neither does it matter now, the nature of the sin does not matter to God too.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done – Jesus Christ is the way of salvation. The goodness of your heart, your niceness is not nice enough; your kind heartedness towards your fellow man is not kind enough. The Scriptures say that our righteousness is like filthy rages before God.

but according to his mercy he saved us  – The mercy of God is from everlasting to everlasting. Your salvation is important to God, He has given up His Son for your sake. Accept Him for in Him, all you will ever need is available.

by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost – Baptism in water is good and necessary but it is not the source of salvation. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour, there is a renewal of your mind, your old person/mind is dead and a new man emerges. There is a spiritual deep-clean that takes place and before God and new man emerges. This is done by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grace to live by the power of the Holy Spirit is available. Let it work for you.

Prayer

Thank you God for loving me. Thank you Father for your kindness towards me. Thank you for wiping away my sins. Thank you for the new and clean slate that I am today. Help me to live by your grace and your grace alone.  Help me Father to start enjoying the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Amen

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1 Corinthians 9 25 - Temperance is Key to the Crown of Glory

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Successful athletes do everything within their power to succeed. They go to training camps, their diets and heart beats are monitored, and they under a special regimen of exercises before the competition. They give up everything that can lead to failure during the competition. For example those who have matches the day after Christmas give up the turkey and the desserts. In other spheres of life the students, businessmen and women who succeed do things beyond what the average man would do. How does this affect your Christian race?

Exposition

And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things – Temperance or self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. There is a need to abstain from the lusts of the flesh. We also look at our main example – Jesus Christ who though He was God, made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant in the likeness of men. He humbled himself and was obedient to death. (Philippians 2: 5-7)

For example the man who wants to overcome every plan of the devil against him will prepare with diligence before the prayer sessions taking time to fast and meditate on the word of God.

Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible – In the world system those who get to the top or those who achieve success receive adulation which is usually for a season before another man does better and the clapping and sweet words are transferred to him.

The Christian reward is the crown of glory. It is incorruptible because it cannot be corrupted and diminished by anything or anybody. It can’t be placed on the head of the corrupt man.

You must make an effort to secure this crown. Weakness or complacency will lead to failure. That will not be your story in Jesus name.

Prayer

Help me Lord to strive for the crown that is awaiting me. Help me Father to exhibit self-control in every area of my life. Help me to overcome my human nature at all times. Help me Father to follow the example of Jesus Christ in every waking moment. Thank you Father in Jesus name. Amen

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2 Chronicles 16 9 - Eyes of God

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Exposition

The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth – The Lord created the heavens and the earth and all who inhabit the earth. His eyes do not miss a thing. The Lord does not sleep and He does not need to take a break. His eyes behold the good and the evil. Be assured that all that is happening to you, the Master is aware of.

to show Himself strong- He is the Almighty. He is the lion of the tribe of Judah. The Lord of Hosts is His name.

He knows our adversary, the devil goes about seeking to steal, to kill and to destroy. The devil wants to sift you like wheat, but if you have the Master on your side, the battle is already won for you.

How does He show Himself strong? By supporting you, by for you, by protecting and shielding you from the arrows from the enemy and by giving you strength to battle when there is need to do so.

on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him – Other translations of this verse say those whose hearts are fully committed to Him or those whose hearts are completely His.

God stands up for people who are loyal through and through. The loyal people include those who sin occasionally and repent of their sins.

Make a choice this day, if you are not truly loyal to the King and Master, if you have not accepted Jesus as your Saviour, do not miss the opportunity.

Prayer

Help me father to be loyal to you. Help me to stand up for the truth at all times. Help me to live a righteous and holy life.

Thank you for your strength that is in me. Thank you for the assurance that you see all that is happening to me. Thank you for victory in Jesus mighty name. Amen

Zephaniah 3:17 - The Almighty God

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Exposition

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty – The Almighty God is in you and around you to provide for you, to protect you and to support you. Indeed He is Immanuel. He is more than able to see you through every challenge you are facing. Let faith in His divine ability replace fear from this day in Jesus name.

he will save – He chose you before you were formed to save you. He knows you by name. His love for you is personal. He sent His Son – Jesus to die for your sins and mine too. The grip of satan over you is shattered. He is reaching out today, accept Him and your life will not be the same again.

he will rejoice over thee with joy – Psalm 16:11 says In His presence there is fullness of joy and at His right hand, there are pleasures forever more. Embrace the Almighty today and let the joy He has for you be your strength. The Almighty delights in you His child when you accept Him and you do what He wants you to do.

he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing – His love for you is unchangeable such that nothing can separate you from His love. However be warned that those that He loves He rebukes when they do wrong. He is always waiting for you to acknowledge your sin and repent.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your presence in my life. Thank you for accepting me as I am. Thank you for giving me another chance. Thank you for comforting me and assuring me that it is well with my soul. Thank you for protecting me from evil.

Help me this day to continue being a source of joy to your kingdom in heaven and on earth. I pray joy will not depart from my household in Jesus name. Amen

Proverbs 16: 7 - Pleasing God

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There is so much chaos around the world today and peace seems so far away. Here is an invitation from the Almighty who is all knowing and all powerful - do things my way and I will take away worry from your life. John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. In our day to day lives, we sometimes have to go the extra mile with people in other to achieve our own purpose. Here is an opportunity to replace a life of unending fear with a life of peace in Jesus Christ.

Exposition

When a man’s ways please the LORD – One way to please God is to show mercy always and live a life of truth, then you will find favour with God and man.  Proverbs 3: 3-4.

Another way to please God is to live a life of faith always, not only on Sundays. Hebrews 11:6 says but without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him – Satan has a battalion of agents, seen and unseen working for him against you. Romans 8:31 says if God be for us, who can be against us? God has the ability to cause the enemies to worship at your feet. Read Revelation 3: 9

Prayer

Let my ways please you O Lord. Let my thoughts and my deeds give you pleasure. Help me to resist pleasing the world rather than pleasing you.

Let the enemies give up on me. Let their evil plans come to nothing in Jesus name. I ask that you cause your angels to encamp round about me in Jesus name.

Let me enjoy peace all the days of my life in Jesus name. Amen