The Spoken Word: 365 Days of Rhema

© 2013 by Zuriel Ann Murphy. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/29/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8374-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-8375-4 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Unless stated otherwise, all scripture verses referenced in this book are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Contents

JANUARY

1.   If The Clouds Are Full

2.   A Way In The Wilderness . . . Rivers In The Desert

3.   Preparation

4.   Just Like A Dream

5.   Journey To The Glory Of God Alone

6.   You Are Not Ordinary

7.   Persevere

8.   The Birthing Of Fame From Shame

9.   Joy—The Strength Of A Man

10.   From The Eyes Of God

11.   The Value Of Relationship Over Seed.

12.   Serve The Lord In Your Youth

13.   Don’t Tag God With A Means

14.   Destiny Or Mere Satisfaction?

15.   Hold On To The Word

16.   Be Sensitive To Seasons.

17.   Not My Will Lord

18.   You Represent Light

19.   Carrier Of A Unique Deposit

20.   Being Used By God

21.   The Value Of A Seed

22.   Profiting From The Word Of God

23.   Encourage Yourself In The Lord

24.   Greatness Hidden In Ideas

25.   Free Indeed

26.   Unto The Lord; Not Man.

27.   A Time To Separate

28.   Strength And Exploits

29.   Confess It

30.   Possible With God Not Men

31.   Don’t Look Back

FEBRUARY

1.   A Foundation That Preserves

2.   Believe It

3.   Activating Your Faith 1

4.   Activating Your Faith 2

5.    Activating Your Faith 3

6.   Activating Your Faith 4

7.   Activating Your Faith 5

8.   Trial Of Faith

9.   Fear: The Enemy Of Faith

10.   Something Greater Than Faith 1

11.   Something Greater Than Faith 2

12.   Something Greater Than Faith 3

13.   Alone But Not Lonely

14.   Ask Rightly

15.   Be Anxious For Nothing

16.   Denying Self To Serve

17.   He First Knew You

18.   Jesus: His Personality & Principles

19.   Preserve Your Worth

20.   Real Treasures Are Insdestructible

21.   Righteousness Precedes Glory

22.   The Past Or The Future?

23.   The Power Of Sight

24.   The Source Or The Content

25.   Unfading Glory

26.   What Manner Of Persons Ought Ye To Be?

27.   Your Enemies Are Instruments Of Purpose

28.   Your Pearls And The Bearer

MARCH

1.   Sleeping In The Storm

2.   Consumed By Their Own Trap

3.   The Gospel Of The Kingdom

4.   Breaking Off The Plague

5.   God Never Walks Away

6.   Wisdom, Knowledge And Understanding

7.   Ban Those Words!

8.   Venom To Infirmity

9.   Respond To The Divine Call

10.   You Can Still Use Me

11.   Remember My Sacrifice

12.   Don’t Try To Help God

13.   I Declare

14.   Impaired With An Insight

15.   Praising In The Prison

16.   Route To Life Or Death

17.   Say No To Tepidity

18.   I Will Not Bow

19.   Think On These Things

20.   The Irrevocable Seal

21.   Quit Criticism

22.   Power Of Words

23.   As A Man Thinketh

24.   Soulmate In My Work-Place

25.   The Test Of Promotion

26.   Victory By Faith

27.   Defined By Your Fruits

28.   Only Rejoice

29.   Never Be Empty

30.   Yes . . . You Can!

31.   The Disposition Of God

APRIL

1.   The Power Of Knowledge

2.   Don’t Give God Options

3.   Go Back And Act Right

4.   When God Says The Impossible

5.   A Better Place To Be

6.   The Lord Fought For You

7.   If These Qualities Are Yours

8.   You Cannot Predict God

9.   Preserved By Purpose

10.   It’s More Blessed To Give

11.   No One But The Holyspirit

12.   Cultivating Your Land

13.   Healing Or Wholeness

14.   Receive It

15.   We Are Sculptors Of Our Days

16.   The Best For The Last

17.   I Have An Excellent Spirit

18.   Flee From It

19.   Not For Price Nor Reward

20.   He Has Gone Before You

21.   Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

22.   According To The Power

23.   Tell It

24.   If I Be Lifted Up

25.   Be The Boss Of Your Mind

26.   Publish It

27.   Burning But Not Consumed

28.   He Functions In Me

29.   Nature Acts In Favor Of Thee

30.   The Ability To Do Right

MAY

1.   Looking Beyond The Covers

2.   Recognizing What You Have

3.   The Best Legacy

4.   The Dead End

5.   Wait Upon The Lord

6.   You Have Someones’ Need

7.   Your Security Is Sure

8.   Who Are You?

9.   Blessed To Prosper

10.   Diligence Pays

11.   Not Beyond My Ability

12.   More Than Your Environment

13.   Let Not The Passion And Zeal Be Quenched

14.   Not Self Deceit

15.   Importance Of Praying In Tongues

16.   Come Back To Yourself

17.   God’s Perfect Will

18.   Blessings Of A New Day

19.   Acceptable Worship

20.   Whom The Lord Qualifies

21.   The Book Of Your Life

22.   Get Rid Of Worthless Stuffs

23.   Open And Closed Doors

24.   Wisdom From Above

25.   Deceit Of The Enemy

26.   Pleasing God Or The Crowd?

27.   God’s Call Is Irrevocable

28.   The Way, The Truth And The Life

29.   Refuse To Be Degraded

30.   Do Not Magnify The Storm

31.   You’re Closer Than You Think

JUNE

1.   A New Name The Lord Shall Give

2.   The Lord Delights In You

3.   Afflicted For A Purpose

4.   My Confidence

5.   Not In My Nation

6.   The Joy Of Being Forsaken

7.   The Joy Of Trials

8.   Set Your Target Before The Race

9.   Without A Sword

10.   Attitude In Trials

11.   Overcoming Evil

12.   Allow God To Be The Potter

13.   Channels Of Temptation

14.   Count Your Blessings

15.   Darkness Cannot Overcome Light

16.   Encourage One Another In Love

17.   Greater Than Your Fears

18.   Hear The Lord

19.   I Look To You

20.   Know Where You’re Going

21.   Nuturing My Seed

22.   Reaping What You Sow

23.   Taming The Tongue

24.   The Details God Will Not Give

25.   The Mercies Of God

26.   The Value Of Godliness

27.   Till The End

28.   Time And Opportunity

29.   Transforming The World

30.   Who Is The Lord To You?

JULY

1.   A Lesson From Lot

2.   A Lesson From Noah

3.   A Lesson From Stephen

4.   A New Connection Established

5.   All To Cover Up

6.   Not Through Selfish Means

7.   An Offer To Deny God

8.   Enquire Of The Lord

9.   Insurgent For A Purpose

10.   You Don’t Need That Much

11.   Are You Ready?

12.   The Screening Stage

13.   Attributing The Right Value

14.   Delayed For A Purpose

15.   When God Allows Death

16.   Directed By The Word

17.   Such Hope Never Dissapoints

18.   It Was My Mistake

19.   Secrets Not To Expose

20.   Enough To Learn From

21.   Still In Time For Reestablishment

22.   Take It As A Challenge

23.   Be Content

24.   Dependable God

25.   Do Yourself A Favor—Forgive!

26.   The Truth Or The Threat?

27.   No Safe City

28.   Not Minding Protocols

29.   Praise Your Way Through

30.   The Wisdom And Folly Of Solomon

31.   Treading On Greater Heights

AUGUST

1.   A Challenge That Will Stretch You

2.   Don’t Quit For The Shame

3.   Don’t Shrink

4.   Know What You Want

5.   Take Off The Garment Of Old

6.   If You Don’t See What I See

7.   Mirror Of Life

8.   Shed Off The Scales

9.   The Church: Devoted To The Word

10.   The Church: Reverence

11.   The Church: Togetherness

12.   The Church—Sacrificial Love

13.   The Church: Persistence

14.   The Church: Praise

15.   The Church: Increase

16.   A Body Without Life

17.   A Hopeless Situation

18.   Give Us This Day

19.   God Values You

20.   He Is The Same

21.   How Much More

22.   In The Morning

23.   Not My Fight But Covenant

24.   Oppositions Are Opportunities

25.   Should Thy Will Be Done?

26.   The Joy Of Being Persecuted

27.   The Lord Who Reveals Mysteries

28.   The Plight Of Revelation

29.   The Power Of An Encounter

30.   When All Else Is Gone

31.   You’re Immovable

SEPTEMBER

1.   My Staff In Thine Hand

2.   The Irrevocability Of God’s Gift

3.   Undefiled

4.   Test Of Authenticity

5.   Reward Of Authenticity

6.   Motivated By A Threat

7.   When You Believe

8.   Loosed In The Fire

9.   Mediator Of The New Covenant

10.   Received To A Higher Place

11.   A New Confession

12.   Don’t Waste What You Can Change

13.   Rules Made For Us

14.   When The Pool Is Stirred

15.   A City Founded By God

16.   A Name Above All Names

17.   All Things Revealed

18.   By This Time

19.   Favored

20.   Filled With The Godhead

21.   Godliness With Contentment

22.   Hear Ye The Voice Of The Lord

23.   In His Presence

24.   In Thy Court Lord

25.   Mercy Withdrawn

26.   Not Difficult Enough

27.   Only One Life

28.   Purpose Is Priceless

29.   Speed And Accuracy

30.   What We Have Now

OCTOBER

1.   God, Who Giveth Increase

2.   Grace, Mercy And Favor

3.   The Throne Of Grace

4.   Your Heavenly Account

5.   Blessed In A Hard Place

6.   He Has Always Been There

7.   The Lord, My Rock

8.   Speaking The Word

9.   The Origin Of Faith

10.   Hearing The Word

11.   Preach The Word

12.   Qualified By Virginity

13.   When Virginity Is Not Enough

14.   Preserve Your Oil

15.   It’s Harvest Time Already

16.   Sickness Is Gone Already

17.   You Are Blessed Already

18.   You Are Healed Already

19.   You Are Reconciled To God Already

20.   You Have All Things Already

21.   You Have Overcome Already

22.   A Manifestation Of His Spoken Words

23.   According To Your Word

24.   Consider Your Calling

25.   Formed To Be Established

26.   God Or Pleasures

27.   Relationship At Different Levels

28.   Through Unusual Means

29.   Thy Brother’s Keeper

30.   We Have The Final Say

31.   Wolves In Sheep Clothing

NOVEMBER

1.   Not By Sight, But Faith

2.   Information Or Revelation?

3.   The Exploits Of A Believer

4.   Acknowledge Your Wrongs

5.   Apologize For Your Wrongs

6.   The Weapons Of Warfare

7.   The Armour Of God—Truth

8.   The Armor Of God—Righteousness

9.   The Armour Of God—Gospel Of Peace

10.   The Armor Of God—Faith

11.   The Armor Of God—Salvation

12.   The Armour Of God—The Word

13.   But God Has Revealed

14.   Comfort In Tribulation

15.   Develop Your Character

16.   Do Not Put Your Trust In Man

17.   Faith Like The Heart

18.   In Times Of Temptation

19.   Persevere In Prayers

20.   Possess To Inherit

21.   Redeem The Time

22.   Run To Obtain

23.   Take Heed

24.   The Effectiveness Of God’s Word

25.   The Evil Of Idolatry

26.   The Same Image

27.   The Victory That Overcomes

28.   Unequal Yoking

29.   When You’ve Got It All

30.   With Unveiled Faces

DECEMBER

1.   Hope—The Value Of Faith

2.   Full Of Faith And Power

3.   The Three-Fold Chord

4.   The Greatest Of All

5.   Be A Blessing

6.   Blessed To Flourish

7.   After Salvation, What Next? Knowledge Of Truth!

8.   After Salvation, What Next? Sonship!

9.   Something About The Name—Jesus

10.   Something About The Word—Never Withdrawn

11.   Something About The Word—Productive

12.   The Word Is Quick

13.   Always Ready And Watchful

14.   Because He Made You

15.   Confirm My Words

16.   Don’t Stop Striking

17.   Drawn To God

18.   Envy Is A Plague

19.   Fasting To Receive?

20.   Fear No Evil

21.   I Trust You

22.   Identified By Love

23.   If He Could Give His Son

24.   Judge Yourself First

25.   Just How You See It

26.   Our Authority In Christ

27.   Reputation Casted By Love

28.   Set A New Record

29.   Speak To The Mountain

30.   The Result Of Your Confession

31.   Fear God

Preface

The world was created by the Words of God; whenever there was an utterance, life was birthed! In the midst of darkness, formlessness and disorder, God spoke light, shape, and order. The creation of the earth and all that is within is a manifestation of the Spoken Words of God. There is something about utterances, which brings into existence things that are not as though they were.

However, in order for the Word to be spoken, it has to be deposited richly in the spirit of man. You cannot speak of that, which you know nothing about. The world is passing away and all that is within; nevertheless, one thing is constant—The Word!

The Word of God can be viewed from two different perspectives—the Written Word, and the Spoken Word. The written Word of God is logos, but the Spoken Word of God is Rhema

Mere logos cannot transform; the power to transform is in the utterance—Rhema! When God spoke to the earth, great transformation occurred!

Jesus told His disciples that if they speak to any mountain in faith, it will be uprooted and cast into the sea; Beloved, in order for the mountains to be moved, there has to be an utterance in faith.

Until you begin to receive the Word of God as Rhema, you have not started profiting from it yet. Rhema translates the Word to the personal experiences of man, and embeds within him the power to overcome.

The Spoken Word is 365 days daily devotional, comprising shared revelation and insights in the Word of God, carefully written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to impart the Word of God in the hearts of men.

In this book the Author quotes,

"The only things you don’t have today are the things you never said yesterday.

The brightness of the future is determined by the faith-filled words of the present day."

As you commence this insightful meditation of the Word of God, prepare your mind to receive all that the Spirit will deposit in you, and declare it always. Your best days are ahead of you! Be blessed!

JANUARY

1.   IF THE CLOUDS ARE FULL

If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; (Ecclesiastes 11:3a)

The purpose of a scripture in your life is never complete until it relates personally to you, and your experiences.

The use of the term if portrays the fact that this statement is somewhat conditional. It is not until the clouds get filled up that they can empty themselves upon the earth. The purpose of a scripture in your life is never complete until it relates personally to you, and your experiences.

Likewise, the showers of blessings will never be poured in the life of an individual until valuable time has been set aside to fill up the clouds with rain… How do we actually get to fill up the clouds with rain? Confession! Incessant prayers! Devoted meditation on the Word of God!

I once heard of a man, who continually declared day and night, the doors of all nations are opened unto me, a time came, when his peers where denied visas to different nations, but he was singled out… Not for once was he denied entry into any nation. This was nothing but the showers of his filled clouds.

Whenever you make powerful confessions, declarations and Words of prayers, this goes up in the spirit realm and forms a cloud. The more of these words you speak, the fuller the clouds get, and gradually, they become pregnant with a solution, and an answer.

This can be likened not only to confessions, but to deeds, as well as seed-sowing. Always be representatives of God in your actions… Act with love! These little actions may not seem significant initially, but very soon, as they compose a thick cloud of good deeds, the blessings will be showered.

This scripture also gives the understanding that delay is sometimes caused by us, when we refuse to fill up our clouds with good tidings. People go months without studying the bible, some stay weeks without prayers, and at the end, they expect a miracle rain.

How can you expect a heavy shower when your cloud stays for months before it could gather up a single drop of rain? Deliberately stand out, and release seeds to your clouds.

As you walk in this year of revolution, determine to start each day with meditation, declare rhema, and pray in the Holy Ghost. Whatever it is that you intend to be, say it! Declare it always, make a cloud out of your daily confessions, and await the latter rain. Amen!

2.   A WAY IN THE WILDERNESS . . . RIVERS IN THE DESERT

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)

Never expect a change in life if your faith is easily weakened by situations… It takes a man of uncompromising faith to be outstanding.

Could there possibly be a way in the wilderness? Could there possibly be rivers in a desert? I don’t think so. The lack of water is what makes it a desert after all. A desert is characterized by its dryness. God was not in any way mistaking when He gave this Word to Isaiah… He was simply trying to give light to the truth that THERE IS POSSIBILITY IN IMPOSSIBILITY… There is a way in ‘No way’ . . . There is abundance in lack… There is knowledge in folly… There is hope in hopelessness… There is water in my desert!

The genuine source of anything is only discovered by relentless people who are never willing to give up.

Do you recall exactly what happened when Jesus healed the paralyzed man in Capernaum? (Mark 2:1-12) The bible records that there was NO ROOM to contain them… There was such a pressing crowd, that the doors were not enough to let people in.

Now, seeing the situation, many people must have turned back and made their way home saying, Perhaps today is not just my day So many others may have waited for hours, and eventually given up. Yet, these very ones walked into the scene… They told them, There’s NO ROOM for you… They replied, I can’t have no for an answer.

They walked to the doors… Then they were told, the doors are too congested… there are not enough doors to let everyone in… No space! Then, relentlessly, they headed to the windows… It was already full.

At this juncture, people began to turn back… But all of a sudden, due to the unwillingness of these determined fellows to leave empty handed, they began to trust God for a way in their wilderness, and a river in their desert. That was where the wisdom of God took over them, and they ended up in the roof; Digging with hope and determination, until they were able to let down their paralyzed friend.

When Jesus saw him, the situations of all other people were halted for his sake… At this juncture, the bible ceased to speak of the pressing crowd. The focus was drifted from the multitude to one man.

The only reason why they could get God’s attention was faith. The bible says, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said…" Beloved, did you notice that even before Jesus saw them, He saw their faith. What God sees is your faith, not your pity face!

Instantly, God forgave his sins and healed him. Beloved, there was a price: They left their comfort zones and took a walk of faith.

So many must have been comfortably standing in the queue endlessly, Nonetheless, the provocation of faith led some to break protocols, principles, and procedures, in order to get the attention of Jesus by all means.

There comes a time in life where the unnecessary delay of things will provoke you to rise from your comfort zone for a change. Never expect a change if you are not determined… Never expect a change if you would easily turn back by the sight of things… Never expect a change in life if your faith is easily weakened by situations… It takes a man of uncompromising faith to be outstanding.

The lady with the issue of blood had tolerated shame for long enough… There was just this one opportunity when she sighted a change. She saw healing in the garment of Jesus. Beloved, the current situation around her was not pleasant at all. The crowd was tight and pushing. But you know what… She had an uncompromising faith.

She left her comfort zone… she pushed and pushed… she squeezed with the very last bit of the strength left in her, until she grasped her healing from the garment of Jesus.

God always fulfils the counsel of His messengers. The friends of the paralyzed man must have said, We are not going anywhere if our friend isn’t healed today… The woman with the issue of blood must have said, I am not leaving the presence of God with the shame I brought in.

Beloved, it is time for you to say something, and deliberately step out of your comfort zone. You have been in your situation for too long. Rise up for a change. Even when the Doctors say no way, always remember that Jesus first said, I AM THE WAY

What am I saying? Beloved, even when there is no way… I mean NO WAY! God is the WAY!

When the doors are full, don’t give up; Try the windows. When the window is choked up, don’t turn back; begin to dig the roof. When the crowd is tight, don’t be sluggish… PUSH!

Get out of your comfort zone… for even when all other ways are blocked… God stands! He is the way. There cannot be no way when there is "God". Be blessed!

3.   PREPARATION

Then he said, Go around and borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels—and not a few.

Stop chasing opportunities! Start building your capacity. For even when the opportunity meets you incapacitated, it becomes void.

And when you come in, shut the door upon you and your sons. Then pour out [the oil you have] into all those vessels, setting aside each one when it is full.

So she went from him and shut the door upon herself and her sons, who brought to her the vessels as she poured the oil.

When the vessels were all full, she said to her son, Bring me another vessel. And he said to her, There is not a one left. Then the oil stopped multiplying. (2 Kings 4:3-6)

Why did Elisha command the widow to prepare vessels before she starts to pour? God is not ready to release oil to vessels that are not prepared to contain. In order to have a supernatural flow of oil, and income in your life, you’ve got to be a prepared and ready vessel. The secret to the multiplication of oil rested in the mystery of preparation.

It is the vessels that made the oil to flow! Notice that the moment the vessels were finished, the oil stopped multiplying (vs. 6). As long as there were containers, the contents never seized to flow.

Take a glimpse at the miracle Jesus performed—turning water to wine. Before He commanded the water to become wine, he needed to make water available. The preparation of water was necessary in order to have wine. When you need a breakthrough, start by preparing for it.

The Israelites embarked on a journey to the Promise land. This was a journey that was scheduled to take a maximum of forty days, but it ended up taking forty years. And I asked why? The truth is; it did not take God forty years to fulfill a forty days promise. It took the Israelites forty years to get prepared.

When forty days came, it met them unprepared! They were still complaining at day forty… they were still entangled with idols at day forty… They were focused on their past (Egypt), and not the promise land, as at the fortieth day. As a result, the time was postponed, and the promise land delayed.

Lack of preparation is the major cause of delay. It delays blessings! When a break-through meets you unprepared, the time of manifestation is postponed. It awaits your readiness.

Today, bear in mind that the time has come for the fulfillment of the Word of God over your life, but the manifestation is dependent on your level of preparation. What was meant when it was written,

For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God’s Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12)?

It means that originally, God’s appointed time for you to assume that position has come, but you cannot access it the way you are. You’ve got to be prepared and ready for it. When the time for a child to begin eating solid food reaches (let’s say 1 year), and he is still not developed yet, he keeps feeding on milk. Before you can step up to your next level of glory, you’ve got to be prepared to handle it.

The best equipment you could give yourself in any season of expectation is preparation. Most times, people trust God for certain things that they are not prepared for. God in His loving mercy, seeing fully well that they are not prepared to handle what He wants to release, will calmly withhold it. When you release something to someone when they are premature, it could be more of a curse to them than it is a blessing.

A son who has pleased his father so much may actually deserve everything the father owns including his car, but is really not due to receive it, because at the age of 14, driving a car, no matter how exotic it may be, might result in more disaster that luck.

In most cases, after people have trusted God for something, and have not received it yet, they develop a wrong perception of the Word. So often, they are consoled by words like, don’t worry, it’s not yet your time. God made me to understand that in most cases the time has come, but the people are not yet prepared for the season, and so it tarries.

The bible declares that an heir as long as he is a child is no different from a slave, until his appointed time. Never assume God’s appointed time for you to be a particular day of the month. No! The appointed time is the time when you are proven fit to assume the office. It is when God has seen your level of preparation.

Many people are seeking offices, and appointments that they are really not prepared to handle. Stop chasing opportunities! Start building your capacity. For even when the opportunity meets you incapacitated, it becomes void. You can only take advantage of that which you were preparedly awaiting. Today, deliberately prepare yourself for the future… Get ready to handle what God has promised to release.

4.   JUST LIKE A DREAM

The very night before Herod was about to bring him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.

So many times I climbed mountains without knowing . . . I only got to know the magnitude of what I climbed when I was already on top of it.

And suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared [standing beside him], and a light shone in the place where he was. And the angel gently smote Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, Get up quickly! And the chains fell off his hands . . .

And [Peter] went out [along] following him, and he was not conscious that what was apparently being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

When they had passed through the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate which leads into the city. Of its own accord [the gate] swung open, and they went out and passed on through one street; and at once the angel left him.

Then Peter came to himself and said, Now I really know and am sure that the Lord has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting [to do to me]. (Acts 12:6-11)

I am excited by the very first line of the passage… it makes us to understand that it was the very night before Peter was to face possible prosecution. That is, the last hours to his unpredictable judgment. At such an hour, rather than being worried, restless or anxious, Peter was asleep. He was in a state of rest. There is nothing as good as finding rest in God, even in the midst of turbulence.

More exciting is the fact that the angel of God did not come to Peter’s rescue at the initial stage of his imprisonment… it happened at the last hours. Sometimes God needs you to be able to wait on Him. When you are in the midst of turbulence, and the situation is only getting worse and tough, then find consolation in the fact that you might just be at the verge of your breakthrough.

Don’t give up… You are much closer than you think; your miracle might just be waiting for the last hours to be manifest. The breakthrough often comes at the last hour, and it happens just like a dream.

Did you notice how the release of Peter, from the Prison to the city happened? Just like a dream! Isn’t it amazing how the angel came to Peter’s rescue, and walked him through, from the Prison (A place of limitation, slavery, and captivity), to the city (a land flowing with milk and honey; a place of absolute freedom) . . .

All these while, Peter thought it was a mere dream. It was not until he approached freedom that he really came back to himself. He didn’t need to bother about how it was going to happen… He didn’t need to struggle to get out!

Likewise, some people really want to devote themselves to the things of God, but somehow, their environment is a huge limitation. Hear ye the Word of the Lord. God says that He is going to lead you out of that mess just like a dream. He will walk you through, from the place where you are now, to your promise land, and to the centre of your assignment just like a dream.

Furthermore, notice from verse 10, that as soon as they approached the gate, he didn’t need to struggle to get himself released… The gates swung open of their own accord! Isn’t it amazing the way God works? God will open up doors of favor unto you… You will not need to spend time and energy pushing your way through. Your presence will send a divine signal to doors, and they will open up automatically to you.

If you are in a mess today, don’t be discouraged, don’t think of how and when you will get through… just receive this word. Your breakthrough is on the way, and it will happen suddenly, just like a dream. You’d only wake up to the reality of everything, when you are already out of that ill situation.

There’s something spectacular to be observed when you study ahead of this Word. You’d realize that the visitation which led to the release of Peter emanated from the gathering of the Church in prayers. Understand that whenever there is a gathering of brethren in one accord, something happens!

The Pentecost was a result of the gathering of brethren, and likewise the release of Peter. Whenever 2 or 3 are gathered together in the name of Jesus, He is in their midst.

Today, have a fellowship with your family, friends, or neighbors. Join hands in one accord, and pray, edifying yourselves… Be at watch for a Divine result. There will be a divine visitation, which will result in your sweatless release. Only believe! Your breakthrough is on the way!

So many times I climbed mountains without knowing… I only got to know the magnitude of what I climbed when I was already on top of it. Your breakthrough will come just like a dream! Amen!

5.   JOURNEY TO THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE

And the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the persons and keep the goods for yourself.

Verily, your destiny may have links to individuals, but most verily, it’s never in the hand of any man. No man has the capacity to carry your own destiny!

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand and sworn to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor and Maker of heaven and earth,

That I would not take a thread or a shoelace or anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich. (Genesis 14:21-23)

So often, when the Lord gives a Word in a season, when the possibility of anything is doubted, we may begin to use our human reasoning to evaluate its possibility. It is like an instance where God tells a man who is hardly able to feed, that he will be a billionaire in a couple of months.

At this juncture, the poor man will start by an evaluation of how far his pennies could go in investment… And this may determine how strong his faith will be in reception of God’s Word.

In this particular instance, Abram had left his Father land without anything but a Word from God that assured him of greatness. Isn’t it amazing how Abram held unto this Word even when it didn’t seem likely to be fulfilled (majorly considering the fact that he had no son)?

At this place where Abraham stood, every offer may have seemed like an opportunity to have the Word fulfilled, but it’s really perplexing the way Abraham rejected the offer from the King of Sodom.

A man of senses might have thought, this is the only chance and opportunity I’ve been waiting for… but Abraham said no! Just for one reason—"That you may never be able to say that you’ve made Abram rich"

Verily, your destiny may have links to individuals, but most verily, it’s never in the hand of any man. As long as God leads you, you are sure of excellence. Abram was a man of the Spirit, he could discern the mind and thought of God about his purpose.

So many times, even in ministry,—not every offer is an opportunity. So often, rich donations may be made to Servants of God, but it’s not always to be accepted. There are times when God deliberately instructs, take nothing.

Many Servants of God, of their own accord may have genuine reasons to receive it… They may want to invest it in the expansion of God’s Kingdom, but never forget this, acknowledge the Lord before any step. Be careful to be led by the Spirit and not your human senses.

Think of Saul, God gave an instruction, for them to destroy everything. (The whole of Amalek), and take nothing away; but they took gold, rams and other goods (not for himself) but for sacrifice.

His original intention was to please God, but he failed to realize that pleasing God is impossible for those who deliberately neglect God’s instructions. As a result, that sacrifice, rather than pleasing God, drove Saul out of his office.

Abram knew that his destiny is in the hands of God alone! Only God can do and undo. No man has the capacity to carry your own destiny! Abraham trusted the Word of God to the extent of believing that even without the wealth of the King of Sodom, he’d still be the father of all nations. He wanted to walk in a way that will glorify God alone.

No man can lead you like the Holy Spirit. Did you notice that after Abraham had taken that bold step of rejecting anything that could thwart the glory of God, the Word of the Lord came to him saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great. (Genesis 15:1)

Learn to set your focus on God and not the means or men. It doesn’t matter how God is going to do it, all I am concerned about is the end result, which is the fulfillment of the Word. Amen!

6.   YOU ARE NOT ORDINARY

"When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up . . ." (Job 22:29)

Determine not to act as a mere man, because your actions and response to certain things in life, determine your stand.

In the above scripture, there is a sort of categorization, that distinctly portrays two different kinds of specie… we’ve got men, and likewise, you. Have you ever wondered thus, but I am also a man?

The truth is, as long as you are born-again, and you live God’s kind of Life, you have ceased to be ordinary. The way we define things in the Higher Realm is very different! The people referred to as men in the above scripture are those, who are merely resident in the earthly realm; but when the scripture contrastingly says, you shall say…, what is being referred to is extra-ordinary men, who dwell in God’s realm of life.

The response and definitions of a mere man to situations is very different from that of the Sons of God. When you are resident in the God’s realm of life, even nature begins to act in your favor, thus, you cease to be subject to natural rules and principles.

At this juncture, your wealth is no longer determined by the economy of this world, but by the nature of Zion. That is why, even when men are ignorantly complaining of a casting down, you shall be experiencing a lifting up. Beloved, decide not to be a mere man! Choose to be different and extra-ordinary.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:13-16)

Did you notice what ensued between Jesus and Peter? Jesus deliberately asked, Who do people say I am? The disciples gave Him the definition of mere men, when they said, some say that you are John the Baptist… others say… then Jesus went further to ask, "But who do you say I am?" It was only then that Peter spoke out of knowledge and told Him the truth—Thou art Christ, the Son of the Living God.

This is obviously because Peter saw Jesus from a different perspective from other people. Isn’t it obvious that we are different from the crowd? Our definitions to situations are very different. We see things differently, and thus we respond and speak differently.

Have this consciousness always—You are not ordinary! When mere men encounter challenges in life and choose to fret, complain and flee; you, determine to stand out and make some powerful decrees from your position of Authority.

A lot of scriptures don’t actually refer to just anybody… It is for selected people… Men who operate in God’s realm of life. It is written,

Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. (Job 22:28).

Indeed, not everyone can easily key into this, because not everyone sees it from the same perspective. Mere men would say, I have decreed several things, but none of it was established unto me. But extra-ordinary men who have received this as Rhema would boldly begin to make powerful decrees in faith, and so shall it be unto them.

If there’s one thing you must do today, ponder for a while… From what perspective do you view things… the earthly realm or from God’s realm? Do you respond to situations as mere men do, or from the dimension of the supernatural?

Determine not to act as a mere man, because your actions and response to certain things in life, determine your stand. Move with this consciousness from today, you are not a mere man… You operate from a different realm of life. Amen!

7.   PERSEVERE

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

In tough times, and trying situations, the change is only brought about by your conscious decision to persevere against all odds.

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (Luke 18:1-5)

Have you aimed at achieving success in a particular field for a while, yet you encounter difficulties and oppositions that hinder and delay your course? What you need to do is to persevere! Here’s a widow, who simply needed justice for her adversaries, and before her is a Judge with no regard for God or man. Such people are very tough to handle, and the case of the widow was not an exception.

He tried to handle her with toughness, and make her experience difficulties, such that she will be wearied with no other alternative than to give up. Even so, this lady was not willing to let go… She stood on her grounds, and persevered, until the Judge got weary of her troubles and sorted her out.

This passage gives light to the truth that by perseverance, you could win a case that was deemed to be lost. Perseverance could birth an array of hope in the most hopeless situation. Verily, there must have been other widows who troubled the Judge for similar issues, but gave up their situation, seeing the meanness of such a Judge.

Such widows had their cases as good as lost. But this widow was singled out to re-write the story. Her instance portrays the truth that perseverance could always cause a positive change to the end result, no matter how little.

In tough times, and trying situations, the change is only brought about by your conscious decision to persevere against all odds. You might have been through a lot lately, the trial might only be getting tougher by the days, and your chances of scaling through are only getting slimmer… Bear this in mind, by your deliberate decision to persevere; even the toughest Judge might be propelled to favor you!

Jesus gave this parable to the end that men ought always to pray. Here’s your Word for today: Persevere in prayers… Persevere in hard work… Persevere with hope. For your continuance in a state of grace will eventually lead to a final state of glory. It’s too early to give up… It’s too early to turn back… Persevere!

8.   THE BIRTHING OF FAME FROM SHAME

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

From the shells of total shame, and from the marrows of the utmost disgrace, God can still birth fame.

When we journey on a route that’s not quite familiar to us, we most times use a satellite navigation system to give us directions to our intended destination.

Have you ever noticed that whenever we act contrary to the direction of the Satellite Navigator, for instance, if we navigate left, when we should have gone right, the Navigator does not direct us backwards, but automatically uses our mistakes to plan the next available route?

That’s just the way things work out for those that love God, who are called according to his purpose. Even our mistakes work out for our good! You might have lost your job, cars, home and all you’ve got… I am not surprised to know that even the loss may eventually turn out for your good. I once heard someone say, thank God I lost that job… perhaps, if I didn’t lose it, a job as conducive as my present one, may not have emerged. Beloved, in whatever situation you’re facing now, trust God to make a message out of your mess.

David was one of a kind… the man after God’s own heart. He’s perfect for this context; he was someone who loved God, and was called according to his purpose. However, there came a time in his life, where he was not sensitive enough to the seasons, and as a result, he fell. When Kings were at war, in the centre of an assignment, David was asleep spiritually, and so, he was enticed by the body of Bathsheba.

That was the beginning of his fall. Having a carnal knowledge of Bathsheba lured him further into temptation, as he had to go an extra-mile to cover up for his iniquities. It was a shameful state! It was a shame upon him and his personality. Guess what? When David was able to humble himself to the Lord, and seek mercy, the Lord turned everything round for his good.

Even though he lost his first child from Bathsheba, something greater was birthed from that shame… Indeed, out of the shame, emerged fame. Bathsheba took in again, and bore Solomon (The wisest man).

It is amazing to fathom the fact that it is still through the womb of Bathsheba that Solomon was born. It is great to comprehend the truth that it is still through the affair of David and Bathsheba that Solomon emerged.

From the shells of total shame, and from the marrows of the utmost disgrace, God can still birth fame. God blessed Solomon like He had never done before… He said, so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. (1 Kings 3:12). Solomon’s wisdom made room for him. Queen of Sheba visited Solomon… He was that famous. Indeed, out of shame, was birthed fame.

Beloved, there is no situation that God cannot turn around for our good; not even our mistakes! Today, every record that has ever stood against you will begin to act in your favor in Jesus name. Amen!

9.   JOY—THE STRENGTH OF A MAN

. . . for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10b)

The strength of a man is located in his joy… if the enemy can tamper with our joy, he’s gone a mile to paralyze our strength.

The joy of the Lord is our strength! I have experienced situations in life, which attempted to weigh me down; I have done terrible things which I eventually began to regret, and on several occasions, the conditions of some things tried to get me depressed. Even so, I held on, and wouldn’t let go of my joy, for the reason of one mystery that I was able to grasp.

The strength of a man is located in his joy. Since the Joy of the Lord is our strength, we can conclude that if the enemy can tamper with our joy, he’s gone a mile to paralyze our strength. The enemy may have stolen everything from you, but never let go of your joy, for therein lies your strength. The bible says,

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3)

This passage, in simple terms portrays the fact that the benefits of salvation can only be gained and derived through joy. In essence, as long as you refuse to be joyous, you are denying yourself benefits that are genuinely yours’.

Beloved, never let anything steal your joy, for your strength is hid in your joy. Even when a man falters, he can still be strong if he decides to be joyous. The bible declares,

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The strength of the Lord is made perfect in our weakness! You don’t need to be depressed. The enemy is happy when we experience weakness, falter and fall. Be sure not to keep the enemy happy for too long; don’t remain where you fell for another second. Always give room for the strength of the Lord to be made perfect in our weakness. Refuse to get depressed… Refuse to let go of your joy.

It’s not that easy most times, but you’ve got to make it a choice. Ever wondered why the bible didn’t make use of the term ‘happiness’ but ‘joy’?

Happiness is so different from joy… Happiness is conditional, if things happen to be going our way, we get happy, but when everything turns against us, we no longer seem to be happy.

Unlike happiness, joy is unconditional; it is something that is constantly felt in God. It elevates you to a realm where you no longer care about what’s happening in your immediate environment. Indeed, that’s our strength, and it’s a decision.

Beloved, we need to touch that depth of joy where nothing else bothers us… Don’t let go of your joy simply because you lost that job. By being joyous, you could be strong enough to get something better.

The best days of my life are the days I deliberately decided to remain joyous. The only way the enemy dares to attack the strength of a man is to steal his joy, because he has also discovered that your joy is a carrier of your strength. Like never before, be joyous!

10.   FROM THE EYES OF GOD

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. (2 Corinthians 10:18)

The way to measure your stand is not by the appraisals of men; neither is it by your level of fame; for some who meet these standards, are still not qualified in the eyes of God.

If there’s one thing which we should constantly do, it’s definitely to check our stand in the Spirit. It is important to know and discover your stand in God.

So often, men praise you, everyone thinks you’re doing the best thing, you think you’re in the best place, but indeed God is not pleased with your deeds.

The bible says, There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12).

Sometime ago, the Lord particularly revealed to me that many Ministers and men of God are not walking in his ways… He made me to understand that many amongst these are Mega bishops whom the whole world praises.

He opened my eyes to envisage the last day, when many will come to Him saying, Did we not cast out demons and heal the sick in your name, and He will cast them out with a reply, depart from me sons of iniquity, I know ye not. (Matthew 7:22-23).

Like never before, this revelation made me conscious of every step I take. My eyes were opened to the reality that it is not he, who commends himself that is approved; but he, whom the Lord approves.

The way to measure your stand is not by the appraisals of men; neither is it by your level of fame; for some who meet these standards, are still not qualified in the eyes of God. Let not the desire for fame, fortune and the love from all men make you to compromise your stand in God, for that’s what matters most.

You may be the most achieved… you may heal the sick… you may have great influence… you may have many fans… men may praise you always… But there is a level of pride in you that God wants to deal with. It’s this pride that makes you to think that you are your own creator; it propels you to believe that you know everything, and sometimes you neglect the instruction of God and act based on your will.

Even so, men cannot see this, and so they even love you more. Have you ever wondered what you look like in the eyes of God? That’s what counts most.

This does not apply to Ministers alone, but to everyone who thinks he’s something, meanwhile, God thinks of you differently. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to. (Romans 12:3)

The bible says, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12). It’s very pathetic to think that you’ve been serving God all your live, but in the eyes of God, your service is to self and not Him.

Beloved, this is one thing you must imbibe today… Learn to view yourself from the eyes of God, and not just man. Some people have been made to believe that they are nothing, and their efforts don’t count a bit… men have made some others to believe that they are not good enough, but indeed, these may be the fellows with whom the Lord is well pleased.

Don’t let men define you… be defined by God. It is written, "Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth . . ." (Romans 14:4). God has a special purpose for you; don’t give men the room to ruin it.

If it was left to Samuel to choose, he would have anointed Eliab (The eldest son of Jesse), because David (the youngest son) did not seem fit in statue, neither did he seem like a good choice in the eyes of men.

Amazingly, in the eyes of God, it was different… David was the man after God’s own heart… He was indeed the best candidate!

Men will always try to make you believe that you are not a good choice for what God has called you to be, but remember this—it is God who does the choosing. Don’t let your purpose be terminated by the choice of men. View yourself from the eyes of God. Be blessed!

11.   THE VALUE OF RELATIONSHIP OVER SEED.

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)

God values your relationship much more than your gift… When there is no love, let there be no gift!

So many times we’ve read this scripture, but handled it indifferently. It takes one to meditate deeply through the lines to realize this one truth… God values your relationship much more than your gift.

Sowing of seed to the work of God’s Kingdom cannot be overemphasized. God loves a cheerful giver, and it is even more blessed to give than to receive. However, when it comes to the hierarchy of the duo in the eyes of God, relationship comes first, and is appreciated most!

Jesus elaborated a situation of us having to sow a seed, yet remembering that a brother or sister has got a grudge against us… In this situation He clearly states, Dump your gift at the altar, go and reconcile first. In essence, the magnitude of your gift doesn’t matter when the brotherly relationship is lacking. This is what God meant… When there is no love, let there be no gift. Your seed is only valued, when your relationship with others is good.

How can we claim to love and give to God whom we cannot optically see, when we don’t love and give to those who are physically with us? As I began to think and ponder on this, I saw something deeper and more revealing than that, which even swept me off my feet. I marveled over this particular line of this scripture…

And there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,

Did you notice that God didn’t speak about you bearing a grudge against your brother, but, your brother bearing a grudge against you? In essence, you may not necessarily have anything against your brother… you may not be the one who is crossed with your brother… but the mere fact that you are knowledgeable of the grudge your brother has against you, calls for instant reconciliation.

At that juncture, nothing else coming from you matters to God. Not gold… Not silver… No matter the quantity and quality of goods and services you have to offer; I’ve got to tell you this… Drop it and reconcile first! This passage simply portrays the truth that in Kingdom ranking, Relationship comes before seed.

The bible says that we should be in love with our enemies. That’s what makes us different as Sons of God… Love! Not just love, but having to love someone whom you know wants the worst of you. Tax collectors love… yes! But only their friends. Pagans love as well, but their love is limited to just friends. The only difference you have to show as a Son of God is to love beyond limits and restrictions whatsoever. For in the sight of God, love and relationship is of more value than the seed (offering) you have to sow.

I am yet to meet someone that I don’t love… There is no one I cannot love! I’ve got the love of God in me! Operate with this mindset today. Remain blessed!

12.   SERVE THE LORD IN YOUR YOUTH

Remember [earnestly] also your Creator [that you are not your own, but His property now] in the days of your youth, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], I have no enjoyment in them—(Ecclesiastes 12:1 AMP)

Develop strategies that your mates have not thought of… build capacities that your mates have not dared to build… You are young for a purpose, don’t let it go unfulfilled.

Earnestly, from the depth of your heart, not out of compulsion… this is the most effective season of your life. It is the best time to serve God!

If you cannot serve God in your youth, you might not be able to do that as the years draw near. So much is yet to take your attention… Here’s the time to be devoted to God, and to order your days ahead.

Over years, people have grown various perceptions towards youthfulness… Most times, these perceptions are indeed deceptions; they deceive you into thinking that the youthful age is the season to be worldly, and explore all heights of what they describe as ‘fun’.

A lot of people have approached me in Llike manner, and when they observed I had a different attitude and perspective of being a youth, they tried to talk me into seeing reasons with them saying, C’mon Zuriel, you’ve got to live your age… I really don’t know what life there is outside of God… I really can’t understand what else could be of much fun than the presence of my Father.

The truth which many fail to understand is what I call the making of great men… Great men don’t just live their age, they go a step further! Great men are men who have risen to do things which their mates have not thought of doing! Great men are those who don’t just strive to make a living, but to make a difference. Indeed, the world has seen great men, and admitted to their greatness, but the wrong perception emanates from categorization.

Greatness is often reflected in much elderly people… Not as many young people have written books as old men have. Not many have recorded great things in their youth. The truth is that you can be young and serve the Lord… You can be young and re-write