Category: Devotional

“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.” Jonah 2:1-4

The three short words “Then Jonah prayed” pertain to the place to which the Holy Spirit had been attempting to bring the Prophet all along. His cry for help basically refers to destitution and a situation so terrible, from which only the Lord could deliver by His Mercy. Consequently, and with great joy, he once again says, “And You heard my voice”

Many people say that Jonah was the wayward prophet, but he wasn’t wayward; he was stubborn. God spoke to him specifically that he was to go to Nineveh and tell the people to repent.

But Jonah was so prejudiced against the people of Nineveh that he said, “God, I would rather die than do that,” and so he bought a ticket to a boat going to Tarshish, the opposite direction. Some people would say that the ensuing storm that God sent was His judgment on Jonah, but the storm was actually God’s grace.

Sometimes, difficult times are God’s way of getting our attention, and Jonah knew why it was happening. But even then Jonah did not fall on his knees and say, “Lord, forgive me. Make the weather better, and we’ll turn the boat around.” He was so stubborn that he preferred being thrown overboard.

Some people also mistakenly say that Jonah’s being swallowed by a big fish was God’s judgment rather than His grace. But in His mercy, God waited three days for Jonah to finally say, “I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed.” That was all of grace and miracle-working power. Don’t mistake trouble for judgment when it’s really God’s grace. Consequently, and with great joy, he once again says, “And You heard my voice”

LET’S PRAY.
May the Lord help you conquer every emotion in your life that keeps you from reaching your divine potential. For in His grace, He will give you the desires of your heart if you will submit yourself, heart, soul, mind and body, unto Him. Be blessed with the knowledge that nothing is impossible for you as long as Jesus is guiding you as the Lord of your life, in the mighty name ofJesus Christ. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth..” John 4:22-24

The Samaritan woman whom Jesus had just met began to debate with Him about which mountain they should worship on. Jesus responded that worship doesn’t have anything to do with a place; it’s about how you worship. It has to do with what’s inside you. It has to do with the heart of worship—it must be in spirit and in truth.

God is not looking for Holy Worship; He is looking for Holy Worshipers; as stated, Calvary would make possible an entirely different type of worship, which did not require ceremonies or rituals, etc. IT’S A MATTER OF THE HEART, because, man worships the Lord through and by his personal spirit, which is moved upon by the Holy Spirit, otherwise it is not worship which God will accept.

That debate is not unlike what we sometimes hear today. Should we sing this way or that way, clap or not, lift our hands or not? Should we use a band like we are at a concert? Or, should we sit in silent reflection? Do we really think that God prefers one over the other? I think what He said to Samuel still rings true today: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) That is Only God knows the heart of man. Regardless of the style or quality of the music, regardless of the enthusiasm, regardless of the appearance, you might not have God’s presence. It’s only when you have the heart of worship that you have the privilege of being in His presence.

God is a Spirit Being, seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Because, true worship is of man’s heart.

LET’S PRAY.
Dear Heavenly Father, watch over us, guard us and guide us. Let Your goodness and Your mercy follow us. Let Your grace shower down upon us and Your mercy saturate every area of our lives. Allow us to walk today with the attitude of praise, knowing that no matter what we go through, no matter what we’re facing, no matter where we’ve been, You deserve all the glory. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and we magnify You in Jesus’ glorious name. Amen Amen Amen! Fountain to your life.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Do you ever get discouraged by the routine of life? After all, most of us haven’t slain a giant, camped out in the belly of a whale, led a million people across a desert, or healed the sick when our shadow fell across them.

Don’t be discouraged! Shepherds, fishermen, tax collectors, farmers — our heroes of the faith were just everyday people leading ordinary lives until God put His finger on them to do extraordinary things. “For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice….” Zechariah 4:10

Too often, we search for the huge moment that it will define our faith. What we overlook are the small, seemingly insignificant places where God begins to build the character and characteristics for the plans He has in mind for us. “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.”Job 8:7

Jesus reassures us that, if we do something as inconsequential as giving a cup of cold water in His name, there is a reward in that small act (Matthew 10:42). That is an easy starting point!

When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we are full of power to impact our worlds, our spheres of influence. When we do small things well over a long period of time with great love, they add up to a life of big impact for Jesus.

LET’S PRAY
O Lord, give me the courage to take the first step — to give in Your name, to invite someone to church, to volunteer, to pray with a hurting friend, to do any small thing to bring You glory. By Your grace, help me be faithful in the small things and remember that, even if I receive no other recognition, You see and are pleased in Jesus’ glorious name. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26

Now that we have moved beyond the curious to become the convinced and have committed our lives to Christ, He has commissioned us. He has given us the keys to the kingdom.

Let’s be honest though. We always approach commitment with caution. One of our first concerns is what it will cost us. What might I have to give up that I might not want to give up? How will that look? How will it feel? Will it be worth it?

Jesus gives us a new perspective in today’s verse: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” This is quite a paradox, but Jesus pushes the point even further: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

Words like “deny,” “lose,” “sacrifice,” and “follow me,” understandably make us nervous. Jesus encouraged us, though, to stop focusing on what we have to lose and to, instead, think about all we have to gain.

If Christ is not followed by the means of the Cross, He cannot be followed at all. No one can live life outside of Christ and the Cross, it can only be lived in Christ through the Cross. If anyone lose his life to Christ, which means to give his life to Christ, which can only be done through the Cross; he then finds “newness of life” So, nothing is more important than the soul, because it is eternal.

Like the young boy who gave Jesus his lunch to feed the five thousand, he did not obsess about what he might lose. He willingly surrendered his all. And when he gave it to Jesus, it was out of his hands. Jesus took it, blessed it, and used it to meet not just his needs, but the needs of many. And then He gave the boy twelve basketfuls of leftovers. That was quite a return on his investment!

Hold nothing back from Jesus. He came to give us abundant life. He will not withhold any good thing from us. When we give our lives and all we value to Him, He will pour out blessings that we cannot contain. In Christ, we can love and live and give like we have nothing to lose…because we don’t.

LET’S PRAY
Heavenly Father, help me to live with hands and heart wide open. Let me take up my cross to follow You, to suffer any sacrifice for the joy of knowing You. I lose my life to find it in You in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:4-6

While Abraham was worrying about one son, in fact the Lord tells him, his seed shall be as the stars of heaven for multitude. And so it is! For the Lord can only accept that which He brings forth. Because the answer is from Heaven, and not otherwise.

What is it that Abraham believed? According to verse 6, “he believed in the LORD.” And what does that mean?

This is one of the single most important Scriptures in the entirety of the Word of God. In this simple term, “Abraham believed the LORD,” we find the meaning of Justification by Faith. Abraham was Saved by Grace through Faith, not by his good works.

There is no other way of Salvation anywhere in the Bible. God demands Righteousness; however it is Righteousness afforded strictly by Christ and Christ Alone. Anything else is self-righteousness, and totally unacceptable to God. Directly the sinner believes God’s Testimony about His Beloved Son, he is not only declared righteous, but he is made a son and an heir.

So regarding the dealings of the Lord with Abraham, this means that Abraham believed that God ultimately would send a Redeemer into this world and would do so through his offspring.

The Apostle Paul, in addressing this very thing said in Galatians 3:16 “Now to Abraham and his seed were the Promises made. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of One, and to your Seed, which is Christ.”

So, the entire nation of Israel, which would come from the loins of Abraham and the womb of Sarah, was but for one reason, and that was to bring forth “One Seed, which is Christ”

That “Seed” was brought forth for one reason, and one reason only, and that was to go to the Cross, which was necessary, that is, if the terrible sin debt was to be paid, and man thereby redeemed.

In essence, “Christ and Him Crucified” presents the entirety of the story of the Bible. Consequently, that’s where my Faith and your Faith had better be anchored. “For what says the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

LET’S PRAY.
May the Lord give you Faith enough to believe and trust Him in every of His Word concerning you that He will do what His Word says about your situation in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:3-5

The “Priests” who carried the Ark on their shoulders, and the Staves on each side of the Ark were for that very purpose, were Types of Christ, Who Alone has the Glory of God represented by the Ark. Jesus said to the prospective Disciples, “Follow Me.” He is still saying the same thing to millions of people. Regrettably, far too many are following other things.

Entrance into the Promised Land pictured the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. The wilderness experience proclaims life without this Baptism.

The Priests were to carry the Ark upon their shoulders. Both the Ark and the Priests were Types of Christ.

The people were to follow the Ark as it was carried by the Priests, yet there was to be a space of about a half mile between them and it. Due to the fact that the sin debt had not yet been paid, because the Cross was still in the future, mere mortals, except the designated Priests, could not come close to the Ark. Thank God, Calvary has changed all of that.

Since the Cross, we are invited to come boldly to the Throne of Grace, and to do so as often as we like. [Hebrews 4:16]

Before this journey, which would witness the miracle of the opening of the river Jordan, the people of Israel were to “sanctify themselves.” Under the Old Covenant, due to the fact that the Holy Spirit did not at that time reside within Believers. Because as stated the sin debt was not yet paid, Sanctification consisted mostly of externals. Now it is a Work of the Spirit, simply because the sin debt has been paid at Calvary.

The river Jordan did not open for the sake of the people, even as much as God loved them, but for the sake of the Ark, which was a Type of Christ.

In the Ark was Tablet on which the Ten Commandments was written representing God’s Word for every situation; Aaron’s rod that budded representing Authority over every situation; and Manna which they ate representing God’s Provision for every situation. The Ark of Covenant representing the very Presence of God.

Because of the Cross, now Christ lives in our hearts and lives, and does so through the Person of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 2:20). By virtue of me dying with Him on the Cross, and being raised with Him in Newness of Life. Consequently, we now have a much Better Covenant, based on Better Promises. The New Covenant, explicitly based on the cleansing and forgiveness of all sin, which the Old Covenant could not do. Because of the Cross, we are now able to come near. If the sinner comes by the Cross, the Holy Spirit opens the door, otherwise it is barred.

LET’S PRAY.
This morning, l pray, As you lay down your life and commit to follow Him, may He strengthen you for every good work. Beloved! If you really looked at your past, you will find that you have faced other moments more severe than the one you’re facing right now — and God never failed you or let you down. In fact, He delivered you and turned those situations around! Don’t ever forget what God has already done for you. Let those memories stir you up and encourage you to face your present dilemma with faith. God will fight your hidden battles and grant you victory in every areas of your life. He will stand by you and restore you in Jesus Mighty name. God shall empower you to overcome every challenges in your life in Jesus name. Amen Amen Amen! Fountain to your life.

And the men said unto her, “We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee” Joshua 2:17-18

Upon Rahab’s request, the way of Salvation was immediately made clear and plain to her, it was a very simple way, all she had to do was to hang a piece of scarlet cloth [thread] in the window, a child could do that, as well, Salvation presently from Wrath to come is equally simple; trusting the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His precious Blood, secures eternal Salvation.

Her Salvation was not necessarily based upon something she trusted within herself, but rather on outward evidence, that is, the scarlet cloth [thread].

In it was perfection because it symbolised the Shed Blood of Jesus, in herself, imperfection. Looking upon that true token and believing the testimony respecting it, she was assured of deliverance in the Day of Doom that was coming.

Thus, the outward token gave an inward peace.

The Believer in Jesus enjoys a similar peace. The preciousness of Jesus’ Blood and the testimony of the Holy Scriptures concerning it are the outward token which bring assurance of Salvation to the heart that trusts Christ.

It was in vain for Rahab to seek for Salvation upon the basis of personal worthiness; for she was vile indeed. She was a harlot. It is equally vain for the most moral, whoever that might be, to claim Salvation presently; for all have sinned, none are righteous, and all are under sentence of death (all are born in sin, because of Adam’s transgression) (Romans 5:12).

A Faith that is born of God always evidences itself by seeking Salvation of others. Rahab pleads for her father, her mother, her brothers, her sisters and all their belongings and they were all saved.

The moral effect of this Divine Faith evidenced in Rahab, who previously had been a harlot, now proclaims her joining the People of God, marrying one of its Princes, and her name shines in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:5). Thus, we see what the Gospel of Jesus Christ can do in the heart and life of one, anyone, even one such as Rahab

LET’S PRAY.
This morning, may your faith that is born cause you to seek the Salvation of others in your community, district, region and country in the name of Jesus Christ. May the root of your faith go deeper, stronger and be grounded the knowledge of Word of God in the name of Jesus Christ. May your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ touch the hearts of every soul the Lord brings your way to receive Salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. May the Lord reward you mightily sharing the Salvation message to populate His Kingdom in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. “On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. Zechariah 13:1

“In that day,” occurs eighteen times from chapter 9:16 through 14:21. This shows how precious “that day” is to the Messiah’s Heart. In that day, His Victory over the enemies of His People will be great, but greater will be His Moral Victory over His People themselves.

The Christian’s true triumphs are God’s Triumphs over him and God’s Triumphs over His are their only victories.

This fountain of which Zechariah speaks was historically opened at Calvary, but will be consciously opened to repentant Judah in the future day of her repentance; but the fact and function of that fountain only become conscious to the awakened sinner.

A true sense of sin and guilt in relationship to God awakens the sense of the need of cleansing; so the shed and cleansing Blood of the Lamb of God becomes precious to convicted conscience. The fear of punishment does not come in here to impair the character and depth of Judah’s sorrow and repentance.

The Ever-Living efficacy of Christ’s atoning Work and its power to cleanse the conscience and the life is justly comparable to a fountain. The sense of the Hebrew Text is that this fountain shall be opened and shall remain open.

Of all sinners, the Jerusalem sinner may be accounted the greatest. It was Jerusalem that stoned the Prophets and that crucified the Messiah. Great sinners, therefore, may hope for pardon and cleansing in this fountain open for the House of David.

The entrance of Christ judges sin, unmasks its true character, and arouses a moral consciousness which approved that judgement. Israel must accept Christ and what He did at the Cross in order for sin to be judged, the same as any other believing sinner.

LET’S PRAY.
May the fountain filled with Blood drawn from Immanuel’s vein which possessed cleansing power flow over your life to bring total freedom and joy!
Grace speaks, Grace elevates, Grace distinguishes, Grace repositions, Grace makes great, Grace never suffers disgrace, Grace paves way, Grace gives strength. When there is a casting down, God’s Grace brings unbelievable lifting. You will enjoy the Abundance of God’s Grace in Jesus precious name. By the grace of God, those things that trouble you, powers, personalities you will not see them anymore in the mighty name of Jesus. Peace shall be with you today and forevermore because the fountain filled with Blood drawn from Immanuel’s vein has cleansing power in Jesus glorious name. Amen Amen Amen! Fountain to your life.

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10

While this great Promise was given under the Law, still, tithing predates the Law by several hundreds of years. The first mention of tithing in the Bible is when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20). Some claim that while God blessed lsrael economically, at least when they did somewhat right, He will not do such to the Church, our blessings only being spiritual! Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, whatever the Lord did for Israel of old, He will surely do for His People presently, and even greater. How could He do less now under a greater and better Covenant than He did for Israel with an inferior Covenant?

If any Believer will faithfully believe the Lord, will ask Him to meet his every need, irrespective if that need is financial, physical, domestic, or spiritual, to be sure, the Lord will answer that prayer. As stated we now have a better Covenant, based on better Promises (Hebrews 8:6) "We have not because we ask not"

And then, all too often our motives aren’t right. If that is the case, God cannot honour any request. “You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lust” (James 4:2-3

If under the Old Covenant, the Lord said that He would “open the windows of Heaven, and pour out a blessing, that there would not be room enough to receive it,” He definitely will do the same identical thing now for those who will believe Him.

LET’S PRAY.
Today, The transforming power of God’s grace in tithing will lift you to your higher place with ease. I decree and declare, Your mountain of struggle will disappear, the roadblock mounted to obstruct the flow of your life will also vanish in the name of Jesus Christ. The Lord will keep your mind at rest and lead you to the rock that is higher than you. You will find peace in His abiding shelter. You will sing the grace melody with boldness and joy in your heart for honouring the Lord with your tithes. God’s matchless Grace will divinely keep and separate you totally from the wickedness planted to derail the course of your life. God will shield and protect you like Abraham. This morning, the Saving Grace of God will deliver you from every trouble. He will scatter the bones of those who encamp against you. I prophesy you will not be discouraged, disappointed or frustrated in the name of Jesus Christ! The Efficacious Grace of God will make things work out and work things out for you in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” Hebrews 7:25-27

The “intercession” made by Christ for us, which He does continually, is intercession for sin. Several things are said here. They are:

1. Sin is so far greater magnitude than most believers know or understand. Without intercession of Christ on our behalf and on a constant basis the best of us, whoever that might be, wouldn’t last one hour.
2. His “intercession” for us is not something that He does, it’s actually something He has already done. The very fact of His Presence at the Throne (Hebrews 1:3) proclaims the fact that God the Father has accepted what Christ has done for us regarding Atonement; therefore His Presence is all that is needed. Intercession is hereby guaranteed.
3. Every last Believer needs intercession and continually. If someone thinks they don’t, this means they do not really understand themselves, what sin actually is and what Christ actually done for us at the Cross.
4. Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest; as such, He intercedes for us on the basis of a Finished Work, which means there is no danger that the intercession will not be accepted.
5. The reason for total acceptance by God the Father of such intercession is because it is all in Christ and not at all in those for whom He is interceding. All of this means that we have a perfect High Priest, “Who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens”

LET’S PRAY.
May our Heavenly Father meet you in the secret place and reveal the answers for which you pray. May He promote you and fill you with His wisdom and might! The word of God says, I will go before thee and make the crooked places Straight. I Will Break In Pieces The Gates Of Brass And Cut In Sunder The Bars Of Iron. May His Covenant Covering be your portion in Jesus’ glorious name. May His Finished Work on the Cross of Calvary answer for you and plead your case at the Throne of Grace in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.