THE PILLAR OF CLOUD AND FIRE

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.”  But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.  And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people. Exodus 13:17-22

After being delivered from the hand of Pharoah, the Israelites might have thought that their sufferings were over. Yet they were set to encounter a new form of challenge in the wilderness. God could have allowed them to pass through the land of the Philistines that was the shortest distance to the promised land but then, they had to go through the longest path by the wilderness to the Red Sea. In the journey of life, there are many challenges and obstacles that you encounter. God has not promised us a problem free life but He has promised us that in the midst of our challenges, He is always with us. 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

The ever presence of God to guide, to protect and to deliver, is His PROMISE, to all those who trust Him. This is what the pillar of cloud and fire represent. Whether night or day, He is sure to be there with us and for us. So why fear the enemy and evil one?

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged."Deuteronomy 31:8

If God is for us, who can be against us?

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Let the enemy devise a plan. It shall shall come to naught.

"Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us." Isaiah 8:10

There are some challenges and trials that are not carved for you because it will be too severe and you can handle. So God, takes you out of that situation. He took made sure that the Israelites did not go through the land of the Philistines because they would be attacked and taken back to bondage and they would begin to doubt Him. His plan was to educate them in the wilderness; make all the mistakes there before landing in the promised land. We have a promised land in the heavenly kingdom where no filth and unholiness is tolerated. All garbage  have to be left behind in the wilderness.  Any unprepared person will be left behind in the wilderness. Are you prepared to go to heaven to be with the Lord in paradise? 

The pillar of clouds confounds and confuses the enemy so you can go about your business in the LORD.

And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic. Exodus. 14:24

The pillar of clouds signifies the peace of God. Peace in good times and bad times.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. John 14:27

To see the Lord's hand move in your life, there is a preparatory stage. It should have taken 11 days to get to the promised land but it took 40 years. When you wait on the Lord, patiently, you see the promised land. If you murmur and glamour, you will miss His mighty hand at work. The Lord was still working miracles in the wilderness, yet they refused to acknowledge it. They were impatient and wanted everything now? Be patient with the Lord because He has been patient with you. Caleb waited patiently for the Lord and served Him wholehearted so he saw the promised land. Joshua waited patiently for the Lord and served Him wholeheartedly with his entire family, so he got to the promised land. For you to get to the promised land, you must distinguish yourself from all others. You must stand out in holiness! 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Today, be guided by the pillar of cloud and fire so that you can enter into the promised land of your divine destiny.

MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Paul was very emphatic when he said that "I have been crucified with Christ." He "no longer lives" meaning that he is dead to the self and Christ now lives in him. He has mortified the desires of the flesh and has allowed Christ to rule in his life. He has made his desires the desires of Christ. All he wants to do is to please Him and Him alone. He has sacrificed himself for the one who first loved him and offered Himself for him. He lives a live of faith one day at a time. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen. Faith is knowing that something will happen without ever physically seeing the evidence. Faith is knowing that you are healed while you are still in pain, and then you actually get your healing. Faith is knowing that you will be prosperous when all the circumstances around you don't add up, yet you know that you know that you will be prosperous. Then it happens! 

By faith, Paul's body was made alive in Christ. Now he lives a victorious live through His empowerment. May you this day have faith in Christ and open your heart that He may come in and rule so that you can say "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me."

Stay blessed!

HOW TO BE A CRITICAL THINKER?

BRINGING STILL IMAGES TO LIFE - ENJOY WATCHING!

GOOD NEWS FOR ALL

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 Who is the lost? The lost is the person whose heart is far from the Lord. The lost is the person who walks in darkness, that is, a person with a reprobate mind. A mind that is full of evil, envy, hatred, and anger. The lost person denies the existence of God and wants nothing to do with Him. They do abominable things. The wrath of God awaits such people but He does not want any to suffer eternal condemnation so He has offered His only begotten son as a ransom for our sins. Because of His love for us, He sent His only begotten son to die on the cross for the lost so that we can be redeemed from the punishment or death that awaits us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16) The main purpose of Christ coming into this world was to save the lost from their our iniquities. He came to seek,that means, to actively look out for the lost. He offers us the oliver branch and it is out duty to receive it willingly. From Luke 19:1-9, we read about Zacheaus, the chief tax collector, who used all his might and strategies in order to see Jesus. Because he was short, He had to go ahead of the crowd to climb the sycamore tree to see Him. But, Jesus, the all-knowing Son of God, saw him ahead of time and asked him to come down. Jesus sought him out first and assured him that salvation had come to him and his household. Today, the Lord is seeking out for you. No matter the magnitude of your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you of all your unrighteousness if you confess them to Him. He is ready to cleanse you and to make you as white as snow. Call on the Lord today and deliverance will come to you and your household. Jesus can to save you and I. Don't let this opportunity by pass you today. Accept Him as Lord and master of your life. He who have the Son has life but he would does not have the Son does not have life but the wrath of God awaits such people. Everlasting life awaits those in Christ.

THE JOY OF FINISHING THE RACE!

The end of the Christian journey is like completing a course degree and receiving your diploma at commencement. All of a sudden, the toils, cries, and sleepless nights are soon forgotten and replaced by an in explicable feel of joy that increases in bounds and leaps. A sudden overwhelming feeling of lightness of the mind and the a good feeling of "I have made it through thick and thin." 

This is a replica of what it will be like in the last days when your work on this end comes to an end and you know and can say that you have fought a good fight and you have won the race. All your toils and persecutions suddenly are of no bother again. You shake the hands of Jesus Christ and receive the crown of life because you have been redeemed, saved by Him, and walked in righteousness on this earth. I pray that the time of joy will not pass you by on the last day! 



"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31

YOU WILL HAVE GOOD SUCCESS IF YOU DEPEND ON GOD!

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
                                                                                                                       Joshua 1:8-10 (NIV)

Meditating on God's word as revealed in the bible gives us clarity for living a meaningful and successful life. By constantly and continuous meditating on His word, He throws light on our path each day. Where there is doubt, He gives us hope. Where there is fear, He assures us of His constant presence. He says in Isaiah 43:2-5 (NKJV), "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;....."

The reassuring ever present help of God can propel you to thrive on any lonely, difficult, and frightful road of life. If you are taking on a new venture or business, knowing the will of God in this circumstance and His presence with you can propel you to good success. So today, meditate on His word and He will direct your path. Be strong mentally and spiritually; take courage and act in accordance with God's word. Start the business that you have always been dreaming of or move forward with the marriage plans that you have always been afraid to undertake. The Lord is on your side and He has assured you of success if you depend on Him. 

YOUR SUCCESS IS ASSURED TODAY

 IF YOU DEPEND ON GOD!