THE BIBLICAL TRUTH THAT I KNOW: 1

Faith in God, obedience to follow through on the path that He (the Almighty God) is leading you, and reliance on the Bible as the Word of God are the major ingredients that can help you move beyond the pains and distress associated with great losses and disappointments of life. They are the key to real success in business. 

Fact is Real success in business goes beyond making money.

The power of the Almighty God is unfathomable.

Something in this picture is surely surprising. 

Can you find it? If you do, please tell us through 

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Until the Bible is your permanent friend you are not likely to find this message useful and in view of this not benefit from it.

AN EXPERIENCE I WILL HARDLY FORGET

Please note: the person in the picture is not connected to this story. As a matter of fact this picture is picked from the internet 

During my inter-diocesan apostolic work (that took place at the end of my 2nd year Theology studies in 2001) in Afara in Owerri Archdiocese, I had a knock on my door a day or so towards the end of my apostolic work in that village. 

As I opened the door, it was the least of anyone I had expected to see. A beggar who normally sat at Afara motor park/ junction was standing before me. 

The seemingly old motor park beggar who never dared entering my room said to me with a low voice: “I am not mad. I am only a woman with a broken heart.... I lost everything that I had and now depend on the goodwill of the people.” 

As I was about saying something, she continued without giving a breathing space: "I do come to Church but you may not have seen me because I always stay outside." 

DIFFICULTIES ARE INEVITABLE FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH -Chinwoke Nnabugwu

More Spiritual, less materialistic...

Copied picture from the internet 

For us to progress and multiply in all ramifications despite the odds, we must as a matter of urgency develop the power of the human spirit to overcome difficulties through total reliance on the Spiritual powers of the Holy Spirit.

Difficulties are inevitable for spiritual growth, therefore earnestly contend with the forces of adversity to keep moving at all times.

TRIALS HAVE BENEFITS ACCRUING FROM THEM -

Copied picture from the internet 

Always remember that God's desire during adversity is to make us better.

Trials and troubles should not be regarded as something that will ruin us. 

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: Church in Service

BY REV JOY OKARO

Text: 1Timothy 5:16 (Amplified)

"If any believing woman has [dependent] widows [in her household], she must assist them [according to her ability]; and the church must not be burdened [with them], so that it may assist those who are truly widows [those who are all alone and are dependent]."

We may not be able to fix the whole world but our service is crucial. We have an obligation as the church of Jesus to be responsible, accountable and impactful with our resources.The church as a community of believers is for holistic ministry that thrives on relationships. The church will not be burdened when each believer play their part using their resources to make a difference among the brethren and in our world. Our service cannot be undermined.

Prayer Point: l receive grace for active service.*

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 5

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: Rejoice in the Lord always

BY REV JOY OKARO

Text: Philippians 4:4 (Amplified)

"Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!"*

When God remains Lord, no mattar what happens, the command is to be joyful. The source and reason for joy is the Lord who is always with us and has given us the Holyspirit whose fruit is joy and is with us forever. Do you find joy and pleasure in the Lord? Surely when God is Lord and centre of it all, joy is sure. A joyless life is not God's will for us. Pray for a joyful life and live it (Psalm 86:4).

*Prayer Point: l receive grace to be joyful always.*

*Bible Reading: Philippians 4*

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: Right view of church

 BY REV JOY OKARO

Text: Ephesians 2:19 (Amplified)

"Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household."

People have diffrent views about church but our text today reveals church as the family (household) of God, where God is not merely a figure head but the real father responsible for the requisite details and purpose of the church. God gave so much to secure the church (Ephesians 1:5). All believers are part of His family. Are you supporting or tearing down the family? Keep God at the centre of it all. Each day, how you view and respond to the church family leaves a legacy.

Prayer Point: I receive wisdom to view and treat church as God"s family.*

Bible Reading; Ephesians 2

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: Sowing-A Life principle

BY REV. JOY OKARO

Text: Psalm 126:5 (Amplified)

"They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing."*

Life is about principles not merely chances. Seed sowing in our decisions and actions form our lives' path. Life is not without challenges and consequences. Hence, we should not allow fear or pain to make us sow wrong seeds. The good decisions and hardwork we sow amidst pain in big and small matters pay off.

Prayer Point: I receive wisdom to sow right seeds.*

Bible Reading: Psalm 126

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: Thank you!

 BY REV JOY OKARO

Text: Luke 17:16 (Amplified)

"and he lay face downward at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. He was a Samaritan."

Do not forget to say "THANK YOU" - an expression of gratitude to both man and God. Be a witness of gratitude for both big and small things. Be delibrate about it. It is a culture that makes a world of difference for good. Inculcate it. Who do you need to write a "thank you" note to today?

Prayer Point: I receive wisdom to express gratitude.

*Bible Reading: Luke 17

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: Timely Vacancy

BY REV JOY OKARO

Text: Ezekiel 22:30 (Amplified)

"I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for [the sake of] the land, that I would not destroy it, but I found no one [not even one]."

Our text today is relevant in our times because people sre still in diverse mess ranging from spiritual, emotional, health, financial, relational and others that needs divine intervention. God is still looking for people who will fill this noble role of intercession for people. lnvest your time and willingly make intercessions frevently.The Lord that sees in the secret will reward you openly both in time and eternity. Show up! You will be amazed at the impact you are creating in your life and the lives of others.

Prayer Point: l receive grace for humble intercession.

Bible Reading; Ezekiel 22

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: My Times

 BY REV JOY OKARO

Text: Psalm 31:15 (Amplified)

"My times are in Your hands; Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who pursue and persecute me."

My times, my peculiar circumstances, the happenings of my life, are under His control. My knowledge of God is because He first knew me and continues to know me as His child  whose name is engraved in His palm (Isaiah  49:16), so l can trust Him to take care of my enemies in His wisdom. He first loved me before I loved me. 

Prayer Point: Thank you Lord for my times are in your hands.

Bible Reading: Psalm 31

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: Proclaim Him

BY REV JOY OKARO

Text: Psalm 105 :1 (NIV)

"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done."

When we proclaim and not hide to the world what God has  done in our lives, we showcase Him as a good father that is real, personal, caring, and whose you are. Proclaim God and His deeds to you and others. This act glorifies God. What name of God are you proclaiming to the world?

Prayer Point: I receive wisdom to proclaim God worthily to the world.

Bible Reading: Psalm 105

SOUL FISHING: Golden Silence

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONALS BY REV. JOY OKARO

Text: Deuteronomy 27:9 (Amplified)

"Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent and listen, O Israel! This day you have become a people for the Lord your God."

"Be silent and listen, O - Fix your name here." Be silent and listen, hear God and people. Hear them and depict self control. Let your silence bring blessing to you and others, and glory to God. There is time for everything including time to speak and time to be silent (Eccl.3:7). The busyness of our lives has made silence to be a special habit we need to deliberately cultivate to help us to be quiet in our everyday life and desist from unnecessary noise. We are in an era where people think the use of much words and actions is sufficient to manage themselves and control others. Some think much words and many activities make them more spiritual. Let your silence be golden!

Prayer Point: I receive wisdom for blessed silence in a busy world.

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 27

SOUL FISHING: Leverage in God

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONALS BY REV JOY OKARO 

Text: Revelation 1:5-6 (Amplified)

"and from Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death)— and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

From our text today, we see the leverage we have in God through Jesus Christ in time and eternity. Mankind has to take God by His word (Hebrews 4:16). Anyone God's word (Jesus Christ) cannot save needs his own 'god'. It is either God and His way or nothing, as regards leveraging Him. Celebrate and maximize the leverage!

Prayer Point: Thank you God for the leverage through Jesus Christ.

Bible Reading: Revelation 1

SOUL FISHING: God is good

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONALS BY REV JOY OKARO

Text: Psalm 107:1(Amplified)

"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His compassion and lovingkindness endure forever!"

We should see God through the revelation of the scriptures. God is good by virtue of who He is. If you have God in your life, goodness should not be lacking as goodness is the fruit of the Holyspirit. We may not be perfect, yet God's goodness works in our lives to reveal something He can use for our good and His glory. The goodness of God is  unfathomable and inexhaustible, indeed!

Prayer Point: l receive wisdom to be good because l have God.

Bible Reading: Psalm 107

SOUL FISHING: Live in Peace

CALOM DAILY DEVOTIONALS BY REV JOY OKARO 

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (Amplified)

Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all."*

The Bible did not hide the painful reality that in the world, there is trouble; so that we will not be caught off guard. The good news is elaborated in our text today that 'Now' the God of peace gives us His peace in all circumstances. Most times when people die, we say Rest in peace. Why wait to die when now you can live in peace when you can accept the God of peace that operates within and without to enable us enjoy inspite of  all circumstances. If you cannot live in harmony and at peace with the God of peace and with men here on earth, your chances of resting in peace irrespective of people wishes is vague. Seek the scriptures to know how to access God's peace now. Live in peace now to rest in peace tomorrow!

Prayer Point:l receive wisdom to live in peace now.

*Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3*

IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER

Picture not related to the story

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

The devil said to JESUS, “If you are GOD’s Son, tell this stone to turn into bread.” 

(Luke 4:3, CEV)

Luke 4:3 KJV

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of GOD, command this stone that it be made bread.

TODAY’S WORD

After *JESUS* was baptized, GOD the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Then *JESUS* was led into the desert to be tempted. After forty days, the enemy spoke today’s Scripture. The devil was saying, “*JESUS*, prove that You’re really the Son of GOD.” *JESUS* refused. He said, “Man doesn’t live by bread alone.” He was saying, “I don’t have anything to prove. My Father announced who I am. I was His Son in the water, and I’m His Son in the desert. I won’t waste My time trying to convince you of who I am. I have a destiny to fulfill.” 

As with *JESUS*, it really doesn’t matter what the enemy or other people think of you. 

You have nothing to prove. When GOD looks at you, He says, “That’s My child, in whom I am well pleased.” Others may not be for you, they may try to discredit you or withhold their approval, but big deal. You are approved. You are accepted. You are anointed. Now step into your destiny. 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You that I can feel good about who I am because You made me just as I am and You are well pleased with me. Thank You that I can be free from trying to prove who I am to others. I’m happy to be Your child and to keep moving into my destiny. In *JESUS*’ Name, Amen.

COPIED 

ALWAYS BE IN BLOSSOM

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Instead you thrill to GOD's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.

(Psalm 1:2-3, MSG)

Psalm 1:2-3 KJV

[1] But his delight is in the law of the *LORD*; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

TODAY’S WORD

Today's Scripture says that when you meditate on GOD’s Word day and night, "You're a tree...always in blossom." That's GOD’s dream for your life - that you always have a smile, that you're always in peace, that you're always excited about your future. And, no, it doesn't mean that you'll never have adversities. But in those difficult times, because you have your thoughts fixed on Him, thoughts you've drawn from His Word, deep down there will be a confidence, a knowing that everything is going to be all right. You will know that GOD is still on the throne. He is fighting your battles, and you're not only going to come out, you're going to come out better off than you were before.

When you're in agreement with GOD, the Creator of the universe goes to work. GOD will cause His favor to shine down on you. He will cause you to stand out in your career. He will cause you to be at the right place at the right time, making sure that you succeed.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You that Your plan for my life is that I am always in blossom, that I'm always bearing fresh fruit. Thank You that I can fill my mind with Your Word and know Your thoughts toward me. I believe Your favor is shining down upon me. In *JESUS*' Name, Amen.

COPIED

GLORY TO GLORY

 

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the *LORD*, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the *LORD*. 

(2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV)

2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the *LORD*, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the *LORD*.

TODAY’S WORD

If you judge your life by something negative that is happening today, you may feel as though GOD has forgotten about you and get discouraged. But the Scripture says that GOD is transforming you from glory to glory, that the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter. That means He already has a solution to the problem that’s holding you back. He’s already arranged restoration for that loss, a new beginning for that setback, promotion for that injustice. It’s already on the schedule. It’s just a matter of time before you see the light break through to full day. When the lies come saying, “GOD has forgotten about you. It’s never going to work out. You’ve seen your best days,” just say, “No, thanks. This situation may be difficult, it’s not fair, but I know that this is not how my story ends. Favor is in my future, good breaks are headed my way, the right people are tracking me down. GOD is going to bring me out better, transformed, promoted, healthier, and to new levels of my destiny.”

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You that my name is written on Your hands and that it’s impossible for You to forget me. Thank You for the promise that You are transforming me from glory to glory and making my path brighter and brighter. I believe that You are working right now to lift me to another level. In *JESUS*’ Name, Amen.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Despite *JESUS* instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But JESUS often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. 

(Luke 5:15-16, NLT)

Luke 5:15-16 KJV

[15] But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 

[16] And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

TODAY’S WORD

Despite vast crowds coming to hear *JESUS* and to be healed, today’s Scripture says He often left the crowds and went away to rest and pray. I’m sure that means at times there were still many needy people waiting for prayer, disappointed that their needs weren’t met. *JESUS* wasn’t overlooking their needs; He was taking care of Himself. He needed to get away to get quiet and pray so He could be refreshed and restored.

*JESUS* didn’t let other people run His life, and neither should you. There will always be people who need you, somebody who needs rescuing or cheering up. If you try to meet everyone else’s needs, try to keep them fixed, you’ll end up rundown and eventually suffer burnout. Don’t be pressured into doing things that are going to wear you out. If JESUS walked away from people to protect His peace, you need to learn to walk away from things that are stealing your peace.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You that You have called me to love and help others, but not to try to make them happy or to keep them fixed. Help me to protect my own peace and well-being. I declare that I am not responsible for other people’s happiness. In *JESUS*’ Name, Amen.

COPIED