Divine Encounters

Day 277 Reading: Romans 11:1 - Romans 16:27 What's on your mind? What do you think most about? What preoccupies your mind above all things? Your thoughts are important to God and yourself. You are the sum total of your thoughts. Yes, I know that sounds harsh but how you think will determine your life. Your thoughts give you a perception of life. How you think determines what you see. It's important to understand that if your thoughts are negative your life is negated. If all you think are problems then soon your life will only attract problems. Thoughts are magnets pulling the physical reality of our thinking. You will meet two types of people in life. Optimists and pessimists. Optimists see the bright side in the horizon always while pessimists never see good only the bad. Sometimes listening to a pessimist will make you realise that their attitude is similar to an ostrich that refuses to look up and instead buries its head in trouble. The question one must ask is...

Day 214 Reading: Ezekiel 10:1 - Ezekiel 13:23 God, I have read and heard of Your greatness. I can testify that yes I have seen You and know that of a truth You are the Living God. You have been there for me in the good and bad times. Thank You for loving me even when I doubted You. The more I read Your Word the more I am stirred to seek Your face. However, Lord, I am troubled. Troubled by many things. Troubled when I see the state of things in my world. Troubled by a feeling that I am wasting away striving to get somewhere and maybe I have chosen the wrong route to get to my destination. Troubled because my world is far from what Your promises say. Troubled because I can't see Your hand in my life. I seem to hear prophecies that never come to pass. Will I arrive in Canaan? Will I see what I desire from You? Will I fulfil that which You have ordained me for? God, have I departed from Your will is a question I am constantly asking myself. Not because I think I have l...

Day 68 Reading: Josh. 22:1- Josh. 24:33 God desires we serve Him alone. Every day is given to us to serve Him, to live for Him. When we give of ourselves to God, He fights for us. We are living in a day and age where many don't recognise that serving God is the key to unlock their destiny. God desires to show forth His power however, He needs committed people who are hungry for Him. The book of Joshua is about what God can do for those who are given to walk in obedience to Him wholeheartedly.  The soldiers from Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh return to their land on the eastern side of the Jordan. They had fulfilled the request and commandment of God to go help the brethren possess the land. They now were being released to go back as their duty was over. This attitude of fighting alongside our brothers and sisters in fighting for their inheritance is so needed today. The sin of selfishness has caused many believers to never consider fighting with a...

Day 67 Reading: Josh. 19:1 - Josh. 21:45 I used to wonder whether it's possible for all of God's promises to come to pass. You may say its doubt or unbelief. You might be in shock that I can say that of myself. However, life throws curve balls that leave you wondering whether God's promise will actually come through. Many times when this happens we say all things will work together for good, however, in reality, we are covering up our disappointment for not seeing the promise we held onto fulfilled. There are many reasons why the promises don't come to pass. Unbelief, doubt, fear, are just some of the reasons. Impatience is another reason. God is not a drive by a fast food solution for life. You must learn to understand the power of patience. God's word cannot fail. If a promise has not come to pass don't blame God. Ask why?  Another reason I believe is a question of whether the promise is alive to us. Many times I realised I took a promise and ...

Day 66 Reading: Josh. 15:1- Josh. 18:26 'You have a share in the inheritance God has set for you, Charles.' When the Holy Spirit told me that as I read today's portion of scripture my mind quickly asked what do I need to see the manifestation of what God has bestowed on me. The Holy Spirit has been emphasising to me that God has set an inheritance for His children and it's our responsibility to take it. Can you imagine if the children of Israel didn't leave Egypt on instruction? Many today aren't seeing the inheritance God has for them because they are not willing to pay the price to possess the promise. Obey the instructions of God and you will enter the place He has designed for you. To believe God wholeheartedly is paying the price because many times our minds are clogged with unbelief and doubt. Caleb received a portion of land. Caleb didn't just get a claim amongst his tribe. Caleb was from the tribe of Judah. However, because he believed G...

Day 65 Reading: Josh. 11:1-Josh. 14:15 Learning to daily contend for faith is a lesson many, including me, don't like. We all love peace and war doesn't make it easy. However, one must contend for the land(promise). The land for you and I may be health, a job, business, well being, career, ministry or any promise in the Bible. Faith is raising a shield of the promises of God and contending with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  I believe that the promises of God are alive and God has not changed His position towards them. God is looking for those who will be desirous to see His Word established. Joshua heeded to do according to the instructions Moses had given regarding taking over the land. In every place the people were executed and apart from the Gibeonites all others were killed in battle. Notice that God brought about the battle. Stop fighting God who is causing you to battle your enemies so as to take over the land. Listen to the voice of God...

Day 62 Reading: Josh. 1:1 - 4:24 On this third day in the third month we begin a new book in the Bible, Joshua. An interesting portion of scripture to read on this day.May it mark a new chapter in your life. Every day is a special day and God has a package of blessings packaged for you and I each day. It's our responsibility to receive it, open it and partake of the blessings. As I wrote this I kept prophesying to myself so please make it personal to you and take the land.  The book of Joshua opens with God calling him to arise and go over the Jordan and possess the land. As I read this portion of scripture my heart began to indite a matter. I suddenly was aware that as I read this book it was a sign that I was crossing to a new place. I believe God that I am entering something new and I want to invite every reader to enter a new place of not only intimacy with God but also a manifestation of His promises. I have news for the enemies that have heard of my testimonies,...

Day 61 Reading: Deut. 32:1- Deut. 34:12 God can see where you and I cannot. He knows the future and not just the present. Towards the end of Deuteronomy Chapter 31, God summons Moses and Joshua and there advised Moses that the people would one day walk away from serving Him. I can't imagine the challenge for Joshua. He had to ensure that this prophecy would not be fulfilled in his time. For Moses, it also was a warning to ensure that the people are aware that God can see their actions and he as the leader would ensure that he took every step to avert this. The song of Moses is the warning to the people. 'Lord may my words be heard in the heavens and earth. May my words be Your Words. Let my teaching be as rain; may my speech distil as dew does to the ground. May I proclaim Your Name.' This is my prayer that I am one whose teaching will result in rain to the life of the listener or reader. I don't teach to show off but to communicate the knowledge of the glo...

Day 52 Reading: Deut. 3:1- Deut. 4:49 Moses recounts the past victory against Og, the king of Bashan illustrating that God had indeed given victory over the inhabitants and enemies of the children of God. Here we also learn that this king was a giant. Don't ever be surprised that before you enter the land you deal with a giant. Moses in going over the journey from Egypt to where they were was also to encourage Joshua. Moses is constantly told to encourage and strengthen Joshua. 'Charles, you must not fear them, for God is the one who contends for you.'  Ever felt as though there is a prayer God doesn't answer. God does answer though the answer may not be the one we desire.  Moses desired to enter the land and prayed. From the response God gave him, its obvious Moses prayed about this matter many a time. However, God wouldn't grant his petition.  Obedience is key to possessing the land. It will only go well with me when I walk in obedience to God. I ...

Day 49 Reading: Num. 31:1 - Num. 33:56 God is a God of vengeance. Don't take it upon yourself to be vengeful. God will deal with it. The Midianites had joined Moab in trying to get Balaam to curse the children of Israel -see Numbers 22:3-7. Earlier we saw that the children of Israel committed harlotry by sleeping with the women of Moab. God had instructed Moses to harass the Midianites for seducing the children of Israel to sin and for listening to Balaam.  Balaam dwelt in the land of the Midianites. When it was time to harass the Midianites the children of Israel were given instructions, however, there were underlying expectations such as kill everyone. They went to war and killed every man. The women were captured. Note that Balaam was killed also. Today we need to remove everything that is a vehicle of the seduction spirit that carries one away from God. One remarkable thing about the war against the Midianites was that the children of Israel did a head count an...

Day 48 Reading: Num. 27:1 - Num. 30:16 God is a God of justice. Many today seek what is fair however many times they never get what justice has for them. The inheritance laws were clear about who would possess what. They seemed fair however the daughters of Zelophehad didn't think they were just. The Law didn't have a just settlement for where there was no male figure in a family. They questioned whether the law was inadvertently writing off the name of the family and his lineage because he didn't have boys. God's response is just and fair. A balance that is difficult to get in today's law systems.  The succession of leadership is important to God. Moses knew he wouldn't go into Canaan and sought God for a shepherd for the people. He didn't seek just for a leader but a shepherd. As a leader learn to wait on God on everything. Yes, Joshua was with Moses and it could have been easy to assume that he should take over, however, Moses asked God for d...

Day 43 Reading: Num. 12:1- Num. 14:45 Complaining will bring trouble. Make matters worse by not only complaining but also comparing yourself with those who are your leaders and think of yourself as their equals. Miriam and Aaron didn't understand the relationship between God and Moses.  Yes, Moses' wife was not an Israelite, she was black, however, that was not a reason to bring about an attack against your deliverer.  Secondly, they saw themselves as being able to lead the children of Israel. Just because God has used you isn't room to attack a leader. This is one of the worst manifestations of the religious spirit which seeks to usurp the true order of God.  Moses was known as a humble guy. There is no comment or indication that he cried to God about the insurrection of Miriam and Aaron. Instead, the Bible says, God heard the conversation and He instantly sought to resolve. Insurrection against God-ordained leadership will bring consequences that are d...

Day 42 Reading: Num. 9:1- Num. 11:35 Learn to walk in divine authority. Moses spoke to men who were troubled that they wouldn't be able to take part in the Passover. The men seemed agitated. Moses gave an instruction 'Stand Still', i.e. stop all you are doing and wait for an answer from God. Develop an intimacy with God that when you speak it is authoritatively the mind and heart of God regarding any matter. The response of God to Moses and by extension the children of Israel shows that God never wants us to miss on having the blessings He has ordained. Whatever the reason that may have hindered your not receiving at the appointed time would not mean that you cannot partake of the feast of the Lord the following month.  Twice we read that the entire camp only moved when the Pillar of Cloud of glory that rested above the Tabernacle moved. This is consistently mentioned from Exodus that they moved only when the Pillar of Cloud moved. Charles, learn to move only w...