FAITH CAPSULE:Devotion with a purposeful heart for God is what positions man for a turnaround call from God. 

1 Samuel 3, John 20

In the Old Testament and the New Testament, the Lord placed a turnaround call on many and turnaround their destiny His glory. The same God of the Old Testament and the New Testament is still the same forever. God will always wait to see who is available to receive a turnaround call. The commissioning of Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had casted seven demons, to go and spread the news of Jesus’ resurrection was evident to the truth that God is not a partial God. At the tomb where Jesus’ disciples could not wait enough to see through the traces of His resurrection, Mary waited and received a turnaround call that glorifies the name of God. After the departure of the disciples that came to check Jesus at the tomb, Mary patiently waited. In her waiting and weeping (heart pouring) Jesus showed up on her asking, “…woman why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Mary explained herself without knowing that she was communicating with. Jesus decided to give her a turnaround call that set her up for God to be glorified. It is written, “Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned around…” (John 20:16) Having turned to the calling that sounded in her direction, Jesus gave her a command to go and spread the news of Him ascending to His Father and her Father, and to His God and her God. (John 20:17) It was a turnaround moment in the life story of Mary Magdalene, formerly ill-repute woman. How one seek Him will determine how and when a turnaround call will sound in one’s direction.
The Bible recorded, “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli…” (1 Samuel 2:1)It was at Samuel’s ground of ministering (serving and seeking) God that his turnaround call sounded in his direction. Just as the disciples were not in place to receive the kind of calling which sounded in Mary’s direction, so it was for the sons of the Priest Eli. They were not found purposeful for God. Again, this testifies to how God make His move in a non-partial way. God’s calling is always based on how one purposes one’s heart for His name to be glorified. At the place where Samuel was serving God, he received his turnaround call. Despite the fact that Samuel mistook the voice of God for the voice Eli three times, God could not pass on His call to none other than him. Samuel was available at the right location and at the right time when God’s calling sounded in his direction. Do you desire a turnaround call? Devotion with a purposeful heart for God is what positions man for a turnaround call from God.
 
Prayer for today:Ask that all stumbling blocks that often deny one from receiving a turnaround call, be terminated and not have a place in your life.

FAITH CAPSULE: The moment you commit yourself to man you are complicated in your expectation.

Ezra 1, 2
 
Just as it is wisdom to always turn to God in confronting challenge so it is foolishness to always turn to man in confronting challenge. Turning to man is a way of saying there is no God and the Bible makes us to realize it that, “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God…” (Proverbs 14:1)Are you saying there is no God by your word or by your action? It is only God that tunes the heart of man to turn man to a favorable condition concerning confronting challenge.
Cyrus the king of Persia was not an Israelite when God tuned his heart to turn around the captivity of the children of Israelite. Cyrus granted them a return passage to their homeland. It was Cyrus that also allowed them to rebuild the temple. It is written, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.” (Ezra 1:1-3) The children of Israel,did notengage military force for turning around their captivity but God, through Cyrus opened a great effective door for their return. Are you turning to man for your challenging situation? God is not asleep and He is always in the business of waiting for us to wait on Him for our turn around miracle. God is the only God that acts for the one who waits on Him. (Isaiah 64:4) It does not matter how close you relate with man but the moment you commit yourself to man you are complicated in your expectation. Jesus, our Lord and Savior did not commit Himself unto any man. The Bible recorded it that, “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men.” (John 2:23-24) Is there any better way to point it out that man is not capable of turning us to our breakthrough miracle? Know it that committing unto man for turning one around is an act of counting God out. If you will turn it all to God, all will turn out right and well.

Prayer for today:Ask God for the grace to be focus and committed only onto God and not man.

FAITH CAPSULE: Wisdom is profitable for all things and every decision making.

1 Samuel 23:1-5, Proverbs 4
 
The application of wisdom in every area of life brings forth good and enviable result. There are different kinds of wisdom but the only wisdom that is certain to deliver good and enviable result is the wisdom of God. However, the wisdom of this age and of the rulers of this age is the one that will come to nothing. Apostle Paul was speaking in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, “…we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” In your world, which wisdom are you operating? In a world of lying, deception and manipulation wisdom of God is what it takes to prevail and that demands the need to pay attention to the word of Proverbs 4: 7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom…” No man was born with wisdom but man does have a need to seek for wisdom before getting it and that is why the word commanded, “…therefore get wisdom.” Giving attention to knowing the instructions in the pages of scripture is a sure and undeniable source of getting wisdom. Clearly, it is wisdom in the word of God that builds the fear of God in man’s heart. It cannot be well stated than Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lordis the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” King David’s understanding of God must have been rooted in his wisdom. God also testified of him as a man after His own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14) The Bible repeatedly mentioned how David going out wherever Saul sent him and behaved wisely. Wisdom must have been the main reason why he was also able to escape every trap of death in his life.Once he was set for war against the Philistines and the Bible recorded, “Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.”” (1 Samuel 23:2) Right after getting a go ahead response from God, his men reacted saying, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more than if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?”” (1 Samuel 23:3) Without wisdom, it would have been easier for David to listen to man’s wisdom. However, he went back once again to the Lord and the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” (1 Samuel 23:4) Wisdom is profitable for all things and every decision making. Get wisdom.
 
Prayer for today:Ask for the grace to keep your heart with all diligence.

FAITH CAPSULE: The word of God is fire and it cannot be played with neither should it be disregarded. 

Psalm 33         
 
It is written, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses.” (Psalm 33:6-7) The word of God is true and consistently right. Looking around and seeing all things He created testify to the truth that the word of God is right and also true. His word is not just a letter but life. It is certain that God has not changed and He will never change. God alone is the unchanging Changer; the only One that makes a way here there is no way. Psalm 33:4, “For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth.” The word of God is true and right and we are to hold on to the truth of His word. The word of God is fire and it cannot be played with neither should it be disregarded. God declared in Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”” Indeed, His word is like fire, but how you have received determines how it works for you. When the word is replaced with the world, the power in it cannot be activated. One that replaces the word with the world is like a man carrying a loaded handgun and running away from an enemy with no weapon. How have you received the word of God? The word worked for Jeremiah after he allowed the word to burn in him. “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not. For I heard many mocking: ’Fear on every side!’ ’Report,’ they say, ‘and we will report it!’ All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying, ’Perhaps he can be induced; then we will prevail against him, and we will take our revenge on him.’ But the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.” (Jeremiah 20:9-11) The above passage documents how the word worked as a fire for Jeremiah in a challenging situation. The same word is working the same power today for ones that allows the word an entrance into their life. Always remember the word of Hebrews 12:29, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

Prayer for today:Ask that the fire nature of His word will burn off all that does not represent God in your life.

FAITH CAPSULE: Always remember that in midst of every Godly celebration, Satan wants to gain attention.

Philippians 4
 
 
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)  
Psalm 9:2, “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to your name, O most High.” Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of joy…” Proverbs 8:30, “…I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him.” All of the above quotations testifies to the truth, without joy no man is accessible to God. The Apostle Paul articulates this perfectly when he states, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) The Apostle Paul’s call for joy was expressed with clarity, emphasis and with a shout!
Children of God must always go before God with joy. Going before God with joy regardless of challenging situation is a demonstration of faith in Unfailing God. It should be noted that the evil one never shy away from where there is joy. His agenda is to convert joy to sadness. However, our calling is to maintain our joy regardless of challenges. Remember Job? Job 1:6-7, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job 1:6-7) Satan’s interruption was and is always with bad intention. He is empowered to go to and fro looking for one to devour. He was able to secure his wish against Job. He initiated pain for Job where the sons of God are gathering in His presence. It is written in Job 1:11-12, “But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.”” It is hard to imagine how in the place of celebration, joy is being tampered with? The wicked one, at his coming out of the place of joy and celebration delivered every form of affliction on Job. In between and through it all, Job did not complain nor did he condemn God. Job cried to God and he eventually received more blessings after his time of testing, than when he first started to enjoy the blessings of God. Constantly maintain joy and retain your presence before God. Always remember that in midst of every Godly celebration, Satan wants to gain attention. Fail to attend to Satan and he will flee. Do not forget too soon, cry unto Him and prayer will turn bitterness into sweetness.
 
Prayer for today:Ask for the word of God to have a place and rule your heart..