I’M DISTINGUISHED!
Those who fear and serve the Lord will pray and get answers. The Lord will have them in perspective; they will obtain mercy and God will supply their every needs! “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. …And they will be distinguished for Favour! (Malachi 3:16-18 NIV). Yes, I’m distinguished! I am winning! Yes, we are winning!
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I’M WELL ABLE!
“…and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Num13:33. Your anticipated change and breakthroughs may not come if you don’t change your grasshopper mentality. The reason you have not been able to achieve your goal might not be connected with people or circumstances around you. The problem is on the inside of you! If you feel you don’t have the size, the look, education, or the power to accomplish a goal, people will see you the way you see yourself. The words of Joel Osteen is apt: “At the start of each new day, remind yourself: I am talented. I am creative. I am greatly favored by God. I am equipped. I am well able. I will see my dreams come to pass.”
When you have a good opinion of who you are, new doors of opportunities, friendship, and God’s Favour will open for you. You’re not a grasshopper, you’re strong, secured, confident, and well able! You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
I HAVE MADE PROVISIONS FOR YOU!
Whilst evil prevailed in the land, occasioned by the godless King Ahab, and his wicked wife, Jezebel. Elijah, as God’s representative, was instructed to confront Ahab with advance notice that judgment was on its way. There were no “ifs” and “buts” about it; the sentence had been passed. The prophet told the king, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (17:1). This judgment was to prove to King Ahab and his Baal gods, who is believed to be the lord of heaven, that Yahweh is the Sovereign God, who has preeminence over all things.
One may wonder how Elijah intended to feed himself when he declared famine on the land. But because God was involved, He made provisions for Elijah, such that through out the period of famine, he would be sustained. “GOD then told Elijah, “Get out of here, and fast. Head east 
and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I’ve ordered the ravens to feed you.” Elijah obeyed GOD ’s orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook.” 1 Kings 17:2-6 MSG.
It’s a new year but from the very first minute there has been renewed apprehensions about the severe hardship, tribulations, political earthquakes, terrorism, and uncertainties that will continue to plague the earth and its inhabitants. However, before you get agitated, I have got an assuring word from the Almighty God.
He says to those who love and trust Him steadily, “These are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance. (Isaiah 33:16).
Even though evil prevails, and men are suffering from the consequences of godlessness, yet some are selected to survive these calamities and stand victorious. ““…The sinners in Zion are rightly terrified; the godless are a
t their wit’s end: ‘Who among us can survive this firestorm? Who of us can get out of this purge with our lives?’”
Who are the survivors? The answer’s simple: those who: Live right, speak the truth, despise exploitation, refuse bribes, reject violence, avoid evil amusements. This is how you raise your standard of living! A safe and stable way to live. A nourishing, satisfying way to live. Isaiah 33:13-16.
For those who would move to the righteous side with God, before their need arises, their supplies shall be waiting for them. God will raise their standard of living! Yes, they will lack no good thing, for God has made provisions for them. You’re winning! Yes, we are winning! Yes, we are winning!
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DIVINE STRATEGIES FOR WINNING II
If the Israelites were to capture the hills country of Canaan, Jericho, which controlled the way of ascent into these mountains, and Ai, another fortress, which stood at the end of the ascent, must fall! But knowing this, “Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel…” Thus, Jericho stood between the Israelites and their promised land, Canaan. 
The surrounding nations, including Jericho, was aware of God’s miraculous hand upon Israel. notable among the many miracles was the drying of the River Jordan in the time of its flooded state.
This spectacular demonstration of God’s power made Israel’s neighbors realize that God was on the side of Israel and He could do all things. It made them to lose heart and courage to fight. This fear, i believe was the reason Jericho locked up their gates against Israel. They know the only option they had was to surrender to Israel, and rather than do this, they chose to become a stumbling block to their passage to the land of promise.
Oftentimes, the challenges that confronts us in the face are only a mirage, a False Expectation Appearing Real (FEAR). 
For such, God has already given us victory, and only obedience to Him would bring our victory to reality. in the same vein, just as Jericho stood in the way of Israel, an obstacle might have been placed in your way of achieving God’s promises; or you night have had stiff oppositions achieving your desired goals in 2016, and now the fear of failing again confronts you in the face.
Perhaps, you need to change your strategies, and rather than rely on your skills and experience, you can follow God’s instruction. He is the master strategist, the invincible might man in battle, who knows the end from the beginning. Like Joshua, you can move forward on God’s instructions: “And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand… and you shall march round…”-Josh 6:2. In essence, God was saying to Joshua that his victory is assured only if he follows His instructions.
A similar incidence was at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, where Jesus was a guest. While the celebration was on, the wine got exhausted, and Mary the mother of Jesus cried out to him for help. Hence, Jesus instructed the servants saying, “Fill the waterpots with water…draw some out…”(John 2:7). This miracle at Cana, like the conquest of Jericho was premised on obedience to divine instructions. Those that expects Christ’s favours, must observe his orders with ready obedience, because the way of duty is the way to mercy.
God improves creatures comforts to all who truly trust Him. Recall that it was in the wilderness that God provided water for the famished Israelites. So, no matter how hard the economy is, or how hopeless your situation looks, God will provide for you all the wherewithal to achieve your goals, and surpass your expectations. Just follow his instructions, fill the water pots! You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
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