*DAILY DEW 15/DECEMBER/2023* *Taking Over Nations* (VII) _Key Bible Text:_ *"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."* (1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV)) _Bible Insight:_ To take over nations, the force of charity or love and compassion cannot be overemphasized. You cannot take over, or wield influence if you don't have and apply love. Many people will never achieve the level of impact God have destined to all because of their inability to walk in love without inhibitions and hesitations.. The love Ruth showed towards Naomi and her God, was the key or central to Ruth's fulfillment of purpose. The Love that David showed towards God and God's people, was first revealed in his diligence and willingness to fight a bear and a lion all because of his Father's sheep that was kept in his custody. God recognized his heart of love and called him, a man after God's own heart! Jesus is the greatest example of love of all times. Therefore we cannot succeed in taking over nations if we don't persist and abound in walking in love. _MEDITATION:_ *And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.* 1 (Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)) *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 14/DECEMBER/2023* *TAKING NATIONS FORCEFULLY* (VI) _Key Bible Text:_ *"For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence)"* (2 Peter 1:5 (Amplified)) _Bible Insight:_ The force of dilligence is not negotiable. Spiritual dilligence is required for those that forcefully advance the kingdom. Those who lack diligence will be unable to stand the test of time. 2 Peter 1:5 (KJV says *"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge"* and a list of other things that will ensure that *"an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."* (2 Peter 1:11 (KJV)) This describes the pattern of force or violence needed. The narrow way & gate that describes the path of the kingdom, will be too much of a trouble for those who lack diligence. Why bother with a lonely, steepy, difficult and no nonsense narrow road or gate when there is a broad gate with a broad way that says come and remain as you are and don't ever be bothered with anything that does not make you happy? *"Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it."* (Matthew 7:13-14(CEV) When you face the kingdom with the force or violence of dilligence you will be rewarded in due course. Don't be discouraged. _MEDITATION:_ *But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.* (Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)) *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 13/DECEMBER/2023* *TAKING NATIONS FORCEFULLY* (V) _Key Bible Text:_ *"And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize--a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]."* Matthew 11:12 (Amplified) _Bible Insight:_ The kingdom of heaven presents a scenario of the survival of the most spiritually violent and forceful. What does this mean? The heavenly kingdom is like a precious prize to be sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion. It calls for selflessness and total pursuit and focus. It is not a place to be entered casually nor mistakenly or unseriously. The one who understands the violence or force that the kingdom requires, must first comply to that demand. The force of selflessness is key! Likewise the force of passion or zeal. The one who advances (moves or runs) forcefully towards the kingdom, will also advance the kingdom forcefully. The world system will not permit a forceless or easy ride into the Kingdom. It takes force to stay the course! Denial of self, as Jesus demanded, is an essential level of force required. And selflessness reveals how much passion you have developed in the pursuit of the kingdom. Matthew 16:24-25 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. The one who takes nations forcefully for God's kingdom must himself first be forcefully advancing towards the Kingdom, and by so doing be advancing the kingdom for others to take part in! _MEDITATION:_ *The kindgom demands that we get rid of self and self love. Those who care for self (and by extension the cares of this life) will not be capable of developing and sustaining the force or violence that takes the kingdom* *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 12/DECEMBER/2023* *TAKING NATIONS FORCEFULLY* (IV) _Key Bible Text:_ *"And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."* Jude 1:22-23 (KJV) _Bible Insight:_ To take nations forcefully, the meaning of nations must be understood. Every individual is a nation. In Genesis 15:23 God referred to Esau and Jacob as two nations while they were still in their mother's womb. There are also ethnic nations. A group of people bound by common languages, beliefs, customs, traditions and world views. For example, Yoruba nation, igbo nation, Hausa nation, etc There are state nations. Where a group of nations are bound together by a common country, or national constitution, and laws. A good example is Nigeria. So these are the basic types of nations. So when thinking of taking over nations forcefully, we must begin with the individual as the one that forms all the other kinds of nations. Remember that FORCE is not physical force, such as violent arrest or detention or forceful coercion. Force is in a spiritual dimension as already explained. The first way to take over nations, is to ensure that you as a nation is sold out to the kingdom of God. You can't take if you are not yet taken yourself. Only those who keep themselves in the love of God, Jude 21) can properly have compassion and save others. (Jude 22,23) _MEDITATION:_ *Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.* (Jude 1:21 (KJV)) *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 11/DECEMBER/2023* *TAKING NATIONS FORCEFULLY* (III) _Key Bible Text:_ *"And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."* (Luke 14:22-23 (KJV)) _Bible Insight:_ Compel them to come in!? Wow. Is that not force? Notice the response, *"it is done as thou hast commanded, yet there is room"* It is because of *"yet there is room"* that makes the master issue out the instructions saying "compel them to come in". This issue of having room still is the same thing as saying the harvest is plenty but the labourers are scanty. So there is room both for labourers for the work to be recruited, and for souls to be won! The parable does not directly mention evangelism, or soul winning, but in application and interpretation, it actually refers to soul winning and evangelism. To compel shows that evangelism/soul winning must carry the force of fire, persuasion, patience, compassion, urgency, generosity and commitment. The master wants no space in his room. Souls must be won, laboured over in prayers, and in the word. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men (2 Corinthians 5:11 (KJV)) _MEDITATION:_ *Taking nations forcefully is about the Kingdom, and the kingdom is in need of souls to be won, discipled and recruited to go out and win others* *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 10/DECEMBER/2023* *TAKING NATIONS FORCEFULLY* (II) _Key Bible Text:_ *"And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize--a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]."* (Matthew 11:12 (Amplified)) _Bible Insight:_ Seize it by force? So if force and violence is not physical in dimensions, what then does it refer to? Force or violence here is one of the Spirit. Many physically forceful or violent folks are not actually spiritually forceful nor violent. The physical dimensions of force and violence are actually easier to attain or practice than the spiritula dimensions. The spiritual force & violence is in actions and practices dictated by the Word of God. When Jesus spoke of force, it should be clear that force or violence is not in physical dimensions. See Luke 9:51-52 (KJV) *"And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him."* *"And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt THOU THAT WE COMMAND FIRE TO COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, AND CONSUME THEM, EVEN AS ELIAS DID?"* Luke 9:53-54 (KJV) You will see that the force is not physical. If it was physical, Jesus would have said, "send fire..." Instead, *"But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."* Luke 9:55-56 (KJV) _MEDITATION:_ *The force & violence that takes on nations must be the pattern laid by scriptural examples* *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 9/DECEMBER/2023* *TAKING NATIONS FORCEFULLY* _Key Bible Text:_ *"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."* (Matthew 11:12 (KJV)) _Bible Insight:_ The word FORCE means a couple of things. And truly the violent always uses force. But the force Jesus was referring to, is not and cannot be physical force nor physical violence. Why do we say that? We will get to that soon. Let's look at some of the meaning of the word FORCE- 1. strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement; 2. coercion or compulsion, especially with the use or threat of violence; 3. mental or moral strength or power; 4. an organized body of military personnel or police. From all these English definitions of force, 2 & 4 are completely out of it. 1 & 3 may apply, when such is directed towards God's will and as led by God's word and Spirit. Also, note that the violent in question is not one who is physically aggressive or unsafe to be with. Essentially, both force and violence does not refer primarily to physical dimensions. We know this because, For by strength shall no man prevail (1 Samuel 2:9) _MEDITATION:_ *Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.* (Psalms 20:7 (KJV)) *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 8/DECEMBER/2023* *How to Be Strengthened* (2) _Key Bible Text:_ *"And after you have undergone pain for a little time, the God of all grace who has given you a part in his eternal glory through Christ Jesus, will himself give you strength and support, and make you complete in every good thing."* (1 Peter 5:10 (BBE)) _Bible Insight:_ Pain. A word we don't like. No one does. Yet, a word no one will escape both for good & bad reasons. Pain is so commonly hated that anyone who claims to like pain is tagged a sadist. No pain, no gain. A commonly accepted fact that this generation & the next is bent on avoiding by every conceivable means possible. Instead, "pain" has been conveniently replaced by "easy". Such self deceit. No true or lasting victory or success is painless. It does not exist. The ability to endure pain for a while is what it means to possess strength. Pain endured, is strength gained. Pain excused, is strength forfeited. Pain is actually not an enemy, as many believe. Pain is necessary for anything of worth to be built. Pain is the brother or close relative of stress. A generation that is stress intolerant is always going to fall for cheap scam and schemes. A generation of yahoo yahoo and quick get rich schemes & money rituals, is evidence that many have lost the ability to embrace or endure the stress necessary to build & retain decent success in any well meaning venture. Even in the kingdom, God does not promise us a painless or stress-less Journey but one filled with his grace to enable us face the music. _MEDITATION:_ *Work is not only a product of strength, but actually the source of strength. No man develops the strength of their muscles by lack of exercise but by the work of regular exercise.* *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 7/DECEMBER/2023* *How to Be Strengthened* _Key Bible Text:_ *"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."* (1 Peter 5:10 (KJV)) _Bible Insight:_ We usually think that it takes strength to work, but ironically it takes work to build strength. The man who will gain strength, will not do so by lying down all day. Try it and see. To gain strength, you need to throw yourself into the work first in your mind. Your mind must come to a place of acceptance that the work must be done and done by no one else but you. This is the first thing that gives way to the rise of strength to get through the job and get it done. After accepting the work, we then throw ourselves into it. We must exercise or attempt or practice doing the work. For strength to materialize, it is as you get down into the work, you discover that strength is coming to play. And the more you do the work, the more you gain strength to do the work. Strength does not come by doing nothing or little. Strength is achieved by exercise, attempting or practicing the work. In the process, strength kicks in and in increasing measures. Take prayer for instance. You will gain strength to pray not by waiting to see strength first, but by reluctantly or hesitantly throwing in yourself to begin the prayer process. When you have suffered the state of strengthlessness for a while, thereafter, you begin to see strength rise gradually. _MEDITATION:_ *Work is not only a product of strength, but actually the source of strength. No man develops the strength of their muscles by lack of exercise but by the work of regular exercise.* *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....

*DAILY DEW 6/DECEMBER/2023* *Dealing With Depression* (IV) _Key Bible Text:_ *"Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God."* (Psalms 42:11 (Amplified)) _Bible Insight:_ 4. Don't assume you know the best for yourself. Accept that God can use unpleasant situations and bad events for good in your life. This is perhaps one angle that cannot be overemphasized if one must stay ahead of depression. Never assume you know the best for yourself. Even King Hezekiah who thought extending his lifetime will be a great thing, ended up making the worst mistake of his life, in the extra years of his life. "Who him extra years of living help?" So don't be too sure you know what is best for you. Rather, trust God. Joseph would probably never have entered his destiny if he didn't have to suffer the hatred of his brothers, that led to his being sold as a slave. #Selah While a slave, he could have thought God was not with him or good enough to him. Because after God allowed his brothers to hate and sell him off, he could also had accused God for allowing him to be jailed for trying to please God, by not sleeping around. But rather than play God in his life or assumed he knew what was good or bad for him, he continued to walk with grace and gratitude, caring for others even in the prison. This eventually led to his "prison break to prime minister" story. Those challenges are not necessarily bad, you know. Those delayed answers to prayers, may be God answering you in a bigger and better way. Don't be too sure God is not helping or answering you. Sometimes, all you need do to send away that creepy depressing thought is to ask yourself: *"what if this place right here, this challenge I am facing right now, is exactly what God has in mind for me, knowing that it would work out my greater good?"* Dont be a perfectionist. Don't be an ITK (I too know). God knows better. Accept that God knows all. And ask him to fill you with peace. Philippians 4:7 (KJV) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. _MEDITATION:_ *And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.* (Romans 8:28 (KJV)) *#DavidJoshuaEgbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.....