Hey people! We would like you to join us in this series that will be starting tomorrow. It promises to be enlightening, impactful and practical. Keep checking this space.

THE PRELUDE - STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE
DIVINITY STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY
This is one of the most important weekend in the world, a period that is set
aside to remember and celebrate an event that change the future of
humanity – the crucifiction, death and resurrection of Jesus and all that it
represent.
What does the crucifiction, death and resurrection of Jesus
means to you?
Today will also serve as a prelude to our new series STEPPING INTO THE
FUTURE. We are going to see how the whole event that is marked
globally this weekend is a process of Divinity (God) stepping into the
future of humanity.
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast -- all whose names have
not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain
from the creation of the world. Revelation 13:8 (NIV)
- Jesus Christ is referred to as the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the
world (John 1:29).
- Jesus mission became clear to mankind only after He had been crucified
on the cross. Yet the scriptures reveals in Revelations 13:8 that "the Lamb
was slain from the creation of the world"
- Peter repeats this truth in even more detail when he wrote about the
precious blood of Christ. For you know that it was not with perishable
things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of
life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious
blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before
the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1
Peter 1:18-20 (NIV)
- The reality is this - The blood of Jesus was shed for us before the creation
of the world, but was only revealed to us when Jesus was crucified on the
cross, died and rose again. Not even satan knew about the shed blood until
then. This truth, once understood, should have great implications for our
faith and victorious living over satan, sin and sickness.
-God already stepped into this future we celebrate today thousands of
years ago.
Firstly Peter makes it clear (in verses 18 and 19 above) that we are
"redeemed from the empty way of life by the blood of Christ" and that this
was accomplished "before the creation of the world" In other words, the
fall of mankind did not destroy God's purpose in creating mankind. God is
omniscient (all knowing) and nothing takes Him unaware nor is He
unprepared for any event. God does not go running after Satan trying to
sort out the mess he (satan) creates. Rather, the blood of Jesus has already
taken care of it.
Through the blood of Jesus, God has already stepped into the future. There
is nothing satan, sin or sickness can bring that the blood has not already
made provision for. Our redemption is in the blood. The blood is God's
answer to everything that satan throws at us. You can be sure that God has
made certain that the blood of Jesus has enough authority and power to
meet all mankind's needs. And you know what? Not even satan understood
the redemptive power in the blood until after the death and resurrection of
Jesus.
God is always stepping into the future for us before we ever realize it. He
paid the greatest sacrifice for us before we ever come into the
consciousness of our need for it.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
Stepping into the future – God’s Insurance policy for humanity
It is as if to say, God had taken out an insurance policy before creating
mankind. It is a fully comprehensive insurance that pays for all damages no
matter what, and even promises to ?restore back as new?. That insurance
is the blood of Jesus. The main strength of the insurance (just like any
normal insurance policy) is that it was taken out before the incident. That
is why it covers every thing. Jesus' death on the cross was not an after
thought by God, rushed through after the event (of mankind falling into
sin). No. It had been settled longtime before.
Decide to live your life with the knowledge that God through the
crucifiction, death and resurrection of Jesus stepped into the future to
settle us for eternity! The knowledge of this alone, when received into
our hearts can cause us to walk in the abundance of riches that
Christ's death made available to us, and help us to make the best out
of life.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday 22nd April 2019```

*Focus/Reflections:* Your future with God begins with an honest repentance from your past and accepting the gift of Jesus into your life.
Psalm 119:25-32

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, thank you that in times of struggle I can turn to you as far as the future is concerned, you have a path for me. Help me to run in the path of your commands.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday 23rd April 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* When you maintain a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Your long term future is totally secure.
II Thessalonians 1:1-12

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, thank you so much that my long-term future is secure and that I can know your presence into eternity. Help me to make the most of my life here. Amen

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday 24th April 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* Your future is one of hope, not harm. God has got you covered.
Romans 12:2.
Jeremiah 29:11

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, I Thank you that you have a great plan for me. Help me to walk in your paths and fulfill the purpose you have for me. Amen.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday 25th April 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* Regardless of what you are going through, God will tie up the loose ends. Romans 8:28

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, help me to live my life with the confidence that all things are working for my good even if it does not look so.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday 26th April 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* God is thinking about you right now! Not thinking merely as a member of the human race, but as an individual. I Peter 5:7

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, at times of doubt and uncertainty, help me to live with the fact that you think about me as an individual and love me so much.



Apologies for not posting this yesterday.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday 27th April 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* God will not abandon you. Just keep your trust in him. He has your best interest at heart. Matthew 7:9-11

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, no matter the challenges I am faced with in Life, help me to recognized that you got the best in stock for me.

STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE – Episode 2
THE PICTURE OF THE FUTURE
A Case Study of Joseph Jacob (Reference: Genesis 37,39-50)
Last weekend was an exciting prelude to our STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE
series – it is a very important foundation for us to lay. Crossing the line of
faith into believing that the death and resurrection of Jesus was a way of
God stepping into our future (both earthly and eternal) and settled
EVERYTHING is a foundational approach we need to have to step into the
future. We are stepping beyond religion into the realities of how God wants
us to live our lives. Let us consider the refernce for our focus:
Genesis 37:2-11 -
2 This is the story of Jacob. The story continues with
Joseph, seventeen years old at the time, helping out his brothers in herding
the flocks…And Joseph brought his father bad reports on them.
3-4 Israel
loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was the child of his
old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat. When his
brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to
hate him—they wouldn’t even speak to him.
5-7 Joseph had a dream. When he
told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said, “Listen to this
dream I had. We were all out in the field gathering bundles of wheat. All of a
sudden my bundle stood straight up and your bundles circled around it and
bowed down to mine.”
8His brothers said, “So! You’re going to rule us? You’re
going to boss us around?” And they hated him more than ever because of his
dreams and the way he talked.
9He had another dream and told this one also
to his brothers: “I dreamed another dream—the sun and moon and eleven
stars bowed down to me!”
10-11When he told it to his father and brothers, his
father reprimanded him: “What’s with all this dreaming? Am I and your
mother and your brothers all supposed to bow down to you?” Now his
brothers were really jealous; but his father brooded over the whole business.
- The future belongs to those who show and take responsibility
- Joseph took responsibility ….he could show “I don’t care” attitude.
Why is it difficult to sometimes take Personal Responsibility?
The 'rights' mentality: I demand my rights.
The 'victim' mentality: It's not my fault
The 'entitlement' mentality: I deserve it
- Stop blaming, stop complaining and stop giving excuses.
- Do not live a life of excuse…ultimately, you do not have an excuse for not
stepping into the future. The lazy man is full of excuses. “I can’t go to work!”
he says. “If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!”
Proverbs 22:13 (TLB)
- Do not allow the picture of the present (the good, the bad and the ugly) to
stop you from seeing the picture of the future.
At each time of Joseph Jacob’s life, he had a present/current picture that
could have held him back from looking forward to the picture of the future.

JOSEPH'S PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT PICTURES
-So loved by his Father He was hated and unloved by his
siblings
-He had a coat of many colours The coat was taken from him
-His father kept the picture of
his future in his heart.
-He was sold to slavery by his own
siblings
-He was successful and had
favour even as a slave.
-He was lied on by Potiphar’s wife.
-In the prison he also had favour
and given special treatment and
was made the leader.
-From slavery to prison (Now it
seems to be getting worse)
-He was successful with dream
interpretation
-He was forgotten by those that he
helped

To be able to picture the future, it is important not to be deterred or held
back by the pictures of the present (the good, the bad and the ugly). “That’s
why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or
dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only
remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but
don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or
rocks in the path are going to stop us?” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (MSG)
Your present moment or experiences do not in any way look like
what the future holds.
What is your picture of the future? –Take note that we have never
talked about “your future” but “the future”

STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE is not about you…the child, spouse,
family, or money you want to have. STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE is
about how your life will benefit humanity…Your life becoming an
instrument through which God will touch your world.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday 29th April 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* No matter what you are going through (the good, the bad and ugly), God is going to work it for your good. He got you covered.
Romans 8:28

*Notes/Prayers:* Father, help me not to get carried away by my challenges, but help me to realize that you have the ability to even use those negative experiences to work for my good.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday 30th April 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* It is important to take responsibility in any sphere of influence you find yourself.
Genesis 37:2

*Notes/Prayers:* Father I pray that you help me to be bold enough to take responsibility in any place I find myself. Help me not to focus on just my need but how to be a blessing to others.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday 1st May 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* Do not live a life of excuse. Ultimately, you do not have an excuse for not stepping into the future. Proverbs 22:13

*Notes/Prayers:* Father I ask in the name of Jesus that you help me to do away with every form of excuse that is holding me back from stepping into the future you have for me.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday 2nd May 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* Do not allow the picture of the present to stop you from seeing the picture of the future.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, help me to look beyond my present blessings or challenges. Help me to always see that the future holds bigger and better things for me.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday 3rd May 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* Press on when you seem tired or discouraged. Let the picture of the future motivate you. Phil 3:14

*Notes/Prayers:* In Jesus name discouragement will not hold me down. The future is great and I am stepping into it.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday 4th May 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE is about how your life will benefit humanity &God touching your world through you. Mat.6:33

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, help me to see my future beyond me, but to see how you want to use my life to bless humanity.

STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE – Episode 3
THE OPPORTUNITY COST OF THE FUTURE
A Case Study of Joseph Jacob (Reference: Genesis 37,39-50)
Last weekend we took a step forward in our STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE
series – as we considered “The Picture of the Future”. We saw how taking
personal responsibility for our life is critical to stepping into the future, we
also learnt that the realities of our present circumstance shouldn’t be a
prism through which see the picture.
Our reference of focus this week is from Genesis 39:1-12 (MSG):
After Joseph had been taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelites, Potiphar an
Egyptian, one of Pharaoh’s officials and the manager of his household,
bought him from them.
As it turned out, GOD was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He
ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master. His master recognized
that GOD was with him, saw that GOD was working for good in everything he
did. He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide.
He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to
him. From that moment on, GOD blessed the home of the Egyptian—all because of Joseph.
The blessing of GOD spread over everything he owned, at home and in the
fields, and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day.
Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master’s wife
became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, “Sleep with me.” He
wouldn’t do it. He said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master
doesn’t give a second thought to anything that goes on here—he’s put me in
charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he
hasn’t turned over to me is you. You’re his wife, after all! How could I violate
his trust and sin against God?”
She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her. On one of these days he came to the house to do his work and none of the household servants happened to be there. She grabbed him by his cloak, saying, “Sleep with me!” He left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house.

- To see the picture of the future come to fruition comes at a cost. Some
measures of self-imposed discipline, delayed gratification is required if we
must see our God-given dreams become a reality.

-Joseph Jacob is a good example of one who’s willing to sacrifice the comfort /pleasures of the present in a quest to secure the possibilities of the future. Joseph’s story offers great insight into how important it is to pay the price by giving up the seemingly appealing alternative the present
provides.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (TLB) 24 In a race everyone runs, but only one person
gets first prize. So run your race to win. 25 To win the contest you must deny
yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup,[a] but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. 26 So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or
playing around. 27 Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that
after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside.
Luke 14:28-30 (MSG)

Why it may be difficult at times to pay the price for the future?
 Uncertainty/Doubt about what the future holds. If the picture of the
future is not compelling, there may be inertia in taking the steps
necessary to secure the future.
 Fear of the unknown. Fear casts aspersion on the present; it also
breeds feelings of pessimism that stifles the possibilities of the future.
 Resigning to fate. This is often accompanied with words such as “what will be, will be”.
- The opportunity cost of the future is enveloped in words/ a mindset such as responsibility, strong commitment to learning and an investment of time, energy and other resources.
- The opportunity cost of the future awakens us to answer questions
such as: “What sacrifices will I make today to secure the future”?
“What will I trade-off in the present if I must lay hold of the good
tomorrow promises?
- There’s no such thing as stumbling into the future - stepping into
the future demands that our actions be deliberate, choices calculated and efforts synergized.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (TLB); Philippians 4:13 (TLB)
Hold fast to the truth that you’ve been armed with strength, blessed with
wisdom and provided with all that you will need to make the sacrifices necessary to secure the future. Whatever God calls to do, he provides the
means to get it done. You are not on your own.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday 6th May 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* God secured my future through Christ's death and resurrection. My Life is not a result of chance or coincidence; I am confident I have a future in Christ.
Jeremiah 29:11

*Notes/Prayers:*Father, help me to hold fast the truth that I have a future in you. I refuse to live in doubt and uncertainty about what tomorrow holds in Jesus name.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday 7th May 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* Do not allow fear of the unknown hold you back from taking the necessary steps to secure the future.
2 Timothy 1:7

*Notes/Prayers:* In Jesus name, I declare that I have power, love and a sound mind. I will not allow the fear of the unknown hold me back from stepping into the future.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday 8th May 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* What sacrifices am I willing to make, what investments will I make today if I must step into the future? Luke 14:28

*Notes/Prayers:* Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom and the will to do the needful in order to secure the future. Philippians 2:13.

```Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday 9th May 2019```

*Focus/Reflection:* There's no price too high to pay to secure the future. Phil 3:4-8

*Notes/Prayers:* In Jesus name, I will give my all to see my God-given dreams come true.

Focus for Daily Personal Reflections/Devotions for Friday 10th of May, 2019

Focus/Reflection
You have been provided with all that you need to step into the future. You're not without help. Phil. 4:13

Notes/Prayers
Lord Jesus, help me to harness every provision I have in Christ that will enable me step into the future. Amen.

Have a great day.

Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Saturday 12th May, 2019

Focus/Reflection
Stepping into the future is not by accident, chance or coincidence. It requires deliberate actions.

Notes/Prayers
Lord Jesus, help me to daily live in the consciousness that my today actions impact on my future. Help me by your Spirit to not be carefree with my life .

STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE – Episode 4
THE PATH TO THE FUTURE
A Case Study of Joseph Jacob (Reference: Genesis 37,39-50)

Last weekend was a great and reflective time as we continued the STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE series –considering “THE OPPORTUNITY COST OF THE FUTURE. We were reminded to always pay the corresponding price for the future we look forward to. Today, we are going to consider the characteristic nature of the Path To The Future. This will help us ensure we are taking the right steps into the future. We are going to examine an over view of Joseph Jacob path to the future as a case study of our today’s talk.
Genesis 37 (TLB)
8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.
18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” 21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father.
Genesis 39 (NLT)
10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house. 16 She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home. 17 Then she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me,” she said. 18 “But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!”
19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.

How would you respond if your family despised you so much that they arranged for you to be sold to a slave trader?
How would you feel if your boss, whom you had faithfully served with impeccable integrity, was quick to believe a lie about you and subsequently have you thrown into jail?
How would you feel if after standing for what you believe with respect to your faith and you expect God to show up on your case, but instead you were rewarded with prison?
How would you react if a friend broke a promise and as a result, you spent several years in confinement?
This was Joseph’s path to the future…it is a case study for us.
You can read the full account of his sufferings in Genesis 37–50.
In all these, God Had a Purpose…By Joseph’s own testimony, the sufferings of Joseph—physical, mental, and emotional agonies—had been allowed by God so that Joseph could fulfill God’s plan: to save many lives. “But as for you [Joseph’s brothers who had sold him into slavery many years previously], ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph Rejected Bitterness and Chose to Forgive…this is the path to the future.
As Joseph responded to suffering with faith, meekness, and humility, God molded and shaped a leader. And that leader would not only end up saving his betrayers’ lives, but he would fully forgive them and provide abundantly for their needs. Such is the potential when a man chooses to reject the empty revenge of bitterness and instead to embrace the benefits of suffering.
For the path that leads to the future, sometimes unpleasant things to us (Joseph)…our consolation is in Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Monday 13th May 2019

Focus/Reflections
ALL THINGS are working together for my good. For everything God permitted me to experience, they are working for my good.
Rom 8:28

Notes/Prayers
Father, help me to see beyond my let downs, disappointments and every unpleasant things of life. Help me to see you at work- working all things for my good in Jesus name.

Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Tuesday 14th May 2019

Focus/Reflection
No matter my life experiences, I reject the empty revenge of bitterness and unforgiveness.
Ephesians 4:31-32

Notes/Prayers
In Jesus name, I refuse to give room to any form of bitterness and unforgiveness. Holy Spirit help me to let go anyone I may be holding in unforgiveness. Amen

Have a beautiful day

Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Wednesday 15th May 2019

Focus/Reflection
Sometimes God allows some unpleasant situations so we can overcome a prideful attitude and learn humility.
Proverbs 15:33

Notes/Prayers
Lord Jesus, help me to learn humility in everything I go through. Give me the grace to overcome every prideful heart and attitude. Amen

Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Thursday 16th May 2019

Focus/Reflection
We can CHOOSE to trust God even as Joseph did. We are not to regard suffering as a strange occurrence.
1 Peter 4:12-19

Notes/Prayers
Lord Jesus, help me no matter what to put my trust and hope in you even when all seems crumbling down.

Where can I download it?

Hi Shepherd00, it's a weekly devotional that's why we post the updates here daily. It's an ongoing series. You can get all the past updates above or on our website- www.lifeportconnect.org
We believe you are being impacted here. Please keep following. We believe you will have an improved quality of life. Thanks.

LifePortConnect:
Hi Shepherd00, it's a weekly devotional that's why we post the updates here daily. It's an ongoing series. You can get all the past updates above or on our website- www.lifeportconnect.org
We believe you are being impacted here. Please keep following. We believe you will have an improved quality of life. Thanks.

Oh, it's not a movie?

Focus For Daily Personal Reflections/Devotion for Friday 17th May 2019

Focus/Reflection
The future I am working towards is not about my needs, but about impacting humanity.

Notes/Prayers
Father, help me to recognise that what you are calling me into is beyond me. Help me to see the global view of your plan for my life. Amen

Shepherd00:

Oh, it's not a movie?

Definitely not! It is a series from the true life story of Joseph the son of Jacob in Biblical times. Lessons learnt from here will help you in the preparation, planning and actually stepping into the great future you have. Thanks