When we ask God to change us or fix us and He begins to do a work in our lives, things can get a little uncomfortable before we see change, or whilst He is changing us. We may encounter people who are hard to get along with or experience circumstances that seem beyond our control. When this happens, instead of getting upset or complaining, just pause and say, “Lord, thank You for doing a work in me.” 

Did you know, God is more interested in changing you than He is in changing your circumstances? If you choose to stay sour because you’re not getting your own way, or if you get discouraged because things aren’t happening on your timetable, that’s going to keep you stuck, miserable and sad. 

Today, if you want to see change, if you want to see God open up new doors, the key is to bloom right where you’re planted. You can’t wait until everything gets better before you decide to have a good attitude. You have to be the best that you can be right where you are. When you bloom where you are planted, you’re allowing God to work in you, and He will be faithful to complete the change He started in you! 

“…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I thank You for doing a work in me. I’m not complete but I can see growth in my life. Father, I will align myself with Your plan, so I can bloom wherever You plant me. God, help me, by Your Spirit, to be an example of Your love and life everywhere I go, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

God wants to restore everything that’s been stolen from your life. He wants to restore your joy, your peace, your health and your finances. We serve a God of restoration! You may have had some disappointments or unfair things happen in your life; but don’t dwell on the past and live in defeat.  

Restoration comes by intentionally choosing to focus on His promises like today’s verse. Here’s the key; you have to believe you can be restored and have that vision printed in the forefront of your mind. You have to get your hopes up and decide to get your thoughts and words in sync, going in the right positive direction. 

Today, choose to focus on the future and release past hurts through forgiveness. Draw a line in the sand and say, “I am a child of the Most High God, and I’m not going to live my life negative and defeated. This is a new day, and I’m taking back what belongs to me. I will have  a restoration mentality!”

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” (Joel 2:25) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for restoring my life. Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word that sets me free. Almighty God, fill me with Your power right now, so that I can stand strong and move forward on the path You have for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Becoming a serious Christian, around 15 years ago, was the most liberating moment of my life. It was also daunting. A world that once was familiar now appeared foreign, simply because most people I knew were not free. However, I knew I would need a family of fellow believers, for strength and survival.  

With fervent prayer, I explored churches and prayer groups to find that “place” where I could flourish in my exciting liberating faith. It wasn’t long before one church spoke the word “home” to my spirit, as I was greeted by the senior pastor and others who had been shepherding the congregation for years. They took me under their wings and lovingly, became my spiritual family. I met other church members and enrolled in a bible study about who Jesus was and the dynamics of Christianity. Oh, and their prayer meetings were powerful. 

God continued to lead me in nurturing pathways to strengthen my beliefs. The members were the epitome of disciples. They accepted, taught, and counselled me. Their commitment to my Christian maturity was transformational and something I’m still emotionally grateful for, years later. This church’s love for God and diligence in seeing me grow was Jesus in action. Though things weren’t perfect, I know they still exuded the personalities of dedicated disciples within the great tapestry of God’s kingdom. 

Today as a follower of Christ, endeavour to mirror the same characteristics as a good disciple. Nurture, love, and pray in the power of the Spirit. As believers, this is our obligation. May we never hesitate to speak or act in the life of someone needing help and discipleship. 

“Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  (Galatians 6:10)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I desire to serve and honour you with my life. Father, grant me the heart of a dedicated disciple when encountering other believers who need guidance and love. God, please help me grow and mature spiritually as I seek to serve, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

Have you heard of the acronym WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)? Loving one another isn’t a matter of a warm, fuzzy feeling, weak knees and a pounding heart. It’s a matter of doing the right thing because that’s what Jesus would do. Sometimes, we do things Christ’s way, and it can result in unpleasant outcomes for us. Loving often calls for doing the unexpected. 

Living the WWJD life makes us disciples of Jesus. Therefore, love is not something we can just opt to do or not do. It is a command from our Master, who showed us how to love. If we are asked why we are show­ing love, we should answer, “Because we’re disciples of someone who loves us. We do it for Jesus’ sake.” We can only show love by the ­power of the Holy Spirit working in us. Then we’re able, like Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King, to serve Christ by loving and serving others. 

Today, loving “one another” is often challenging. It may call us to love the strong-willed child or an ageing parent or spouse angry with dementia. At home or church, it may involve loving someone who is always negative and critical. At work, it may be the co-worker claiming to be indispensable while barely doing their job. It may mean foregoing a new coat so that someone else can have one. The “one another” in our lives could be some­one we don’t even know, but who comes to love Jesus because of something we did. Whom will you show Jesus’ love to today? Remember, we do what Jesus Do… We love all.

These three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for loving me when I don’t deserve it. Father, help me to see others as you see them and do for them what you would do. Please help me to be a person who shows that I follow the example You gave me. All for Your glory and honour I love You, in Christ name, Amen.

As we move swiftly through this year It’s easy to get stuck in a rut on autopilot, doing the same things, with the same problems, the same struggles and on the same income. Because God is a dynamic God, He wants us to rise higher and continually grow and reach new levels. What I sense in my spirit, is that something massive is about to happen within the next year – not negative but exceptional; you will see promises come to pass; you will accomplish your dreams. It’s going to be a season of surprises; God will amaze you with His goodness! 

Is there an area in your life that you’ve struggled with? It seems like you just can’t get ahead. You need to get ready. This may be the year things are going to change. God is about to release His favour in a greater way in your life. You’ve sown the seeds. You’ve planted. You’ve watered. You’ve been faithful. Now you’re about to come into harvest.  

Today, as you think about the rest of this year and the next. Get ready and begin to declare with boldness, confidence, and faith, “This is my time for a breakthrough! This is my season! This is my ‘above and beyond’ moment, and I receive victory in Christ!” – Hallelujah! 

“Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory…!” (Judges 4:14) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Father, today, I choose to take the limits off my thinking and lift my eyes to You as I end this year strong. God help me to see the good things You have in store for my future. In Christ’s Name, Amen. 

Repeatedly I hear people say, “I just want to be happy”. Many people today don’t realize that the reason they’re not happy, the reason they’re not enjoying life, is simply that they’ve trained their minds in the wrong direction. They’ve trained their minds to worry. They’ve trained their minds to complain. They’ve trained their minds to see the negative. But just as you can form these negative mindsets, you can retrain your mind according to the Word of God and form godly mindsets. 

One of the keys to retraining your mind and developing a positive attitude is by learning to stay grateful. When you stay grateful, you are focusing on what’s right rather than what’s wrong. The seed of the Word takes root in the good ground of your heart. This doesn’t happen automatically; you must discipline yourself. You must make a conscious effort every single day, until a good habit is formed. 

Today remember, when you live with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you are shielding yourself from the attacks of the enemy. The seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart. Neither can bitterness, envy, or strife. So, retrain your mind and be empowered with His strength to overcome in every area of your life! 

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I surrender my thoughts and mind to You. Father, help me retrain my thoughts so that they are in line with Your Word and Your will. God, show me how to have lasting happiness no matter how things turn out. I claim joy over sadness and contentment over confusion. I choose to have an attitude of faith and expectancy. Thank You for empowering me to live the life You have for me, in Christ’s name. Amen. 

As I look back over my life, all my sins and shortcomings led to, and still lead to, difficult times of depression, loneliness, self-blame and ongoing sin, and sometimes it becomes hard to minister thinking of all the hurt I have caused myself, others and God.

Just recently, after reading the daily lesson and powerful books by Joyce Meyers and Beth Moore, I realised that all of my sins and hardships have all served as preparation for ministry and service. This could be the bio of Abraham, David, Solomon, Paul, Peter and many more. Today, I think that these shortfalls and sins, some of which still haunt me till this day, are my real CV for ministry, not my BA in Religion and my certifications in substance abuse counselling, but in my weakness, God has become strong, and out of that strength God has given me a testimony that has helped thousands of people around the world. Hallelujah!!

If you are going through a storm, my word to you is to hold on, don’t give up. If God brought me through, He will bring you through. The Word of God says He will never leave you and, in your weakness, He is made strong. And even though you may have caused your own pain, Isaiah 61:4-8 says God will use it for ministry, and make your ministry achieve double.

Today, if you are feeling broken there’s only one way to be filled. Stay under the tap of the Holy Ghost! The moment you leave the tap you will not be filled with His power. God wants to fill you all day, every day. You are not bad, you are weak, and God still can, and will, use you, because it shows that He is bigger than your trial, and stronger than the devil and man. It’s time to rise above the opinions of man and turn your eyes upon Jesus.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion… (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I thank You for loving me, after knowing what I’ve done and what I will do, and I thank You for my friends that will receive freedom from these words. Father, I don’t want to keep on hurting and being hurt. Help me to hate my sins, and to daily wash in Your blood. God, thank You for not leaving me when everybody else thought I was too filthy. Help those who don’t understand how You can still use broken, stained and sinful people. You are awesome. Thank You. I LOVE YOU! Amen. 

Law and love are nicely united in today’s scripture. The word of God that we are called to obey, is the law of God. When we obey it, God’s love is made complete in us—because we are living by God’s law of love.

This is pleasantly simple, and circular. What shall I do? Whatever the law says I should do. How shall I show my love for God? By obeying the law found in God’s Word. What happens when I obey God’s law? The love of God is made complete in me.

Seen in this way, the Christian life is not mysterious. We don’t have to wonder and fret about what God’s will might be. We can find directions in the Word of God, especially in His law. We may have to examine which words apply to our actions, but the directions are always there for us. Does our question have to do with honesty, fidelity, or our use of time? The law of God has directives for these and other circumstances.

Today, do you know someone who truly seems full of the Spirit of Christ? I’ll bet that person isn’t a lawbreaker. I’ll bet that person has long understood that obeying God’s law is a simple and direct way of getting close to God. What about you? Has God’s law of love been made complete in you?

If anyone obeys [God’s] word, God’s love is truly made complete in them. (1 John 2:5)

Let’s pray

Yahweh, help me to obey you. Help me not to question what you might want from me when I already know it. Show me wonderful things in your law that direct me to act with love for you and others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The greatest gift God has given us is to believe. If you believe and obey God’s Word, you will be successful. If you believe and obey God’s Word, you can overcome your past. If you believe and obey God’s Word, you will reach your God-given destiny. There is incredible power in what you believe, which leads to obedience.

What you believe is greater than your circumstances, greater than your trials, greater than your medical report, and greater than your bank account! When you believe what He says about you, then what you believe will supersede any natural law. I have a friend that came to Oakwood University with nothing but the clothes on his back. He graduated with his BA on time, MA a year later, then went on to get his PhD. Today, he is one of the world’s best motivational speakers, speaking to millions and motivating the players and staff at the NFL and NBA.  Against all odds, he believed he could do what God placed in his heart.

Today, nurture your belief by dwelling on His Word. As you get the Word of God in your heart, greater faith will come to you. Your, belief will grow, strengthen and will rise up in you, empowering you to take hold of all the blessings God has in store for you!

“…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word of truth which sets me free and gives me  a greater belief in my heart for You. Father, I lift up my eyes to You and ask You to strengthen my belief. God, I turn my focus toward Your Word, and invite You to have Your way in may mind, body and soul, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

According to Jesus, adultery is not only the act of having sex outside of marriage; it is also something you do in your mind. Job, who understood this, had said, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl”. Job knew the danger of his heart being led by his eyes (Job 31).

David allowed his heart to be led by his eyes when “he saw a woman bathing”; he saw that she “was very beautiful,” and then he sent for her and “slept with her” (2 Samuel 11:2-4). David first committed adultery with his eyes and then with his body.

While recognizing that sexual attraction between a man and a woman is a gift from God, we must remember that looking lustfully at another person is a sin against that person and against God. As a pastor, I have seen the destructive results of sex outside of marriage and the bitter, high price people have paid for a few moments of selfish pleasure.

Today, how do we deal with secret sin? Jesus says, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away… And if your right-hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” With the use of shocking descriptions here to get our attention, Jesus is saying we should not let our eyes lead our hearts, and we should not let our hands do what is wrong. Whatever hinders us from yielding obedience to God which he requires in his law, ought to be cut off.” However, Jesus is pressing us to think through what must be cut off in order to eliminate disobedience to God.

“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, you know the secrets of my heart. Father, You know my weaknesses and failures. Let my eyes look to you alone, and let my hands do your will. Help me eliminate any sin that will separate me from loving you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How do we honour God? Or do we? A lot of times people think, “oh, I go to church to honour God. I read my Bible to honour God. I sing and clap in worship to honour God.” And yes, those ways do honour God, but did you know that you also honour God when you get to work on time? You honour God when you are productive each day, and respect and treat people with love. You honour God when you excel despite life’s struggles.

Actions speak louder than words. When you give of your very best in the workplace, at school or while playing sport, you’re giving praise to God. Having a good attitude, friendly, organised, being your best—people will notice there’s something different about you. They’ll want what you have.

Today, as believers, we should set high standards in all areas of life. People should see the depth of your character and your spirit of excellence, and know that you are a child of the Most High God. Today, make the decision to honour Him in all that you do, because you are His representative, His hands and feet on  the earth.

“Remind people to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work.” (Titus 3:1)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I choose to honour You in all that I do. Father, I choose to set the standard and do my very best in all areas of life. God, I thank You for the privilege of being Your representative. Please help me show Your love and excellence in everything I get involved with today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Do you see every day as a blessed gift from God? As I listen to the news and all the unexpected and senseless deaths that happen each day, many times when we hear this, we may be tempted to brush it off and say, “Yeah, yeah, I know”. But it made me start thinking – every day is special – truly it is! God ordained this day before the foundation of the earth. He has already ordered blessings for you. He has already orchestrated the right opportunities for you. He has already made the right connections for you. On top of that, the air you breathe, the food you eat, and the sunshine on your face are all part of the great blessing that God gives us daily.

Today remember, we’re not promised tomorrow, so why waste a single moment living life defeated and depressed? Our attitude should not be, “I hate going to work, I hate my job, my kids are stressing me, I wish I never got married, I’m tired of life.” It should be, “Praise God I have a job so I can take care of my family. Praise God for being able to bare children, they are a gift from Him. Father I give you my  marriage and my life, I trust You that all things will work together for my good.”  See every opportunity as a gift and praise God for it. Count your blessings and watch Him multiply them exceedingly all the days of your life!

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” (Proverbs 27:1)

Let’s Pray 

Thank You Yahweh, for giving me this wonderful day. Father, I have decided not to complain but to praise You. Thank You for every blessing You have prepared for me today. Lord, I even thank You for the hard lessons I must learn today. God, I receive the gift of this new day. Strengthen me with Your joy and fill me with Your peace as I keep my mind stayed on You. In Jesus’ name! Amen.

The woman at the well met Jesus. He could have easily come up with some excuses to avoid her. For example, a Jewish man like him was not supposed to associate with a Samaritan woman. Also, as Jesus himself knew, she had been married five times (John 4:18)—and because the ­divorce law gave only husbands the right to divorce, that meant she had been left and rejected five times. As a result, she was an outsider in her community, a woman with a checkered past.

But Jesus asked her for a drink of water. He ­allowed her to serve him water, and then he also offered her a much greater gift: the living water of eternal life. Afterwards, many other people in her community believed her story about Jesus and started to follow him too (see John 4:39-41).

Today, as he did for the woman at the well, Jesus still approaches people who feel like outsiders, and he shows compassion and love. To you who are thirsty for acceptance: Jesus is the one who can quench your thirst.

Jesus answered, “. . . Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

Let’s Reflect

Do you have things in your past that you would ­rather forget? Do you have things that other people have held against you, assumed about you, or used to keep you on the outside? Give It to God.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, help me to drink the living water of eternal life that you offer, that I may thirst no more. Father, satisfy me always with your caring love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s verse is one of my all-time favourites. It begins with asking us to Trust in the Lord with all our hearts, which calls us to a faith that goes beyond the intellectual. It’s a deep-seated trust that permeates every aspect of our lives. This trust challenges us to relinquish our reliance on our own limited understanding and to fully embrace God’s wisdom and sovereignty.

The next part of these verses admonishes us to “Lean not on our own understanding”. This is an invitation to acknowledge the limitations of our human perspective. It’s a call to seek God’s wisdom in all situations, especially when circumstances seem perplexing or challenging.

The final part is a promise that God will make our paths straight. This is not an assurance of a problem-free life, rather, it is a guarantee that when we submit our ways to Him, He will guide us towards His best for us. Straight paths represent a life guided by God’s wisdom and purpose, marked by clarity and direction.

Today, in our daily journey, we need to embrace this call to trust in the Lord and to seek His guidance. It’s time to lay down our plans and understanding at His feet and allow His wisdom to lead us. In doing so, we find peace and assurance, knowing that we are walking in the path God has set for us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, you are perfectly faithful in everything you do. You show your faithfulness to me in caring for me, protecting me, and providing for my needs. Forgive me for the times I question you, grumble about my circumstances, or turn my back on you. I want to be like Moses and trust you even when I’m feeling unsure and my confidence is shaky. Show me one small way I can trust you today. I want to declare your faithfulness with certainty to those around me, so they will put their faith and trust in you. Show me who I can encourage today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For me spring is better than winter. God has ordained seasons in your life. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable. When that happens, we have to submit our plans to Him and trust that He has a better plan. Understand that in God’s kingdom, every season is not harvest.  

Every season is important and contributes to the harvest. There are ploughing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. And sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase, but without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. It’s during the ploughing seasons when God’s bringing issues to light that we need to deal with.  

Today, God is getting us prepared for life’s promotions. If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position by keeping an attitude of faith and expectancy, even when it’s hard, it’s just a season change. So keep ploughing by speaking the Word daily. Keep watering by praying and claiming God’s promises. As you do your dreams will come true, and you will receive the harvest God promised you! 

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in all seasons of my life. Father, I trust that my harvest time of increase is coming, and I choose to remain faithful while planting, ploughing and watering. God, I submit all my ways to You today, trusting that You have the best plan for my life. Almighty God, I love You and praise Your name today and always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

I struggle with waiting and at times I find it very frustrating. However, the saying goes “good things come to those that wait.” Are you waiting for God to do something in your life? One thing I’ve learned is that waiting should not be passive and boring. When we’re waiting the correct way, we’re on the lookout. We talk like what we are believing is going to happen. We act like it’s going to happen. We’re making preparations. 

Today, think about that first dinner date. You’re so excited that you can’t sit still. You don’t wait until they show up before you decide to start cooking. You start early, you make sure the house is clean, you go to the grocery store and maybe buy some flowers for the table. You make preparations whilst waiting because you’re expecting someone special. Well, that’s the attitude we need to have while we’re waiting for God’s promises to come to pass. As you put actions behind your prayers, your faith comes alive and opens the door for God to move mightily on your behalf. 

“…faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20) 

Let’s Pray  

Yahweh, today I will put actions behind my faith, trusting that You are at work in my life. Father, teach me to wait on You the right way – with expectancy – knowing that You are leading me into the path You have for me. In Christ’s Name! Amen.