As you plan for the future, watch your words! Your words have the power to make or break your future. With your words, you can either bless your future or curse your future. If you want to know what your life is going to be like five years from now, just listen to what you’re saying about yourself today. Too many people go around saying, “I’ll never get well”, “I’ll never get out of debt”, “I’ll never have a good marriage.” Then you wonder why you don’t see things turn around. It’s because you’re calling defeat into your future, you’re calling in mediocrity. Don’t let that be you!

Today, no matter how you feel, or what things look like, instead of using your words to describe your situation, use your words to change your situation. Make a declaration of faith by saying, “This is going to be a great day”, “I have God’s favour”, “He’s directing my steps.” When you do that, you are choosing to bless your future. You are calling in Godly favour, increase and opportunity. You are opening the door for God to move now and in your future, giving you the abundant life He has in store for you!

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (James 3:10)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the blessings You have prepared for me now and in my future. Give me the spiritual strength to change my “I will never” for “I will.” God, I submit my ways and my words to You. Help me to speak what You speak, and keep close to You. I give You the glory for a bright and abundant future, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Today’s verse in Ephesians, is a solemn reminder that our actions and attitudes can deeply affect our relationship with the Holy Spirit. To grieve the Spirit is to cause sorrow or distress to the very presence of God within us. This can occur in various ways:

Unforgiveness: Holding onto grudges and refusing to forgive others can create a barrier between us and the Spirit’s work of reconciliation and peace.

Bitterness and Anger: Allowing these emotions to take root in our hearts can quench the Spirit’s work of producing love and kindness.

Immoral Behaviour: Engaging in actions that contradict God’s moral standards can stifle the Spirit’s work of sanctification in our lives.

Disobedience to God’s Word: Ignoring or rebelling against the teachings of Scripture can hinder the Spirit’s guidance and wisdom.

Neglecting Spiritual Disciplines: Failing to pray, read the Bible, and fellowship with other believers can weaken our connection to the Spirit.

Today, as we reflect on our relationship with God, let us examine our lives for areas where we may be grieving the Holy Spirit. May we seek to cultivate a relationship with the Spirit marked by obedience, repentance, and a deep desire to honour God in all we do.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, please give us the wisdom to recognise every plan and plot from the pit of Hell, working tirelessly day and night to silence, quench or make us ignore the prompting of God The Holy Spirit. Father, please give us the Wisdom and Power to resist them as we continue to trust You and Your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Today’s promise in 2 Corinthians, stating that God has made us new, encapsulates the transformative power of our relationship with Jesus. In Christ, we are reborn, not just improved versions of our former selves, but entirely new creations. This transformation is more than a superficial change; it is a fundamental renewal from the inside out. The old ways of living, thinking, and behaving are replaced by a new life infused with God’s spirit and aligned with His will.

The phrase “old things have passed away” signifies a decisive break from our past. It’s a reminder that our former sins, failures, and mistakes no longer define us. Instead, we are defined by our new identity in Christ – one of redemption, restoration, and renewal.

Today as we navigate our daily lives, we must embrace our new creation reality, to truly live our lives to the fullest. Let’s live in the freedom and joy of our new identity, letting go of the past and stepping boldly into the new life Christ has given us. In Him, every day is an opportunity to experience and manifest this newness, impacting our world with the hope and grace we’ve received.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I receive Your transforming, renewing power in my life today. Father, I declare that I am a new creature in Christ Jesus, I am beginning anew with You today. Lord, help me to throw off everything that hinders me so that I may run the race and take the prize. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Has there been people in your life that have caused you trouble? Like the youth say, “they just keep getting in your face.” In the Bible, Hezekiah was faced with enemies coming against him, causing him trouble, trying to keep him from his destiny. But Hezekiah didn’t get upset. He just kept abiding, kept being faithful and putting God first. In 2 Kings, God said, “Hezekiah, I Myself will come against this enemy. He will receive word that he is needed at home, and I will cause him to want to return and he will be defeated.”

Today, when you abide in God, He says, “I Myself will come against your enemies. I Myself will come against that sickness. I Myself will come against those who oppose you.” It says God is the one who caused Hezekiah’s enemy to turn around. That means God can cause that unfair boss to take an early retirement. God can cause that neighbour that’s giving you so much trouble to decide to pack up and move. God can cause that classmate to be transferred to another school. No matter what’s coming against you, keep abiding in God. Put His Word first place in your life. Honour Him in all that you do. Let Him fight your battles, and bring you into the land of victory He has prepared for you!

“With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles…” (2 Chronicles 32:8)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I bless You and praise You today because You are good! Father, thank You for Your good and precious promises. I submit my ways to You, and vow to abide in You no matter what. I surrender my will to You, knowing that You are working in my life. God, thank You for fighting my battles as I keep myself in covenant with You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

There will come a day when the skies will open, and the entire earth will witness the return of Jesus Christ, just as it was foretold in the book of Revelation. This moment will be both beautiful and terrible, a scene of overwhelming brightness in the midst of a dark night, where the sky is filled with the hosts of heaven. Angels, too numerous to count, will flood the atmosphere with their light as they accompany the King of Kings.

As Revelation 1:7 declares: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.” People from every nation and tribe—Chinese, Japanese, English, African, French, and more—will look up. For some, there will be great joy, the culmination of their faith, the moment they’ve waited for with longing hearts. For others, it will be a time of fear, the realization that they did not prepare their hearts to meet the Lord.

In this awe-inspiring event, graves will burst open as the dead are raised, just as promised in Revelation 20:13: “The sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.” Those who have died in Christ will rise first, resurrected to eternal life, while others will face judgment. The waters will give up their dead, and people will emerge from the earth, resurrected to stand before the Lord.

Jesus Himself will stand in the heavens, His presence undeniable. The Bible describes Him in Revelation 1:14-15: “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” He will come not as the gentle Lamb, but as the righteous Judge, with a face like bronze and hair like wool, embodying the glory of God in human form.

The earth itself will shake as the power of His coming rocks the foundations of the world. Revelation 16:18 speaks of a great earthquake: “And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake.” All buildings will crumble, and every monument of human achievement will be laid to waste in the presence of the Almighty.

This is a scene of unmatched beauty and terror. It is the fulfillment of every promise God has made, the final victory of Christ over sin and death. For those who have believed and followed Him, it is the beginning of eternal joy in His presence. Revelation 21:4 offers hope: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” For those who have rejected Him, it will be a moment of fear and sorrow as they face the judgment of a righteous God.

As we meditate on this breathtaking moment, let us examine our hearts. Are we ready for His return? Will we be among those who look up with joy, or those who tremble in fear? Jesus invites us to prepare, to live each day in readiness for His glorious appearing. Revelation 22:12 reminds us: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

Let us live in the light of His coming, with hearts full of faith and hands ready to serve, knowing that the day of the Lord is near. His return will be both a beautiful and terrible event, but for those who belong to Him, it will be the beginning of eternal joy.

Every Christian is called to live lives that reflect the character of Jesus Christ. This calling comes with challenges. Paul’s words to Timothy remind us that godliness often invites opposition. Persecution is not an anomaly but a certainty for those who follow Christ wholeheartedly.

You may ask ‘why living a godly Christian life attracts persecution?’. The values and principles of the Kingdom of God often contrast the world’s ways. When we choose to walk in love, integrity, and truth, it can unsettle those around us who our lives may convict. Jesus Himself warned that if the world hated Him, it would also hate His followers.

Today, how should we respond to persecution? First, we should not be surprised or discouraged by persecution. Instead, see it as confirmation that we are walking the right path. God’s word encourages us to consider trials as opportunities for growth, developing  perseverance and maturity in our faith. At all times we must rely on God’s strength. Prayer, scripture, and fellowship with believers is crucial for staying strong. Remember “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Hold on to your faith. When opposition comes, let it drive you closer to Christ, knowing that you are part of a larger story of redemption and hope.

…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I come before you today, claiming the promise in your word that says, “…all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Father, I desire to live a godly life in you and I know that persecution may come my way. But I trust in your strength and your grace to help me endure and overcome any trials that may come. Lord, I pray that you would give me the courage and boldness to stand firm in my faith, even in the face of opposition. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you and to trust in your promises. Thank you for your faithfulness and for the reassurance that you are with me always. In Christ’ name, Amen.