Category: faith

Have you ever felt the fear of following Jesus? After all, the story of the resurrection and ascension seems impossibly crazy. How can a first-century Jew be the centre of human history? 

I appreciate that Jesus’ first followers were honest about their doubts and fears. They initially did not understand the resurrection and glory of their Lord. They had to be convinced that what they saw had really happened. At first glance, it wouldn’t seem like they would be the best candidates to continue the work Jesus had begun. 

But God chooses to use fearful, doubting followers to do great things. “You are witnesses of these things,” Jesus says to them. He commissions them to share the story of the Scriptures and especially the message of repentance and forgiveness. And to assure them that they will be able to carry out this immense task, Jesus says they will be “clothed with power from on high.” 

Today, Christ’s church still contains weak, doubting people. Perhaps you know the disappointment of living with failed relationships, a prodigal child, or a criminal background. As the ascended Lord, Jesus does not simply promise to walk alongside us in these trials; he fills us with “power from on high” to share his message of repentance and forgiveness.  

“Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, you know my weaknesses, doubts, and failures. Father, help me grasp the message of repentance and forgiveness. God, clothe me with power from on high so that I may serve you faithfully. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Today’s verse, found in James 1:2, is interesting because it has the phrase “when” instead of “if.” You see, some people think that life is going to be all roses and sunlight. But if I told you that, I would be speaking from a closed Bible. 

Whether you are a Christian or not, life guarantees one thing – difficulty. Someone once wrote, “Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional.” There will be trials, oppression, and misunderstandings. And even when you become a Christian, you do not become immune to these things. Trials are a part of life, but how Christians behave or think in response to these circumstances, is what determines misery.  

Today, reflect on the following. 

How are you responding this week to the difficulties in your life?  

Are you thankful for the opportunity to learn patience?  

Are you resentful for every hardship life has given you? 

You can tell the amount of faith in a Christian, by how much it takes to stop them serving God. Today remember “Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional.” Make your choice…  

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”James 1:2-3 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, You are our loving Creator who has instilled us with purpose. Lord, even though I stand in the promises contained in Your Word, I still have struggles I’m going through, which I am in desperate need of Your strength to overcome. Father, give me a resolute faith that endures all trials. That though I may bend under the weight, I will never break. God, give me faith that moves mountains and believes that You will give me what is best. Please give me divine focus so I won’t choose misery. I ask this 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, AMP).

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. 

Have you ever felt the fear of following Jesus? After all, the story of the resurrection and ascension seems impossibly crazy. How can a first-century Jew be the centre of human history? 

I appreciate that Jesus’ first followers were honest about their doubts and fears. They initially did not understand the resurrection and glory of their Lord. They had to be convinced that what they saw had really happened. At first glance, it wouldn’t seem like they would be the best candidates to continue the work Jesus had begun. 

But God chooses to use fearful, doubting followers to do great things. “You are witnesses of these things,” Jesus says to them. He commissions them to share the story of the Scriptures and especially the message of repentance and forgiveness. And to assure them that they will be able to carry out this immense task, Jesus says they will be “clothed with power from on high.” 

Today, Christ’s church still contains weak, doubting people. Perhaps you know the disappointment of living with failed relationships, a prodigal child, or a criminal background. As the ascended Lord, Jesus does not simply promise to walk alongside us in these trials; he fills us with “power from on high” to share his message of repentance and forgiveness.  

“Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, you know my weaknesses, doubts, and failures. Father, help me grasp the message of repentance and forgiveness. God, clothe me with power from on high so that I may serve you faithfully. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

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. 

Our God has consistently defeated the enemy, from Eden to Calvary, and will continue to till the second coming. One time this has been noted, was in the biblical story of Esther. The Jews had escaped Haman’s plot of destruction. Haman (the enemy) had fallen into the hole he had dug for others, and many of his followers were destroyed on the day decreed for the Jewish annihilation. That day was celebrated as the day of relief from the enemy. Not just a one-time celebration, Purim was to continue through generations. Feasting, joy, gifts to one another and the poor, marked this day every year, up to this very day among Jews. 

As Christians, we too observe a time of year when we remember the day the devil plotted Christ’s destruction and failed. And with great joy, we celebrate the day of Christ’s victory over God’s enemy. As instructed by Christ, we are to gather as often as possible at the Lord’s table to remember His gifts of body and blood, offered so all who believe in Him may live. Week by week and year by year, we Christians are reminded to be joyful because death nor the enemy no longer has any power over us. 

Throughout the year we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, for what God has done for us and continues to do through Christ our messiah. What a mighty God! And because of Calvary, the enemy has lost eternally. Today as Christians, let us begin to enjoy our eternal rest from the enemy, as we await the final return of the Lord Jesus. 

These days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants. — Esther 9:28 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I praise you, my God, for giving me relief and rest from the enemy. Hallelujah! Father, help me to be faithful and honour you by sharing this good news every­where I go. In Christ name, Amen. 

Whilst traveling, I often get confused by Christian congregations who look sad and miserable, as if they have no hope. Even in worship, our time to celebrate our God for who He is and what He has done, we take the non biblical stance of silence, uniformity and inaction. I remember after Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan scored a goal against Germany in the 2014 World Cup, he and his teammates did a coordinated dance step. When Germany’s Miroslav Klose scored a few minutes later, he did a running front flip. “Soccer celebrations are so appealing because they reveal players’ personalities, values, and passions”, says Clint Mathis, who scored for the US at the 2002 World Cup.

In Psalm 150, the psalmist invites “everything that has breath” to celebrate and praise the Lord in many different ways. He suggests that we use trumpets and harps, stringed instruments and pipes, cymbals and dancing. He encourages us to creatively and passionately celebrate, honor, and adore the Lord. Why? because the Lord is great and has performed mighty acts on behalf of His people, He is worthy of all praise. These outward expressions of praise will come from an inner wellspring overflowing with gratitude to God. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord,” the psalmist declares (150:6). Which is why we were created.

Today, Though we may celebrate the Lord in different ways, our praise to God always needs to be expressive and meaningful and should show personality, passion and value. When we think about the Lord’s character and His mighty acts toward us, we cannot help but celebrate Him through our praise and worship. How has this Psalm challenged you to be more expressive in your praise to God? Spend some time thinking about the greatness of the Lord’s mighty works. Then give Him your praise. Remember praise is the song of a soul set free.

Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe. (Psalm 150:4).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I lift you up and magnify your name with my mind, body and soul. Father I apologies and ask for your forgiveness for my lack of personality, passion and power while praising and worshiping You.  For allowing the things of this world and the enemy to still my praise for You. God today I pledge and declare that sin I will praise you with my whole heart as you created me to be. I come in agreement with your word “let everthing that have breath praise the Lord”. In your name, Amen.

As the world gets ready to celebrate the scariest time of the year “Halloween.” A time when evil is celebrated and instilling fear is the order of the day.  Friends, weather you like it or not in life, fear will come knocking at the door, selling you the worst case scenario, the devils “trick or treat “ Fear tells you, “You’re going to lose your job. Your marriage is over. Your business is falling apart. Your child is done. It’s all downhill from here.” When those thoughts come, you don’t have to buy in. You don’t have to accept those thoughts. Here’s the key: when fear knocks, let faith answer the door. Don’t give those thoughts of fear the time of day. Don’t let them intimidate you. Answer back with faith. “Lord, You said the number of my days You would fulfill. God, You said Your plans for me are for good and not evil. God, You said what’s meant for my harm You would turn around and use to my advantage.”
 
This weekend, don’t give into the pressure of the world or the devils lies. Keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, it’s like keeping the door locked on an intruder. Fear has no right in the life of a believer. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Remember, the battle is subtle for you and your children’s mind. The enemy is after your thoughts. Don’t give him the time of day; and Remember when fear knocks, let faith answer the door!
 
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV)
 
Pray With Me
yahweh, I thank You for Your Word which says that You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. This weekend and always I rebuke the evil spirit of compromise and fear, in Jesus name. I receive peace in my heart and mind and stand strong in faith knowing that the greater One lives in me than he that is in the world. Hallelujah! Father, I pray for great faith in my life today so that fear is driven out, in  Jesus’ name. Amen.

Early in the morning on Sunday I was awakened suddenly by an incident that made me very upset. Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, frustrated or offended. Maybe you had plans that didn’t work out, or someone was rude to you at the supermarket, or at the office. Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour and it ended up taking three.

Life is full of frustrations, but even though we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control our reaction. I heard somebody say, “life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond.” We should go out each day with a positive attitude, full of hope and expecting God’s favour. But at the same time, we should recognise that most days are not going to go exactly as we plan. Remember, we were created to live in peace. Peace is our position of power.

Today, if you get stressed because you got off schedule, or upset because your child wouldn’t eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, what you’re doing is giving away your power. Instead, make the decision to release those offenses and disappointments so you can live in peace, and enjoy the day as the blessing God prepared for you!

“Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11, AMPC)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I release all my care, concern, offence and disappointment to You. Father, I will do my best to keep the peace, even when life gets out of control and I get frustrated and angry. God, I won’t give away the power of peace that You have blessed me with. Help me have the right attitude at all times. I look forward to today knowing that You are with me, leading me into victory, in Jesus’ Name! Amen. 

Take a close look at your life. Can you see the “brand new thing” God is doing? Sometimes the storms of life can cloud our vision, but look closer and you will see the hand of God moving in many areas in your life.  

No matter what you’re going through or where you are in life today, focus on the fact that God is working, and there are positives to praise Him for and get excited about! You can trust that God is doing a new thing and a good thing, because He is faithful. His plan for you is good, great and generous, and He wants to give you a future and a hope. 

Today, ask the Lord to show you His good or new plan for you. Ask Him to show you the new thing He is doing. Set your mind on things above and let go of the old negatives. Take a step of faith and change your focus, embrace the blessing and victory God has in store for you! 

“For I am about to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun!…” (Isaiah 43:19, NLT) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Father, forgive me for not always realising it, even when it’s right before my eyes. God, I receive the promise of the brand new thing You are doing in my life even now. Lord, I open my heart and set my focus totally on You today and always, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

When you woke up this morning, God gave you a gift called “today,” and with that gift comes responsibility. I struggle with time management. Time is the most valuable commodity that we have in life. It’s more valuable than money. You can make more money, but you can’t make more time, once it’s lost – it’s lost! 

Scripture tells us to redeem the time and make the most of every opportunity. That simply means don’t let time go to waste. Don’t live this day unfocused, unhappy, negative or defeated. Make the most of every day. God has trusted you with life. He has breathed His breath into you. He has put gifts and talents on the inside of you. You have greatness inside of you. You have destiny, and purpose and an assignment to fulfill! 

Today, I encourage you to evaluate how you are spending your time. Refocus your life. Let go of any distractions. Shake off any self-pity, any negativity, any discouragement, any disappointments of the past, and run life’s race with purpose. Be careful how you live and use the time, so that you can fulfill the destiny God has for you. 

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Ephesians 5:15–16, NLT) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for today, I receive it as a precious gift. Father, I dedicate this day to You. I dedicate my mind, will and emotions to You right now. Lord, teach me not to waste today, but to use it to glorify You. God, please use me this day for Your purposes, and keep me on the path You have for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

When something is good, we often want as much of it as we can get. We want our glasses, bowls, bank accounts to overflow.  That’s how it is with God’s blessings, we all want more of God’s favour and goodness. The good news is we serve a God of abundance! He wants to pour out His blessing on you until you are so full that you are running over with His goodness. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you.” Therefore, your giving is what sets the blessing and the abundance of God into motion in your life. 

Your giving is like an apple seed. When you plant an apple seed, it doesn’t just grow a single fruit. That one seed grows into a tree that has an abundance of apples. The same thing happens when you obey God and give. You get an abundant harvest in return. You are so blessed that you can’t even contain it! You have to just keep giving, and the cycle just keeps repeating itself. 

Today, is there something the Lord is telling you to give? Maybe, it’s your time, food or funds. What do you have that you can use to be a blessing to someone else? Take a step of faith and set the blessing of God into motion. As you do, you’ll automatically open the door for His abundance to flow in every area of your life. Hallelujah! 

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap…” (Luke 6:38, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I receive Your Word into my heart today. Father, thank You for choosing to bless me so that I can be a blessing to others. God, please continue to send Your abundance into my life. Show me ways to bless others and teach me to receive all You have for me, so that I can show the world Your goodness. 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. 

When you become a Christian, you have certain privileges because you have surrendered your way and your will to Him, you are His. When you chose Him, God put a blood line around you that the enemy cannot cross. Hallelujah! As long as you keep God first place in your life, you have a hedge of protection, a hedge of favour, a hedge of mercy surrounding you like a shield.  

When difficulties come, God says that because you’re His child, because you honour Him, because you put Him first even when issues are formed in your life, in the end they well not prosper, it’s not going to harm you. God is going to turn it around and use it to your good. That’s your promise and privilege as a believer! 

Today, I’m not saying that you’ll never have problems. No, life is full of difficulties. The promise God is making to you is that when evil, issues and problems come against you, because you’re in a covenant relationship with Him, you can stay in peace, knowing that it is not going to prosper. God has already paved the way for you to live in victory in every area of your life! Hallelujah! 

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper…”(Isaiah 54:17, NKJV)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your many promises. Father, today I accept Your truth which sets me free and protects me from the enemy. Almighty God, I declare by faith that no weapon formed against me shall ever prosper, therefore I will not fear what man will seek to do to me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

It is said, the greatest need in our world today is peace. No matter what is going on in your life, the Lord promises that you can have peace. No matter what’s happening in your finances, in your relationships, or at work; nothing in this world can take His peace from you. Our part is to listen to what God tells us to do. 

You may be thinking to yourself, “God doesn’t speak to me.” But once you receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you become His. The Bible says that you are His sheep, and you can hear His voice, and the voice of a stranger you will not follow. The Lord speaks in many ways. First of all, He speaks through the Word of God. But sometimes, He speaks through the encouragement of a friend, or through a song, or in the beauty of nature. Sometimes it’s a simple “knowing” deep down on the inside of you in your spirit.  

Today, if you aren’t sure how God speaks to you, ask Him to send His Spirit to show you and to train you to listen. Open your heart today by faith so you can hear His voice. As you take time to be still and read God’s Word and listen, He will speak. He will reveal Himself to you and give you peace. Receive it! 

“I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people… (Psalm 85:8, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your promise of peace. Father, I open my heart to You and ask that You teach me to hear Your voice clearly. God, I have decided that I will listen, I will obey, and I will walk in Your ways, so when You speak I will know it’s You, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

With murders in the UK hitting an all time high, prisons are bursting at the seams, divorce is still over 50% and mental health is growing at an alarming rate. Oftentimes when life has challenges, the natural tendency is to seek comfort in things that are familiar. It may be drugs, work, an activity or relationships; and of course, we all know about “comfort eating.” But those things only bring temporary comfort.

I believe true comfort is only found in a relationship with Jesus. According to Webster’s dictionary, comfort means to give strength and hope; to ease grief or trouble. No matter what difficulty you may be facing today, God wants to bring you comfort. Like a mother cares for her child, He longs to give you strength, hope and confidence.

Today, turn to Him. Receive His love. Let go of things that would hold you back. Let God heal your heart and mind, let Him give you strength and comfort for the road ahead. Let Him empower you to rise up and overcome every obstacle in Jesus’ Name! 

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you…” (Isaiah 66:13, NIV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, I come to You today and invite You to fill my whole being. Father, please  heal my community. Give me and those that are mourning Your comfort and strength. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit during these challenging times, so that I can live in the victory You have planned for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.