The Way Back – Get Your Christian Life Back On Track
Is your life spinning out of control? Is your life heading in a direction that you don’t want to go? We all have days when we feel life is out of control. Oftentimes, this happens when we allow our circumstances to dictate our thoughts and attitudes. You might say, “the economy is wreaking havoc on my business,” or “this relationship is just too far gone.” But I say, today is the day to take your life back!
You may ask how? You take your life back by choosing to take your thoughts back. Even though we live in this natural realm, as believers, we are not limited by this natural realm. We can tap into God’s power by making every thought line up with the Word of God. We don’t have to let circumstances control us. Instead, meditate on His Word and let the truth in His Word give you the strength to take your life back and set you free!
Today, It’s time to take your life back from life’s circumstances. As you take captive every thought, and boldly declare God’s promises over your life, you are setting yourself up for victory. You are positioning yourself to partake of His blessings. You are taking your life back and positioning yourself to embrace the abundant life He has prepared for you!
“”¦take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for empowering me to live in victory today. Father, I will take my life back by taking captive every thought and submitting it to You. God, help me live a life that is pleasing to You, despite the daily pressures I face today and every day, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
How Christians Can Experience Deeper Rest
As I come to the end of a 2 week revival at Reading Central, preaching each night and then driving an hour and a half home, I’m shattered and in need of rest. Then I read today’s verse and shoutedhallelujah! In principle it says, God wants to give you rest. He wants to refresh and restore your soul–your mind, your will and your emotions. It’s so easy to get caught up in the “busyness” of life, and before long, your mind, will and emotions are so “tiredand weary” that you can barely think straight! But even in the hustle of life, you can find rest, ease and relaxation.
Friend, God wants you to enjoy your life. That’s why He tells us to come to Him. God wants to take care of everything that concerns you, so that you can find rest in your innermost being. Imaginehow you would feel if someone came up to you today and said, “give me all of your monthly bills; I’m going to pay them.” You’d get pretty excited, wouldn’t you? But it wouldn’t happen until you did your part to actually hand that person your bills. They can’tpay them for you if you never release them. In the same way, when we release our cares and concerns to God, He promises to take care of them.
Today, stop holding on to things you need to release. Things that are zapping you of your spiritual energy. Things that are making you weary and heavy, and choose to release your cares to the Lord.Let Him fill you with His peace and joy. Receive the rest that He promises, and enjoy the fulfillment and blessings He has for you!
“Then Jesus said, ‘come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28, NLT)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I humbly come to You. Father, I cast my cares on You so that I can live in Your rest. Thank You for caring and loving me. I am in awe of Your goodness to me. God, help me find waysto rest in You and release my burdens into your hands, so that I can share Your goodness with those around me in a powerful and effective way, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Life is tough, and the burdens it hands you can be so hard to bear. But you don’t need to carry them alone. Read the promises of God ”¦
1. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). God is glad to carry your burdens and give you the daily strength you need.
2. “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6). It’s not God’s will that you should be crushed down with excessive burdens; let Him free you today.
3. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28—30). Jesus will remove your heavy burden of guilt and hopelessness and give you true rest in Him.
4. “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’” (Isaiah 41:13). God promises to support and help you through every trial.
5. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6, 7). Just knowing your heavenly Father cares about you personally can make any load seem lighter.
6. “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4). The Lord desires to constantly support you throughout your life, with the intention of saving you eternally.
7. “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom” (Isaiah 40:11). The Good Shepherd will gladly bear you in His gentle arms right now.
8. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). If you belong to Him, God will always listen when you call to Him for help.
9. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Through faith His strength becomes yours, and He reaches out to keep you from falling.
10. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). When God has lightened your burdens, He asks you to do the same for others.
Why not come to Jesus today and allow Him to relieve you of your heavy load?
‘Keep walking and don’t get comfortable,’ Jesus said
Based on today’s verse, do you feel at times you’re walking through the valley of the shadow of death? This is referring to life’s tough times when you’re at breaking point, and evil is all around you, and fear steals your faith.
During these tough times, it’s easy to get discouraged. I love what it says in the verse, “though I walk through”¦” So no matter what evil you are facing today, know this: you are not alone, and you are just walking through. You don’t have to stop and live in the tough times, just keep walking through. They are only temporary. Hallelujah!
Today, don’t allow fear to paralyse you in the middle of “the valley of the shadow of death.” Remember, God is with you. He is walking beside you. He is strengthening you. He is making a way of escape for you. He is lining up people and situations to bring you out of that tough place into a place of strength and victory. Don’t give up! Press on and walk through, staying focused as you walk. Have a vision of your life on the other side of the valley. See yourself more loving, more faithful, stronger and more blessed than ever before. As you keep moving forward and walking through, you will get to the other side and experience the victory God has for you!
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me…”
(Psalm 23:4, NKJV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness toward me. Father, thank You for walking with me in the hard times of life when I feel like giving up and giving in. God, I won’t stay or stop in my negative, discouraging or evil trial, I will keep walking forward keeping my eyes on You. I trust that You will carry me and care for me as I go through my valley, to a place of victory and strength, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Bible Verses about Walking with God and Jesus
We can find many references in scripture of “walking with God and Jesus,” beginning with God coming down in the cool of the evening to walk with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8). Other references include:
– “…because you have saved my life from death, saved my feet from stumbling, so that I can walk before God in the light of life” (Psalm 56:13 CEB).
– “The people who know the celebratory shout are truly happy! They walk in the light of your presence, Lord!” (Psalm 89:15 CEB).
– “Come, house of Jacob, let’s walk by the Lord’s light” (Isaiah 2:5 CEB).
– “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2 CEB).
In addition, just a few of the many passages found in the New Testament are given in John 8:12, John 12:35-36 and 1 John 1:7.
A God Greater Than Google
Most drivers these days have some kind of navigation system, whether on their phone or built into their car. I use Google on my phone, I just have to programme it to take me to a certain location and it will take me there, as long as I follow the directions given.
The announcer will give me instructions like, “turn left in a quarter of a mile. Take this freeway three miles. Exit in one mile.” But sometimes I don’t follow the directions. I may miss a turn, stop to get gas or go the wrong way. The announcer doesn’t come on and start yelling at me and say, “what are you doing? I told you to turn left! You ruined my plan.” No, the moment I get off course, the navigation system immediately starts recalculating and rerouting in a few seconds, and it will give me new directions.
Today, God is like our navigation system; google maps, etc. He has a plan for you to get to your destination. He has directions and a path that is best for you when you commit your heart to Him. However, you may mess up on following His directions, miss an exit or make a wrong turn, but praise God, in less than a second He recalculates another route. He’s still going to get you to where you’re supposed to be. Listen to Him and follow His instructions as He announces them in His Word, and you will arrive at your God-given destiny. Remember, He loves you with an everlasting love. When you seek Him with your whole heart, no matter where you are in life, He’ll get you back on track! Hallelujah!
“Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.”
(Psalm 25:4, NKJV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, show me Your path; teach me Your ways. Father, my heart’s deepest desire is to know You and to be known by You. Help me stay on track, and when I make a wrong turn or go the wrong way, please get me back on track and recalculate my life and reroute my mind, so I can get to my God-given destination. God, You are my King, and I humbly submit my ways to You. Thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Maybe God Doesn’t Want You To Be A Super Hero
I was talking with some children about their dreams. Some wanted to be football players, actors or actresses, super heroes and firemen. But most of the time, those dreams end up just being wishful thinking. As we get older we grow out of them.
We all have dreams as children, but when we grow up, we have to know the difference between a God-given dream and a wish. Beyond our wishes, we all have dreams placed inside of us by the Creator of the universe. In fact, the Latin word for “desire” means “from the Father.” One way to tell if a dream is really from God, is that the desire won’t go away. You may have had it for years, but you still can’t let it go. In fact, you may have tried to let it go, but it won’t let go of you.
Today, search your heart to know the difference between a play dream of your childhood, and the dreams and desires placed in you by the Creator. Allow those God-given dreams to surface, remembering He placed those desires inside of you for His purpose and your success. Ask Him to order your steps as you embrace the destiny He has in store for you!
“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.”
(Proverbs 16:9, AMPC)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for the dreams and desires You’ve placed within me for Your purpose and my success. Father, show me the difference between my childhood dreams, and what You want for my life. I submit them to You and ask that You direct my steps. God, search my heart, and cause my thoughts to become agreeable to Your Word and the plan You have for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
In a series of photos, titled “White Ebony,” Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko challenges stereotypes about people with albinism.
Renewal, Of People Of God – Knowing Jesus
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.
Ephesians 3:16.
Have you ever heard the phase – you’re living on borrowed time? Meaning living after the time you would have expected to have died. Well, there is some truth to the saying as we are all living in probationary time.
However, isn’t it wondering that Jesus has paved the way and that those who truly and earnestly desire eternal life and strive for it with desire and effort should have it. What a comfort it is to know that the Lord wants us in His family above.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
(John 3:16)
We need to cherish and exercise faith. Our faith must work. We must have that faith that works by love and purifies the soul. The leaven has a vital energy, penetrating and absorbing all the elements into which it is introduced. So likewise, the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
The Word of the Lord is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. The Word is a power as we practice it. The great change that the truth makes is inward. It begins in the heart, and works outwardly. With the heart, man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. “Burnt offerings and sacrifices thou wouldest not.” The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. God is not pleased with false pretence.
We should hide in Jesus Christ and trust in His love. We should believe day by day that He loves us with a love that is infinite. Let nothing, absolutely nothing discourage you, and make you sad. Think of the goodness of God. Recount His favours and blessings hallelujah.
I am labouring constantly in writing and speaking. The Lord has been my very best Friend, and you can testify the same.
Let the praise of the Lord Jesus Christ the be ever in your hearts and in your minds and upon your lips. In this way you can magnify the truth. The Holy Spirit will witness with your spirit that you are indeed children of God. Be of good courage; Jesus is our personal Friend and Saviour. He loves us, and if He notices the little brown sparrow, how much more will He love and care for us. The memory grows weak when it is not exercised. So will our faith and hope and courage become feeble unless we look unto Jesus with all the confidence that a little child looks to its mother. By beholding Him, we become changed into His righteousness. Let not one thought of unbelief be woven into your religious experience.
The Lord will be our efficiency and exceeding great reward. Amen
World Afro Day: More than 8000 school children from across the world joined together in a celebration of hair, identity and equality
Children from across the world are being educated about afro hair through The Big Hair Assembly.
Seven years old UK child hair influencer, Farouk James was joined by 11 years old Child Influencer Celai West (USA) and 10 years old Angel Noor (Netherlands) for a child takeover of the natural hair movement.
The event took place at schools around the globe on Friday, ahead of World Afro Day on Sunday.
The awareness day aims to celebrate afro hair, and change negative attitudes towards afro hair.
The assembly was to launch World Afro Day in schools and builds on the record breaking World Afro Day, celebrations, which are endorsed by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The event, was streamed live around the world as well as with global media coverage.
Sin, Happiness, and Breaking Out of Spiritual Boredom
Just recently some youth were sharing with me how boring their life has become. I shared this simple but honest truth, “anything can become routine if we let it. Anything can feel mundane after a while.”
Not long ago, a young lady was speaking to me about how exciting my life must be. Speaking around the world, for over fifteen years. You’re on radio and TV. She said “Pastor Ray I wish my life was as exciting as yours, your life seems far from routine, mundane or boring, far from ordinary.” I said, “no, it’s not what you think. Although I feel grateful to God for all He has done, it does get lonely, boring and even mundane. I travel all the time, always on the road, in hotels, eating out, away from family, and at times I look away from all the miracles and blessings and start feeling down and bored.” I was excited about ministry when I first started.
Today, there are probably things in your life that you were once excited about. When God opened the door and gave you that dream job, or that promotion, you were so excited. You called your friends, posted it on facebook, you knew it was God’s favour. Well, don’t let the passion wear off just because you’ve had it five years! When you met that person and fell in love you were on cloud nine. You knew it was God’s goodness. Don’t take it for granted, don’t get bored or allow it to become mundane. instead remember what God has done! Stir up the joy in your heart. Stir up praise. Thank Him for His faithfulness, and let your attitude of gratitude pave the way to live the life of blessing He has for you!
“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered.”
(Psalm 105:5, ESV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, right now I take time to remember and acknowledge Your goodness in my life. Father, I praise You because You are good. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for setting me free from spiritual boredom. Help me to always remember Your wondrous works and miracles. God, I thank You for pouring out Your blessings on me, and leading me into an exciting future, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Tradition Is Cancelled
In the Bible, the children of Israel needed water, and God told Moses to strike a rock. He struck the rock, and water flowed out freely. Another time they needed water, and God told Moses, “speak to the rock.” Do you know what Moses did? He went over and struck the rock. He thought, “hey, it worked last time. It’ll work this time.” But it didn’t. God had a different plan. Have you ever tried something and got the results you wanted, and then tried the same thing again and got different results? This is what happened to Moses.
The point is that we have to make adjustments to stay in sync with God’s plan. You can do the same thing the same way you did last time and get different results. You can pray and anoint for someone’s cancer to be healed like you did before,and this time nothing happens, or it may not be something major, but like Moses, maybe it’s just something small. Sometimes a small tweak, or a small adjustment can make a major difference in the outcome of God’s plan for your life.
Today, make sure you aren’t doing things just because it’s the way you’ve always done it. Traditions are good at times, but may have an expiration date, and may not be God’s will for every situation. Instead, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit of God inside for every obstacle or challenge. Follow His leading and stay in sync with the wonderful plan He has for you!
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
(Proverbs 16:9, NIV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, I submit my mind, will and heart to You. Father, Help me not to take You for granted, but to stay in sync with Your Word and will. Help me not to trust my spiritual human tradition, but see clearly what Your plan is for me. God, Help me to listen to Your spirit and stay close to You always, not living in the traditions of the past, but always staying in sync with You, pressing forward to the new things, or the different things You have in store for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
DIVINE FAVOUR
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.” Every one of us can say that in our lives God has been good to us. We’ve all experienced God’s favour at some point in our life. He has protected us, promoted us and opened doors for us. That’s favour. But I believe in the coming days, weeks and months, God wants to show us immeasurable, unlimited favour, that’s favour like we haven’t seen before.
In today’s Scripture below, Paul said that in the “ages to come,” we would see “the immeasurable, unlimited, surpassing the greatness of God’s power.” Paul wrote this passage ages ago, however, I believe that we are now living in the “ages to come” that Paul was talking about. I believe you and I are going to see God’s powerful, immeasurable, unlimited favour!
Today, the words “immeasurable and unlimited” mean “uncalculated, unmatched, unparalleled, unpredictable, unprecedented and with no end.” In other words, you may have seen God’s favour in the past, but you need to get ready. You haven’t seen anything yet. What God has in your future is going to be bigger, better, greater! He is going to show you His goodness in ways you’ve never seen before. Keep standing, keep praying, keep putting Him first, and watch His favour undo every negative area of your life! Hallelujah!
“And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe.”
(Ephesians 1:19, AMPC)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for allowing me to live in this day and age where daily I see Your miracles and favour. Father, I believe that You created me for such a time as this. God, I bless You, praise You and magnify You, for all that You are, and do, in my life. I receive Your immeasurable and unlimited favour, as I serve You with my whole heart, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Scriptures On God’s Favor
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16—17
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, Ephesians 1:7—8
You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit. Job 10:12
And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, Genesis 39:3—4
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:5—6
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:22—23
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46—47
”¦ For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. Romans 5:15
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3
For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14
How the God of All Comfort Can Help You
We live in a world of temporary comfort. Oftentimes when people face challenges, they seek comfort by surrounding themselves with things that may seem familiar or pleasurable, like alcohol, cigarettes, illicit drugs, sex, sport, relationships, or food. But those things are temporary, and they can only bring temporary comfort. True, lasting comfort is available, and it’s only found in a personal relationship with God, through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Webster’s dictionary defines comfort as “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, make the decision to put God first in every area of your life. Let go of those things that you know are holding you back. Let Him be Lord over all! As you surrender to His grace, you will be filled with His peace, joy and comfort. You’ll be empowered to overcome every obstacle, and you will be fulfilled all the days of your life.
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you”¦”
(Isaiah 66:13, NIV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, as I come to You, I invite You to fill my whole being with Your divine hope. Thank You Father, for being my lasting comfort and strength. Please, help me not to rely on the temporary pleasures of this life. God, empower me by Your Spirit to live in the victory You have established for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Dictionary Definition of Comfort
Look up comfort in a dictionary and you’ll find a definition like “something that promotes a state of ease or provides freedom from pain and anxiety.” But according to God’s Word, when consolation is needed, the only true solution is the indwelling Holy Spirit. In Greek, He is called parakl?tos, which means “he who stands at one’s side; he who comes to one’s aid.” Believers don’t have to rely on outward remedies or distractions to ease their mind, because help is available from the ultimate Comforter.
Victory In Christ
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4
The Meaning of the Victory of God
We need to draw near to our Helper, the One who is infinite in wisdom, Jesus. He is our Minister and our great Medical Missionary, and He knows that trials through which His believers on this earth will pass. He has been tempted like we are tempted. Let us not forget that Christ Jesus had came face to face with Satan, and that when He met him, He, our Saviour, was bearing the likeness of humanity.
Jesus is our Restorer, the Perfecter of His covenant with the human agencies who depend upon Him as their Prince and their Redeemer.
Christ conquered as a sinless, unfallen, perfect Man. As the Messiah He has won the victory over the temptations of the enemy, making it possible for us to overcome as He overcame.
We are to overcome in every encounter with the enemy, Satan. We are to be victors by becoming partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Each victory that Jesus gained in His humanity makes it possible for us, through receiving and believing in Him, to gain the victory as well. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12).
Each victory that He gained in humanity secures for us its genuine fruits. Each assault of Satan overcome marks the occasion of a victory for humanity as a-whole
The deliverance of the people of God and His mercies to them in past trials are to be called to mind as an assurance of that which, if we trust in God, He will do for us in present and future emergencies.
Whatever may have been our experience, if we people surrender to God with full purpose of heart, with humility and contrition, He will receive us. To all who by faith receive Christ as their personal Saviour, He will give power to become overcomers–sons and daughters of God. We will become partakers of the divine nature, and fully realize the father God’s mercy and the grace of His Holy Spirit.
Let our prayers ascend to God in all humility. Let us through the grace Christ came to the world to impart confess and forsake our sins, with humble, contrite hearts. The Lord understands, for all secret things are known to Him. Not one mean action can be performed without God understanding every phase of temptation.
Throughout the gospels, Christ made frequent reference to the great conflict that He had with Satan at the beginning of His ministry. He makes constant reference to Satan’s kingdom as opposed to the kingdom of God. Let us be sure that we are on the Lord’s side.
Bible Verses about Victory In Christ
Christians can have victory over sin when they are living for Christ, and there are many Scriptures which detail this topic.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Hebrews 7:25-27
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
Romans 8:14
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Luke 10:17-20
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 1:47-49
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Colossians 2:15
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Ephesians 3:6
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
John 6:50-71
This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. …
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Zechariah 4:6
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Romans 8:23
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Hurricane Dorian, Peace, Be Still!
During this past week, hurricane Dorian has destroyed the island of Bahamas killing more than 50 people. It has been the worst storm to ever hit the island. Many are homeless, some are starving and hundreds are missing. What do you do when the storms of life seem to be raging against you? One time Jesus was with His disciples in a boat out on the sea of Galilee, when they encountered a great storm.
Christ’s disciples were very afraid and were losing hope, but Jesus on the other hand, was asleep in the back of the boat. When the disciples woke Him up to see if He could help them, Jesus got up and simply spoke to the storm, “peace, be still!” And the seas were calm again. When difficult times come, you don’t have to be overwhelmed by the waves of worry or fear. Just as Jesus stood up and spoke to the storm, you have power in your words too. As a believer, the Bible tells us that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you.
Today, speak to your storm with authority. God’s miracle-working power is on the inside of you. He’s given you His authority to declare peace over your home, over your mind, and over your family. Throw unnecessary negatives overboard lest you sink. Remember, no matter what storms may come against you, greater is He that lives on the inside of you, and He’ll empower you to live in victory and peace in every area of your life! Hallelujah!
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
(Mark 4:39, NKJV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, and for giving me Your authority to rebuke the storms in my life. Father, show me what negatives must go in my life that may cause me to sink in the storm. God, I declare Your peace over every area of my life, and thank You for working things out for my good, so I won’t be devoured by life’s storms, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Hurricane Dorian
Surprising fact: Dorian is the second Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the Bahamas since 1983, which is the same year the international hurricane database was launched.
Moving at a pace of 1 mph, Hurricane Dorian is slower than an adult’s walking pace? – and because of a scientific phenomena, these slow mega-storms, hurricanes that are economically devastating could over time become our new normal.
- As of 4 a.m. EST Tuesday, Hurricane Dorian had remained over the Bahamas for over 24 hours, and in that time five people have died and the Red Cross estimated at least 13,000 houses have been destroyed or severely damaged.
- Dorian is moving so slowly because a high pressure atmospheric system (called the Bermuda High) kept it hovering over the Bahamas before dissolving, leaving it at a standstill.
- The National Hurricane Center predicts a new, low pressure system will start moving Dorian northward Tuesday.
- According to the Wall Street Journal, damaged Bahamian homes may not be covered by insurance. Just $5 billion of the $32 billion caused by the 2017 hurricane season was covered by insurance.
- Climate change is helping to create even more powerful and destructive storms. NPR reported that the Earth’s warming oceans make hurricanes even more intense, creating a trend that’s unlikely to reverse anytime soon.
Luke 14:26
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:26
Hate is a tough word. But context is key...
