No book in scripture gives us a practical look at the Great controversy like the book of Job. It opens, with God telling Satan: “There is no one on earth like him. For Job was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” Job is also described as “the greatest man among all the people of the East.” He was wealthy like most people in the North African region and God had blessed him with seven sons and three daughters.

Scripture says, Job worshipped God faithfully. Every day he sacrificed a burnt offering for each of his children in case they had sinned against God. But the devil claimed that Job only served God for what he could get out of it. In other words, Job’s faith lacked integrity; Job only walked with God because it made him prosper.

God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith. God allowed Satan to take away Job’s children and wealth. And although Job’s faith became strained, it did not break. Job never cursed God. He remained faithful, even confessing, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Today you may be going through a “Job moment” in your life. Life may be tough right now. Your walk with God isn’t making you rich, keeping you from sickness, or protecting your children from troubles. Will you, with Job, show the integrity of your faith by continuing to walk with God? Despite your present struggles, God will not leave your side. And like Job he will restore everything and more that the devil had taken.

“Job … was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” Job 1:1 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for all you have given us and for being by our side in times of trouble. Father, give us integrity and increase our faith in you, so that when we and those around us are sick or have lost our livelihood, we don’t give up and break our love and commitment to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

One of my favourite stories of the Old Testament is that of Naaman. He was on a journey to find His healing from leprosy. He first goes to the King of Israel – but that King is not the source of healing. Elisha hears about this visitor from a foreign land and invites the King to send Naaman to him. 

Scripture says Naaman arrives at the house of Elisha, expecting to get a royal welcome and healing from the prophet himself. But instead, a servant comes out and tells him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman’s expectations almost derail his blessings. Military Generals do not expect to take orders, especially from the servant! 

While Naaman was about to walk away from his blessing because of his pride, Naaman’s servants redirect his path. These unnamed servants respectfully challenge Naaman not to turn away from an “ordinary task” when he would have willingly done a much more difficult thing. Naaman wisely listens to these servants, humbles himself, and dips into the dirty Jordan River. What is God asking you to do to get healing and freedom? 

Today, we learn that Naaman obeys God and is healed. A journey that began with an unnamed servant girl from Israel ends with the unnamed servants of the military general and Naaman testifying that there is no God in the whole world except the God of Israel. His unnamed servants, young and old, are ordinary people whom God uses for his extraordinary purposes. Because of their words, a heathen leader is “born again” in the waters of the Jordan and becomes a follower of Yahweh. 

“Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” 2 Kings 5:15 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, my God of grace, I thank you for the healing that comes when I humble myself before you. Father, thank you for the community of faith that encourages me (like Naaman’s servants) on my journey to you. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

There are some religions that teach salvation as obedience to the law. Trying to achieve justification through obedience to the law is impossible for us. We have all sinned and broken the law, and when we try to keep the law, we keep breaking it because we have a sinful human nature. Our human efforts to keep the law to gain God’s favour are futile. Forgiveness and the power to overcome sin are not within human capacity. Only God can forgive and can give us the power to live in obedience to his will. We can be saved only by trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ as Saviour, not by works or attempts to be good. The good news is that forgiveness and salvation are free!

Often our worldly view of reality tricks us into thinking that something free is cheap and of poor quality. We are wary of free things. We like the feeling of ownership and control that we get when we buy things. But salvation is one thing we can’t buy. The message of the gospel goes against our thirst for control. The Saviour who sets us free also claims free reign over our lives.

Today are you suffering under the yoke of legalism through denominationalism? Have you been trying to please God by your own efforts by obeying the law? Quit trying to help God. Receive by faith the forgiveness of your sins through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Confess your sins, repent, and receive God’s forgiveness by faith. It’s a love thing.

Through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed . … [and] everyone who believes is justified. Acts 13:38-39 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, forgive me for trying to be my own saviour and for emphasizing works above grace, faith, and love. Father, help me to accept freely the grace and salvation that you offer me through Jesus Christ alone. God thank you for the realization that I’m not saved by keeping the law but by your love and my response to your love. Yahweh, I love you in your name I pray Amen.

One of my dear friends was laid to rest yesterday. It was a reminder to me that it’s time to live my dream. Have you ever been passionate about a dream or vision, only to have it never come to pass? It’s time to change that narrative. Scripture tells us that God has an appointed time to fulfil the visions, dreams and desires He has placed in our hearts. Just because it has taken a long time, or you’ve tried and not succeeded, doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.

 

Don’t give up on those dreams! Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been or how impossible things seem, if you stay in faith, your God-appointed time is coming. Hallelujah! Remember, every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it in there. And not only that, but He intends to bring it to pass. 

 

 

Today, hold on to your vision or dream by declaring, “my time is coming. God is working things out on my behalf. I will fulfil my destiny!” As you continue to hold on to that vision and daily speak life over your dreams, you’ll see them begin to take shape. You’ll see your faith grow, you’ll see your hope strengthened, and you’ll see yourself step into the destiny God has prepared for you at the appointed time!

 

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it…” (Habakkuk 2:3, KJV)

 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I receive Your truth today. I receive Your promises. Father, ignite my visions and dreams with Your holy fire so that I can pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will. God, give me the faith I need to hold on when life’s failures seem to get me down and rob me of purpose, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

European history tells us that In A.D. 410, barbarian tribes poured into Rome, ravaging and pillaging the city. In response to critics who said the rise of Christianity had weakened Rome, Augustine, bishop of the city of Hippo in North Africa, wrote the book “The City of God.” In this book, which became a major influence in Western civilization, Augustine sort to bring assurance to those who had been violated and explained how Christ brings hope in all situations. His goal was to bring the healing power of Christ and his good news to those who were traumatized.

The scripture reminds us that our Lord himself was “a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). Since a child in Bethlehem, when he barely escaped a massacre, to his death on the cross, he was the target of violence and hatred. Yet, he continued to move with love among the people, healing miraculously with touch and word.

Today, as we contemplate the good news of healing, what comes to mind is that inscription over the door in the great hospital in New York: “Of The Most High Cometh Healing.” What is it that haunts your heart and threatens to leave your life in pain and ruin? Look to Jesus for your every need. Remember, “He took our pain and bore our suffering” at Calvary and “by His stripes, we are healed,” the bible says. Therefore, God’s ultimate plan is not just divine healing but divine Health.

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick (Matthew 8:16).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for the healing of physical pains and difficulties. However, I know that the root of my trouble is deeper and that only you can ultimately heal my heart and soul, Amen.

Friend, why don’t you join me by Stretching out your hand to God today and be healed?

Today’s verse says, “You shall not commit adultery”. These words of Jesus are especially relevant to our generation. With pornography freely accessible and sexuality of every kind on sale and unavoidable, on every device. And magazines that pander to lust defend their right to publish through freedom of the press. Such “freedom” is no more than a lie that cleverly disguises the chains of slavery. How can a person expect to find harmony and balance in a life consumed with lust and covetousness?

In an adulterous generation like ours, people who turn to Christ for salvation will struggle to break the chains of lust. In the past, some have gone to the extreme of gouging out their eyes, only to find that adulterous dreams continue to plague them. But we know that Jesus’ words should not just be followed literally.

Today, Paul’s teaching is the same as Jesus’. He says, “Those who belong to Christ have to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires”. James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. If we don’t do that, Solomon says, we will be “like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life”.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” Matthew 5:27 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, by your Spirit living in me, give me faith and strength to put to death all that is sinful and fill my life with what is spiritually healthy and wholesome and in keeping with your will. In Christ’s name, Amen.

God wants you to live completely satisfied in Him, but so many people have a misconception about what will satisfy them. Scripture tells us that when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, then we will live in complete satisfaction.

You direct your hunger by choosing what you focus on. For example, if you focus on your favourite food, if you start thinking about it early in the morning and all throughout the day, chances are that by the end of the day, you’ll be eating it! What you give your attention to, you will desire. In the same way, the more you give your attention to God and His Word, the more you will hunger for Him; and when you hunger for Him, you will be filled (satisfied)!

Today, the world offers so many things to give your attention to, but they will not satisfy. You might think you want a particular car, or fashionable clothes, or live in a particular neighbourhood. There’s nothing wrong with those things, but understand that “things” won’t ever satisfy you. Recognize that only God will completely satisfy you, so hunger and thirst for Him!

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I come to You today, releasing anything that has captured my heart and attention more than You. Father, I long to be spiritually and physically satisfied, please fill me. Today, I choose to give You top priority, and hunger for Your righteousness, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

When faced with hard times, we often take off running. We run from our problems. We run from responsibility. We run from people we don’t like or have conflicts with. We run from our past. We run from anything that makes us uncomfortable.

We don’t seem to face issues and deal with them, we take the easy way out and go down the path of least resistance. But if you’re going to live in victory the way God intends, you have to learn how to face your challenges head-on. Notice today’s verse doesn’t say, “Keep running until you see the salvation of the Lord.” It doesn’t say, “Bury your head in the sand until God delivers you.” No!

Today, God wants us to stand strong, set our faces like a flint, and fight the good fight of faith. And the good news is, you don’t have to do it on your own strength! He’s equipped you with His supernatural power to overcome every obstacle you will ever face, including the one you’re going through right now! Hallelujah!

“…stand and see the salvation of the Lord…” (2 Chronicles 20:17, NASB)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the gift of strength. Father, please search my heart. Show me any area in my life where I am running or hiding from life’s difficulties. God, help me to stand in faith, and I invite You to fight my battles, and to move mightily on my behalf, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

We are halfway through the year, and I want to remind you that God has something new in store for you! His plan for your life is not for you to reach one level, get stuck and stay there for another 6 months. He plans to increase you, open new doors before you, and take you places that you’ve never imagined. Hallelujah!

God has something big for you in this coming year, something bigger than your mind can even conceive! He’s already planned out big breaks, big opportunities and big ideas. You may have seen God’s goodness in the past, but you have not touched the surface of what God has for you in the next 6 months of 2023!

Today, believe God’s new thing is going to be far greater than you’ve ever seen before. It’s going to be bigger than you imagined. It’s going to be more rewarding than you thought possible. Receive it by faith and declare with authority, “Yes, God, I receive this into my life today and throughout this coming year. God, I refuse to get stuck where I am. I will move forward because I know You’re a big God, and You have something new coming my way! In the name of Yahshua the Messiah” Hallelujah!

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?…”

(Isaiah 43:19, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for a new day, and the next 6 months to come. With new possibilities and opportunities to glorify You, Father, thank You for choosing me and using me for Your purpose and for Your blessings. God, I set my love and focus on You today, knowing that You have something new in store for me in the next 6 months to come. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Do you know that God loves you so much today, more than you could ever imagine? Not only did He send His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for your sins so that He could have a relationship with you, but He also wants to lavish you with everything He has, and everything He is.

When you join in covenant with God, He makes all things available to you. What does “all” mean? It means exactly that – all. Do you need peace? He is your peace. Do you need joy? He is your joy. Do you need strength? He is your strength. Do you need restoration in your life? He is your restorer. Do you need rest? He has it. Do you need provision? It’s yours. Protection? It’s yours! God is the single source of everything that you will ever need, and He will freely give it to you! Hallelujah!

Today, you may have times when you struggle to receive all that God has for you. Maybe you think that you don’t want to bother God, or you somehow think you don’t deserve what He has for you, that mindset is not the truth. The truth is that you can’t earn a gift. He gives it freely. Imagine His arms outstretched to you right now. Receive His love, receive His grace, and receive all that He has in store for you!

“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, by faith right now I receive all that You have for me. Father, thank You for sending Your Son, to die for me so that I can live with You. I declare that He is my Lord and Saviour, my ultimate provider and redeemer. God, I receive all that You have for me, in Christ’s’ Name! Amen.

If you know me, you would know that one thing that really gets to me is Christians that operate on fear as opposed to faith. I declare that many people today live with less than God’s best because they’ve allowed fear to creep in and take root in their lives. Fear is the number one negative emotion and the enemy’s greatest weapon to try to hold us back. Fear is not from God. Scripture tells us that fear brings torment. Over a hundred times we are told to “fear not.” It’s designed to paralyse us and keep us from God’s blessings.

I’ve got good news! God-given faith is greater than your fear. His power in you is greater than any power that comes against you. Hallelujah! In order to walk in His power, you have to close the door on the enemy, the enemy can’t have access to your life unless you open a door and give him access. That’s why we have to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, what we say and who we hang with. When we open ourselves to fear, we give the enemy opportunity.

Today, if you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of your life, you can be free, you can be finished with fear. Conquering the enemy starts by making the choice to close the door on fear, and instead, meditate on God’s promises and His sacrifice. For the Word says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! Let His truth and what He has done for you sink down into your heart. Declare it out of your mouth. Let God set you free by praising Him, and watch Him lead you into victory as you close the door on fear!

“Do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” (Ephesians 4:27, ISV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I come to You today declaring that I am finished with fear. Father, thank You for giving me power, love and a sound mind. I declare I will stand on Your promises and share all You have done for me, because that will make me overcome fear and other negatives in my life. Fill me with Your peace and joy today, as I move forward in victory with You, in Christ’s’ Name! Amen.

I was talking with a teenager yesterday who said “it’s time to change.” She said, “I want to give my life to Christ.” We all have areas in our lives where we desire to see change; areas we know we need to come up higher, or addictions and strongholds we need to break. The good news is that God has given us the power to change! 

The Bible says that we can change by the blood of Christ and the word of our testimony. What are you saying about your circumstances? When you make your words line up with God’s Word, and you accept His sacrifice by faith, then what you declare will be established. 

Today, we appear to complicate life more than we need to. Our minds get busy trying to “figure” everything out. People can spend more time analysing their situation, instead of applying God’s Word to their situation. Did you know you can change your life by taking five minutes daily to declare His Word by faith? Don’t live in mediocrity any longer. Let God’s Word shine on your ways and direct your path toward the life of victory He has promised you!

“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.” (Job 22:28, NASB)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for loving me. Father, thank You for accepting me and empowering me to become all that You’ve called me to be. God, I set my heart and mind on You. I will declare Your Word and follow Your ways, so that I can receive change, and become the person You’ve created me to be, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Everyone is looking for good news. We always say “No news is good news,” meaning that at least we are not hearing bad news, which tends to come in urgent messages.

But regarding Christ, no news is bad news. His story is filled with the spread of the good news of God’s salvation. We celebrate God’s gift of hope through Christ. We have seen the difference Christ has made as we face guilt, uncertain futures, loss, and even death. Christ has met us in our pain and filled us with a hope that will not disappoint. Even though we live in a broken world, we look forward to a glorious future.

Today the bible challenges us to look at the world around us. People are living and dying without hope. We have what they desperately need we have hope. And when we live in hope in the face of brokenness, the world will notice. So we must be ready to give an answer about the hope that we have. We are called to share the message of hope in Jesus Christ.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh thank you, for the hope that sustains and comforts me. Father may my life be a testimony of your redeeming love, and may I share the good news of Christ in Jesus’s name. Amen.

It’s always a pain when communication breaks down. This is true not only in our human relationships but also in our relationship with God. The world is hungry for divine guidance, as we can see by the popularity of fortune tellers, channelling, and spirit guides. People look for communication with spiritual powers but do so in the wrong places, or maybe you feel that God won’t hear your prayers. Maybe something in your past makes you feel that God doesn’t care or that a holy God wouldn’t welcome someone like you.

The Bible says that God is a God of communication. God is constantly revealing himself through creation and the Bible.

God left heaven and humbly stooped to our level. Imagine a powerful king getting down on his belly to smile and speak baby talk to his newborn. God’s approach to us goes far beyond that. He is the infinite Creator entering into his creation to reveal himself on our level.

Today you may ask will God hear my call? Does God want to communicate with me? Yes – so much so that he took the initiative, bridged the gap, and stooped to our level. In Jesus, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:14 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for coming to earth to stoop to my level so that you can communicate with me. God, deepen my prayer life and help me listen to you. I pray this in Jesus’s name. Amen.