Not long ago, I had someone in my life who was trying to cause me trouble. This was a person with whom I used to have an association, but I ultimately felt that association was not beneficial and decided to end it. I terminated that relationship respectfully, and we both moved on with our lives. Or so I thought.

It turned out that they were resentful about my decision to move on. Instead of dealing with that anger constructively, they chose to create and spread false information about me. Their intent was to make it harder for me to succeed in my new professional endeavour. When I discovered what was happening, I very much wanted to get back at them. As crazy as it sounds, I thought about all the ways I could make their life more difficult. Although I have never considered myself an angry person, it was amazing all of the thoughts I had.

As the situation continued, something about my approach didn’t feel right to me. I had allowed my own anger to change my thoughts, and those thoughts became consuming. Before I knew it, I had begun to engage in a similar process as the other person, at least internally. The fact that I was becoming more like this person was a warning sign I needed to take a different approach. My new approach was to give the situation over to God. God is the great equalizer. He will make things right the way that He sees fit.

Even though I could see malice in the heart of this other person, I had forgotten that God could see it too. It was not up to me to make it right.  Ultimately, I realized that God was going to use the situation as a point of growth for each of us – if we allowed ourselves to see it that way. Getting stuck in our own anger and seeking revenge, only served our own desires and prevented us from experiencing the spiritual maturity that God intended.

Today it seems impossible to go through life without feeling that someone has wronged you. We are human, your natural instinct is to get back at that person and to “make it right”. But God wants more from you. He desires for you to have a heart filled with grace and to trust Him to enact justice.

‘Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “it is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.’ – Romans 12:19

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, Lord, I long for a holy zeal and righteous anger that leads me into Your presence, instead of malice and evil thoughts. May I use your love to energize me into living out Your call on my life and to give you glory, in Jesus name. Amen.

Let’s Reflect

1. Think about a time when someone has tried to harm you or your reputation. How did you respond to that situation? How did you want to respond?

2. As you look back, what do you think God was trying to accomplish? What lessons were there to learn? How did your response to the situation effect your ability to experience those lessons?

As a rooster who is passionate about both Christianity and domain names, I know just how important it is to have the right domain name for your Christian organization or personal blog. A well-chosen domain name can help you share your message with the world and connect with others who share your values. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which domain name is right for you? In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about picking the perfect Christian domain name, from choosing the right TLD to incorporating biblical references into your name. So let’s get started and create a domain name that will help you make your mark on the internet!

As a rooster who loves all things domain names and Christianity, I’m excited to talk about how the two come together. In today’s world, registering a domain name can be a powerful way for Christian individuals, organizations, and businesses to share their message with the world.

But what makes a great Christian domain name? Let’s start with the basics. A Christian domain name should reflect the values and mission of the organization or individual who owns it. It should be memorable, easy to spell, and easy to pronounce.

One way to create a memorable Christian domain name is to incorporate biblical or religious references into the name. For example, a church might choose a domain name like GraceCommunityChurch.com or CrossroadsChristianCenter.org. An individual blogger might choose a domain name like BibleBites.com or FaithFilledLife.net.

But it’s not just about the name itself. It’s also important to choose the right TLD (top-level domain) for your website. While .com is still the most popular TLD, there are now a wide variety of TLDs available, including many that are specifically geared towards Christians.

For example, there’s the .church TLD, which is perfect for churches and other Christian organizations. There’s also the .faith TLD, which is a great option for individuals or organizations that want to express their faith online. And for those who want to express their Christian values more broadly, there’s the .love TLD, which can be used by anyone who wants to spread love and positivity online.

But there are also some things to be aware of when registering a Christian domain name. For example, it’s important to make sure that the name and TLD you choose don’t infringe on any trademarks or copyrights. It’s also important to make sure that the content on your website is in line with Christian values and principles.

Another potential issue is the availability of the domain name you want. As with any domain name, there’s a chance that the name you want may already be taken. In some cases, this may require you to get creative with your domain name or consider using a different TLD.

Despite these potential challenges, registering a Christian domain name can be a powerful way to share your message with the world. Whether you’re a church looking to expand your reach, an individual looking to express your faith online, or a business looking to connect with Christian consumers, a well-chosen domain name can help you achieve your goals.

At DomainRooster, we’re passionate about helping Christians find the perfect domain name to share their message with the world. Whether you’re looking for a .church domain name for your ministry or a .faith domain name for your personal blog, we can help you find the right name and TLD to meet your needs.

So why not take the first step towards creating your own Christian domain name today? With the right name and TLD, you can make your mark on the internet and share your message with the world.

References:

1. “How to Choose a Domain Name: 8 Tips for Christian Bloggers.” The Gospel Blog, thegospelblog.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-name-8-tips-for-christian-bloggers/
2. “10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Domain Name for Your Church.” ChurchTechToday, churchtechtoday.com/10-tips-for-choosing-the-perfect-domain-name-for-your-church/
3. “Top-Level Domain (TLD) Reference.” ICANN, www.icann.org/resources/pages/tld-registry-2012-02-25-en

Like many of you, I have had multiple opportunities to play trust games. This is where a partner stands behind you while you fall into their arms. This game requires trust that your partner will catch you when you fall. This is like what God is asking us to do. He is always with us. It is up to us to trust that He is there and live accordingly. He will not leave us. Have confidence knowing that He is always there and has plans for each of our lives. 

If you are making a major life change, the most important action you can take is one that is most often skipped: invite Him to lead you. As you continue to seek Him, He will speak into your heart, and your path will become clearer. If you trust Him, He will come along beside you and guide you throughout your journey. 

It sounds like a nice bible school lesson. A little too easy. But when you do this and experience His power working in your life, you will never forget it. I have witnessed many people whose lives have changed dramatically in unexpected ways by turning to Him (including my own). It is transformative. Hallelujah! 

Today, someone ask me, “What if I don’t want to go where He’s leading me?” There are many who feel the Lord has given them clarity but who are reluctant to walk the path out of fear. They feel there are too many obstacles and they have too many personal limitations to reach the goal. However, the Lord would not give us clarity and fear. When we feel that He has spoken into our hearts, any accompanying fear does not come from Him. 

“For I know plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 

Yahweh, my Saviour, You came to earth to save me and told me to have faith in You. You said that with faith I can say to the mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and it will be done. Father, my mind knows that if I believe, trust, and have faith in You, I will receive whatever I ask for in Your name. God, I believe in You and that You are the Most High God. You are the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Please erase my doubt. Take away all my sins and Help my unbelief. I fall into your arms with total trust,  in Christ’s name, Amen. 

It is often said that the company you keep shapes the person you will become. This is true of spending time with your friends and family and true of our time with Christ. 

Scripture says In Acts, something remarkable about Peter and John, while they were boldly testifying about Christ, something caused the authorities to be astonished. It wasn’t their intelligence, articulate speech, or logical arguments. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. Their bold proclamation of Christ made it obvious that they had spent time with Him and it had transformed them. 

We have the same opportunity as believers in Jesus Christ. To be transformed by the renewing of our minds, to boldly approach the throne of grace and to have life-giving fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. 

Today, does your life reflect your time with the Lord? Does the way you act around your family, friends, and co-workers reflect Christ in you? What priorities in your life need to change so that you can spend better and more consistent time with your Lord? Remember, just like the apostle, people will notice if you have spent time with God or you’re just faking it. 

“Now when they [the authorities] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus….” Acts 4:13 (Logos Bible Software)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thanks for your transforming power. Father, may my passion for spending time with you, increase to a way that the watching world notices the Christ in me. In Jesus name, Amen! 

On this international women’s day, my mind ran on two of my female inspirations my mom and my sister. My older sister and I had quite a few heated confrontations while growing up. Our clashes could last for days. But every day when dinner time rolled around, we had to at least stop yelling and adopt a civil tone with each other, because Mother would not allow arguing at the dinner table. 

When we allowed our anger at each other to outweigh our appetite for Mother’s good cooking, those were the times that we both had to forfeit a good meal. Hostility between us would send both of us to bed hungry. 

In scripture when two women argue over who is the rightful parent of a baby, it’s was very difficult for the king to determine who’s telling the truth. The king decides that the truth cannot be found in the woman willing to destroy the child to prosecute her claim. The woman willing to sacrifice her claim to keep the child alive is the woman whose claim prevails. 

Today, this is the same as so-called democracy. It’s a give-and-take enterprise. Every eligible female has a vote and a voice (many died for that privilege), but none of us get what we want in any given situation. In all our clashing, we must be mindful to know what we might have to forfeit even when we are right like the woman with the baby before King Solomon who gave away her child. Winning our claims at the cost of losing our dignity and reputation is a loss. Love gives even the loser the chance to fight another day. 

Then the king said, “Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!” – 1 Kings 3:27 (NLT) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, bless all our women. Thank you for blessing us with them. God, help them to not allow their antagonisms in life cause them to lose dignity, and reputation and to forfeit what you have prepared for them at the welcome table. In Christ’s name Amen. 

God’s reason for love is given in 1 John 4:19: “We love Him because He first loved us.” Our love for God is based upon what He has done for us in Christ, and because He has poured out His Holy Spirit on us. But what is interesting about the command to love God is that it came before Christ. So what is it that should cause God to say, “Love Me”? What is it that should have caused there to be such awe of God? 

I would like to suggest that there is something wonderful about God Himself, something so awesome and that it makes people long to see Him and yet makes those same people quake in fear when they get a glimpse. There is something about Yahweh that prompts people to love Him with all that they have and yet tremble in fear because of Him. There is something that we should value not just because there is punishment if we don’t, or that we should value it because we can use it. It is better than any gold, silver, or money. It is more precious than beauty because beauty receives its quality from this reality about God. 

It is the holiness of God. Of course, when “holiness” is brought up some people cringe—even Christians cringe or at the very least hesitate when the idea of “holy” or “holiness” is applied to anything but the Holy Spirit. But the fact that we cringe or hesitate demonstrates that we have no idea what holiness really is. For if we truly understood God’s holiness we would not cringe; we would tremble in excitement and awe. 

The constant cry “Holy Holy Holy” of the beings who are always in the presence of God should cause us to want to know what they know, to see what they see. This thing about God, this holiness that should fill these creatures with wonder is that thing that is supposed to grab hold of our hearts. It is what makes the love of Jesus so spectacular. It is what makes God’s adoption of us so astonishing and astounding. 

Think of it! These exalted creatures that get to hover above God’s throne, that get to be in His presence night and day, don’t have something that we have. They cry, “Holy, holy, holy!” and the whole world shakes. If we saw what they see, if we were in His presence then we would shake and tremble and be like Isaiah the prophet who, when he stood in this holy presence, cried out, “Woe is me, for I am undone!” We would fall on our knees and implore the Lord even as Peter did, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” The holiness of God is so majestic, so beautiful, so awesome that because of our sins, we want God to go away. Because of our sin, we look with awe at the seraphim and think that is as close to God as any creature can get – but we are closer. 

Today the awesome love of God lifts us up. He lifts us up, washes us clean by the blood of Christ, and fills us with His Spirit so that the seraphim look at us in amazement, and envy our place. While they circle the throne and cry out holy, we get to draw near. We get to cry holy too, but we get to approach closer and closer. We move past the ranks of angels, past lofty seas of ancient creatures, through the circling seraphim to the very throne of God. We come, not as mere creatures, but as sons and daughters. The one, who is so holy and awesome, we get to call, “Daddy”. 

“And, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor 6:18 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I long to be close to you. Father, please come close to me and show me more of who you are. Help me to not drift away from you, but instead hold me close. Help me to see that the best way to draw near to you is through your Word, praying and being obedient to your calling. God, please direct me on how I can be intentional about drawing near to you. Thank you for being a God who wants a relationship with me, for being a God that wants me to be close and calls me Son. Thank you for being a God that can be known by a sinner like me. God, please come close. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

After dealing with 4 deaths in 4 days I have concluded this is a hard season. We all face challenges and obstacles. We all have dreams in our hearts, and at times, it looks like they may not come to pass. When this happens, we have a choice. We can get negative and discouraged and talk about how things are not going to work out, or we can switch over into praise and thanksgiving, which confuses the enemy and will opens the door by faith for God to move on our behalf. 

People say, “I’ll have a good attitude as soon as I get over this health issue.” “I’ll give God praise when I get through these tough times.” But that’s not how faith works. As long as we’re negative, discouraged and focused on our problems, it limits what God can do. Faith says “You’ve got to give God praise first, and then the breakthrough will come as God wills it. ”You’ve got to change your focus first, and then things will change in your favour. Praise always precedes the victory. 

Today, if you’ve been dwelling on what’s wrong and focusing on the wrong direction, switch into praise and thanksgiving. Begin to declare that God is good all the time! Declare that He is faithful. Declare His praises and open the door to victory in every area of your life! 

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17–18, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I come before You, lifting You up and magnifying Your holy name. Father, this is a hard season for many with financial issues, loneliness and deaths. God, despite life’s challenges I praise and lift You up, and I thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. By faith I praise You today for all You have done and will do. I bless You and honour You for Your goodness, in Christ’ name. Amen!

Warning! Today we’re going to talk about porn which the devil is using to attack youth and adults. How? Because we all have access to phones, computers and Tablets which can access the internet at any time. That opens a huge opportunity for porn to become a part of your life. 

As a young man, I was curious about the opposite sex. I had lots of questions about sex, sexuality, and those types of things, and it was so handy to have the internet to look up any questions I had. The problem with the easy access to the internet is that pictures started to pop up and videos of people that I shouldn’t have been viewing. And before I knew it, I wanted more and more of those images. 

Now, since then, God has dealt with my heart, but with the availability of the internet, it’s very easy to secretly be looking at things that are not godly. Porn, like what I experienced, is addictive. It’s like a drug, and if you’re not careful, you can become ensnared by it. Scripture says, “I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Looking at the images online, it’s easy to think, I’m not hurting anyone, so this is ok, this is fantasy and not reality. However, if we look at today’s verse, that’s not the truth. By simply looking at someone in a lustful way, we are committing adultery or fornication with them in our hearts. 

Friend, God doesn’t want anything to come between us and Him. And it’s easy to let those images become all we can think about. He also wants you to have a successful marriage, and if you are enslaved to porn, that makes future relationships more difficult. Porn isn’t harmless. It is something that will enslave you. So if you’re tempted in this area, begin to put good boundaries in place. 

If you are struggling here are a few boundaries that you should consider. 

1. Get a phone that doesn’t have internet. These types of phones are out there, get one.
2. Use your computer or devices only in public areas. If you’re at home, use it in the kitchen or living room. Go to the library or a public place when you need to access the internet. Knowing that someone can look over your shoulder at any time can help you avoid temptation. 
3. Ask a friend to keep your devices overnight. 
4. Sometimes the best prevention for porn is simply removing the opportunity to access it. Set up good boundaries on your devices and throughout your life and ask for God’s help to set you free from porn if you’ve already become involved. 

Today set good rules and boundaries in your life to deal with porn and sexual sin. This will help you in the future when you are married or in a lasting relationship. You might think that you won’t struggle with it when you’re married, but that’s not the truth. You still will, so now is the time to work hard, and with God’s help, you can be freed from your struggles of porn and lust. 

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you James 4:7

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I confess here and now that you are my Creator and therefore the creator of my sexuality. Lord, I confess that you are also my Saviour, that you have ransomed me with your blood. My life and my body belong to You. God, I present myself to you now to be made whole and holy in every way, including in my sexuality. You ask us to present our bodies to you as living sacrifices and the parts of our bodies as instruments of righteousness. Almighty God, I do this now. I present my body; my sexuality and I present my sexual nature to you. Please consecrate me for your will in Christ’s name Amen. 

Do you ever have those days of despair? Maybe you feel sad for no reason or are stressed out with the cares and concerns of life, to the point where you wonder if you can go on. That’s where today’s Bible verse comes in. 

Praise is one of the best things to do when you feel you can’t go on. Isaiah tells us that we have a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. That means we must put on praise like we would a shirt. We put on praise instead of feeling overwhelmed, upset, or full of despair. 

Today I encourage you to trade your despair for praise. You can do this by finding a praise playlist that you like on YouTube. Just search for worship music and keep it playing as much as you can. Read Psalms of praise over and over. The more you can praise, the more heaviness seems to lift. So, challenge yourself to keep praising despite your trials and watch your burden of despair be lifted.  

… provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. – Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I praise you that with you, nothing is impossible. Father, Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by Your great powerful hand, by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You. God, please help me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know whom to turn to. So I turn to you. Holy Spirit, please strengthen me. God, even though I don’t know all the answers, I know that you do. In the Bible, you promise to help us when we pray to you. So I pray confidently to you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Monsters aren’t just in movies or video games, we can deal with monsters in our personal lives too. They can appear out of nowhere and create all kinds of destruction. Yes, they might not be destroying buildings and hurting people, but they are dangerous. If we don’t stop the monsters in our lives, they can keep us from doing everything God has in store for us. 

What’s your monster today? Maybe it’s bitterness or rage. Bitterness is so sneaky. It can show up in our lives in ways we’ve never expected. Perhaps all the time you’ve been spending with your family right now is making you bitter at your mom, dad, or siblings, over something small or stupid. It snuck up so quietly, and now, you realize that you’ve really begun to resent them. 

The thing about bitterness is that if we let it grow, it will destroy our happiness. It’s hard to be happy when you’re upset and bitter at someone or something. Even though things are probably less than ideal in your life right now, you need to decide to not become bitter. Bitterness in your life will only cause heartache, stress, and destruction. 

Today, if bitterness has grown in your life, ask God for His help. He’s ready and willing to help you in any way He can. Ask Him to show you how you can begin to let God’s love shine through you and get rid of bitterness from your life. With God’s help, we can destroy the monster of bitterness! 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. – Ephesians 4:31 (NLT) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I acknowledge that I’ve held resentment and bitterness in my heart. Father, I confess this and ask You to forgive me. Help me Lord, to not hold on to bitterness or resentments, but rather to love all. God, I ask You to also forgive those who hold bitterness or resentment toward me. Thank You for hearing and answering this prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Sometimes the hardest thing for me to do is accept correction. When I was younger, I didn’t like admitting I was wrong. Especially if I had to admit that in front of others. Can you relate to feeling that way? Correction isn’t something we love. However, if you’re corrected by your manager, parents, teachers, or pastors, it’s usually good for you, and it helps you grow. To become wise and mature, it’s good to learn to accept constructive correction. 

Did you know that there is wisdom in accepting correction and advice from people who are around us that are wise? Often, directors, pastors, parents, and teachers in our lives have gone through things that are like what we face. Their advice is good when it’s Biblical because they normally have more life experience and wisdom than we do. 

If we will be open to accepting Godly advice and correction from others, it can help us grow, and make us wise. 

Today, if you struggle with accepting correction, ask God to help you. He will show you strategies that will help you to take corrections better. God wants good things for your life, just know that most of the people that gently correct you in your life love you, and want what’s best for you. Don’t be too proud to accept correction and learn from your mistakes. 

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end, you will be counted among the wise. – Proverbs 19:20 (NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I know I have many sins. Father, I ask that you forgive me, and also show me ways to correct my actions. Please give me correction in your Word and through wise people in my life. I want the wisdom that comes from Godly correction. In Jesus name Amen. 

The most difficult thing to do in pre-marital counselling is to have couples understand submission. The word submission has become a very emotional word for many people. Often, we resist submitting our lives to one another because we fear we will be hurt or let down. However, when we follow God’s plan for submission, the result is not low self-esteem, as some would have us believe. Instead, it is an increased love for our partner and the Lord. Jesus Christ is our model for godly submission. He submitted His life to God’s plan to the point of enduring death on the cross. He trusted the Father and brought glory to God and salvation to the world. 

When we obey God’s commands and base our relationships on His Word, our lives are transformed, and our marriages and relationships are strengthened. We learn to love one another the way Jesus loves us. When in Christ, submission no longer is an issue to be debated, it is a natural thing to do. Paul writes: As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another, if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

Today, do you honour your spouse or the one you are in a relationship with as yourself? Is your desire to give love and support, rather than to tear down? When we honour one another with love, we really are honouring God. 

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for modelling submission and trust in the Father. Lord, I submit to your will for my life and my relationships, remembering both God’s love for me and my family submitting to your perfect wisdom and love. In Christ’s name. Amen. 

Did you know that God’s love is amazing and powerful? It binds up all our emotional and spiritual wounds. If you’re feeling weak today, God’s love says, “You are valuable. I treasure you. Whatever is wrong in you, I can make it right.” Do you think you are unworthy? God’s love says, “I made you; I redeemed you; and I want you with me forever!” God’s everlasting, perfect love has the ability to rebuild you from the inside out why not let Him? 

Love can become the compelling, motivating, energizing force for what we say and do. As you face choices today, ask yourself if love is the motivating force behind your decisions. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help so that you will reflect God’s selfless love to the people around you.  

Today, when your friend offends you, love will help you forgive them. When a stranger needs help, love will compel you to assist them. If your neighbour is hurting, love will drive you to comfort them. If you allow the Holy Spirit to work through you, love will transform the way you live your entire life. 

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). 

Let’s Pray  

Yahweh, I pray that Your Spirit will help me today to be compelled by love in all I say and do. Father, may my life be transformed as Your Spirit works in me, teaching me to love the way You do. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

This week during the revival in Darlington many responded to the appeal to give their lives to God. We had to remind them that, the moment they receive Christ, He transfers their citizenship to the Kingdom of heaven, and this is their ultimate identity. But even though we Christians no longer have our identity in this world, we are called to love God and our neighbour by humbly submitting to His authority He has set in place for us. 

In the scripture, Paul emphasizes that it is out of love for God that today’s Christians will willingly obey the law of God and the law of the land paying taxes etc. By diligently serving in these ways, we show our love to our neighbours and our community. We fulfil our “continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law”. In fact, Bible-believing Christians live in spiritual indebtedness. Indebtedness to whom? To God! 

Today, only God can give you the resources by which you can pay your debt to Him and he did this through Christ who paid our ransom and transferred to us His righteousness. He poured into us His Spirit, His power to love and obey. He loves through us so that we can love others. The wonder is that the more you love God, the more God pours into you to love yourself, and to love others, therefore paying your debt of love to the glory of God. Making you a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. 

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I know I could never pay my debt to love You and others. Father, that’s why I’m grateful You came to give me life and a heart of flesh. God, thank You for empowering me by Your Spirit to love You and others and find joy and peace therein. I pray this in Jesus’s name. Amen. 

One of the roles of godly parents is to teach compassion for others. Job trained his children to be generous, hospitable, responsible, kind, and considerate and to be leaders in building up others and the community in unity and harmony. This does not mean Job taught his children to compromise for the sake of agreement, but rather to hold strong principles and demonstrate genuine love. 

You may ask how we develop compassion for others. We first must experience God’s love and then be challenged to pass it on. Children first experience God’s love by experiencing the love of their parents. The more their parents express love to them, the quicker they are to show compassion. 

Assure your children repeatedly of God’s love, even when they disobey. Be affectionate with them, hugging and kissing them and putting your hand on their shoulders as a sign of encouragement. 

Today as we teach children about true love, let’s not link our love to any behavioural trait in our children. Let your children know you love them just as God loves them unconditionally. God loves us solely because we are His beloved, uniquely created children. Learn to love your children in the same way and they will pass it on. When you demonstrate love to your children, they gain a proper perspective of God. They learn to view the Lord as a God of love, not unnecessary wrath. 

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, teach me how to communicate Your love better to my family. Father, I know when I accept your unconditional love, I will learn to love You better, and I can then pass this love on to my family and friends. Thank You for Your faithfulness in loving me despite my behaviour. in Christ’s name. Amen. 

This week while doing a revival in Darlington, I’m staying in the farm area of Cumbria in the north of England. One of the things that excite the farmers are when the first crop of the season ripens. The farmer has diligently prepared the fields, sown the seeds, and tended the seedlings. If the first fruits are good, then the farmer can have confidence that the rest of the harvest will be good as well. 

On Sunday morning of the resurrection, Jesus became the first fruit of a much greater harvest. His body had been sown like a seed on Friday, but it was then raised new, glorious, and indestructible on Sunday. What is true of the firstfruits will be true of all who trust in the name of Jesus: One day, all the dead in Christ will be raised to new life in Him. Hallelujah! 

The Corinthian Christians believed that Jesus had been raised from the dead, but they weren’t so sure about their own future resurrection. So, Paul reminds them that there are plenty of witnesses who saw Jesus with their own eyes and they can therefore find confidence in the promise of their own resurrection. 

Paul says, “brothers and sisters, if you know Jesus, you will be raised to new and glorious life, just like our Lord.” Because of this hope, we can live without fear of death and instead walk in freedom because we know death is not the end. And because we know death is not the end, we know our love in this life is not in vain. It prepares us for our future home in heaven. Indeed, love will be the culture of Christ’s heavenly city. In the meantime, our works of love in this life serve to bless others and, Lord willing, usher them into Christ’s Kingdom. 

Today, with a promise of our own resurrection, we know that now begins the life of grace, faith, and hope of eternal life. The life for which we have always longed for, we believe this life is a spiritual dress rehearsal for the one to come. We must let love and joy reign in our hearts, for with each passing day, we are one day closer to the glorious return of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. 

“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your sacrifice that has given me a place with You in heavenly places for eternity. Father, may I live confidently in this life because I know my hope is sure. God, in this reality, may I love others more and remain spiritually focused. In Christ’s name. Amen.