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Troublemakers

Have there been people in your life that have caused you trouble? Like the youth say, “they just keep getting in your face.” In the Bible, Hezekiah was faced with enemies coming against him, causing him trouble, trying to keep him from his destiny. But Hezekiah didn’t get upset. He just kept abiding, kept being faithful and putting God first. In 2 Kings 19, God said, “Hezekiah, I Myself will come against this enemy. He will receive word that he is needed at home, and I will cause him to want to return and he will be defeated.”

Today, when you abide in God, He says, “I will come against your enemies. I will come against that sickness. I will come against those who oppose you.” It says God is the one who caused Hezekiah’s enemy to turn around. That means God can cause that unfair boss to take early retirement. God can cause that neighbour that’s giving you so much trouble to decide to pack up and move. God can cause that classmate to be transferred to another school. 

Today no matter what’s coming against you, keep abiding in God. Put His Word first place in your life. Honour Him in all that you do. Let Him fight your battles and bring you into the land of victory He has prepared for you!

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

Let’s Pray

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

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A Sacrifice of Praise

We have so much to praise God for, there’s great power in giving honour to God. And many of you live that truth out, every. The Bible is filled with examples of praise when we see God’s power released – life-changing miracles, dramatic stories of the enemy being halted or defeated, hearts being changed, and sinners drawn closer to Him. 

The reality is that way too often we let daily struggles or constant life demands crowd out our praise to God.  We might check our worship box after church and somehow think we’re good for the week. And all the while, our souls are distant and cold, we sing words, we listen to music, then we go home still weighed down by life. I have realised that it’s a sacrifice to offer praise. We may not feel like it.  We’re struggling.  We’re weary.  Or maybe, we feel like God let us down. We think God seems distant, like he’s far away, or doesn’t care about what’s troubling us. Painful life blows and losses might have recently sent us spiralling. Yet God wants our praise. 

Today we have a choice. To live absorbed in worry and stress, on the fast track of busyness, focused only on the negatives that surround us, hearing only the roar of the world or to slow down and believe His word and allow our praise with our whole heart to drown out life difficulties. God waits for us to give Him total praise. He longs for us to know the power of His presence over our lives.  God desires to bless us more than we could imagine. His Spirit urges us onward, calling us closer through a life of unadulterated praise let’s begin today. 

“From the rising of the sun, to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” – Psalm 113:3 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I praise you with my whole heart and songs, I praise you for your faithfulness, I praise you for your great power and love. Father, I confess my need for you, my life doesn’t go so well when I just spin around on my own. God, I struggle and worry, get weary and worn. Yet you never leave me. Thank you for your presence. Thank you for your care over me. Lord, I ask for your spirit to fill me and work your purpose in me, as I set my eyes on you. In Christ’s Name, Amen. 

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Favour = Unmerited, Undeserved, Unearned, Unexplained

Have you ever wondered whether God loves you? Well, I want to reassure you God does love you, and He is for you! He is for your good; He is for your success; He is for your future. He desires you to have every blessing and promise declared in His Word. This is what the Bible calls His favour. 

We have all experienced God’s love and favour even if we don’t recognise it. It is simply His undeserved, unearned, unexplained goodness in your life. God’s favour causes you to reap where you haven’t sown. His favour protects you when you’ve caused the trouble, promotes you and opens new doors when you’re not even qualified. His favour takes you places you could never go on your own.

Today, I declare over your life that in the coming days and weeks ahead, God is going to unleash His unprecedented favour on you, favour like you’ve never seen before! The key is to stay connected to Him and fellowship with Him through prayer, worship, and reading His Word. Let Him direct your steps and mould and shape your character. As you pour yourself out to Him, He will pour out Himself on you! He’ll pour out His grace, mercy, and supernatural, unmerited, undeserved, unearned, unexplained favour on every area of your life!

“For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favour from the LORD.” (Proverbs 8:35, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness and undeserved, unearned, unexplained

 favour in my life. Father, I know You are working on my behalf. I accept and receive Your plans to prosper me and give me a future and hope. God, I bless You for Your unmerited favour, and I set my mind and heart on You, and expect to see Your goodness in every area of my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Look Beyond Friday’s Problems

On this weekend where the focus is on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, joy – not sorrow – should be our spiritual response. Did you know that it’s God’s will for you to be joyful always? God wants you to be happy and carefree. He wants you to love your life no matter what your circumstances look like. When you have joy during difficult circumstances, it’s evidence that you have faith and trust that God is going to bring you through.

In Christ, Joy is strength. When you have His joy, you can stand strong, no matter who or what wants to crucify you. You might say, “I’m just not a real jovial person. I’m more serious. I never laugh much.” I realise God made us all differently, but you can experience real inward joy, which should externally make you happy and excited. So let yourself laugh and have fun because that’s why Christ came and died. I read where the average child laughs over 200 times a day, but the average adult only laughs 4 times a day. What happened? We’ve allowed the pressures of life, stress, and responsibilities to steal our joy.

Today, on this Spiritual weekend, decide to get your joy back. Decide that you are going to look beyond Friday’s problems, to Sunday’s resurrection and hope, and know that God will see you through. Ask Him every day to fill you with His supernatural peace and joy, so that you can live in Christ’s strength and victory all the days of your life!

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT)

Let’s PrayYahweh, I humbly receive Your Word today. Father, this weekend, I choose to open my heart to You and invite You to fill me with Your joy and strength that the resurrection brings. Yahshua, thank You for showing me Your goodness and empowering me with Your grace. I bless You today for Your amazing sacrifice, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Don’t Look Past Your Victories

Photo by Ado Urra on Unsplash

When I open my Facebook account each morning my memories pop up. Most put a smile on my face – photos of baptisms, children, and miracles. When you think about your past, what memories do you allow to play over and over in your mind? In the Old Testament, they had what they called memorial stones. These were used to remind the people about God’s good things in their lives and all their victories.

We need to focus on our victories. Sure, we’ve all had setbacks, but it only drains you of valuable energy when you meditate on your disappointments and failures. It steals your confidence and joy. But when you focus on your victories, it builds your strength and confidence and increases your trust and your expectations of God. It also feeds your faith and gives you a reason to give God praise.

Today, I encourage you to get into the habit of focusing on your victories. Remember, every good and perfect gift comes from God. As you praise and thank Him for His victories in your life, He’ll pour out His blessing on you. He’ll open supernatural doors for you to move forward in strength, to fulfil the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph…” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness and victories in my life. Father, I will focus on the victories You have given me and let go of any negative experiences from my past. God, I bless and praise You today, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Peace Be Still!

Three years ago, hurricane Dorian destroyed the island of Bahamas killing more than 50 people. It was the worst storm to ever hit the island. Many were homeless, some starving and hundreds were 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 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, your mind, and 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)

Let’s Pray

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 Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Be Delivered!

It’s one thing to be forgiven of sin, however, there is still a need for deliverance. God is a mighty Deliverer! You may feel afflicted, overwhelmed, or burdened by the cares of life. God is working to bring you out of that difficult situation. It may not be in the way you thought, but you must trust that God has your best interests at heart.

Consequences and afflictions can take on different forms—sickness, hardship, temptation, a difficult co-worker, a friend or maybe a contentious family member. There are so many things that can come against us. Remember, those afflictions are only temporary. Stand in faith today believing that God is on your side. It doesn’t matter what your circumstances look like, why don’t you get up every morning and say, “this is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!” 

Today, because of life’s afflictions and hardships, you may not feel like rejoicing or being upbeat, look to God with eyes of faithful expectancy, you’ll see your Deliverer is coming. Hallelujah! As you stand and trust the Lord, He will deliver you and empower you to overcome all evil afflictions, and you’ll see His abundant blessings in every area of your life.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for being my Deliverer! Father, thanks for the promise to deliver me from all evil and afflictions. I trust that You have a plan for me to not only be sinless but to be spiritually cleansed from my evil ways. God, I thank You for Your strength and peace in every area of my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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The Anxiety Hour

The media, negative people, and negative thinking can make us anxious. The evening news, I’m convinced, should no longer be called the evening news; they should call it “the anxiety hour.  

You see the tears. You see the evil. You see the injustice. You see the pain. You see the prognosis. You see no answers. Then you feel helpless. 

If you could do something to change anything, you would. But you feel unable. You convince yourself; that your loudest cry would be hollow and appeared uncared for, in this echo chamber called the world. 

There is an undercurrent of fear and tension under the surface in the news and social media. We feel like we want to turn away, pretend, run hide, shiver, and shake. God didn’t call us to dread, worry and anxiety? The news including social media may not be evil, but how we distrust God easily, as a result, could be. 

Today, if we fill our minds with the grim and negativity, it’s hard to keep our minds set on God. We can’t see if we are blinded by anger and negativity that boils over in our hearts because of social media and fake media. We get distracted and what emerges doesn’t look like love. It doesn’t look like Christ. 

Christ never called us to hone in on what’s wrong with everything like the news does, he called us to remember God is in control – of everything. This truth should defeat our anxiety. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. (Phil 4:8) 

Let’s pray 

Yahweh, at times I am prone to worry. I let what’s happening in the world, the politics, economy and fake reports sit heavy on me. Father, I need to find your peace. I invite you to restructure my thinking. God please may my hope be you. May my peace be you. May you help positivity to flow out from me. Remove anxiety and give me clarity. God, thank you that you have the whole world in your hands. I believe in your plan. In Christ’s name Amen. 

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God Rewards The Faithful

Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times

Notice today’s verse doesn’t say that God rewards those who “deserve” it or have “earned” it. It doesn’t say that God rewards those who act perfectly and never make mistakes. No, God’s blessing isn’t based on our performance, it’s based on our faith, our belief in Him, and His goodness.

So, do you want a reward? Start believing, start spending more time meditating on God’s goodness and dwell on His faithfulness. Expect Him to act in your life. Spend some time seeking Him, reading the Psalms, and begin to praise and thank Him for all He is doing.

Today, open your eyes of faith and see all the wonderful things He has prepared for you. Let His Word shape your thoughts, and remember He is a rewarder! He wants to bless you today because you earnestly seek after Him!

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word which fills my heart and mind with faith. Father, I believe that You are good and that You are a rewarder, even when my faith is weak, and my behaviour isn’t great. God, I will put my trust in You, knowing that You have blessings in store for my future, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Hard Days

Life has become so hard. We have challenging days. Days that stretch us, sometimes beyond what we can bear. Sometimes these days appear as a series of little irritating events that build-up to one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. On other days we wake up to find one huge, unexpected event that lands like a bomb in our life. 

From time to time, hard days find us busy and distracted as we try to fix everything that has gone wrong. Then we get caught up in our thoughts and feelings about our circumstances that it consumes us. Perhaps we attempt to hide away from the struggle of the day in the hopes that if we don’t think about it, it will all go away. 

Today instead of negative thinking, hard days can be opportunities for us to draw near to God. They are opportunities for us to depend on him and receive more of his grace. Challenging, days should remind us how desperate we are and how much we need our Saviour. 

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, help me! I am so weary and worn down. So many things are happening all at once and I don’t know what to do. Father, I am overwhelmed. Sometimes, it feels like I am standing in a fierce wind that is whipping and swirling around me and I can’t move because the force is so strong. It will knock me down. And what if I can’t get back up? God, please help me. Grant me hope, wisdom and strength during these hard days. In Christ’s name, Amen. 

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Let The Redeemed Say So! 

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” That’s what today’s Scripture begins with. It doesn’t say, “let the redeemed of the Lord think so.” Or, “let the redeemed believe so.” Of course, it’s important to think right and believe right, but something supernatural happens when we open our mouths and declare something so emphatically that You don’t even have to say it to anyone else.

You can say it while driving or in the shower. Say, “the economy may be low, but I am blessed. I am prosperous. I will lend and not borrow.” “I may have had some setbacks, but I know those setbacks are a setup for a comeback! This is still going to be my best year so far. The favour of God is turning things around.” You are prophesying positively into your future.

Today, remember when you say what the Lord has done for you, you are declaring that you are redeemed, you are opening the door for God to move on your behalf. The Scripture tells us that He watches over His Word to perform it. When you declare His Word, when you speak His promises, He is faithful to fulfil them, and lead you into victory all the days of your life!

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary.” (Psalm 107:2, AMPC)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for delivering me and setting me free. Father, I will declare Your goodness. I will declare Your promises. I will declare Your favour because You told me in Your Word let the redeemed of the Lord say so or declare it so. Hallelujah! God, I know what I declare with my mouth will allow me to live the good life You have prepared for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen

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Live Like A Tree

The Tree of Life

Living in California I saw all kinds of trees. Large trees represent power, majesty, and stability. I also noticed the difference between a tree planted by the water and a tree far away from water? The tree next to the water was much healthier and more vibrant. Its fruit and blossoms were the most beautiful.

In the same way, when you are “planted” in the Word of God, your spirit is fed and you grow strong, just like the tree by the water. You’ll bring forth fruit at the proper season. In other words, you’ll be in the right place at the right time. You’ll be productive and fruitful. But notice the end of today’s verse. It says that whatever you do will prosper!

Today, do you want to prosper in your relationships? Seek God’s Word regarding relationships. Do you want to prosper in your health? Seek God’s Word about healing. Do you want to prosper in your finances? Seek God’s Word regarding finances. Make sure your heart and mind are planted in the Word of God. Let Him illuminate your heart with truth. Let Him wash over you with His promises. Seek Him, trust Him and obey Him, and everything you do will prosper in Jesus’ Name!

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3, NASB)

Let’s PrayYahweh, I love You so much. Father, thank You for Your Word which is truth and water to my soul. God, make me like a strong tree planted and rooted in Your Word. Search me, know me, and guide me in the way that I should go, as I stay focused on You and planted in Your Word, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Renew Your Mind 

What Does It Mean to Have a Sound Mind?

What changed when you surrendered your heart to Christ? Certainly, not our outward appearance, our income or the people in our families or at work. The more we give in to the flesh the more our lives stay the same. But the more we yield to the Spirit the more we begin to look like Christ. It is important to note that we cannot and do not change our ways first before we come to Christ. Hard as we try we do not have the power to do that and if God required that no one would be saved. 

In today’s verse, Paul knew that it takes a sincere desire to want to obey God to resist the lure of the world, hence his admonition to not copy the ways of the world. The same temptations we experienced in the past will come our way as new creations in Christ. We will face the same hardships and deal with the same emotions and circumstances. What makes the difference is our sincere desire to please God. Our desire, fuelled by God’s grace and love makes real change possible. 

Today you may be asking the question Ray how do we carry out Paul’s instruction to renew our minds in the practical sense? It’s all in the Word. God’s Word empowers us and enables us to go all the way in our pursuit of Him. Our job is to study and apply the Word. It is our weapon against everything that comes against us; whether sickness, fear or evil thoughts. God’s Word is the standard by which we measure our lives, defeat the enemy and conform to His will. 

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” – Romans 12:2 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, help me to study and apply your Word to our lives each day. Father, help me make this a discipline of the mind and heart, empowered by Your Spirit, transforming me each day more and more into your likeness. God, help me have self-awareness of when I’m falling into temptation and turn quickly back to you. Thank you for your tender mercy and love, ever leading me. In Christ’s Name, Amen! 

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20/20 Vision

Do you have a vision for your life and your family’s life? The Bible says, “without a vision the people perish.” Today’s verse says, “the vision is for an appointed time.” That means there is a specific time already determined for the fulfilment of the desires God has placed in your mind and heart. The appointed time is the best time! We must trust that God can see the bigger picture for our lives. He knows what’s up ahead. He knows what we’re going to need, who we’re going to need, and when they need to show up.

Remember, if God did everything, we asked on our timetable, it would limit us, because sometimes what we’re asking for is too small. Sometimes the person we think we can’t live without, God knows they’re not going to be good for us in ten years, so He is closing the door right now. Sometimes the promotion we want so badly if God gave it to us right now, He knows it would keep us from a much bigger promotion in three years, or maybe a closer relationship with him.

Today, remember, God has the advantage of seeing it all – the bigger picture – the beginning and the end. The longer I live, the more I trust Him. The more I see His hand of faithfulness, the more I know that His plan is better than my plan. Today, trust that He knows what He’s doing. Trust that He has an appointed time for all that should take place in your life. Trust His will and His process and watch Your God-given vision and His promises come to pass in your life! Hallelujah!

“The vision is yet for an appointed time…” (Habakkuk 2:3, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I put my dreams, desires, hopes and longings into Your loving hands. Father, I trust that the vision You have given me is for an appointed time. God, give me patience and strength to trust Your process and timing. I know it’s best, so I will praise You until I see Your vision and Your promises come to pass in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Release What You Cannot Control

So often in life, we hold on too tightly to things we were never meant to control. It’s hard sometimes, to let go. Struggling to change things and striving hard to maintain order, but when problems mount high and pressures feel overwhelming, we begin to understand more fully how little control we have. 

We look in all different places for help forgetting we can move to our Saviour. We forget that He never changes, and He still holds the power to heal and set free. At times we don’t believe that He can, or wants to, work on our behalf we forget, that He’s still the God of miracles, that He can act “immediately,” that He can do in a moment what might take years for us to work out on our own. 

Today set aside your fears and move towards the saviour, with faith. Move-in close, and reach out to the One who is All-powerful, compassionate, loving, and kind. He knows the wounds and troubles you carry; He knows the pain and worries you feel, He knows how much you try to let go, and fix things. Please trust that your situation or circumstance is not too big for His healing and freedom. God is Able. He is always within reach. He is never far away. He is close. He is with us. He cares. He heals. He restores. He redeems. May His huge grace cover you on this day. 

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I confess our need for you today. I need your healing and your grace. Father, forgive me for trying to fix my situation by myself forgetting how much I need you, above everyone and everything else. I come to you and bring my hurt. God, You see where no one else is fully seeing. You know the pain I carry. The burdens. The cares. You know where I need to be set free, cover every broken place. Every wound. Every heartache. Thank you that you can do far more than I could ever imagine. In Christ’s name. Amen 

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