Godinterest

January 27, 2022January 27, 2022

When We’re Under Pressure

Have you ever lived with stress? Most of us would answer yes but have you ever been shipwrecked, whipped within an inch of your life, had a group of assassins after our blood, or been lowered over a city wall in a basket at night to escape pursuers? All those things happened to Paul in the New Testament, being frequently under unbearable pressure.

We all live with stress at some stage in our lives. Stress has a way of bending us out of shape, making us act out of character, and making us more vulnerable to temptation. We find ourselves snapping at people, losing patience when we need it most, or becoming depressed. Ultimately stress can cause us to take our eyes off God and focus only on our problems.

Today, when we’re under pressure, it’s important to realise that if we are not careful, it could hurt our relationships with others. Most importantly, we should use those situations to learn to rely on God. How do we do that? Pray, “Lord, help me. I need your wisdom and strength!” Then continue to trust God when things are beyond your control. Believe that God can bring victory out of seeming defeat. Continue to obey God’s commands.

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure. . . But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. . . (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for caring about my life. Father, I ask not for a stress-free life but that you will teach me to rely on you in stressful times. God, through your Spirit living in my heart, please grant me wisdom and strength when the pressures of life seek to overtake me. In Christ’ name, we pray. Amen.

January 26, 2022

Sad Movies Always Make Me Cry

Wife Asked Hubby to Go on a Date With Another Woman, It Changed His Life Forever

Many of us know Psalm 23, the most well-known of David’s songs, written early in his life. But his first recorded song is this lament and tears in 2 Samuel 1. It is the heart cry of David over King Saul and David’s best friend, his son Jonathan, who died in a battle with the enemy, the Philistines.

Growing up there was an old song that said, “Sad movies always make me cry.” The effects of sin and evil had the same impact on David’s life in 2 Samuel 3:33-34. We find another sad song of David, a lament over the death of his friend Abner. Such songs help us learn to keep talking with God, even though our lives may be falling apart, and we feel as if God has abandoned us. They remind us that although our lives are constantly threatened by sickness, pain, and death, God has promised victory through the life, death, and the resurrection of Yahshua.

Today, it is good to know that in times of chaos, distress, and sadness, God hears us, and in His time, he will set our wrongs right again. Until then, we need to cling to his Word and the many promises it contains. We need to listen to God’s words of assurance: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” When evil Seeks to overtake you, cry if you must but know that Joy comes in the morning. Hallelujah!

David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan. — 2 Samuel 1:17

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for your reassuring promises. Father, there are many times in my life when I feel as if the world has collapsed all around me. God thank you for being there and not turning away, keeping your promise that “you will never turn away from my heartfelt cries”. Thank you for sending your Spirit to be our constant comfort in distress, I love you, in Christ name. Amen.

January 25, 2022

The Music Is Over Now The Singing Can Start

Right now, we may feel as if nothing will ever again be right in our lives. Some feel beaten down and afraid to hope. Or perhaps we have heard of a better day, and yet we are filled with despair. The music is over!

In the book of Lamentations, we have many funeral songs for Jerusalem and its people after the city was destroyed. Jeremiah confesses God’s sovereignty and justice, but he also can’t shake off the feeling of rejection and pain. He cries out, “Why do you forsake us so long?” You may feel today, please know that Jesus understands. He was mocked by his enemies as he hung dying on the cross. He was forsaken by his closest friends. He even cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But God raised Him from the grave and “gave Him a new name. God hears your cry and is willing to lift you from the pit of despair.

Today be like Jeremiah in scripture who looked beyond his despair to God’s promise of deliverance, that’s why he could sing with words of faith that have given believers hope through the ages: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Hallelujah!

The young men have stopped their music. Joy is gone from our hearts. . . (Lamentations 5:14-15)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh thank you for hearing my cry of despair. Father, today I receive your promise of deliverance just like Jeremiah and I sing like him “Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father. Morning by morning new mercies I see.” Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord! Amen.

January 24, 2022January 24, 2022

Kingdom Living Now

God likes to see you look good and prosperous. Our God is an extravagant God! He loves to do exceedingly beyond anything we can hope for or imagine. It gives Him pleasure to pour out His abundance and goodness in our lives. It gives Him pleasure to give us His kingdom now.

What is the kingdom of God? It’s simply God’s heavenly operating system or His way of doing things. Throughout scripture, God reveals His principles for living an abundant life. When you do things God’s way, you get God’s results; you get His success and blessing, and that’s what He wants for you – to live a kingdom life of power and divine prosperity.

Today’s kingdom living is not only about materialistic gain, but also about internal blessings that affect the external. Romans 14 tells us that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do you need more joy and peace in your life? Follow the Word and open your heart to His kingdom. As you do things God’s way, you will get His results, and live in the blessing of His kingdom all the days of your life!

“…it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32, KJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your hand of blessing in my life, materially and spiritually. Thank You for giving me kingdom living. Father, I receive it by faith today in all areas of my life and look forward to living in it eternally with You. God, I choose to follow Your Word in everything I do, claiming Your joy, peace and righteousness, in Christ’ name! Amen.

January 21, 2022January 21, 2022

I Want Joy!

After a hard year many of us might have lost the joy we started the year with. Did you know that it is God’s will for you to be joyful always? He wants you to be happy and carefree. He wants you to love your life no matter what your circumstances look like. In fact, when you have joy in the midst of difficult circumstances, that is evidence that you have faith and trust that God will bring you through.

Remember, joy is strength. When you have His supernatural joy, you can stand strong no matter what’s going on around you. You might say, “I’m just not a real jovial person. I’m more serious. I never laugh much.” And of course, God made us all differently, but you can train yourself to laugh more. One article said that the average child laughs over 200 times a day, but the average adult only laughs 4 times a day. What’s happened? As we get older we’ve allowed the pressures of life, stress and more responsibilities, little by little, to steal our joy.

Today, make the decision to get your joy back! Decide that you are going to look beyond your problems and look at what God will do on your behalf. Ask Him every day to fill you with His supernatural peace and joy, so that you can live in His strength and victory all the days of your life!

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NIV)

Pray With Me

El Shaddai, I humbly receive Your Word today. Father, I choose to open my heart to You and invite You to fill me with Your joy, strength and spiritual vigour. God, I want to spiritually be excited again, I rebuke the mundane, routine and stress of life that rob me of my God-given joy. Thank You for showing me Your goodness and empowering me with Your grace. I bless You today and always, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

January 20, 2022

W.W.J.D Love

Have you heard of the acronym WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)? Loving one another isn’t a matter of a warm, fuzzy feeling, weak knees and a pounding heart. It’s a matter of doing the right thing because that’s what Jesus would do. Sometimes, we do things Christ’s way, and it can result in unpleasant outcomes for us. Loving often calls for doing the unexpected.

Living the WWJD life makes us disciples of Jesus. Therefore, love is not something we can just opt to do or not do. It is a command from our Master, who showed us how to love. If we are asked why we are showing love, we should answer, “Because we’re disciples of someone who loves us. We do it for Jesus’ sake.” We can only show love by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. Then we’re able, like Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King, to serve Christ by loving and serving others.

Today, loving “one another” is often challenging. It may call us to love the strong-willed child or an ageing parent or spouse angry with dementia. At home or church, it may involve loving someone who is always negative and critical. At work, it may be the co-worker claiming to be indispensable while barely doing their job. It may mean foregoing a new coat so that someone else can have one. The “one another” in our lives could be someone we don’t even know, but who comes to love Jesus because of something we did. Whom will you show Jesus’ love to today? Remember, we do what Jesus Do… We love all.

These three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love. — 1 Corinthians 13:13

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for loving me when I don’t deserve it. Father, help me to see others as you see them and do for them what you would do. Please help me to be a person who shows that I follow the example You gave me. All for Your glory and honour I love You, in Christ name, Amen.

January 19, 2022

Ridiculous Laughter

Has God ever surprised you with the ridiculous? Has He promised you something that seems impossible? Have you ever thought that God is taking too long because there is no time left? You’re not alone Sarah was ninety years old when she became the mother of Isaac. When the Lord visited Abraham a year earlier and told him they would have a son she laughed. Sarah thought it was impossible—and perhaps even ridiculous. Shortly after that, she held her newborn son in her arms, understanding that, God had the last laugh. Now she laughed with Him not because the situation was surprising, funny or ridiculous, but because it was so wondrous. She even named her son child Isaac, which means “laughter.”

Today, are you waiting on God for the ridiculous? Is He taking too long? Abraham and Sarah’s long years of disappointment at not having a child and waiting on God to keep His promise ended in the joy of welcoming their beautiful baby boy. God had indeed brought laughter and hope, the beginning of the fulfilment of His promise to make them parents of a great nation. His faithfulness to them is one example of how God is faithful to us. God wants to birth laughter and joy in you right now to end sin, suffering and death.

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” — Genesis 21:6

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for your promises. Father, please give me patients as I await answers and hold on to the ridiculous and the miraculous. Just like Sarah and Abraham, keep me laughing until my breakthrough comes. Today I celebrate the birth of joy and no more sin, suffering, Sorrow and death in Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 18, 2022January 18, 2022

In Him We All Have Hope

The life of Dr. Martin Luther King was all about hope—and not just hope for a better day or an end to suffering, but also hope that our human existence has meaning and possibility beyond our present situation. This hope is in God, who makes things new and with whom “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In the Old Testament, God’s people wanted a mighty Messiah to come and change their oppressive circumstances. They were deeply disappointed when that didn’t happen. But that was a short-sighted view of hope. Our hope cannot be in circumstances, no matter how badly we want them to change. God’s people experience oppressive circumstances in the same ways that others do. They get sick, they are victims of violence, and they get killed in accidents, in war, and, in some parts of the world, by hunger.

Today, if our hope is only in a change of circumstances, we will always be disappointed. That is why we hope in God, who has continually, across the span of human history, revealed himself as a God of newness, redemption, and transformation. He is a God of possibilities who sees far beyond what we can think or even imagine. How amazing God sent a Savior not just for the people of Israel but also for the Gentiles. He came to save the world—and that includes you and me. Hallelujah!

The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope. — Romans 15:12

Let’s Pray

Yahweh Root of Jesse, during this new season of 2022, please draw us to you, give birth to new hope in me. God, show me how you can make all things new including my life. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

January 17, 2022January 17, 2022

Just Like Hannah

When Your Church Fails You: A Message For the Disheartened

In the Old Testament, Hannah desperately wanted children. Every year, when her family went to worship at Shiloh, she judged herself to be a failure by her culture’s standards. And one day it broke her. She was in deep anguish; she couldn’t eat, and all she could do was weep. No one could comfort her. Despite the hopelessness of her situation, Hannah prayed and turned to the Holy One, who “had closed her womb.”

With all of her emotions, she begged God to attend to her helplessness and grant her a son. In her prayer, Hannah trusted that God heard her and cared about her and would answer her cry. God did hear Hallelujah! God gave Hannah the gift of a son.

Today, when we experience dark days and seasons of grief and despair, like Hannah in the bible, we can cry out to God and claim His faithfulness. In such moments we are called to remember the story and love of our generous, gracious God—the God of hope, the God who will make right what is wrong in our lives, the God who will overturn all that causes us grief. Just like Hannah’s prayer was answered with a son, our moments of desperation, despair and discouragement can be reversed with the gift of God’s son Jesus Christ. Why not try Him today.

I am a woman who is deeply troubled. . . . I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. — 1 Samuel 1:15

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you that when I’m in darkness and I cry out to you, you always come through. God help me to remember that your Son is my light who came to take away my despair and show me the way to abundant life. In your name Christ, we pray. Amen.

January 14, 2022

Love Those Who Hate You

Love your Enemies. This command sounds almost impossible. Furthermore, these words of Jesus don’t have much appeal. In most situations, hate and disdain are the more natural responses we have for our enemies. Jesus points out, loving people who already love you is fairly easy. There’s a guaranteed return on our love investment when we love people whom we know will love us back. He goes so far as to say, “Even sinners love those who love them.” So just loving the people who love you as a Christian is not enough.

People who are going to follow the Lord have to step up their game. Three times Jesus mentioned even sinners do the easy work of loving others by expecting something in return. Jesus challenges us to show radical crazy love by loving the unlovable.

Today, do you want to be children of God? Then love your enemies, recognizing they are worth the same amazing grace you and I have received from God and pray for them too! That’s hard to do, but it’s what Jesus demands of you and He gives you the grace and strength to follow these commands.

To you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. — Luke 6:27

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, may my mind no longer nurse grudges and rehearse scenes of hurt and pain, but focus on your grace granted to me in Jesus. God, may I experience your love as I strive to love my enemies as well as my friends? Lord, help me to follow you daily, in Christ’ name. Amen.

January 13, 2022January 13, 2022

Unanswered Season

Seasonal Depression: Remembering Godâ€™s Provision

There are things in this life I will never understand. Are you going through a situation in your life that you don’t quite understand? You may be going through an uncertain season, it’s natural to question things in your mind. But in order to move forward, we have to look forward with our heart and not just our head. We have to look beyond the questions and continue to trust in Almighty God.

Remember, serving God means we’re going to have some unanswered questions. You may never understand why a relationship ended sooner than you would have liked. You may never understand why you lost a loved one. You may never understand why you went through something difficult. You may never understand why your God-fearing child is on drugs or why your prayers didn’t get answered. But at some point, you have to decide to put your questions aside and go on with God. Trust Him when you can’t trace Him.

Today, we have to decide to trust His character even when our circumstances don’t make sense. The Bible tells us that adversity will come, but God is the one who promises to lead us into victory. He has promised that He’s going to turn that difficulty around and use it for your advantage. He is faithful to His word, and you can be sure that He will fulfill every promise He’s made to you.

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God…” (Deuteronomy 29:29, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I choose to trust You with my unanswered questions. I choose to release any doubt and confusion to You. Father, help me to focus on Your word which is truth that will set me free from doubts and lack of understanding. God, I will trust You when I can’t trace You. Thank You for Your goodness and for the blessings You have in store for my future, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

January 12, 2022

Resist

Have you ever been tempted to take something that didn’t belong to you,? Maybe it was something you thought you deserved or felt you just had to have, maybe it was something that looked exciting and fun, but you also knew that it could be dangerous and hurt you and you knew this might be your only chance to have it. After all, it looked so interesting and inviting—and even though you had been warned about it, you thought, “How could this possibly harm me?”

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he used all kinds of reasoning and tricks to try to convince Jesus that He should have certain things or do certain things. But, thankfully for us, Jesus never gave in to his temptation. Christ saw through Satan’s lies and pushed away those temptations by recalling God’s words.

Today, we can resist temptation by the power of Christ. You may be tempted by what you see in front of you, but, like Jesus, you need to let it go and move on. Jesus, endured temptation so that He could pass the test for our sake, and now we have His example of how to resist. You can trust that God will always provide a way out of temptation. Hallelujah!

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” — Matthew 4:10

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for your example of how to resist temptations. Father, please give me the courage and power to resist all of the devil lies, and please provide me with a way out of those bad things I enjoy. In Christ name, Amen.

January 11, 2022January 11, 2022

It’s Okay To Cry

I had just come from the hospital, where I had visited a member of our church who had been shot. As the night went on with no hope, he appeared ready to die and make heaven his home. I knew that when he passed away, we would miss him dearly.

A few days later, I got a bang on my door in the middle of the night. I could never prepare for what I heard next. They had found a dead baby in the dumpster next to my house. Emotional complications had led to a mother trying to deliver her baby and then throwing it away. This was a massive shock, causing immediate grief for my family, the community, and myself.

Today, as I remember those moments of weeping in my ministry; a young man shot, a newborn baby found dead in a dumpster. What comforted me in those times, is knowing God can use these dark moments for good. Even though, this isn’t what I expected or what I wanted to happen, I had to remind myself He is still good. Words from John 11:35 remind us that Jesus too had to deal with the death of people He loved. How comforting it is to know that just as Jesus wept over his friends, He also weeps with us in our grief. That’s why I love Him.

Jesus wept. — John 11:35

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for showing us that tears are okay. Father, remind us that you are with us in our grief and that you are our comforter. Lord, please heal our hurts and bring goodness into our lives, that we may share it with others. In Christ’s name. Amen.

January 10, 2022January 10, 2022

He Can See You

Growing up, I was always very short, The shortest at school and church. If you were short like me, you know that you were in the front row of every photo and always behind the tallest person at any event. Zacchaeus must have felt that way too. The bible says he was short, and the crowd was growing. The people wanted to see Jesus as he walked down the street. The only thing Zacchaeus could do was run ahead and climb a Sycamore tree.

He just wanted a glimpse of Jesus. He did not expect to be, noticed what he didn’t know was that Jesus could see him. Jesus always knows where we are and can see all that we do.Jesus then invited himself to dinner and offered friendship. Zacchaeus came down from the tree and was no longer invisible in the crowd.
Today is a great day to look for Jesus and prepare for him to come and see you. There may be times in our lives when we feel invisible, and we may hear about great things that Jesus is doing for others but have a hard time seeing or believing that he might notice us.The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that no matter who we are or what we believe, Jesus can see us and wants to invite himself into our lives. Won’t you let him in in 2022?

He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. — Luke 19:3

Let’s PrayYahweh, thank you for seeing me wherever I am. Father, help me know that you want to engage with me and share in my life. God, this year I am willing to do whatever it takes to reach you even if it means to stretch or to climb a little higher into a tree so that I can see you coming. I pray this in your name Jesus. Amen.
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January 7, 2022January 7, 2022

Back to Basics

It is interesting that at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry when He first called His disciples, they had been fishing all night but had caught nothing. Then he told them to go back out and fish again. They took the risk, and they caught more fish than their boat could hold. For the next three years, they followed and walked with Him, learning what it means to fish for people instead.

After Jesus was crucified and had risen from the grave, He told them through Mary to meet Him in Galilee, where they had first met him. While waiting for Him there, they must have had some time on their hands and didn’t know what else to do, so they went back to basics. They went fishing. However, they caught nothing. Then, the next morning, Jesus called out from the shore, telling them to cast their net on the boat’s other side. They took the risk, and before long, they knew exactly who it was onshore.

Today do you hear Jesus calling you? Although Jesus already had His own fish on the fire on the seashore, He invited His disciples to bring some of their fish too. He also invites you during this new year, to bring what you have, so that we can join with Him in the work of His kingdom.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” — John 21:10

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for your blessings and favour. Father, please guide us to listen to you and to trust you to provide all we need and more. Lord, help us to use what you have given to us this new year to share your love with all those we come in contact with. In Christ name, Amen.

January 6, 2022January 6, 2022

Throw Away Your Stone

In my youth, many moons ago, we were drawn to “who done it” detective movies. Real-life movies about murder, tragedy, love, and heroism, and we tended to hope for a happy ending. Our imaginations would get fired up with the plot’s twists and turns. We didn’t like it when a character got treated unfairly, and we smiled when justice was served. We would walk away satisfied when it all ended well.

Stories in Scripture and life can work out a little differently. I don’t know who the adulterous woman in the story of John 8 is, or where her story started, but I am pretty sure she didn’t want to be dragged into a public square and threatened with execution. Having your faults exposed for everyone to see is not something any of us want in our life story. It is easy to judge others and find fault, but remember Jesus, is there looking and listening.

Today, let us think about the adulterous woman. She was guilty as charged, as we often are, but at that moment when Christ told them, “you who are without sin throw a stone,” He reminds us that we are all sinners and that this woman represents all of us. Only Jesus has the right to throw a stone, and He chooses not to. Instead, He decides to use grace and forgiveness. In this new year, Christ asks us to throw away our judgemental stones and follow His example.

“Where are [your accusers]? Has no one condemned you? . . . Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” — John 8:10-11

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for reminding us today that our task is not to judge others but instead to offer people your forgiveness. Father, help us all to accept your offer of forgiveness and begin living a new story. In Christ’ name, Amen.