Compromise A Dangerous Road 

Small compromises can easily grow and before you realise it, you’re compromising in bigger areas too. Do you lie to look better than others? Perhaps you decide to go to a party that you know your parents wouldn’t approve of. Are you dating the guy that looks cute, but who you know isn’t a good influence? Each day these small decisions that you make set the tone and direction for your life. 

If left unchecked, small compromises will eventually lead you down a path that you never intended. It can be easy to begin to compromise. Many times, you don’t even realise that you’ve compromised in an area. Compromises can happen in big areas of your life, but they also happen in the smaller ones too. 

Usually, compromise happens in small things. Small choices have gotten you to where you are at so far. Ask yourself the question, do you like the person you’ve become? Do you make godly choices even in the small things? Have you begun to compromise your beliefs? 

Today, the good news is that if you have been compromising, Jesus offers us forgiveness and a fresh start. You can stop compromising and begin living a life full of character.

The Bible says “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong. – 1 Jn 1:9 (CEB).  

To break free from compromise you’ve got to really get into God. Start by reflecting and confessing today! 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, forgive me for compromising and dropping my spiritual standards. Father, help me to make the right choices so I don’t jeopardise my relationship with You, my colleagues, and others around me in Christ’s name Amen!

Don’t Let It Expire 

One day I received a gift card that I stored in a special place for so long that I forgot I had it. Most gift cards have an expiration date, and if you don’t use them, you will surely lose them! The same is true with the Word of God. No, the Word doesn’t ever expire, but we must act and use His Word to receive His promises. Just like you exchange your gift card for the things you need at the store, His Word gives you the power to receive every promise He has for you. 

When you declare His Word and keep your heart and mind open to Him, you are using the gift. You are opening the door for Him to move in your life. For example, if you’re facing lack in any area, receive the gift of provision by declaring, my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). If there’s a mountain in your way, receive the gift of victory that says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). 

Today and every day, use the gift He’s given you. Make His Word a priority and don’t let it depart from your mouth or your blessings expire. As you do, He’ll make your way prosperous, and you’ll enjoy the abundant life He has for you!  

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word which is truth to set me free. Father, I determine in my heart to use my gifts before the expiration date and set Your Word into motion in my life. God, keep me close to You so that I can please You in everything I do, in Christ’s name! Amen. 

We have Super powers

Did you know that you have a superpower? Yes! Jesus has proclaimed us all to be Super Heroes! We can move mountains with our mind! We can cause seas to part! We can kill fig trees….? Ok, that last one doesn’t seem so glamorous but you get the point right?

Jesus says “when you pray believe and you shall receive” Wow that’s so crazy,  But let’s not get carried away here! We must remember that Jesus surrendered his will to his Heavenly Father “…not my will, but thine be done”  His will and his Father’s will were one. So when we claim the promise or when we use our superpower of faith, believing that God will truly bless us with that nice car or fancy job or great apartment, we must ask ourselves ‘Is this the Father’s will or will it enhance the Kingdom”

The bible clearly states that anything we ask and I mean ANYTHING we ask, believing in faith that it will happen according to His will. God will grant it unto us. That is the power of faith! God desires the best for his children. He wants to see us happy; however, with great faith comes great responsibility. Many times we pray and believe in faith that something will happen that isn’t in accordance with God’s will. As Christians we must first ask “God, is this what you want for me?” and then pray in faith “If it is your will, I trust and believe that it will happen.”

Today consider the fig tree in scripture as an example Jesus uses to prove His point, that when we believe, pray and have great faith we can trust that God will do everything that we ask of him, once it is in accordance with this will. So go out there today and crush mountains with your bare hands! Break down barriers with your mind! And face the enemy with the power of faith! Super Christians Faith!

“Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and shall ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for your promises. Father I believe and trust in your promises. Lord, Show me your will, that I may walk only in your will by faith. God, please help me to trust you more each day in Christ’s name Amen.

Stop Running

When faced with hard times we take off running. We tend to run from anything hard. We run from our problems. We run from responsibility. We run from people we don’t like or have a conflict 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 must 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 flint, and fight the good fight of faith. And the good news is, you don’t have to do it in your 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)

Pray With Me

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

When Memories Are Painful  

Are you ok? Painful memories? Is everything in your life good right now, or are you suffering?  I can relate. 

Life can be painful sometimes. We all wish we could have seventy years of goodness, but that isn’t real life. Throughout my life, God has taught me valuable lessons regarding painful memories that I would like to share with you. God is faithful and will walk with us each step of the journey. He will never leave us or forsake us, and His grace and strength are always sufficient. Although some days you may doubt it. 

Another lesson is that, even though we may have forgiven ourselves and others, painful memories can tend to keep coming back. I asked God how I could stop the memories from coming back. He reminded me of today’s verse in Philippians 3:10. I should thank God for the experience, every time it pops up in my mind. As bad as it may be, He reminds me that I have the privilege of feeling a little of Christ’s suffering. 

Today when I look at my experiences from God’s perspective, suffering is a privilege. So, I may get to know Him more deeply. I would not have chosen some of the deep valleys I have gone through, but now I am thankful for them. Jesus, our Master, and Friend said we could expect trouble when we follow Him. We shouldn’t be surprised! But He is there with us, feeling our pain, strengthening us, loving us, and giving us grace and wisdom. 

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering” Philippians 3:10 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I want to know You better even in my suffering. Father thank You for reminding me about the “fellowship of Your suffering.” God, today I thank You for the painful times in life and for walking with me each step of the way. In Christ’s name Amen. 

It Hurts To Grow

3 Truths About Christianity

As a child I was very short whenever I complained about aches or pains that had no clear physical explanation, my parental diagnosis was: “It’s just growing pains.” I used to imagine my muscles and bones hurting while they stretched and grew. While I know nothing about the scientific nature of this evaluation then, today I do know it has a spiritual application that is very accurate. It hurts to grow. 

Why does It hurt to grow? because we must die to old ways in order to live anew, and old habits die hard. We place a high premium in life on dying peacefully but dying to anything is accompanied by pain. It’s hard letting go of our security blankets. 

It hurts to grow because growing usually means facing some fear or weakness that has limited us. Though God saves us through no effort of our own, he asks for our cooperation when it comes to our spiritual growth. Real spiritual growth only happens when our effort to act upon God’s word meets the provision of the Holy Spirit in us. 

Today learn this spiritual principle of growth. We obey by stepping into our weakness or our fear, trusting in the fact that because it is something He asks of us, He will meet us somewhere along the way with the power to do it. This is almost always a painful proposition because it requires a step into the unknown. What if God doesn’t keep His promises? I suppose we can ask that question, but we will never get the answer until we step. We must take the step as painful as it may be. And if that doesn’t hurt in some way to make these changes maybe it’s not God’s will and there may be there no growth. Old ways die hard, but new life dances on the gravestone. 

“Put into action God’s saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT). 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for the incredible pain you suffered on the cross for me. Not only did You carry the sins of the world,” past, present and future” but You died an extremely painful death. God, You are the best Friend I could ever ask for. Help me place my trust in you by accepting your word even when painful. I cast all my anxiety about moving forward on you. In Christ’s Name Amen 

When Faith Falters? ?

Two sisters who have seen Jesus heal on many occasions, sent for Him when their brother became sick. They believed Jesus could heal him. Their faith was strong. But Jesus delayed His arrival and the brother died. The sisters were grief-stricken and disappointed. 

Four days later Jesus arrived and asked them to take Him to where the brother was buried and to have the stone rolled away from the tomb, they objected. “Lord, he will stink by now!” However, they followed His command, and the stone was rolled away, and Jesus called, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he did! 

Mary and Martha had faith that Jesus could heal Lazarus. But as time passed, Jesus did not show up as they expected, and he died. Their faith was crushed. Jesus wanted to show them Himself in a new way. Not only as they had known Him, as Healer, but now, also as The Resurrection and the Life! 

When things look dead around us, and even within us, choosing to turn to Jesus, the Resurrection, and the Life, will breathe fresh hope and life into our spirit. His Spirit brings life to the places that are dusty, cold, smelly, and hopeless. 

Today in these upside-down dead days, let’s allow Jesus to bring that fresh hope to our souls. He wants to reveal Himself in ways we have not yet experienced. He wants to empower our words and actions with life as we engage with those around us. There is more of Jesus’ resurrection power to experience both today and for eternity. Be expectant of Jesus’ power in your life! 

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies…” John 11:25 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, I need You. My faith does falter in these days of confusion. Father, please lift my expectation and may I see and experience You in new and fresh ways today. God, I love You, and I lift my eyes above all the dead negative things that are going on around me and look to You, the Resurrection and The Life for new life. Please help me to live in expectation of your miracle-working power always. I pray this in Christ’s name, Amen

God is Faithful 

Are you confident today that God is always faithful? That He is exactly who He says He is? Aren’t you glad He doesn’t change His mind or forget about His promises? Friends or family may let you down or even betray you. But not God. He is faithful not only to you but to all His children. Check out these scriptures: 

Do you lack confidence today? The Bible says, 

“Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). 

Are you fearful about something? He said, 

“I hem you in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me” 

(Psalm 139:5). He is watching over you – behind, in front and overhead. 

Are you facing an impossible task? Pray and discuss it with Him. 

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). 

Have you messed up? Feel guilty? 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He will cleanse you – make you completely pure. 

Do you want to be more faithful to those you love? You can. Daily ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and direct you. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22-23). 

The Holy Spirit will produce faithfulness in you. 

Today I look back to when I was a young man, I believed in God was a churchgoer, but I did not know that I was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him. I learned that to experience a full and meaningful life, I needed to yield the control of my life to God, and then I could experience His love and power moment by moment.  

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God”   Psalm 145:13b 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my life, I have sinned against You. Father, I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross. Lord, please take your place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. In Christ’s name Amen. 

Waiting  

Waiting is hard because we don’t know what the answer will be. Neither do we know when the answer will come. Our Christian walk of faith is often a journey of waiting and waiting, which we don’t always do with much patience, but I am learning.  

We know that God has the answer and can turn our waiting into trust. As a result, faith renews our strength to wait, we will do a great deal of waiting on our faith journey. Everything we do, we do by faith. As faith is enabling us to trust and wait, it is also building more faith to help us wait on Him for the results, which may be a long time coming; and yet, faith is required day by day. 

Today, our journey isn’t necessarily about the result, but how we endure the unknown. Will we trust God to renew our strength and move us out of the place of discouragement to a place of peace and hope again? In my experience, when I call out to Him with my discouraged heart, He is always faithful to lift me again; then I can rest once again in knowing He is in control. The choice to trust will help us wait. A deeper faith is the result of bravely waiting on the Lord. 

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I pray the Psalmist’s words to you, “I wait for you Lord, my soul waits, and in your word, I hope” (Ps 130:5). Father, help me to remain faithful in this place of waiting. Help me to serve you and live for you at this crossroad of my life. Help me to wait as long as it takes. I put my total trust in you. In Christ’s name Amen. 

Faith Through Adversity 

Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times

It doesn’t seem fair, does it? Paul spent his life serving Christ, and yet he experienced continual suffering. Why would God let one of His most faithful servants go through so much pain? This isn’t just a question about Paul; it’s an issue we face today. In our minds, the Lord should protect His loyal followers from hardships, but He doesn’t necessarily do so. 

Maybe our reasoning is backwards. We think faithful Christians don’t deserve to suffer, but from God’s perspective, suffering is what produces faithful Christians. If we all had lives of ease without opposition, trials, or pain, we’d never really know God, because we’d believe that we would never really need Him. 

Depending on your response, trials can be God’s greatest means of building faith or an avenue to discouragement and self-pity. If you’ll believe what Scripture says and apply its principles to your situation, your trust in God will grow, and your faith will be strengthened. 

Today Like it or loathe it, adversity teaches us more about the Lord than simply reading the Bible ever will. I’m not saying we don’t need to know Scripture; that’s our foundation. But if what we believe is never tested by adversity, it remains head knowledge. How will we ever know the Lord can be trusted if we’ve never been through hard times? God gives us opportunities to apply scriptural truths to our difficulties, and in the process, we find Him faithful. For example, how would Paul ever have known the strength of Christ if he had never been weakened by pain and persecution? 

“I leave you peace; my peace I give you.” I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Let’s Pray 

Jehovah my faithful Father, thank you for your great promises. Father, I am thrilled at the reminder of your faithful presence in my life which helps me during difficult times. God, I fully believe that I can entrust my future to you and that you will bring me into your presence with victory and great joy. Thank you, Lord, for giving me this sure and steadfast faith. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen. 

*Suddenly*?

'Be Still and Know'

During life’s challenging dark times, know that you are not alone. We all go through seasons of difficulty, or times when things just seem dark. Remember, God has a plan to drive out your darkness and flood you with His light!


Today’s verse doesn’t say, “the light will come trickling in.” No, it says that “the light will come bursting in!” That means suddenly you will see God’s goodness. Suddenly, you’ll be promoted. Suddenly, answers will come! If you’ve been going through a difficult time, get ready for the goodness of God in a new way. Know that His light is about to come bursting in! Hallelujah!


Today, get ready for breakthroughs. Get ready for promotion. Get ready for restoration. You may have had that problem for a long, long time, but today could be the day that it turns around. Suddenly, things will change! God wants His glory to be seen on you. He wants you to stand out in the crowd. He wants you to be so blessed that everyone around you can see His goodness on you! So keep standing, keep believing, keep hoping and keep declaring His Word, because His light is going to come bursting into your life!


“When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in…”  (Psalm 112:4, TLB)

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your light that drives out every trace of darkness in my life! Father, I choose to expect Your goodness. I will stay focused on Your faithfulness. God, I know that You are working behind the scenes in my life, and I expect that You will turn my darkness into light, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

The Journey of Faith

Can you see how God keeps His promises? Let’s dare to believe in God, knowing he is faithful, even when we are not! Picture Abraham with Sara, his wife, his nephew, his servants, and his herd of livestock travelling with a tent to pitch anywhere they needed to. 

Abraham believed in God with childlike faith. At seventy-five, Abraham would have loved to enjoy the wealth and lifestyle he was accustomed to in Haran. Yet, he left and went where God led him. As a foreigner in a new country, Abraham had to develop his faith to cope with new situations. 

Scripture says Abraham moved to Egypt because of famine. Pharaoh, the King took his very beautiful wife to his palace. Abraham didn’t reveal that Sara was his wife. Then, a plague was sent to Pharaoh’s house causing him to release Sarah and send Abraham out of the country. While waiting for God to give them a family, he and Sarah tried to accomplish the promise themselves and a child was born, not of Sarah, but their Egyptian servant. Sarah, his wife, became angry at that servant’s scoffing and asked Abraham to act. So, God asked Abraham to listen to his wife. Abraham asked the servant and mother of the child to move out with her son. They did. 

Today like Abraham you may have failed at times, but God hasn’t failed you. Abraham received everything that was promised, Canaan the land his descendants would one day possess, and Sara had the child Isaac, although they were both past the age of childbearing. Let’s dare to believe in God, knowing he is faithful, even when we are not! Thank God that nothing is impossible to him. 

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed by you.” Genesis 12:1 NLT 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for showing how mighty and faithful you are through Abraham’s and Sara’s life. God, please help me to keep my eyes on you with eternity in my heart so I can finish strong. I hold on to Your promises knowing they are sure in Christ’s name. Amen 

**Wisdom Wednesday’s**

Are you ever tempted to doubt? I know I have.

The reality is doubt is very common to our human experience. Doubt comes in varying degrees. There is the doubt of a proud skeptic, who delights in their own intellect. There is the person who wants to believe, but is struggling with difficult questions. Then there is the believer who has drifted away from the Lord in the midst of a difficult situation. At the foundation of doubt is fear. Fear can be debilitating, disorienting and depressing.

The only antidote for doubt is faith. Faith, in the bible, is defined this way “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” The object of our faith is God and his promises. 

Faith is putting your trust in God and having confidence that he will fulfill his promises. Trust that God is working on your behalf and in your favour. Have confidence in His promises. Know when you trust Him, goodness and mercy will chase after you all the days of your life! 

- Pastor Sophia

Don’t Panic Exercise faith?

Christ, god, Holy Spirit, Jesus, panic, Pray

Last week I had a prayer request from a woman who thought she was losing her baby. She pressed her hands on her stomach, but nothing. she tried moving around, drinking something cold, but nothing. Her unborn child had either been quiet for quite a while, or something was wrong. She had two choices. panic or faith. 

Maybe you have the same choice to make in your life right now. I discovered a formula that can help you beat panic if you accept its words by faith and put them into practice. It’s found in Philippians 4-9. 

Paul says we should rejoice in God, and not panic, bringing all matters to the Lord in prayer. Next, we choose where we place our thoughts, and what we feed them. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy — that should be our focus. 

When the woman’s baby went quiet, she decided to believe that her baby would “not die but live and would proclaim what the Lord has done”. She was happy to hear the beautiful heartbeat coming through the machine. She was aware that the outcome could have been different, but she decided from then on to deal with things as they came from the point of view of faith, not panic. 

Today, we have choices to make what will be our approach?  remembering the good in someone who’s hurt you and choosing to make peace with them. Maybe it is deciding to trust that God is holding the aeroplane you are about to board in His care and has commanded His angels to watch over you. Or perhaps it is accepting that He loves you beyond what you could ever imagine. So, if you’ve messed up, you can choose to believe it’s not over and turn to Him again, knowing He is not finished with you yet. Don’t Panic exercise faith. 

“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.” Philippians 4:8 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I come to you because I need my mind shifted. I want my thoughts to be aligned with yours. I want my mind to be transformed. Teach me to choose faith over panic. God reminds me of your truth when darkness fills my thinking. Remind me of your love when I cease to believe it. Hold me close to you when panic is one of my choices. I love you, Lord. In Christ’s name Amen. 

Lift Your Shield Of Faith 

Fear includes worry. We worry about our kids, our relationships, our finances, or any number of things, we are living in fear. And it can be paralyzing. 

Fear displaces our faith. Faith is the assurance of God’s ability to help and strengthen us, giving us spiritual wisdom. When fear displaces our faith, we find it hard to believe that our God can do the impossible.  

When faith displaces fear. We take each fear to God, trusting Him to be our help and our strength.  His peace comes in. It doesn’t mean our problems all fade into the distance. It does mean, however, that we will have the strength we need to face every challenge. It also means we can expect God to work within our circumstances in unexpected ways. It means we can be more than just survivors — we can be overcomers. Hallelujah! 

Today the feeling of fear in the face of the unknown is normal. Yet God tells us we can live beyond that and let our faith extinguish our fear. Whatever is worrying or plaguing your mind and heart identify the fear. Then invite God to help you lift the shield of faith to extinguish that fear in Jesus’s name. He is able and He will do it! 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I thank You that You are more powerful than any of my circumstances. Father, increase my faith and extinguish the fear that threatens to sap strength from my soul in Jesus’ name! God, please help me to stay focused on You and not my fear. I lift my shield of faith. In the name of Jesus, amen. 

I Cried Out To God In Tears

Imagine you’re going through some moments of real doubt regarding something. You have friends but don’t think you can share the deepest part of who you are with anyone. So, what do you do? I fought those doubts. It wasn’t easy. The worst part was that it seemed I had some answers to support my doubts. Sadness came to my heart. 

I cried out to God in tears. I remember all I could ask was,” God, help me! Help me! Please do something.” And He did. He inclined His ears. He heard my desperate cry and wiped my tears, from my eyes. 

My issues weren’t insignificant in his eyes. He saw my heart and opened his ears to my cry of desperation. When I couldn’t help myself, God responded. He brought me the answer I needed. He didn’t do it the way I thought, but His response worked. I calmed down. I still stand in awe of the way he responded to my cry. Hallelujah! 

Today, when you feel desperate to have someone listen to your heart, remember a listener is waiting for you. He will be attentive to your every call. He won’t condemn you but will be understanding and faithful towards you. So, call on God any time and he will listen to you.  

“…The Lord listens and heeds when I call to him.”  Psalm 4:3(AMPC) 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank you for being a good and faithful listener. Father, help me to always feel comfortable running to you whenever I have doubts, fears, or something deeply tugging at my heart. God thank you for treating my fears, doubts, and problems with significance. In Christ’s name Amen.

 

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