While talking to some youth, I realised an important truth – people pleasing is alive and well. From fashion, to language and everything in between, there will always be people who try to squeeze you into their mould; people who try to pressure you into being who they want you to be. They may be good people. They may mean well. But the problem is – they aren’t your creator. They didn’t breathe life into you. They didn’t equip you, empower you or anoint you; Our Almighty God did!
If you’re going to be all that God created you to be, you can’t focus on what everybody else thinks. If you change with every criticism, trying to win the favour of others, then you’ll go through life being manipulated, and letting people squeeze you into their box. You have to realise that you can’t keep every person happy. You can’t make everyone like you. You’ll never win over all of your critics.
Today, instead of trying to please people, when you get up in the morning, ask the Lord to search your heart. Ask Him if your ways are pleasing to Him. Stay focused on your goals. If people don’t understand you, that’s okay. If you lose some friends because you wouldn’t let them control you, they weren’t true friends anyway. You don’t need others’ approval; you only need Almighty God’s approval. Keep your heart and mind submitted to Him, and you will be free from people pleasing!
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.” (Proverbs 29:25, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I come humbly to You today. I invite You to search my heart and mind. Let my ways be pleasing to You. Father, take away my need for people’s approval. Please let my thoughts be Your thoughts and not the thoughts of a corrupt man. God, thank You for setting me free from people pleasing, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Stop Pleasing People
While talking to some youth, I realised an important truth – people pleasing is alive and well. From fashion, to language and everything in between, there will always be people who try to squeeze you into their mould; people who try to pressure you into being who they want you to be. They may be good people. They may mean well. But the problem is – they aren’t your creator. They didn’t breathe life into you. They didn’t equip you, empower you or anoint you; Our Almighty God did!
If you’re going to be all that God created you to be, you can’t focus on what everybody else thinks. If you change with every criticism, trying to win the favour of others, then you’ll go through life being manipulated, and letting people squeeze you into their box. You have to realise that you can’t keep every person happy. You can’t make everyone like you. You’ll never win over all of your critics.
Today, instead of trying to please people, when you get up in the morning, ask the Lord to search your heart. Ask Him if your ways are pleasing to Him. Stay focused on your goals. If people don’t understand you, that’s okay. If you lose some friends because you wouldn’t let them control you, they weren’t true friends anyway. You don’t need others’ approval; you only need Almighty God’s approval. Keep your heart and mind submitted to Him, and you will be free from people pleasing!
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.” (Proverbs 29:25, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I come humbly to You today. I invite You to search my heart and mind. Let my ways be pleasing to You. Father, take away my need for people’s approval. Please let my thoughts be Your thoughts and not the thoughts of a corrupt man. God, thank You for setting me free from people pleasing, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
On Purpose
Did you know your conception and birth didn’t surprise God? Before you were born God knew you and was thinking about you. He knew everything about you before you were in your mother’s womb. He created you on purpose, for a purpose. He planned who you would be, the colour of your hair, and the colour of your eyes and skin. He gave you gifts, talents, and abilities to be used for His glory. He took one look at you and said, “approved.”
No matter whose approval you didn’t get on this earth, know that Almighty God loves you and approves of you. There’s nothing you can do now or ever to change that. You may be thinking, “I’ve made so many mistakes, how can God approve of me?” Understand that when God sees you, He separates you from your behaviour. He may not approve of your actions, but He desires to help you grow and make better choices.
Today, receive His love and acceptance. Allow Him to work in your life. Allow His love to empower and strengthen you because you are approved and equipped from your birth to live in victory all the days of your life!
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you…” (Jeremiah 1:5, AMPC)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for approving me and empowering me with Your love. Father, I open my heart and mind to You, please have Your way in my life. God, thank You for creating me on purpose, for a purpose, and accepting me with all my sinful traits. Remove anything that would hold me back from all You have in store, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
How Can I Be a Better Christian?
As a Christian, it is important to know that you are a child of God and that God wants the best for you. Understanding what God expects from you can help you do more with your life. You can be a better Christian. Christianity is a large and diverse faith, which means there are many different ways to be a better Christian. Some people find meaning in the Bible, in prayer, in rituals or even in their relationship with God. But no matter what your beliefs, these are all good things to do. They will make you a better Christian.
There are times when we get so wrapped up in all the things that God allows us to do that we forget to do the things that are most important. We fail to memorize scripture or we fail to pray regularly even though prayer is the very foundation of our faith. What is the best thing about being a Christian? It is the ability to know that the Almighty God created us in His perfect image. We know that He loves us and wants the best for us. He wants us to be strong, healthy and happy. He wants us to be happy in our relationships, be able to serve others and to live a life of peace.
For many believers, the idea of being a better Christian is a rather abstract one. The Christian life is, in fact, one that is not all that easy to describe because it is about the transformation of the heart, mind and soul. Being a better Christian starts with becoming a better Christ-follower.
Read the Bible
God is the ultimate answer to everything we face in life. However, some people do not always believe this is true. We all know that we could probably do a lot better in our lives, but most of us fail to take the first step in making the changes we need to make. The Bible is the most influential book in the world, and it’s actually the most shared book of all time on the Internet. While we can’t all be scholars, we can all learn from the Bible and the principles it teaches.
Pray
One of the most important things in life is to communicate with God and listen to him in return. Praying is a way to communicate with God. We must also pray. We must pray every day. You can pray in the morning and in the evening, but true Christians pray throughout the day as well. Sometimes, singing praise is a form of prayer. Listening to music on the radio can be a prayer. Talking to God when you are alone or with others is prayer. To become a better Christian, you must increase the number of times you pray and the number of times you listen to Him speaking to you.
Be Humble
We don’t have control over a lot of things that happen to us or around us. We do have control over how we respond to them. To become a better Christian, think about how you respond to situations. Jesus does not want us to be anxious or panicked. When Jesus was hung up on a cross, people mocked and made fun of him. He chose not to respond with anger. He has told us to turn the other cheek and to give our burdens to Him. He also does not want us to judge others. Let go of your stress and humbly ask God for help. Ask God for patience. Ask God for peace.
Be a Regular Member of the Church
The Christian church is called to be a people who are “the church”. We are called to bring people to Jesus Christ and help them experience a new life in Christ. We are called to share the Good News about Jesus Christ with others when we are engaged in them. We are called to be a community of believers. The church is a place for people of all walks of life to come together and be with one another. The church exists to help us grow in our faith, and that means we need regular reminders of its values, its teachings and guidance. A few simple steps to becoming a regular member of the church: 1. Be an “everyday member” of the local church. 2. Share the gospel with others. 3. Study the Bible and other Christian books to learn the Bible’s message. 4. Experience the love and peace of God by participating in the life of the church.
Being a good Christian, or a member of any church, is a huge goal that many of us have. However, there is much more to being a Light for Christ than just attending church and going through the motions. It’s a place where you can meet new friends, take part in meetings and activities, and grow in faith.
Why Black History Is Important
This month is black history month in the UK. As people of colour we have been through and still go through seasons of difficulty and storms in life. But during those times, we have to remember that Almighty God is greater than any struggle we face! He will carry us through those challenges and use them to strengthen us, like He has always done. But we have to do our part and take a step of faith toward our victory.
When I think about Black people, I’m reminded about the caterpillar before it becomes a butterfly. When it’s wrapped in its dark cocoon on the backside of some tree, it doesn’t look like it has many options. But inside that cocoon as it becomes a butterfly, it doesn’t just sit and wait for someone to come and let it out. No, that butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it’s going to be set free to fly. In the same way, we have to fight and continue to fight always doing something to get out of the confined difficult places we are in. We have to pray, we have to believe, and we have to press through to victory.
Today, no matter what race you may be or how tough things get, remember His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in you. He has given you everything you need to overcome in this life. Now is the time to break free from negative thinking and rise to new levels because He has victory and blessing prepared for you!
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'” (2 Corinthians 12:9a, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for giving us the strength to make it through any challenge we may face. Father thank you for Black History month here in the UK, because it teaches me that I can trust You. I declare that You are good and faithful. Thank You for equipping me for victory in every area of my life. God, today I leave the confined dark place of caterpillar and declare I’m free like a powerful colour filled butterfly in Christ’ name. Amen.
Don’t Just Sit There!
We all face storms in life. But during those times, we have to remember that Almighty God is greater than any struggle we face! He’ll take those challenges and use them to strengthen us, but we have to do our part and take a step of faith toward the victory.
When a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, it’s in a dark place on the backside of some tree, been battered by the storms of life. it doesn’t look like it has many options. But when it becomes a butterfly i, it doesn’t just sit and wait for someone to come and let it out of it’s cocoon. No, that butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it’s going to be set free to fly. In the same way, we have to do something to get out of the confining places life has placed us in. We have to pray, we have to believe, and we have to move into our victory .
Today, don’t just sit there! No matter what you may be facing, don’t forget, His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in you. He has given you everything you need to be an overcomer in this life. Now is the time to make a move break free from the clutches of the storm and rise to new levels because God has victory and blessing prepared for you!
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’…” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)
Let’s PrayYahweh, thank You for the strength to make it through any challenge I may face. Father, I will not stand still in my struggles , I will move beyond them putting my trust in You. God, I declare that You are good and faithful. Thank You for equipping me with strength for a powerful victory in every area of my life in Christ’ name. Amen
…
My Sun And Shield
God longs to be your sun and shield. You may ask what does the sun do for us? It lights our way; it keeps us warm; it nourishes the plants of the earth so that we can have sustenance. The earth is sustained by its relationship to the sun, and God wants to sustain you through your relationship with Him. He wants to be your shield of protection against all the fiery darts of the enemy. He wants to light and direct your path. He wants to keep you warm when life seems cold.
Today, are you ready to receive God as your sun and shield? If you’ve been relying on anything or anyone else, let it go and put your trust in Almighty God. Open your heart and receive all that He has for you. Receive His blessing and protection today. Let His light shine on your path so you can move forward into the life God has for you!
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84:11, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, right now I open my heart and mind to You. Father, I receive Your blessing and favour and ask that You direct my every step. God, show me Your ways that I may walk with You today and always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
God Will Rescue You
While in Malawi I came face to face with a lion – albeit a blind one. Most people won’t ever literally come face to face with a hungry lion, but we’ve all been in situations where we feel like we are about to be destroyed. In the Bible we are told Daniel lived a life of excellence and the king kept promoting him and giving him authority, which made the other administrators jealous and angry. They manipulated the king into putting an unfair law in place that Daniel broke.
Even though Daniel prayed, he still found himself in the den of lions as a punishment. How would you respond in that situation? I’m sure Daniel believed that God would deliver Him. I’m sure he hoped it would be before he was thrown into that den. Have you ever prayed and prayed for something and it looked like things just kept getting worse? Daniel trusted that God would work His supernatural plan for His glory. But he still had to go through the hardship of the lion’s den.
Today, your friends may have turned on you, or you may feel like you’re in a lion’s den about to be devoured by the trials of life. Don’t be discouraged because God has the final say. Keep believing Him, keep trusting Him. He’s promised to never leave you or forsake you. He’ll shut the mouth of the lions that surround you; He’ll silence your accusers; He’ll stand with you in the fire, and He will lead you into victory in every area of your life.
“Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20b).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for being my light in dark times. Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness, and trust that You have a wonderful plan for my life. God, silence those who seek to do me harm, and vindicate Yourself through me. Almighty God, no matter how things seem, I will put my hope and trust in You. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
God Help Me I’m In A Dark Place
Does something you need seem impossible? With man it may be, but we serve the all-powerful God, and He can create something out of nothing! He can make a way when there seems to be no way, and open doors that seem closed forever!
The Bible says, “in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” but before He spoke the world into existence it was formless and void. If God can make the world out of nothing, He can take the empty places in your life and create something beautiful too! He can speak light into your darkest hour. He can take your formless dreams and give them shape. He can resurrect your dormant gifts and talents! He can make your crooked places straight! Hallelujah!
Today, know that you are created in the image of Almighty God. There’s power in your words, and there’s power when you’re in agreement with Him. Start saying what God says about your situation. Speak life to your broken dreams today. Speak hope into the hopeless places. Keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, because He will turn things around for you and create something out of nothing!
“Now the earth was formless and empty…and God said, ‘let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:2—3, NIV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, I trust that You are willing and able to make a way for me where there seems to be no way in my life. Father, fill me with Your peace and faith. Give me a vision for all You have for me, and help me to always speak Your words of truth and light into my darkness. God, thank You for making me in Your image, in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Season = Ploughing, Planting, Watering, and Harvest
We are about to move into a new, better season. For me, spring is better than winter. God has ordained seasons in your life. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable. When that happens, we have to submit our plans to Him and trust that He has a better plan. Understand that in God’s kingdom, every season is not harvest.
Every season is important and contributes to the harvest. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. And sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase, but without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. It’s during the plowing seasons when God’s bringing issues to light that we need to deal with.
Today, God is getting us prepared for life’s promotions. If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position by keeping an attitude of faith and expectancy, even when it’s hard, it’s just a season change. So keep ploughing by speaking the Word daily. Keep watering by praying and claiming God’s promises. As you do your dreams will come true, and you will receive the harvest God promised you!
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in all seasons of my life. Father, I trust that my harvest time of increase is coming, and I choose to remain faithful while planting, ploughing and watering. God, I submit all my ways to You today, trusting that You have the best plan for my life. Almighty God, I love You and praise Your name today and always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
You Have An Appointment Time
A couple of weeks ago I called my doctor because I was feeling unwell. I was told to make an appointment and at the appointed time I would be seen. I made the appointment and waited to be called. I had nothing to do with the day or the time, it was given to me by the doctor. It is the same with God, He has an appointed time to fulfil the visions, dreams and desires He’s placed in your heart. Just because it has taken a long time, or because you’ve tried and failed, doesn’t mean that it’s not going to happen. You have an appointment time.
Don’t give up, your dreams will come to pass, so don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. Our God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how impossible things looks, if you’ll stay in faith, your appointed time is coming. Every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it there and not only that, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Hallelujah!
Today, hold on to your dreams and vision and declare, “my time is coming. God is working on my behalf and I will fulfil my destiny!” As you hold on to your vision, and speak life over your dreams, you’ll see them begin to take shape. You’ll see your faith grow, you’ll see your hope strengthen, and you’ll see yourself step into the appointed time God has prepared for you!
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it…” (Habakkuk 2:3, KJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for setting my appointed time. Father, please give me the patience to wait on You and not become complacent. Almighty God, ignite my heart with Your holy fire, so that I can pursue Your dreams and vision for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will and Your Word, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
A NEW YEAR’S LETTER
Dear subscriber,
Happy 2021. 2020 has been full of hurt and disappointment for many. We’ve all been burnt by life, some have lost loved ones, relationships and jobs. But God doesn’t want us to sit in the ashes of the past; He wants to trade our brokenness for healing. He wants to give us beauty for our ashes. The key is that we have to be willing to give up the ashes in order to receive the beauty. You can’t have both, because the old has to go before the new can reach fulfilment.
As I look back over last year, I’m thankful to God for hundreds of new subscribers to the Ray of Hope devotion. I’m thanking God for lockdown virtual revivals in London, Wolverhampton, Harlow Essex, Kenya, Toronto Canada, Trinidad and many others, where hundreds gave their hearts to God despite the pandemic. I’m thankful for the Ray of Hope radio show each Sunday, and the listenership has grown tremendously. Ray of Hope ministries and God Interest want to thank you for your prayers, donations and continued support, and to ask you to continue to bless our ministry throughout 2021. We would love you to encourage your friends and family to also subscribe for their daily blessing.
Today, let’s move forward, not focusing on yesterday’s blessings, but reaching forward with hope and purpose, as we tackle the projects and challenges this year will bring. Are you willing to trust God with your future? Are you willing to let go of the pain, to forgive others and yourself so you can move forward in freedom? Don’t waste another day sitting in the ashes. The year 2020 is over, but your future remains. Let God give you joy instead of mourning, and let Him make something beautiful out of the ashes of your life in 2021.
…he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:3, TLB)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for promising to sweep away the ashes of my past and give me something beautiful in their place. Father, thanks for blessing Ray of Hope ministries, God Interest and it’s subscribers, to reach so many for the kingdom in 2020. Almighty God, I choose to give You my 2021 for more ministry endeavours as you give me clear vision. I receive Your healing and restoration in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Keep Pressing Forward!
As we come to the end of 2020, think about the process a caterpillar goes through before it becomes a butterfly. When it’s wrapped in its cocoon in the dark side of some tree, it doesn’t look like it has many options. But after it becomes a butterfly, it doesn’t just sit and wait for someone to come and drill a hole and let it out. No! That butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it’s going to be set free. In the same way, we have to do something to get out of the confining places we are in. We have to pray, set goals and move; we have to believe and keep pressing through to victory.
Truth be told we all go through seasons of difficulty that can sometimes feel overwhelming. But during these times, we have to remember that our God is greater than the struggle we face! In 2021 He’ll take our challenges and use them to strengthen us, all we have to do is get into agreement with Him.
Today, and throughout 2021 no matter what you may be facing, remember His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Keep believing, keep praying, keep hoping, and keep pressing forward. Before long, you’ll break free and rise to the new levels of victory God has prepared for you. Hallelujah!
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’…” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for the strength to make it through any challenge I face in 2021. Father, I will put my trust in You. Almighty God, I declare that You are good, and I thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
The Right Gifts
As part of the wise men’s worship, they wanted to give gifts. They gave valuable gifts that symbolised the love, honour and appreciation in their hearts. In the same way, you can show your love and appreciation to God with a gift of worship, and you can show your appreciation to others by the gift of love you bring.
Today, as you celebrate this strange and unusual holiday season, don’t just focus on the natural gifts; focus on gifts of worship, love, kindness and encouragement. Go out of your way to show honour to God and others, just like the wise men in scripture. During these holidays walk in the gifts of love, joy and peace, this is the place of blessing.
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him gifts…” (Matthew 2:11, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, on this day I set my mind and heart on You. Father, help me to choose the right gifts this holiday season – gifts of worship, love, kindness and peace. Almighty God, thank You for all the gifts You’ve blessed me with this year. Have Your way in my heart, and let Your goodness shine through me in the year to come, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Your Fear Is Not From God
As we reflect on 2020, so many people have missed out on God’s abundant life of joy, peace and victory because they have lived in a spirit of fear. They are afraid to make a decision, afraid to confront issues, afraid to step out, afraid of the past, afraid of the future, afraid of racism and afraid of the pandemic. But as believers, we don’t have to live that way. Fear is not from God. God hasn’t given you that spirit, He has given you power, love and a sound mind!
Today, in these last days of 2020, make the decision that you are not carrying the spirit of fear into 2021. Scripture says that perfect love casts out all fear. Ask God for a deep revelation of His love. Meditate on His Word and let it fill you with faith. Equip yourself spiritually to stand strong in the face of fear, knowing that God has good things in store for you in the year to come and beyond!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for giving me power to overcome the fears of 2020. Father, I receive Your love and choose to stand strong in faith. Almighty God, fill me with peace and joy as I end this year, please keep my mind stayed on You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
The Christian Privilege
When you become a Christian, you have certain privileges because you have surrendered your way and your will to Him, you are His. When you chose Him, God put a blood line around you that the enemy cannot cross. Hallelujah! As long as you keep God first place in your life, you have a hedge of protection, a hedge of favour, a hedge of mercy surrounding you like a shield.
When difficulties come, God says that because you’re His child, because you honour Him, because you put Him first even when issues are formed in your life, in the end they well not prosper, it’s not going to harm you. God is going to turn it around and use it to your good. That’s your promise and privilege as a believer!
Today, I’m not saying that you’ll never have problems. No, life is full of difficulties. The promise God is making to you is that when evil, issues and problems come against you, because you’re in a covenant relationship with Him, you can stay in peace, knowing that it is not going to prosper. God has already paved the way for you to live in victory in every area of your life! Hallelujah!
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your many promises. Father, today I accept Your truth which sets me free and protects me from the enemy. Almighty God, I declare by faith that no weapon formed against me shall ever prosper, therefore I will not fear what man will seek to do to me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
