Tag: bless

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Directions

Landing in Tanzania has given me a chance to reflect on my spiritual direction. Direction, “a purpose or orientation toward a goal that serves to guide or motivate,” has an inevitable flow in our lives. In consideration of our daily direction, the above verse from Romans aligns our internal compass with the One who breathes strength and purpose into the very muscles that compel us. 

Our spiritual direction stems from faith. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “stand firm in the faith.” Scripture tells us to take captive every thought and to align all we hear with the truth of the Gospel. Reading Scripture daily builds godly confidence, preventing the propulsion down a path that doesn’t align with His unique purpose for our lives. 

God’s direction for our lives isn’t always easy to traverse. We’re guaranteed that it most certainly will be hard in this life. Courage and strength, supplied by the Father’s love flowing through us, help our feet forge the path that is purposefully ours to trod. So “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Strength and power were ideals used to make spiritual decisions. We’re not too called to rely on our strength but to surrender to the One who is strong enough to sustain us in our spiritual paths. 

Today, Jesus Christ’s residence in our hearts through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we accept Him as our personal Saviour empowers us to set the directional compass of our hearts to His love. His love is perfect it’s direction was certain …the cross. He unwaveringly obeyed His Father and crushed the punishment of sin forever. Taking every one of our names upon His heart as He hung there, the greatest direction that was ever undertaken. That Power that should focus our direction …as we follow Christ. 

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” – 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14 (NLT) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I Praise You for Jesus’ sacrifice. His perfect love defeated sin on the cross. Thank You for loving me perfectly, and for layering my life with a unique purpose. Father, it’s hard to choose the right direction at times, forgive me for those times which have led me away from Your path for my life. Help me as we strive to be strong, courageous, and obedient to You. God, bless my heart to know the direction that You have mapped out for me. Help me to get through seasons of discouragement staying focused on Your Word and Your promises. Lord when I lose my way, remind me of who you are …Whose I am in Christ’s name Amen. 

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Breaking News!

As many of us celebrate birthdays this summer, we tend to look back and reflect on our mistakes and shortcomings or what may have been. We get down on ourselves and think, “if only…” “I should have…” “What if…?” It’s easy to feel like you’ve missed opportunities over the year, then we get depressed and discouraged and stop pursuing our God-given dreams. But understand today, just because you’ve made mistakes or failed in some way, it doesn’t cancel God’s plan, that’s breaking news! Hallelujah!

Here is more Breaking News! God never disqualifies you. He never says, “go sit on the side. You’ve blown it too many times. You’ve got too many weaknesses.” No, God always gives you another chance! Hallelujah! Some of the great people in Scripture made very poor choices. The apostle Paul started as a murderer, yet his destiny was bigger than his mistakes. He ended up becoming a great leader and writing over half of the New Testament.

Today, as you evaluate the year, know that your mistakes, your failures, and your poor choices don’t have to keep you from your God-given destiny. With God, it’s not about the way you start in life, it’s about the way you finish. Receive His grace today, embrace His Word and the bright future He has in store for you!

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”(2 Timothy 4:7, KJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Father, I trust that my days are ordered by You. Please help me not focus on my mistakes and poor choices, but on my destiny in You. God, I ask that You strengthen and empower me to fulfil Your call on my life. I love You and bless You today, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Speak Blessings

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." ?

As we think about our purpose now and for the rest of the year, how we treat others and how we use our influence can bless or curse us, and the people around us. Have you thought about how the people in your life need your blessing? Especially our youth. Some need your approval. They need to hear you say, “I’m proud of you. You’re going to do great things.” That’s speaking blessings. That’s using your influence to bless. When you say to the people, “I’m so glad you’re in my life. You mean the world to me,” you just spoke blessings. 

When you tell one of your employees, co-workers, or a student, “you amaze me with your ability. You have such a bright future,” those are not just nice compliments. When you speak the blessing, you’re releasing God’s wisdom, protection, favour and maybe even abundance into their life. You can literally help shape their destiny. One word of encouragement, one word of approval can be what helps someone break, depression, addiction and other negative thoughts or behaviour, and help them take the next step to who God created them to be.

Today, choose to speak blessings and influences to those around you. Sow good seeds into the lives of people. Remember, what you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. The Bible says whatsoever you sow you will reap. Sow blessings and reap blessings, and experience God’s favour all the days of your life! Hallelujah!

“The tongue has the power of life and death…” (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)

Let’s PrayYahweh, thank You for empowering me with Your love, grace, favour, and influence. Father, show me ways that I can be a blessing, and speak a blessing over the people I encounter in my life. God, use me for Your glory to bless and influence others to You, in everything I do, in Christ’s Name! Amen

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Enjoy Life

In today’s ever-changing world, I begin my day thanking God for waking me. Unsure of His purpose and exact plan each day, or why everything in the world we live in seems to be immensely chaotic, I do know if God has awakened me for another day, there is a purpose for it. How often do we take a moment to embrace and enjoy the gift of another day before diving into T.V and social media? 

Today verse Psalm 128 say, “God’s blessing goes with his people everywhere, even when they are not in Jerusalem,” in other words the blessing of God is on us even outside of our home. Hallelujah! We often get caught up calculating a successful life in achievements and possessions, forgetting to embrace the literal breath of every moment. 

What if we approached every day with a grateful heart for the breath in our lungs? Instead of striving for what we think will make us happy, can we embrace the joy God offers us in Christ to sustain us? Christ died for us to live life to the full, not to live in fear over what each day will bring. 

Today let’s remember the world will always be in chaos until Christ returns to set it right. Putting our hope in Him allows us to embrace and enjoy life. After all, God promises His plans for us are more than we can ask for or imagine! Live, blessed… because you are! 

“May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children- peace be on Israel.” – Psalm 128:5-6 NIV 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, help me to embrace and enjoy the life you’ve given me. Father, I know I am not accidentally here! Each day I wake to breathe, you faithfully meet me with purpose. I lift my anxiety and worry to you, today, as I seek to embrace your peace and promises. God, I confess my tendency to condemn, criticize, and compare instead of embracing the peace and blessings you have showered over my life. In Christ’s Name, Amen. 

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You Will Win

Renewal, Of People Of God - Knowing Jesus

You can succeed. You can overcome any obstacle through Christ. Through His Word, God has equipped you with everything you need to fulfill your destiny. That means you are well able to do what he has called you to do. You can accomplish your goals. You can fulfill your dreams! You’ve been armed with strength for every battle.

God is working on your behalf. He has already gone ahead of you and lined up the right situations and the right opportunities. You have everything you need to live the miraculous, victorious life God created you to live!

Today, if you’ll stay in faith, it’s just a matter of time; victory is on its way. Don’t settle where you are. Don’t have a weak, defeated mentality. Have the attitude, “I am anointed. I can accomplish my dreams. I can overcome any obstacle. I am empowered by the Creator, and I am thoroughly equipped for every good work that God has called me to do!”

“Every Scripture is God-breathed…so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, AMPC)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for equipping me for success. Father, I thank You for empowering me by faith. I know that through You I can overcome every obstacle. Help me to stay focused on Your Word and Your plan for my life. God, please help me to walk in Your anointing so that I can do all You’ve called me to do. I bless You today, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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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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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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In The Midnight Hour

Recently I spoke on Acts 16, where Paul and Silas were beaten and accused without a trial, then put in jail for the gospel’s sake. It wasn’t fair. As they sat in the prison, bloodied, bruised and helpless, it looked like things were over for them. They had no human help, nowhere to turn. When they were trapped and bound in their circumstances, they began to sing praises to God at midnight during their darkest hour. Then suddenly there was a great earthquake. The prison doors flung open, their chains fell off, and they walked out as free men! Hallelujah!

We’ve all had times when we felt completely trapped by circumstances. We’ve all felt lonely and hopeless. So many people today are facing their darkest hours and feel humanly there is nowhere to turn. You’ve done nothing wrong that’s directly linked to your current situation, but still, life has beaten you and you feel helpless.

Today, I encourage you to do what Paul and Silas did and begin to praise God! When you praise Him no matter what, that’s when God enters your situation. That’s when He can break the chains that hold you back and that hold you down and set you free. Praise Him in your midnight hour and watch Him show up and set you free. When things are at their darkest, pray and sing praises, and watch Him shake your darkness away. Hallelujah!

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” (Acts 16:25-26, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, right now I lift my heart to You. Father, You are worthy to be praised! I will bless You in my midnight hour when I feel victimised and beaten up by life for nothing that I have overtly done wrong. God, I know that You are good, and You have victory and freedom in store for me despite the darkness that’s all around, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
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Difficulties 

We must realise that God is not going to deliver us from every difficulty. He is not going to keep us from every challenge. If He did, we would never grow. The Scripture says, “Our faith is tried in the fire of affliction.” When you’re in a tough time, that’s an opportunity for your faith to shine. 

Today, anybody can get negative and bitter, blame God, or lose their passion. That’s easy. But if you want to pass the test, you cannot be a weakling if you want God to take you to a new level. You’ve got to be a warrior. Dig your heels in and say like Paul, “I can handle it. I’m ready for it. I’m equal to it. I know God is still on the throne. He is fighting my battles, and on the other side of this difficulty is a new level of my destiny!” 

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold…” (1 Peter 1:7, NLT) 

Let’s Pray  

Yahweh, thank You for refining me and growing my faith. I choose to stand strong amid difficulty. I choose to bless You no matter what my circumstances are. I trust that You are leading and guiding me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake in Christ’s name. Amen. 

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A Distraction?

Don’t get mad, it’s only a distraction? Many challenges in life are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone at work isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbour who always parks in front of your house and blocks your way. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the bigger picture. You can’t allow the little things to steal your joy and cause strife in your life.

Remember, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. But David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. Don’t focus on the distraction.

Today, truth be told, most frustrations aren’t even worth fighting over. Let’s keep our focus and turn away from strife because it’s only a distraction sent by the enemy to keep you from your God-given blessing!

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…”(Proverbs 20:3, KJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Father, give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife and honour You. God, help me see the challenges for what they are, distractions from my eternal blessing. Jesus, I love You and bless You today and always, in Christ’s name! Amen.

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It’s Time To Change Your Focus

Recently it’s been hard to get motivated and to stay focused. We all have those days when we don’t feel very enthusiastic. Maybe you don’t feel like you have any reason to be excited about your life. Today is the day to change your focus! It’s time to set your mind on things above. 

Often, we settle for what we see in the natural – the earthly realm, but God has so much more for us in the supernatural realm. Whatever we choose to focus on is what we will see manifested in our lives. We need to daily set our focus on the goodness of God and keep hope alive.  

Today, don’t give up on your dreams, feed your dreams. That means instead of dragging around finding every reason you can to be unhappy, your attitude should be: “I am not going to live my life defeated and depressed. I may have some obstacles in my path, but I know I have victory. I know God has great things in store for me, so I’m going to get up each day, starting today, anticipating the good things He has in store for me!” 

“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2, NIV) 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, I want to set my mind on You. I know that Your dream for me is so much bigger than my own. God, please help me be more spiritually motivated. Draw me close to You as I daily set my focus on You. Father, I bless You today and always. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Everything Remains The Same

Renewal, Of People Of God - Knowing Jesus

Wow! We’ve reached the second day of the second month of this new year. That was quick! It’s possible that, for many of us, this year may already be “the same old same old” as many years before with promises of new beginnings dashed, resolutions faltered, and hopes receded. 

I have learned that newness does not come with a New Year; nor does it age by the last day of an old year. Newness and change can happen every day through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who makes all things new. Hallelujah!

In scripture Ruth did not look for anything new or exciting at the end of the year; she embraced God’s kindness and integrity daily, and she immersed herself in living out her days with her God. The ancient, living Word of God kept her young and refreshed till the day she died. Esther too didn’t wait till the New Year when a change was needed, she made it and she was done with anxiety and the evil of Haman’s persecution. She found out that victory is gained by doing God’s will in her life daily. 

Today, wisdom invites us to eat what refreshes and keeps us ever new daily which is God’s word. Folly waits till the end of a year for new things to happen, which only embitters and binds us to perpetual old age. Take, eat, and drink of God’s wisdom every second, every minute, every hour, and every day and be ever new in Jesus! In so doing you will not have any regrets and life will never be “the same old, same old” 

Praise the Lord, my soul . . . who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. — Psalm 103:1, 5 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I praise and magnify you, for your limitless grace which comes to me daily. Father, I bless your name for providing for me and all the good things you continuously do for me. God, thank you for your love. In Christ, Amen.
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