Tag: christianblog

Posted on

Pruning Season Pt 2

Have you ever done something you said you would never do? Scriptures describe a time in Peter’s life in which he had done what he thought he would never, ever do. On the night he instituted the Lord’s Supper, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would be made to stumble because of him. Peter, in his overzealous confidence, responded, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not…”. He was so sure of himself that he proclaimed emphatically that even if he had to die with Christ, he would not deny him. Yet, hours later, he did just that. 

God, in His omniscience, had zeroed in on a weakness in Peter’s character. Through humbling circumstances, Jesus pruned away the pride that would prevent Peter from later becoming the leader of the early church God intended him to be. 

Today, we can all identify areas we’re overconfident in by noting the lack of time we spend in prayer over them. If the Holy Spirit brings something to mind, ask the Father to prune that tendency from your life and permit him to use whatever means is necessary to prune negative things out of your life so that you may fulfil the purpose he has for you. 

“Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Mark 14:29 (NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, you promise in your word to prune branches that don’t bear fruit. Father, I ask you to humbly search me and see if there are barren branches in my life. God, I permit you to do whatever is necessary that I may bear lasting fruit for your glory. In Christ’s name. Amen. 

Posted on

“Breathe in… breath out….  

Spirit = Breath

Sitting in Tanzania this morning breathing some natural air I came across this thought we breathe at least 12-14 times a minute without thinking. Breathing is a miracle. It keeps us alive. In the same way, God has given Christians “spiritual breathing” for our spiritual well-being. Spiritual breathing, like physical breathing, is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure. It can become a way of life. 

You “exhale” by confessing your sins as soon as you become aware of them and claim God’s forgiveness….  

You “inhale” by asking the Holy Spirit to take control and empower you to help you from returning to that sin. 

Usually, we don’t give much thought to our physical breathing. But spiritual breathing requires conscious action – a readiness to “exhale”, confess our sin, and “inhale”, or trust God to fill us with his Holy Spirit. 

When Christians do not understand this concept, we live on a spiritual roller coaster of frustration. On our own, we may have a fresh start in life only to lose it again – negative thoughts, angry words, slammed doors…… How could this change? It could change by learning and applying the concept of spiritual breathing. 

Today as we practice spiritual breathing. Don’t wait to exhale. Be quick to confess. We can pause and confess our sin as soon as we entertain a sinful thought, speak an ugly word, or act on evil desires. “Spiritual exhaling” is agreeing with God about our sin. Inhale spiritually is to claim and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. When the negative circumstances of life crowd in and we take A spiritual breath by letting the Spirit in to take the reigns of our life It is a continuous, conscious choice we make to walk in the Holy Spirit’s power. Are you ready to do spiritual breathing today? 

“Keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit” – Ephesians 5:18. 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I need you. Father, today I breathe spiritually by exhaling the times I have sinned against you. I thank you that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross. And now I inhale by asking Your Spirit to put Christ back on the throne of my life and to fill me, as You promised in Your Word, I pray this in the name of Jesus. I thank You for directing me in Christ’s name. Amen 

Posted on

When Someone Hurts You

Your Hurt For His Healing

When we harbour unforgiveness or negative feelings towards other people, it can overwhelm us. Picture someone you’re not too fond of. What did you think of them doing to you? Did you think of something bad about them/their actions? Did you immediately want to start telling everyone a story about how awful they are? If you were in a good mood before, you’re probably annoyed or agitated now. If you are still bothered by that person or situation, you probably haven’t quite reached the end of your process of forgiveness yet.  

If you want to live a life free from those overwhelming, not-so-positive unforgiving emotions, you must keep that process of intentional forgiveness going, with a heart open to God, until you can move forward with no negative feelings. One way to make sure that process reaches its conclusion is to take that person to God, in a good way, even while you’re still hurting.  

Today, when we pray for those who do us wrong, even while it’s happening, it’s the only way we’ll ever truly let go. Come to God without pretending that you’ve let the problem go, but even while you’re honest about your hurt, pray for that person, and the situation you need to forgive. Let God give you strength beyond your hurt to love the unlovable. If you’re in the process of forgiving someone, ask God to guide the steps that you take next. 

If you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you.’ Mark 11:25 NIV 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I desire to obey Your Word. Your word tells me to get rid of bitterness and anger and to forgive others as you forgave me in Christ. Lord, I lay all my pain into your hands. I give you my heavy burden of unforgiveness and pain of the past, in exchange for your yoke, which is easy, and your burden, which is light. Your word says – Come all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Lord, I come to you that you may give me rest from all the hurt, pain, and unforgiveness. In Christ’s name Amen! 

Posted on

God’s Report 

As a teacher, each term we write reports for each of our students. In life each day, we get “reports” from the news, our experiences, our friends and family, and other sources. In the Word of God, we also get reports that oftentimes contradict what others are saying. That’s when we have a choice of who or what we believe. Do we believe what we hear in the natural, or do we believe the report of the Lord?

Remember, we serve a supernatural God! Just because we don’t see a way, doesn’t mean that He doesn’t have a way. God can bring one opportunity across your path that will thrust you to a new level. He has explosive blessings that can change your report, that can blast you out of debt and into abundance. 

Today, choose to believe the report of the Lord. You may be saying, “I don’t think I’ll ever get well. You should see what the medical report says about me.” That may be true according to medical science, but we have another report, and it says, “you will live and not die. God is restoring health unto you.” With men, it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible. Believe God, for if God says yes, nobody can say no. Stand firm no matter what is going on around you, knowing that He is leading you into victory in every area of your life! Hallelujah!

“I have heard a report from the Lord…” (Jeremiah 49:14, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, Thank You for Your Word, I will believe Your Word above all else. Father, I know that You are working on my behalf and will cause me to triumph. God, help me to tune out the negative reports and voices of the world, so that I can focus on Your positive report, voice, and goodness all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Posted on

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

Posted on

It’s All About Your Thinking

In this age of social media influences, millions of people are not enjoying life because of the condition of their minds. They constantly dwell on negative, destructive, harmful thoughts. They don’t realise it, but the root cause of many of their problems is simply the fact that their thought life is out of control and very negative.

Today more than ever, we must realize that our lives follow our thoughts. If you think negative thoughts, then you’re going to live a negative life. If you think discouraging, hopeless thoughts, or even mediocre thoughts, then your life is going to go down that same path. That’s why we must take captive every thought and renew our minds with the Word of God daily.

Today, I want to challenge you to think about what you’re thinking about. Don’t let those self-defeating thoughts linger in your mind. Instead, speak God’s promises over your life. Declare what He says about you. Take captive every thought and renew your mind daily through His awesome Word!

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I choose to take captive every one of my thoughts. I will renew my mind according to Your Word. Father, thank You for being my teacher and helper. I give You my mind, please direct me in the way that I should go. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

The Anxiety Hour

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s pray 

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

Posted on

Hard Days

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

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

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

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

Let’s Pray 

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

Posted on

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. 

Posted on

Blockage

Have you ever felt like every time you try to move forward in something, you hit a blockage, or something happens that throws you off course? Be encouraged today because God has gone before you! You may not see it, but He is preparing a way for you. He’s making your crooked places straight. He’s making your rough places smooth. You may be going through a difficult time right now, but it’s not the end, God has a detour around the blockage, and He has equipped you for this journey!

Remember, don’t focus on your circumstances, focus on the promises of God! Keep speaking words of faith because God promises to anoint your head with oil. He’ll cause your cup to run over. That means when you seek Him, He will refresh and anoint you to do what He’s called you to do.

Today, keep moving forward despite the blockage, God can make a way out of no way. Start by checking your attitude. Don’t go around complaining and focusing on the negative side of things. Instead, put on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Thank Him for removing that blockage and for making your crooked places straight. Keep your eyes on Him and let Him lead you into victory all the days of your life!

“I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…” (Isaiah 45:2, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for preparing my path and for making my crooked places straight. God, I give You total permission to remove all the blockages in my life that are stopping me from moving forward. Restore my soul and lead me in the plan You have for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Posted on

Spiritual Hunger

Sin, Happiness, and Breaking Out of Spiritual Boredom

During the lockdown, many were lonely, depressed, and going hungry in the natural world. What do you do when you’re hungry and just not sure when or what will satisfy you? You may try to think of what to eat, but maybe you’re not sure when you will get it. Spiritual hunger works the same way. You may feel restless or unsettled, but you can’t quite figure out what will satisfy you. You may try to fill that need with other things— addictions, people, or negative behavior, but only God can fill that spiritual void, and He can also supply your physical and emotional needs. Reach out to him today.

In today’s verse, we are told what will fill the hunger in our souls – God’s righteousness. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, which is God’s way of doing good things, you will be spiritually satisfied. But just like you must take time to eat in the natural, you must take time to “eat” or partake of God’s righteousness. Doing right and feasting on His Word.

Today and every day, take time and devote it to the Lord in prayer. State your physical needs, spend time in worship and in studying His Word. Stay in fellowship with other believers by attending church regularly, staying amongst the righteous, and doing righteous acts. As you focus your hunger on God’s righteousness, you will be filled and live satisfied in him all the days of your life.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

(Matthew 5:6, NIV)

Let’s Pray: Yahweh, thank you for the promise to fill my hunger both physically and spiritually. Father, I open my heart to you and ask that you draw me by Your Spirit. God, I beg you to teach me to walk in your ways of righteousness and right doing, that I may honor you and be satisfied, physically, emotionally, and spiritually all the days of my life. I receive this by faith right now. I blesyouou always, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Posted on

W.W.J.D Love

62 Reasons Why I Love My Mom

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.

Posted on

I Need A Fresh Start

Do you need a fresh start this new year? Even as believers and ministers in Christ, we’ve all sinned, made mistakes and made some wrong choices in 2021. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But the good news is that we don’t have to stay separated from God in our sin. God wants us to come to Him so He can forgive us, cleanse us and give us a fresh start.


 No matter what happened yesterday, last week, last year or even five minutes ago, God is waiting for you with open arms. Don’t let the enemy or people condemn you and lie to you this year. God is not mad at you. He loves you more than you know and longs to restore everything in your life.


Today, I admonish you to confess your sins to God, and allow Him to cleanse you and give you a fresh start this new year. Choose to forgive others so that you can receive God’s forgiveness. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep you close so that you can live a life pleasing to Him. As you draw close to God, He will draw close to you, and show you His great love and blessings all the days of your life! Hallelujah!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for receiving me just as I am, with all my deliberate sins, faults, mistakes, and bad habits. Father, I cry out in confession of my sins to You, and ask You to cleanse me. Please help me make a fresh start today. I choose to forgive others so that You can forgive me. God, keep me close to You in this coming year, so that I can live a life that is pleasing to You. Thank You for not condemning me and for setting me free, in Christ’ name! Amen. 

Posted on

An Overcomer In 2022

As you enter 2022 are you facing some challenges, or experiencing some unexpected setbacks that will go into the New Year with you? We all have things that come against us and remain with us for a length of time, but God didn’t create us to be overwhelmed, He created us to be overcomers! 

As we face challenges in the coming year, it’s our attitude that is most important. Think about it for a moment. When something isn’t going your way month after month, how do you respond? Are you tempted to get sour and start expecting the worst? Does your mind start going “crazy” playing out all the scenarios? It may be easy to get down and discouraged, but if we go around thinking it’s never going to work out, our attitude limits what God can do. But when we dig our heels in, knowing that God is bigger than our problems, when we fight the good fight of faith, that’s what allows God to show up and turn negative situations into positive ones.                                                                                                   

Today, remember, on the brink of a New Year, you are created to overcome. There is victory already in store for your future. So in 2022 no matter what the difficulty, stand strong with the attitude of an overcomer, and watch what God will do on your behalf! 

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for making me an overcomer now and in the coming year, in Christ’s Name. Father, I believe that You are bigger than my problems or any obstacle I will face in 2022. Thank You that You have my back and are working on my behalf. God, thank You for the victories and the challenges of 2021, I leave them behind and look forward, embracing the victories and challenges that will come my way in 2022. Help me to be rooted and grounded in You, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Posted on

As We End 2021 Switch To Praise

Praise Him Always

After dealing with 4 deaths in 4 days I have concluded this is a hard season. We all face challenges and obstacles. We all have dreams in our hearts, and at times, it looks like they may not come to pass. When this happens, we have a choice. We can get negative and discouraged and talk about how things are not going to work out, or we can switch over into praise and thanksgiving, which confuses the enemy and will opens the door by faith for God to move on our behalf. 

People say, “I’ll have a good attitude as soon as I get over this health issue.” “I’ll give God praise when I get through these tough times.” But that’s not how faith works. As long as we’re negative, discouraged and focused on our problems, it limits what God can do. Faith says “You’ve got to give God praise first, and then the breakthrough will come as God wills it. ”You’ve got to change your focus first, and then things will change in your favour. Praise always precedes the victory. 

Today, if you’ve been dwelling on what’s wrong and focusing on the wrong direction, switch into praise and thanksgiving. Begin to declare that God is good all the time! Declare that He is faithful. Declare His praises and open the door to victory in every area of your life! 

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17–18, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I come before You, lifting You up and magnifying Your holy name. Father, this is a hard season for many with financial issues, loneliness and deaths. God, despite life’s challenges I praise and lift You up, and I thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. By faith I praise You today for all You have done and will do. I bless You and honour You for Your goodness, in Christ’ name. Amen! 

 

As seen on