Control Your Thinking

When You Think of the Word Home, Does Jesus Come to Mind

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 have to 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 exact same path. That’s why we have to take captive every thought, and renew our minds with the Word of God on a daily basis. 

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’ Name! Amen. 

Thanksgiving Pt 2

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

Challenges and obstacles are normal in this life. During these difficult seasons, we have a choice. We can get negative and discouraged and talk about how things are not going to work out, or we can flip the script and go into praise and thanksgiving mode, which opens the door for God to move on our behalf.

“I’ll have a better attitude as soon as I get over this health issue.” Or “I’ll give God praise when I get through these tough times.” That’s not faith. As long as you’re negative, discouraged and focused on your problems, it limits what God can do in your life. Faith says, you’ve got to praise God in advance, and then the breakthrough will come. Flip the script, change your focus, and watch things change in your favour. Praise always precedes victory.

Today, flip the negative script, stop dwelling on the wrong things and focusing in the wrong direction, go into a season of praise and thanksgiving, which will confuse the enemy and the negative people in your life. Begin to declare that God is good. Declare that He is faithful. Declare His praises and open the door to victory! Hallelujah!

“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 humbly come before You, asking You to give me Your Spirit, so I can flip the script in my life, not focusing on the negative, but lifting You up and magnifying Your Holy Name. God, I will praise You at all times, despite the negative influences around me, for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. I bless You and honour You for Your goodness, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Don’t Worry About Evil People

Photo by christopher catbagan on Unsplash

Have you had folk come against you, make fun of you and rip your name to shreds? King Saul in the Bible had people come against him. They were making fun of him. He could have easily become distracted and lost his focus. He could have defended himself saying, “I’m the leader. I have what it takes.” But what did he do? He kept silent. One translation says, “He paid them no mind.” 

In my life I have had to deal with those naysayers in and out of the church, but I had to stay focused and pay them no mind. Sometimes that’s what you have to do when people are coming against you. You have to realise that some people are just jealous or driven by the enemy. Not everyone is going to have your best interests at heart. But don’t let them control your destiny. Don’t let them distract you from God’s best. 

Today, instead of playing up to people or trying to win over all your critics, gossipers and evil surmises, keep your eyes focused on what God has for you. Spend time with people who see what God is doing in you. Focus on those who will celebrate you. Ignore those critics so you can be all that God has called you to be. Hallelujah! 

“But some scoundrels said, ‘how can this fellow save us?’ They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.” (1 Samuel 10:27, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I keep my heart and mind focused on You no matter what is said about me. Father, I will ignore the naysayers, gossipers and evil surmises and turn away from negative voices. God, I declare by faith that I will accomplish the plan You have for me, as I daily put Your voice and will first in everything that I do, in Christ’ Name! Amen. 

Why Black History Is Important

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

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.
 

Declare!

As I end my week here in sunny grey Watford, I am reflecting on the goodness of God, and that helps to set my tone for the day and this weekend. When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone of the day for success, favour and blessing with your words? Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. So, as you reflect on whatever you want God to do in your life, move forward and declare it in Jesus’ Name.  

Declare power, declare kindness, declare strength and declare praises to God all throughout the day. Things may be bad all around you. People may be negative, complaining and discouraged, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you. The worse it gets, the brighter you’re going to shine. The good news is that no matter how you feel, no matter what’s going on around you, you can choose your words. There’s nothing that can stop you from constantly speaking His Word with power and positivity!

Today, set the tone for your day, week, month and year, by praising God and declaring positive words of faith and abundance over your future. Remember, when you put God first and you speak His word, He promises to honour you. He will pour out His favour on you and lead you into life, health, strength and blessing, all the days of your life! Hallelujah!

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1, ESV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I choose to bless You at all times. Father, I set my tone for my day, week, month and year by declaring Your favour, grace and mercy over my life. God, thank You for Your faithfulness at all times. Please help me to be faithful and positive, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Dream Killers

Over the years in church, I having been the subject of much gossip, I have concluded that one of the tactics the devil employs is the negativity of other dream killers. Question: have the negative opinions of others caused you to water down your dreams? I had to learn that there will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what God has said, and what you say and believe about yourself.

The greatest thing I believe we must learn, is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. In  the book of Romans, the apostle Paul is saying, “it doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” Remember, when God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass; it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to believe and follow the voice of God for yourself, and allow Him to order your steps.

Today, God sees the hidden treasures that He has buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of negative people, defeated thoughts and dream killers, and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limitations off your dreams and goals, and live the abundant life God has in store for you!

“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?” (Romans 3:3, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for the dreams and successes You have buried in me from the day I was conceived. I refuse to listen to the naysayers, critics and dream killers that the enemy has placed in my life. God, today I choose take off the limits in my mind and of the people around me, and embrace the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. I beg you God, to empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill Your plans for me, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Faith is Greater Than Fear

How to Deal with Chronic Fear and Anxiety

So many people today are living with less than God’s best, because they’ve allowed fear to creep in and take root in their lives. Fear is the number one negative emotion, and the greatest weapon the enemy uses to try to hold us back. Fear is not from God. Scripture tells us that fear brings torment. Over a hundred times we are told to “fear not.” It’s designed to paralyse us and keep us from God’s blessings.

I’ve got good news! God-given faith is greater than your fear. His power in you is greater than any power that comes against you. Hallelujah! In order to walk in His power, you have to close the door on the enemy, the enemy can’t have access to your life unless you open a door and give him access. That’s why we have to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, what we say and who we hang with. When we open ourselves to fear, we give the enemy opportunity.

Today, if you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of your life, you can be free, you can be finished with fear. Conquering the enemy starts by making the choice to close the door on fear, and instead, meditate on God’s promises and His sacrifice. For the Word says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! Let His truth and what He has done for you sink down into your heart. Declare it out of your mouth. Let God set you free by praising Him, and watch Him lead you into victory as you close the door on fear!

“Do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” (Ephesians 4:27, ISV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I come to You today declaring that I am finished with fear. Father, thank You for giving me power, love and a sound mind. I declare I will stand on Your promises and share all You have done for me, because that will make me overcome fear and other negatives in my life. Fill me with Your peace and joy today, as I move forward in victory with You, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Road block

Have you ever felt like every time you try to move forward in something, you hit a roadblock, 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 roadblock, 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 roadblock, 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’s stopping me from moving forward. Restore my soul and lead me in the plan You have for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Perseverance

What Do you need from God today? Finances? Good health? Restoration? Deliverance? God has promised all of these things to you in His Word, because it’s His desire for you to live abundantly. If you follow the will of God by obeying His Word and precepts, it opens the door for His promises to be fulfilled in your life. You may be doing all of the right things – don’t give up! Perseverance will carry you to the promise.

When you persevere you are focused, you are believing what God says about your situation. It’s looking away from distractions and any negative, defeating thoughts. Perseverance looks away from discouragement and looks to the Word of God. The voice of perseverance will speak to you, saying things like, “no weapon formed against me shall prosper! If God is for me, who can be against me? I am more than a conqueror through Jesus!” 

Today, whatever you are believing God for, keep believing! Stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. Ask God to give you endurance, perseverance and patience, so that you can see His promises fulfilled in every area of your life!

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your promises to me. Father, I ask that You give me a heart that is steadfast and fixed on You. Fill me with Your peace and perseverance, so I can hold on until all your promises come to pass in my life, and live in victory all the days of my life, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Repetition Deepens Impression

GodInterest exists to welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds, equipping people with a faith that works in real life and sends them into a world to serve for God and humanity.

Notice in today’s verse, God’s people were commanded to go around saying continually, “Let God be magnified. He takes pleasure in prospering me.” I believe one reason they were supposed to say it all the time, is so that it would get down deep in their hearts. Reputation deepens the impression. 

Remember, when we hear something for long enough, we start to believe it. It starts to affect the way we see things. I wonder what would happen if, all through the day, we decided to stop dwelling on negative, self-defeating thoughts like, “I’ll always be broke. My business or ministry will never grow. I won’t be able to send my children to university, it’s too expensive.” What if we started dwelling on positive thoughts like, “God takes pleasure in prospering me. Good breaks are in my future. Explosive blessings are coming my way?”

Today, let the truth of God’s Word sink down into your heart, and throughout the day declare His goodness. Declare His faithfulness. Declare His blessings because He delights in seeing you prosper and live abundantly. Receive it today, hold your head high, speak God’s Word over every area of your life. 

“Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favour my righteous cause; And let them say continually, ‘Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.’ ” (Psalm 35:27, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for my success. Father, please change my thinking from negative to positive. God, send Your spirit to into my life today, so that my faith will become real and active, as I continually claim Your promises over my life. Help me to see my life the way You see it. Help me to see and declare the blessings and victories You have for me in Christ’ name! Amen.

It’s A New Season!

Renewal, Of People Of God - Knowing Jesus

Last Monday was officially the beginning of summer and a change of season. Today God wants to take you into a new season – from a season of drought into a season of abundance. Are you going through a situation that seems beyond your control? I want to encourage you today that even though you we can’t see it, God is working behind the scenes. He is doing a new thing. He is making a way for you even when there seems to be no way.  

God wants to lead you out of that dry, desolate place into a place of safety and abundance. Just trust Him, and switch over from an attitude of fear and doubt to an attitude of faith. How do you change your attitude? Start by changing what comes out of your mouth. Instead of constantly speaking about your negative situation, speak about your positive situations.  

Today and every day declare, “this is the day that the Lord has made. God, is taking me into seasons of increase. I’m moving forward with strength through the joy of the Lord!” When you start speaking like that, soon your mind and heart will grab hold of the truth, and it won’t be long before you’re walking in the increase and the new season God has for you! 

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I receive Your new seasons of increase and positivity in my life by faith. Father, I choose to stand and declare Your promises, because I know You have new things in store for me. God, I bless You and thank You for another day to sing Your praises, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

God Renew My Mind Daily

Renewal, Of People Of God - Knowing Jesus

Did you know that your life moves in the direction of your mind? So many people today are not really enjoying their lives 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. 

Yes 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 exact same path. That’s why Scripture says, we have to take captive every thought and renew our minds on a daily basis. 

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

“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, help me take captive every thought. Father, I want you to renew my mind according to Your Word. Dear Holy Spirit, please be my teacher and helper. I invite You to direct me in the way that I should go. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

It’s My Emotions

What Type of Christian Are You?

Our emotions are God-given, but too often, people allow their negative circumstances to dictate their emotions instead of the Word of God. If there’s one thing that can lead you away from your God-given potential and seeing the awesome plan God has for your life, it’s your emotions.  

If we allow our circumstances to dictate our emotions, and are moved by what we see and experience, doors of doubt and fear are opened. When we allow doubt and fear in, we become emotionally unstable. The way you feel today has little to do with what God is actually doing in your life. He’s always working behind the scenes even if we don’t realise it!  

Today, don’t allow yourself to be tossed around by your emotions. Instead, choose to be stable minded by focusing your thoughts on the Word of God, and being around positive people. Stand strong in God so you can confidently embrace the plans He has for you! 

“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word which guides my feet and lights my path. Father, I choose to meditate on Your truth which is my source of mental strength. God, please help me to be stable minded as I focus on You and Your Word. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Your Harvest Will Come

Season = Ploughing, Planting, Watering and Harvest

In my front yard I have two large conifer trees. I often wondered how old they are. Have you ever looked at a large, old tree and wondered how long it has been there? It’s hard to believe that, at one point, that gigantic tree was merely a tiny seed. 

Everything we do are seeds; and we will always reap a harvest on whatever we sow. Ask yourself what are you sowing into the lives around you? What are you sowing into your future? Are you sowing encouragement, hope, blessing, love? Then that’s what you’ll reap. But if you’ve been sowing criticism, judgement, and anger, you’re probably already reaping a bad harvest. It’s time to start changing your seed. 

Today, pray and ask God to help you uproot those negative seeds and start to sow positive seeds for your future. Keep the light of God’s Word shining on your seed by speaking His Word. Allow the refreshing water of His Spirit to pour over you. Keep planting those good seeds of faith, because soon you’ll see growth and enjoy the harvest of blessings God promises. 

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” (Galatians 6:7, NLT). 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for the promise of growth and a great harvest. Father, I choose to guard my heart and plant good seeds for my future. God, please help me, by Your Spirit, to say and do things that honour You and will give me an amazing future. Use me for Your glory. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

Think About It

Thinking about all you have to appreciate can boost your happiness and your overall sense of well-being, according to psychologists.

Did you know that God wants us to live an abundant life? Scripture says that Christ came so we can have abundant life, but it all starts in our thinking. What should we be thinking about? The Scripture says, things that are noble, right, lovely, pure and praiseworthy.  

When a thought comes to your mind that you’re never going to be successful, replace it by saying, “Father, You said that if I would put You first, You would crown my efforts with success. You said that You surround me with favour like a shield. You said that Your blessings would chase me down and overtake me!” That’s how you take every thought captive, that’s how you change negative thinking by replacing it with God’s Word! 

Today, don’t allow any negative thoughts to take up space in your mind. Fill your heart and mind with the Word of God, and open the door for His hand of blessing in every area of your life! 

“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, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your truth which sets me free. Father, I choose to meditate on Your Words and goodness and dwell on the right things. God, help me to keep my heart and mind set on all that is pure, lovely and true, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

What Is Top Of Your To-Do List?

What Is Top Of Your To-Do List?

What is your priority today? Where is you focus? Do you have so much on your “to-do” list that you don’t even know where to start? The question is, is all of that really necessary?  

The Scripture tells us there is only one priority needed in life, and that is to sit at the feet of Jesus. When we sit in His presence, we get to know Him. We hear His voice and He shows us the way that we should go. When we don’t take time for God, that’s when the enemy steps in, and we feel the cares and worries of the world. 

Today, take a moment to review all that is priority in your life. Evaluate how you are spending your time. Tune out unnecessary distractions and tune in to God’s voice. Make time for Him every single day, because that is the one thing that is needed to overcoming the enemy, worry and this negative world! 

“…You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one…” (Luke 10:41–42, NIV) 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, today I choose to make You priority in my life and set my heart and mind on You. Father, I choose to cast my cares and focus on what’s most important, talking to You, hearing Your voice and being in Your presence, so I can follow Your Word, Your will and Your ways! In Christ’s Name! Amen.

 

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