He Is Still In Control

Why the Resurrection of Jesus Matters in the 21st Century

In the UK we have entered into another national lockdown. The frustration levels are high, anxiety has gripped millions, and jobs will be lost. In this confusing time we may decide to take control, as we think God and others are taking too long and our prayers are not being answered. 

We all have things we’re believing for, situations we want to see changed, and dreams God has placed in our hearts. But sometimes because of difficulties, we try to figure out how it’s all going to happen. Then we try to take control and start to tell God how to do it, when to do it, and where to do it! Scripture tells us that God’s ways are not our ways. They are so much higher and better. So we must continue to trust Him despite the times.

Today, as you move deeper into these uncertain times it’s clear things won’t happen on your timetable, but instead of getting discouraged and down, why don’t you believe that God has something better in store? Just because it doesn’t happen your way, doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. God has a plan. He’s got it all figured out. Don’t limit Him by trying to get it done your way. Instead, tell God, “I trust You. I believe You have my best interests at heart, and even if it doesn’t happen my way, I’m going to stay in faith that You are still in total control.” 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9, NIV) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for blessing me throughout my life, Today I choose to trust in You despite life’s uncertainties. Father, I cast my cares on You. I give You my plans, dreams and desires for the future. God, I will stay in faith as You work things out on my behalf. I receive Your peace as I wait patiently to see Your plan unfold in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

How To Wait On God

6 Qualities of A Man Worth Waiting For

In this new year God has placed dreams and desires in our hearts. However there is always a season of waiting involved. You could be waiting for a relationship to improve, waiting on marriage, waiting for a job, or waiting to overcome an illness. A high percentage of life is spent waiting. However, there’s a right way and a wrong way to wait. When things don’t happen in our time, we get down, discouraged or anxious. This is because we’re not waiting right. 

Today’s verse doesn’t say if you wait, it says as you wait. Suggesting we’re all going to wait, like a farmer waits patiently and eagerly for season change. They don’t sit around discouraged, no they are hopeful, positive and full of expectancy! 

Today, in the first month of 2021 what are you waiting for? Hold on with expectation and things will change. This could be the day, month or year that God turns it all around. As you wait with patience and expectancy for your season to change, you’ll open the door for God to move. He’ll fight your battles, and you will experience the abundant harvest He’s promised in every area of your life! 

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.” (James 5:7, NLT) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for this new year, I wait with expectancy for Your answers to my prayers. Father, I trust that You are working in my life even when I can’t see You. God, at the beginning of 2021 I put my trust and hope in You, knowing that You have good things in store for my future, in Christ’s 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.

Your Fear Is Not From God

Fear Not

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. 

Don’t Speak Negativity Into Your Future

You Have the Victory, So Why Are You Walking Around Defeated?

Do you know that your negative or positive future can be determined by how you see the present? In the Old Testament, there was an Israelite woman who was about to give birth. She had just heard that the Ark of the Covenant which housed God’s presence had been stolen. She was so upset about it that she named her baby boy Ichabod, which means “the glory has departed.”  

Notice what this woman did; she named her future by what was happening in her present. She could have just as easily named him “the glory will return,” but she was so focused on the negative, so caught up in where she was at that moment, that she defined her future by it. Don’t ever name your future by your present-day circumstances. You may have had some hard times in the past, but get that “Ichabod” spirit off of you.  

Today, it may look like you’re stuck in a rut, and you don’t really see how you could ever rise any higher, but don’t speak defeat over your life. Instead, name your future: blessed, prosperous, successful, victorious, healthy, whole, strong, talented, creative, wise. Declare what God’s Word says, so that you can move forward in the destiny He has prepared for you! 

“You will also declare a thing, and it will be established…” (Job 22:28, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the blessed future that You have prepared for me. Father, today I choose to come into agreement with Your Word, and speak Your blessing over my life. God, keep me close to You and show me Your ways, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

Arise And Shine

Victory In Christ

As we end our year and enter into another, based upon scripture, I believe that God wants to exceed our expectations! He has amazing things stored up for you in this coming year. He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed, and give you breaks that seemed impossible. His glory is rising upon His people.  

Remember this, when hard times come, things are going to fall into place, so that you can accomplish what God has placed in your heart. Even the hidden dreams that you’ve given up on, God has not given up on. He is going to do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond all you could ask, think, or imagine! 

Today, your mind may try to talk you out of your dreams, but if you’ll listen with your heart, it will resonate on the inside of you. Don’t let discouragement hold you back or keep you down. It’s time for you to arise. It’s time for you to shine. Let that sink down into your spirit today, because it’s time for you to receive every spiritual blessing and move forward in the destiny God has prepared for you! 

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” 

(Isaiah 60:1, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I come to You today with an open and humble heart. Father, thank You for choosing me and preparing a bright future for me, filled with dreams and purpose. Almighty God, in this new year I will arise and shine and let everything I do bring honour to You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Brag On God

8 Reasons You Should Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude

In today’s verse, David was declaring the goodness of God and bragging on His faithfulness! We need to always remember that every blessing in life is from God. That job, good break, healing, or new opportunity – that was God’s doing. Scripture says that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above.

There’s an old gospel song that says, “Look What The Lord Has Done.” The song just brags on God. It’s a great reminder that all through the day we should be bragging on God’s goodness. We should be remembering His mighty acts. See, when we give God all the glory, that’s when He will pour out His blessings in greater measure. When we are humble and don’t try to take the credit, His grace and favour increases on us.

Today, look for opportunities to brag on God. If you are breathing today, brag on Him as your Creator. If you got to work safely today, brag on Him for being your Protector. If you are facing a difficulty, brag on the fact that He is your Deliverer and breakthrough is on the way! Keep declaring His goodness and faithfulness, and watch what God will do on your behalf!

“The LORD has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:23, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, You alone are worthy of all the praise and glory for the good things in my life! Father, thank You for blessing me; thank You for the breakthroughs in my past and the breakthroughs in my future. God, I brag on You because You are good, and worthy of all praise, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Breaking News

My inbox lately has been full of prayer requests for change and direction in the year to come. My belief is your future begins today.  Today, I declare that a shift is starting in Jesus’ name! What do you need – a shift in your health, a shift in your finances, or a shift in a relationship? It may not look like anything is happening in the natural, but we serve a supernatural God. He’s about to move in your direction in a new way! Hallelujah!

The enemies you have seen in the past, you will see no more. The addictions or bad habits that have held you back in 2020 are being broken in Jesus’ name. God’s favour is being released in a new way that will propel you forward. What should have taken you 20 or 30 years to accomplish, God is going to do in a matter of minutes!

Today, I’ve got breaking news – ”your shift has been accelerated.” The shift means going beyond where you could go on your own. The shift is seeing Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our Provider, do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond. Our attitude should be, “God, I’m ready. I’m taking the limits off of You. I’m enlarging my vision. I receive it. I may not see a way, but I know You have a way. I declare I’m coming into my shift today!” Hallelujah!

“You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.” (Job 22:28, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I open my heart and mind to You. I ask You for a supernatural shift in my life today. Father, I claim and declare that a supernatural shift is coming my way. Change my health, my finances, my relationships, and my vision. God, I receive Your Word, I receive Your promises, I receive Your truth, and I receive the increase You have in store for me, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Words Have Life

How Much Does Your Life Cost?

Anytime we speak something, either good or bad, we are giving life to what we are saying. Too many people go around saying negative things about themselves, their family and their future. Things like, “I’ll never be successful. This sickness is going to kill me. Business is so slow I will have to close it. Flu season is coming. I’ll probably get it, I always get it.”

They don’t realise we are prophesying our future. The Scripture says, “we will eat the fruit of our words.” That means we’re going to get exactly what we’ve been saying.

Today, send your words out in the direction you want your life to go. You cannot speak defeat and expect to have victory. You can’t talk about lack and expect to have abundance. You will produce what you’ve been saying. With your words, you either bless or curse your future. Make sure your words are what God says about you, so you can move forward in the life of blessing He has in store for you!

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the ability to change my future with my words. Father, I choose to use my words to bless others, and to receive Your blessing in my own life in return. God, help me to be more positive with what comes out of my mouth, in Christ’ name! Amen.

God I Receive It!

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.

This devotional is an encouragement to each of us to raise our game and our level of expectancy. It’s like God is saying to us in the scripture, “you think you’re blessed? You haven’t seen anything yet!” God has been good to you, but He also has things for your future that if He told you right now, it would confuse your mind. You wouldn’t even believe it!

God wants to bless you not only today but in your future. He wants to overwhelm you with His goodness and with things so wonderful you can’t even fathom it! Please say, “I receive it’

Today, get ready for increase. Get prepared for the next level. Get ready new relationships. Get ready for a clean bill of health. This is the year to step into blessings you can’t even imagine. Keep believing, keep obeying His Word, and keep your heart open, because you haven’t seen anything yet! Hallelujah!

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, today I raise my level of expectancy. Father, I choose to take the limits off my thinking. I know that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all I could ever ask, think or imagine. God, open my mind as I stand ready to receive, better heath, a new job, new relationships, and a major financial breakthrough. God, thank You for the blessings You have in store for me now and in my future, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Leap Of Faith: How Writing A Faith Journal Will Deepen Your Devotion

A Faithful Guarantee

If you’ve never been in the habit of keeping a faith journal, you might think your meditative prayer and reading scripture has given you a strong spiritual life. But beginning your journaling journey can supplement your spiritual practices and make tangible much of the faith you’ve taken for granted. Staring a faith journal is a great way to track your daily prayers, the gratitude you feel for God’s gifts and offers new ways of exploring scripture. Take that leap of faith today.

1) Creative Prayer

A faith journal doesn’t have to be exclusively about writing. Color, shape and doodling – whatever takes your heart’s desire – can all have its place in your faith journal.

If your prayer is directed at someone special, it can feel exceptionally powerful to write their name and sketch a growing, colorful shape around it. Once their name appears on the page, glorified by color, you can write your prayer for them or simply think about it. But the prayer will have a physical manifestation that can strengthen it.

You can also sketch mandalas in a meditative way. These complex patterns of repeating shapes can be relaxing to sink into, and drawing and coloring them can become a form of prayer in itself. It’s your faith journal, so get creative!

2) Making Prayer Tangible

The time you spend in prayer each day forms a valuable foundation for your spiritual life and strengthens your connection with God. When this takes place in your mind it’s almost a meditative practice, and can often lead to a profound inner feeling.

Writing your prayers down can strengthen them further as the process of putting your thoughts into writing can make them more tangible. Through your faith journal you can pursue a closer connection to God, creating a concrete history of your prayers and devotion on any given day.

If you write in a stream-of-consciousness, letting the words flow out of you, you might be surprised at what you look down to read. New, deep ideas can turn up on the page without conscious effort. Alternatively, writing your prayers in bullet form can help you conceive of them more accurately and make them easier to review in the future.

3) Scripture Is Powerful On The Page

Strengthening your connection to scripture is a great way to explore your faith. We all have particular passages that speak to us, those that we come back to time and again to find peace in or contemplation amongst. Reading scripture is one thing, but journaling scripture can take your understanding of your favorite passages to another level.

Exploring the idea of a crossbook – a book that comes with printed scripture on one side of the page and a blank side opposite for your thoughts and notes – is a great way to begin your faith journal. You can underline and highlight the passages that speak to you on one side, while elaborating on how it deepens your devotion on the other. You’ll be on a path to wisdom and faith.

4) Track Your Holiest Behaviours

A faith journal can also function as a diary for all your holiest habits, letting you reflect on your past week or month and consider ways you can better manifest your faith in the future. You can record how many hours you spent volunteering, how your generosity manifested and how long you prayed for in your faith journal.

Having a record of these behaviours can make it easier to strengthen them as routine habits. All these practices have great spiritual value and your faith journal will encourage you to perform them more often.

5) Express Your Gratitude

There are many spiritual and psychological benefits to gratitude, yet if you don’t make an effort to express your gratitude it can often slip away without being recognized. Journaling gives you an example to record God’s gifts, ensuring that you value them for what they are.

Taking time out of each day to write down what God has brought you can make each day, no matter how hectic or stressful, seem a little brighter.

Amen

Keeping a faith journal has so many spiritual and psychological benefits and it’s sure to strengthen your relationship with God as well as developing a deeper understanding of his message. Get creative with your faith journal with colors, shapes and content. You’ll soon find out it’s a habit that’s hard to break.

Katherine Rundell is a spiritual writer at UKWritings.com and Academized.com services. She works with local church groups to inspire young people to explore their faith in new and creative ways. She is also a proofreader at Boomessays.com.

Hallelujah!

Praise Him Always

Scripture tells us that seeking wisdom and discretion brings life and is “an ornament of grace.” No matter what decisions you may be facing today, God wants to equip you and empower you to make the right choices. How do we seek wisdom and discretion? By making the Word of God a priority. The answer to every situation we face is addressed in God’s Word, either directly or by principle. When God’s Word is the final authority in your life, His grace will empower you to live victoriously.

Proverbs 3:23 – 26 goes on to say, “then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.” Hallelujah!

Today, I encourage you to put God’s Word first. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you study. Follow His commands and open the way for His grace to cover you. Let His grace empower you to dwell in safety and rest securely all the days of your life!

“Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.” (Proverbs 3:21—22, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word which is life and health to me. Father, I submit myself to You knowing that You have good things in store for my future. God, thank You for the promises in Your Word. I will hide Your Word in my heart so that I can receive Your grace and walk in Your ways, in Christ’ name! Amen.

God Is Thinking About You

Ever-Present Troubles, Ever-Present God

Day by day, moment by moment, God is thinking about you. He thinks about you constantly. You are always on His mind. What is He thinking about you may ask? He’s not thinking about all that you’ve done wrong in your life. No, He’s thinking about the good things He has in store for you and your purpose.  

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God’s thoughts are for our good. His plans are to prosper us and to give us a future and a hope. Do you know what else He’s thinking? He’s thinking about how much He loves you. He’s not mad at you; He’s madly in love with you!  

Today, let God’s love bring security to your heart and mind. The Bible says that perfect love casts out all fear. Take a deep breath right now and breathe in His love and peace, and breathe out fear. Let God’s love drive out your fear, and give you confidence to embrace the good things He has in store for you now and in the future! 

“How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!” (Psalm 139:17—18, NLT) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for thinking of me each moment of every day. Father, thank You for the good work You are doing in my life, even though at times I question what You are doing. God, I receive Your love. Please drive out all my fears and increase my confidence. Please make me new as I meditate on You. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

God I Receive It!

Worldly Peace Vs. God’s Peace

This devotional is an encouragement to each of us to raise our game and our level of expectancy. It’s like God is saying to us in the scripture, “you think you’re blessed? You haven’t seen anything yet!” God has been good to you, but He also has things for your future that if He told you right now, it would confuse your mind. You wouldn’t even believe it!

God wants to bless you not only today but in your future. He wants to overwhelm you with His goodness and with things so wonderful you can’t even fathom it! Please say, “I receive it’

Today, get ready for increase. Get prepared for the next level. Get ready new relationships. Get ready for a clean bill of health. This is the year to step into blessings you can’t even imagine. Keep believing, keep obeying His Word, and keep your heart open, because you haven’t seen anything yet! Hallelujah!

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, today I raise my level of expectancy. Father, I choose to take the limits off my thinking. I know that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all I could ever ask, think or imagine. God, open my mind as I stand ready to receive, better heath, a new job, new relationships, and a major financial breakthrough. God, thank You for the blessings You have in store for me now and in my future, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

This Is Preparation Time

This Is Preparation Time

In these uncertain times of lockdown and restrictions, I have heard folks saying they are bored and frustrated. We all go through seasons of waiting, and this could be yours. A lot of times, people just sit back and wait for God to do it all. But you have to remember to do your part, and make preparations with the tools He has given you.  

Making preparation is having a vision and moving in that direction. Talk like it’s going to happen and act like it’s going to happen. Some people might say “well, what if I do and it doesn’t happen?” Really, we should think “what if I do and it does happen?” Be positive. Even if things don’t turn out the way you had hoped, you are better off living your life feeling positive and hopeful, than going around down and discouraged. I love what David said in the Bible, “God, my times are in Your hands.” He was saying, “God, I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I know You know what’s best for me.” 

Today, go out expecting good things. Even if it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to go to bed disappointed. I’m going to go to bed knowing that I’m one day closer to seeing my dreams, visions  and desires come to pass! 

 “…Prepare the way of the Lord…” (Isaiah 40:3, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I dedicate this day to You. Father, show me how to prepare for the blessings that are coming in my future. Almighty God, help me guard my words and thoughts as I put my trust in You, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Faith Pleases God

Being a Christian is all about pleasing God because we love Him. Do you know how to please God? He’s not impressed by how much knowledge we have. He is not impressed by how many possessions we own. He’s not moved by our accomplishments; He is pleased by our faith.

Scripture says faith is a gift. It’s not something that has to be contrived or worked up. Everyone has been given a measure of faith which grows as we hear the Word of God. That’s why it’s so important to stay connected to a Bible-based community where the Word of God is being taught. It’s why we need to make time every day to read and study His Word, because that’s how we feed our faith. 

Today, the more we get to know God’s Word, the more we’ll understand that God is good, and He rewards the people who seek after Him. Take time to feed your faith and meditate on His Word. Ask Him to illuminate your heart with His truth. Trust that God is good and has good things in store for you today and in your future. Believe this by faith because that’s what pleases God!

“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 giving me the gift of faith so that I can please You. Father, as I seek You and study Your Word, please illuminate my heart with truth and power. Almighty God, transform me today into Your image, and let everything I do bring glory to You, in Christ’s Name. Amen. 

 

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