Tag: hardships

Posted on

God Has A Daily Blessing For You!

Yesterday was yet another day of difficulties for many, particularly the two mothers I spoke with. Many Christians think we shouldn’t have trials or hardships. Yet, if the bible is true, it’s those hard times which make us strong and show our loyalty to God.
Christians experience daily obstacles and struggles. Although you aren’t immune to life’s day-to-day challenges, you do have the power in Jesus Christ via the Holy Ghost, to overcome them!
Today, Christ’s power is available to help you win not only the big battles, but the little daily battles as well. God has an abundant life in store for you, which includes victory over the little things in your life that may seem big. Hallelujah! Remember, nothing can prevent you from being all that God wants you to be but you. So choose to claim victory and walk in it today, in the name of Jesus!
 
“Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.” (Psalm 145:2, NASB).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I praise You for the daily victories you give to me, your child.  Father, I am sorry for my lack of loyalty to you, always complaining and not trusting. God, I praise you for your faithfulness towards me. It’s a blessing to know that I can bring every problem I have to you, no matter how small, knowing that you will work it out In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Posted on

Renew Your Mind 

What Does It Mean to Have a Sound Mind?

What changed when you surrendered your heart to Christ? Certainly, not our outward appearance, our income or the people in our families or at work. The more we give in to the flesh the more our lives stay the same. But the more we yield to the Spirit the more we begin to look like Christ. It is important to note that we cannot and do not change our ways first before we come to Christ. Hard as we try we do not have the power to do that and if God required that no one would be saved. 

In today’s verse, Paul knew that it takes a sincere desire to want to obey God to resist the lure of the world, hence his admonition to not copy the ways of the world. The same temptations we experienced in the past will come our way as new creations in Christ. We will face the same hardships and deal with the same emotions and circumstances. What makes the difference is our sincere desire to please God. Our desire, fuelled by God’s grace and love makes real change possible. 

Today you may be asking the question Ray how do we carry out Paul’s instruction to renew our minds in the practical sense? It’s all in the Word. God’s Word empowers us and enables us to go all the way in our pursuit of Him. Our job is to study and apply the Word. It is our weapon against everything that comes against us; whether sickness, fear or evil thoughts. God’s Word is the standard by which we measure our lives, defeat the enemy and conform to His will. 

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” – Romans 12:2 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, help me to study and apply your Word to our lives each day. Father, help me make this a discipline of the mind and heart, empowered by Your Spirit, transforming me each day more and more into your likeness. God, help me have self-awareness of when I’m falling into temptation and turn quickly back to you. Thank you for your tender mercy and love, ever leading me. In Christ’s Name, Amen! 

Posted on

Stay Under The Tap

Raised in a broken home; his parents split when he was aged 7; he felt abandoned by his dad. He attended one of the worst schools in London, one that was full of violence, drugs and other crimes. It was later closed down. He experimented with cigarettes, weed, alcohol and pornography; he struggled with sexual sin, leading to fornication and adultery, which led to relationship break-ups. He was arrested for embezzlement and had his first bout with jail. Misdemeanour crimes, leading to another bout with jail. He was homeless, sleeping on floors, in his car, with no money or food. 


As I look back over my life, all of the above have led to, and still lead to, difficult times of depression, loneliness, self-blame and ongoing sin, and sometimes it becomes hard to minister thinking of all the hurt I have caused myself, others and God.

Just recently, after reading the daily lesson and powerful books by Joyce Meyers and Beth Moore, I realised that all of my sins and hardships have all served as preparation for ministry and service. This could be the bio of Abraham, David, Solomon, Paul, Peter and many more. Today, I think that these shortfalls and sins, some of which still haunt me till this day, are my real CV for ministry, not my BA in Religion and my certifications in substance abuse counselling, but in my weakness God has become strong, and out of that strength God has given me a testimony that has helped thousands of people around the world. Hallelujah!!

If you are going through a storm, my word to you is to hold on, don’t give up. If God brought me through, He will bring you through. The Word of God says He will never leave you and, in your weakness, He is made strong. And even though you may have caused your own pain, Isaiah 61:4-8 says God will use it for ministry, and make your ministry achieve double.

Today, if you are feeling broken there’s only one way to be filled. Stay under the tap of the Holy Ghost! The moment you leave the tap you will not be filled with His power. God wants to fill you all day, every day. You are not bad, you are weak, and God still can, and will, use you, because it shows that He is bigger than your trial, and stronger than the devil and man. It’s time to rise above the opinions of man and turn your eyes upon Jesus.


The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion… (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I thank You for loving me, after knowing what I’ve done and what I will do, and I thank You for my friends that will receive freedom from these words. Father, I don’t want to keep on hurting and being hurt. Help me to hate my sins, and to daily wash in Your blood. God, thank You for not leaving me when everybody else thought I was too filthy. Help those who don’t understand how You can still use broken, stained, and sinful people. You are awesome. Thank You. I LOVE YOU! Amen. 

Posted on

Good Friday

Where Feelings Are Not Facts 

On Good Friday some 2000 years ago Christ was overwhelmed, the pressure of the world was on His shoulders, it was going to be a hard day. He was weak but he had to push through. On good Friday Christ teaches us how to handle being overwhelmed and feeling weak. We all have seasons in life when we feel overwhelmed. When unexpected things happen, we can be tempted to get discouraged. We may feel like we don’t have what it takes, or we may feel weak. Anytime you feel this way, you have to realise that feelings aren’t facts. Hallelujah! 

Today, just like that Friday when Christ was crucified, let’s not forget God has equipped you just like Christ was, and He already has a plan for you to come out of that difficulty. Scripture says, when you feel weak, that’s when God’s strength rises in you. His strength will overcome any opposition you may face. Anytime you feel weak, that’s when God is strong in You! Keep praying, keep believing, keep pressing forward and rise up in the victory He has in store for you! 

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for going through the pain of good Friday for me, this gives me strength for any adversity I face in this life. Father, I know that with You, I will overcome. God, please help me to keep my heart and mind focused on You as I move forward in victory. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Posted on

Jacob Blake – Sometimes Praising God Is Hard

Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times

When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you do? Do you praise God for His goodness? Do you set the tone for praise because of success, favour and blessing? Looking at the events of this past week, months and year, it is so hard to praise God at all times like the Scripture says. To hear another mother crying, for her innocent black son, who was shot 7 times by the police is heartbreaking.  

We’re in the eighth month of the worst year on record, many commentators have said. Last year may have had some hardships and difficulties, but this year seems to be on another negative level. However, it’s time to set the tone for a season of praise. Despite all the negatives, Jacob’s family still managed to give God praise.  

Today, the Scripture reminds us that the darker it gets in the world, the brighter it’s going to be for God’s true believers. Things may be bad all around you. Murders, shootings and pandemics. People may be negative, complaining and discouraged, rightly so at times, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you, praise your way out of the negatives. The worse it gets the brighter God wants you to shine. Be determined to set a Godly tone of praise for the rest of the year, no matter how bad things get, by praising God and speaking words of faith over every situation! 

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.” (Psalm 34:1, NLT) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I have decided to bless You at all times. I will go against my feelings and focus on Your goodness and love. God, I praise You for the faith of Jacob Blake’s family, who lift You up in the face of their tragedy. Please grant him a full recovery. Father, I set a new tone of praise in my life, to replace all of my negative emotions, and I receive Your forgiveness, grace and mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me at all times, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Posted on

Instead of Waiting for Better Times You Better Create Them

This morning I awoke as Sal the Grumpy Gal. The world is so demanding. Trying to swim amid raising my children, balancing bills, and busily patching potholes of our life’s path had me in a mega funk when I opened my eyes this morning.

Ever noticed how we are always waiting? Lately, I’ve been checking things off my to-do list waiting for a break to be at home, on my machine resting, and with nothing on the agenda. Guess what? Two or three things pop up that need my attention. I know I’m preaching to the choir. We are all waiting for rest, vacation checks to hit our checking account, children to become self-sufficient, cars and homes to be paid off, retirement, and for our lives to just chill down a little. Endless waiting.
The other day I watched a documentary on an exercise guru who joined the ALS Club Med. My main caregiver, Ben, came through the living room and said, “Sal, what are you thinking? Don’t watch that. You don’t need to see it.” He was right. As I watched a handsome, Greek-God looking man wither, my mind went to the dark place of waiting. Waiting to when I’m frozen and can’t whiz my scoot around, roll my dogs, or check out the garden areas in my yard. Waiting for a cure for ALS. Waiting until I want to just stay in bed and wave the white flag. Waiting for my diaphragm to fail. Waiting for someone to scratch that place on my nose because I can’t. Waiting for God to take me home. This happens every so often. I get overwhelmed of trying to live with my limitations. Believe it or not, my family still looks to Sal the Frail Gal to patch holes and glue our tattered lives so we can stick together and have a smoother ride.

If you’re waiting for the highway of life to be smooth, I have bad news. Even Sal the Hole-filling Gal can’t write everything. I can only do the best I can. All we can do is be the best person we can be in each moment and choice we are given.

When I’m waiting for better times or worrying about a huge hole in the road ahead, I think of birds. I think of heaven. I think of plans God has for me. Birds remind me that God will provide. I know Heaven is not of earth. It’s the time when my soul takes flight. I trust the plans for me because it’s not on my to-do list. It’s time to pull up my sleeves and let my waiting turn into action. Don’t waste your time waiting; live. What are you waiting for?

 

As seen on