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.

He’s Prepared Your Blessing

Scripture says, “He took Adam, whom He had just breathed life into, and put him in the garden.” Notice Adam came into a prepared blessing, something that God had already finished for him. Think about Adam and Eve in the garden. God took the first five days and created the heavens, the earth, the sky, the land and the water. He planted a garden. He put in it beautiful flowers and luscious fruit. He designed rivers to flow through it. He put precious treasures in the ground: onyx, gold and silver. Yes Adam came into a prepared blessing.

When God laid out the plan for your life, He lined up the right people, the right breaks and the right opportunities. He has blessings that have your name on them. If you will stay in faith and keep honouring God, one day you will come in to what already belongs to you. It’s a prepared blessing! Hallelujah!

Today, in the same way, God has some prepared blessings in store for you. He has worked, arranging things in your favour, getting it all perfectly in place. You couldn’t make it happen on your own. It’s just the goodness of God bringing you into a prepared blessing!

“You prepare a table before me…” (Psalm 23:5, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for preparing a place of blessing for me from before I was born. Father, I choose to trust You and Your timing, knowing that You are working things out on my behalf. God, I glorify You for Your awesome timing and preparation in my life, in Christ’ 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.

By Hearing

Our Unchangeable God in an Ever-changing World

God’s truth sets us free and causes our faith to grow! Scripture tells us that every person has been given a measure of faith. Faith can grow and increase, or it can be diminished. Today’s scripture doesn’t say, “Faith comes by having heard the Word of God one time.” No, it’s by hearing—present tense. Sure, God’s Word can transform us in an instant, but most of the time, we need to hear God’s truth over and over again in order for it to become active in our lives. 

The more we hear the Word, the more His truth chisels away at the doubt and unbelief that’s been built up over the years.

Today, just as a seed needs water daily to grow, your spirit also needs the Word of God daily. Your faith needs to be watered by His Word. It can be as simple as selecting a few scriptures to meditate on daily. Write them down and carry them in your purse or wallet. Read them out loud over and over. Let His truth sink down into your heart, and move you forward into the freedom and victory God has prepared for you!

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word that is living and active and growing in my life. Father, I submit myself to You today, and ask You to teach me Your ways. God, give me insight into Your Word so that I may know You, and my faith may grow, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Keys

Keys represent access. They represent authority. Whether it’s a key to a building, car, or safety deposit box; if you’ve been given a key to something, it means you have a right to use it. You have access to whatever that key will open.

Friend, because of Jesus, we have the keys to the kingdom of heaven! We have access to all the heavenly blessings and promises that are in the Word of God. And, we have the authority to take hold of those promises.

Today, are you using the keys that you have been given by God? The keys of faith and the power of your words and actions? No matter what you may have need of—be it physical healing, provision, wholeness, freedom from addiction—you have been given the authority to access it in Jesus’ Name! Take hold of those promises by faith and begin to declare that every need is met according to His riches in glory. Take a step of faith and use those keys you have been given to take hold of every blessing God has in store for you!

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven” (Matthew 16:19, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for giving me the keys and access to every promise and blessing in heaven. Father, by faith, right now I receive everything You have for me. God, help me stay focused on Your Word which empowers me to live in the victory You have in store for me. In Christ’ Name. Amen.

Look Beyond The Law

Have you ever asked these questions? “I’ve been a Christian nearly my whole life, but I’m constantly disappointed in myself. Why is it that I always seem to keep doing the things I wish I didn’t do, and never seem to do the things I know I should do? Isn’t God getting tired of me?”

That’s a common struggle that even the apostle Paul experienced in Romans 7:15. I believe many who ask these questions are caught in the discouragement trap. But here’s some good news: we don’t have to stay in that trap of discouragement. To paraphrase Paul as he writes in Romans 8, the key is to stop focusing on the law and start focusing on Jesus. Hallelujah!

Today, remember, the law, or man, can’t do anything about our sinfulness. The answer is not to try harder to be good at keeping rules – that’s the beginning of the discouragement trap. Focusing on the law alone, will constantly remind us that we’ll never be good enough or deserve God’s grace. Instead, we must focus on the One who shows us mercy, and loves us regardless and cooperate with the Spirit who changes us. Then we will trade discouragement for encouragement and receive the freedom that God brings.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15

Let’s PrayYahweh, I sometimes get caught in the cycle of trying too hard to be good, failing, getting discouraged, and giving up. Father, help me to depend on Your grace and to draw near to You, so that You can change my heart. God, I’m so sorry for putting the law above Your love which has allowed me to live by works and not Your grace. I choose to focus on Christ, and trade my discouragement for encouragement. In His Name I pray! Amen. 

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. 

True Love

True Love

Today’s verse tells us how to make love great – by being kind. You may have heard today’s verse many times before, but one translation puts it this way “love looks for a way to be constructive.” In other words, kindness isn’t just about being nice; it’s looking for ways to improve someone else’s life. It’s bringing out the best in others.

Each morning, when you start your day, don’t just spend time thinking about yourself, or how you can make your own life better. Think about ways you can make someone else’s life better too! Ask yourself, “who can I encourage today? Who can I build up?” You have something to offer those around you that no one else can give. Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them. We are responsible for how we treat the people He’s placed in our lives. He’s counting on us to bring out the best in our family and friends.

Today, ask the Lord to give you creative ways to encourage those around you. As you sow seeds of encouragement and bringing out the best in others, God will send people along your path that will build you up too. Keep showing kindness so you can move forward into the blessings and freedom God has for you! 

“…love is kind…” (1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for loving me when I was unlovable. Father, thank You for believing in me and always building me up, even when I disrespect Your kingdom. God, I ask that You show me creative ways to encourage and build up the people around me. Help me to be an example of Your love today and always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Payday Is Coming

Payday Is Coming

God wants you to live in blessing and wholeness all the days of your life. But in order to experience His promises, we have to keep believing and trusting in Him. That’s what today’s verse is saying: if we will stay in faith, if we will keep believing, keep hoping, and keep doing the right thing, God promises there will be a reward. One translation says, “don’t get discouraged. Payday is coming!” So what are you believing God for today? A better job? Healing? Stronger relationships? Freedom from addiction?

When things aren’t going your way, When you’re tempted to get down just say to yourself, “this may be hard. It may be taking a long time, but I know God is a faithful God. I’m going to keep believing, because my payday is coming.”

Today, as you trust Him and stand in faith, as you boldly declare His promises, you are positioning yourself to receive His blessings. No matter what your circumstances look like, remember, payday is on its way! Hallelujah! Stand firm and experience the blessing and reward He’s promised you all the days of your life!

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Hebrews 10:35, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your good and faithful promises. Father, I choose to trust and believe that my reward is coming, my payday is on its way. God, give me a heart that is fixed on You and fill me with Your peace, as I patiently wait on You, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Be An Imitator

I’m always being told I look like my dad. When people look at you, do they see your family resemblance? Perhaps you have characteristics of your father or mother; maybe you have their eyes, or mouth, or mannerisms. We Christians should also have the characteristics of Christ. We should display His likeness. We should have His eyes, His mouth and His mannerisms too. We should study Him and imitate Him with the same awe that little children have when they imitate their earthly fathers.

Remember, the Bible tells us that God is love. We are never more like God than when we are walking in love—when we are being patient and kind; when we are extending grace and mercy and forgiving others, the way Christ has forgiven us.

Today, when you imitate God, when you do things His way, you get His results! And God’s ways always lead to life, freedom and blessing. The more you imitate your heavenly Father by walking in love, the more you will see Him moving in your life. He’ll open doors for you that no man can close, and you’ll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!

“Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children imitate their father. And walk in love…” (Ephesians 5:1–2, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahshua, I invite Your love and life to flow through me in a practical way. Allow me to become just like You in every way. Father, show me how I can be a blessing to others as I follow Your ways. Let my life please You, so that I can be an example of Your awesome character, in Christ’ name! Amen.

God Wants To Set You Free

What Would Jesus Do? Do You Really Want to Know?

It’s been a hard school year with the pandemic around. Finally, the school year has ended and the kids and teachers alike shouted “I’m free.” Freedom is something we all crave. Many people have been told that God wants to set them free, but yet they still walk around feeling defeated and carrying unnecessary burdens. But you don’t have to live that way when you embrace the freedom that Jesus paid for you at calvary. You are set free from the bondage of sin, fear, lack, sickness, worry and cares. Hallelujah!

Today, school may be over but in six weeks the cycle starts again. God wants to set you eternally free! Take a minute and think about it. How would you feel if you never had to worry about money, sickness, or fear about anything? God has a plan for you to be “free indeed” in every area of your life. He wants to direct your steps on the path of life, and give you His pleasures forevermore. Accept God’s peaceful, emotional and spiritual freedom, and follow His path, and live the burden free life He has for you!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your plan to set me free eternally, emotionally and spiritually. Father, I release every burden, fear and care to You today, because I know You care for me. God, please help me to understand Your goodness, and empower me to walk completely in Your freedom, no matter what’s happening around me, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Are We Really Free? Have You Received Your Jabs?

Monday was classed as freedom day in the UK. A day when we stop being in bondage to Covid-19. Night clubs opened, no more compulsory mask-wearing and no social distancing. But are we really free? Is Covid-19 our biggest worry or concern? We cannot get a vaccine for depression or disappointment. So I ask the question again – are we really free? Are there deeper issues than coronavirus that keep us in bondage? These issues need a divine vaccine given by Jehovah Jirah in order to give us total freedom.

We’ve all been burnt by life. Everyone has experienced hurt and disappointment. 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 to being free is that we have to be willing to give up the ashes of a burnt life in order to receive the beauty of Christ. You can’t have both because the old has to decrease before the new can increase.

Today, you can be doubled jabbed, no need to wear a mask, and go where you want and still not be free, because you haven’t trusted God with your past ashes of hurt? Are you willing to let go of the pain, to forgive others and yourself so you can move forward into God’s beautiful freedom? Don’t waste another day sitting in the ashes of disappointment and hurt. Today, the past is over, but your future remains. Let God vaccinate you with the double jab of joy instead of mourning, praise instead of heaviness, and let Him make something beautiful out of the ashes of your past life today and always!

“…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 Your promise of true freedom – not only from Covid-19 but from life’s disappointments and hurts. Father, sweep away the ashes, mourning and heaviness of my past and give me something beautiful and joyful to look forward to. God, I give them up to You and receive Your divine jabs of healing and restoration in my life today, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Get Rid Of The Old

He Holds All Things Together

As I took a long hard look at my life, I realised that in order for me to get to the next level in my life and move into the next chapter in my life, I have to get rid of the old. Are you ready for a new chapter in your life? In order to move forward into the blessings God has for you, you have to be willing to let go of the old. The things that are behind you are not nearly as important today as what is out in front of you. It’s time to get ready for the “new”!

Some unfair things happen, things that you don’t understand. But let me tell you, you have come too far to stop now, despite what others may say and what you think. Instead of allowing those things to hold you back, why don’t you let go and take a step of faith into the new? It’s time to get a new, bigger vision; it’s time to get a new, fresher outlook; it’s time to rise up with a new attitude!

Today, instead of settling where you are, pick up and move forward, no matter what has been said about you. Have the attitude that says, “I may not understand it; it may not have been fair, but I am not getting stuck on this page of my life. I know God has a new chapter for me – a chapter filled with blessings, favour and victory!

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.” (Luke 5:37, ESV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Father, today, I will trust You with my past, present and future. God, give me wisdom to discern the seasons of my life, and teach me to embrace the new things You have in store for me. Cover me from my enemies and the devil who will seek to bring me back into the old, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Celebration Time

Today Is The Day To Be Happy

Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to celebrate what God is going to do in your life. Put some action behind your faith. In the middle of that adversity or tough time, start making a list of who you’re going to invite to your victory celebration. That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get out. If you’re in debt, start planning your coming-out-of-debt party. No matter what you are facing, no matter what’s going on in the world around you, no matter what anybody says, you should always be thanking God, because your victory is on the way. The Scripture says God will always lead us into victory!

Today, when things don’t look good in the natural and you don’t feel like celebrating, remember, we serve a supernatural God. He can turn things around in a moment. With God leading you into victory, you can always plan for change. You can plan for restoration. You can plan for a comeback that will make you stronger and better than you ever were before! Hallelujah!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…”

(2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I celebrate right now because of Your promise of victory. Father, give me faith to celebrate Your vision and victory, so that I can be more confident in Your abundant life. God, help me to start planning now for the changes I want to see in my life based upon Your Word, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

If Italy Won I Can Win

On Sunday I watched England lose to Italy. Before bed I watched the highlights of the match again. I already knew how the game would end. I knew which team won. While I’m watching the highlights however, I didn’t get discouraged, sad and down when Italy fell behind, because I knew the end result. I didn’t get uptight when they couldn’t get a second goal. Why? Because that wouldn’t change the outcome. I was totally at peace. Why? I already know the outcome – Italy would win. As an Italian supporter that day, the truth is that the further behind we fell, the more excited I got, because that meant the big comeback was on its way. I couldn’t wait to see it all over again. 

Throughout the rest of the year, God has promised us victory. I have read the back of the book and we win. We know the final score and the enemy is defeated. Hallelujah! You may go through disappointments, like Italy after falling behind. At times it seems like you’re far behind spiritually, but you’ve got to remind yourself, “God holds my future in the palm of His hands. He already knows the outcome. God will never be defeated!”  

Today, like Italy, expect a comeback. You’re going to come out of this better and stronger than ever before! Remember, God knows how it ends, and it ends in peace, joy and victory in every area of your life! Get excited about the second half of the year. Trade in your sorrows, we have already won. All we have to do is stay on the winning side. God won’t lose, and don’t give in to the enemy’s lies and shortly you will be celebrating.  

“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done…” (Isaiah 46:10, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, how awesome You are! Thank You for declaring victory over my life. Father, thank You for allowing me to be on the winning side. I choose to trust Your Word, even when I don’t understand, because I know we win. Hallelujah! I trust that Your promises are good and sure, and we have won by faith in You. God, when discouragement comes, when I fall behind, I won’t feel down, because I know I will come bouncing back in Jesus’ Name, and that my end shall be in victory. I receive this today, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Let’s Celebrate God

Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Godly Parent

While traveling I get confused by Christian congregations who look sad and miserable as if the have hope. Even in worship our time to celebrate our God for who He is and what he has done we take the non biblical stance of silence, uniformity and in action. I remember after Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan scored a goal against Germany in the 2014 World Cup, he and his teammates did a coordinated dance step. When Germany’s Miroslav Klose scored a few minutes later, he did a running front flip. “Soccer celebrations are so appealing because they reveal players’ personalities, values, and passions,” says Clint Mathis, who scored for the US at the 2002 World Cup. Not suggesting that we celebrate as if we are at a football match.

In Psalm 150, the psalmist invites “everything that has breath” to celebrate and praise the Lord in many different ways. He suggests that we use trumpets and harps, stringed instruments and pipes, cymbals and dancing. He encourages us to creatively and passionately celebrate, honor, and adore the Lord. Why? because the Lord is great and has performed mighty acts on behalf of His people, He is worthy of all praise. These outward expressions of praise will come from an inner wellspring overflowing with gratitude to God. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord,” the psalmist declares (150:6). Which is why we were created.

Today, Though we may celebrate the Lord in different ways, our praise to God always needs to be expressive and meaningful and should show personality, passion and value. When we think about the Lord’s character and His mighty acts toward us, we cannot help but celebrate Him through our praise and worship. How has this psalm challenged you to be more expressive in your praise to God? Spend some time thinking about the greatness of the Lord’s mighty works. Then give Him your praise. Remember praise is the song of a soul set free.

Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe. —Psalm 150:4

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I lift you up and magnify your name with my mind, body and soul. Father I apologies and ask for your forgiveness for my lack of personality, passion and power while praising and worshiping You.  For allowing the things of this world and the enemy to still my praise for You. God today I pledge and declare that sin will stop and I will praise you with my whole heart as you created me to be. I come in agreement with your word “let everthing that have breath praise the Lord” in Cr name Amen.

 

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