In the 25 years I've travelled I have always taken out travel insurance but never had to make a claim. That was until this trip. I have been tested to the limit and it is still not over. As I write, I am at a hotel in Washington Dulles after missing my flight back to the UK. My thoughts are... 'Lord, are you with me because I can't see how you are in this and I'm struggling to trust you.' I feel guilty for even thinking this... my faith should be strong, after all I'm a Pastor? Yet I have to be honest in this moment. I can’t pretend when all the while God knows my heart. Even as I write, He is providing a fresh revelation of Himself to me. Jesus becomes the author of our faith as He initiates powerful promises that challenge us to trust in Him. Our faith is developed as we choose to trust His promises daily. When we trust Him we learn that He is a God of His word. A God who will never break His promise. All we are required to do is trust Him in whatever circumstance. - Pastor Sophia Soph: **Update** Thank you so much for your prayers yesterday. I've just arrived back safely. But let me share with you what happened after I texted you my devotional... I decided to wear my 'Purpose' T-shirt. As I was going through the airport I noticed that people were reading the print, some even made comments and we were able to strike up a conversation. My faith throughout the day was strengthened and it began with being honest about where I was. Not only that... your prayers and the promises, power and presence of God made the difference. The biting point of transformation is where honesty meets the Jesus who is the truth, the life and the way. Have a blessed day!
Enjoy Life
In today’s ever-changing world, I begin my day thanking God for waking me. Unsure of His purpose and exact plan each day, or why everything in the world we live in seems to be immensely chaotic, I do know if God has awakened me for another day, there is a purpose for it. How often do we take a moment to embrace and enjoy the gift of another day before diving into T.V and social media?
Today verse Psalm 128 say, “God’s blessing goes with his people everywhere, even when they are not in Jerusalem,” in other words the blessing of God is on us even outside of our home. Hallelujah! We often get caught up calculating a successful life in achievements and possessions, forgetting to embrace the literal breath of every moment.
What if we approached every day with a grateful heart for the breath in our lungs? Instead of striving for what we think will make us happy, can we embrace the joy God offers us in Christ to sustain us? Christ died for us to live life to the full, not to live in fear over what each day will bring.
Today let’s remember the world will always be in chaos until Christ returns to set it right. Putting our hope in Him allows us to embrace and enjoy life. After all, God promises His plans for us are more than we can ask for or imagine! Live, blessed… because you are!
“May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children- peace be on Israel.” – Psalm 128:5-6 NIV
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, help me to embrace and enjoy the life you’ve given me. Father, I know I am not accidentally here! Each day I wake to breathe, you faithfully meet me with purpose. I lift my anxiety and worry to you, today, as I seek to embrace your peace and promises. God, I confess my tendency to condemn, criticize, and compare instead of embracing the peace and blessings you have showered over my life. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Emotional Rest
How would you feel if someone came up to you today and said, “Give me all of your monthly bills; I’m going to pay them.” You’d get excited, wouldn’t you? But it wouldn’t happen until you did your part to hand that person your bills. They can’t pay them for you if you never release them. In the same way, when we release our cares and concerns to God, He promises to take care of them. So, hand them over.
As you begin your day remember, that God wants to give you rest and restore your emotions. It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of this stressful life, and before long, your emotions are so spun that you can barely think straight! Remember, even in the hustle and bustle of life, you can find rest. God wants to take care of everything that concerns you so that you can find rest in your innermost being when you come to Him.
Today and throughout your life, release your cares to God. Let Him fill you with His peace and joy. Receive the rest, relaxation, and restoration that He promises and enjoy the total fulfilment and blessings for your body, mind, and emotions He has in store for you!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I humbly come to You. I choose to cast my cares on You so that I can live in Your rest and break free from the stress of this life. Father, thank You for Your goodness to me. I give You my mind heal it and take control of all my emotions. Please God, lift my burdens and refresh my weariness. God, help me find ways to share Your rest and goodness with those around me, in Christ’s name! Amen.
It’s All About Your Thinking
In this age of social media influences, millions of people are not enjoying life because of the condition of their minds. They constantly dwell on negative, destructive, harmful thoughts. They don’t realise it, but the root cause of many of their problems is simply the fact that their thought life is out of control and very negative.
Today more than ever, we must realize that our lives follow our thoughts. If you think negative thoughts, then you’re going to live a negative life. If you think discouraging, hopeless thoughts, or even mediocre thoughts, then your life is going to go down that same path. That’s why we must take captive every thought and renew our minds with the Word of God daily.
Today, I want to challenge you to think about what you’re thinking about. Don’t let those self-defeating thoughts linger in your mind. Instead, speak God’s promises over your life. Declare what He says about you. Take captive every thought and renew your mind daily through His awesome Word!
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I choose to take captive every one of my thoughts. I will renew my mind according to Your Word. Father, thank You for being my teacher and helper. I give You my mind, please direct me in the way that I should go. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
Are You Bored?
Life has a way of becoming boring and mundane – it needs some freshening up from time to time. Today may be the day to stir up what God has placed inside of you. It’s time to stir up those gifts, stir up those dreams, stir up those talents on the inside. Start stretching yourself. This doesn’t just mean making resolutions; this means tapping into the destiny God has placed in your heart.
To begin with, you must have something to freshen up or stir up. Scripture tells us that without vision, people perish. If you don’t have a dream, you’re not really living the way God intends; you’re merely existing. Maybe at one time, you had a dream, but you went through some disappointments or setbacks. Things didn’t turn out the way you planned. But here’s a key: when one dream dies, dream another dream. Just because it didn’t work out the way you had it planned doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have another plan.
Today, you cannot allow one disappointment, or even a series of disappointments, to convince you that your dream is over. It’s time to dig your heels in and hold on to the promises in your heart. As you stir up those God-given dreams and desires, He’ll pour out fresh favour and blessings in your life and fulfil every desire in your heart!
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…” (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I come to You. I give You my past, my disappointments, and my brokenness. Father, please remove spiritual boredom from me, I’m tired of the mundane routine my life has become. God, stir up my dreams or give me the creativity through Your Spirit to dream again. Fill me with hope and expectation, as I fulfil the dreams and desires that You have placed within me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
In the Wilderness
God shows us who He is by what He does. His promises are worked out in the lives of His people. When we are in the middle of life’s barren wilderness, God’s hand seems absent, blinded as we are by circumstances and situations. But when we emerge from that leg of the journey, we can look back and see that God has watched over our every step. Yes, the journey was hard and went on longer than we thought we could bear. But we are still here. Through our wilderness, just when we thought we couldn’t last another day, God’s mercy met us in a kind word, an unexpected provision, or an encounter. The assurance of His presence always comes.
Today we can learn from life’s wilderness. We learn things there that we can’t learn anywhere else. We see the provision of our Father in a different light. His love stands out in stark relief against the background of the barren landscape. In the wilderness, there is no selfishness. We learn in deeper ways to cling to God and wait for Him. When we come out of the wilderness, the lessons stay with us. We take them with us into life. We remember the God who got us through the hard times, He is with us still. Hard times can be fruitful times. Though barren, lush fruit is being produced as we walk through the wilderness. The Lord has promised to sanctify your wilderness times and make them fruitful.
The LORD your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the LORD your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing. – Deuteronomy 2:7
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I know that wherever I am, You are with me—guiding, protecting, providing. Father, You make a mountain into a way; You make streams flow in the desert; You cause a root to grow out of dry ground. Hallelujah! God, thank You for allowing me to see You work when all hope seems lost. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This Before!
Is your breakthrough taking longer than you hoped? Have you been praying for a loved one, or maybe you believed that a situation would change for years? Don’t get discouraged. God is going to finish what He started! He is faithful, and He has something unmatched, unparalleled coming your way, breakthroughs, restoration like you haven’t seen before, hallelujah!
God has been good to us, but I believe we’re coming into a time of greater anointing, greater power, and greater victories! The key is that we must stay in agreement with God. We should get up every morning and say, “Father, thank You for Your unprecedented favour. Thank You for the immeasurable, unlimited, surpassing greatness of Your power.” If you keep standing in faith, I believe you’re going to come into more of those days where you stand in utter amazement and say, “wow, God! I’ve never seen anything like this before!”
Today, remember the question that Scripture asks, “is there anything too hard for the Lord?” and the answer is “no”, nothing is impossible when we put our faith and trust in Him. So, keep standing, believing, and hoping because God has something astounding in store for your future. He will finish what He started!
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I give my heart and my mind to You, so You can finish what You started in me. Father, I trust and believe that You are working on my behalf. God, I will stand strong on Your promises today, knowing that victory is mine, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
20/20 Vision
Do you have a vision for your life and your family’s life? The Bible says, “without a vision the people perish.” Today’s verse says, “the vision is for an appointed time.” That means there is a specific time already determined for the fulfilment of the desires God has placed in your mind and heart. The appointed time is the best time! We must trust that God can see the bigger picture for our lives. He knows what’s up ahead. He knows what we’re going to need, who we’re going to need, and when they need to show up.
Remember, if God did everything, we asked on our timetable, it would limit us, because sometimes what we’re asking for is too small. Sometimes the person we think we can’t live without, God knows they’re not going to be good for us in ten years, so He is closing the door right now. Sometimes the promotion we want so badly if God gave it to us right now, He knows it would keep us from a much bigger promotion in three years, or maybe a closer relationship with him.
Today, remember, God has the advantage of seeing it all – the bigger picture – the beginning and the end. The longer I live, the more I trust Him. The more I see His hand of faithfulness, the more I know that His plan is better than my plan. Today, trust that He knows what He’s doing. Trust that He has an appointed time for all that should take place in your life. Trust His will and His process and watch Your God-given vision and His promises come to pass in your life! Hallelujah!
“The vision is yet for an appointed time…” (Habakkuk 2:3, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I put my dreams, desires, hopes and longings into Your loving hands. Father, I trust that the vision You have given me is for an appointed time. God, give me patience and strength to trust Your process and timing. I know it’s best, so I will praise You until I see Your vision and Your promises come to pass in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Be Brave Like Christ
The enemy is behind most of our fears. He loves to instil fear into us so we will stay stuck, unable to move forward in the promises God has for us. The devil doesn’t want us to live out our God-given calling. For our enemy roams the earth, “prowling around like a roaring lion just seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Today’s verse reminds us that we will be hated as we are “set apart and chosen” and as we are called to be his disciples. But Jesus shows us what bravery looks like. We can persevere through our fears, the attacks of the enemy, and opposition from anyone who hates us and denies us just, as Jesus persevered.
It takes bravery to recognize your fears and continue moving where God is leading you. Jesus was brave. He had to face adversity, accusation, and affliction as he shared the truth of the Gospel. He left his family to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God. He was brave when everyone around him hated him, leaving him, and betraying him.
Today be encouraged by 1 John 4:4 “greater is He who is in me than he who is of the world.” The world may hate you. The world may spit on you for your faith, judge you for your values, and criticize you for your decisions in following Christ. But we know that a man in the flesh, our Saviour was brave enough to walk this earth before you. And the same Spirit He had, you have inside you, so that you too, can be brave like Christ. Step out, despite fear on every hand, trusting that God has gone before you. Follow in His footsteps and be brave just as He was.
“If the world hated you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” – John 15:18
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for leaving me with your word, which is “God-breathed” and directed by you. Father, thank you for being brave against the devil and devil inspired people. God, thank you for sending your Son, who led the way as our greatest example of what it means to be brave in the face of fear and advance the Kingdom even if we are hated for it.
Lord, we need you and can’t do this without you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Are You Struggling With Worry?
Are you struggling with worry? Do you wake up with issues on your mind instead of praise to the One who has kept you all night? If so, you’re not alone. When we worry, we allow our minds to dwell on our troubles. So, if we want to get rid of worry in our lives, we begin by giving our minds a new place to dwell. Psalm 94 encourages us in times when worry threatens to take over. “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Thinking about God’s promises will bring wonderful joy. God will always comfort us in our distress, no matter how many worries we carry. His comfort is strong enough to eradicate every anxious thought. By taking a moment to focus on God, we will experience supernatural peace. Enough to help us stop worrying once and for all.
Today, you may be wondering if it’s even possible to put an end to worry. Training our minds to dwell in God’s goodness isn’t a one-time thing, but a daily commitment to draw close to Him. The closer we get to God the less we will worry. Let’s begin today.
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” (Psalm 94:19 ESV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I struggle with worry. Father, throughout my day I catch myself focusing on my problems. God, I know that focusing on my troubles isn’t healthy, but I can’t seem to stop worrying no matter how hard I try. Please help me put an end to worry in my life and find peace through in You. In Christ’s name. Amen
Blockage
Have you ever felt like every time you try to move forward in something, you hit a blockage, or something happens that throws you off course? Be encouraged today because God has gone before you! You may not see it, but He is preparing a way for you. He’s making your crooked places straight. He’s making your rough places smooth. You may be going through a difficult time right now, but it’s not the end, God has a detour around the blockage, and He has equipped you for this journey!
Remember, don’t focus on your circumstances, focus on the promises of God! Keep speaking words of faith because God promises to anoint your head with oil. He’ll cause your cup to run over. That means when you seek Him, He will refresh and anoint you to do what He’s called you to do.
Today, keep moving forward despite the blockage, God can make a way out of no way. Start by checking your attitude. Don’t go around complaining and focusing on the negative side of things. Instead, put on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Thank Him for removing that blockage and for making your crooked places straight. Keep your eyes on Him and let Him lead you into victory all the days of your life!
“I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…” (Isaiah 45:2, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for preparing my path and for making my crooked places straight. God, I give You total permission to remove all the blockages in my life that are stopping me from moving forward. Restore my soul and lead me in the plan You have for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
More Questions Than Answers ?
Throughout life, we may experience sorrows for which there are no adequate explanations. Some are difficult events with far-reaching effects, while others are personal, private tragedies that alter our individual lives and families forever. We want to know why, but we seem to find more questions than answers. Yet even as we struggle with “why?” God extends His unfailing love to us.
Some years ago, an experimental spacecraft broke apart during a test flight. The co-pilot died while the pilot miraculously survived. Investigators determined what happened, but not why. The title of a newspaper article about the crash began with the words “Questions remain.”
In the bible, Job lost his children and his wealth in a single day, he sank into an angry depression and resisted any attempted explanations by his friends, even though he still had questions. Yet he held out hope that someday there would be an answer from his God. Even with no answers, Job could say, “God knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold”.
Today, as we face life’s unanswered questions, we can find help in God’s love and promises that one day, every tear and perplexity, every oppression and distress, every suffering and pain, and wrong, and injustice will have a complete, and powerful explanation. Until then hold on by faith that the answer is on the way.
“God knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” Job 23:10
Let’s Pray
Sweet Yahweh, thank You for giving me faith and trust in You so that even though I have questions about life, and why things have happened the way they have, my love for You hasn’t wavered. Father, there is one thing I can’t and won’t question and that is Your love for me. God, give me wisdom and understanding today to accept what I can’t explain, believing You know what’s best for me. In Christ’s name! Amen.
Don’t Worry ?
With casualties going up in Ukraine, and the economy at its weakest ever, it’s easy to worry. What are you worrying about today?
Worrying means allowing something to revolve in your mind repeatedly until it stresses you out. God doesn’t want you to live worried or anxious about anything. He knows that worry steals your peace and joy. It affects every area of your life negatively. Have you heard the saying, “Don’t worry yourself sick?” That’s because worrying affects your physical and mental body. It even affects your sleep!
The Bible says you won’t ever gain anything by worrying; in fact, you’ll lose precious moments that you can never get back again. The good news is that God has promised that you can have victory over worry. It starts by choosing to trust in Him. When you cast your cares on him, he will give you his peace, which will eradicate your worry. Hallelujah!
Why not put an end to worry in your life. Choose to feed your faith and fill your mind with God’s promises of peace. As you focus on God’s Word and spend time in conversation with Him, He will drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy, and you will overcome in every area of your life!
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27, NIV
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I permit You to put an end to worry in my life. Father, I have decided to feed my faith by studying Your promises and declaring Your Word over my life. God, help me to trust in You today and every day, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Remember God’s Promises
This year, things have not gone the way anyone expected. When things don’t go the way you planned, or something unexpected happens, how do you respond? Do you start expecting the worst, or do you go to God’s Word and remind yourself of His promises?
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Faith activates God’s promises. When difficulties come and you’re tempted to get upset, remind yourself of His Word and declare, “This is not going to prosper against me.” They may be talking about me. It may look bad, but I know that God is my vindicator. He’ll take care of me. I know that God has me in the palm of His hands. ”
Today, remind yourself of God’s promises. You don’t have to get worried. You know God is still on the throne. You know that problem didn’t come to stay; it came to pass. So today, remind yourself of His promises and feed your faith so that you can move forward in the life of blessing He has prepared for you!
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
(Joshua 1:8, NIV)
Let’s pray to Yahweh. Thank you for every one of your amazing promises. Father, I choose to meditate on your word, which brings life to me. Almighty God, fill me with your peace as I stand in faith until I see the victory you have promised me to come to pass in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
The Currency Of Faith
Everyone needs money – it is the currency of our world. In the natural, we exchange money for the things we want and need. But in the supernatural or spiritual realm, faith is our currency and what we exchange for what we need or want.
The Bible tells us that when we pray if we have faith, we will receive what we pray for.
Faith is heaven’s currency. Faith moves mountains. Faith opens doors. Faith pleases God. What is faith, you may ask? It is simply believing and trusting God and His Word. It’s believing in His goodness and knowing that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him. Faith is trusting that the promises of God are true. It’s obeying His Word. Where does faith come from? Everyone is given a measure of faith. Romans tell us that faith grows by hearing the Word of God.
Today, the more you hear the Word of God, the more real it becomes in your life, and the easier it is to believe His promises. It doesn’t matter how much faith you have today, begin investing your faith in God’s Word so that your trust will grow. As you hear and obey the Word, you will be empowered to move forward to receive every good gift God has in store for you.
“And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.”
(Matthew 21:22, AMP)
Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank you for the supernatural currency of faith which gives Your Word power to work in my life. Father, I submit myself to you today and ask that the seeds of faith in my heart grow stronger with each new day. God, I trust you and I open my heart to you and ask you to remove doubt and unbelief so that I can trust and serve you with my whole heart, all in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Keep Your Obligations
In today’s scripture, David was in a better place when he asked whether anyone was left of the house of Saul. After many years of struggle, he had become king over Israel. David had secured Jerusalem as his city and had brought the ark of the covenant into it. The Lord had given David rest from his enemies and bought peace to Israel. On top of that, God had promised that a son of David would rule forever, a promise that would be fulfilled in Christ.
However, David had an obligation. Long before, David had made a covenant with Jonathan his friend and Saul’s son. Others may have forgotten but David did not. David set out to find someone from Saul’s family to whom he could be kind.
Today, we accumulate obligations. We make promises that we don’t fully keep despite our best intentions. We also accumulate hurts that we have never really forgiven. Worse yet, we often cause hurts for which we do not fully apologize. Over the years our spiritual debts pile up. The beginning of the year is a good time to consider what we have left undone, and our acceptance of Christ has assured us of God’s peace. With His Gift of peace, we can make peace. Are there any obligations you need to attend today? Stand on God’s word and keep your promises right now.
David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for keeping your promises and obligations to me. Father, I’m so glad your faithfulness endures forever. Lord, help me to be faithful, keeping the promises I make and forgiving others as I have been forgiven. In Christ’ name, Amen.
