Thanksgiving Pt 2

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

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

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

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

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

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

At Just The Right Time

God! I have fasted and prayed but still no answer. Why is it taking so long? This was my conversation with God. Are you praying for something that’s taking longer than you thought or expected? No matter how long you may have been standing on God’s promises, don’t give up! Your season is coming. Your harvest of blessing is on its way. It might be today, it might be tomorrow, it might be next week, next month or next year; but remember, at just the right time, you will experience your breakthrough. Hallelujah! 

Be encouraged because God is faithful, and His promises are true. Keep standing, keep hoping, keep believing. Keep doing good. Keep declaring the promises of God over your life. 

Today, choose to be around people who are going to encourage you. Make sure you fill your heart and mind with God’s Word. Let a song of praise come out of your mouth. Press on in faith because at just the right time, your harvest of blessing will come! Because God cares. 

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for caring, refreshing and renewing my heart. Fill me with Your peace; fill me with Your strength. Help me not to get weary as I wait for my blessing, trusting that Your timing is best. Teach me to do good and stand firm, until I see my harvest of blessing, in Christ’ name! Amen. 

Team Work

As the football season begins, the thought came to mind in regards to teamwork. Your destiny is too big to accomplish things on your own. God has already arranged for certain people to come alongside you and speak faith into you. He has already placed in your path people who will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish your dreams.

Some people never reach their highest potential because they never get away from the wrong people. Recognise that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to connect with people who understand your destiny and can call forth your seeds of greatness. You don’t have time to spend on people who are always putting you down, telling you what you can’t do, or who refuse to give you their approval no matter how hard you try. 

Today, realise life is too short to drag people along who will hold you back from your God-given destiny. Ask God to help you get the wrong people out of your life, then He will help you make the right connections, so you can fulfill the destiny He has in store for you.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for placing godly people in my life. Father, help me to discern the right connections You have for me. God, give me strength to release the wrong relationships, so I have room in my life for the people You have chosen to connect with me for your will to be accomplished in my life, in Christ’ name! Amen.

God I Can’t Wait Any Longer

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

Just recently I got frustrated because what I had been praying for was taking a long time. What Are you praying for? Is it taking longer than you thought or expected? No matter how long you may have been standing on God’s promises, don’t give up! Your season is coming. Your harvest of blessing is on its way. It might be today, it might be tomorrow, it might be next week, next month or next year; but remember, at just the right time, you will experience your breakthrough.
 
Today, Be encouraged! God is faithful and His promises are true. Keep standing, keep hoping, keep believing. Keep doing good. Keep declaring the promises of God over your life. Choose to be around people who are going to encourage you and fill your heart and mind with God’s Word. Let a song of praise come out of your mouth at all times. Press on in faith and keep an attitude of victory. Don’t get tired of doing what is right because your harvest of blessing is on the way. Hallelujah!
 
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

 
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for refreshing and renewing my heart. Father, I’m struggling with Your timing. Things have become difficult for me and I can’t hear from You. Fill me with Your peace; fill me with Your strength as I wait on You. God, I await my harvest of blessings from You. Help me to do good, stand firm and not give up until I see my harvest of blessing in Christ’ name. Amen.

I Felt Like Giving Up

This morning I felt like giving up. Felt tired emotional and physically. Then I remembered this story. Back in the 1800’s some explorers were going across the desert and didn’t bring enough water. They got tired and very thirsty so they started digging at different spots underneath the surface about a foot or two, trying to find water so they could get refreshed. Tired and thirsty they lost their lives in the desert because of a lack of water and fatigue. Many years later, it was discovered that there was water right there where they had lost their lives about three feet under the ground. If they would have just dug down a little bit further, they would have found the water and saved their lives.

The same principle is true when you’re in a dry tired season of life, and not getting any good breaks, business is slow, or you’re struggling with relationships. It’s easy to think, “ I’m too tired, I can’t go on, things will never change. I’m not going to see my dreams come true. I’m an emotional and spiritual wreck”. Don’t give up and die like those early explorers, water is there. You’re a foot away from that blessing, provision and increase. 

Today, you just have to hang on in there, dig down a little deeper. If you will shake off tiredness, shake off the self-pity, shake off what didn’t work out, shake off the complacency and turn up your faith and praise, you’ll soon tap in to the blessing and provision God has prepared for every area of you life! Hallelujah! 

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your provision and blessing in my life. Father, I’m tired. Emotionally I’m through, I don’t want to think no more, physically I’m hurting and spiritually I’m sick and tired of falling short of Your expectations. I know that You are making a way in my desert even when I don’t see a way. God, help me to stand strong in You so that I may see the harvest of blessing You have prepared for me. Please Lord, give me the power to keep digging till I reach my god given purpose in Jesus’ name. Amen

It’s A New Season!

Renewal, Of People Of God - Knowing Jesus

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

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

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

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

Let’s Pray 

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

Walking In The Rain

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I learnt while in Africa that rain is symbolic of God’s blessing and favour. Someone once said God’s Word is like rain that causes us to flourish and blossom. Scripture says we should live like a well-watered garden, vibrant and growing. We should live under a cloud of God’s blessing.  

I’m told a cloud is formed when moisture rises up from the earth into the atmosphere. Eventually, the moisture is so abundant that the rain begins to fall. In the same way, your praise is like the invisible moisture that rises up to heaven and forms a cloud of blessings which will activate an outpouring of God’s blessing, favour and provision in your life. Hallelujah! 

Today, if you feel like you are in a dry season, begin to praise and thank God that He is bringing you through to a place of refreshing. Praise God and magnify Him for His goodness until your praise forms clouds of blessings. As you turn up your praise, God will send down rain of blessings, and you will experience His abundant outpouring in every area of your life! 

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10–11, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I praise and honour You. Father, thank You for this day. Thank You for giving me life. Thank You for making me new. Thank You for saving me and filling me with Your peace and joy. Hallelujah. I bless Your most Holy Name. God, please rain Your blessings on me today. I love You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

God Can Make Up For Lost Time

During this season, many of us have lost so much – a job, relationship, money and maybe even sanity. None of it may have been your fault. God knows how to make up for the years you’ve lost in your life. No, you can’t re-live your childhood, but God can make the rest of your life so rewarding, so fulfilling that you don’t even miss what didn’t happen in the past. 

You may be sitting there thinking about wasted years in relationships that didn’t work out. But God can bring somebody into your life so great, so fun, so friendly, so attractive, that you don’t even remember the years that you’ve lost. You may have spent years in a job that turned out to be a dead end. You were working your way to the top; things didn’t turn out like you had hoped, and now it looks like it was a big waste of time. You may not see how you could ever get to where you want to be, but don’t believe the enemy’s lies. God knows how to make up for lost time. Hallelujah! 

Today, God can change things in your life. He can bring opportunities back that you missed, that will thrust you years ahead of where you are. It may not have happened the first time, but God will always give you another chance. He’ll make up for the lost time and bring you out better and stronger than ever before! 

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten…” (Joel 2:25, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, You are my Great Redeemer. Father, thank You for Your promise to restore to me the years that have been lost or wasted – some through no fault of my own. I receive this promise by faith. God, I claim my job back, my finances back, my relationship back, my dignity back, and I put my trust and hope in You, and believe that my best days are ahead of me, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Fiery Trials

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After some strange turbulent weather, it has made me reflect on life’s unexpected and strange moments. Sometimes, if you know you are going into a challenging season, you can get prepared for it. You can make sure you are mentally ready. But what about the strange and the difficult situations that we don’t see coming? The unexpected crisis that catches you off-guard? Sometimes, it can seem so overwhelming. 

In Scripture we are told not to be surprised by fiery trials. That’s because the forces of darkness would not be fighting against you if they didn’t know that God has something amazing in your future! Sometimes, those unexpected difficulties are just a sign that you’re on the right track. The enemy always fights the hardest when you are closest to your breakthrough. Stay on course, keep the faith and leave the fighting to God. 

Today, if you’re in the difficult times, keep your joy and declare God’s Word over your trial. God has promised that you will overcome every obstacle. You will defeat every enemy, and you will embrace the blessings and victories God has in store for you! 

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12–13, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for walking with me in my strange and difficult trials. Father, I cast all of my cares on You. God, I give You all of my difficulties, all of my questions, and all of my concerns. Thank You for working all things out for my good, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Dealing With The Unexpected

Dealing With The Unexpected

When you start serving God with your whole heart, don’t be surprised when you find yourself a target for the enemy. If you know you are going into a challenging season, you can get prepared for it. You can make sure you are mentally ready. But what about the difficulties that we don’t see coming? The unexpected crisis that catches you off-guard? Sometimes, it can seem so overwhelming that it almost knocks the wind right out of you, and leaves you at times questioning God. 

According to God’s Word we shouldn’t be surprised by those unexpected fiery trials. That’s because the forces of darkness would not be fighting against you if they didn’t know that God has something amazing in store for your life! Sometimes, those unexpected difficulties are just a sign that you’re on the right track. It’s always darkest just before the dawn. The enemy always fights the hardest when you are closest to your breakthrough. The key is to stay the course and keep fighting the good fight of faith. 

Today, in these difficult times, keep your joy and keep declaring God’s Word over your future. God has promised that you will overcome every obstacle – even the unexpected ones. You will defeat every enemy, and you will embrace the blessing and victory He has in for you! Hallelujah! 

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12–13, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for walking with me in every season of my life. Father, today I cast all of my cares on You. I cast all of my difficulties, all of my questions, and all of my concerns on You. God, teach me how to handle the unexpected fiery trials. Thank You for working all things out for my good, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

One Day At A Time

God's grace is His undeserved, unearned and unmerited favour

I always thought that grace was unmerited favour, but recently I’ve learned it’s also God’s supernatural empowerment on your life. Throughout Scripture, we see God giving daily grace, power, and provision to His people. When the people of Israel were in the wilderness headed toward the Promised Land, God gave them manna each morning to eat. It would just appear on the ground. But, He specifically instructed them to gather up enough for that day only. In fact, if they gathered more than that, it would spoil. God was teaching them to trust His grace and that He would bless them every single day. 

God doesn’t give us grace for a year at a time, or even a month at a time. Oh no! Every day God has a fresh supply of grace, favour, blessings, wisdom and forgiveness.  

Today, you may be wondering how are you going to make it through this season in your life? One day at a time. Look for His grace today. Look for His provision today. Look for His hand of favour, because God promises to supply everything that you need just for today! 

“Give us this day our daily bread…” (Matthew 6:11, NKJ) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I thank You today for Your grace and favour. Father, I know that You have a fresh supply of everything that I need physically, spiritually and emotionally, I receive them today. God, help me to trust You more as I seek Your face daily. In Christ’s Name!  Amen.

Spring Time

We are just a few weeks into spring – the time of year when many people sow their seeds. The Scripture talks about seasons of sowing and reaping in your life. In Psalms, it talks about sowing in tears and reaping in joy. That verse is saying that the sowing seasons are usually the most difficult.  

At times, it’s difficult to keep a good attitude when it seems like all your friends are being blessed, but you’re not. You may feel like they don’t work as hard as you do. You may feel like they don’t give like you do, or don’t deserve the blessing. That’s a time of testing. It’s hard to go through disappointments and stay positive and hopeful. These are seasons of sowing. If you’ll do the right thing even when it’s hard, when you sow in tears you will always reap in joy!  

Today, have a new attitude towards what God has placed in your heart. It may be taking a long time, but God still has a plan to bring it to pass. Don’t give up. Your time is coming. It’s never too late! God is saying, “This is your season, your spring. Keep your faith stirred up.” Keep sowing because in due season, you will reap the bountiful harvest with a song of joy in your heart! Hallelujah! 

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for another season to serve You and sow into the lives of those around me. Father, I ask for Your strength today to do Your will, and keep a good attitude during the unpredictable time of spring. God, please help me in my season of sowing so that I can be ready in the time of harvest. Lord, I love You and bless Your Holy Name today. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

He Is Risen The Day After

On the Monday, the day after Christ rose from the grave, “Jesus is Risen” were the words on everyone’s lips. For many, that was a reason to celebrate, not only on that day but every day! Because He is risen, we can rise up too in every area of life. We can have victory over sin and death, and embrace eternal and abundant life! 

The main importance of Christ’s resurrection is it gives mankind a new beginning, and greater hope for the future. When we embrace the resurrection and receive Christ as Lord and Saviour, believing He died for our sins and was raised from the dead, that’s when life begins! Hallelujah! 

Today, know that God loves you and receives you just the way you are. If you need a new beginning, there’s no better time than right now. Call on Him, receive Him by faith and join with us to celebrate His resurrection! 

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:6, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I receive the new beginning in my life that Your resurrection brings. Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cruel cross and be raised from the dead, so that I can have abundant life and eternal life. I embrace and accept this new season, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Father I Trust You With My Life

Can God Be Trusted?

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)

With many of our youth today growing up without a father-figure in their lives, it becomes hard for them to trust God and love God. Unlike David, who despite lives challenges, he chose to put his life in the hands of the Lord. In Psalms 31:15, He says, “I trust You, God, because I know You are good, my times are in Your hands.” Are you willing, despite an absent father-figure, poor relationships or trust issues, to release every area of your life to the Father who will never abandon you or let you down? Are you willing to trust Him with every time and season of your life? 

Today, you may be in a situation that you don’t fully understand, but take heart God is a good God, you can trust Him. He is working on your behalf. If you’ll keep your heart surrendered to Him, you’ll begin to see things change in your favour. As you continue to trust Him, He’ll open doors for you. God, will take what the enemy meant for evil in your life, and He’ll turn it around for your good. Keep standing, keep believing, and trust Him. Your times are in His hands! 

“My times are in Your hands…” (Psalm 31:15, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for being there for me, today I choose to trust You. Father, I trust that You are working on my behalf. God, I trust You with my whole life, my times are in Your hands. Please help me to stay close to You today, so that I can hear Your voice. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Season = Ploughing, Planting, Watering, and Harvest

Season = Ploughing, Planting, Watering and Harvest

We are about to move into a new, better season. For me, spring is better than winter. God has ordained seasons in your life. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable. When that happens, we have to submit our plans to Him and trust that He has a better plan. Understand that in God’s kingdom, every season is not harvest.  

Every season is important and contributes to the harvest. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. And sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase, but without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. It’s during the plowing seasons when God’s bringing issues to light that we need to deal with.  

Today, God is getting us prepared for life’s promotions. If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position by keeping an attitude of faith and expectancy, even when it’s hard, it’s just a season change. So keep ploughing by speaking the Word daily. Keep watering by praying and claiming God’s promises. As you do your dreams will come true, and you will receive the harvest God promised you! 

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in all seasons of my life. Father, I trust that my harvest time of increase is coming, and I choose to remain faithful while planting, ploughing and watering. God, I submit all my ways to You today, trusting that You have the best plan for my life. Almighty God, I love You and praise Your name today and always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Prisoners of Hope

To be incarcerated physically I’m told is difficult to deal with. Locked up for hours per day, cut off from loved ones and surround by darkness and evil. Do you know that many of us are in prison in our minds. What about you? Are you in an emotional prison right now? You may not have thought about it that way, but if you are holding unforgiveness or bitterness toward someone who has wronged you – whether it was five, ten or thirty years ago – that is an emotional prison.  

God’s Word promises that if you’ll step out of that prison and become a prisoner of hope, He will restore back to you double for your trouble! That means if someone wrongs you, instead of getting negative and bitter, your attitude should be, “they just did me a favour. They just qualified me for double!” That’s the attitude of a prisoner of hope.  

Today, lock into an attitude of victory that says, “I won’t be defeated! Things may look impossible, but I know God can do the impossible. I may have been treated wrongly, but I’m not worried. I know God is my vindicator. It may be taking a long time, but in due season, I know I will reap if I just don’t give up.” Stay strong and in the place of hope today, knowing that you will come out with double! Hallelujah! 

“Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.”(Zechariah 9:12, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I choose to release those who have wronged me. Father, I refuse to live in an emotional prison, please change my mental location. God, I know You are my vindicator and redeemer. Make me a prisoner of hope and I receive Your promise today that You will give me back double for all my trouble, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

 

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