June 9 – His thoughts

“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” Jeremiah 29v11 (Amplified Bible)

And the thought just came to mind that when man sends you on a mission, you can never be certain of their thoughts and desires for you, whether they be good or bad (knowing that the heart of man is desperately wicked). But we know that with the Almighty God, when He sends us forth, even to the battlefield, His thoughts are good, His plans are good, and everything is in place for the final victory. Hallelujah.

Have a great day.

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Verses for thought.
“May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm!” Ephesians 1v3 (Amplified Bible)


“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestinated (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Ephesians 2v10 (Amplified Bible)

June 8 – And what do we do...

We call on the name of Jesus.

“Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124v8

Shakespeare wrote that what is in a name, that which we call a rose, by any other name will smell just as sweet.

But we sing, that Jesus is the sweetest name I know, He’s always just the same, O praise His holy name, that is the reason why I love Him so, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

And we know that:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4v12

When you are in trouble, who do you call on? Psalm 124v8 proclaims that our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Do you know the Lord’s name. Call on Him. His ears are not too heavy that He cannot hear you.

A song I really like, I think it’s by Cece Winans, but I’m not too certain, speaks of when you don’t know what else to say, just say the name – Jesus. Sometimes we think we have really lost it, and are back to scratch, especially when you think you have been walking on a spiritual high. Remember the Christian walk involves God molding us day by day and we don’t overnight become perfect. But what can we do, we call on Jesus and He is faithful to help especially through the Third Person in the Trinity who is right here with us. But sometimes, we just want things to change overnight. Press on, and forget what is behind – and remember, your help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Have a great day.

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Verse for thought:
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15v10

June 7 – The power of His love

“I hear someone was in luv wit u, was beaten n killed becoz of u, I neva believed till I saw it on calvary. What a great love Christ has 4 you. HAPPY EASTER,” were the words a friend of mine sent to me on Easter day.

Max Lucado also wrote in his book, a Love Worth Giving (which I highly recommend):

“God loves you. Personally. Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God has promised and succeeded. He loves you with an unfailing love. And His love – if you will let it – can fill you and leave you with a love worth giving” (Page 2).

Note the “if you will let it.” Sometimes we do not let God love us, as we ought to. He says:

“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8v32

Even as believers, do we accept God’s love? And how do we show it? Is it reciprocated? Hmmm...

Have a very wonderful day.

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“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8v35

“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3v19

June 6 – A prayer

“Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that My footsteps slip not.” Psalm 17v5

June 5 – Examination Day

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2v15

There are very many reasons why a student does not study. Some of the popular ones include too many things competing for their time, just finished studying for something else, trouble at home or with life itself that occupies their time and keeps their minds wandering, the room and the weather are not conducive – perhaps too hot or too cold ... and many other reasons.

Yet, in all of this, God still asks us to study – and He will never ask us to do something that is impossible. To love, to give, to rejoice, to be joyful, to forgive, to pray, HE asks us to do, ... and now to study. Study, not for anyone to see you but for you – so you will not be ashamed and so that you will be approved in the eyes of God. And the best thing is – the Holy Spirit is here to help you and to teach you, but you have to take study time out!!!

Have a great day.

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Verse for praise:
“For Thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt Thou compass him as with a shield.” Psalm 5v12

Verse for thought:
“And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;” Proverbs 5v12

June 4 – Why not rejoice?

June 4 – Why not rejoice?

The other day, on Sunday to be more specific, the Pastor made two statements that have stayed with me –
i) Happiness is a choice
ii) Whenever we are sad, disappointed, sorrowful, the devil throws a party.
So, what are you going to be – joyful or downcast? Why are you downcast, when the Prince of peace is your husband? Why are you worried, when the Maker of heaven and earth is your father? Why are you losing your joy, when I AM THAT I AM has the final say in all matters – and He is your father.

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Verses for thought:
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” Psalm 42v5

“Rejoice evermore.” 1 Thessalonians 5v16

June 3 – Our Source

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea: and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11v23

Notice how specific this mountain is – it is as if to say, this particular mountain, not a vague stream of things that are out there. Jesus has been given a name that is above every other name, what is this mountain that is standing in your way? You have been given permission to speak to it.

But be careful, remember the seven sons of Sceva of whom the evil spirit spoke,

“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” Acts 19v15
Basically posing the question, on whose authority do you stand to speak to me?

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15v5

Take heed to remain in the source.

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for praise/thought
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8v31 (Daddy G.O will say we can be against ourselves)

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.” Revelations 3v16

June 2 – My words, Your words, our life and our death

Hello everyone,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well. Had the opportunity to turn the other cheek today when I went to get my hair done – not sure how good I did with it but just an encouragement to keep your eyes open to love when you feel like doing otherwise. Afterwards, you will feel much better than if you had tried to have your way.

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11v23

We can hardly ever go wrong with saying halleluyah, or it is well, or Praise God, but we can go wrong with many other things that we say. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Now, whosoever is qualified for what Jesus is saying in this verse, but we see with the words “shall say,” that what whosoever saith is muy importante – very important. What are you saying this day. The Shunammite woman, whose son had died and was asked by Elisha’s servant, is all well, she said – IT IS WELL. What are you saying?

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for thought/ praise
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6v6

“Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.” 2 Kings 4v26

June 1- How the tortoise broke his shell

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11v23

From the first part of this verse, we see the Bible, does not discriminate. It says whosoever, that is whosoever qualifies for whatever Jesus was to say. I remember the story of the tortoise who wanted to follow the birds for a feast that they had been invited to in the sky – but the tortoise had no wings and no way to get to the sky – and so, all the birds contributed feathers to make a wing for the tortoise. Now, before they went, the tortoise said his name was “everybody.”

When they got to the sky, tortoise included, and the food was ready, the host/hostess called out, everybody come and eat. The tortoise did not allow any other person to eat, claiming he was the “everybody” that was called – and the birds could not refute it, for his name indeed was everybody. Of course, they all took their feathers back, and in the tortoises’ attempt to get back to earth, he broke his shell and that is how the tortoise broke his shell (hehehehehehe) – big laugh.

Anyway, the long and short of it, is that for what Mark 11v23 promises, whosoever is eligible. Are you a whosoever?

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for thought/praise
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” Romans 4v20-21

May 31 – On faith

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” Mark 11v22

That simple – 4 words – have faith in God. Jesus spoke this to His disciples after they were astounded that the fig tree, which Jesus had cursed the day before, had withered up. Have you ever been astounded about something God did – have faith in God. Believe that HE that has promised, is more than able to do what He has said to do – have faith in God. Remember Hebrews 11v6, which we oft quote:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11v6

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for thought/praise
“In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138v3

“Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.” Proverbs 24v28

May 30 – From Mark 2

“And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow Me. And he arose and followed Him.” Mark 2v14

There are many times we are called by the Lord to do something, what is our response? Now we may have once refused, like the first son in the parable of the two sons, or we might have accepted, like the elder son. Now, the first son, refused but then accepted, and the second son accepted, but did not do it. The question was then posed by Jesus:

“Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto Him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” Matthew 21v31-32

The first son repented and went about the work of his father that sent him, the second son did not do the work, even after he had said he would. Any work lingering – get to it. Remember, God is no respecter of persons. However, He will give you the grace to do it.

Have a wonderful day.

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“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12v36-37

May 29 – Embarking on the adventure

May 29 – Embarking on the adventure

Many times we make resolutions. We decide we are going to read our Bibles for 2 hours every day, and pray for 10 hours in total, every week. And when we do not accomplish it, we feel disappointed. Worst of all, we feel we have failed God. But with God, there is grace. However, catching a glimpse into the life of Jesus and His words, we see that perhaps, we are missing out on something –

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” Acts 10v38

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1v8

“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,” Luke 4v1

The Spirit within and the Spirit upon. We cannot accomplish nada- nothing without the Holy Spirit of God. He is God with us. Jesus did all that He did, for God was with Him. He asked the disciples not to try anything, nor go anywhere, until after that the Holy Ghost is come upon them. He knew they could not do anything, unless the Spirit of God was with them – thus the verse the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me for He has anointed Me to preach ... The Spirit decided when it was time for Him to go and face His temptations, first completing a long fast – 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost and led by the Spirit into the wilderness. And the conclusion of the matter, we see in the question:

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” Luke 11v13

Have a blessed day.

May 28 – Only praise

In times such as this, when you put on the tv, when you see what is around, and going on around us – wars, rumours of war, things pulling and vying for your time, it is easy to lose your song. One thing the Psalmist knew and did so much so that he was called a man after God’s own heart and this he said:

“I WILL bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34v1

Don’t lose your song.

Have a blessed day.

May 27 – The Holy Spirit, our helper

“Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me: for there is no saviour beside Me.” Hosea 13v4

In this verse, God certifies to the Israelites, that He was their God from where they were coming from. God wrote their history in Egypt – He knew they would be there, and when they would leave and where they should go to. And HE here reminds them that He was their God from back there. He cautions them – do not know any other god but Me, for there is no Saviour beside Him. Today, God is saying He is your God from back then, from the land of slavery, trouble and affliction. He’s saying, don’t know (don’t try out any other way, don’t become familiar, don’t respond to) any other god but Him – for there is no Saviour beside Him.

The great thing is that God does not leave us in a vacuum trying this way and that way while we are getting to know Him. He says in His word that:

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14v16&17

I love that the Comforter is with us for ever, not one moment now, and then the next moment He is gone. The Comforter helps us through hard times, He advises, He consoles, and He counsels among other things. Got something on your mind? Talk to the Comforter about it.

Have a blessed day.

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“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 1v38&39

May 26 – He never abandons His own

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13v5

Hmm. Just finished listening to a message, and one resounding encouragement laced within the message, was that “God never abandons His own.” And that is so true. Another thing I love so much is that God hears our prayers, He hears and notes and delights in the prayers of His children – His righteous ones. And He never abandons us. Although I could not find a verse for abandon as such, but Hebrews 13v5 (King James Version) uses two verbs which practically capture the word abandon – leave and forsake. And God’s promise to us, His reassurance to us no matter where we are at or what we are doing, is that He will never abandon – leave us nor forsake us. Blessed be His holy name forevermore.

Amen.

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Verses for thought/praise:
“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:

And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” 1 John 5v14&15

May 25 – I shall not die, but live

“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

The LORD hath chastened me sore: but He hath not given me over unto death.” Psalm 118v17&18

We shall not die until the Master says it is time, in Jesus name. One thing that struck me about the verse is that it says we will live and do what? According to the Psalmist, he says he will live and ­declare the works of the LORD.

One verse I love is that which says who we are in Christ and how God has called us to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of the darkness into His marvelous light.

Are you showing forth His praises? Are you declaring His wondrous works? Are you thankful ... or grumbling. It is well with you in Jesus name.
Have a blessed day.

Verses for praise:
“Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”

May 24 – From Proverbs 24

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and HE turn away His wrath from him.” Proverbs 24v17-18

The good Lord is the One who wants that none perish, but all come to repentance. On the other hand, he watches and guards over His children jealously. He knows when one hair from their hair is out of place, and all the days that they live is accounted for with Him. Again, He loves mercy and justice, but says to us, vengeance is mine, I will repay. If one does you wrong and the Lord is fighting for you, Proverbs 24 cautions us not to gloat. I think it would please our Father even more if we prayed for them.

Have a great day.

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“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5 v 11&12

May 10 – In truth

Hello everyone,
How are doing on this day? I hope well. According to Saint John, there are two things that we should do “in truth,” and perhaps there are more. The first we see as:

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4v24

And the other we see as:
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3v18

I love you, I adore you, I will go the distance for you – really, can you come to my office tomorrow to drop off my car –actually…

Or, Father I adore You, I appreciate You, I will go to the ends of the earth for You for You are just awesome in my life …

Somethings are easy to say, to use our flesh to speak, but how do we really ought to worship and to love. One of the requirements is in truth. The question then arises that how do we do that? That is, how do we worship in truth? How do we love in truth?
Flipping through the Bible, I stumbled upon this verse which the Amplified says:

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].” John 16v13

So we gain some insight here in that the Holy Spirit is the One who will guide us into all truth, and He is here in us and dwells with us and as the rivers of living water are flowing out of our belly, we bubble over with real worship and adoration to the Father of spirits. Furthermore, we know that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through thee Holy Spirit and so all we have to do is to act, reach out in faith, the Spirit of Truth is on the inside of you and as you reach out, He works through you, acting in truth. So rejoice because it is well and we have all that we have to do what the Lord has asked us to do. All you have to do is act and reach out in faith – note you do not have a spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a soundmind.

Have a very blessed day.

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Verses for thought:
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Sanctify then through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” John 17v16&17]

May 9 – No longer debtors

Hello everyone,
Just an encouragement to say that:

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8v11&12

We are not debtors. You do not owe the flesh anything, one more drink, one more tantrum, one more shred of anger spout, nothing. The price has been paid and through the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, we have been set free. However, again, you cannot do it on your own, but through the Spirit you can. You can’t reason with your head and say no, no, no, no, no more of this, but through the Spirit you can achieve and live the life of holiness and perfection that God wants us to live.

For remember, if you do strong head, and continue to live after the flesh, succumbing to its whims and moves and every need, you will die. Don’t try to reason it out! But on the other hand, you will live if you mortify the deeds of the body, through the Spirit. That is, totally kill and render those deeds useless saying no more, through the Spirit of God which dwells in you.

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for praise:
“For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 116v8&9

May 8 – The gift of God

May 8 – The gift of God

Hello everyone,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well. You know, God has such grace (unmerited favour), available for His children. I mean, we are even prompted to come boldly before His throne of grace, His throne of unmerited favour where we can obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Even more particularly, we see in Ephesians 2v8-9:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (King James Version)

“For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]” (Amplified Bible).

“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” New Living Translation

So don’t be deceived, or be bewitched, its not by works at all. Our salvation is a gift from a loving Father and we need to tap into it through faith. What you cannot see, but what you hope for – Christ in us, the hope of glory. Remain expectant, don’t waver, don’t look back for indeed by grace have you been saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God (double wink).

Have a blessed day.

May 7 – His many pleasures

Hello everyone,
How are you doing on this lovely day? I hope well. The sun is up and shining here in Cambridge , MA and given that it is a day that the good Lord has made, we definitely will rejoice and be glad in it – hallelujah.

Reading through the Psalms this morning, a verse struck me:
“They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.” Psalm 36v8

Isn’t it wonderful, that its not even us that need to ask for the pleasures, but that it is God who makes us to drink of these pleasures. And to just think of the God type of pleasures, I’m sure its not the type that you have and forget its taste a second later. They are of the sort that you would look back and say, indeed it is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes; the sort that you would say, if it had not been for the Lord …

And why? Why does He allow us to be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of His house? And why does He make us drink of the river of His pleasures? Why, why, why? The previous verse preludes this and says: How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! Note the exclamation mark. Even David was astonished about it. Indeed, what is man that Thou art mindful of Him, or the son of man that Thou visitest Him o Lord?

We see too that because of the lovingkindness of God, “…therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.” Because we know as a friend of mine will say that “God dey,” and we know Him to be good and His lovingkindness to be excellent, then we put our trust in Him. Interestingly enough, He it is that shews us such lovingkindness, that it is easy for us to trust in Him. He loved us first! Even while were yet sinners. And then comes the verse on us being abundantly satisfied with the fatness of His house, and drinking of the river of His pleasures. See too that these pleasures and fatness are open to all the children of men, not a specific people, but those who through the lovingkindness of God, put their trust under the shadow of His wings.

May 6 – Your speech

One verse we have often read, is from Colossians 4v6, which says:

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

So here, we see that all the time, our speech should be with grace. But what struck me, was the side note of the concordance, which described these speech which is seasoned with salt, as one which is – worthy of being kept in the memory of others.

Interesting.

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for praise:
“Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.” Psalm 150v3

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150v6

May 5 – The 11th Hour

The 11th hour is a time when everything seems really bleak; it’s the time before the new day comes. It’s often a time that people want to pass real quickly and perhaps feel after it is passed, that there is nothing good or special or kind that the world has to offer them. Everything else seems secondary after this 11th hour with its “problems” and “darkness” has passed. But this is not often the case. We have heard it said that it is in the eye of the storm that it is the calmest. Also, along the same vein, when all seems to have gotten to their all time low, the only place it can go after that is upwards, for the believer at least. The Lord will never give us more than we can handle. We see this in the life of Jacob, now called Israel in Genesis 42v36:

“And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” Genesis 42v36 (King James Version)

“And Jacob their father said to them, You have bereaved me! Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and you would take Benjamin from me. All these things are against me!” Genesis 42v36 (Amplified Bible)

“Jacob exclaimed, “You are robbing me of my children! Joseph is gone! Simeon is gone! And now you want to take Benjamin, too. Everything is going against me!” Genesis 42v36 (New Living Translation).

In Jacob’s 11th hour, he got to the point when he had to exclaim that everything is going against me. Have you ever been at that stage when it seems as if everything that could possible gone wrong, has gone wrong. Welcome to the life of Jacob in his 11th hour. And yet, it was his letting go of what he cared for the most, in this case – Benjamin – that was going to help him recover all that he had lost, and more. He will get back or discover that indeed Joseph lived and Simeon would be released and they will get food for him and his family. How is your 11th hour? Rejoice, God is on the throne.

Have a glorious day.

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Verses for praise:
“Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?” Lamentations 3v37

“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3v26

May 4 – Being made conformable to His death

And once again Paul said:

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death.” Philippians 3v10 (King James Version)

“… and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]” Philippians 3v10 (Amplified Bible)

“… sharing in His death,” Philippians 3v10 (New Living Translation)

What does it mean to share in the death of Jesus Christ? In the same vein, what does it mean to be made conformable to His death? To conform to something means to (looking at synonyms) – be conventional, be traditional, do the accepted thing, obey the rules, play the game … the opposite of conform, being to rebel. Could this be that if we are not being conformable to His death, we are rebelling against it, and what does this signify?

We know that the Christian life and faith continues until the end. You have to run the race to win. Jesus did not turn back at the garden of Gethsemane, but there He said “not My will but Yours be done.” How far are we willing to go for Christ? Even to death?

Have a great day.

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Verses for thought:
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:

Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2v6&7

May 3 – The fellowship of His suffering

Again, Paul wrote,
“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, ­­and the fellowship of His sufferings, …” Philippians 3v10 (King James Bible)
“… and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, …” Philippians 3v10 (New International Version)
“… and that I may so share His sufferings…” Philippians 3v10 (Amplified Version)

What did Paul mean by wanting to know the fellowship of His – Jesus’ – sufferings? For indeed Jesus did say “it is finished,” so what could the Apostle Paul be referring to?

We see in 1 Peter 4v12 & 13:
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

It may come in different ways, persecutions and trials that come about because You believe in Jesus, because You are identified as a Christian, because You have the mind of Christ, because the Spirit of the One who raised Christ from the dead dwells on the inside of You, because of the Greater One in You, because of Your identification with the God of love who exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth, for in lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness does He delight. When you suffer, then rejoice, for it shall be well with you, the least they can defeat is the body, not the soul.

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for thought:
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.” 1 Peter 4v14

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5v10

May 2 - The Power of His Resurrection

Paul said in Philippians 3v10:
“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, …” King James Version
“… and that I may in that same way come to know the power overflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], …” Amplified Bible
“… and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead....” New Living Translation
“… experience His resurrection power…” (The Message)

What does the power of Jesus’ resurrection symbolize? What is it to experience His resurrection power, that mighty power that raised Him from the dead?

And insight to this might be that seen in Ephesians 1v18-23 where Paul prays

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,

Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.”

May 1 – That I may know Him.

“That I may know Him,…” Philippians 3v10 (King James Version)

“I want to know Christ…” Philippians 3v10 (New International Version)

“[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly],…” Philippians 3v10 (Amplified Bible)

“I want to know Christ…” Philippians 3v10 (New Living Translation)

April 30 – Jesus’ humility

There is a verse in the Bible, that I had hardly ever understood, at least in the way it was phrased in the King James Bible. This we see in Philippians 2v6. Put in context, we see that Philippians 2v5-7 says:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

That is, Jesus, though being equal with God, did not see it as something to hold tight unto; nor something to cling to the privileges of its status; nor something to be eagerly held unto or retained. Reminds me of the imagine, if only they knew who I was mentality that we often have. We see this even in action when Jesus was on earth, where in the book of John it says:

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God;

He riseth from supper, … and began to wash the disciple’s feet …” John 13v3-5

Knowing full well who He was, and where He was going to in a matter of days. Our Lord Jesus did this. How much more us?

Have a great day.

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“Because of that obedience, God lifted Him high and honored Him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that He is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.” Philippians 2v9-11 (The Message)

April 29 – For what purpose?

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Whatsoever – word, thought, deed … any action word – dance, eat, drink … should all be done as unto the Lord, in the fear of the Lord. For what purpose do we do the things that we do? We see here how even servants are cautioned to serve their masters, not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God, for ultimately, the one who we serve is the Lord Christ.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Colossians 3v17

The New Living Translation says that in whatever we do or say, we should do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus. Remember we should seek to delight ourselves in the Lord, in our Master, in our Saviour for ultimately He it is who will grant us the desires of your heart, He it is that will reward you, for it is not he who approves himself that is approved, but he who the Lord approves. How can you win His approval today and every single moment of your life?

Have a blessed day.

April 28 – On the head

In the head, we have the mouth, the nose, the ears, the teeth… I remember once, a preacher preaching about the helmet of salvation that we have thus covering all these parts of the head – the ears, the eyes and sometimes even the mouth. We see in Psalm 140 v7, where the Psalmist writes:

“O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.”

For us who know that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places, the covering of the head in battle is very important as it regulates the things we hear, the things we see, the things we smell, think, and in essence do… Thus we see as one of the armour parts that:


“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians 6v13&17