“…Like a hiding place from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land…“. -Isaiah 32:2

Certain areas in some countries like the USA experience severe storms such as tornadoes and hurricanes. But many of the houses are built with timber and don’t provide much protection when the weather turns bad. That’s when the families run to their shelters – reinforced concrete bunkers located in or near their homes.

Everyone experiences “storms” in life, but if Jesus resides in your heart, you are under God’s supernatural protection. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33). God is your shelter from the storm. His protection surrounding you is very real. 

Recently during a sermon, a man walked up to the (well-known) pastor  and opened fire with a handgun at point blank range. He missed every shot! A woman missionary was driving back from the city to the orphanage she founded, when armed robbers with automatic rifles surrounded her vehicle. She screamed, “Jesus,” and drove away, passing between a tree and a pole that were too close together to allow her vehicle through (they later returned there and measured the gap!) Psalm 91 says, “He rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you – under them you’re perfectly safe…”. Trust in God’s protection – He will deliver you from harm!

Prayer (out loud): God, you’re my refuge! I trust in you and I’m safe! In Jesus name, Amen.

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Do you (or family and friends you prayed protection over) have a testimony of God sheltering you from the storm? We’d love to hear from you. Please inbox us or POST a short testimony on our Facebook page. Click here to go there.

Paul wants to address who God is in this first part of Ephesians. Let’s take a look at the characteristics Paul mentions:

• Blessed is God
• What a blessing is He
• The Father of Jesus
• Taking us to the high places
• He had us in mind from the beginning
• Loved us
• Adopted us through Jesus
• Wanted us to celebrate with Him through His son Jesus.

When I read these attributes I am in awe and reminded of how great my Lord is. I ask myself to think of His great love and wonder at how I celebrated Him today. 

I love being outside in God’s creation, looking for God in both the small and great things. A grain of sand, poppies in the green grass, and drops of rain just beginning to come down to water the dry and thirsty ground. Can I not celebrate in the beauty and organization that is so easily observed? Sometimes it is as if I am looking for some grand display…yet in the smallest ways God shows me who He is. He is a God of great love that blesses us beyond our imaginations.

Ephesians goes on to tell us that because of the sacrifice of Jesus we are a free people (vs. 7-10). We are free of the penalties and punishments due to our misdeeds. Oh, what great cause to celebrate! To think that He so delighted in us that he planned for all things…even our wrong doing.

Are you looking to find out who you are? Searching and not finding? It is in Christ that we find out who we are (vs. 11) and what we are living for. The plan for your life was written long ago with the purpose of working through you and to provide a glorious life. So much is hard to understand without this perspective. The Holy Spirit is in us and give us the message of salvation (meaning we are planned for by God, delivered).

Paul ends chapter one by praising the Ephesians for their trust in Jesus and the outpouring of their love towards other followers (vs. 15-19). He thanks God for each one and continues to pray for them. What strikes me is that Paul asks for them to have certain characteristics: intelligent and discerning hearts, knowing Him personally, eyes focused and clear, each to see the calling for them.

I pray this for each one of us. Let us celebrate, each day, the day that the Lord has given us. Meditating on His attributes and great love for each one of us. Let us know the calling that the Lord has for us, being of sound mind and clear in vision.  May we serve others and be assured of deliverance. Thank you Jesus!

“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close”. -Psalm 27:10

In the story of the hot air balloon that was being tethered to its mooring ropes, the ground crew were struggling to secure it as a strong wind was blowing. The balloon broke free and began drifting over the countryside, with some men still desperately clinging to the ropes. One by one, they could hold on no longer and fell to the ground. But when the rescue team eventually caught up with the airship as it lost height and landed on a slope, they discovered one man had managed to hold onto a rope for the entire journey. The rescuers were amazed and asked him how he had managed to hold on when others let go. “That’s simple,” he said, “I didn’t try to hold on! I wrapped the rope around me and let it hold me instead!”

Sometimes in our lives, when the “wind of affliction” is blowing strong, our strength is insufficient and we can hold on no longer. That’s when we need to let go of our striving and trying to do things in our own strength. It’s in these times that we realise we have a Father in heaven Who is holding us and we can completely rely on His strength. There’s no storm strong enough to wrench us from God’s grasp!

The scriptures make it clear – Your loving Father will never let you go. God is holding you. John Chapter 6 verse 37 records the words of Jesus, “Every person the Father has given me eventually comes running to Me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go“. The bottom line is, no matter the circumstances, God will never leave you or forsake you (2 Cor 6:18). He is holding you and will never let go!

Prayer: Thank you Father that your word in Hebrews 13 verse 5 declares that You are holding me and will not in any way relax Your grip on me. Thank you I’m safe in your arms forever!

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Do you have a testimony of how the Father’s strength held you when you could hold on no longer? We’d love to hear from you. Please inbox us or POST a short testimony on our Facebook page. Click here to go there.

i have diligently posted something here every day lately, not that i have a goal or challenge to do that, but i just like to check in, provide a tidbit of inspiration, and leave a few thoughts. i truly, truly enjoy it. but i don’t feel like i’ve really written something meaningful (or long-winded, as some of you may say. hehe) in a while. or i feel like i have been super busy. and i have. and i haven’t had time. my desire to blog & write has been strong. but my motivation has not. now that i’m all cozy at home this sunday evening, and have had the perfect few hours to do nothing but write, all i feel is exhaustion. like i need and want to be a vegetable. and yet, thoughts swirl around in my head. but, when i write a sermon (which i did yesterday) and deliver it aloud (which i did today), it sucks the life out of me. it is amazing, but it drains me.

so, here’s what i’ve done instead. i have had a few glasses of wine. munched on nachos. listened to a beyonce documentary that my love watched. snuggled with the cat. talked with my parents – multiple times. had some tea. read a little. but, writing? i have done none.

sunday night at home. cozy, huh?

as i have been sitting here like a lump on a log, i’ve been able to process today a little. and i have to say that today at work was pretty cool. there were 6 women who were leading the service at the church, so it was definitely a girl power kinda day. and out of the 6 of us, we represented 5-6 generations. super rad, i think. i was inspired by the women leading through reading & prayers. they took their time, read with passion and emotion, so we could sit back & soak up the words. and then there were the 2 ladies who played the piano & organ… so talented & dedicated to what they do. and finally, my love. yes, my love was part of the service today. she sang 3 songs, which were so touching for me & for others, bringing some people to tears. her voice, the way she sings – with such confidence, emotion, and strength – i felt safer, more inspired, just listening to her.

and then there was me. the preacher girl.

i always wonder how people will take it when i preach and talk. the standing up in front of people part is easy, even for this introvert. it’s because it’s like talking about something i have written here, so it’s just natural. but, i always worry… do i make sense in what i say? am i saying it too much? is it relevant to life? can people relate? how does it help the one person who may be sitting there who is facing the death of a loved one? and let’s not even get into all the swedish screw-ups i fear that i make. it’s a really humbling job. i feel as if i am bearing my soul. and i am. and i hope that whatever message i am sending is one that is faithful to the truth of love – because that’s what all my sermons boil down to. that we are all loved, just as we are. that life is all about love. relationships. and hope.

today’s theme was especially challenging though. it wasn’t all fluffy & lovey-dovey. it was an in your face kind of theme. a “suck it up because life sucks sometimes” kinda theme. a message of of suffering, tests, and trials.

for those of who you are not christian, the season of lent began last wednesday, so today was the first sunday in lent. lent is a strange, dark, penitential, contemplative period of 40 days before easter (the highlight of christianity). it is a remembrance of the 40 days that jesus spent alone in the desert, faced with temptations. suffering. cold. alone. hot. in pain. hungry. and oh so tempted to leave his faith behind.

for those of us today who “celebrate” lent, it is an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the world’s mystics, gurus, & spiritual leaders by turning inward. a time to reflect on who we are and who we want to be.

today’s focus was on the fact that life is tough. really tough sometimes. and those tough times are inevitable. but, we learn who we are because of the tough times. we have a decision… are we gonna keep the faith & fight on, or are we gonna let the darkness swallow us up.

speaking of tough times, it was tough to stand today and be the one who verbally stated all the things that i am certain all, or most, of us think. like… why? why is life so tough? and can we really believe in a god that is loving and good when there is so much violence, war, injustice, poverty, hunger, and hopelessness in the world?

yes, i stood in front of all of these people today and said, “does God even really exist?”. as those words came out of my mouth and bounced off the tall, cream-colored  walls of the church, it was as if my words echoed in my head for about 5 minutes. i wondered if the walls would crumble. or if lightening would strike (not that i believe in that kind of stuff, but still). what minister questions the existence of god? and what minister does it out loud, in church?  well, this one does, apparently.

the walls did not crumble, no body walked out, and lightening did not strike. but, that is perhaps because i tried to explain myself. i admitted that i don’t have the answers to the tough questions… i just have more questions. but, i have hope. i see it in the stories handed down through the years about people who have been on their own, long, difficult journeys in life. people who have faced their demons and their fears, suffered through so much, and come out the other side more secure in who they are. stronger. the suffering and pain transformed them and made them more secure in themselves.

i myself have experienced how suffering & pain are transformative. just read my posts in my memoir that i am (slowly) writing on the blog, from death to peace. every bit of my story is about living through difficult times, so difficult that, as i examined myself and went through those dark periods, i had to let  something inside me die. but, because of that death, a new life… a life where i was more me, more sure, more aware, more alive, was waiting on the other side.

we see this hope and transformation in nature too.

a butterfly is transformed from an ugly, little caterpillar to something beautiful & delicate. but that doesn’t happen without a period of going within its cocoon. and the trees of the earth. the turn brown, die, and fall to the ground. the trees are left naked, twisted, and bare. and yet, one day, we see tiny little buds appear. and hope returns. and then, the leaves appear. those beautiful bright green leaves that dance in the wind.

from suffering & death comes life. from our struggles & our pain, we become new people.

so, yes, all the crap exists. yes, i still question where god is when the shit hits the fan. yes, i feel alone. abandoned. and scared. and no, thank you. i do not want to willingly go through difficult times. i do not always want to look inward & see the dingy reflection of myself staring back at me, warts & all.

but, i will.

and i will focus on it for the next 40 days. i will endure these days of introspection. i will honestly try to see where i have been, where i am, and where i hope to go. and i will be faithful. faithful to myself. to being who i am made to be. to chasing my dreams and to living life to the fullest. keeping hope alive, even when i feel as if i am left out in the desert. all alone.

well, i guess i needed to get all that out. how’s that for getting some writing done? hehe.

i send you peace in the midst of your pain.

“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” -Ephesians 2:6

Have you ever as a young child gone out with your mom or dad and then encountered some or other activity where you weren’t able to see what all the fuss was about? But that feeling of helplessness changes when your parent lifts you up in their arms and it immediately shifts your perspective.

In life, when we encounter situations, it is easy to get fearful or bogged down because of our limited view. It is at times like these that we need to look up to our Heavenly Father so that He can help us to rise up above the situation. God can see the bigger picture and He can see how to turn things around that seem impossible to us. Don’t get tempted to lean on your own understanding when things don’t seem to make sense (Prov 3:5, Matt 19:26).

Josh Groban’s first stanza and chorus lyrics to “You Raised Me Up” powerfully illustrates how God lifts us up when we get overwhelmed and we feel so weary:

“When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.”

Take action: Don’t give in to weariness. Take yourself out of your situation for a few minutes and then get on your knees and invite Heaven into the situation. Let God raise you up so that you can see what He sees. After all, He is the best Observation Deck.

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Do you have a testimony of how God stepped in and raised you up to be more than you can be? We’d love to hear from you. Please inbox us or POST a short testimony on our Facebook page. Click here to go there.

“Some donkeys belonging to Kish had wandered off, so he said to Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys….They went through the hill country of Ephraim and the region of Shalishah, but did not find them; so they went on through the region of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there… The servant answered, “Wait! In this town there is a holy man who is highly respected because everything he says comes true. Let’s go to him, and maybe he can tell us where we can find the donkeys. When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I told you about. He will rule my people… As for the donkeys that were lost three days ago, don’t worry about them; they have already been found. But who is it that the people of Israel want so much? It is you—you and your father’s family… Then Samuel took a jar of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “The Lord anoints you as ruler of his people Israel.” -1 Samuel 9:3, 4, 6, 17, 20, 1 Samuel 10:1a GNT

Have you ever searched high or low to find something and it just seems to have vanished into thin air? I think Saul must have felt like that when he was sent out on a mission to look for his father’s lost donkeys! Even though he never actually found them, he ended up finding far more than he bargained for. His servant had suggested to him that they go and ask the prophet Samuel if he knew where the donkeys were.

To their surprise, Samuel was expecting them and had prepared a feast in Saul’s honour. But… what surprised Saul most was the announcement that Samuel made to him about his future – he was to be anointed and crowned as King.

Maybe today you are feeling discontented with where you are, I want to encourage you not to give up, but to get a Word from God about where you should be headed in life. He already has your your future set up, but He is waiting for you come and join the feast. You have Kingship in your blood (Rev 5:10). Just remember that when you are “out looking for donkeys” you could be stepping right into your breakthrough!

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“…and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world…, and then the end will come” -Matthew 24:14 (New King James Version)

Many thought the world would end on 21 December 2012 as the Mayan calendar seemed to suggest. Why didn’t it? Because only God knows the exact times and dates. When will the earth end? When the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of God is being preached to the ends of the earth.

Jesus said, “I must preach the kingdom of God…for this purpose I was sent” -Luke 4:43. Matthew 9:35 tells us that Jesus went about all the cities and villages preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Jesus preached about the kingdom.

What message did Jesus say we must preach?Matthew 10:7, “And as you go, preach, saying ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand’”. Luke 9:2, ”He sent them to preach the kingdom of God…” Luke 9:60, “But you go and preach the kingdom of God”. We must preach the kingdom.

What is the kingdom of God and why is it such good news? Because of Jesus, we are now sons and daughters of the king of the universe – free of sin! Jesus also restored our divine authority to dominate the earth. We have power over circumstances. We have a heavenly Father who loves us and the kingdom of heaven in us. Wherever we go, and to wherever our influence extends, we bring the kingdom of God into that place.

Jesus’ message was not about heaven. In fact, He prayed that God would NOT take us out of the earth, but keep us from the evil one (John 17:15). Much preaching is focussed on the “sweet-by-and-by”. As a result, have we become so heavenly-minded, we’re no earthly good?

Let’s put the message of the kingdom of God in its proper place – first! Let’s impact this world with the principles of the kingdom. Billions of precious souls are waiting.

Further references: Matt 4:17; Matt 4:23; Mark 1:14; Luke 8:1; Luke 16:16; Acts 8:12; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:31…

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Majesty  
Majesty, worship his Majesty
Unto Jesus be all glory, power and praise
Majesty, kingdom authority flow from his throne
Unto his own his Anthem Raise
So exalt lift up on high the name of Jesus
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King
Majesty, worship his Majesty
Jesus who died now glorified
King of all kings.

(Song by Jack Hayford)

Each time that I sing this song in worship, I picture it being the theme song in heaven. Every country has an anthem, you hear it played when they host a world cup in sport or the Olympics. They play their anthems proudly because they are patriotic.

The Kingdom of Heaven is a country, in fact it is a Kingdom, with a King and a royal family. We are part of that royal family. Take a look at 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

Today let’s give glory to our King! Let’s raise up His anthem!

PRAYER: Father God, I want to hallow your name, I want to give you glory today in the way that I conduct my affairs. Let your Kingdom come in my life and let it be seen in everything I say and do.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10, NLT).

Everyone of us has a dream to leave behind a legacy of sorts for those who follow us. To achieve this we need to be dedicated and committed to a set goal. Putting pen to paper we need to work out a plan of action and move towards getting it done. Be prepared to put in the sweat and tears required to harvest the success. It’s amazing how you can achieve the impossible when you refuse to quit! Anyone can start something but can you stick with it until it is done? When we are faithful in little, God will give us the more (Luke 16:10).

Become a Risk-taker!
God wants to give us the desires of our heart, but we need to realise what it is first and then call it to account. I heard someone say that “if you don’t build your dreams, someone else will hire you to build theirs”. Don’t let fear cripple you and keep you bound – become a risk taker! “A ship can only be turned once it has left the harbour.” 

Success is Certain
So I want to encourage you today to make your move and get busy with releasing your potential! Let God direct your steps! (Prov 19:21.) He will always lead you in triumph (2 Cor 2:14). Don’t despise the day of small beginnings, start with what you have in your hand and watch God turn it into plenty. He loves to see the work begin… but He also likes to see you run your full course! So stay with it! Don’t Quit!

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your Word that says that you give me the desires of my heart, and also that you will lead me in the right plans. Today I commit these plans to you and ask that you direct me and that your favour goes with me. Help me not to fail in the day of adversity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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“Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving”. -Philippians 4:6-7

When God speaks His Words become law and they cannot be recalled. He says what He means and means what He says. So when He tells us not to be anxious or worry about anything, then that becomes a principle that we need to adhere to.

No one who has ever worried has ever changed a situation through the process of anxiety. Worry is just letting something or someone live rent free in your mind. You see worry doesn’t like to drive alone – 9 out of 10 times it is on a road trip with fear and that is a disaster waiting to happen.

So why does God not want us to operate in anxiety? Let’s look at Proverbs 12:25: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad”. When we entertain worry, it soon leads to discouragement and depression, and guilt will soon be living on your doorstep. The only way that we avoid it is to put away the welcome mat and let peace reign in us and be our umpire (Colossians 3:15 ).

Action Plan: I want to challenge you with this scripture “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Cast your worries, fear and guilt on the Lord and don’t allow them to operate in your life. Rid yourself of all anxiety today!

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“Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” -Zechariah 9:12

Hope can be defined as a confident expectation as well aslooking forward to something desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it. Now couple that with faith and you have the ultimate power twins. Hebrews 11:1 says that “…faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is our guarantee!

Where do I obtain this faith? The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Heb 10:38). It also says in John 1:1 that Jesus is that Word. So, if we have Jesus inside us, we have a powerful hope“ …Christ in you, the hope of glory“. -Col 1:27

Sometimes hope can seem like it is deferred and if you focus on it, it can make your heart sick. I say “seem like it,” because 9 out of 10 times it is a matter of perspective, and when we re-set our sights, we realise that it was only temporary. See Proverbs 13:12 and 2 Cor 4:18.

Action Plan: Do you need to re-focus your thinking? I want to encourage you to read Phil 4:8 and to think about the good things that God has done in your life. When you do, this will raise hope in you once again!

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“Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them”. -Romans 12:14 (New Living Translation)

Offenses are guaranteed to happen – in this fallen world, there’s no avoiding them. But it’s our reaction to them that’s the deciding factor as to whether or not we’ll end up with anger and bitterness stuck in our hearts like a barbed arrow, or… we can be free of the consequences of taking offense by forgiving the offender.

Why should we forgive? Because we were heading for an eternity without God, but while we were still lost in sin, God forgave us – we didn’t ask for it or even know we needed it. Forgiveness paves the way for God to wipe our slates clean of our own failings. Yes, it’s not just others that cause offense, let’s be honest with ourselves before God.

Take Action:  Have you been hurt or offended by someone? God gave us a simple instruction as to what to do about it – forgive them! But don’t just stop there… PRAY that God will bless them! INSIST that He show you three ways in which He’ll bless them. Keep praying until you know that it’s done. The offense will become a tiny distant memory and you’ll experience a joy and peace that’s out of this world. Forgive – it’s a simple instruction with great rewards.

[Scripture references:  Luke 17:1 NKJV; Romans 5:8; Mark 11:25; Matthew 5:44.]

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“…From now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]“. -2 Corinthians 5:16 AMPLIFIED BIBLE

In a survey published in Wired magazine, the parts of the human body, if they could all be sold, added up to a value of more than $45 million. But is that your true worth? No. We don’t regard anyone from the point of view of natural standards of value. Wny? Because God established your worth as being infinite and inestimable when He exchanged the life of Jesus, His perfect. sinless Son – for yours. How valuable are you that God would exchange His only Son’s life for yours? It seems reasonable to say that your worth and value must be far beyond what you ever imagined or could even be measured in earthly terms.

John Mueller, a political scientist at Ohio State University, who’s work focuses on national security and risk analysis, says, “you can’t simply say every life is infinitely valuable – that’s just not the way the world operates!” So who’s report will you believe – the world, the flesh, the devil, the scientists? Or God, who emphatically proved your value by giving His priceless Son in exchange for you?

Take Action:  The next time someone or something tries to make you feel worthless, you’ll see it for what it is…a lie. You’ll not let it affect you in any way, because you know the truth – that your worth has been forever settled as “infinitely valuable!”

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“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress…” -James 1:27 NLT

What is true worship? Is it a song? Is it spending hours on your knees, praying? The original meaning of the word translated as “religion” in this verse from the book of James is actually “worship”. God says genuine worship is when we help others in need.

Let’s consider the example of Matthew Barnett, co-founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, as a case of true worship. In his bestselling book, The Church That Never Sleeps, Matthew relates the story of how the Dream Center was founded. Matthew was ambitious – he wanted to be successful and even had motivational posters on the walls of his room. But when he began pastoring a small church in a rough neighbourhood of downtown Los Angeles, the church just wasn’t growing. He preached his heart out every week to the tiny congregation, but attendance began declining. Then one day, the Lord spoke to him about giving up his dreams of “success”.

So Matthew took down the posters and began preaching in an entirely different way. He placed his office desk outside on the pavement and worked there every day where he could meet people as they walked by. He knocked on the doors of the nearby apartments to enquire if anyone needed any help with anything – even taking out the trash. Matthew began learning Spanish so he could speak to the people in their language and understand them better. He began handing out food to families in need. He visited and prayed for families who had lost family members due to gang-related violence.

And it wasn’t long before his small church had grown so full they had to move to a larger premises. They also acquired the Dream Center and began filling it with families, recovering drug addicts and prostitutes and whoever desperately needed to experience a touch of “true religion.” The ministry continues to grow in size, influence and effectiveness in changing lives. It is clearly blessed by God. Why? Because the ministry is based on true worship – helping those in need.

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“Look up and see what’s coming”. -Zechariah 5:5

In aviation, the attitude of an aircraft is the degree to which the aircraft’s nose is above or below the horizon, and that determines whether the aircraft will climb or descend. For a given power setting, if the nose is high, you’ll climb. If the nose is low, you’ll descend.

It’s the same with our lives. If we want to “climb,” we need to lift our vision above the horizon. But if we’re always looking down, we’ll never gain height. God has great plans to prosper us and give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He is doing a “new thing” in the earth and He’s asking us – can you not see it? (Isa 43:19). Let’s keep looking up so we can maintain an “upward attitude”.

Take action: Fix your eyes on Jesus. Keep His promises to you before your eyes at all times. Write verses down on small cards and place them everywhere. Every time you see a verse written in your Bible or on a card, say it out loud until it takes root in your heart. Your victory will soon manifest!

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“Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God”. -Psalm 42:11

Everyone encounters setbacks at some time or other. What makes the difference is how we respond to it. We can turn it into an opportunity or let it become a crisis, sapping our energy. Proverbs 13:12 says that “hope deferred makes the Heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” When we are continually knocked down, our focus can shift and cause us to become depressed. Severe discouragement essentially gives us a misdirected focus.

Pressure Testing
A hydrostatic test is used to test pressure vessels such as pipelines, plumbing, gas cylinders, boilers and fuel tanks for strength and leaks. The test involves filling the vessel or pipe system with a liquid, usually water, which may be dyed to aid in visual leak detection, and pressurization of the vessel to the specified test pressure. Using this test helps maintain safety standards and durability of a vessel over time and it is important because such containers can explode if they fail under pressure.

Pressure never creates the cracks, it merely reveals them. It’s an opportunity to work on your character so that you too can become leak free. We too are “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor 4:8-9. There are many accounts in the bible where men and women of God endured stress tests, yet they were never overcome by them. Even King David became discouraged, but he encouraged himself in the Lord. He would talk himself back into hope.  Return to the stronghold of hope, turn your thinking back to Jesus your hope of Glory (Zech 9:12, Col 1:27).

Take action: Find refuge in God today, draw from His wisdom and strength, when you do, you will know how to respond in trying times (Prov 27:12). The outcome of a crisis will always reveal who you trust in. It will work out in the end, if it hasn’t worked out yet, it isn’t the end!

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“God created human beings; He created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature… God blessed them: Prosper! Reproduce! Fill earth! Take charge!”. -Genesis 1:26-28 (The Message Bible)

This world is not worthy of you. You’e a child of the most High God and therefore a member of the greatest Royal family in existence. You’re the head and not the tail. You’re eternally above and not beneath.You’re seated with Christ in heaven and a co-heir with Him of all the blessings and promises of God. Bottom line: You’ve been sent from heaven to earth with a divine instruction to take charge of this world!

So…are you going through adverse circumstances? Keep going. Are you standing on the promises of God?  Keep standing. Circumstances cannot outlast the Word of God, because His Word is forever settled in heaven. Circumstances are beneath you. When you speak God’s word, the authority and power of that word in your mouth is released. It can calm the worst storms and heal seemingly impossible diseases or situations.

Take action: You’re in charge. God said so. Exercise your authority over circumstances daily. In fact, with this divine power in you, you only need speak a word, and the “servant will be healed”. So stand tall, speak and act like the king that you are. Things are about to change in a big way in your life.

[Scripture references: Heb 11:38; Deuteronomy 28:13; Ephesians 2:6; Galatians 3:26, 4:7; 1 Peter 1:23; Romans 5:17]

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“All authority (all power of rule) has been given to Me”. -Matthew 28:18 (AMPLIFIED)

In ancient times, the prophet Isaiah foresaw a time when the “gods” that the Babylonians worshipped would be hauled away on ox carts, but the carts would turn over, the idols of their gods would fall out and be unable to save themselves from the fall. And if they couldn’t save themselves, how could they ever save their worshippers? (Isaiah 46:1-2 TLB).

The prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to prove their god ‘s power by presenting a sacrifice. Their so-called god failed to respond, but the Lord consumed Elijah’s sacrifice with fire. The false prophets were executed! (see 1 Kings 18:20-40). What are you trusting in? In a materialistic world, it’s easy for our hearts to be ensnared by money, things, people… King David said that some nations boast of their horses and chariots, but his boast was solely in God (Psalm 20:7). He had a revelation of who God is – the Creator of everything Who sustains it all by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:17). All authority and power of rule has been given to Jesus. And we have that power in us if we have invited the Holy Spirit to abide in us (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38-39).

Take action: All other “gods” that we trusted in will be shown for what they are – false. Let us place our focus and trust completely and solely on Jesus – the only true source of all power.

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And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”. -Mark 9:23 (NASB)

Within everyone of us is a dream and a purpose for being here! I know this because I believe that God put that dream in there. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them”

God dreams a dream for each one of us, and He desires for us to reach our full potential, and use our gifting and talents to their full extent. He wants to give us the desires of our heart but He requires our full attention(Ps 37:4). The Lord loves to see the work begin. We shouldn’t allow procrastination or stagnation to hinder us because of our self-imposed limitations. Nothing is impossible to him who believes! So, don’t rely on your 5 senses, instead put your faith to work.

Take action: Choose to take your eyes off what you can or can’t do, and look at what God can do. He’ll use what you have in your hand. Moses had a staff and the Lord used it. The widow had a jar of oil and the Lord used it. The little boy only had loaves and fishes but the Lord used it. There is something in your hand right now, give it God, no matter how unimportant it looks. It’s not the measure of the gift but the measure of your obedience to do what He says to do. Take the limits off your breakthrough and watch God turn it into something beautiful (Matt 19:26).

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“For you, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver”. “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver”. -Psalm 66:10 (NIV); Malachi 3:3 (NIV)

A woman once went to a silversmith to find out more about the process of refining silver as it related to the well-known bible verses on the topic. As she watched the silversmith work, she noticed he never took his eyes off the metal as he held it in the centre of the fire where the flames were the hottest. When asked about why he sat watching over the process so intently, the man explained that if he left the metal in the flames for too long, it would be ruined, so he needed to constantly watch over the process. “And how do you know when the silver is refined?” she asked. “That’s easy – when I can see my own image reflected in it!”

God’s refining process can seem unendingly unpleasant – and hot! But we cannot jump out the flames before the process is complete, otherwise the impurities will remain and we will not reach its desired effect – Christ’s image in us. When God brought the Israelites out of slavery with great miracles and wonders and the promise of leading them to a land of overflowing abundance, he first needed to take them on a purifying journey through the desert. Yet, that entire generation died there, never reaching the beautiful place God intended.

Take action: Let us yield to God’s loving discipline and embrace His calling on our lives. Wait on Him. Nurture an intimate relationship with Him daily. And very soon, His image in you will be completed and He’ll bring you into that promised place of abundance!

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“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honour” -Romans 12:2 (NASB)

When I read the scriptures, one thing that stands out to me the most is the love that God has for people. Everything He does or did is motivated by love. A new commandment, Jesus said is that you love the Lord your God, and to love one another as we love ourselves (See Luke 10:27).

If there is something that needs to be said about human nature, it’s this – “everyone is looking for love and appreciation!” In the movie “Moulin Rouge” they coined it nicely saying “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

Love does makes the world go round, Jesus gave His life because of it, and faith can’t even work without it (John 3:16, Gal 5:6). You see we all get our characteristics and true nature from God (Gen 1:26), and He is love (1 John 4:8). So it stands to reason that we should be walking in love at all times, preferring one another (put others first, giving them honour).

When we choose to put someone else’s needs above our own, God sees it and He rewards it. Loving others is a top priority! Often when people get in our faces or stab us in the back, we want to grab them and give them a piece of our mind but that is not the way things are done in God’s Kingdom. It’s best to step away from the situation and cool off. Let God show you the good and what the best reaction should be.

Take action: Look for ways to show love to each other today. Don’t let the cares of your day transfer negatively onto others. Put aside your own battles and focus on showing love to someone else instead of getting even. If there is a “sorry”, or “thank you” that needs to be said – become vocal about it.

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“God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son… ” John 3:16

At certain times of the year like Valentine’s Day, there’s an increased focus on the theme of love. People take the opportunity to demonstrate their love and affection for one another by giving gifts, going out for a romantic dinner together, or simply saying, “I love you”. Yet, the warm memories of such a time soon fade as the hum-drum routine of life quickly sets in once again. So shouldn’t  loving others be an inseparable part of who we are? It should be as natural to us as breathing. Romans 5:5 assures us the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Let’s be honest here – if we’ve TRULY experienced being filled with God who IS love, we should never act selfishly towards others again. Our lives will display a marked tendency to generosity from that moment on.

Take action: There are no free tickets to the Love Boat – to love others like God loves us is going to cost us something – our pride, our focus on self, our time, our goods, our finances… whatever it takes. Let us follow God’s example and communicate His unconditional love daily to others at every opportunity – starting today.

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“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” Isaiah 61:3

Often when we experience setbacks or disappointments, the stress of dealing with it can almost seem like there is no way out. These setbacks can be betrayal, heart-break, divorce, disillusionment, financial setbacks and the like.Whatever your poison, I want you to know that this is not the end of the road for you. Every dark tunnel ends with daylight. Don’t give into despair and let hardship take over rational decisions. Don’t run for the hills!

The bible is full of people who experienced failure and disappointment. They lived with the same desires and encounters that we do but what made the difference was their attitude towards it. In Numbers 14, Joshua and Caleb were sent out with 10 other people to spy out the promised land but they were the only ones who came back with a good report. They didn’t focus on the giants, they had a different spirit! What you focus on becomes your reality!

Take action: Think about the setbacks or disappointments that you are facing and give God praise for the good things He has done in your life. A thankful heart keeps you from criticism. A negative outlook produces a negative life. Look to God for your crown of beauty and give Him your ashes. After every sunset, there is a sunrise!

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