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Taste and See

Taste and See

by | Apr 12, 2021 | encouragement

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Psalm 34:8
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
I have always loved these verses, but since my beautiful Andrew went to be with the Lord, I have experienced them everyday and have a far greater understanding of what it means to taste and see and to know that ever-present help.
Losing your spouse or a child is probably the hardest thing anyone has to go through in this life. But can I encourage you today, no matter what it is you are facing or what the future might hold, If you have an intimate relationship with Jesus, He will give you the strength, the peace, the energy, at the time when you need it, not before, not after, but at the moment when you most need it. He will even carry you when you are too weak to walk on your own.
Regardless of whether you are grieving, lost your job, given a bad diagnoses etc. taste and see that the Lord is good.
Infused with Power

Infused with Power

by | Jan 16, 2021 | encouragement

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (ESV)
This is a verse of scripture that all believers are familiar with, in fact it is my mantra for life
“I can because He enables me”.
 
The other day I read the same verse from the Passion Translation and it really spoke to me; it goes like this. “I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty”.
 
Think about that for a moment and let it sink into your innermost being, you and I are infused with the explosive power of Christ. The very power that raised Jesus from death to life, is in us, we are infused with it.
 
Our Heavenly Father is well aware that life is full of difficulties, His Word tells us that (John 16: 33); He has equipped us to overcome and conquer every difficulty. We have it in us, we just have to activate it.
 
When a person is low in iron and feels weak all the time, a doctor will suggest that they have an infusion of iron. If you feel weak today, give yourself an infusion of Philippians 4:13
 
God wants us to take charge of our lives with Him as our leader, He wants us to lead a balanced life and seek His Wisdom on how to manage our life. He wants us to get to the root of issues that are holding us back from fulfilling the dreams and visions He has already given us.
Today our Father in Heaven would say to you and I “stop making excuses, stop looking at your situation as if it’s hopeless. It’s time for you to take steps no matter how small, toward your dreams. You are not a victim, You are a perfect package of unlimited power and glory! I am on your side. Step past every limitation and realise how powerful I have created you to be.”
 
Prayer:
Father God, would you give us a revelation of the resurrection power of Christ that You have infused us with, and help us to become powerful influencers in our homes, communities etc.
Where is your focus?

Where is your focus?

by | Jan 2, 2021 | encouragement

I woke up at 4.30am on the morning of the 1st of January 2021 with the words resounding in my mind “Fix your eyes on Jesus”
 
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4: 17-18 (NIV)
 
What every struggles and situations are ahead of us in 2021, it is important that we make a decision to fix our eyes on Jesus and not on what we see and hear.
Whether you are struggling with personal issues or relationship problem, or health issues, or financial hardship, it’s important to keep your eyes on Jesus. Honestly, it is the only way we will get through the hard times.
 
Read and meditate on Psalm 46:1 Read the verse slowly and out loud putting your own name in it. There isn’t anything that God doesn’t know about and He wants you to really get that point. Let that sink in. God is our protection, He is our strength, He is our refuge, He is a very present help in times of trouble. God is fully aware of our situations. He never intended for us to carry our burdens on our own. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 
Fix your eyes on Jesus and let Him carry the load, let Him deal with it on your behalf.
 
There is a verse of a song we use to sing many years ago that came to my mind, it goes like this;
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely din in the light of His Glory and Grace.
Spiritual Checkup

Spiritual Checkup

by | Dec 11, 2020 | encouragement

When we feel weak and tired physically we go to the doctor to get a check up, have some blood test that will show if we are lacking in something. If we are deficient in any vitamin, the doctor will prescribe that we take a supplement and recommend a good healthy diet and some exercise. To keep our bodies healthy we need to eat and exercise every day.
 
It is no different with our spiritual health, if we are not reading the Word of God daily, praying and spending time in worship, we become spiritually weak, and that leaves us wide open for the enemy to attack us.
 
Galatians 5: 22-23 tells us what a healthy spirit produces. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
 
Question to self: Am I deficient in the fruits of the Spirit? If you find yourself lacking in love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, then it is time to change your spiritual diet.
 
We cannot be spiritually healthy if we are not reading God’s Word, praying and spending time in worship daily.
 
Just as food energises our physical bodies, God’s Word will energise our Spirit.
You are on God’s Mind

You are on God’s Mind

by | Dec 8, 2020 | encouragement

I want to share a devotion that I came across a few days ago, it really encouraged me greatly.
 
I am the Alpha and the Omega, “says the Lord God”, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8 (NIV)
This title describes the eternal omniscience of Jesus Christ. The Alpha is the first letter ad the Omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet. Through the alphabet all of our words, all of our wisdom, and all of our knowledge are expressed. Jesus is the beginning and end fo the alphabet, the summation of all wisdom and knowledge.
 
What does the omniscience of Christ mean to me personally? It means I have always been on His mind. Think of it: The most important Man the Universe has always been thinking of me! Wonder of wonders! I have never been out of His thoughts! Even as He hung on the cross, He was thinking of me by name! Dying for me by name! And when He was raised from the dead on that first Easter Sunday, He was raised with me on His mind.
 
What an amazing truth, if you are not moved by that, take a few moments and read the above again. You and I are always on God’s mind, no matter what we are going through, or what our circumstances are, He is aware, He sees, He cares and He feels what you are feeling, and best of all, He will also help us through.
 
Challenge and question to self: How much is God on my mind?
 
Prayer: Father God, thank you that I am always on Your mind, Lord today I ask that You will help me to have You on my mind in every circumstance and situation I face, I pray in Jesus Name. AMEN
Garment of Disappointment

Garment of Disappointment

by | Oct 9, 2020 | encouragement

Disappointment comes in many different styles, shapes and sizes. It could be a relationship, a career choice, job promotion, Church, ministry, friends, home etc. etc. Some disappointments are because of our own choices, others because of other people’s choices, which we have no control over.
 
The definition of disappointment is: sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfilment of one’s expectations. Or, feeling sad, unhappy, or displeased because something was not as good as expected or because something you hoped for or expected did not happen.
 
Wearing a garment of disappointment can cause deep sadness and regret. Many become despondent and end up with depression. And instead of feeling content with life, one can become very discontent.
 
I found this summary online which says what I am trying to say in this blog. “See life’s disappointments as God’s appointments and as being according to His purposes? Take the Psalmist’s advice and “cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved” Psalm 55:20. If you insist on carrying around your own burdens and disappointments, it will be a heavy load indeed. And it will be difficult, because we were not created to carry such loads. This is exactly why Jesus commands us all to “Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28
Stand in Authority

Stand in Authority

by | Oct 2, 2020 | encouragement

I was reading about the armour of God in Ephesians 6:10-18, we are all very familiar with this passage of scripture, but so many of us don’t really know how to apply it. As I was reading it today, I saw something that I had not noticed or taken much interest in because the whole idea of putting on the armour of God sounds like we are on the defence.
verse 10 starts with “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”
From verse 11 to 14 it says three times to stand and once to withstand. God always repeats the things that He wants us to take note of.
So first of all we are not standing in our own strength, we are standing in the strength of ALLMIGHTY GOD.
Just like David said to the Goliath “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
David is offended by the barbarous Goliath and his negative spewing about the the tradition of Israel and of God. He refers to him as an “uncircumcised Philistine” and it’s not a compliment.
Goliath taunted the people day after day, which is exactly what the devil and his hordes of demons do to us constantly.
As David approached Goliath he said “you come against me with sword and spear and javelin but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied”. (you can read the account of David and Goliath in the first book of Samuel).
So can I suggest that instead of saying. “Lord I put on the helmet of salvation etc”. Change your word to “Satan I stand here in the strength of All MIGHTY GOD AND HIS WORD, which is TRUTH, and I am wearing HIS BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, covered in HIS PEACE. My faith in ALLMIGHTY GOD is a shield of PROTECTION against all your lies and fiery darts. My mind is protected by the BLOOD OF JESUS. Therefore you, satan, have no power over me and I tell you and all your demons to go to hell where you belong.
It goes on to say “keep alert” in other words be aware of the schemes of the devil, but never forget that because of JESUS, you and I have the AUTHORITY TO STAND against the powers of darkness, and when you stand on THE TRUTH, no weapon formed against you will prosper.
PS. Just a word of warning, do not pray like that if you have known sin in your life. Pray and ask and ask God first if there is anything hindering you from standing on HIS AUTHORITY).
Vine/branch

Vine/branch

by | Sep 15, 2020 | encouragement

John 15: 1-8 (NIV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
I love the picture that Jesus paints for us in this passage; I am a simple thinker and this really speaks to me. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and our Heavenly Father is the gardener.
We often say that we look to see what someone’s life is like by their fruit, and I am not saying that is not right, but as I was thinking about this passage, it dawned on me, that I am not capable of bearing fruit on my own. My responsibility is to stay connected to the vine (Jesus) And I have to make sure that I do not have areas in my life that would prevent the vine from feeding me what I need to continue to be a healthy branch. The gardener (my Heavenly Father) will do the pruning, which is not pleasant but necessary, and it is to the degree that I allow the gardener to prune me that determines how much fruit I will bear.
Over the years, I have been pruned back to almost nothing many times, but each time I am pruned, I bear more fruit for His Kingdom and for His Glory. If your Heavenly Father is pruning you today, don’t fight it, let Him do it and you will see how much fruit He can produce through you. And by the way, pruning is not something that only happens once in our life time, if we want to continually bear fresh fruit, we have to be continually pruned.
Praying Specifically

Praying Specifically

by | Sep 9, 2020 | encouragement

Ephesians 6: 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
We have been in a spiritual war ever since Adam and Eve ate of the tree of Good and evil, but here in the Western world it has never really touched our lives or the quality of our lives. That is changing rapidly, the enemy is no longer trying to hide his agenda or doing his evil work in a subtle way. He (satan) is blatantly out in the open. We see that in many areas of society.
– Corruption in Business/Governments
– Abortion/Euthenasia
– LGBTQ
– Human trafficking/slave labour
– Pornography
– Education
– Family Unit
It is easy for us to feel overwhelmed by it, and because of that we push it aside and don’t think about it and just hope that God will change things. As I said in other blog posts, we have been silent and not done anything to stop this evil escalating to where it is today.
All those evil agenda’s are funded by very rich individuals who have sold out to the devil, their wealth has corrupted them. Their wealth is their power, without their wealth they have no power. (please understand that I am not against wealth, there are so many, many beautiful people who use their wealth to build God’s Kingdom all over the world).
So what can we do as individuals? We can pray specifically for God to remove the wealth of those who are funding these evil mountains. We can pray that they will have an encounter with God and turn from their wicked ways. But if they will not, then we can pray that God will take away their power and remove them.
We can pray that the light of our Lord Jesus Christ will shine onto those dark evil mountains. Darkness cannot exist in the light.
Don’t despair, instead put on your army prayer boots and get on the frontline to confront these evil mountains. The Bible says in James 5: 16 “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”.
Andrew and I pray everyday for God to topple those evil mountains and replace them with His Righteousness. Will you join us? Imagine if all the Christians around the world would pray and take a stand against the evil one WOW.
We have nothing to fear, “greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world”.
As we pray, God will fight the battle for us. Exodus 14:14
Content/Discontent

Content/Discontent

by | Aug 12, 2020 | encouragement

To be content means to be satisfied with ones life. To accept ones circumstances and to be thankful for everything one has.
A contented person is not envious or jealous of what others have.
A contented person can rejoice when someone else receives a blessing, or promotion, or goes on a holiday, buys a new house or car etc.
A contented person has a serene and thankful heart.
A contented person has no fear or anxiety for the days ahead.
A contented person tells God their needs and trusts Him to provide.
A discontented person is not satisfied with ones life. Finds it hard to accept their circumstances.
A discontented person is always comparing themselves with others.
A discontented person is usually saying If I had this or if only that, or when so and so happens etc.
Jealousy and envy are also a sign of being discontent.
God’s Word says in Philippians 4: 11-13 (MSG) (this is Paul speaking) Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the ONE who makes me who I am.
The bottom line is, that, it is only in Jesus Christ that one finds true contentment. We cant find it in things, people or circumstances.
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