by

In My Mother’s Womb

7th April

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah was an Old Testament prophet who had the hard job of speaking God’s truth to a world which simply had turned its back on Godly living. Moreover, he had the un-desirable job of telling his people that they would be invaded because of their rebellion against God’s ways. It was a job that was sometimes to much for Jeremiah. Hence why he was given the name ‘weeping prophet’.

Yet right at the very beginning of his life, when God commissioned Jeremiah, God spoke these clear and precise words to him, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet to the nations.” God’s plans for Jeremiah’s life started long before he was even conceived. And it was these words that kept Jeremiah going, even through really hard times.

Today, God says the same to you. He has a plan and purpose for you. He thought about you before you were even a thought! Don’t give up on your life. God wants to use YOU. Why? Because He made you to be used! We may have days when it all seems too much, like Jeremiah did, but our trust and hope is in knowing that we have been individually designed but Almighty God, to be used for His glory in a perfect relationship with Him.

by

Broken Chains

6th April

“O Lord, I am Your servant; yes, I am Your servant, born into Your household; You have freed me from my chains. I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 116:16-17

Isn’t it great news to know that we are no longer slaves of sins but friends of Christ?! Of course, as Paul says, although we are no longer slaves to sin, we are slaves of righteousness1. Well what does that mean? Slavery, simply put, means you are in bondage to whatever is controlling or mastering your life. If you are addicted to chocolate, then you are a slave to it. Much is the same with us. Before Christ, we were also slaves to sin’s pulls, temptations and addictions, ultimately enslaved to the enemy’s schemes and ways. Yet now we are in Christ, we are born ‘into the household’ of God, and become His ‘slaves’. Yet the difference is, we are slaves without chains, free to serve our Master, not out of fear or in bondage, but because we want to, through obedience and in freedom. We have chosen to serve God, and in turn He gives us a new life, full of every blessing from the Father, empowered to live life to the fullest through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

When we were in slavery to sin, we tried to break free from the chains that held us down, but we were trapped in its luring net. Yet when Christ invaded our lives, He shattered the chains that bound us, and gave us freedom to live in Him. Sin is suffocating but Christ’s yoke is liberating and full of love and peace. Let us thank God for the chains that have been broken, and the freedom we can live in. In Christ is the victory!

1Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Romans 6:17-18

by

Let Us Sing!

5th April

“Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation. Let us come to Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to Him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.”

Psalm 95:1-3

Our great God, Jesus Christ, stepped down from Heaven, became and lived as one of us, died and rose again victorious, so that we might be saved from our sins.

Does this statement excite you? Does it make you want to sing for joy? Or does it feel a little boring because you have heard it so many times? The marvellous gospel, the truth and purpose of why we live, is so that we can fully understand the above statement and let it completely transform our lives. Even the writer of today’s psalm couldn’t help but be filled with praise and adoration for God’s mercy and greatness; and he didn’t even live in the fullness of God’s grace, shown to us by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. How much more should we be filled with joy, at the greatness of the Rock of our salvation.

We must never let the truth of the gospel fill our lives with complacency, but rather, look at what God has saved us from, rejoice in His regenerative work in our lives, and His daily outpouring of grace in us and through us. We are children of His glorious and unconditional love. Let us too sing psalms of praise to Him. For He is a great God, the King above all gods. He is the Rock of YOUR salvation.

by

The God Who Lives Amongst Us

4th April

“The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be My people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent Me to you.”

Zechariah 2:10-11

And He shall be called Emmanuel – God with us

When Jesus was born, He fulfilled this prophecy written about Him by the prophet Zechariah! Although in its context, the prophet is talking about the return of the people of Israel back to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon! However, it is also a clear picture of Jesus coming to live amongst His people, calling all nations to Himself, to also become His bride, His children and His people.

We are now living in that fulfilment. We live in the promise of this verse. We too are called out of exile, we are released from sin’s grasp, and are now called into God’s kingdom as part of His church and body. God Himself, not only lives amongst us, but lives in us. He came for us. Moreover, He is calling all nations, irrespective of tribe, language and culture, to Himself, so can all be ‘one body’, united in Him.

Whatever you are facing today, if you have any doubts and fears, know that God is with YOU. It is His promise. To walk alongside His people. To live amongst us. God, Emmanuel, lives in you and is with you. He will never leave you. He is by your side. You are not alone. You are united with the King’s Heavenly Armies, and with the King of Kings Himself.

by

Renewed Spirit

3rd April

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”

2 Corinthians 4:16

Friends we have an eternal hope in Christ Jesus. Our hope is that one day all our fears, worries and cares will be eternally swept away by the power of Christ’s love forever. We will be in a place where our bodies will not grow old and weak, where we don’t have to live in trials and tribulations; a place of complete peace and joy.

Perhaps as you read this, you are yearning for that place. You may feel like your body is dying, problems are mounting up, bills need paying, kids need feeding, and job stresses are rising. THEN STOP! You don’t have to give up. God is with you right now! The same God of eternity, the same God who promises us eternal peace and joy, is the same God who offers those blessings now!

Although our bodies grow old and weak, and our cares and problems rise, God is renewing our spirit every day. His blessings are new every day. We do not have to live in yesterday’s blessings, feeding off every last drop of it, we can have a fresh anointing today! He is with us now, willing us on, filling us once again with His blessings and increasing our capacity to receive His love and all He has for us! Re-charge in Christ. Don’t give up!

by

Jesus Really Did Rise Again

31st March – 2nd April

Weekend Edition

“He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the scripture said. He was seen by Peter and then by the twelve. After that, He was seen by more than 500 of His followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then He was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw Him.”

1 Corinthians 15:4-8

Why do so many people doubt Jesus’ resurrection? This is one of the most clearest scriptures in the whole of the Bible regarding Jesus’ appearances after His resurrection, which clearly states that Jesus is alive and was seen by many. How can we deny these facts? This living proof, a letter written by a real person, in a real context, in a real world, by real eye witnesses, points clearly to the fact that Jesus did indeed rise again. This is historical ‘primary’ evidence; First hand accounts of people who had seen Jesus after His resurrection. The grave was broken, the result of sin nullified and death rendered ‘defeated‘. We are included in the full finished work of the cross.

If Jesus didn’t rise again then as Paul continues in his letter, “… all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (verse 14). Paul adds that “.. if Christ has not been raised, then… you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost” (verse 17-18)! However, the hope of our salvation is that Jesus DID rise from the dead and now lives in complete victory over sin and the enemy. In addition, we also live in Christ’s resurrection power and His victory. We are forgiven because of Jesus’ resurrection. We are made alive because Jesus is alive! Rejoice, He is ALIVE!

“But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead…..!”

(verse 20a)

by

Your Reward Is Coming

30th March

“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers, as you still do.”

Hebrews 6:10

There truly are some warriors for Christ amongst us. Those people, who it’s never too late to share hospitality with a brother or sister. Those who continually and prayerfully support the needs of God’s church. They serve without reservation, give without expecting return, love with an open heart and don’t need recognition for sacrificially giving of themselves. These people are the pillars of the church. No doubt you know someone like this. Perhaps that person is you. Well, as the writer of Hebrews says, God has not forgotten about you. He has seen the sacrifices you have made for His bride and Kingdom, He has seen the love and care you have shown to the believers. He is a just God and will reward you accordingly.

Sometimes when you are constantly giving out, it feels as if you are emptying yourself, running low on energy. But God wants you to know, that He sees and will reward you. He will fill you up with more of His love and strength, so that you do not become ‘spiritually dull and indifferent’ (v12), but rather you will be an example for those inheriting God’s promises. Keep going with faith and endurance. Don’t give up serving the people of God. God sees and He is pleased.

by

The God Of New Beginnings

29th March

“So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know Him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Isn’t it encouraging to know that in Christ, our old life has gone and a new life has begun! We are born again, new creations, with a new identity and purpose, not for sinful and worldly living but for Christ-like, Godly living. Jesus now, is no longer just a character from the Bible, or ‘theory’, He is our God, our Friend, and our King. We know Christ deeper than just through a humanistic point of view. We have a relationship with Him.

We can take courage that whatever our past, whatever our sins, Christ is ready to give us a new start. He is waiting patiently for us to turn to Him, to be transformed into His likeness. That is why we were created. We can rejoice in the fact, that our old lives have gone, and look forward to living a new life in Christ. Be encouraged. Your new life is here. God has a great plan for your life. Go and live it!

by

In The Beginning God….

28h March

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:1

Genesis chapter 1 verse 1 is probably one of the most contested verses in scripture by atheists and Christians alike. Yet if we look back even just 500 years, it was an absolute truth, rarely doubted. Sadly, many have deviated from the truth, that it was God who created the world and all that is in it and not some cosmic improbable collision of atoms that just happened by chance. Doubting the truth that God indeed made all creation, puts into doubt our purpose on this earth and our value as created beings by an amazing Creator God.

If we are to assume that we are all one big accident, then how can we possibly live with any morals at all? What defines our decisions? What about feelings, emotions and personalities? Yes, evolutionists, agnostics and atheists all have fantastical and eloquent textbook answers to those questions, yet why do we need to look further than Bible for our answers. The truth written thousands of years ago, far precedes that of modern ideology and ‘THEORY’. The simple yet incredibly deep truth is clear for all to see, read and live in; GOD created everything.

We are individually designed with a plan and a purpose to be world changers, life givers and beacons of Jesus’ love for humanity on this earth. We are made in the very image of our God. We have His attributes. We carry His anointing. We bear His Name as sons and daughters of His family. We don’t have to settle for the world’s cheap image of chance and evolutionary progress. We have been designed and exist to be in relationship with God Himself. God has a specific plan and purpose for your life. You are not an accident!

by

If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us!

27th March

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”

Romans 8:31

Friends, as you start a new week, start it with this truth: If God is for you, then nothing can ever be against you. The enemy will try, no doubt, to steal, kill and destroy but you are guarded, wrapped up and protected by the mighty power of God’s love and the Heavenly army of Heaven’s angels. Yes we will have tough and trying times on this earth, but our position and identity in God won’t change, because God is for us! The enemy can try and sow doubt, disbelief and self condemnation, but we can reject it because God is with us and nothing can be against us! The enemy can try and make us feel like our problems out-size the God we worship. But they don’t. If God is with us then nothing can come against us. We can feel like all is lost, our hope fading and trust growing weak, but strengthen and encourage yourself with this truth; that IF GOD IS WITH YOU, NOTHING AND NO-ONE CAN EVER BE AGAINST YOU! We are on the winning side.