Day 31~ Our God who Renews Us

Romans 12: 1-2 says this;

"So then my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves up as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you would be able to know the will of God- what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect."

Our God is a God that renews us.

In this scripture, the apostle Paul is talking to the church at Rome, but he teaches them something that is valuable to us even today.

He tells them that they need to offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God.

Firstly, let us examine the word sacrifice.

The word sacrifice comes from the latin words sacer, meaning sacred or holy and facio, meaning to do or make.

So the word sacrifice means to make something holy.

The apostle Paul tells us that we should offer ourselves as a sacrifice, in other words, he's telling us that we need to give ourselves to God, to be made holy.

Not only that, but he says that we should offer ourselves as living sacrifices, this means that we should give our lives to God, so that he can make us Holy.

Now, the question remains, how do we live holy lives?

He tells us this in verse two, he says;

"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of the world, but let God change you inwardly by the renewing of your mind."

This means that although we may live in a world that values money and power and how much we have and what brands we wear or who our friends are, we need not value those things, but we should let God renew us, or make us pure again, so that we value the things that he values.

Why should we value what God values?

We should value what God values because he knows what's truly valuable.

Our perceptions of value have been corrupted by this world. 

We value things that we gain from, things that we think will bring us pleasure and happiness, when the truth is, those are the very things that destroy us.

Money doesn't bring happiness, what we buy with money may bring us temporary happiness, but true happiness is a choice.

What is good and pleasing to God?

Let's go back to the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

These things please God because it shows that above all things, we love God, the God who created us, this world and everyone and everything in it. 

The truth of the matter is this; the only way we can make the world a better place, is by becoming better people. If everyone would take the time to change themselves, evaluate their values and look deep into their heart's and see the truth, this world could be better.

By giving ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, he can change us and renew our mind, that is, he can change our thoughts and the way we percieve this world. He can teach us what is right.

God wants to renew our mind so we live happy, peaceful lives which glorify him and please him. It's up to us though, to offer ourselves to him.

When you offer yourself to him, God can use you to help, uplift and inspire others.

I truly wish that we all can offer ourselves to God so that we can be renewed. I pray today that God will change our perceptions so that we can live Holy lives which are pleasing to him and through being renewed that we can bring him the honor and glory he deserves.

Day 30: God who Calms our Anxieties

Philippians 4:6-8 tells us;

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

Our God is a God who calms our anxieties.

In Paul's letter to the Church in Philippi, he gives them great insight on how to get rid of anxiety.

He tell them firstly, to not be anxious, but instead take their troubles to God through prayer and thanksgiving. 

This is truly a secret in life that we must all remember; as long as we leave things in God's hands, he will work on the situations that we worry about and we can find peace in knowing that our maker will go into our future and make a way for us.

Prayers really do work, we may not always see immediate answers to our prayers but even so, we must remember that as long as everything works out according to God's timetable, we need not be afraid, because God's timing is the best timing.

If we pray and tell our caring, loving God about our troubles, we can find peace. Not because the storm has passed, but because we acknowledge that God is still on the throne and he is bigger, mightier and more powerful that our fears, anxieties and worries. 

If you believe that there is a powerful being who is completely in love with you, working things out for you in your life, would you be afraid or anxious of what tomorrow holds?
No, you won't, because you would understand that your God will work everything out in the best way possible for you.

Secondly, the apostle Paul tells us, in this passage, that we should think good thoughts. He reminds us that it is our thoughts that shape our lives.

Have you ever gone out with someone, maybe you went to the movies or for lunch and, although you were both in the same place at the same time, you both had completely different experiences?

For example, perhaps you went to a movie and while you thought the movie was great the other person didn't like it at all. Or perhaps at lunch, your companion enjoyed the food but you didn't like it in the least.

Why did that happen? You were both in the same environment, your external circumstances were the same, but somehow, your experience and the other person's experience were different.

That's because we all percieve things differently.

It's very difficult to really share experiences with people because we all percieve life differently.

Of course, it's fine that we all have different perspectives but our thoughts dictate our reactions.

For example, if you keep thinking sad thoughts like, "Gosh, I've never been good enough, just look at all the mistakes I've made." Or "I'm not attractive, if I was, I would have met the right person by now."

If you keep thinking these thoughts, you're going to have those kinds of experiences. Not because you're not good enough or not that you're unattractive, but because everytime you face a situation, you're going to reconnect it to your beliefs.

If you don't get the opportunity you wanted you'll think, I guess I wasn't good enough, when maybe, it just wasn't the right one for you. Or, if you don't get the compliments you wanted you may think, I guess I'm just not attractive enough, when maybe, the people around you are too shy to tell you or are too absorbed with their own work to notice.

No one else thinks you're any less, you do.

This is why the apostle Paul tells us; 
"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

He's saying that we need to think good thoughts.
We need to stop beating ourselves up over the past, stop worrying about the future, think good thoughts, be positive, even when it's difficult, because that will help reduce our anxiety.

Remember, John 14:27 says;
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Our God calms our anxieties, he is with us, by our side,
For God, he loves the world so much, he sent his son to be our guide,
Not to condem us, no, he came for our release,
He came to calm our anxious mind and to give us all his peace.

I hope that this evening, and everyday, you will remember to give God your anxieties and accept the comfort and peace he wants to give to you. You are important to God, so stop worrying and feeling burdened by life's difficulties, God has got this, you just need to be still and watch the amazing things he has in store for you in your life.

Day 29~ God our Light

1 John:5-7

"Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. If, then, we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness, we are lying both in our words and in our actions. But if we live in the light - just as he is in the light - then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin."

Our God is light.

What is light?
Light is what stimulates sight, it is what makes things visible to us.

So when we say that God is our light, we're then saying that God is the one that helps us to see.

This passage from 1st John is entitled, 'God our Light'. 

This passage is telling us that God is light, this means that God is good and righteous.

It is also telling us that in God, there is no darkness. Darkness here is a metaphor, meaning that God does nothing evil or sinful.

So it continues, 'If we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness; that is to say, if we have a relationship with God, yet we continue sinning and doing evil, then we are lying.

How are we lying?
It's simple, light and darkness cannot coexist. 

In other words, there is no light in shadows and there are no shadows in light.

If you have an intimate relationship, or a fellowship with God, who is sinless, you cannot have a fellowship with sin.

Matthew 6:24 reminds us;
You cannot be a slave of two masters, you will hate one and love the other.

Now, if we live in the light, then we have fellowship with one another; that is, if we live in righteousness, if we are good to each other and we treat each other as we would like to be treated, then the blood of Jesus purifies us from every sin.

Why?
Because when we live and do the right things we are living in the light.

Light here can also be likened to transparency. When something is transparent you can see through it because light can pass through it.

Water is transparent, light can pass through it. This is why when you place your hand in a bucket or bowl of clean water, you can still see your hand. Now if you take some dirt and mix it with the water, and you place your hand in the bucket or bowl, you won't be able to see your hand clearly if at all.

This is what living in light means, it means that everyone can see us for who we are. 

No lies, no insincerity, no secrets, just you. If we have reasons to hide things from people, particularly those close to us, then we should examine if the things we're doing are right. 

We only hide when we're in the wrong, when our consciences are ashamed of the things we're doing.

1 John 1: 8-10 continues;

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoings. If we say that we have not sinned, we make a liar out of God, and his word is not in us."

Now, this is telling us that if we say that we have no sin, then we're showing that God lies.

How?
Because God sent his son to die for us for this very cause; because we are sinful.

If there was even one person that did not sin and fall short of God's glory, he would have no reason to send Jesus.

Why?
Because that would mean that everyone, just like that one person, could make themselves right in God's sight.

But no one could do it, so God had to do it for us; he had to send his son, because without Jesus, none of us would be able to be saved by our own power.

So now, if we just confess our sins and live in the Light by being transparent with God, he will forgive us.

Not because of what we've done, but because of what Jesus has done for us.

When we don't live in transparency with God, we are being just like Adam and Eve who hid from God after they had sinned instead of confessing their sins to him.

God knows everything so we might as well tell him; firstly, because he already knows, secondly, because we don't want him to accuse us because that's a case no mortal could win.

Our God is a God of Light.
He makes visible to us the paths that we travel be they the wrong or right ones and he is our beacon that guides us in the right way.

He is a righteous and good God that does no evil. There is no darkness in him.

I pray today that God our Light, will purify us so that we may live lives which are pleasing to him so that he may bless us richly.

Day 28~ Our God who Gives his People Strength

Our God is a God who strengthens his people. 

Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us

"He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak."

Sometimes life brings us difficult circumstances. Things that we think are stressful to go through. Things that require from us, such a level of discipline and strength, that we're not sure if we can handle it.

Have you ever been in such a situation where you've prayed, "God, I can't handle this. Take this away because I can't go through this one more day."

If you've ever felt like this, you know of that almost unbearable burden of carrying a heavy cross up a steep hill.

But today I want to encourage you to keep fighting, because our God is a God who strengthens his people, you will win your battles; you will overcome your obstacles and you will come out of that storm bigger, better and stronger than you've ever been.

Life puts us all under pressure. If we look at the life of Jesus, we can see that even he went through the things that we go through in our lives.

He faced heavy criticism from his peers, insults, he was not accepted in certain towns and one group of people even tried to throw him off a cliff. He faced betrayal from friends, he too knew the sorrow of losing loved ones, he too faced uncertainty, he too was tempted, he too was misunderstood, he too was afraid, he too was tried in court. Jesus went through all the things that we go through and more.

He is our hope, he taught us how we should handle all these things; we must face it keeping God's truth in our minds and heart's, standing up for what's right and including God in everything that we do, knowing that God gives his people strength.

Ephesians 6:10 reminds us;

"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

This scripture is telling us that we need to have faith in God because he is powerful. This means that God can do anything.

We need to remember our God is a King.
He is powerful, he controls not only people but also this entire universe. He can make the mountains tremble and the seas roar.

Our God controls everything and he loves you; that means that he already knows that you can handle this.
Be strong knowing that God is on your side, he will strengthen you so that you will win this battle for his honor and glory.

Deuteronomy 33:25 tells us;

"As thy days, so shall thy strength be..."

This is very important for you to understand. This scripture holds a promise. It means that if today, the sun is scorching and you're tired and thirsty and your bones are aching; God will give you the strength to endure it. If today the rain is pouring and the winds are blowing and you're being pulled by strong currents into the storm; God will give you the strength to endure that.

As your days, so shall your strength be.
God will give you the exact amount of strength that you need to get through each day. 
Notice, it doesn't say that he has already given you the strength to endure tomorrow. No, this is a promise that's renewed everyday. 

Right now you only have enough strength to endure today. Why should you worry about tomorrow when God hasn't yet given you the strength to endure tomorrow? He's going to give you tomorrow's strength tomorrow, you just need to focus on getting through today. You already have the strength for today so you can handle this. 

Remember that our God gives his people strength. Pray to him. Leave your burdens and worries with him. He understands and he knows how to calm you. Trust in God and have faith in him. He strengthens you. You will surely be victorious!

Day 27~ God our Protector

Psalm 121:5-8;

"The Lord will guard you; he is by your side to protect you. The sun will not hurt  you during the day, nor the moon during the night.

The Lord will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe. He will protect you as you come and go now and forever."

Our God protects us.

God has done some pretty miraculous things, but he's done some of his most amazing miracles when he was protecting his people.

Today, we're going to look at the example of three exiles in Babylon.

In accordance to the prophet Jeremiah's prophecies, some of the Jews were taken into exile in Babylon.

While they were there, King Nebuchadnezzar made a statue out of gold and ordered that everyone, of all nations, races and languages, to bow down and worship this statue when they heard the sound of the instruments playing.

Now, if they didn't bow down, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

However, there were three Jewish men who disobeyed the King's orders.

They were summoned by the King who ordered them once more to do as he said and worship the statue, but again they refused.

Daniel 3:16-18 says,

"Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves. If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. 

But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up."

King Nebuchadnezzar became furious and ordered that the furnace be made seven times hotter, then, he had the three Jews thrown into the furnace.

However, Daniel 3:24 says;

"Suddenly Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement. He asked his officials, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the blazing furnace?

They answered, " Yes, we did, Your Majesty."

"Then why do I see four men walking around in the fire?" 

He asked. "They are not tied up, and they show no sign of being hurt - and the fourth one looks like an angel.""

What's interesting is that Daniel 3:22 tells us that the guards that threw them into the furnace were burned up by the flames but these three men; they were not harmed.

Daniel 3:27 goes on to tell us that,

"Their hair was not singed, their clothes were not burned, and there was no smell of smoke on them."

These three men were none other than Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

That is how our Almighty God protects us. 

Sure, we may be thrown into the fire, but we will not be burned. 

God can make a way where there seems to be no way, and he can protect you in the most miraculous of ways.

Forget what the medical reports tell you, don't listen to what the news tells you, don't believe what the voices in your head may tell you. What does the Bible tell you?

It says that your God will not fail you or forsake you. It says that he is by your side to protect you, that he will protect you from all danger. It says that he will take care of you even when your hairs are grey.

Trust in the Lord; your God, he can do anything and everything. Don't limit him by human standards, he is the Great God who can part seas and stop time. He can win wars and command armies of angels. He can even take you into the fire and bring you out without even the scent of smoke. 

Your God does all these things to protect his people. Just imagine what he can do for you!

Today, I want to encourage you to get your faith fired up. Your God is a Mighty conquerer and he wants to free you from your fears and anxieties.

Trust in him, he is by your side, and trust me when I tell you this; there is no safer place for you to be than in the presence of God!

Day 26~ Our God who Changes us

During our lives, God may do things to try to change us.

Most people may think of change in a negative light and many people may encourage others not to change.

However, if there is no change, there can be no progress. 

Imagine if we still sent messages by mail to our friends instead of using our phones or computers. 

It certainly takes more time than if you just message them because you have to write the letter, buy envelopes and stamps and get their addresses, then go to a post office. In addition, it would take a couple days at best, to get to them.

If we never changed the way we did things, there would be no progress and without progress we won't be able to have better or be better.

What if time never progressed and you were stuck living this day over and over again?
Maybe you had a good day today and you wouldn't mind, but eventually, reliving today would bore you and you will want change.
If today was a bad day for you, reliving it over and over again would be equivalent to torture.

This is why change is necessary, so that we don't get stuck in the same place.

In the same way that society and time must keep progressing, so must we and God helps us to do just that by changing us.

When we change, we progress and move to higher levels and higher heights.

Take for example a video game.
When you've accomplished the goal of one level you progress to the next level but it may be a bit more difficult however, that's what keeps it interesting; the changes, the progression.

Our God is a God who changes us.
How exactly does he do that?

Well, 2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us;

"For the sadness that is used by God brings a change of heart that leads to salvation and there is no regret in that! But sadness that is merely human, causes death."

God sometimes uses sorrow to bring about a change in us.
It may be sorrow in the form of disappointment or regret, but God uses that to help us to change.

Change helps us to grow and growing helps us to better handle life.

You may ask, 'But if God made me the way I am, why would he want me to change?'

Well, although God created us, we have free will, that is, we tend to make our own decisions, for example, we decide what we want to wear each day, God doesn't make that decision for us, sure he may lead your steps if you ask him but it's generally an independent decision.

However, there are some decisions that we make that portray our character and that's what God really cares about.

For example, if we choose to get upset with the person walking in front of us because they're walking slowly. That's also your decision and if you do get upset, it may show that you're not a patient person.

God tries to push us in the right direction by changing the way we respond to, and react to situations, because how we react shows what we carry in our heart's.

In Ezekiel 11:19, God said;

"I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their heart of stone and will give them a new heart and a new mind."

God wants to renew our heart's and mind's so that we can be kinder and more loving toward one another. He wants to change the way we feel in our heart's and think in our minds. In other words, God wants us to be humble.

Humility is defined as, the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance.

Of course that doesn't mean that you shouldn't love yourself and take care of you, neither does it make you any less important in God's eyes, but it does mean that we should put others before ourselves and be more considerate.

This is what Jesus was trying to say when he said in the gospels, that the last will be first and the first will be last.

If you become last by putting others first, God will put you first.

Humility is very necessary because it teaches us that everyone is important and that we're all imperfect.

Not to mention, if we have humility, we can also have;
Patience, because we know that each of us work at our own pace,
Kindness, because we realize that everyone has their own difficulties,
Love, because we know that everyone's important,
Faithfulness, because we see that we must support one another,
Goodness, because we understand that everyone has ups and downs,
Gentleness, because we know that it can keep peace,
Self control, because we know that we don't live for pleasure,
Peace, because we know peace is more important than being right and
Joy, because we know that we can choose to be happy.

These of course comprise the fruit of the spirit which Paul talks about in Galatians.

I'm not saying it's always easy to be humble, especially when we're dealing with people who may have a lot of pride, but if you have humility, God will bless you, while they may still be a work in progress, you might be one step closer to living the amazing life God has in mind for you.

You see, sometimes, it's not about choosing to be happy. Sometimes it's about not choosing anger or hate or hostility. It's about switching the gears of your mind to drive and moving forward.

God wants us to change and be people who would reflect his greatness.

I pray today that you will allow God to change you, because he is the potter an you're his clay, he's going to make you into something magnificent if you would let him.

Listen to God's voice and try to change in the way he's leading you to and I have no doubt that your life will be full of abundance and blessings.

Day 25~ Our God who Answers our Prayers

Psalms 66:19;

"But God has indeed heard me; he has listened to my prayer."

Today, let us reflect on: Our God who Answers our Prayers.

Psalms 145:18-19 tells us;

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them."

Our God is not deaf to our calls. God hears us and answers our prayers.

In fact, sometimes we don't have to speak out loud what we want and yet our desires are still fulfilled. God hears the cries of our heart.

Now, he may not answer it in the exact way we may have had in mind, but he does answer.

The Psalmist remind us; "The Lord is near those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."

This means that if you sincerely call on God, he will come to you, he will hear you and he will answer you.

However, it doesn't say that he will answer you on your terms or in your timing.

For example if you pray for your perfect dream house today, even though God came near you and he heard you, it doesn't mean that your prayer will be answered today itself, neither does it mean that he will give you precisely what you've hoped for.

Not because he didn't hear you, but perhaps because it's not the right time, or maybe, you wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility that comes with your wish.

God tends to give one of three answer. Yes, not yet and no.

If he answers yes, then be glad; God has granted your request and you can handle it.

If God says, not yet, be glad; it means that he is preparing you and the place you are going to, for your arrival.

If he answers no, still be glad because God is protecting you from something you cannot handle.

None of God's answers are to hurt you or make things difficult for you. God is good and he's still good, even when we don't understand his intentions.

Let's look at some Biblical examples showing God's answers.

In 1 Samuel, Hannah, who was the wife of Elkana wanted a child. She prayed to God, she said,

"Lord Almighty, look at me, your servant! See my trouble and remember me! Don't forget me! If you give me a son, I promise that I will dedicate him to you for his whole life and that he will never have his hair cut."

This was Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 1:11

Soon after, Hannah concieved and gave birth to Samuel.
God answered Hannah's prayer with a yes!

Our second example comes from the book of, Genesis.
It isn't exactly a prayer but a man called Abram was talking to God.

In Genesis 15:2 and 3 he says;

"Sovereign Lord, what good will your reward do me, since I have no children?... You have given me no children, and one of my slaves will inherit my property."

Of course, it was this very Abram who was renamed Abraham and it was only in their old age did Abraham and his wife Sarai, (who was renamed Sarah), have a son named Isaac. 

There was even a point when he doubted God, he said;

"Can a man have a child when he is a hundred years old? Can Sarah have a child at ninety?"

However, although it took some time, God kept his promise.

One might ask, why did God make them wait for a child? He could have allowed them to have a child in their young age, just like he answered Hannah's prayers.

I'm not exactly sure why, but I think that maybe he did it to prove to us that he can do anything. Or maybe, Issac had to be born at that time so he would be able to meet the love of his life; Rebecca. Or still yet, it may have been to test Abraham and Sarah's faith.

This is an example of a time when God's answer was wait.

Now, our third example comes from the book of Matthew.

Matthew 26:39;

"My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want."

This prayer was said by none other than Jesus, God's only son.
It was a prayer he had said in the garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested and taken to trial.

He was afraid of the suffering he had to endure during his crusifixion.

This is an example of a time when God's reply was no.

It's strange because one would think that God would say yes, particularly to his own son, but his reply was no. 

Now, we're very grateful that he said no because if Jesus didn't die for us, we would have to pay for our own sins. God said no to his only son for our sake.

God always has a reason for giving us the answer he does but he always hears us and always has our best interest in mind.

I'm sure you could think of a few answers God may have given you in your life, no matter what the answers were, they were certainly for the best, even if you don't feel that it was.

I pray today that you will come to understand God's love and goodness and that your faith in him will reveal amazing things to you in your life.

Day 24~ Our God, Who Does not Change

Everyone knows of the life cycle of a butterfly.


Well, in general, it starts off as an egg, then a caterpillar hatches and when it's ready, the caterpillar creates a cocoon where it further matures and becomes a graceful, pretty butterfly.

Now, just like caterpillars we tend to change overtime. 
It may not be evident in the moment, but as time passes by, we change. Not only our bodies but our minds as well and our perspectives.

Now, it's easy to believe that, just like us, God changes over time, but the truth is, he doesn't.

In Malachi 3:6, God tells us;

"I am the Lord, and I do not change."

These nine words may not seem like much, but they are very powerful, because the very truth of the Bible lies within them.

God does not change.

That means that what was written in letters and books, which were transcribed over thousands of years, and eventually compiled into the Holy Book we read, known as the Bible, even until this very moment in time, all of it remains true. All because our Awesome God, does not change.

That means that if over 2017 years ago, God said, that he will save and protect his people, over 2017 years late that promise is still standing strong waiting for you to claim it.

If 2017 years ago God said that his people will live and not die, that his people will seek and they will find, that they will knock and the door will be open for them, that he will not forsake his people nor leave their seed begging for bread, even today at this very moment and for as long as time stands, it is true for you and all God's people, even if they accepted Christ two seconds ago.

Why? Because our God does not change!


This is great news because our God does not tell lies, so if he said it, it's going to come to pass.

Numbers 23:19 tells us;
"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"

Our God is not like us. We're imperfect. We all sin and fall short of God's glory, but God is good and he takes care of his people.

The reason why, we as Christians, should read the Bible is to get to know the God that we serve. So that we may understand him and his ways, so that when we're facing trials and difficulties we can have an idea of the plans God may have in mind for our lives.

We can rely on the Bible because God does not change, and the truth is, neither does life.

The very same things we face in our lives today are the same things that people faced back then.

Perhaps the only real change is the advances in technology which keep us informed of the many things happening in our country, and all around the world. 

It's not that these things never happened in the past, it's just that back then, they just didn't have televisions or phones to share it with each other.

However, God is on our side and he doesn't change.

We are the ones that must change, we must change our heart's and focus on our God who takes care of us and lifts us up.

Our God is an Almighty, All Powerful, Loving God. He is the same and will always be the same forever.

If the people of the years gone by placed all their trust in him and he didn't let them down, I do not doubt that inspite of what you're facing or whatever your future holds, if you trust him like they did, you will be just as victorious as they were.

Day 23~ Our God who Cares for you!

Our God is a caring God.

Before we begin, let's define care.

Care is "the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.

It also means to "feel concern or interest; attach importance to something."

Now, Isaiah 49:15 tells us;

"Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you."

This is the depth of care our creator has for his people; he cares for you so much that he will never forget you.
To him, you are too important to ignore.

Even if your own mother were to forget you, God never will.
Never think that God has abandoned or forsaken you, even as you go through troubles, he never forgets you and he will always take care of you.

Matthew 10:30 reminds us;

"As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted."

This means that if one strand of hair is missing from your head, your father knows, because even your hairs have to be accounted for.

Can you fathom how much your creator must care for you, if he even took the time to count the very hairs on your head?

God is concerned for your welfare. He cares for you.

Psalms 121:3 tells us;

"He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber."

Yes, God cares for you so much, that he won't even allow you to fall, now, this may not only be physically but also metaphorically, meaning he will not let you fail in life; he will guide your steps.

In addition to that, he's not even going to sleep. He's going to stay awake to take care of you, he's going to keep watch of you, to make sure you're okay, night and day.

Have you ever cared for someone so much that you sacrificed your sleep just to ensure that they're okay, that they've returned home safely? Have you ever stayed awake just so that you could be there for them if they needed you, day or night?

This is the type of care your heavenly Father has for you.

Now if that weren't enough, 1 Peter 5:7 says,

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Imagine, the Almighty God cares for you so much, that he doesn't want you to worry, he wants you to tell him of your troubles and leave them in his hands. He wants to give you peace, mercy, grace, strength; everything you need to get you through life's stresses.

God loves you. He cares for you so much more than you could ever understand. He is concerned about you and he's interested in you! Trust me when I tell you this today; God cares about you.

Right now, God is saying that he cares for you and that he wants to have an even closer relationship with you.

One way you can get even closer to God is by reading your Bible. If you haven't already, today, I'd like to encourage you to read the Bible; God's love letter to mankind.

There are apps that can help you finish the Bible in one year, my favorite is Bible Reading Schedule. It's a simple app that has a checklist of scriptures, one for each day and of course, you may finish it in advance if you choose, there is even a reminder if you need help remembering to read your Bible.

Also, you can get closer to God through prayer and fasting.

God cares for you and he wants you to know that whatever you're facing and going through in life, you will come out victorious!

As the scripture reminds us, if God can take care of the animals, how much more will he take care of you, who's worth so much more to him than they are?

Trust in God's care for you, you mean a lot more to him than you think!

Day 22~ Our God who Guides our Steps

God guides our steps in life.
He leads us on the right path that we should take.

Proverbs 16:9 tells us;

"You make your plans, but God directs your actions."

This means that we may decide what we want to do but God is the one who helps us carry out our plans.

How does he do this?
By directing our actions.

There are also times in life when we may make plans and things may turn out differently than we anticipated.

For example, we may decide we want to take a certain career path or get married at a certain time or maybe we may decide that we want to work in a particular company etc, and it's okay to have such plans, however, God is the one that has the final say.

Proverbs 20:24 reminds us;

"The Lord has determined our path; how then can anyone understand the direction his own life is talking?"

Most times in life, we make plans and things turn out differently.

Maybe things are taking longer than we had planned or perhaps thing's didn't work out in the way we thought it should.

Today, I want to encourage you to remain hopeful because God is the one that directs our steps because he is the one who has determined our path.

Sometimes we tend to want things that aren't right for us. Other times we aren't ready for the things we long for. On other occasions we may see one path when God had another one in mind.

However, we must remain in faith, trusting in God because he knows best and he always looks out for our best interests.

Jesus was once in such a situation.

John chapter 2 tells us of a time when Jesus was at a wedding in Cana.

They had run out of wine and Mary, Jesus' mother, told him this, but Jesus replied,

"...My time has not yet come."

Jesus, God's only son was in a position where he did not think that this was the time for him to perform miracles but God had another idea in mind.

Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them.

Jesus told them to fill six stone water jars with water and then he told them to take some to the man in charge of the feast; when he drank it, the water had turned into wine.

This was his first miracle.

This story shows us that God's plans and timing may not be the same as our own.

We may make our plans, but God directs our steps.

Maybe, just like our Lord Jesus, we may feel like we're not ready for the next step we must take in life or maybe we feel as if what we want isn't happening as quickly as we had hoped.

Don't worry or be afraid.

In the right place and at the right time God works things out for his people.

Of you're afraid of the next steps, then pray to God and he will take them with you. He will direct your path.

Do not doubt God's plans for your life, he is our omniscient (all-knowing), God and he will direct your steps!

Just place your plans in God's hands and he will lead you to the path you need to follow and things will be better for you since God would have made provisions for you there.

Just stay in faith and keep on believing because our God is a God who guides our steps.

Day 21~ God who does Whatever he Pleases

Psalms 115:3 says;

"Our God in heaven; he does whatever he wishes."

Psalms 135:6 states;

" I know that out Lord is great, greater than all the gods. He does whatever he wishes in heaven and on Earth, in the seas and in the depths below."

Our God is a God that does whatever he wants. God can do anything and everything, he is not limited by human rationales.

There are many examples in the Bible showing God's greatness and his amazing miracles. These prove to us that God does whatever he wishes.

For example he give Sarah, Abraham's wife a child in her old age. He took away dreaded skin diseases which was impossible to cure at that time as with Naaman in 2 Kings. He saved his people against all odds from foreign Kings. He caused a virgin to have a baby. Just to name a few.

All these things seemed impossible but our God does the impossible! Even today, scientists and the most brilliant of minds cannot explain the great things our Almighty God has done and continues to do.

Our God is a God that does anything he pleases.

Whether there is scientific proof to support it or not. Whether the medical professionals can explain it or not. Whether the odds are in our favor or not. God does anything he pleases.

He can turn the tides in your favor, he can take your greatest weaknesses and turn them into your victory!

David was just a Shepherd boy, no one expected anything great from him, he probably didn't even expect much from himself, but God is not limited by human expectations.

Our God does these things to show his glory among all peoples.

No one would be able to explain why Naaman's skin became clean as he dipped seven times in the waters of the Jordan river or why a virgin had a baby or how an elderly woman, who was not in childbearing age could conceive.

This is the God we serve. A God who doesn't follow human rules. A God who can do impossible things.

Also, because these things were so impossible it helps to prove that only our Great God could have done it.

What is the impossible thing that you're hoping for?

I'm here to tell you today that God can do anything and he does whatever he wishes. It's not impossible because God can do it, he can do anything. 

You just need to have faith.

Today, I want to encourage you to add God to your impossible equation, then sit back and watch your mountains move!

Day 20~ Our God who Corrects us

Have you been blind sighted? Have you been led astray?
Has the charming and beautiful night changed into the darkness of day?
It's alright, you need not fear, everything will be okay,
That's because, God's correction can lead you in the right way.

Proverbs 3:11-12 says;

"My child, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning. The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud."

In life, we are sometimes led astray and tempted to do things that are not pleasing in God's sight.

It is in these times that God corrects us.

God corrects us in a number of ways; he may send another person to tell us about it, our conscience may talk to us about it thus leading us to feel guilty, he may send us dreams or he may put us in situations that bring out that bad quality or trait.

There are many other ways in which God may bring our faults to our attention.
Then he gives us multiple chances to change our ways.

A really good example of God correcting his people in the Bible is the example of King David.

Now, 2 Samuel 11-12 tells the story of how King David had committed adultery by sleeping with a married woman. To make matters worse, she had become pregnant. That woman was Bathsheba.

Now, the husband of Bathsheba was Uriah the Hittite and he served in David's army. On learning of Bathsheba's pregnancy, David called Uriah back home in hopes that he would go home and sleep with his wife and would come to believe that the child was his own.

However, he refused to go home saying that his allies were camping in the open so how could he go home, eat and drink and sleep with his wife. David then tried to get him drunk but still he would not go home.

Thanks to his previously failed plans, David secretly ordered that Uriah be sent to the front lines to be killed, thus Uriah died.

Now, he might have been able to hide his mistake from Uriah, but he could not hide his mistake from our all knowing God.

God sent the prophet Nathan to David to accuse him of his crimes. David repented but still, as punishment, the child he then had with Bathsheba became sick and died.

In this way, the Lord corrected David and showed him that what he had done was wrong.

Of course Bathsheba eventually gave birth to Solomon who would become Israel's next King.

Now Solomon also was reprimanded by God for sinning. He took many foreign wives who led him away from God, but unlike King David, he did not change his ways and so he lost God's favor and God took away most of the Kingdom from Solomon, leaving him, (or rather, his son) with only one part.

Now you see, God corrects his people, but it is up to us to accept his correction and change the way we live. God is our King and so we must live a life pleasing to him so that he will bless us and the future generations.

Hebrews 12: 5-6 reminds us of what was written in Proverbs;

"My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you. Because the Lord corrects everyone he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a child."

If God is correcting you in some way in your life, it shows that he loves you and that he wants you to do the right thing because you are his child.

Think about that thing that God is trying to get you to give up on. Maybe it's harming you more than it's helping you, maybe it's taking away your peace. Maybe it's putting you in trouble or getting in between the relationship you have with God. Maybe it's the only thing between you and your destiny!

Today, I want to encourage you to follow in the footsteps of King David, he repented and he accepted God's correction unlike his son, King Solomon, from whom the Kingdom was taken away.

God corrects those he loves as a parent corrects their child. I pray today that we accept God's correction in our lives so that we can live happy, healthy lives that please God.

Day 19~ Our Trustworthy God

Proverbs 3:5-8 says;

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring Health to your body and nourishment to your bones."

This passage taken from Proverbs 3 advises us to Trust in God.

What does it mean to trust.

To trust means to 'believe in the reliability, truth or ability of.'
So, if you trust God it would mean that you do not doubt that you can rely on him, in other words, you have confidence and faith in God, knowing that you can count on him and his plans for your life. It also means that you're sure that God's word is true, that everything that is written in the Bible teaches us to do the right things and lastly you do not doubt God's supreme power, that is, his ability to take care of you.

Also, this scripture holds very valuable insight into life. The writer tells us that if we truly trust in God, we don't have to worry or feel stressed about anything. If we trust in God, leave our worries and fears in his hands and don't do evil, we will have good health and strength.

I think that the writer purposefully says that if we follow his advice, we will be heathy because he knows that worry and stress drains us of our good health, (both physically and mentally) and happiness.
If we trust in God, we can live without fear knowing that he is the source of life and he always has our best interests at heart.

Our God is a trustworthy God.

In the Bible, we see many examples of God's trustworthiness but the example I've chosen is a promise that still reverberates through time and is as pertinent to us now as it was back then and will continue to be for as long as time lasts.

This promise is found in Isaiah 53:11 and 12

"My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased, will bear the punishment of many and for his sake I will forgive them.... He willingly gave his life and shared the fate of evil men. He took the place of many sinners and prayed that they might be forgiven."

This promise that God made in the days of Isaiah was none other than the promise of Jesus Christ, who came for our sake, so that we may have a chance at eternal life.

Our God is a trustworthy God.
What I find so touching about God's sacrifice is that he didn't have to make it, no one forced him to do it but he made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
He made his promise in advance and kept it.

God truely is like no other being and is worthy of praise and adoration.

Today, I really hope that you get your faith fired up because God is trustworthy and he always brings his promises to pass.
I trust that God has amazing, wonderful, good things in store for you too and if you believe in him and trust him with all your heart, I know that you won't be disappointed!