Dying with Christ

Death is an unavoidable reality for every living being and for those who seek to fulfil God’s will, this truth holds profound significance. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross serves as a powerful reminder that death can be a transformative step toward fulfilling a higher purpose. Christ’s ultimate sacrifice teaches us that embracing God’s will often requires surrendering our desires and ambitions. This process of “dying to oneself” is not a one-time event but a daily choice to prioritize faith over worldly influences. In today’s world, secular beliefs and values have made their way even into the church, making it difficult to maintain to practice dying daily. To truly die with Christ is to be willing to “die” to the pressures and temptations of the world, embracing a path that may not always be easy.

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if through the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. This daily surrender involves letting go of personal agendas, preconceived notions, and attachments that conflict with God’s will. It requires humility, self-denial, and a willingness to follow Christ’s example. Struggling with unforgiveness, pride, greed, anger, the need to be right or to be seen is an indicator of a life controlled by the flesh. By yielding to the Spirit and doing the hard work of overcoming fleshly tendencies, we can theen truly experience the power of God in our lives and impact others. πŸ™‡β€β™€οΈ Love is one of the powerful ways to “die to oneself” and live for others. Being driven by love in our every action can be a transformative force in our lives and the lives of those around us.

✝️ May we surrender our own desires and live in love, truly dying with Christ to rise to new life today.

Spiritual Nourishment

Just as our bodies need food to grow, stay healthy, and thrive, our spirits need the Word of God to flourish. As believers, we must prioritize feeding on Scripture daily, allowing it to transform our lives one area at a time. By doing so, we’ll experience spiritual growth, health, and vitality. A friend once asked me if I eat only when I’m hungry or because it’s healthy. My initial response was the former, but he corrected me, saying it’s the latter. Similarly, we shouldn’t only seek God’s Word when we’re troubled or in a service, but rather make it a habit to feed our inner selves, growing strong and healthy in our walk with Him.

“Long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). This powerful verse reminds us that spiritual growth is fueled by God’s Word. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is the foundation of our faith, but it’s only the beginning. To truly grow in our relationship with God, we must cultivate a deep love for His Word. The Bible is our spiritual food, providing us with the guidance, wisdom, and strength we need to navigate life’s challenges.Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of Scripture in His life, when faced with temptation in the wilderness, He responded with truth from the Bible, saying “It is written…” By doing so, He showed us the power of God’s Word in overcoming adversity. As believers, we can follow Jesus’ example by immersing ourselves in the Bible. By diving into God’s Word, we discover the promises that are rightfully ours, we learn about God’s love, provision, and protection. We gain confidence in His ability to guide us and provide for our needs. Don’t give the enemy a foothold by neglecting God’s Word due to ignorance or busyness. You can’t tap into promises you don’t know exist.

✝️ I encourage us to pursue an active and intentional relationship with God’s Word, allowing it to transform us.

The Undignified Worship Lifestyle

In today’s society, believers often feel pressured to restrain their devotion, making wholehearted surrender to God a rare and awkward occurrence, even within church walls. Those who abandon themselves in worship are frequently labeled as excessive. However, the Bible offers a powerful counterexample in King David, who willingly became even more undignified in his worship. We’ve lost sight of this unbridled passion, instead becoming overly self-conscious about how we present ourselves to God and others.When we encounter God’s presence, our ultimate goal should be to surrender everything to Him. While personal, quiet worship is valuable, our motivation shouldn’t be driven by fear of others’ opinions. God’s goodness transcends human approval, deserving genuine, untainted praise.

In 2 Samuel 6:14, 20-22 David danced before the Lord with unbridled enthusiasm, wearing a simple linen tunic. Later, when David returned home to bless his family, Michal, Saul’s daughter, confronted him, saying, ‘How the king of Israel disgraced himself today, exposing himself to the servant girls like a shameless fool!’ David replied, ‘I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and his family to lead His people, Israel. I’ll celebrate before the Lord, and I’ll be even more undignified if I choose to. I’ll be willing to look foolish in my own eyes and in the eyes of the servant girls you mentioned, but they will ultimately honor me. For many of us, our families, church leaders, and close friends have become like Michal, hindering us from giving God the unrestrained worship He deserves. It’s not about mimicking David’s exact actions, but about being willing to move beyond the opinions of others and wholeheartedly pursue our relationship with God, no matter the setting.

✝️ Let’s reclaim a lifestyle of wholehearted worship, unapologetically honoring God in every setting.

Our Thoughts are Silent Words

It is to no surprise that the profound impact of our thoughts on our lives is a fundamental reality. They shape our behaviors, fuel our successes, and contribute to our setbacks. The intensity of our thoughts can drive us to pursue goals with unrelenting passion, for better or for worse. In our spiritual journey, we’ve learned that even a single seed of doubt in God’s promises can hinder a breakthrough. This doubt often originates in our thought life. The Bible offers numerous examples of individuals who doubted God’s words, illustrating the consequences of unbelief and highlighting the importance of aligning our thoughts with faith.

Proverbs 23:7a reminds us that our thoughts have the power to define us: ‘For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.’ The Bible underscores the profound influence our thought life has on our daily lives. However, Satan often sows seeds of doubt, fear, anger, jealousy, and bitterness in our minds, which can take root in our hearts. The story of Eve illustrates this pattern, where a seed of doubt about God’s command led to devastating consequences. Let us be mindful of our thoughts, guided by the Holy Spirit. By aligning our thoughts with God’s Word, we position ourselves to receive the breakthroughs God has in store for us.

✝️Today, let us make a conscious decision to focus on thoughts that bring honor to God and promote inner peace, regardless of our circumstances.

Little Actions, Big Outcomes

Embarking on a journey with the Lord is a gradual process, not a sudden destination. Just as a law student’s daily efforts eventually yield a successful legal career, every great man and woman of faith began somewhere, taking small yet significant steps towards spiritual maturity. Often, we aspire to be pillars of faith, but struggle to cultivate the daily habits of prayer, scripture study, and service that underpin a deep relationship with God. Consistency is key, and it’s the small, everyday choices that ultimately shape our character and faith.

Zechariah 4:10a reminds us, ‘Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.’ As you aspire to become a mighty vessel of faith, remember that greatness is often birthed in the smallest of actions. It’s the daily decisions to put a smile on someone’s face, to pray for a few minutes each day, or to worship with sincerity that ultimately lead to profound transformation. A few minutes of prayer can ignite a fire that fuels a lifetime of devotion. A brief moment of worship can spark a passion that inspires countless others. Start with the small, and the big will follow. As the saying goes, ‘Rome was not built in a day.’ Be faithful in the little things, and God will take care of the rest.

✝️l urge us to embrace a daily rhythm of spiritual growth, investing in small but meaningful ways that will ultimately shape our character, faith, and relationship with God.

The Secret Enemies of The Cross

As I reflected on the enemies of the Cross, my initial response was that the devil and his angels are the primary adversaries, relentlessly working to thwart God’s will for His children. But who else qualifies as an enemy of the gospel? Anyone or anything that opposes, distorts, or ignores the Word of God, including internal struggles like fear, doubt, and worldly desires. Cultural norms and values that contradict biblical teachings also fall into this category. While the devil and his minions are undoubtedly enemies of the Cross, I made a startling realization: many believers, including myself, have unknowingly become secret enemies of the Cross at some point in our journey. This truth calls you and I to self-reflection, examining our hearts and actions to guarantee that we’re not living in contradiction to the very message we share.

As the apostle Paul warned, ‘For I have often told you, and I say it again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ’ (Philippians 3:18). While it’s possible to unknowingly drift into the enemy zone, it’s a conscious decision to remain there. Let’s take a moment to consider this: if you knew something displeased a loved one, wouldn’t you go out of your way to change? Whether it’s a habit you struggle with, a hurtful behaviour, or even something you personally enjoy doing,”wouldn’t you make an effort to please them? As followers of Christ, we’re called to strive for a similar transformation. We may never fully attain Jesus’ perfection, but with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can continually grow in His likeness. Let’s make a deliberate choice to surrender our will to His, and become more like Him with each passing day.

✝️ I urge us to be intentional every day about not becoming enemies of the Cross.

The Mind of Christ

Jesus Christ our Saviour and perfect example came to earth with a singular purpose: to fulfill the Father’s will. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He demonstrated unwavering commitment and humility. Jesus made this His top priority, aligning His actions with the Father’s will above all else. As children of God, we’re invited to emulate Jesus’ example, aligning our lives with the Father’s will. By embracing this mindset, we will witness a profound impact on our relationships, our character, and our purpose, as well as experience transformation in our communities and the world.

Philippians 2:5 encourages us to adopt Christ’s mindset. This chapter reminds us to walk in love, harmony, and unity, as Jesus did. We’re exhorted to surrender selfish ambitions and conceit, embracing humility and valuing others above ourselves. Reflecting on Christ’s selfless example, we see that He prioritized our reconciliation with the Father, despite our unworthiness. He put our needs before His own, humbly surrendering to death on the cross for our sake. May our hearts be transformed to prioritize others’ needs even when its unfavourable to us just as Christ did. As we serve with humility and love, we’ll embody the mind of Christ, impacting lives and spreading His love.

πŸ™‡β€β™€οΈPrayer: Dear Jesus, I pray that I may think, act, and love like You. Guide me as I strive to embody Your humble and selfless mindset. Thank you Lord. Amen!

A Legacy of Faith:

The Godly Old Days

It’s alarming to see how far our generation has strayed from the godly principles laid down by our forebears, who held Scriptures in high esteem. What we now consider ‘progressive’ or ‘smart living,’ our ancestors would have deemed ‘destructive.’ We’ve either bent or broken the rules to suit our desires, abandoning the traditional values that once guided us. In today’s culture, traditional norms are being redefined, and the consequences of this shift are being felt in our communities and our spiritual foundations. Moreover, many believers have begun to embrace worldly culture, blurring the lines between faith and secularism.

Proverbs 22:28 cautions us “The previous generation has set boundaries in place. Don’t you dare move them just to benefit yourself.” This timeless wisdom reminds us that, despite our modern perspectives, the godly principles of old remain invaluable. As believers, upholding these principles is crucial in bringing light, transformation, and positive change to a world surrounded in darkness. Child of the light, this is your moment to shine! Stand unwavering in truth, uphold righteousness, and safeguard these timeless values for future generations. As a guardian of faith, pass on this wisdom to younger believers, and for those of us who are young in faith, humbly receive this heritage, that the torch of truth may continue to burn bright.

✝️ I encourage us all to hold fast to the ancient principles of faith and intentionally pass them on

Spiritual Workout

Regular exercise has proven to have a profound impact on our overall well-being. Individuals who prioritize physical fitness tend to experience improved mental clarity, a healthier body, and a more positive outlook. However, we all know that maintaining a workout routine requires discipline, self-control, and mental toughness. Many people start their fitness journey with goals to lose weight, gain weight, or simply stay fit, but unfortunately, some lose momentum and give up halfway.Similarly, as believers, we need to prioritize spiritual exercise to shed spiritual excesses that weigh us down. Just as physical exercise helps us eliminate physical fat, spiritual exercise enables us to eliminate habits, thoughts, and behaviors that hinder our spiritual growth.

But you, dearly loved ones, are called to build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Make progress, rise higher and higher, by praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20)”. Just as regular physical exercise strengthens your body, spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and scripture study will develop your mental and spiritual resilience. To navigate life’s challenges with clarity, a healthy spirit, and a positive attitude, you must prioritize building yourself up in the Word of God. It’s no different from going to the gym to exercise your physical body – except this time, you’re strengthening your inner being.

✝️ I encourage us al to prioritize building our spirit being on the solid foundation of God’s Word.

Stillness, A Language of the Spirit

There will always come that time in life when your world will feel turned upside down? When the chaos and noise will be suffocating, making it hard to catch a breath, think clearly, or even pray. Yet, amidst this, His gentle whisper will beckon us to : ‘Remain still.’ If you’ve walked through such a moment, you’ll likely recall the sense of confusion and uncertainty that accompanied it. Stillness is not just an outward expression in trying times, but an inner transformation. It’s a quiet confidence that anchors your soul, amid life’s storms. You can’t fake stillness; it’s a deeply personal and spiritual state that requires inner work. To remain calm in chaotic realities, you must first cultivate stillness within. This means quieting the inner noise, calming the emotional storms, and anchoring your heart in the peace of God.

Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”. These words echo a profound truth that God is always in control. How, then can we remain still and trust in His sovereignty

✝️ Pray: Share your thoughts and concerns with God, and listen for His gentle whisper. ✝️ Meditate: Dive into Scripture and spiritual readings, finding comfort and insight in God’s Word. ✝️ Worship: Express your love and gratitude through music, song, or other creative expressions. ✝️ Let go: Release your need to be in control, trusting that God’s sovereignty is perfect. ✝️ Focus on the present: Cultivate gratitude and mindfulness, living in the here and now. Remember, even when it feels like we’re losing, God is working everything out for our good. As we surrender to Him, we can trust that His plans are perfect.

πŸ™‡β€β™€οΈ I encourage us to make a conscious effort to remain still, even when chaos surrounds us