Climbing Out a Deep Dark Pit!

Proverbs 26:11

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“Fools are famous for repeating their errors, like dogs are known to return to their vomit.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

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Finding Freedom..

Have you ever been in a place where you have been delivered by Christ and there found freedom by his Amazing Grace and mercy thinking to yourself “YEEES, IM FREE”. This could be the case for many of us who have had an encounter with the true God of the world, what a feeling right having finally found that sense of belonging again that love you never felt before, that compassion that only comes from God. The deliverance that comes only by the forgiveness through the blood of his Son Jesus, who on a cross died for each one of us, when actually when we think about our lives and the things we’ve done it’s truly what we deserve, Right? But only Jesus.

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Digging a Hole, Scoop by Scoop..

Proverb 26 verse 11 tells us that when we continually keep going back to the old life and them destructive ways, the ways that are corruptive of our souls, we are being very very foolish. If we think hard and imagine in our minds a dog when it’s just been sick, imagine that dog going back so easily to that sick and eating it up with no quarrels at all! How disgusting is that thought, well that’s what God says we are like when we go back the way instead of following in his ways the plans he has for our lives. It’s like standing in the same spot with a shovel and digging, getting deeper and darker with every scoop, the light is becoming less bright and your finding yourself struggling to breath and get out of there. Instead of climbing we keep on digging, we now find ourselves separated from God all over again.

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Feeling the Separation..

When we get to this place of despair and hopelessness it is a very dark place! We feel as though we are separated from God we feel unloved all over again saying to ourselves, how can God love me? How can he forgive me again?especially for this stuff I’ve being doing, the stuff I thought I found freedom from! Doesn’t the bible tell us that we should not go on sinning once we become saved and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior?? We can so easily feel separated from God in these times but let me tell you this brothers and sisters it’s in these times that God is there more than ever, Jesus is there reaching out his hand, we only have to be willing to take hold of it again, learn, then move on thanking him that his Word and his promises are true for those he loves and for those who really love him too.

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Nothing’s To Dark For The Light..

Just when we think there’s no way back, there’s always a way back! Can I encourage those who feel this today that if we transform our minds in a different direction we can do it! Instead of thinking about what we are doing and what we have done, think about what Jesus has done on the cross by taking away and dealing with everything you have done and ever will do, think about where he’s taking you to and what he’s forgiven you from. Don’t be sin conscious, be thankful, remember his Great Love for you it doesn’t ever change with our actions, he knows your struggle, he knows your trying! Turn away from these things and grab a hold of his hand he has pulled you from the pit before he’s not going to settle with you being there again and neither should you!

No matter what! There is always light at the end of a tunnel!

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Prayer: Oh Father in heaven I come to you as a broken vessel that only you can heal with your tremendous Love and Compassion, Lord God hear my heart I long for you, heal my heart Father I pray, restore me back to you again, let these evil desires and thoughts be cast out into the pits of hell and wash me clean in your Grace, cleanse me by your blood by the power of your blood that sets us free! Father I know what it’s like to be that fool you talk of, that dog! I’m sorry and I thank you that you have already forgiven me, I’m so grateful to have a loving God with open arms and not a condemning God who turns his back on his children.

I love you Father, I truly do please help me to know bettter help me to recognise what you want for me that will keep me walking in your ways, help me build good relationships that will help me be strong having a good support around me. Remind me of what’s good in my life. Father I pray for my hurting heart to be completely healed, I pray for my brothers and sisters from every nation who may be going through something similar that they also will be healed in the name of Jesus! Thank you Father that your love never let’s go and your always there waiting for us to return to you. Help us see that we need you in our lives every day, every single moment of the day! I pray all these things in the name of your wonderful, glorious son and our Savior Jesus. Amen!

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Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.

“reinhold niebuhr (1892-1971)”

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“Fearfully and Wonderfully Made“

“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

When we are struggling and we sit and think and say to ourselves, does God actually really know what I’m going through, how can he allow this to happen. We have to remember that he knows everything he’s with us ALWAYS, he knows you because he formed you he made you fearfully and wonderfully all at the same time piecing you together in his own image.

We are connected to the Father from birth but we have to exercise the faith he has given us to believe in him, he is not out there to force people to worship him he desires we worship him on our own terms by trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of all our wrong doings and turning from our own self to his ways. He has a perfect plan for your life and by seeking after him he will begin to show you exactly what that is.

Prayer: Father God I know you want the best for each one of us and I realise we are ultimately disobedient to you and want to do things our own way, help us to come to you and surrender ourselves to your Love and to your perfect ways and plans for our lives. Lord I thank you that we have many chances to get it right and often when we fall again and again your ALWAYS there to help us back up and show us Grace that we truly don’t deserve.

My prayer this morning Father is that whoever may be reading this can come to know your Love for them turn from there own evil desires in their lives and turn to you, get on their knees and cry out to you for forgiveness, you are there to show them compassion and forgive them Father help them to turn to you I pray, in Jesus mighty name the Savior of mankind, Amen

Friday 3rd March 2024

“Not our own Wisdom, but Gods”

“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.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When I read this proverb today I felt moved to write about verses 5-6 only because it’s a well known bible verse and is often quoted many times, but as I read it again I became more aware of 7-8 and having wisdom, Gods wisdom and not our own, I was going to write what I wanted to write you see but God spoke to me to write about verses 7-8 instead of 5-6. God is so good, listen for that gentle tug that’s in the right direction, that’s God!”.

When we do things in our own thinking and our own process even when we think it’s the right thing, it’s clean, it good, it’s not hurting anyone and it’s not a bad way of actually getting the job done, we kinda should really way it up again go back over it in our heads, pray that God will speak into whatever the situation is we are facing or decision we are about to make. It’s so important we do things Gods way and not our own way.

Avoid all kinds of evil things and push them away from you, turn 180-degrees and start walking, get rid of them!! Get rid of the things that aren’t of God!! Make room for what is of God and he will be sure to bless you into everything your heart desires, surround yourself with Godly wisdom and those who are seeking the things of God.

We can read here that in doing so and by following HIS instructions this brings us good health, and strength in our bodies, so when we are feeling worn out and maybe undernourished, are we doing everything in line with God and what he has called us into, our purpose, our calling?

Prayer: Father I thank you how you speak to me, I thank you that your always there in the right moments, I thank you Lord that you are consistently guiding me into the right things and Lord I pray for those people that are not sure how to hear from you that you enlighten them to exactly what you are trying to communicate.l to them.

Help us Lord to be aware of the dangers of going our own way and listening to the wrong voices which leads to destruction in our lives, Lord you know the plans you have for us, help us to know exactly what these are and how we need to carry them out to reach our full potential.

We thank you Father for the way you keep us going and the way that you sustain us, we thank you for our health, help us to go in the right direction and to trust that you are protecting us with our health and our bodies! I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!! Amen!!

Thursday 2nd March 2023

“Fathers Protection”

Proverbs 2-Fathers protection

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We have to be listening to what God is saying to us, how he is guiding us and where he is taking us. We must! Be vigilant in everything that we do and try to be as blameless as we can. We know it’s impossible on our own so call on the Lord for help in trouble, he will be your protection in the the evil desires of your heart and he will shield you from adversity. When we seek after the things of God for our lives he will give us a new understanding and lead us and steer us on the right path, his path for our lives.

When we are faithful to God and are in relationship with him daily, consistently we see how much this is true, he has promised to protect us when we stay faithful to him and his purpose for our lives, yes it can be difficult some days but he is more than able to securely protect us if we are always turning to him for help and for Wisdom, he will give us a way out. He wont ever turn his back on us that’s the work of the enemy in our minds, Gods love for us never changes even when we do fall short. It’s consistent like no other!! 1 Chronicles 16:34

Prayer: Father we love you and we give you thanks for never changing! Your love for your people doesn’t ever get more or less, when we do good it’s the same when we fall short it’s still the same! Help us Lord to grasp this, help us to rely on your understanding, your knowledge and give us Wisdom to know the right things to do, calling on you moment by moment!

LORD it’s only by your Grace that we can enter into your presence through your Son and I thank you for Jesus!! I thank you for the Cross!! I pray for anyone who is falling away today to turn back to you Father because you haven’t turned your back on them, it’s easy to feel this when we sin but it’s not true! I pray against every evil thought and desire that’s coming against your people to be crushed right now in the name of Jesus, that you break into those lives who really need to know your Grace!!

Lord there are too many people living with fear and condemnation who are saved, because the enemy has gripped their minds!! I pray a breakthrough in this area of my brothers and sisters in Christ right now!! Be gone!! In the name of Jesus!! There is no place for you here in Jesus name!! Father we know you, help us to have the desire to know you more, we cry out for you, thank you for your mercy, help us know your there waiting for us to come back!! Praise you!! In Jesus name I pray, Amen!!

Wednesday 1st March 2023

“Healthy Fear”

Proverbs 1-Healthy fear

“The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

When we start the day off well we will always have a much better day, a more productive day and positive day. It’s always good to start with thanks to God that you still have breath in your lungs, where there is breath there is chance of a new beginning, everything before has gone! Gods mercies are new every morning and whatever happened the day before that was not in line with God it’s ok, it’s been dealt with on the cross already.

Seek God with all your heart, seek his Godly wisdom, give him praise, sit and meditate at the awesomeness of who he really is and how much he truly really loves you. That’s the kind of fear it’s talking about here, not to be scared and ashamed but to know he is powerful and is greatness is on us, why shouldn’t we want to live for him. The owner and creator of the whole universe wants a relationship with us, blows my mind!

Self control/discipline is something we must grasp and grasp quickly, when we do and we master it with the help of he who is in us helping us(the Holy Spirit), we can start to live better lives and free from self condemnation! It really is a game changer when we have a mind set before God and when we give him all of us we really do start to see just how much he moves in our favour. God knows you and your circumstances, lean on him today, his arms are open wide.

Prayer: Father you are a loving Father, your intention for us is to be fruitful and to be blessed beyond measure! Lord I pray for my brothers and sisters today who are feeling distant from you for whatever reason that may be, help them by your Holy Spirit to know what ever it is they feel distant by, that it has already been nailed to the cross, Lord help them know REAL FREEDOM!!

God is speaking and saying: “Come to me, I know your pain and I love you, fall on your knees at my feet and I will be your overshadowing protection”

Father I thank you that you protect me and have done all my life, you amaze me and make me laugh! I couldn’t do anything without your Grace and I don’t take it lightly, I thank you that when I fall your always there to help me back to my feet. I thank you that in the fall there is learning and I grow stronger! Lord you are everything to me and I know I would be in the gutter without you in my life!

Lord I pray an outpouring of your Holy Spirit to every heart who reads this today! That you Father, speak directly to the inner parts! Help my brothers and sisters know complete freedom (Grace) and to know forgiveness was dealt with in the cross, help us to walk with you in a healthy fear, In Jesus mighty mighty name I pray, Amen!!

NASB1995-New American Standard Bible,

The Grace and Truth Study Bible.

Tuesday 28th February 2023

“Understanding what’s right”

Proverbs 28- Understanding what’s right

“Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Anyone who is not a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ don’t understand what they do is wrong, Jesus said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” We must have a true awakening to really see clearly in life and to have understanding of the spiritual battle that is going on all around us.

Jesus is the way the truth and the life, it’s only when we set our eyes on him or back to him if we have fallen away, He loves us so so much that he was willing to give up his own life so we can be free and not have to live in condemnation., no more has to be done in order for our salvation, trust in the Lord see what he will do for you and where he will take you. Today is the day!

When we believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God seals us for eternity with him, our spiritual eyes are then opened and we begin to have encounters and see things that only believers in God can see. Those who are off the world (evildoers) won’t grasp what it means to see things of God until they soften their heart and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone.

Prayer: Father I’m sorry for the time I fall short, I’m sorry for the time I forgot about you and do things my way, Lord you really mean everything to me and I thank you that you really have opened my eyes. I give you all the praise God and all the Glory because your intentions for us are always good, you want only good things for us. Lord help my brothers and sisters to evangelise for your kingdom and win souls for your Glory Alone!

I thank you Father for your Holy Spirit It’s he that shows me everything in my life and I know your holding on to me and that you promise never to let go. You are such a patient God and when we walk closely with you you release more and more that you have for us in our purpose and calling. Help us to walk closely with you Jesus, I pray in your mighty name of Lord. Amen!!

Monday 27th February 2023

“Lighten the burden”

Proverbs 27-Lighten the burden

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We all have things we go through which we need to let out to help us move forward and to help us not to stay trapped, accountability is key to change!! If we have someone or a few people in whom we can trust with the most inner darkest secrets of our lives and we are able to chat about things then we receive freedom, there is freedom that comes from sharing, ultimately freedom comes from following Christ and the beauty of the cross, Grace = Freedom!! Just having a one to one over a coffee can help.

It’s very good being part of a group like a growth group especially men who can help each other, when people open up and chat together things become lighter because usually we can see that these guys have similar stories to tell and we can often relate to one another. This goes for female groups and growth groups too. Be accountable to someone also makes you feel good about yourself that your helping someone through just being there for them.

Prayer: Father I thank you for friendship, I thank you Lord that when things are tough we can have someone who we can phone or someone who we can talk to so that we can feel lighter and less burdened. Father we know we can come to you and you will give us total rest this is true, you are ultimately our best friend, you need judge us who belong to you and you understand our struggle the most.

Lord I pray for any of my brother and sisters who don’t have any one who they can share their worries or anyone to lighten the load, I pray Father that you direct their paths and lead them to the right person to help them, also guide the ones who are able to be a rock to people that they have discernment to know how to cope and help the people who need help.

We aren’t called to be alone, help us have the courage to share things with others to release the tension that this causes us in our hearts. We must be open for change to come, help us open up about things in our lives and let people have a positive impact into the pain. Sharing is caring!! Help us Father in Jesus name I pray, Amen!!

Sunday 26th February 2023

“No smoke without fire”

Proverbs 26-No smoke without fire

“For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭20‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Nothing worse than when you see it hear a brother or sister gossiping about a fellow brother or sister, we are to live in unity with one another as we are part of the same body. To many Christians are causing divisions within the church by talking badly about people rather than confronting the issue and resolving the matter between the 2 parties or whoever is involved. Try to see past such things that you may here about others and don’t continue it on to others.

We can fall back into bad habits and not live according to the spirit of God when this takes place when people are living in their old ways and living in the flesh. Like it says here, where there is no wood a fire will go out, just like the person doing the gossiping, when we can learn to discipline ourselves and distance ourselves from such people things will die down. We can also pray that God silences the gossip and deals with these situations accordingly. Pray.

If the issue is serious and of urgency to be resolved quick then be sure to speak to your leaders regarding these issues that can’t be resolved personally as it’s good to keep accountable to the ones who are shepherding the flock to make them aware of things of importance within the setting of the church, to nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand.

Prayer: Father we thank you that you are the one who knows everything and the only one who can know the depths of our hearts. Lord your understanding is beyond our imagination and your Grace is unfathomable, only you are able to know exact truth of what is behind any gossip. Father we ask you to please help us to discern quickly and accurately to be able to have wisdom to deal with anything that comes before us.

Lord help us to pray for gossip to be dealt with as soon as we hear of any and help us pray for the ones that are being affected, either in the gossiping or the ones gossiping. Lord please help us as Christians to be of one mind as we are of one body in you. Father if only we could be strong knowing how easily we can live out this life as a Christian with the victory over sin, helping one another instead of gossiping about one another, we could do so many mighty things in your name. Father give us this confidence in you that you have promised us eternal life and this is a free gift, thank you that you promise to never forsake us not leave us. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus, the king of kings and the Lord of Lords Amen!

Saturday 25th February 2023

“Love Your Enemies”

Proverbs 25:21-22

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When we are going through hard times and people are coming against us, we can so easily be lead to be angry towards such people or curse them in our heads or even to their face. We have to draw our strength from the Lord we must be thankful that he is our protection that he is always with us wherever we go, we are to love those who come against us, this is pleasing to God as he will show favour to us in doing this.

If we are to give people who we feel troubled by, food and drink then this can bring a healing and can reconcile friendships which is ultimately the best option, we really shouldn’t hold grudges with anyone because this only leads to bitterness and anger towards people. Learn to love one another as hard as it can be sometimes, in doing this it can only show good character and a change in heart. We should aim to always be kind and compassionate showing love in all circumstances.

To heap burning coal on our enemies head is simply just to make them feel remorse by repaying something bad they have done to you by doing something good to them in return, repaying evil with good. This can really change things not only for the circumstances but within the hearts of those involved, especially your own heart as it begins to soften and becomes less hard towards certain people. Let’s be kind and love everyone like Jesus did.

Prayer: Father we thank you for your love for us, we thank you that you loved us first, help us Father to love like you do, help us to reach the unreachable and to love our enemies and treat them well. Lord help us to soften our hearts towards the people who make us angry the people who talk about us behind our backs, the people who we feel are always against us. Lord God I thank you for your word and how it speak to us, we can do nothing by ourselves, I thank you that your always with us.

Lord you know us and you know our enemies, I pray for all bitterness and anger towards our enemies to be lifted and be gone in the name of Jesus, I pray that you fill us with your Holy Spirit to empower us in our time of need. Help us to be the bigger person to offer kindness instead of hatred, we can only become better people and know that you will treat us kindly in this process. So Father I am laying it all down and I’m trusting for you to take control in these situations, thank you Lord!!

I pray Father for all relationships to be reconciled and restored back in harmony with one another, help us to soften our hearts where we need to and Lord I pray for everyone to come to know what a real relationship with you is actually like, you really are a Good Good Father! In Jesus name I pray! Amen!

Friday 24th February 2023

“Don’t Laugh at your Enemy”

Proverbs 24-Don’t laugh at your enemy

“Do not rejoice and gloat when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad [in self-righteousness] when he stumbles, Or the Lord will see your gloating and be displeased, And turn His anger away from your enemy.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭AMP‬‬

It’s easy to be encouraged where there has been answer to prayer especially with someone who has been really troubling you or causing you distress in a workplace, a nightmare neighbour, a social worker etc. If we are to then see this person being dealt with and things coming up against them in such a way that it’s stopping them from being a pain and bringing trouble in your life, to then not show our happiness and laugh at them for a change.

It’s our first reaction right, “Ha ha ha he/she deserves it, deserves them right for all the grief they have been causing me” It’s easy to have this attitude but it says here we are not even to let our hearts be glad!! How is this even possible?? It’s something we all probably haven’t thought about, but when we do laugh and point the finger, God then takes his anger from your enemy as he is displeased with your behaviour towards his dealings with such a person.

Instead I think it would be better for us to just continue on in our lives leaving God to do what he is doing and dealing with those who are now not bothering you no more, which is then making life a lot easier for you. Carry on living your lives humbly and seek wisdom, seek out with all your heart by the help of the Holy Spirit, people that God needs you to help and love and bring to know God for his Glory in the harvest (winning souls) which is ultimately our aim as believers. Pray for our enemies that God will deal with such people and problems we face, but don’t rejoice when he moves, it’s a strange Word for us this morning, we must love our neighbour it’s one of the commands Jesus gave us.

Prayer: Father God, your Word this morning has been very challenging, it almost seems impossible. We are to not even let our hearts be glad that when you answer prayer against those who come against us, we are to be humble. Lord help us to really understand this clearly, whenever we see our enemies having conflicting situations in their lives that causes them to leave us alone, let us know that this is of you. Help us Lord to recognise your at work but keep us humble and encourage us to keep seeking out your will in our lives.

Father this is something we must truly learn because our flesh and our humanity leans the opposite direction in such circumstances, we always want to laugh and be thankful that such a person who has been causing us so much trouble in our lives is not not, and that we can now see them having all the trouble we feel they deserve. Lord help us to know this truth from your Word and let it formulate in us to live according to your word, Lord give us Grace when we fail and help us to deal with the situation differently the next time, give us wisdom Father I pray, we know that this is difficult to do but we are trusting in your Holy Spirit to be at work in our lives transforming us from the inside out. Lord this is a huge lesson that you are teaching us here, I thank you for your Word Father, in the name of your Son Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!!

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture