Today's thought - 12 August 2026 (All my life)

 

The Lord is my shepherd. He is my Father, my creator and my God. He leads me safely through all my challenges and He gives me peace when I am overwhelmed and my challenges seem impossible. He opens a door when I am faced with a wall and He renews my strength when I feel I cannot go on anymore. I walk with Him knowing that in all of this He is with me. Even when I am faced with the darkest of battles, I will not be afraid because He holds me in His hand and nothing can pull me from His love and protection. You go before me and you restore me. You make my path straight and you fight my battles. You love and your mercy overflows in my life.

My victories are in you, and I stand in your authority. No weapon will prevail over me, and words will not impact my heart for my heart is protected by your Word.

My life overflows with your goodness and your love, and I will continue to seek you all the days of my life.

This morning Psalm 23 popped in my head when I had my prayer time, hence my paraphrasing. If I can repeat what we said in our prayer group this morning and that is simply three principles.

One, how you start your day, two how you see your day and three how you see you in your day. Dr Dave said that there is basically no tomorrow. When you get to tomorrow you rename it to today. So, in essence tomorrow will be today so why wait for tomorrow when you can do it today. Take another shot, try one more time and do not give up.

The Bible 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”. Proverbs 3:5-6.

So, try to start today like this. I am a child of God and with Jesus I can do all things. I am made in His image, so I am perfect by design. I have the power of the Holy Spirit in me so what can be too difficult. God is my protector and He will deliver me from all evil. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all day. I will submit to Him in all my ways and He will make my path straight.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 11 August 2026 (Why me Lord)

 

Good morning my friend. I love how Dr. Dave Martin says that you can either start you day like “Good morning, Lord” or “Good Lord, it is morning”. Perception and attitude go a long way.

We are in Luke 5 this morning where Jesus did several amazing miracles, but we are going to stop at the fishing one. The Lord said to Peter to cast his nets again after they were fishing all night and they did not catch anything. I love Peter’s response, “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again”. Peter steps up in faith and the result is beyond human understanding.

What is so important is what happens next in verse eight: When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me - I’m such a sinful man.”

Do you sometimes feel like that? Lord, why me, I am such a sinful person. I have flaws and I have issues and I am not perfect. I make mistakes all the time and I say the wrong things. I get angry and I get upset and I get offended and I just sometimes do not like people. You call me to reach the lost, but sometimes I just do not want to be near people.

Do you have days like that. I love what Jesus says in verse thirty-one: Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor - sick people do.

Jesus came for people like you and me. The ones who are not perfect, yet we seek Him. We make mistakes and we often must repent, but we continue to seek Him. We say the wrong things, and we get angry, but we still seek Him. Some days we feel like running away, but instead we run to His arms. Sometimes we feel lost and broken yet we seek Him. Sometimes we do not have the answers, yet we continue to wait for Him. Sometimes we feel that faith the size or a mustard seed is way too difficult, yet we continue to walk by faith. Sometimes we want to give up, but we look for the answers in His Word. Sometimes our burdens are too much, and we must call on Him.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”

This is the man that did not feel worthy of the Lord, and he is the man that made numerous mistakes. Yet, Jesus said on this rock I will build my church.

My dear friend, there is a lot more to you than the world can see. Believe me and know that God sees you. He looks at your heart and not your past. He looks at your heart and not your abilities. He looks at your heart and not your origins. He looks at your heart and not your imperfections. Plus, God does not make mistakes, so you are definitely not a mistake nor imperfect for we are made right (perfect) through our Lord, Jesus Christ and we are made in His image. So, no you are not imperfect.

Today, the Lord tells me again, that He came for people like us. So, come with me as we continue to seek Him and desire more of Him. More of Him and less of us. Less of the world and more of the Spirit. God says, “Be still, and know I am God”.

Let us be still and seek Him and surrender all to Him. There is freedom in the name of Jesus Christ. There is power in the name of Jesus Christ and there is peace in the name of Jesus Christ.

I pray that His peace and strength will overflow in you today. In the mighty name of Jesus.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 10 August 2026 (Standing up one more time)

 

I of people are not perfect. I make mistakes and I fall many times. Sometimes I know my mistakes and sometimes the Holy Spirit must point them out to me. We are all in a race as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!”. In essence Paul says that just as an athlete is disciplined in their training to win a price, we should discipline ourselves and train our bodies like an athlete so that when we are facing challenges that we have endurance and discipline to keep going.

This does not mean that every athlete is a champion from day one. Some of us had to train for years before we could wear the medal or pick up the trophy. We work hard to better ourselves, but we will face many challenges and defeats before we win the gold.

In life the prize is eternal life with our Lord Jesus. What is the difference between a winner and a loser? It is in trying again. I taught my students that we can win like a loser and lose like a winner. It is all about attitude. Getting up one more time, trying one more time, going back to the drawing board and adjusting our strategy and improving our techniques.

"Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all-time thing." (Vince Lombardy)

We do not work to win once in life and then give up; we work to win all the time even when we lose. We try again, we seek more wisdom, we learn from our mistakes and we pick ourselves up. Proverbs 3:13 says, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding”. Proverbs 4:7 states, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding”.

The amplified says it the best, “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]”.

So, in becoming a winner and remaining in a winning mindset we must seek wisdom. How do we get it? James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him”.

With asking also comes seeking and knocking. Jesus said seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened. Gain knowledge because knowledge is power. The Bible is the best handbook you will ever have. It has all the knowledge to guide you through life and if you apply the principles of the Bible, you will have more victories and less failures. But also increase your knowledge with reading and seeking what you do not know. There are numerous things I do not know, so I read and listen to audio books all the time. We can never be in place of content when we seek the kingdom of God. The enemy loves a lukewarm Christian, so be on fire for Jesus, my friend. Always seeking and always learning.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 07 August 2026 (Changing your thinking)

 

This morning we had a session with Dr. Dave Martin and what a session. I find myself this morning in a place where I am negative. I feel like I am missing the point and that which I am doing is not enough. I am overwhelmed with my workload and my “church” load, and you know how we get. We feel like it is now too much and we can’t do this because we do not even have time to clean the house let alone do all the prayer groups and homecell meetings. Then we are bombarded with more work and project changes and stock queries and just overall too much stuff and in our minds. We say things like “I am just human and I can’t cope and I am not the right person”.

So, the Lord says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

I have to ask myself this question: Do I really understand what Jesus is saying?

You see in everything we do there is an “us” part and a “God” part. There is the difficult part (we do) and the impossible part (God does). There is doubt and then there is faith. There are the Word of God and the lies of the enemy. Which one weighs the most?

If we walk by faith there are numerous things that will not make sense to the world around us, but it makes sense to us. There are many things that God assigns that the enemy wants to stop. We just think that we can carry this burden on our own and that God expects us to do everything perfect. If God wanted it perfect, He would not need us. In our feeble and imperfect way our works are made perfect by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is when we feel like this that we need to read this scripture not expecting all to change in an instant but expecting our hearts and our minds to be renewed so that we can align with God’s will. If you feel that you are not the right person for the job, as my friend reminded me, then you are the right person.

God is not saying you should walk on water, He is saying that in your faith you will be walking on water, but your eyes should be focused on Jesus not on the water. That part might even be invisible to us, but the one who is carrying us on the water sees it. It is not the size of the burden (yoke/issue/battle) that pleases God, but the manner in which we do it. The faith by which we approach it. The way we walk with Him on the water and through the storm. You see sometimes we will have to walk on the water with Jesus and sometimes He will part the water so that we can walk through it. It does not matter the number of mistakes we make nor how many times we have to try again. What matters most is the attitude we do it with. The faith and trust we approach it with. The obedience to what God places on our hearts. The manner in which we try and try again.

My dear friend, nobody is perfect and yes, we make mistakes, but we learn and grow from those mistakes, and we increase in our faith, because by making mistakes we realize just how important it is for us to walk with God and to follow His Word and His guidance.

So, no do not believe the enemy’s lies but stand on the truth and that is Jesus Christ.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 06 August 2026 (The final seed)

They say people in glass houses should not throw stones. Why do we think we can judge? Why do we think ourselves better than other? Why do we judge people based on their past or their mistakes? Why do we think that Jesus died only for a selected few? Why do we keep the seed the Lord blesses us only for ourselves? Why?

My heart is touched by the love and grace of the wonderful and kind Holy Spirit this morning as He takes me back to Galatians 6. God is not mocked, my friend and we will reap what we sow. We will see the effect of what we say and do, but not only the words the world hears, but that which is in our hearts. Proverbs say that what a man thinks, he is. He becomes what is in his heart and your mouth will reveal what lies in your heart.

This morning my heart weights heavy because I stand in the middle of my battle and I can see the heart of my accuser as the darkness of its heart is clearly visible in the way my enemy behaves.

Come with me as we declare the word of God over our lives and the lives of every person we know. I stand on the very mountain that was designed to destroy me for He who is in me is greater than he who is in this world. I do not speak of this mountain anymore, but I speak to it. I have been given life and life in abundance by the grace and love of my God. My creator and my friend. I am not of this world, but I am a mere pilgrim on my way to my Father’s house. I will not give up, nor will I allow the enemy to influence my stride or deviate me from course. I will look to my Father and keep the Lord in my eyes as this storm rages on around me. He is my peace and my comfort. He is my strength and my victory. No weapon formed against me shall prosper and the thoughts my Father has over me is for a future and a hope. He knows the hair on my head and He knew me before I was formed. He chose me and I am His child. I am a son (daughter) of the most high God. He goes before me and I will not be discouraged, nor will I fear what lies ahead for He will never leave me or forsake me. He will make a path through the water, and He will sustain me in my wilderness. He will lead me from the pit to the palace, and He will turn what was intended to destroy me into good. Many will see His goodness in my life, and many will seek His ways because of my obedience. I speak life over my enemies, and I forgive them as God has forgiven me. I walk by faith and not by sight and my faith lies in the evidence of things not yet seen.

My dear friend. I pray that you will have an amazing encounter with the Holy Spirit and that all you face will be turned around and that God will show you the way forward and protect and comfort you through it all. In the mighty name of Jesus.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 05 August 2026 (Pilgrim)

 

They day we realize that we are pilgrims (travelers) on this earth moving towards the kingdom of heaven, then we know that our home is with God in heaven and our desires change completely. Our perception is altered and our goal becomes clearer.

Our church mandate is to win the lost at any cost and plunder hell and populate heaven. It is in essence the very reason we are all here. You see you can not take your car or your house or your phone to heaven, but you can take your family, friends and colleagues and everyone else God places on your path to heaven.

Hebrews 11:16 says, “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them”. The Passion translation says, “But they couldn’t turn back for their hearts were fixed on what was far greater, that is, the heavenly realm! So because of this God is not ashamed in any way to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them”.

My dear friend, let go of all that material and worldly stuff that we desire and fix your heart on what is far greater. Yes, we need some of that stuff to live but do not let the stuff we do not need become the stuff that drives us. Our Pastor says that you should not chase money, but money should chase you. In other words, money must not control you, you must control it and this applies to all the nice stuff we all want that in the end is not really necessary.

Jesus said in Mathew 6:19-21 (TPT), “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value.  Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. For your heart will always pursue what you esteem as your treasure”.

The truth is that people should be our treasure and we should not be ashamed to share the gospel and to tell people of Jesus Christ. How did you hear of Jesus and who is the person that led you to Christ or to the Church. What is your story, my friend? If it was not for that person, then you could have missed it. Life is short and should never be taken for granted. Live out your faith and let people see the transformation in your life and if you do not feel you are there yet, well then say this prayer with me:

“Lord Jesus, I know you are the Son of God and that you gave your life for my sin. You defeated satan and death so that I can have everlasting life. Please forgive me of all my sin and clean me with your blood. Baptise me with your Holy Spirit. I accept you as my Lord and my Saviour, in Jesus’s mighty name”.

That is, it and now allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and seek Him above all things. There is nothing God cannot do. Just trust Him and follow His Word.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 04 August 2026 (Content)

 

How are you my friend? This morning it is a bit chilly here in Pretoria as we enter August and spring is still hiding in the distance. We are writing these last few weeks about seedtime and harvest and this morning the Holy Spirit took me to Philippians 4.

Life has seasons and just as seedtime and harvest is determined by seasons, we also face our seedtime and our harvest in different seasons of our lives. What season are you in? I know my winter is coming to an end and soon I will see spring in my life with the harvest waiting. Everything will bloom in this time as God will prepare me for a new season.

Now Paul writes in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”.

Content means - A state of being pleased and at peace with what you have; not needing a change. There are two types of content that I wish to point out in our Christian life as followers of Jesus Christ. I believe that we should be content with the material things in our lives but never content with our spiritual growth or our level of intimacy with God.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”. With faith we live in way knowing that God will take care of us, but as Paul says that in need and in abundance we should live with content, because when we wait upon the harvest we should be content with what we have but never content with our need for God.

Jesus continues and says in 33 and 34, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”.

In this lies the essence of our faith. We seek more of God and to know Him more by walking closely with Him and reading and meditating of His Word and His promises. God must be more real to us in our lives than the people we know. Now, the enemy does not want you to reap your harvest so he will consistently do everything in his power to let you mis it. He will try to wear you down into a place where you will give up.

Paul gave the answer to this struggle. He writes in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

It is when we humbly submit to our Lord and we understand what He said in John 15:5, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing”.

It is in understanding how important our walk (our relationship) with God is that we will find true content in life, yet we will seek Him more with a deep desire to know God more and to be closer to Him. It is by understanding we were never designed to walk alone but to have an intimate relationship with God. That is why God created man and why God walked in the garden with them. This is His heart and His desire. He desired it so much that He gave His only son, Jesus Christ, for us. Not to condemn us but to save us from ourselves so that we are able to have that relationship again.

My dear friend, I desire nothing more than to be closer to my Lord and to walk closely with Him, so I pray that you too will experience Him and have more frequent encounters with Him to boost your faith and to be content with what we have in this world, but we must desire more of the kingdom of heaven. So come with me today as we consistently seek the kingdom of heaven above all else.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 03 August 2026 (Renew my mind)

We are reading from Ephesians 4:23 where Paul writes, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind”. The NLT translates it as, “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes”.

In this series of seedtime and harvest I have written to you that we will reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7-10, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith”.

Here lies a few things that I wish to point out today. But let’s start with the renewal of your mind. We know that God’s mercies renew each day (Lamentations 3:22-23) and that we should not carry over our anger, issues of today to the next day - “Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath nor give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27)”.

It is important that we renew our minds each day by the Word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit. We should not look back at what lies behind us but keep looking forward at what lies ahead. We can not sit and wait for God to sow on our behalf, and we cannot expect to live a life of sin and expect a good harvest. We can not live today on the blessings of yesterday, we need to renew our minds and start afresh each day seeking God and living a life that will sow good seed. People are quick to speak and quick to respond and very quick to get negative.

It is easier for some to gossip for an hour than to read God’s Word for ten minutes. We allow the world and the corrupt ideas of the world to influence us because it is easy. Paul says if you sow to the flesh, you will reap corruption. In other words, if you allow the world to determine what you think and live by, your heart and soul will be corrupted and unstable. But he who sows to the Spirit will reap everlasting life: If you are living to please God and following the Holy Spirit you will receive a true and lasting harvest of life and peace. Life in abundance as Jesus promised. This is a fuller more effective and purpose driven life that impacts the world around you.

The important part is the “do not grow weary” part. As I have written before it is important that we do not lose hope or give up or allow the lies of the enemy to dictate the outcome for us. If we stop hoping and stop trusting halfway through, we will not see the harvest that God has planned for us. We will mis the mark and our lives will be empty. But if we stay on this path and we do not grow weary and we continue to fight Paul says we will reap our harvest in due season. The AMP translates it as “Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in”.

That is the important part. At the proper time. God is never late and He is also never early. His time is perfect.

My dear friend, read this last part and meditate on God’s Word for we read in Isaiah 40:31 (AMP), “But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired”.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). Do not give up but stand with me today as we fight our battles on our knees and we put our hope and our trust in God knowing that He will make all things work out for good.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 02 August 2026 (There is power in your words)

 

As I am getting ready for church and I am listening to Cece Winans singing “Believe for it’. It is an amazing song. God is just reminding me today that there is power in our words and in His name. We read in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers”.

My friend, come with me today as we speak only life over our battles and our challenges. God says He will never leave us nor forsake us and when He is for us who can be against us. Believe it.

In this song she sings:

They say this mountain can't be moved
They say these chains will never break
But they don't know You like we do
There is power in Your name

We've heard that there is no way through
We've heard the tide will never change
They haven't seen what You can do
There is power in Your name
So much power in Your name

Move the immovable
Break the unbreakable
God, we believe
God, we believe for it

From the impossible
We'll see a miracle
God, we believe
God, we believe for it

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 01 August 2026 (I am reminding you)

In Daniel 9:4 we read, “I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments”.

Daniel’s basic and humble example of payer in supplication is the key to your day-to-day victories in Jesus Christ.

Come with me today, my friend and let us give the first fruits of our day to the Lord our God and worship Him in in prayer.

Have an awesome day.