Today's thought - 22 October 2026 (Beating the enemy at the gate)

 

How are you today, my friend? We are still on the idea that being a Christian is not a negotiation, and Jesus set the ultimate example in His life up to the cross. I am reminded that the servant is not greater than the master and somedays our lives are the only Gospel people see or hear for that matter.

Yes, it is of no surprise that the Holy Spirit took me to Romans 5 this morning and yes, verse 3 to 4 that undeniably states, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation”.

You know Peter sat next to Jesus, and we read in Matthew 26:33, Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you”. We know that immediately Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter - this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Jesus knows. I have talked about this before when I stated that Jesus knows what we go through because He went through it. He was tested, persecuted, lied about, denied, deserted, falsely accused and killed by the very people that is supposed to have known who He was and His innocence in it all. How can we be surprised if people do the same to us and how can we doubt that Jesus is in it with us.

Peter bravely said that he is in it to the end and when the test came, he failed and denied Jesus. How many times do we start of with fire and flare just to end up two or three months down the line with the it is too much attitude, and Jesus does not love me phrase. Jesus was in that garden sweating blood from the weight of the burden that awaited Him and even then, He chose to be a servant and gave up His life for us all. He did not just die an instant death, no, He faced the most severe and horrendous punishment known to man at that time.

Here I am and every second week I complain that my battles and my burden is too much to bear. Who am I that even in my weaknesses and through all my complains, Jesus is patient and consistent and interceding for me with love and grace.

Sometimes we need to look at what I said in my previous posts. What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus. When God has a plan, He finds a man (woman). What do we do when God calls? Do we say, yes Lord and then two weeks later it is “Oops Lord”.

My friend why is it so important that we stay true to the Lord and keep trusting Him. Remember that Jesus called Peter back from his shame and betrayal and restored him. Jesus asked him three times. “Do you love me” and finally Peter broke and said that the Lord knows his heart and that Jesus knows who he is. Then Jesus made an amazing statement saying that on this rock He will build His church.

Do you think Jesus did not know what would happen? Do you think that your failure is a surprise to Jesus? What did Peter do after that day? He passionately carried the gospel into the world even to his own demise. In the end he did die for the Lord. Jesus knew this and knew what it would take. He knows your circumstances and He knows what it will take to get you on fire for Him. What is so very important is that when we fail, we need to go back to the Lord and consistently seek Him. I did not know this in my past and when the shame and guilt of my divorce hit me, I carried that burden and blamed myself. Even when I asked for forgiveness, I did not forgive myself and that burden that pulled me down broke me and made me useless for Jesus. So, any other little storm that I faced placed me back into that shame please be sorry for me attitude. This carries on until I found my identity in Jesus and forgave myself and allowed the Holy Spirit to do what He must do. This does not mean I was in instant poof fix. It is an ongoing process of seeking God above all else and believe me, my storms turned from small rainstorms to hurricanes. It is not easy, but I find my comfort in Jesus Christ and in Him and through Him I can do all things, even when it looks impossible and even when I do not want to do it.

My friend that is why we are back in Romans 5, for we can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Just do not give up, remember that sorrow may last the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 21 October 2026 (Is suffering punishment)

 

How are you, my friend? We are looking at taking up your cross and following Jesus. I am reminded that our Pastor said on Sunday that this is not a negotiation and when we chose to follow Jesus, we chose a different life than what the world wants. Yes, we are supposed to be different, and we are supposed to stand out.

My verse this morning in from Hebrews 5:8, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered”. Jesus also said in John 13:16, “I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message”.

Jesus suffered a great deal when He was here on earth and through His suffering, He remained obedient to His purpose until the end. We know from Matthew 26:39 that Jesus was in great agony as He awaited His capture. We read here He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

It is not about you or me, my friend. It is all for God and His purpose in our lives. When you say I have decided to follow Jesus you chose to be separated from the world and to step into heavenly places as I have said in our previous posts.

Suffering is not a punishment because Jesus did not hide the terms and conditions of following Him. He made it very clear that we will have tribulation, and we will go through tough times. How do we overcome the battles and how do we deal with the trials and the temptations that we face each day.

I want to take you to two women in Luke 10. We read that Jesus visited Martha and Mary and we read that Mary sat at Jesus’s feet while Martha was running around preparing for the big dinner. She came to Jesus and said that it is unfair that she is doing all the work and Mary is just sitting there. I love Jesus’s answer in Luke 10:41-42, But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Mary was at Jesus’s feet and here the Lord said that this is very important. So, when the noise and the garbage and battles and the tribulation makes you worried and distracted, you will find you rest at the feet of Jesus. In the Word of God. In your prayer and quiet time with Him. By seeking Him above all else and desiring more of Jesus as Mary did. She literally sat at His feet soaking in every word that He spoke. Jesus said Mary discovered it and it will not be taken from her. Do you see, when you find that peace in faith in Jesus it will not be taken from you.

It is that child like faith and a desperate hunger for Him that will pull you through whatever you face today. It is by humbling yourself before Him and seeking Him in all areas of your life that you will have peace that surpasses all understanding.

God made it clear, my friend, in Isaiah 54:17, “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 20 October 2026 (Is your cross to heavy)

 

How are you, my friend? I want to talk to you this week about the cross. Our Pastor said on Sunday that this is not a negotiation. Remember God loved us first and somehow, we think that following Jesus requires no sacrifice.

My verse is from Hebrews 3:6, “But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ”.

Is Jesus in charge of everything in your house, in your life. We cannot follow Jesus on our terms. That is why when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and saviour we have moved from our old life and our old way of doing things to a new set of rules and a new way of doing things.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-26, “If any of you want to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds”.

That is why Jesus said to the rich young man in Matthew 19:21, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” And the young man walked away sad because he could not do it. His possession was more important than the life he could have in Jesus.

Now, when we chose to follow Jesus, we step into a new way of living meaning that we have to surrender all of ourselves to Jesus and remove all that keeps us from following Him completely. I spoke about this last week when we talked about who is Jesus to you. What is His position in your life? What does it mean when Jesus said take up your cross and follow me.

Now it does not mean you have to be crucified for real. Remember when we gave our lives to Jesus, we crucified our old life and was born again into our new life. We died to the old and embraced the new. I have also said that taking up this new way of life means that sacrifices will have to be made. There is stuff that you just can’t do anymore. That is why Jesus said if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. He is saying that if your hang on to the things of your old life, you will lose your life in Him.

Our Pastor said that money does not corrupt people or fame and power does not corrupt people. It just brings to the surface that which was already there. That is why the rich young man could not give up his possessions because it was what bound him to this world. The question remains is that what is it that keeps you in the world and away from God’s presence. What keeps us from sitting in heavenly places and allows the enemy a grip in your life. Following Jesus means that no matter how hard it is to give up your old life you must give it up and take up your cross. Remember you are first a Christian so you cannot place your light under a bushel. When you chose Jesus there has to be a removal, a humbling of yourself and position change. You have to surrender all and become obedient to the new requirements that the Word of God gives you and you need to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We cannot hear the voice of the Holy Spirit if our minds are filled with garbage.

So, come with me this week as we take up our cross and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and realign us with God’s Word.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 19 October 2026 (Taking back your place)

 

How are you, my friend? How was your weekend? Last week we were talking about the garbage that pollutes our minds and “Who is Jesus to you”. We looked at the storms and our obedience in those battles and we talked about the things that makes us lose focus or direction and how the lady with blood flow pushed through the crowd to touch Jesus and how our faith is matured in our hunger and desire for more of our Lord.

We know that sometimes Jesus calms the storm and sometimes we need to press on until we reach the other side. This morning the Holy Spirit took me to Ephesians 1:19-20, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms”.

We know that Jesus sits on the right hand of God where He rules and intercedes for us daily. Now, listen to Ephesians 2:6, “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus”.

Mmm…., the picture changes a bit now. If the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in us and in this, we are also raised from the dead (our old life) to be seated with Him in heavenly places. So, now if we are raised with Jesus to sit with Him then that means we are sitting on the right hand of God and we are not actually sitting here in earth. Mmmm…. but wait there is more. 1 John 4:13 says, “And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us”.

Are you catching my drift. Sorry South African slang. Are you seeing what I am seeing. So, if we are in Jesus and He is us and He is seated on the right hand of God then that means that we are in Him seated at the right hand of God. Now I am going to blow your mind. In John 14:20 we read, “When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you”.

As we are in Jesus and He is in us and He is in the Father as the Father is in Him then it means that we are in the Father. God says in Psalm 110:1, The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honour at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

So, the question remains, why are we not sitting with God in heavenly places. What makes us lose our place of authority and our voice of dominion on the earth. What gives the enemy place in your mind. The GARBAGE!! Mark 4:19 says, “but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced”.

This is the stuff that dims the Word of God in our lives and allow the enemy to enter in our minds and pollute it with the garbage that we do not need or need to focus on. The enemy (satan) should be under your feet and not in your mind. That is why I wrote to you that you must constantly ask the Holy Spirit to renew your thoughts so that you can take captive your thoughts and guard your heart.

My friend, I have said it to you before that there is more to you than meets the eye. Can you see that now. So, if there is anything or any area in your life that you have not confessed or repented or submitted to God, then please do it now. Do it now so that you can be seated with the Lord in heavenly places and let us watch as God places our enemies as our footstool.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 16 October 2026 (There is no turning around)

 

How are you, my friend? The weekend is approaching and I do hope you will get a bit of rest. You know, life is like the ocean. One day it will be a beautiful sunny day with small waves, then you will have those windy days and the ocean is wild with battering ram waves and then you get the rain and the storms and waves that splashes over the boat and you can see your life flash before you. Those are the days we just want to stay in bed and not go outside, let alone get on a boat.

I am reading Romans 5, and my verse is verse 21, “So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.

Paul is comparing Jesus to Adam and as sin entered wit Adam Jesus took that sin on Him to put us back in right standing with God resulting in the gift of eternal life with Him.

I want to talk to you about the other side of the storm. The point of no return. Jesus said to the disciples in Mark 4, that they must go to the other side and they all got into a boat and Jesus fell asleep on a pillow in the stern. A massive windstorm started and they feared for the lives and woke Jesus up with these words, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and calmed the ocean and then turned to them and asked why they were afraid and why they had no faith.

These are very important questions, because you know that Jesus by giving His life has placed you in a position of right standing with God and in Him you can do all things. Now, why is it that when life gets hard and the storm rages on and on that we often find ourselves asking this question, “Lord, why is this happening. Have you forgotten about me. Do you not care about me?”. Then you must consider His response. Why are you afraid and why do you not have any faith? We forget that on the other side of our obedience is someone waiting to hear our testimony. There is a life that can be saved because we stayed on our path and faced the storm and we trusted Jesus.

The woman that we read of in Mark 5 that had the flow of blood for twelfth years did not wonder if she touched Jesus that she might be saved. The Bible says, For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” She did not wonder or ponder on it, she said it and she believed it. It did not come easy. She had to battle through the crowd of people hiding herself so that they will not see who she is and finally pressing on until she could just touch the hem of his garment. Immediately she was healed, but she needed to hear Jesus’s response. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

This is God saying to you and me that you are in right standing and your sin is forgiven and He hears your prayers and He will remove your affliction because your faith and your hunger for Jesus in your life will change your circumstances and your obedience in your storm will save many lives.

Do not give up. Remember it comes down to “Who is Jesus to you”. On the other side of our obedience lies the victory and that victory will set you on a new path and new season. Your testimony will bring glory to God and help someone that needs to hear what you have gone through.

Be bold and do not be afraid to speak up and share Jesus to those who needs to hear who He is in your life. Seek Him and trust Him.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 15 October 2026 (Take out the garbage)

 

How are you, my friend? How has your week been so far. Here on my side, it is business as usual one fight at a time – hahaha. I do hope you are well and all things are working out and that God opens that door this week. This morning the Holy Spirit took me back to Ephesians 4. I think I read these chapters, and I see what stands out and then as the week progresses, He takes me back so I can see better. The Holy Spirit is amazing.

So, in Ephesians 4:23 we read, (NLT) “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes”. To me, this is a daily and constant thing. I always ask the Holy Spirit to renew my mind and my thoughts and to change the way I think.

This week I am going back to my post where I asked you, “Who is Jesus to you”. Who is Jesus in your day-to-day battles and where is His place in your life. Paul writes here in Ephesians 4 since we are now renewed through the work of our Lord, and we can throw away our old self and embrace our new nature. Our new self that is created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

He says that we should not let anger control us and never let the sun go down while you are still angry. Yesterday I wrote to you about your foundation and if you build your life on Jesus and the Word, no storm will move you let alone destroy you.

Today, I am coming back to the importance of what we put in our minds and what we allow into our thoughts. God says let the Holy Spirit renew your thoughts and never allow anger to control you. In other words, take out the garbage and clean your mind.

Remove the nonsense and the lies and fill it with God’s Word. We know that God told Joshua to meditate on His Word, day and night and then you will be prosperous. He did not say once a day or in the morning or when you feel like it. He said day and night. He said constantly and continuously think about the Word and speak it out.

Three things: 1) Read the Word 2) Speak the Word and 3) Believe the Word.

Yes, it is not easy, and I know how life is. I know how your day can go from happy dreams to mayor disasters in mere moments. I know how your mind can battle with worry and concern and issues and struggles. I know that renewing your mind is not a switch that God placed somewhere behind your ear and when the battle gets too hard you can just press reset.

I know that your budget can be a mess sometimes or all the time and I know that problems do not work on a set calendar. They arrive unannounced like an unwanted person that you really did not want to see. I know this but do you know that Jesus knows this too. That is why He simply said that in this life you will have tribulation. That is why He said the Father knows what you need. That is why He said, you of little faith.

Jesus knows and Jesus saw and Jesus endured it all. The best thing you must know is that He sits on the right hand of God the Father interceding for you. He is constantly presenting your situation to the Father.

All He asks is that you remove the crap from your mind and fill it with His Word and then allow the Holy Spirit to renew your thoughts with the Word so that it will encourage you and set you on your path.

Like I said yesterday, God’s thoughts about you are for you to prosper. To have a future and a hope. Do not believe the lies and do not allow the enemy to enter in through your gates. Your eye gate, mouth gate, ear gate and touch gate. Seek God above all else, my friend and all things will be well. This all boils down to “Who is Jesus to you”.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 14 October 2026 (He is my refuge, my place of rest)

 

How are you, my friend? It is almost December and as the year is coming to an end many people are tired and weary of a very busy and hard year. I do not know what your year looked like, but I can tell you mine has been a rollercoaster of one uphill followed by ten more. You can say my faith has been properly tested.

We read from Hebrews 3, and my verse is verse 4, “For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God”. Now, remember yesterday I asked you, “Who is Jesus to you”. I want you to keep that in mind when we look at God as the builder of everything. So, let’s see if I saw this right and if I can explain to you what is on my heart.

To get to my point we have to look at Hebrews 4:10, “For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labours, just as God did after creating the world”.

Now there is like a million thoughts in my head so let me see if I can summarise it. The dictionary explains rest depending on context. Now it can mean getting a good night’s rest or what is left over or a pause as in music or an object that is designed to support something. Wow, now let’s see what the Bible say about rest. Biblical rest is both a physical cessation from work and a spiritual trust in God's sovereignty and presence.

God modelled rest when He created the world not that He was tired but that He set a pattern for trust which was later made the Sabath. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Rest is releasing the need to control and to rather seek God’s rule and protection. Then finally there is the final or permanent rest that mirrors God’s rest from finished work. Rest is not the absence of work but the presence of God. Rest is not giving up but understanding God’s sovereignty over everything. Rest is not running from responsibilities but instead trusting God for the outcome. Rest is not giving in to fear but instead standing on the rock who is Jesus Christ. Rest is not passive but a daily and continuous seeking for God.

So, how did I get from God builds everything to stepping into God’s rest. Ok, here is the picture in my head. You see without Jesus we can do nothing, yet we constantly fight against that by trying it our own way. What happens? We get frustrated and annoyed and upset. We give up or we throw in the towel or we end up sulking. God builds everything. Yes, everything. Skyscrapers do not pop up because man is so cool, it is designed and built by the grace of God for He gave them the insight and ability to do so. In the same way God builds the foundation on what we stand by His Word. You see when we realise that if the house in not build on God, those who labour on it is doing so in vain. The storm will rise and the house will fall.

But those who allows God to be their builder and who by seeking Him and following Him and finally to step into His rest will succeed. The rest I refer to is not two day’s sleep but instead the full surrender and trust that we need to place in God’s plan and God’s will. God clearly says Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jesus did not say come to me those who are weary and burdened and I will give you more worries. No, He said I will give you rest. It means that while you are building your life in Him and His promises, He will give you peace that surpassed all understanding. He will give you true rest from worries for He said that your Father knows what you need. So, do not worry about tomorrow. He said bring all your worries to God in prayer and supplication and He will give you peace (rest).

We can never truly rest when the worries and concerns and issues and crap of this world pollute our minds. We can only fully and truly rest when we are rooted in Jesus Christ and we completely trust Him. This means seeking Him above all else. Standing up one more time. Trying one more time. Taking a break and just allow Him to speak into your life. Humbling yourself before Him and to stop trying to fix everything yourself or in your way.

If the Lord builds the house (you), the enemy will never enter through the gate. So, God is the word rest in every aspect. Rest when you are tired, rest in what is left of you is enough for Him, rest in that moment in worship where you fully surrender and rest finally as God keeps you up when the storms come.

Have an awesome day, my friend and I pray that you will fully and completely find rest in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Today's thought - 13 October 2026 (Who is Jesus to you)

 

How are you, my friend? Our Pastor asked this question Sunday morning: “Who is Jesus to you?”. Take a moment and just think about that. Who is Jesus to you?

My verse is from Psalm 76:10, “Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon”. Before we look into this verse the Holy Spirit took me back to Ephesians 4. The first three verses looks like this, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”.

This word, “Longsuffering” has been on my mind since Sunday. Let’s take a moment and look at it in Biblical perspective.

Longsuffering in the Bible means being "long-tempered," patient, and slow to anger, especially when facing provocation, mistreatment, or difficult circumstances. It is the exact opposite of having a "short fuse" or seeking quick retaliation.

Where do we find it in the Bible

Greek Word (Makrothumia): In the New Testament (such as in the list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23), the word is makrothumia, which combines makros (meaning "long" or "distant") and thumos (meaning "anger" or "passion"). It describes a person who restrains their anger over a long duration.

Hebrew Concept (Erek 'Apap): In the Old Testament, the phrase often translates to being "slow to anger" or literally "long of breathing" (opposed to "short of breathing" or violent anger).

Not Just Waiting: While standard patience helps a person tolerate slow circumstances (like traffic or lines), longsuffering specifically focuses on enduring people, offenses, and injuries without striking back.

How the Bible Applies it

An Attribute of God: God is repeatedly described as longsuffering - patiently holding back judgment, offering mercy, and giving people time to repent (e.g., Exodus 34:6, 2 Peter 3:9).

A Fruit of the Spirit: As outlined by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22, longsuffering is a character trait produced in believers by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:12).

A Call to Endure: Believers are urged to display this quality in family, church, and daily relationships, choosing forgiveness and restraint instead of bitterness or revenge.

Ok, now let us come back to my question and my verse. The NKLV says Psalm 76:10 like this, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself”. Now first thing, who is Jesus to you? We talked about the type of Christian we are and when people we see everyday are asked about us, what their answers will be. What do people say about our walk with God. Now I ask you in your walk with God, who is Jesus to you. When we understand the concept of Jesus being the cornerstone and the rock we should build on, we understand the next concept where Jesus said abide in me and I in you for without me you can do nothing.

Jesus being the cornerstone, the most important part in your life. The very foundation on which you should build your life. This is vital because when we are in that storm, Jesus will not always be the one who calms the storm but in Him we can go through the storm and now that word, with longsuffering. God can use man’s wrath for His glory. Just as He took what was intended to destroy Joseph and turn it around for His glory, so can he take what we face and turn it around for His glory.

That is why no testimony is without a test, and no storm will last forever. It is by longsuffering and trusting God and His time that we will stay rooted on our rock, Jesus Christ, and go through the storm, the trials, the tribulation and see His glory on the other side.

It is such a simple word, but once you understand longsuffering and know who Jesus is to you and in your life and how important your relationship is with Him, then you will be like Joseph. Even in jail he stood on the rock, the foundation of his faith, and trusted God regardless of the storm he faced.

My friend, the only way we can apply longsuffering is with the Lord and being in a close relationship with Him. God will take what you face and turn it around. He will make all things work out for good, to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 12 October 2026 (Draw your sword and prepare for war)

 

How are you, my friend? I do hope you are well and that you have got some rest over the weekend. The days keep flying by as the year is reaching its end and time is always a problem.

My verse is from Psalm 67:6, “Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us”, but the one before this verse is vital to my message. You see we read in Psalm 67:5, “May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you”.

I want to make a bold statement today: “Your greatest weapon next to prayer is praise”.

Have you ever seen someone who is hurt or in pain with a smile on their face. Well, most people do not look happy when they are hurt, or they get bad news or something happens in their day that they did not want or like. They always have a bit of a frowny face, and you can see they are not happy. God says here when you praise Him, the earth will yield its harvests, and God will richly bless you.

To praise and worship in a time of pain and hurt is exactly not what the enemy expects. No, he thinks that these poor Christians are going to sulk and be depressed and forget about God. In fact, they will moan and groan and complain all day long. Hahaha, does that sound about right. Why do you think God gave us an armor to put on each day? Not to look all shiny in the spiritual realm, but to go to war. To step into this world armed for the attacks of the enemy. We are not made to be passive Christians. We are made to go into this world and share the gospel and fight the enemy for ground.

On Friday our Pastor asked this question. If they would ask the people around you what type of Chistian you are, what would they say? You know your everyday crowd. The people you work with or your family or your friends. What would they say when asked this question. That made me really think. What will they say?

It boils down to how we serve God. Are you an occasional follower of Jesus and only on Sundays you are all Christian like and the rest of the week you rock and roll.

Do you follow God for what you can get out of Him. In other words, you think God is an ATM.

Do you have an agenda. You follow God but there are still those carnal needs that bounds you to the world which dictate your terms of following God.

Do have any prejudice towards other people and you do not like them because of their race, background or heritage.

Do you find yourself in a comfort zone and you call yourself a Christian but there is no fruit in your walk with God. You don’t do anything wrong, but you also don’t do anything at all.

Judas walked with Jesus. He was a disciple, yet he betrayed Jesus. He was with Jesus though all the miracles but in the end, he turned against Jesus. Why do you think this happened and why him?

Judas had an agenda. He followed Jesus for the fame and the prospect of money. He oversaw the money and his heart never fully or rather never whole heartedly followed Jesus. His true god was mammon, and this is what kept an open door in his life for satan to enter. He was deceived by satan in thinking that Jesus will not be killed and funny thing is even after he realized his mistake he chose suicide over repentance. He chose death over salvation. He chose satan over Jesus.

Do you think that Jesus would not have forgiven him if he came back and asked for it? Off course He would have welcomed him back and forgave him. This is grace. Jesus forgave Peter for denying Him three times. The question remains, why do you follow Jesus. Now I am going to tip the boat. In Revelation 3:16 God says, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth”.

I have talked to you about this before. There is no middle ground. You are either wholeheartedly in it or not. All in or all out. You can not have one foot in the church and the other in the world. This is a Judas mentality, and the end result will be the same.

My dear friend, I urge you or rather I beg you to ask the Holy Spirit to identify all things that holds you in the world and help you to also fully commit and surrender those areas to our Lord, so that you will prosper in your walk with God and so that all things can work out for good. So, you can praise Him with a free heart and be fully blessed and yield a great harvest.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 09 October 2026 (Idols and stuff)

How are you, my friend? You know I ask that question every time and today I do not want it to sound like a broken record. Honestly, how are you doing? When you look at the storm around you, what do you see? Do you look with your world eyes, or are you looking with your spirit man/woman?

You know Peter stepped out of that boat after he asked Jesus if he could. Now that is stepping out in faith. He did not think or even give the situation a thought, he just stepped out. Can you imagine the moment. Here you are stepping out of a boat in the middle of the ocean and you do not sink. In fact, you can walk on the water as if it was on a road. I must admit I cannot imagine how that must have felt, but we can experience that.  When was the last time you stepped out of the boat? The last time you heard Jesus call and say, “Come”. The last time Jesus said go and help. The last time Jesus said start that business or write that book or give someone in need food. When was the last time Jesus placed something on your heart and you listened? Can you remember?

My verse comes from Psalm 135:15, “The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands”. What is holding you back? You know we read in Matthew 19:16 of the rich young man who asked Jesus this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”. Jesus responded based on the time they were in and asked if he kept the commandments and the young man answered that he did. Then Jesus simply stated, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

The young man having many possessions just could not. He was bound by his earthly possessions and it became his idol. His treasure and the very thing that kept him from heaven. If you read the rest of Psalm 135 the writer goes on to tell you that these lifeless idols can’t see or hear and the ones who make them become like them and everyone else that trusts in them.

My friend, time is running out and many are bound by their idols and their lives here on earth. Nothing should stand between you and Jesus and if you still have compartments in your life that is not fully surrendered to God, then please surrender them. God says that there is no middle ground. You are either for Him or against Him. You either live your life committed to Him and His Word or you don’t. 2 Chronicles 16:9: States that the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

1 Chronicles 28:9: Explains that the Lord searches every heart and understands every intent, promising that "if you seek Him, He will be found by you". Jeremiah 17:10: Notes that God searches the heart and examines the mind to reward individuals according to their conduct. Psalm 14:2: Describes the Lord looking down from heaven to see if anyone understands and seeks after God.

Do not allow the enemy a place in your life. Submit and surrender all to God and trust Him. He is moving and He will open that door and do a new thing as He has promised. Now weapon will prosper and you will stand victorious.

Peter made one mistake. He took his eyes of Jesus and looked at the wind. He saw the circumstances and allowed doubt to enter into his mind. Jesus said to him why do you have so little faith. That little does not point to his level of faith but to his persistence in faith. Not how much faith he had, but how long he continued in faith. He did not have little faith, he just started to doubt. This is the enemy at work in your life. He will try every angle to make you doubt. Just do not listen to him and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

God is with you, always, and with Him we can do anything.

Have an awesome day.