Today's thought - 21 July 2026 (No Weapon)

 

In Daniel three we read about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. I have written about them before in my post on 18 June (In it with you) and how their faith saved them and touched the people around them.

We know that they said in verse 17 and 18, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Their faith and their trust in God are astonishing and a true example of how we should stand on our faith and in the Word of God. I want to focus a bit again on the outcome of faith and trust.

Yesterday we saw that through Daniel’s faith he was promoted and today we read in the NLT verse 30, “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon”.

It reminds me of Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”.

There are three things we should consider here:

Limitless Power: The Greek phrase translated as "immeasurably more" or "exceedingly abundantly" emphasizes that there is no cap or boundary to what God can do.

Surpassing Expectations: God's plans and abilities transcend the limits of human imagination and the scale of our prayers.

Inner Working: The supernatural power mentioned is not an external, distant force, but the Holy Spirit actively dwelling and working within us.

If we look at what happened with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego we can see here that the outcome of their faith surpassed that which was expected and even more so in the rewards that were bestowed on them.

My dear friend, you need to understand that God’s Word and God’s power and God’s will is not only for people in the bible but for all of us that has accepted Jesus Christ as our savior and He also said that we will be able to do greater things through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The only problem is that we limit the Holy Spirit by our faith and as we know faith without works is dead and we can only please God by faith (Hebrews 11).

Again, I emphasize Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.

My dear friend, I pray that your faith will grow and that you will continue to trust God in your battles and in your challenges and that God will hear your prayers and change your circumstances. Not by might nor by power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you. In the might name of Jesus.

As you hear this Word today, I also pray that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit and that He will move in your life and the Word of God will increase your faith and you.

Have an awesome day.

This is also on my heart for today

 

After you have read what the Holy Spirit placed on my heart, this is for you, my friend.

Today's thought - 20 July 2026 (Wait)

 

We are continuing in Daniel and in Daniel 2 we read about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. In essence it outlines a prophetic dream of a giant statue with a head of gold, silver chest, bronze thighs, iron legs, and iron-clay feet, that represents successive world empires. A supernatural stone destroys the statue and grows into an eternal kingdom, symbolizing God's ultimate and everlasting rule. 

Now let us look at the statue and what each level represents:

Head of Gold: The Babylonian Empire (605–539 BC) under King Nebuchadnezzar.

Chest and Arms of Silver: The Medo-Persian Empire (539–331 BC), which conquered Babylon.

Belly and Thighs of Bronze: The Greek Empire (331–168 BC) founded by Alexander the Great

Legs of Iron: The Roman Empire (168 BC–AD 476), characterized by its immense military and administrative strength.

Feet of Iron and Clay: A fragmented, divided Europe or a series of fractured kingdoms following the fall of Rome that struggle to remain united.

What greatly worried the king was when a “stone cut without hands” strikes the statues’ feet and shatters it into dust.

There is a little more to this chapter than just the dream. You see the king first called all the wise men and asked them to interpret his dream. When they asked him what the dream was, he said that they should first tell him what he dreamt and then interpret the dream. His reason was simple that if they cannot he considered them liars and then he would destroy them all. That was basically the end result because they could not. So, Daniel and his friends was part of the people that the king wanted to kill because his wise men could not tell him what he dreamed.

Daniel asked the king to give him time that he might interpret the dream. Now here is the important part. Daniel did two amazing things. When God revealed the dream to him, he first glorified and blessed God for this. Here in Daniel 2:19-23 we read, Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So, Daniel blessed the God of heaven. “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”

The second important thing is when Daniel stood before the king, he says in verse twenty-eight, “but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” And then he goes on in verse thirty and says, “As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.”

Can you see that first he thanked and blessed God and then he did not take the credit for the interpretation, but he made it clear that is all from God.

Now, let us do the same in our battles and in our trials. As Daniel let us walk closely with the Holy Spirit and turn to God when we are faced with difficult things. Then as David said, wait patiently on the Lord and when He reveals it or changes the circumstance, we must give all the glory and all the honour to our Lord and God.

In Daniel’s case “the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.” (verse forty-eight).

In obedience and trust lies a great reward and it will always be more than what we can hope or imagine. That is why I keep emphasizing to you that trusting God is so very, very important, because God’s way and God’s will is perfect and we should trust Him and the process.

Have an awesome day, my friend, I pray that your day will be a victorious day and that you will find strength in our Lord and that He will be glorified through all that you do. In the mighty name of Jesus.

Today's thought - 19 July 2026 (Sunday)

 

Oh my goodness. my friend. It is Sunday and this is what the Holy Spirit placed on my heart - Psalm 148:

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Let the skies be filled with praise and the highest heavens with the shouts of glory!

Go ahead - praise him, all you his messengers! Praise him some more, all you heavenly hosts!

Keep it up, sun and moon! Don’t stop now, all you twinkling stars of light!

Take it up even higher - up to the highest heavens, until the cosmic chorus thunders his praise! 

Let the entire universe erupt with praise to God.

He spoke and created it all - from nothing to something.

He established the cosmos to last forever,and he stands behind his commands so his orders will never be revoked.

Let the earth join in with this parade of praise!

You mighty creatures of the ocean’s depths, echo in exaltation!

Lightning, hail, snow, clouds, and the stormy winds that fulfill his word - bring your melody, O mountains and hills; trees of the forest and field, harmonize your praise!

Praise him, all beasts and birds, mice and men, kings, queens, princes, and princesses, young men and maidens, children and babes, old and young alike, everyone everywhere!

Let them all join in with this orchestra of praise.

For the name of the Lord is the only name we raise!

His stunning splendor ascends higher than the heavens.

He anoints his people with strength and authority, showing his great favor to all his godly lovers, even to his princely people, Israel, who are so close to his heart.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

So come with me and let us worship the Lord our God and praise His name.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 18 July 2026 (Pressure)

 

I have started to read Daniel today and I can only assume we will deal with quite a number of good characteristics from the life of Daniel. Daniel is often compared in his obedience and faith with the likes of Job. He stands out in the Bible not only by the visions he had but his obedience to the Word of God.

Daniel's being taken captive to Babylon illustrates the mystery and divine wisdom of destiny. Captivity was the consequence of and punishment for the nation's sin. It is clear from Daniel's character that he was not guilty of the sins that caused the judgment, but he was nonetheless affected by it. God made the event that was judgment for the nation to be a means of testing, purifying, and using Daniel for His glory. What Daniel did in service for the Lord could not have been done if he had remained back in Judah (home/previous life). It had to have been a traumatic experience for the young teen (or anyone) to be snatched from home (what we know) and taken to a strange and foreign land, but God used the trauma (trials) for ultimate good. This should be a lesson in trusting the will (divine guidance) of God that sometimes leads to difficult and uncertain situations. But His way and purpose are always best. It often takes the hard challenges to bring us to the place of our best opportunities to be used by God for His glory and our good.

We read in Daniel 1 that he and his friends took a stand against the diet that was set before them by the king. This is a powerful example not only to young people but people of all generations. They were teenagers in a strange place. For teenage boys to refuse a hearty meal for a plate of vegetables was most remarkable. No one there would have suspected that their eating the king's provision would have been a compromise of their convictions. They were in a place far from home where it would have been easily justified to do what everybody else was doing. But God's law (Word) was written on their hearts, and they obeyed the Lord in the face of the pressures of their situation. They were firm in their convictions but not arrogant in their stand. First Timothy 4:12 sums up Daniel's life as it should be for every Christian person.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”. (1 Timothy 4:12)

If I may paraphrase this one. My dear friend, do not let anyone judge you or look down on you as a follower of Jesus Christ. But strive to be an example for all who see you and know you in everything you say or do. The way you love other and the way you walk by faith and obedience to the Word of God. Do not allow your carnal self a place and resist the devil all the time. Guard your heart and take captive your thoughts for in this lies a great reward.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 17 July 2026 (Rest)

 

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. (1 Kings 19:5-6)

We know the story of Isaiah. He called down fire from heaven and then he prayed and it rained and then Jezebel wanted to kill him, and he fled into the wilderness. When he was at his lowest and the battles felt to much for him, God send His angel to help him and minister to him.

My verse is from Hebrews 1, and I want to show you a few things here. The author opens verses 1- 4 with at least nine descriptions of who the Son (Jesus Christ) is.

1.God spoke to us by Jesus (In these last days spoken to us by His Son)

2.Jesus is appointed heir of all things (Whom He has appointed heir of all things)

3.Jesus made the universe (Through whom also He made the worlds)

4.He is the brightness of God’s glory (Who being the brightness of His glory)

5.The image of God (The express image of His person)

6.He keeps everything by His Word (Upholding all things by the word of His power)

7.He took our sin upon Him (When He had by Himself purged our sins)

8.He sits at the right hand of God (Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high)

9.He is higher than the angels (Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they)

Why do you think the Holy Spirit points me to this chapter in Hebrews. It is simply this. I am at the end of my strength. My work, my responsibilities and this court battle that just keeps going has brought me to a place of exhaustion. Yesterday I just felt the weight of it all and it got to me. In this moment God moved in the most amazing and beautiful way.

I had a meeting with my manager and yes, they can see the burdens that I carry but also it is visible to others that I remain standing in the midst of my battles and I continue to look forward at what lies ahead and it impacts people around me. 

So, God (through my manager) is sending me help and they will look for someone to help me in my work. Then the Holy Spirit puts this verse before me in Hebrews 1:14, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”.

He basically says that He has deployed His angels to help me. To help you and me for we are heirs of salvation through Jesus Christ and yes, we inherit salvation, but we also inherit the tribulation and the battles. 

God shows me who He is in the first four verses stating what He is already doing and that He is in our battles with us and His angels will help and assist us (minister).

The Greek word for "ministering" is leitourgika, which implies performing a service or duty. The "heirs of salvation" refers to all believers who have placed their faith in Jesus.

So, adding to yesterday, Jesus is the son of God who sits on the right hand of God interceding for us. He spoke the universe into existence, and He brings the dry bones to life. He will speak life over your situation, and He will anoint you with the oil of gladness and finally He will send His angels to minister to you.

My dear friend, we serve a mighty and powerful God who gave His life for us. Whose Spirit dwells in us, who is in it with us. This boat we are on is not a cruise ship, it is a battleship and the one who keeps it afloat is a star breathing, life giving, judgement loving God who will never leave you or forsake you and He goes before you.

So, cast you troubles over the boat (your burdens) and trust Him with all your heart. Take a moment and just rest and nourish your body with food and your soul with the Word. His promises stand and He will move your mountains.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 16 July 2026 (Gladness)

 

My verse (well the one the Holy Spirit pointed out) is from Hebrews 1:9, “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions”.

Now before we start lets look at a few scriptures and we have used them in some or our previous posts, so they may seem familiar.

“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions”. (Psalm 45:7)

Now here is the question – what is this oil of gladness?

"Oil of gladness" is a biblical phrase, representing a supernatural, deep-rooted joy or the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It contrasts with grief or a spirit of heaviness, symbolizing renewal and God's favour.

Ok, so it is actually very simple. Yesterday I opened the concept of Jesus who came to replace the old covenant and place you in a new covenant that now directly connects us with the Father through the Holy Spirit and our Lord who also prays and intercedes for us daily.

Now just with that in mind it should lift any spirit of heaviness and replace it with gladness. But let me give you a few more. Ten to be exact to take you in this day:

1. Psalm 47:1 - Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

2. Isaiah 9:3 - You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

3. Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

4. Isaiah 12:6 - Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.

5. Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

6. Psalm 94:19 - When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

** In the Bible, consolation means far more than just temporary relief from grief; it is the active, divine comfort and strengthening of the spirit provided by God.

7. Habakkuk 3:17-18 - Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

8. Psalm 16:11 - You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

9. Luke 2:10 - But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

10. Psalm 32:11 -Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

My dear friend, I pray that today the Lord will anoint you with the oil of gladness and that you will be prosperous in everything you do. I pray God’s favour and blessings over you and I pray that your day will be filled with joy. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 15 July 2026 (Old and New)

 

Today we are looking at the old and the new. Hebrews 8 starts with these words, “Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honour beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven”.

My scripture comes from Ezekiel 43 which primarily describes the return of the glory of the Lord to a restored, ideal temple. It serves as a powerful symbol of divine presence, ultimate restoration, and the necessity of holiness and proper worship after a period of severe judgment and exile.

Now Christian theology often interprets this passage typologically and eschatologically. The return of God's glory and the sacrificial cleansing of the altar are viewed as shadows pointing to the fulfilment found in Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice and the ultimate "temple" where God dwells with humanity. It is also widely read as a prophecy pointing toward the ultimate fulfilment of God's kingdom. 

Hebrews 8 ends with, “When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear”.

The “temple” is measured in detail in Ezekiel 41 – 43 and we see how much detail goes into the building itself. It concludes where the people are guided in the sacrifices that needs to be made for their cleansing and how many days this had to continue before it is over.

Here in Hebrews 8 God says that the old law and the old covenant are now replaced by the new covenant. The new temple, the new high priest and the new path to righteousness. It all comes down to John 14:6 where Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.

My dear friend when Jesus came, He changed everything. He literally brought Isaiah 61 to life in, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners”.

Because “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death”. (Romans 8).

Why am I saying this to you today? I want to remind you that nothing the enemy can bring against you will stand. Jesus is the new covenant that removed sin and destroyed death and satan. In Him lies true forgiveness and true healing. He is the one who became sin, so we do not have to carry this burden and the old covenant that kept this burden on us is no more and we stand in this new covenant. Now God is not distant but literally in us and He made His dwelling place in us through the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

When I walked out of the Family Advocates office I walked with faith knowing that in this covenant, I have a High Priest sitting on the right hand of my Father interceding for me. He states my case and pleads for me so that this battle can end and I will have victory by the power of the Holy Spirit that works in me and through me.

That is why we can say with confidence that no weapon formed against us will prosper and God goes before us to fight on our behalf. He will step in and He will vindicate us. We are no longer bound by the old way, but we stand in victory and authority in the new way in in this way is life and life in abundance.

So, do not fear or be discouraged but know that Jesus says “Look, I am making everything new!” and He will fight for you and His peace that surpasses all understanding will come over you, because He has already overcome this world. Come with me today as we totally surrender all that we face and struggle with to Him and then stand with me in faith, knowing He hears our prayers and He will answer them, because if you ask it and you believe it, it will be done.

Have an awesome day, my friend.

Today's thought - 14 July 2026 (Nobody)

 

I love the song “Nobody” of the band Casting Crowns. I used to listen to this song with my little girl when she woke up early and we were in the TV room. I just want to share the first lyrics with you.

Why You ever chose me. Has always been a mystery. All my life I've been told I belong at the end of the line. With all the other not-quites. With all the never-get-it-rights. But it turns out they're the ones you were looking for. All this time. 'Cause I'm just a nobody. Trying to tell everybody all about Somebody, who saved my soul, ever since You rescued me. You gave my heart a song to sing.

This morning I am on my way to the Family Advocates office. We were asked to be there early. I have no idea what to expect, but I know what God says and that is “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”. The truth will come out "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV)

I look forward to this day and what lies ahead, because I know only the truth can come out and the real reasons of this entire court case will eventually emerge and God will save my little girl and she will see the glory of our Lord God in her life. I will not stop for He who is in me is far, far greater than He who is in this world and in it all God will be glorified and many lives will be touched.

I believe that I am in this battle for a purpose and that purpose is to help other. My dear friend, yes we go through battles and yes, they are hard and difficult, but if we go through them and we trust God in the process, we will be able to help other when trouble comes knocking on their doors.

I have said it before and that is that nothing we do for God is ever insignificant and God will take what is intended to destroy or hurt us and turn it around. Not only to save us but many other.

Jesus came for the lost and the broken and God will seek them out and send us to tell of His good works.

So, no my friend. God did not forget you or does not worry about you. He surely is in it with you. His rod and His staff will comfort you and goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.

So come with me as we proclaim to the forces of darkness that God is good all the time.

Have an awesome day.

Today's thought - 13 July 2026 (My Servant)

 

I was thinking about this scripture in Job 1:8, Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

After this God allowed satan to test Job’s faith and with this followed a number of devastating events that altered his life completely. I have to bring 1 Corinthians 10:13 into the picture - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

When I read this, I often think that God surely thinks a lot of me for the battles and tribulations that I currently face and how one just merges into the next. I wrote to you before that God is the potter and we are the clay and He is basically forming you into the man/woman that He saw when He created you.

It is all about trust. That is why I love to repeat this scripture in Romans 8:31, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?".

Where am I going with this? You see I was thinking yesterday if God would say to satan, “Have you considered my servant, Piet”. What would the end result look like? Would I stay in the race until it was complete, and would I consistently trust God even when I have no idea how this battle will end? Would I question God, just as Job’s friends did? Would I complain that this burden is too much?

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:7: As his life neared its end, Paul triumphantly declared: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"

In Philippians 3:13-14: He speaks of pressing on toward the goal and "forgetting what is behind"

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: He urges believers to "run to win," highlighting that athletes exercise strict self-control to achieve a prize. Unlike the temporary crowns of ancient games, Christians run for an imperishable crown.

In Job 42:5 Job says, “I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You"

My dear friend, this is my prayer for your for today. I pray that you will continue in your battles (race) until you stand victorious in the end of it. I pray that the Lord will provide a way out when it becomes too much and that He will continuously uplift you and give you strength to overcome all your challenges. I pray that you keep pressing on towards the goal and that you will not look back anymore at what lies behind you, but that you will let go of all your anxieties and just be still before God and know that He is God and what could possibly be too hard for Him. No weapon formed against you will prosper and you will stand unshaken in the storms you face. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Have an awesome day, my friend.