DEVOTIONALS

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 During the recent World Cup, it was interesting to watch some of the teams play. Well, as we all know a soccer team wins a match by simply scoring more goals than their opponent during the regulation of 90 minutes of play (or during any subsequent extra time/ or penalty shootout). Achieving this requires a delicate balance of tactics, physical fitness, psychol

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13 Paul knew that he really needed to focus on “One thing” and names it. This is a challenge for you and I to ask ourselves today: “What’s the One thing I can do this summer such that by doing it everything else will be easier to manage?" You can journal it and then do follow-up on regular basis. Paul was reminding us

They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 1:19 Well, Jeremiah was known by God before he was formed in his mother’s womb and set apart. When you read this how does it make you feel? As soon as he heard this, fear overcame him. He was already thinking of how he will be faced with rejection and might fail! His immediate response to God was “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young.” If that was y

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 Have you ever been asked, “who are you”? What was your response? Well Jesus was asked the same question and this verse says it all: “Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” John 4:12 When Moses was assigned a task that he felt was beyond his ability and he asked the questio

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athlete’s race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (MSG) When we choose to wear the jersey of our favorite player or team, we don’t have the same experience as that athlete! We are only showing solidarity, as a symbol of support! To hear and know God’s voice, we have to read his Word pur

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. *Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12: 2 The outcome-focused for competitions is striving to win, defeat opponents, and achieve superiority. The success or failure of the event is judged by the final outcome. Paul uses the metaphor of athletes to explain that they cannot be

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. I Corinthian 9:27 Paul uses the metaphor of training of athletes focusing on our spiritual welfare. Some of the training for athletes in sports is combined with specific skills, strength, and active recovery. The athletes follow prioritized plans, cycling through different training blocks focusing on certain muscles based on

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 In sports and physical fitness, athletes are trained to focus on teamwork, peace, healthy competitions, and perseverance. Spiritual fitness cannot be sidelined for the sake of physical fitness. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 12:2: “We do this by keeping our

Breaking out of our normal routine can renew our energy by giving us a fresh perspective and expanding possibilities. Stepping outside comfort zone may also help us feel braver, which increases confidence and feelings of self-worth. God is always doing new things and He invites us to join Him on this journey of transformation. We let go of the past and trust in God’s perfect timing. He has amazing things in store for us. We glorify God by spending quality time with him. Hol

A great reminder to focus on is that our fears are met with God’s active presence, supernatural strength, and unwavering support. Here are the five promises directly spoken to us from God: I am with you; I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you. This are profound promises of God’s presence, comfort, and unwavering support in times of fear or difficulty. God speaks these promises over us but the enemy’s strategy is to create unhealthy fear in u

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 Isaiah proclaims of God's unmatched power as Creator and His meticulous care for creation, encouraging us weary believers to trust in God’s sovereignty. He highlights that God calls the stars by name and not even one is missing. If He sustains the universe, he created, he personally knows and cares for

Well, God says to us daily, “I have inscribed your name on the palms of my hands, I don’t forget you, I’m committed to you, I’m thinking about you, caring for you and I actually have you at the forefront of my mind in all that I’m doing.” He is describing His love for us in Christ. We are His sons and daughters. He has this perfect picture of you everyday before Him thinking about you! How special and personal this is? When someone gets a tattoo on their skin they are proba

Our Creator, God was intentional and purposeful bringing into existence the entire universe, including all life from nothing by His divine Word and will, and not from pre-existing matter. He is the greatest designer of all things according to Genesis. In Genesis 1:25 (b) we are reminded, ‘Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us”. Although we currently live in a hostile, volatile world, He is still in total control. When we know the Lord and when H

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 To the world today, and to the world of every age, the message of the cross is indeed foolish to those who don’t believe. In Paul’s day, the cross was used by the Romans as a means of public execution! A symbol of shameful crimes and powerlessness. The greatest miracle of all, the most powerful event was when Christ was crucified.

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. John 15:5 A vine is a symbol of life, interconnected and abundance in the agricultural context. In the New Testament, it signifies Jesus as the "true vine," highlighting the necessity of staying connected to him as the source for spiritual vitality. It signifies Jesus as the "true vine," highlighting the necessity of connectedness as

But while I am here in the world, I am the Light of the world.” John 9:5 The natural light plays an important role in our daily lives such as improving our productivity, and focus, helping our body clock keep time, giving us a clear view and generally enabling our wellbeing and many other benefits. Jesus, the greatest Light in John 8:12 said “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” Matthew 14:17 The disciples saw the problem with regard to the crowd and had a quick solution – send them away to get food for themselves. But they were rather surprised when Jesus told them “you feed them.” He had the solution. This highlights that small, surrendered offerings can become abundant through God's power. Jesus provides for His people regardless of the situation. This symbolises abundance, divine provision,

Truth is a “Person” Jesus, as Blackaby reminds us in the story of the disciples who were faced with a fierce storm - Matthew 8:25 “And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” If you’d have asked the disciples in the terrifying storm, “What is the truth of this situation?” They actually said we are perishing”. They were panicking! They forgot that, Truth was asleep in the back of the boat! Such a great reminder to us that Jesus is always present in o

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17 Have you ever asked this question: Who am I? Perhaps you were assigned a task beyond your ability or asked to do something out of your comfort zone. Well, Moses asked God the same question. God had seen the misery of the Israelites in Egypt and decided to deliver them. He chose Moses as the best candida

When we wait in anticipation unlike passive waiting, we are in a state of readiness and eagerness for what is to yet to come. While on a journey, by plane, ship, car or any other means of transportation there is that excitement of arriving at your destination. We see God’s greatness in nature and in His Word. He created the world and is intimately familiar with every part and everything in the universe that humans will never discover. His Word is flawless and able to protect