For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall you call upon me, and ye shall go and pray to me, and I will harken to you. Jer. 29:11-12

I believe it is not by chance that you are reading this devotional right now. God says ‘I know the thought that I think towards you’. Imagine that God is thinking about you – yes, YOU! Note that God’s thoughts are not of evil, but of peace. His thoughts are designed to give you a future and a hope – to take you to an expected end. So, let fear be far from you. Even when events and people’s comments have made you feel like a hopeless person. It is what God is saying that you should accept, think on, and take to heart.

His thought about you is that you will have a better life.  Look at it in Message version ‘…I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for’. Let your hope rise.      

When you are confused about life; and people make you think like a hopeless person, remember this fact, and as you do, you will have better understanding. So, don’t run your life by yourself, get back to the maker of your destiny – he promises to listen. Look at verse 12 in Message version ‘when you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen’. Why don’t you go to Him if you are confused, He will listen and reveal afresh to you His thought for you. There is light at the end of the tunnel for your great future. It is well with you, and may God bless your day, in Jesus name. Amen.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Ps. 139:14

 The message version of this verse says ‘I thank you, High God — you’re breath-taking! Body and soul, I am marvellously made! I worship in adoration — what a creation!’ In the New International version it says, ‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well’.

Beloved I’d like you to understand today that the Lord wants you to realize and appreciate the fact that you are beautifully and wonderfully made. You are not a mistake; you did not get here on earth, wherever you are right now, by chance. In the message version it says you were sculptured from nothing into something, you were woven together (verse 15). The new King James Version says you were skilfully wrought. God knew you long before you were conceived in your mother’s womb and God made you for a purpose.

Your soul must know and accept this fact. The Psalmist says, “I worship in adoration- what a creation”. Many people are struggling with life today because they have not embraced the fact that they were wonderfully and specially made by God. So you must rejoice because God purposely created you. You must think about your life in this way. Even if it looks like you are nothing today, think again; God made you purposely, and you are beautiful!

May God bless your day as you give a thought to this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

The message version of this scripture says “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.” I would like you to take time and think about this. It doesn’t matter who your parents are currently, or the experiences you’ve had in life until this moment; this is God’s word for you, and it is wisdom for you to believe it with all your heart. Notice the word ‘I’ – that is God speaking.  Before I (God) shaped you in the womb, I (God) knew all about you.

Note the following points:

1. It was God who shaped you in the womb, you only came through your parents – they are vessels that God has used. Don’t hate yourself. Don’t hate your origin, but thank God for your life and your heritage.
2. Before He shaped you in the womb, God knew you. You may look insignificant right now in the earth, yet God knows what his plans are for you. God knew your end product before he started the process of your making.
3. God has a definite plan for your life. Stop wondering what your future will be like; go back to your creator and find out clearly from Him.

Stop being sad about what you’ve gone through so far, there is a plan behind your future – relax in God’s hands. Your life will be better if you take some time to think about these facts. May God bless your day in Jesus name, Amen.

 ‘Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?’ Matt. 6:25

The act of worry, as natural as it seems considering today’s prevailing circumstances, is a clear sign that we thought that we are able in ourselves to handle every issue we face in life, such that the feeling of unpredictability leaves us in desperation! However, Matt. 6:27 raises a very important question ‘which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to your stature?’ The answer is clear – none of us!

Worry does not solve any problems. On the other hand, for the believer, your life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). This should be a refreshing reminder to us, no matter what is happening in the world around us, God has you totally and properly covered. Verse 30 of that scripture goes further to state clearly that if God could clothe the ordinary grass of the field, how would you think he won’t clothe you?!

You and I need to make a quality decision NOT TO WORRY about anything. It is wisdom not to worry. Worry kills and chokes life out of people. Worry will even sometimes make you take wrong steps that further complicate the situation you face. Rather, commit all your concerns to the Lord, and do not take them unto yourself. I pray that the Lord deliver you from all the things that are currently the reason for your worries, in Jesus name. Amen. Have a great day! 

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

 Our focus in the last four days has been on prayer. Prayer is as vital to you as breath is vital to life. Prayer is the answers to every of life’s issues. The Lord made it clear that we should not fret at the face of any trouble. Rather, take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Verse 7 of today’s scripture makes it clear that when we pray, we will experience the peace of God that passes all understanding. You might not be able to put your finger at the solution yet; but God’s peace will envelope you, if you can pray.

Ps 46:10 says: “Be at peace in the knowledge that I am God…” (BBE). When you have prayed in faith, relax; be at peace in the knowledge of the fact that your God is God.  He will glorify Himself in the situation of your life, in Jesus name.

I declare unto you right now, receive the peace of God that passes all understanding, in Jesus name. Your day will be fruitful and peaceful in Jesus name. Amen.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP

When you have prayed, leave all the concern to the Lord. Believe the Lord completely, and let Him worry about the whole situation. This is one principle of effective praying. When you have been obedient in responding to all issues of life in prayer, let the God to whom you have prayed carry the burden.  You must learn to maintain an anxiety free attitude from that moment onwards.

In I Samuel Chapter 1, Hanna prayed unto God for a child, she even wept bitterly because of the problem (V9-15). She ensured she asked specifically for a Boy. The bible says when she left the presence of the Lord; her countenance was ‘no more sad’ (V18). She allowed God to handle all the worries! The Result – She received the petition that she asked of the Lord – (V27). 

Phil 4:6 tells us to let our request be made known unto God with thanksgiving. As you rise up from your place of prayer and face the day today, do not let your countenance to be sad! Walk and talk in faith. Ask with thanksgiving, and maintain an attitude of praise. The Lord is able – you will testify. May God grant you a fulfilling day, in Jesus name.

In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil 4:6 ASV

This scripture says clearly:  “In EVERYTHING by PRAYER”. Every situation you face should be confronted with prayer. Not weeping, nor sighing, murmuring, complaining, arguing, shouting, agitation, or any or such things! Every trouble should be responded to by prayer. Stop acting otherwise! Pray. That is the method God expects you to respond.

James 5:13 says “Is any among you afflicted, let him pray…” That should be your first attitude; always.

What the devil wants is for you to cry, roll on the ground and think or say things that are not faith. Your first reaction should be – I will pray; I will talk to my father God. So, right now, pray about the issues, and supplicate if necessary; and keep thanking God. May God grant you a fulfilling day, in Jesus name.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  Phil 4:6 AMP

Each day is full of different challenges. The answer to all troubles and challenges of life is in the place of prayer. The Lord however is telling us today from this scripture not to fret about anything. Clearly stated in the word, Do Not Be Anxious about Anything! Nothing is qualified to get you fretted or anxious! Absolutely nothing! Not your bad dream or nightmare; not your sickness, nor the trouble with your child. Not the troubles at work or in your business or ministry. Not even a national disaster!

Commit your day to the Lord in prayer, and go forth in faith and confidence. As you face the day, let nothing that comes up cause you to fret. Remain In the spirit of prayer and in faith, it is well with you, in Jesus name. Remember; your attitude in the place of prayer or after praying should be void of anxiety.

‘Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ Ps. 130:7-8

You can have hope in the midst of challenges – no matter how terrible things look. Why? Because in God, there is mercy – plenty of mercies! Wow, this is great news! Your hope in God during your trying times is not based on how good you are, but how merciful God is! NIV version of verse seven says, ‘for with the Lord is unfailing love’. Even when your trouble is due to your errors, you can still approach God for help, based on His unfailing love!

So; maintain your hope in the Lord, because there is mercy with Him. God will redeem you from ALL your troubles if you would turn to Him and make a demand on the offer of His mercy. There is a way out of every situation that looks impossible to man. As you face the day, may you encounter the mercies of God in all your situations, in Jesus name.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” 1 Cor. 10:1 ASV

Whatever difficulty you might be confronted with in life, God allowed it to come your way knowing that you have the capacity to bear it while you figure out a way out of it! This might sound too simple and idealistic, but it is the bible truth! Every and anytime you face a challenge in life, be rest assured that there is a door of escape that the Lord has prepared for you to successfully go through it. You only need to look out for it!

What the devil would like you to think is that your end has come because of your temporary negative experience. But listen, God says there is a way out! God is faithful to make a way out for you, and to also show you that way. There is enough wisdom in God to unravel every riddle, untie every knot and deliver you from every trouble! With this truth secured in your heart; you can relax, look inwards and listen to the Holy Spirit to show you the secret to the challenge you might be currently faced with.

Determine to acknowledge God, and not lean to your own understanding. There is a door of escape for you: to pay the debt; to be free from the court case; to get out of sickness; to overcome temptation; to be delivered form that overwhelming situation! Say this with me now, ‘I know there is a divine way out of this situation that I am faced with (mention out the situation), and in Jesus name, I receive the understanding of what to do, Amen.’ So shall it be, in Jesus name.