For God So Loved the World

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it.

True Love vs. Attachment

Because of the confusion between love and attachment, a question has arisen in our time: “Does true love still exist?”

This is similar to what John addressed when he wrote that those who love the world are not of God. He was not speaking against loving people—he was speaking about attachment to the world. God loved the world, yet He was not attached to it.

If true love exists, it must come from God, because He is both truth and love. And His love is not passive—He chooses to love us. That love calls for a response.

Even when you feel unloved, know this: God chooses to love you every single day. And although life will bring moments that cause us to question His love—love is more than a feeling. Take time to read 1 Corinthians 13 and discover what love truly is.

John 3:20 (ESV): For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

Light Reveals and Heals:

Light does expose—but it also heals. Some of the things we are doing are actually the source of our pain. And it is only when the light reveals them that we can move away from them and begin to heal.

Light also restores focus. When we keep things hidden, even when we think we are managing them, they quietly distract us from God’s purpose for our lives. That is why we must ask ourselves an honest question:

Can I allow the light of God to shine on everything I do, the people I walk with, and the choices I make?

Takeaway

Are you running toward the light—or hiding from it?

Gratitude Practice

Fridays are for gratitude.
Take a moment today and write down what you are grateful for this week.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen!

You Must Be Born Again

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it.

Transformation Is a Process

One thing I have learned about transformation is this: it is much easier to say you are transformed than it is to go through the process of transformation. True change is not something we merely declare; it is a journey we must walk.

Not pointing fingers, but I have encountered people who claim to be “born again,” yet their lifestyle shows no evidence of spiritual transformation. I have also met people who love God and know a great deal about Him—they are good people. Yet Jesus makes it clear: to see the Kingdom of God, one must be born again.

John 3:3 (ESV): Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Why Must We Be Born Again?

Nicodemus asked a reasonable question: “How can a man be born when he is old?” That question helped us understand how being born again happens. But another important question is this: Why must we be born again?

One of the hardest truths to accept—and one that is still debated today—is that when we are born into this world, we are born into sin because of what happened in the Garden of Eden. I understand why this is difficult to grasp. Imagine if your grandparents committed a crime and were sentenced to lifelong house arrest, and then you were told that everyone born into that family would also live under house arrest. Naturally, questions would arise: Why must I suffer for something I did not do? I was born innocent.

Yet this is the spiritual reality of humanity.

From the First Adam to the Second Adam

Scripture refers to Jesus Christ as the second Adam. We cannot belong to the second Adam while still carrying the nature of the first Adam. When we are born, we inherit the nature of the first Adam—sinful and separated from God. That is why we need a rebirth.

The beauty of this rebirth is that it does not depend on human strength or effort. No one can claim credit for it. It is the work of the Holy Spirit alone. And that is good news—because it means we do not have to beg for it, negotiate for it, or qualify for it. It is not reserved for a select few. All are welcome, because all have sinned.

Takeaway

Are you relying on knowledge about God, or are you living in a relationship with God?

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Before life becomes chaotic, know who the source is.

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it

A New Beginning

A new year has begun, marking the start of new things. While there is still light, it is important that we understand who the Light is—before things become dark. Because once darkness sets in, we may be tempted to create our own light.

John 1:4 (NLT): “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”

Life and Light in Christ

Jesus Christ did not only give life—He also brought light. One of the misunderstandings we often have is thinking that life comes from what we acquire or possess. Yet there are many people who have much and are still lifeless.

As we pursue our goals this year and desire the best for ourselves, our families, and our friends, let us not forget this truth: the greatest thing we can have is Christ in us.

A Warning About False Light

The danger of searching for a candle in the dark is desperation. In moments of darkness, we may not question where the light comes from or who offers it. Scripture warns us that the devil comes as an angel of light—meaning that not every light we find in dark moments is the true Light.

That is why, while it is still light, we must seek the true Light.

Fridays are for gratitude, and today we thank God for 2026. We look forward with expectation to what He has in store for us. May this be a year where we draw closer to Him and remain rooted in the true Source of life and light.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Ameni!

When the seed is planted it needs to die

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it

Reflecting on the Year

Today marks the last day of 2025, and we are grateful to God for both the ups and the downs. His grace has carried us this far, and it will continue to carry us forward.

As we prepare to step into 2026 by the grace of God, we must acknowledge a sobering truth: some things must die. If we allow certain things to live into the new year, they will hinder our fruitfulness. If the goal is to be more like Jesus, then whatever is not of Jesus must die.

John 12:24 (ESV): “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

The Cost of Fruitfulness

One of the reasons we struggled to produce fruit this year is that some things that were meant to die were allowed to live. Paul reminds the church in Colossae that we must “put to death” the things of our earthly nature. This process is intentional—it does not happen automatically.

The things of the flesh do not disappear simply because we choose to follow Christ. Unfortunately, this is not often taught in “Christian 101.” What is rarely mentioned is that the Christian journey is filled with battles—battles where we must actively kill what belongs to the flesh.

A Call to Self-Examination

Some of us are like Christian seeds that have not yet fallen into the ground. We look like Christians, speak like Christians, and call ourselves Christians—but we have not yet produced the fruit Christians are meant to produce.

Why? Because we have not yet died to ourselves.

As we step into the new year, our priority must be clear: to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature. It will not be easy, but fruitfulness is at stake. We cannot afford to end another year fruitlessly.

Takeaway

As you cross into 2026, ask yourself this:
What must die in me so that Christ can fully live through me?
Fruitfulness is not produced by comfort, appearance, or intention—it is produced by death to self and obedience to God. Let us not carry what God is calling us to bury into the new year.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Ameni!

Thanksgiving as a Lifestyle

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it

It is possible to maintain a consistent attitude of gratitude. Someone once said, “Before you think of improving or focusing on what you lack, start by being grateful for where you are and what you have.”

There is a major difference between:

  • having a day of thanksgiving, and
  • living a life that shows thanksgiving.

One is an event; the other is a posture of the heart.

I’ve come to believe that the cure for dissatisfaction is thanksgiving. Wanting more is not wrong—God desires increase for His children. But before reaching for more, have you paused to appreciate the “less” you have now?

Think about it:
The very reason you desire more is because you already have something. If you had nothing, even what you now call “less” would be a dream.

Someone once said, “You might be living in someone else’s dream.”
Sit with that for a moment.

Luke 17:15-16 (NIV): One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

The Power of Returning to Give Thanks

In Luke 17, ten lepers were healed, but only one returned to thank Jesus. Even if Jesus hadn’t asked about the others, we would still ask:
“Where are the rest?”

In the ancient world, priests had the authority to declare a leper clean and restore them to society. That’s why Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest.

But here is the striking part:
The man who returned didn’t wait for the priest’s approval to give thanks.
He didn’t need confirmation.
He didn’t need a certificate.
He didn’t need the situation to be “fully settled.”

He simply recognized the goodness of God—and he responded immediately.

Today, many believers want God to completely remove them from the situation before they show gratitude.
We want the breakthrough first, and then we will give thanks.
We want to see the outcome first, then we will praise.
We want His Word to be “proven” by circumstances before we honor Him with gratitude.

But gratitude that waits for proof is not gratitude—it’s negotiation.

Gratitude Comes From Practice

Scripture doesn’t say the Spirit prompted the healed man to return. There was no voice, no reminder, no supernatural nudge.

He returned because he was already living a life of thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving was normal to him.
It was his habit.
It was his pattern.

And here’s the challenge:
If you don’t practice gratitude daily, it won’t suddenly show up in difficult seasons.
If you’re not used to thanking God for small things, you won’t thank Him for big ones.

To make it even more interesting, the man who returned was a Samaritan—someone considered an outsider.

It makes you wonder:
Is it possible that unbelievers sometimes live more gratefully than believers?
Are we, who know God, waiting for Him to “do something big” before we thank Him—while others are already living lives filled with gratitude?

Takeaway for the Week

Begin practicing everyday gratitude.
Don’t wait for a miracle, a breakthrough, or perfect circumstances.
Thank God today—for what you have, for where you are, and for who He is.

Gratitude grows when it is practiced, not postponed.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Ameni!

Counting Blessings, Not Burdens

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it.

The Power of Small Things

Most of the time, it’s the smallest things that lift the spirit of a person.
You don’t need to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to feel blessed.

It’s interesting how easily we discount the simple gifts of everyday life—the ability to see, to hear, to feel, to walk, or even to witness a smile. These are the blessings we often take for granted because they seem ordinary… until we lose them.

There is a well-known proverb that many call a cliché:
“I complained that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”

But notice something: the proverb doesn’t suggest that the man with feet has no need for shoes. Rather, it shows a deeper attitude—as I wait for the shoes I don’t yet have, I will first be grateful that I have feet for them.

Before we focus on what we lack—what we didn’t receive, what didn’t go our way—did we pause long enough to acknowledge that we woke up today? That alone is a blessing.

1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV): casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Cast, Don’t Count

The Bible tells us to cast our cares, not count them.
We are not instructed to pretend burdens don’t exist. Burdens are real—and often, they are necessary.

Burdens can make us or break us, depending on how we handle them:

  • Counting them overwhelms us,
  • But casting them on God strengthens us.

We will always have challenges to face, responsibilities to bear, and moments that weigh heavily on the heart. But when they become numerous, when they begin to steal our joy and cloud our gratitude, God invites us to place them in His capable hands.
Why?
Because He cares for you—deeply, personally, faithfully.

Takeaway for the Week

Another week has come to an end.

What are you grateful for?
Did you take time to count your blessings this week—especially the small ones?

Let gratitude rise above everything else, and let it remind you of how deeply you are cared for by God.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Ameni!

Gratitude Strengthens Faith

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it.

The Maker of the Day

We do not control what a day should look like. No matter how much time we spend planning for a perfect day, our plans are simply expressions of hope—and that’s okay. Planning is good.

But here’s the truth: you go through the day differently when you know who made it. Because every day, good or difficult, has a Maker—the Lord Himself.

Psalm 118:24 (ESV): This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Rejoicing, Regardless

Notice that the scripture does not tell us what kind of day it will be. It doesn’t say, “This is the happy day,” or “This is the successful day.” It simply says, “This is the day the LORD has made.”

That means we rejoice not because of the day’s events, but because of the One who made it.

It’s easy to rejoice when you wake up energized, when good news comes your way, or when things go according to plan.
But what about when you receive painful news—when a loved one passes away, when you face retrenchment, or when you see a failed exam result staring back at you?

Can we still say, “Let us rejoice and be glad in it”?

That’s where true gratitude is born—not from comfort, but from trust.

When you choose to give thanks in the middle of life’s hardest moments, your faith grows deeper roots.
You begin to thank God not only for things, but through things.

You’re no longer thanking Him just for the sunshine but also in the storm—because you know that even in confusion and pain, the Maker of the day is still good.

It’s in those moments—when gratitude feels hardest—that faith becomes strongest.

Takeaway

I recently read about a book called “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. The author challenges herself to list one thousand things she’s thankful for—a beautiful exercise in noticing God’s goodness everywhere.

So here’s a challenge for us this month:
We’ve already been thanking God daily in our hearts, but now, let’s start writing it down.

Beginning today, note every blessing—big or small—and see how many thanksgivings you’ll count by the end of November.

You may be surprised to see just how much God has done. ✨

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Ameni!

Praise in the Prison—Paul and Silas

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it.

When Midnight Comes

This week, we reflect on what it means to be thankful even in trials.

How often do we find ourselves at midnight—in those dark, difficult moments of life—where the easiest response is to complain, worry, or try to find our own way out?

Imagine visiting someone who was wrongly accused and imprisoned and telling them, “You need to praise God for where you are.” Their first reaction would likely be, “Are you nuts?”

It sounds unreasonable—until we look at Paul and Silas. They were faithful servants of God, yet they found themselves beaten, chained, and thrown into prison. At midnight, when most would question God or lose hope, they chose to pray and sing hymns

Acts 16:25 (ESV): About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Faith Over Feelings

If Paul and Silas had focused on their problems, they would have found many reasons not to worship:

  • “It’s midnight—everyone’s asleep. We’ll disturb them.”
  • “What’s the point of singing? We’re already locked up.”

But they didn’t let their circumstances silence their worship. Instead, they said—not on our watch.
They knew their problems were real, but they also knew that God was greater than their problems.

When we understand who God is, our response changes. Trials may come—because they will—but we face them with praise, not panic.

Knowing God More Than the Problem

It’s not a matter of if trials come, but when. And when they do, we must remind ourselves of who God is.

David knew Goliath was a giant. Everyone could see that. But unlike the rest of the army, David also knew God more than he knew Goliath. He had confidence, not in his sling or his skill, but in the power of the God he served. And we all know how that story ended—victory.

So, let’s not let the size of our problems make us forget the greatness of our God. Spend more time with God than with your worries, and your midnight will turn into morning.

Takeaway

I love Mondays—they remind me of new beginnings.
A new week, a new chance to trust God again.

So, what are you grateful for today?
Even in your trials, find something to thank God for—because gratitude turns prisons into places of praise.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Ameni!

A Grateful Heart Pleases God

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it.

The Struggle to Please

One of the things many of us struggle with in life is pleasing people—let alone pleasing God. A friend once told me, “We can disagree all we like, but we are all people-pleasers to a certain degree.”

That’s one of life’s ongoing battles. We long for acceptance, for others to see our efforts and value what we do. Yet, when it comes to pleasing God, that is what we were created for (Revelation 4:11). Still, we often find ourselves in situations that make it difficult to truly live in a way that pleases Him.

The Redirecting Power of Gratitude

One of the simplest and most powerful ways to realign our hearts with God’s purpose is through gratitude.

Think about it: when a struggling parent receives sincere thanks from their child—a simple “thank you” that says your efforts are seen, your love is felt, and your giving is enough—their heart softens and their joy is renewed.

Now imagine what a grateful heart does to our Father in heaven. When we thank Him sincerely—not only for the big things but also for the small, everyday mercies—we bring delight to His heart. Gratitude turns our focus from striving to pleasing, from performance to presence.

Isaiah 12:4 (ESV): And you will say in that day, “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Make Gratitude an Everyday Practice

Can we make this our daily habit? Often, we wait for “big days” or visible breakthroughs before expressing gratitude. But who said we must wait?

Who said we can’t make known His deeds among our family, friends, co-workers, or community today?
Who said we can’t proclaim that His name is exalted right now—simply because He is worthy every day?

A truly grateful heart is not a once-off reaction or a seasonal feeling. It is a lifestyle—a daily rhythm that pleases God.

Takeaway for the Week

As this week comes to an end, take a quiet moment at home.
Write down the things you’re grateful for—big or small.
It’s your list; no one else can tell you what belongs there.

Let your gratitude rise like worship,
and let your heart rest in the joy of pleasing God.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Ameni!

Gratitude As Worship

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it.

As we continue to make worship our lifestyle, let us not forget to accompany it with thanks and appreciation toward God. Worship is not meant to be reserved for a special day or a specific moment. It should flow from our hearts daily.

In the same way, gratitude should not wait for big miracles or major breakthroughs. It is in the small, everyday blessings—the breath we take, the peace we feel, the strength to keep going—that we find reasons to thank God. These little moments build our confidence in His faithfulness.

And just as we worship God for who He is, we must also express gratitude for who He is. Gratitude completes our worship; it turns our reverence into relationship.

Hebrews 12:28 (CEV): We should be grateful we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshiping him and by showing him great honor and respect.

We live in a world where everything around us is constantly shifting—economies, systems, and even people’s beliefs. Yet, as believers, we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. This is not something to take for granted.

Too often, eternity feels distant, like something that belongs only to the future. But the truth is, eternal life begins now—and it shapes how we live each day on this passing earth. Because we have received this unshakable kingdom, we have direction, purpose, and guidance.

Let us, therefore, be grateful—not only for the blessings we see, but for the Kingdom we belong to, a Kingdom that stands firm when everything else falls apart.

Gratitude is not just good manners—it is an act of worship. It is our essential response to God’s grace, a reflection of a heart aligned with His will. Through gratitude, we:

  • Acknowledge God’s sovereignty,
  • Express our dependence on Him, and
  • Cultivate a spirit of humility and thankfulness that honors God and strengthens the church.

May we, therefore, live each day with worship on our lips and gratitude in our hearts—pleasing God in all that we do.

Takeaway: What is one thing for which you are grateful at this moment?

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name. Ameni!