johntbrownministries

JESUS WON THE VICTORY ON THE CROSS

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:23:27 GMT

Jesus won the victory on the cross once and for all, Satan is a defeated enemy and the final destruction of all evil will come when Jesus returns again.

The first time Jesus came to earth was as a baby in a manger, but on His Second Coming He will return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The New Testament tells us He will return in glory and gather His people into the Heavenly Kingdom He is preparing for them. As a Bible-believing Church, we believe Jesus is like a Bridegroom returning for His bride, the Church, and we must not only be ready but desire His return.

You too, can have a relationship with Jesus today.

Below is a prayer that if prayed sincerely from your heart will help you discover Jesus for yourself, in agreement with His Word…

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. - Rom 10:9-10.

“Lord Jesus, I thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, forgive me for my sins, fill me with your Holy Spirit. I open the door of my heart and receive you as my Lord and personal Saviour. Help me to follow you all the days of my life, in your mighty name I pray. Amen"

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

TOUCH OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:45:20 GMT

TOUCH OF ENCOURAGEMENT ...They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't even go into the village." - Mark 8:22-26.

A PATIENT TOUCH ... No Hurry.

Hope was born as Jesus took the time for this man. God is so patient with us, while we live in an "impatient generation." We've heard of folks who… “Stand at the microwave and scream hurry up!" And with people we have even less patience! But Jesus was patient to bring a hopeful encouragement to this man We must do the same.

A POWERFUL TOUCH ... Sensitive.

I believe that as Jesus took the man by the hand, the man knew that this touch was one of power, that could bring healing, Jesus' touch was powerful in that it was, comforting, it was as if Jesus seemed to say "allow me," it was a sensitive touch.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for your touch of encouragement. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to reach out and touch others with the same encouragement. Change me Lord, for your glory and for the extension of your Kingdom, in Jesus wonderful and mighty name I pray, amen!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

TO BE CALLED TO FOLLOW CHRIST

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:45:17 GMT

TO BE CALLED TO FOLLOW CHRIST... is a high honour; higher indeed than any honour people can bestow upon each other.

Were all the nations of the earth to unite in one great federation and call a person to head that federation, that person would be honoured above any other person that ever lived. Yet the humblest person who heeds the call to follow Christ has an honour far above such a person; for the nations of the earth can bestow only such honour as they possess, while the honour of Christ is supreme over all. God has given Him a name that is above every name.

This being true and being known to the heavenly intelligences, the methods we use to persuade men to follow Christ must seem to them extremely illogical if not downright wrong. Evangelical Christians commonly offer Christ to people as a medicine to cure their ills, a way out of their troubles, a quick and easy means to the achievement of personal ends. They use the right words, but their emphasis is awry. The message is so presented as to leave the hearer with the impression that they are being asked to give up much to gain more, and that is not good, however well intentioned it may be.

What we do is precisely what a good salesman does when he presents the excellence of his product as compared with that of his closest competitor. The customer chooses the better of the two, as who would not? But the weakness of the whole salesmanship technique is apparent: the idea of selfish gain is present in the whole transaction.

Jesus Christ is a Man come to save people. In Him the divine nature is married to our human nature, and wherever human nature exists there is the raw material out of which He makes followers and saints. Our Lord recognises no classes, high or low, rich or poor, old or young, man or woman: all are human and all are alike to Him. His invitation is to all mankind.

In New Testament times persons from many and varied social levels heard His call and responded: Peter the fisherman; Levi the publican; Luke the physician; Paul the scholar; Mary the demon possessed; Lydia the businesswoman; Paulus the statesman. A few great and many common persons came. They all came and our Lord received them all in the same way and on the same terms.

From any and every profession or occupation men and women may come if they will. The simple rule is that if the occupation is good, continue in it if you so desire; if it is bad, abandon it at once and seek another. If the call includes detachment from all common pursuits to give full time to the work of the gospel, then no profession or occupation, no matter how good or how noble, must keep us from obeying the call.

The activities in which people engage may be divided into two categories: the morally bad and the morally neutral. The activities of the burglar, the gambler, the dictator, the procurer, the dope addict, the gangster and all who prey upon society are bad; nothing can make them better. The call of Christ is away from all such. This is not to be questioned or debated, but accepted without delay and acted upon at once.

But the majority of our human activities are not evil in themselves; they are neutral. The labourer, the statesman, the housewife, the doctor, the teacher, the engineer-such as these engage in activities that are neither good nor bad. Their moral qualities are imparted by the one who engages in them. So the call of Christ is not away from such things, for they may be sanctified by the prayer and faith of the individual, and thus turned into a positive good.

One thing is certain: the call of Christ is always a promotion. Were Christ to call a king from his throne to preach the gospel to some tribe of aborigines, that king would be elevated above anything he had known before. Any movement toward Christ is ascent, and any direction away from Him is down.

Yet though we recognise the honour bestowed upon us, there is no place for pride, for the follower of Christ must shoulder their cross and a cross is an object of shame and a symbol of rejection.

Before God and the angels it is a great honour to follow Christ, but before people it is not so. The Christ the world pretends now to honour was once rejected and crucified by that same world. The great saint is honoured only after he is dead. Rarely is he known as a saint while he lives. The plaudits of the world come too late, when he can no longer hear them; and perhaps it is better that way. Not many are selfless enough to endure honour without injury to their souls.

In those early Galilean days Christ's followers heard His call, forsook the old life, attached themselves to Him, began to obey His teachings and joined themselves to His band of disciples. This total commitment was their confirmation of faith. Nothing less would do.

And it is not different today. He calls us to leave the old life and to begin the new. There must never be any vacuum, never any place of neutrality where the world cannot identify us. Peter warming himself at the world's fire and trying to seem unconcerned is an example of the kind of halfway discipleship too many are satisfied with. The martyr leaping up in the arena, demanding to be thrown to the lions along with his suffering brethren, is an example of the only kind of dedication that God approves. – A. W. Tozer.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for the call of Christ in my life. Help me by the power of your Holy Spirit, to glean the principles contained in this word, that I may be a better disciple for you, and for the extension of your kingdom. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

ONLY JESUS...

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:31:22 GMT

Psalm 145:16 You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

We all crave food at regular intervals during the day, and food occupies our thoughts and fills up our activities, especially here in Singapore!

But deep in our soul is a hunger, a soul hunger that cannot be filled by food, drink, or chemicals.

This hunger was the desire built into us by our Creator, placed there when He knitted us together in our Mother's womb.

This hunger and thirst can only be satiated by Jesus.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY.

ONLY THROUGH JESUS...

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:35:57 GMT

ONLY THROUGH JESUS...

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6.

I don't want to be any more exclusive than Jesus, but I do want to hear His voice, because He calls me to find the way to the Father through Him.

I also know that others must know Him, to find their way to the Father, too. Why can we not be more passionate about those around us, who do not really know Jesus as their Saviour, Redeemer, and Lord?

How can the first four books of our New Testament be read and ignored?

Loving Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, give me a passion for Jesus, and a heart that knows Him in word, deed, and concern. I ask this in the wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

IS JESUS NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU?…

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:33:32 GMT

Is Jesus Not Enough For You?…

Many Christians find themselves getting upset with God because Jesus is not working to suit their own private agendas and timetables.

Jesus is doing exactly what He purposed to do in this age, and His agenda is to follow the Father’s timetable.

The blind are seeing, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.

And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Be Encouraged
GBYAY.

FOR ALL THY MINISTRIES..

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:31:19 GMT

For all Thy ministries…

For morning mist, and gently-falling dew;
For summer rains, for winter ice and snow;
For whispering wind and purifying storm;
For the reft clouds that show the tender blue;
For the forked flash and long tumultuous roll;
For mighty rains that wash the dim earth clean;
For the sweet promise of the seven-fold bow;

LOW IN THE GRAVE HE LAY, JESUS MY SAVIOR

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:31:12 GMT

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

IN CHRIST WE HAVE..

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:22:54 GMT

In Christ We Have:
A love that can never be fathomed
A life that can never die
A righteousness that can never be tarnished
A peace that can never be understood
A rest that can never be disturbed
A joy that can never be diminished
A hope that can never be disappointed
A glory that can never be clouded
A light that can never be darkened
A purity that can never be defiled
A beauty that can never be marred
A wisdom that can never be baffled
Resources that can never be exhausted.
– Source Unknown.

THE SUPREME ASSIGNMENT…

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:21:44 GMT

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”- Matt 28:19-20.

Make Disciples Of Them…
Jesus said… “…go and make disciples of all nations…” The purpose is to win souls and make disciples of them… not just a decision, not just an acknowledgement, not just an emotional option, not a forced acceptance, but a heart change to become a disciple of Christ. Disciples who will separate themselves from the world, obey His teaching, and follow Him with all of their heart, mind and soul!

Are we engaged in this assignment?

The Bible says… The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. – Prov 11:30. Do we want to be wise? Do we want to accept this supreme assignment?

There is an effort that is required!
An effort has to be made if the souls of men, women and children are to be saved! There is the effort of prayer, there is the effort of a quiet consistent life lived in the home, the shop, the factory, the office. There is the Spirit directed frontal attack, the carefully planned approach to the soul who needs to be saved!

Often the difference between a successful soul winner and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will… As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no-one can work. — John 9:4.

“You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go not only to those that need you, but to those that need you most…It is not your business to preach so many times, and to take care of this or that society; but to save as many souls as you can; to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance.” – John Wesley.

Loving Heavenly Father, it is my desire to carry out the Supreme Assignment of winning souls! Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be a soul winner, help me to step up my prayer life for souls, in my family, my workplace, my community, my City and my country! In Jesus wonderful and mighty name! Amen!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

LET US LEAD MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS…

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:18:40 GMT

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. – Daniel 12:3

The greatest and most worthwhile goal a Christian can have is to… “…lead many to righteousness…” The Lord has saved us in order that we may spread the Good News, yet some are still timid, but the Apostle Paul can help us to get over our timidity…

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” – Rom 1:16-17

WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST…

Paul said that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ and neither should we, because it has power, Gk. Dunamis = inherent power; the ability to reproduce itself, like a dynamo. The gospel is God’s power to produce the New Birth, Give Salvation, Impart Grace, Establish us in the Faith, Generate Faith, Set Free, Nourish Spiritual Life, Impart Immortality, Bring Peace, Give Protection and Give Fullness of Blessings!

God’s Righteousness…

This righteousness is revealed in the Gospel of Christ on the ground of faith as the absolute condition of salvation, and is only effective to those who believe, “The righteous will live by faith.”

How can we be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ when there are so many lives that need to be saved, lives that need to be changed, marriages that need strengthened, families that need to come together, children whose short lives need to be repaired because of abuse, the drug addict, the alcoholic, the cruel, the aggressive, the worst sinners, they all need to be born again…

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” – John 3:3

The Gospel of Christ is for everyone, it’s for all mankind! I have memorized these verses, and every time I have an opportunity to lead someone to Christ, I know exactly what to say to them…

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. – Rom 10:9-10

Loving Heavenly Father, I never want to be ashamed of the gospel of Christ! Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be a soul winner, help me to step up my prayer life for souls, in my family, my workplace, my community, my City and my country! In Jesus wonderful and mighty name! Amen!

Be Encouraged!
GBYAY

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:01:19 GMT

Prayer does not mean that I am to bring God down to my thoughts and my purposes and bend His government according to my foolish, silly and sometimes sinful notions. Prayer means that I am to be raised up into feeling, into union and design with Him; that I am to enter into His counsel and carry out His purpose fully.- D. L. Moody.

Be encouraged!

A LIFE OF WORSHIP

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:59:17 GMT

A Life of Worship…

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17.

Everything! All! No matter what we say, no matter what we do, it is to be offered as a gift of thanks to God with Jesus’ name, power, and honour attached!

Begin with Him, end with Him, call upon His name, and pray for His direction and support, in all that we do. And every work we set out to do for Him will be crowned with all necessary success. This is what makes all of our lives, our worship, and thanksgiving to God, meaningful. There’s no such thing as going to worship; if we live, if we talk, if we act, its worship.

So, how has your worship been lately?

Loving Heavenly Father, I want all of my life to be lived out to your glory, as a living testament of thanks to you, for the grace you have given me in Jesus. While I do not always do this as well as I would like, I lovingly offer you my words, my actions, my heart and my mind to bring you glory by doing your will. Help me by the power of your Holy Spirit, to remove the areas of self-deception from my life, so that weakness and hypocrisy, will not rob my discipleship of its intended worship of your majesty. In the wonderful name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

WHERE DOES SALVATION COME FROM?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:57:37 GMT

You, my son, will be called a prophet of God in heaven above. You will go ahead of the Lord to get everything ready for him. You will tell his people that they can be saved when their sins are forgiven. – Luke 1:76-78.

Where does salvation come from? Does it come from our sense that something is desperately wrong, and we need to change, and make it better? Does it come from casting things in a more positive light, so we don’t become discouraged and quit?

Does it come from a lucky break? Does it come because we are scrupulously righteous, and deserve it come our way? Does it come from rigorously obeying everything in the law?

No! Salvation and forgiveness come from one source, “The tender mercy of our God.”

Loving Father, I confess that at times I’ve tried to earn my salvation. At other times, I have taken it for granted and trampled on your mercy and grace. Today, Father, I want to live for you: not to be saved or gain salvation, but to please you and reflect your character and nature. Your mercy and grace have redeemed many people from the worthless way of living that I see so many others trapped in.

Thank you for your salvation, but please help me to live in a way that shows the joy of that salvation in all I say, think, and do. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

A NEW YEAR… A NEW ATTITUDE!

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:56:09 GMT

No wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. – Proverbs 21:30.

No matter how fresh the start, nor how great the plans we have made, if we do not walk with God, the coming year will not be a spiritual success.

If we attempt to do anything apart from Christ, and if we attempt to do things in our own strength, we will fail.

As we receive this gift of a new year, let’s commit to serve the Lord. As we make plans for the coming days ahead, let’s make sure that those plans are made based on the LORD’s revealed will in Scripture, and prayerful consideration of what our God wants us to accomplish through the Holy Spirit.

Loving Father, thank you for being very near as I start on a new year. Please help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to know your will each day. Bring the people into my life who will help me love you more, serve you effectively, and bless others in meaningful ways. To you be all the honour and glory in what I do, think, and say in the days ahead. In Jesus’ wonderful and mighty Name I pray.

Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN NEEDS FORCEFUL PEOPLE

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:54:17 GMT

Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN NEEDS FORCEFUL PEOPLE

The word FORCEFUL means: Powerful, Dynamic, and Effective. God requires us as Christians, to have this type of attitude today.

In essence Jesus is saying that since John the Baptist, the Kingdom of heaven has been forcefully pressing forward towards its goal, and in order to maintain this momentum, it needs powerful, dynamic and effective Christians!

The proposal here is… that before John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven could only be seen in the light of prophecy, but now it is PREACHED and DEMONSTRATED, by people who are pressing into it, with a zeal and eagerness resembling VIOLENCE or DESPERATION, to get rid of SIN and all satanic powers that are trying to destroy God’s people. But we need to stand true against anything that opposes the Kingdom of Heaven and its coming!

The devil will try and subdue us… he does not want us to succeed. Our opponent will try everything in his power to stop us moving forward, but Jesus wants those who are possessed of enthusiasm and the passion for God, to fight the enemy on all fronts, reminding ourselves that… The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Cor 10:4

The full value of this life can only be got by fighting; the violent take it by storm. And if we have accepted everything we have missed something — war. This life of ours is a very enjoyable fight, but a very miserable truce. – Gilbert K. Chesterton.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for your word that helps me to realise that your desire for us is to keep the kingdom of heaven advancing. Help me through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be a warrior for you. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

NOT ASHAMED !!

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:51:36 GMT

Brothers & Sisters, how can we be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ when there are so many lives that need to be saved, lives that need to be changed, marriages that need strengthened, families that need to come together, children whose short lives need to be repaired because of abuse, the drug addict, the alcoholic, the cruel, the aggressive, the worst sinners, they all need to be born again. -John T Brown.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

FIRE!

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:50:13 GMT

FIRE! by E. M. Bounds.

Zeal is a contagious, but not a popular, element.

Our fathers took their tea piping hot; we take ours iced. Iced Christianity is more popular and tasteful than iced tea. We can endure in our churches enough warmth to take the chill off, but more than this is offensive. We have added many good elements to our preaching, but these cannot make up for the loss of fervour.

The average mind can only be moved to action by a flame. Some people may pull through to heaven on a cold collar, but they are the exception. A dwindling flame destroys the vital and aggressive forces in church life. God must be represented by a fiery church or he is not truly represented. God is all on fire, and his church, if it be like Him, must also be aflame with the great and eternal interests of religion.

Zeal need not be fussy to be consuming and forceful. Christ was as far removed as possible from nervous excitability, the very opposite of intolerant or clamorous zeal, and yet the zeal of God’s house consumed him.

The lack of ardour in Christian profession or action is a sure sign of the want of depth and intensity. The lack of fire is the sure sign of the lack of God’s presence. To abate fervour is to retire God. God can tolerate many things in the way of infirmity or error. He can pardon much when one is repentant, but two things are intolerable to Him, insincerity and lukewarmness.

Lack of heart and lack of heat are the things that He loathes. “I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth,” is God’s judgment on our lack of fire in the Church.

Fire is the motor that moves the Christian life. Christian principles that are not aflame have neither force nor perfume. Flame is the wing by which faith ascends, and fervency is the soul of prayer. Love is kindled in a flame, and fire is the air that true religion breathes. It feeds on fire. Christianity can stand anything better than a feeble flame.

Christian character needs to be set on fire. Lack of heat makes more infidels than lack of faith. Not to be in fiery earnest about the things of heaven is not to be about them at all. The fiery souls are the ones that win in the heavenly fight. Nothing short of red hot can keep the glow of heaven in these chilly times. We must grasp the live coal and covet the consuming flame.

LET’S OFFER OUR PRAISES...

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:14:23 GMT

Jesus forgave a man who was lame, and then showed He had authority to forgive, by healing him.

As exciting and important as this healing was, the most important thing was the response of those who witnessed it; they praised God out of a sense of amazed awe. They recognised that Jesus had come to minister as God’s very presence.

When we understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us, and will continue to do for us, we do the same thing today; we offer our praises with a sense of amazement and awe.

Loving Heavenly Father, I honour your name, and thank you for your grace which you so lavishly poured out on me through your Son and my Saviour, Jesus, in whose wonderful name I offer this praise. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

FAITH

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:13:13 GMT

Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time. — Oswald Chambers

Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It is so easy to say we believe in God as long as we remain in the little world we choose to live in; but get out into the great world of facts, the noisy world where people are absolutely indifferent to you, where your message is nothing more than a crazy tale belonging to a bygone age, can you believe God… in those circumstances?

Faith is a necessary and valuable quality for us as follower’s of Jesus…

We are saved by faith… Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.

We are to live by faith… Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Why don’t we study the Bible for ourselves and see some of God’s principles that we can adapt into our walk with Christ, that will make a difference to the people around us, as we seek to influence our world for Jesus and the extension of His Kingdom?

Loving Heavenly Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirt to keep my eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith, as I earnestly seek to do your will in my life and make a difference to the world I live in, for your glory and for the extension of your Kingdom. In Jesus wonderful name I pray! Amen.

Be encouraged

GBYAY

THE LORD IS NEAR

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:18:25 GMT

Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. – 1Peter 3:4.

Extravagant over-reaction! That’s what we’re programmed to seek, and to display, in our modern world of sound bytes and over-hyped personality.

But gentleness, that moderating grace in the midst of chaos and conflict, is so vital to bring the peace of God to conflict-laden churches, families, and relationships. How can we be gentle, how can we restrain from over-reacting to the wounds, offences, and insults that come our way?

The Lord is near! He is our vindication. He is our example. He is our comfort. He is our hope. He is our strength. He is near.

We are not alone and our destiny, reputation, and value are not up to us to establish or to defend.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to be gentle at all times, that my witness of you may be evident to all. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HUNGER

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:16:55 GMT

Many times people lose their hunger for spiritual things, and they think that if they wait long enough it will return. It won’t!!

You must decide to cultivate that hunger, if you do not cultivate that hunger your spirit will become weak and eventually die of spiritual malnutrition.

Remember what Jesus said: Hunger is a blessing! Blessed are they that hunger. – John T Brown.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

ADVANCING THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:15:19 GMT

Thank you Lord for my walk with you, and I ask you Holy Spirit to help me to demonstrate the character of the Lord Jesus Christ in my life…

His Wisdom, His Knowledge, His Power,

His Love, His Loyalty, His Leadership,

His Faithfulness, His Goodness, His kindness, His Gentleness, His Generosity,

His Mercy, His Peace, His Joy, His Boldness, His Beauty, His Confidence, His Courage, His Compassion,

His Tolerance, His Self Control,

Help me Lord to imitate you, that I might be a better child for you and advance the Kingdom of God!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REVIVAL

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:12:58 GMT

REVIVAL

Revivals are not usually preceded by the awakening of the Church to a sense of need, but by the awakening of devout souls here and there, who feeling the need, begin to entreat God in prayer for a revival. Gradually this deepens and spreads until the sense of need becomes a burden, until the cry, "How long, Oh God! how long!" becomes an agony. This is the cry which God cannot deny. It is for that cry that we must intently listen.

Is there, then today a disposition to pray for a revival? Are devout men everywhere becoming alarmed, not for the success of the Church, but for the glory of Christ, lest it be lost altogether? Is there a sense of a burden lying upon men's hearts which will not give them rest, but which makes them agonize in prayer?

If not, then the night is not far spent, a deeper darkness still awaits us. Of what use would a revival be if we are not prepared for it? It would pass over us without doing its work. - James Burns.

Loving Heavenly Father, my desire is to carry out the supreme assignment of winning souls! Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to lead people to righteousness, help me to step up my prayer life for a revival in my family, my workplace, my community, my City and my country! In Jesus wonderful and mighty name I pray! Amen!

Be encouraged!

johntbrownministries.com

FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:29:38 GMT

Can you think of a more terrifying thought than God not forgiving us our sins?

We know how much He paid so our sins could be forgiven! We know how much He loves us! We know how much He wants us to be in relationship with him! So why would He withhold His forgiveness? Because we demonstrate that we have not received it or do not understand it!

God is gracious and he will not accept those who are not gracious!

Loving Heavenly Father,
there are those that I do find it difficult to forgive. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, right now while I’m praying, soften my heart, cleanse my soul of any bitterness or resentment, and empower me to let go of the pain of the past, and forgive. I thank you for this grace to not only be forgiven, but also to forgive. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

WE ARE KNOWN PERSONALLY BY GOD…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:24:39 GMT

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. – Luke 12:6-7.

In a cosmos so vast, what is our little planet? In a planet so diverse and so full of life, what are people?

Among all the billions of people alive, and those who have lived and already died, what worth do we have? Well, Jesus reminds us that our worth is great, not because we are so important, but because we are known personally by God.

We don’t have to be afraid, we are known personally, and loved by the One who is, and was, and is to come! Praise His wonderful name!

Loving Heavenly Father,
you already know my heart. You know where I struggle with sin, so empower and forgive me. You know my fears, so encourage and strengthen me. You know my immaturity, so nurture and grow me. You know my weakness and disease, so comfort and heal me. But even if these requests take time to be answered, I am still overwhelmed by the fact that you choose to know me, and for that I am eternally grateful, thank you! In the mighty name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

GODLY PASSION

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:21:52 GMT

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, – 2Tim 1:6.

Christianity has enough compassion to do something about the plight of the outcast of society. Christianity has enough passion to care and to create ministries which will make a change in people’s lives. There is no Christianity without compassion, and there is no “compassion” without passion.”

Jesus Christ was often moved with compassion to minister to the masses. Compassion should move us, it should motivate and compel us to do something. Far from the placid figure portrayed in modern media, Jesus was a passionate man. He was also moved with passion to rebuke the religionists, and to clear the temple of money changers.

O for a passionate passion for souls,
O for a pity that yearns!
O for the love that loves unto death,
O for a fire that burns!
O for the pure prayer-power that prevails,
That pours itself out for the lost!
Victorious prayer in the Conqueror’s Name,
O for a PENTECOST! -Amy Wilson Carmichael.

A passionless church is a church that has left its first love, it is a church that is neither flowing with cool refreshing streams nor the hot therapeutic springs, but is lukewarm, half-hearted, empty, apathetic and complacent. Don’t let the passion die; don’t lose your first love, fan the flame and let the fire burn!

I have but one passion; it is He, He only. – Ludwig von Zinzendorf.

Loving Father,
by the power of the Holy Spirit, blow across the glowing embers of the Church of Jesus Christ again, and revive within us a passion for lost souls, a passion for prayer, a passion to praise, a passion for God in all of His splendour! In Jesus wonderful name I pray!
Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

RELIGIOUS CONFUSION IN THE WORLD

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:17:02 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this tex“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” – Luke 10:16.

Simply being a Christian, and duplicating a New Testament congregation is not as difficult as one might think, there are literally thousands of such congregations throughout the world, and by following the example and teachings of Jesus, as revealed by His apostles, we can be led out of the religious confusion that dominates the religious world today!t, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

The church is the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of its non-members. – William Temple.

If you have not yet responded to the commands of the gospel as put forth by Peter in Acts 2:38, why not let the reaction of those who did on the Day of Pentecost describe your actions today.

Loving Father,
help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be a Christian a follower of Jesus, and one who obeys His teachings, so that I may not be deceived and fall into religious confusion. I ask this in the wonderful name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Be Encouraged!
GBYAY

THE ROAD TO LIFE…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:12:53 GMT

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:13-14.

The world desperately wants a Saviour but not a Lord. The New Testament is very clear, a Saviour who is not Lord, is no Saviour and no friend.

If the Old Testament showed us anything, it’s that God’s seemingly strange laws were written not for his fascination, but for his people’s preservation.

Let us not only call Jesus Lord this week, but let us live in a way that shows that He controls our lives, and His Spirit produces our character.

Loving Heavenly Father,
I thank you that Jesus is my Saviour and LORD. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit as you take control of my life and my will, so that I may be totally yours not just in word, but in thought and in deed as well. I ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus.
Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

HOW TO SURVIVE A LONG AGONY…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:10:12 GMT

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. – Psalm 4:1.

At first, this cry for help seems very demanding, however, closer inspection shows that this is really the cry of desperation.

Have you been there? I surely have, and I regularly hear from other Christians who are there now, but, read how this Psalm ends! What is the secret to surviving a long agony?

I believe three things are important:

1. Honesty in our prayer life with God.
2. Confidence that God hears, and cares even when our prayers sizzle with pain and frustration.
3. Genuine praise for God included in our prayers, even when things seem miserable.

It’s not a magical formula, but it is a Holy Spirit-inspired one… check it out in Psalm 4.

Loving Heavenly Father,
hear my cry for relief, as well as the relief of those I love, from agony, burdens, and suffering. By the power of the Holy Spirit, answer in amazing and miraculous ways, so that we may not only be relieved, but in such a way that you may be glorified. In the wonderful Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

CHRISTIAN COMPASSION…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:04:00 GMT

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 6:1.

Compassion is not for personal glory, just as it is not a private internal emotion.

Christian compassion must always motivate us to act in the best interest, and for the greater good of those that are disadvantaged, without calling attention to ourselves or our sacrifices.
God provides what we need to bless others, and takes care of the reward when our goal is to please Him, and to be used by Him to bless others who are disadvantaged.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, use me each day to be a blessing to someone in need. Please open my eyes and ears to see those around me who need emotional, physical, or financial support. Give me the courage to bless them, and lead them closer to you. In the wonderful Name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

AMAZEMENT AND AWE…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:01:29 GMT

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” – Luke 5:26.

Jesus forgave a man who was lame, and then showed He had authority to forgive, by healing him.

When we understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us, and will continue to do for us, we do the same thing today; we offer our praises with a sense of amazement and awe.

Loving Heavenly Father, I revere your name, and thank you for your grace which you so lavishly poured out on me through your Son and my Saviour, Jesus, in whose wonderful name I offer this praise.
Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

GETTING OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:59:31 GMT

What good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? – Mark 8:36.

We run after after so many materialistic things, but only one important thing is really required.

Having a bank account full of money, a great big house, a fancy flash car, and lots of status, doesn’t mean a whole lot if we have gone to our final destination without the Lord. Even worse, is to find that in the middle of our unimportant pursuits, we awake to find ourselves in the desolate territory, where Jesus Christ does not dwell and life is not found.

Let’s get our souls right, and we will get our priorities right!

Loving Heavenly Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to get my priorities right, by keeping my life holy, and my heart obedient to your will, rather than being captivated with my own selfishness. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

PURE HAPPINESS…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:57:13 GMT

“For the Lamb at the center before the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” – Revelation 7:17.

What a beautiful picture! Springs of living water, and no more distress, or grief! Pure happiness!

The One who died for us will nourish and refresh us, the One upon whom all eternity hinges, will take time to personally comfort us.

No wonder Paul could say that he did not compare his present sufferings worth comparing to the glory that would be revealed in us… I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18.

Loving Father, I thank you, for your incredible love for me. I know I don’t deserve your overwhelming and generous grace, so I thank you for Jesus my shepherd, who obtained it for me. I rejoice in Him, and in your pure happiness. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SINGING WITH GRATITUDE…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:55:21 GMT

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. – Colossians 3:16.

We sing when we are happy, and we sing when we are heartbroken. Today we sing out of gratitude.

God is not only worthy of all of our praise, He is worthy of all of our thankfulness. The Foundation of all our songs is Jesus, and the proclamation of the good news that brings life to us through Him.

As that message, that word of Christ fills our hearts; we are tuned to be thankful children of the Most High God.

Loving Heavenly Father, I am so thankful today, for all the many blessings you have poured into my life. Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness give me hope for the future. Your gift of Jesus gives me life today and promises life tomorrow. The incredible physical blessings, as well as the blessings of family and friends, are wonderful. But the greatest of all blessings is the assurance that I will one day see you face- to-face and share your glorious presence forever.

In the wonderful and mighty Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

CONTINUE ON WITH YOUR MINISTRY!

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:53:23 GMT

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. – Rom 12:6-9.

In my role as a Pastor, I often get the opportunity to speak and minister at other Churches, Bible Colleges, High Schools, and Youth Meetings/Camps, (Yes I know, at my age its ridiculous, but I just love speaking to young people).

One of the assertions that always come up as I minister is… “I don’t know what my ministry is!” Young, old, male or female, it doesn’t matter, they still tell me the same thing, and I spend some time explaining to them that every Christian has a ministry!

EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

He has placed you in a strategic role! You are important to your church ministry, so just use your gift to the Glory of God and leave the results to Him.

We Are All Called To Minister! To begin with, we have to understand that each of our gifts differ from the others, so God assigns each of us to our place of ministry… Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. – 1 Cor 12:27.

Minister in Love! Christians who have a genuine love for others in the body of Christ must desire Spiritual gifts in order to minister help, comfort, encourage and strengthen those in need. We must not wait passively for God to give the gifts of the Spirit, instead we must earnestly desire, seek and pray for them… Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, – 1 Cor 14:1a.

And we are to use what God has given us for the improvement of the Church and its ministries; preaching, teaching, caring, counselling, men, woman and children’s ministries, evangelism and outreach…

So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. – 1 Cor 14:12.

These last days in which we live are perilous, but they are also days of great opportunity! God has given gifts to the body of Christ that they may be used for the extension of His Kingdom. So let’s use them now, that we may see drunks become sober, drug addicts become addicted to Jesus, families that were broken by the enemy, repaired by God, and people from all walks of life would know the real meaning of life, children prevented from abuse of all kinds!

What are you waiting for? “Continue On With Your Ministry!”

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you that I have a ministry! Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to eagerly desire the gifts that you have provided for me in my ministry. That I may use them to bring glory to your name, and to edify my church and its ministries. Help me Lord to reach out and use my ministry to help those in need. In Jesus’ wonderful name I pray! Amen!

Be Encouraged!
GBYAY

ONLY JESUS CAN FULFILL…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:45:05 GMT

The truth about people is that they need to be loved the most when they deserve it the least. Only Jesus can fulfill this incredible need. Only Jesus can provide a love so deep it saves from the depths. – JTB

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

GOD IS ALWAYS FAIR…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:23:16 GMT

God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won’t forget the love you have shown his people. – Hebrews 6:10. (CEV)

Wow! So much assurance in such a short verse! God is always fair! Is that an understatement or what?

If He produced the atoning sacrifice for our sins, what will He deny us if we seek after him? He will not forget our work and love, an eternal record of the good we have done! When we help our brothers and sisters in Christ, we bless Him! We are HIS people!!

That’s real encouragement and motivation to keep on maturing in Christ.

Loving Heavenly Father, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. My words seem so inadequate, and cannot express my joy at hearing such a simple and profound statement, describing your virtues. I am so glad I am your child. In the wonderful Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

THE NARROW GATE

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:21:05 GMT

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:13-14.

The world wants a Saviour but not a Lord. The New Testament is clear; a Saviour who is not Lord is no Saviour, and no friend.

If the Old Testament showed us anything, it is that God’s seemingly peculiar laws were written not for His pleasure, but for His people’s perpetuation.

Let us not only call Jesus Lord this week, but let us live in a way that shows that He controls our lives, and His Spirit produces our character.

Loving Heavenly Father, take control of my life and my will so that I may be wholly yours, not just in word, but in thought and in deed as well. Help me Holy Spirit to demonstrate the character of the Lord Jesus in my life! I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

WHAT’S YOUR PRINCIPLE FOR GREATNESS?

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:19:24 GMT

Jesus must become more important, while I become less important. John 3:30. (CEV)

For John the Baptist, this ultimate principle for greatness did not take many words. What’s your principle?

Paul told the Galatians that a similar principle was needed for them… My children, I am in terrible pain until Christ may be seen living in you. Galatians 4:19.

He told the Colossians, that this is why he expended every ounce of his energy, to make it happen in the lives of all Christians…

We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature. That’s why I work so hard and use the mighty power he gives me. -Colossians 1:28-29.

He also told the Corinthians that this was what the Spirit was doing in their lives… So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord’s Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

So, don’t you think that maybe this is the real principle for your life?

Loving Heavenly Father, in my heart and in my life, may Jesus become more important, and I become less and less important. In the wonderful Name of Jesus I ask this. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

HE IS THE LIVING GOD…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:14:03 GMT

“I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” – Daniel 6:26-27.

His Kingdom endures forever, it shall never be destroyed, and His reign will never end! He is our deliverer, and works miracles in heaven and earth! What a mighty God we serve!

If a foreign King in the days of the Old Testament, can recognise how grand and glorious our God is, surely those of us who have received His grace through Jesus can rejoice in Him, and give him praise! We serve a great and living God!

He saved Daniel, and He will save you! Call on His wonderful Name, and taste His grace today!

Loving Heavenly Father, you are glorious and awesome. Your rule is true, righteous, and eternal. You keep your promises and generously send forth your blessings. You alone are truly holy, awesome in your splendour and might. I praise you, and thank you in the mighty Name of Jesus! Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

GIVER [JAMES 1:17]

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:10:43 GMT

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. – James 1:17

There are so many conflicting doctrines regarding giving that it would make your head spin! The prosperity people tell us to demand from God, so that we can give more, and usually to them! Then there is the other extreme, where God doesn’t need anything, so hang on to your wealth! For the love of me, I can’t understand why people don’t make their giving simple, according to God’s word! It’s not too difficult to follow the instructions of God, give as He gives.

God is the greatest giver there ever was and will be, we can’t out give Him! We can learn a lot about giving from God! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3: 16.

It is so easy, if we are ‘Born Again’ we have God’s giving nature within us! For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, – Eph 2:8. Simple! Let our giving be as God’s giving! It’s not too difficult to give like God, just follow His instructions and put them into practise.

Loving Heavenly Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be a giver like you! Help me Lord, not to be swayed by every wind of doctrine, but to simply follow your example! In Jesus wonderful name I pray, Amen!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

COLOSSIANS 3:17

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:08:35 GMT

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17.

Everything! All! No matter what we say, no matter what we do, it is to be offered as a gift of thanks to God with Jesus’ name, power, and honour attached!

So, how has your worship been lately?

In the wonderful name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, I pray. Amen

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

GOSPEL OF CHRIST

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:06:42 GMT

The Apostle Paul said that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ and neither should we, because it has power, Gk. Dunamis = inherent power; the ability to reproduce itself, like a dynamo.

The gospel is God’s power to produce the New Birth, Give Salvation, Impart Grace, Establish us in the Faith, Generate Faith, Set Free, Nourish Spiritual Life, Impart Immortality, Bring Peace, Give Protection and Give Fullness of Blessings!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

NEW YEAR

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:05:19 GMT

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. – Proverbs 21:30.

No matter how fresh the start, or how great the plans we have made, if we do not walk with the Lord, the coming year will not be a spiritual success.

If we attempt to do anything apart from Christ, and if we attempt to do things in our own strength, we will fail.

As we receive this gift of a New Year, let’s commit to serve the Lord. As we make plans for the coming days ahead, let’s make sure that those plans are made based on the LORD’s revealed will in Scripture, and prayerful consideration of what our God wants us to accomplish.

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for being very near as I start on a new year. Please help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to know your will each day. Bring the people into my life who will help me love you more, serve you effectively, and bless others in meaningful ways. To you be all the honour and glory in what I do, think, and say in the days ahead. In Jesus’ wonderful and mighty Name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

HIS NAME

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:02:39 GMT

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6.

It’s a pity that our beautiful Text is only used at Christmas, because it speaks volumes for our life in Christ and for who He was, is, and will be…

His name is Wonderful : This takes care of the dullness of life.
We no longer need to live on the cheap substitutes of the world, in order to have excitement and enjoyment. Jesus Christ makes everything wonderful.

His name is Counsellor : This takes care of the decisions of life.
We no longer will be baffled by the problems of life, wondering what step is next. With Jesus Christ as Counsellor, we will have the wisdom that we need to make right decisions.

His name is Mighty God : This takes care of the demands of life.
And life is demanding! Sometimes we feel like giving up; but through Jesus Christ we can have the strength that we need to continue, and to conquer.

His name is Everlasting Father : This takes care of the dimensions of life.
We can become a part of eternity!!! A whole new dimension of living can be ours through Jesus Christ, when the government of our lives is upon His shoulders. He will never let us down, but will provide for us forever!

His name is Prince of Peace : This takes care of the disturbances of life.
How we long for lasting peace within! What we wouldn’t give for the secret of poise and confidence in a threatening world! The answer is none other than, Jesus! He is the Prince of Peace, and when He controls the government of your life, He gives you Peace, for He gives you Himself.

Remember, that there is a reason for the season; it’s the birthday of Jesus Christ! Let’s tell everyone we come into contact with, about His eternal life that He offers to anyone who would believe in Him! Make someone’s Christmas the best one ever by helping them accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour!

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you that you gave us a child, a Son, and Mighty God. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to remember this every time I mention His Name. Help me to tell someone about this magnificent act of love and sacrifice for us, and to let my world know of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. In His wonderful and majestic Name, I pray. Amen.

Be Encouraged!

GBYAY

CARING

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:59:39 GMT

In his book, The Yoke of Christ, Elton Trueblood quotes a letter from a schoolgirl who probes the depth of her soul.

She writes, “I’ve been thinking much this year about the importance of caring, of the passion of life.I’ve often realized that it takes courage to care. Caring is dangerous. It leaves you open to hurt and to looking like a fool.And perhaps it’s because they have been hurt so often that people are afraid to care.

You can’t die if you’re not alive. And then who would rather be a stone? I have found many places in my own life where I keep a secret store of indifference as a sort of self-protection.”

That’s a penetrating insight… “a secret store of indifference”. We’re to care, because Christ cared, even though it means a cross.

Heavenly Father, I thank you that as believers we have the compassion of Jesus in us. Help us to care passionately for those who desperately need cared for. Help us by the power of the Holy Spirit to have a “secret store of indifference.” In Jesus beautiful name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged

GBYAY

THE REAL ROAD TO GLORY…

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:56:20 GMT

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. – Mark 8:31.

Knowing Jesus is God’s Messiah is one thing, following Jesus as our Lord is quite another. Getting our minds, hearts, and lives to all line up is always a challenge.

Once Jesus’ disciples confessed Him as the Christ, He knew He had to teach them the real road to glory. Each of the Gospels reminds us that this road led to the cross of agony before it led to the crown of glory.

The early church captured it in a song that reminded them that they, too, must walk that same road. We are a heaven-bound people, but we can be sure that we will encounter potholes and bumps along the road, and even steep hills to climb as Satan tries to derail, and defeat us.

Our Saviour, however, has already walked this road, and He is our great reminder, that the path leads us to share in his glory too.

Loving Father, I know several believers who are struggling to follow Jesus faithfully. Lord, I ask that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you give them the strength and the courage to endure, and that you use me to encourage them, and to help them through this dark time in their lives. I want to specifically mention several people by name, and ask you to bless them. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

ARE WE ENGAGED IN WINNING SOULS?

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:53:39 GMT

Are we engaged in winning souls?

The Bible says… The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. -- Prov 11:30. Do we want to be wise? Do we want to accept this supreme assignment?

There is an effort that is required...

An effort has to be made if the souls of men, women and children are to be saved! There is the effort of prayer, there is the effort of a quiet consistent life lived in the home, the shop, the factory, the office. There is the Spirit directed frontal attack, the carefully planned approach to the soul who needs to be saved!

Often the difference between a successful soul winner and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will... As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no-one can work. -- John 9:4

Loving Heavenly Father, it is my desire to carry out the supreme assignment of winning souls! Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be a soul winner, help me to step up my prayer life for souls, in my family, my workplace, my community, my City and my country! In Jesus wonderful and mighty name! Amen!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

HE WILL NEVER FORGET OUR WORK AND LOVE...

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:52:39 GMT

God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won't forget the love you have shown his people. - Hebrews 6:10. (CEV)

Wow! So much assurance in such a short verse! God is always fair, is that an understatement or what?

That's real encouragement and motivation to keep on maturing in Christ.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:20:52 GMT

There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment. We love because God first loved us. - 1 John 4:18-19.

FEAR Vs LOVE

One of the problems that are prevalent in some Christians today is fear. Fear is an agonising and stressful emotion, and this is experienced in the fear of being rejected, fear of failing, fear of harm, fear of financial ruin, fear of people, fear of sickness, fear of death etc; At first glance, it does not seem that Love could be effective in conquering these fears, but the Apostle John convinces us that it does, but it has to be the love of God that we use, not our love, that love can fail.

We need to accept the perfect love, which the Apostle John speaks of, here is how this works:

LOVE FOR GOD

The more we love God, the less fear we will have. It is a matter of trust. When we realise that God will take care of us, it relieves our fears. My children when they were young, did do not worry about having something to eat, for all of those years my wife and I had provided for them, they trusted in us. Now if I had not provided for them, they would have been worried, but they knew we loved them and provided for them, so they had no fears about that.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you that your perfect love drives out all fear. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to use this gift of love that is available to me, and use it to deal with my fears. In the wonderful name of Jesus, Amen!

Be encouraged.

JESUS CHRIST IS A MAN COME TO SAVE MEN

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:57:05 GMT

Jesus Christ is a Man come to save men. In Him the divine nature is married to our human nature, and wherever human nature exists there is the raw material out of which He makes followers and saints. Our Lord recognizes no classes, high or low, rich or poor, old or young, man or woman: all are human and all are alike to Him. His invitation is to all mankind.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

BELIEF

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:44:16 GMT

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. - Romans 10:9-10.

You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it? - C.S. Lewis.

Believing things 'on authority' only means believing them because you have been told them by someone you think trustworthy. Ninety-nine percent of the things you believe are believed on authority. I believe there is such a place as New York. I could not prove by abstract reasoning that there is such a place. I believe it because reliable people have told me so. The ordinary person believes in the solar system, atoms, and the circulation of the blood on authority--because the scientists say so. Every historical statement is believed on authority.

None of us has seen the Norman Conquest or the defeat of the Spanish Armada. But we believe them simply because people who did see them have left writings that tell us about them; in fact, on authority. A person who balked at authority in other things, as some people do in religion, would have to be content to know nothing all his life. - C.S. Lewis.

I would recommend you either believe God up to the hilt, or else not to believe at all. Believe this book of God, every letter of it, or else reject it. There is no logical standing place between the two. Be satisfied with nothing less than a faith that swims in the deeps of divine revelation; a faith that paddles about the edge of the water is poor faith at best. It is little better than a dry-land faith, and is not good for much. - C.H. Spurgeon.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for my life in Jesus Christ; Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be thankful every day for the belief you gave me, through your Holy Bible. For your glory Lord, and for the extension of your Kingdom, in Jesus wonderful and mighty name I pray, Amen!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

TIME TO EXPERIENCE OUR IMPROVEMENT

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:44:16 GMT

In his book… Folk Psalms of Faith, Ray Stedman tells a story of a woman who had been a school teacher for 25 years. When she heard about a job that would mean a promotion, she applied for the position. However, someone who had been teaching for only one year was hired instead. She went to the principal and asked why. The principal responded, "I'm sorry, but you haven't had 25 years of experience as you claim; you've had only one year's experience 25 times." During that whole time the teacher had not improved.

This is truly a tragic story and one that I am sure we as Christians do not want said about us.

How can we improve so that our experience is constantly improving? Here are some principles that I believe will help us…

1. Develop a lifestyle of PRAYER.

By looking to God in Dependence and acknowledging how much we need Him. Let us express our dependence to Him. Heb 4:16 So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.(TLB)

2. Develop a lifestyle of STUDY.

By looking in God's Word for Direction, finding counsel and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Ps 119:105 Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling. (TLB) Let us make it a priority of knowing God through the Word. 2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (NIV)

3. Develop a lifestyle of FAITH.

By looking at our world with God's Perspective and believing God is at work in our lives. Responding to His truth through obedience. Heb 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. (TLB) Heb 11:6 You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him.(TLB)

4. Develop a lifestyle of EVANGELISM.

By looking around for God-given Opportunities, sharing God's grace with those He brings into our lives and opportunities, by being examples in our walk of faith. 2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)

2 Pet 3:9 He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent. (TLB)

This exhortation is to improve in our experience so let us strive to improve in these principles, knowing God gives us the grace and knowledge of Jesus to do so. Improve!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

IN CHRIST WE HAVE

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:44:16 GMT

In Christ We Have...

A love that can never be fathomed

A life that can never die

A righteousness that can never be tarnished

A peace that can never be understood

A rest that can never be disturbed

A joy that can never be diminished

A hope that can never be disappointed

A glory that can never be clouded

A light that can never be darkened

A purity that can never be defiled

A beauty that can never be marred

A wisdom that can never be baffled

Resources that can never be exhausted.

- Source Unknown.

WISDOM IS PROVEN RIGHT BY THE CHARACTER OF A LOVING LIFESTYLE

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:35:30 GMT

My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. - James 3:12-13.

Wisdom is proven right by the character of a loving lifestyle.

It is so easy, however, for someone to be arrogantly intelligent, and be dumber than a post at spiritual wisdom.

Which are you closer to in your walk with Jesus, wisdom expressed through humble and loving lifestyle, or smart with feelings of superiority and arrogance?

Loving Heavenly Father, I know you have been a wise and loving Father to me. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to share that care you have lavished on me, on the person who most needs it today. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:03:48 GMT

We see God's justice in sin actually being punished. Without the cross God, could have forgiven our sin gratuitously (to speak from a human perspective), but it would not have been just. Only in Christ is that justice satisfied. We see God's righteousness in recognition of the fact that only Jesus, the righteous One, could pay sin's penalty.

We see God's wisdom in the planning and ordering of such a great salvation. We see His love, for it is only at the cross that we know beyond doubt that God loves us even as He loves Jesus. Jesus revealed these attributes of the Father fully by His death. Hence, His obedience to the Father's will in dying, fully glorified Him.

No wonder we sing:

To God be the glory--great things He has done!

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin

And opened the Life-gate that all may go in.

That is God's glory . . . and Christ's glory . . . and our glory too, for we glory in Christ's death, rather than in any works or plans of our devising. . . . .

"It is finished." The work is done.

Loving Father, I thank you for Christ in my life. Help me by the power of your Holy Spirit, to glean the principles contained in this essay, that I may be a better disciple for you, and for the extension of your kingdom. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION..

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:03:48 GMT

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” -- John 3:3

The Gospel of Christ is for everyone, it’s for all mankind! I have memorized these verses, and every time I have an opportunity to lead someone to Christ, I know exactly what to say to them…

Be encouraged!!

GBYAY

LEAVING THE OLD LIFE AND BEGINNING THE NEW

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:03:48 GMT

Jesus calls us to leave the old life and to begin the new.

There must never be any vacuum, never any place of neutrality where the world cannot identify us.

Peter warming himself at the world's fire and trying to seem unconcerned is an example of the kind of halfway discipleship too many are satisfied with.

The martyr leaping up in the arena, demanding to be thrown to the lions along with his suffering brethren, is an example of the only kind of dedication that God approves. – A. W. Tozer.

Loving Father, I thank you for the call of Christ in my life. Help me by the power of your Holy Spirit, to glean the principles contained in this quote, that I may be a dedicated disciple for you, and for the extension of your kingdom. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF PRIDE ?

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:03:48 GMT

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. - Galatians 6:14.

What is your source of pride?

Paul reminds us that our one, true, and reliable source of boasting, is in what the Lord has done for us on the Cross.

All other reasons to boast are fleeting glimpses at empty prominence, compared to the joy and assurance of sharing in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Loving Heavenly Father, forgive me, for the times I have thought myself important because of some temporary achievement. Thank you for giving me a foundation source, of boasting in Jesus' love and grace, demonstrated in the Cross. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be aware of these, at all times. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

DAILY LIVING BY FAITH IN CHRIST

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:03:48 GMT

Daily living by faith in Christ is what makes the difference between the sickly and the healthy Christian, between the defeated and the victorious saint. Not that we are suggesting it is possible for any of us to attain a state or experience where we are no longer tripped up by Satan, or wounded by the flesh. No; but rather that the Christian should refuse to continue in that wounded state and go on lying on the ground moaning and groaning.

Our duty is to search out what it was in us which gave Satan the occasion to trip us up and the flesh to wound us; confess it to God, put it under the Blood, and seek grace to enable us to be more watchful against a repetition of the same. We should eye the all-sufficient Atonement, count upon its efficacy to cleanse from the guilt and defilement of the fall we experienced; and having put the matter right with God refuse to allow it now to hinder our communion with Him—our free approaches unto and our delighting ourselves in His promises. - Arthur W. Pink.

WE HAVE THE FOUNDATIONS ON WHICH TO BUILD CONCRETE HOPE

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:03:48 GMT

We have the foundations on which to build concrete hope, when we remind ourselves, that Salvation is by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, to atone for our sins, and to ransom our souls. We should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good example one before another, and we shall learn how to live to Him, with whom we hope to live for ever.

Hallelujah! What an awesome God we serve!

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for the foundations in my life that Christ has given me, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to build into other lives, to encourage and edify them, that they may be imitators of you. In Jesus wonderful name I pray, Amen!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

IF ANY OF YOU ARE ASHAMED OF ME AND MY WORDS

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:03:48 GMT

If any of you are ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. - Luke 9:26.

Some of the saddest words a loving child ever can hear are these: "I'm so disappointed in you."

We don't want that to be the reaction of our Heavenly Father.

We want the world to know that we love and honour Jesus as Lord, so they can come to know our Saviour too, and that we can bring delight to our Father in Heaven, and not be a disappointment to Him!

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, give me boldness, wisdom, and respect as I seek to stand up for Jesus each day. May my words and my life, declare my allegiance to Jesus, as my Lord and Saviour. I ask this in His mighty name. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING OF KINGDOM OF GOD Part 12

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:36 GMT

A Spiritual House Of God.

1 Peter 2:5 says that “Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house…” The Church is the Spiritual House of God. We are the Church, the Body of Christ. It is not the physical building which is the Church, but us the “living stones” as the Church. and Jesus Christ is the Master, the Lord and the Head of the Church. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Therefore, Him only do we hear and obey.

Jesus Christ is alive! A living Christ demands a living Church.

As “living stones” we are “ministers of the new testament (covenant): not of the letter, but of the spirit, for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (Hebrews 3:6). Therefore, the more we look unto Jesus, the more the Holy Spirit makes us to reflect more and more like Him and we are changed into His glorious image.

As the Spiritual House of God, the focus must be on God, not Man, nor rituals, nor the commandments and traditions of Man. We worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24).

Therefore, we must build up our spirit man (the inner man) by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2) with the Word of God. We are to “live in the Spirit… also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) and “be led by the Spirit of God” (Romans 8:14).

He perfected us forever whereof the Holy Spirit is a witness to us (Hebrews 10:14-15) and has set us free and given us the liberty (John 8:36), no more religious rituals (Colossians 2:16-23).

In Galatians 5:1, it says “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING OF KINGDOM OF GOD Part 13

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:36 GMT

The Power Of God – Baptism Of The Holy Spirit With Fire. (A)

With the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ bodily into heaven, He opened the Way for Man to enter into the Kingdom of God. “The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). We enter into it by the Spirit. It is supernatural.

Many verses in the Bible refer to the Holy Spirit as the power of God (Zechariah 4:6; Micah 3:8). Luke 4:14 records that Jesus Christ began His ministry “in the power of the Spirit.”

In Acts 1:4 Jesus “commanded them (the believers) that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father” to “be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). It is important for us to live a life relying on the Holy Spirit for God is Spirit, and we are spiritual beings clothe in a body. This power from on high is in our spirit.

The Kingdom of God is a Spiritual Kingdom. We do nothing that’s of worth to God unless we are being led by His Spirit.

Though the phrase "baptism of the Holy Spirit" appears nowhere in the Bible. However, the Bible clearly portrays Christ as the Baptizer: "I [John the Baptist] baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11).

Therefore Acts 1:5 emphasizes that we should “be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” It is important to distinguish the indwelling from the filling of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16, Jesus promised that as born again believers, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is permanent. We are “… sealed unto the day of redemption” by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).

To “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) is crucial not only for ministry but also for self-edification. Not all believers live filled or Spirit-led lives. Some describe this distinction by saying believers have all of the Holy Spirit but the Holy Spirit may not have all of them. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the time of our salvation but we are filled by Him when we submit to Him.

The filling of the Holy Spirit, then, can vary in the life of each believer. But the idea of being filled by the Spirit is more about an ongoing sense of God's Spirit working in a person's life, not a one-time experience. As the believer lives out his or her faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit increasingly controls or fills his or her life; this leads to joy, thankfulness, and right relationships (Romans 14:17; Romans 8:14).

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING KINGDOM OF GOD Part 13. (Cont'd)

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:36 GMT

The Power Of God – Baptism Of The Holy Spirit With Fire. (B)

When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he encountered some Jewish disciples of John the Baptist. After hearing about Jesus, they believed in Him and became followers of Christ. When Paul laid hands on them, they spoke in tongues as the “Holy Spirit came on them” (Acts 19:1-7).

The evidence of Jesus living inside us is the Holy Spirit, which is the evidence of speaking in tongues as in John 3:5 which states “being born of the Spirit.” Speaking in tongues is a heavenly language God fills us with “the Comforter” as the Bible calls it.

In 2006, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took brain images of five people while they spoke in tongues. Their research was published in The New York Times. The leader of the study team was Dr. Andrew Newberg, who arrived at this conclusion:

"We noticed a number of changes that occurred functionally in the brain. Our finding of decreased activity in the frontal lobes during the practice of speaking in tongues is fascinating because these subjects truly believe that the spirit of God is moving through them and controlling them to speak. ...Our brain-imaging research shows us that these subjects are not in control of the usual language centres during this activity, which is consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control while speaking in tongues."

When they prayed in tongues, their frontal lobes, the willful part of the brain we use to think and control what we do, were quiet. The language centre of their brains—the part we use to speak in our native language—were quiet as well. The people were not in a trance; they were fully aware of what was happening.

The researchers were unable to pinpoint which part of the brain was controlling this behaviour of speaking in tongues. Dr. Newberg went on to say, "The amazing thing was how the images supported people's interpretation of what was happening. ... The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them."

1 Corinthians 14:4 says "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself..." Praying in tongues is like a spiritual workout—it builds you up and makes you stronger spiritually. Jude 20 says “… building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus, the Baptizer said “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). All that Jesus did when He was on earth was accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit that anointed and empowered Jesus has been dispatched to anoint and empower us, His followers.

A further proof of being Spirit-filled is the manifestation of spiritual gifts. Paul affirms “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit … the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal … all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). When the Holy Spirit fills believers, He determines how and to whom the gifts of the Spirit are distributed.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING OF KINGDOM OF GOD Part 14

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:36 GMT

When Was The Kingdom Of God Established?

Adam and Eve had the Creator of heaven and earth as their God and Maker. They lived in a Kingdom ruled and reigned by Jehovah (God). But through the deception of Satan, Adam and Eve chose to be independent of God by their decision and action in disobeying the only “shall not” commandment of God which led to natural and spiritual death, that is, Creation began to decay and die, and a spiritual separation from God that put them and Creation under the dominion of Satan and the kingdom of darkness.

With Man under the domain of Satan, the dominion that God has given to Man has now come under the dominion of Satan. Man has lost dominion over God’s creation.

Since the Fall of Man (that is, Man separated from the rule and reign of God), Man lived to build their own kingdoms, for themselves and to reign with their darkened minds assisted and led on by the god of this world.

• Cain (Genesis 4:16-17)

• Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

• Evil of man (Genesis 6:5-7)

• The Israelites – wanted a human king; rejected God(1Samuel 8:6-7)

• Kingdoms – reign by man – Northern & Southern Kingdoms;

. Roman Empire.

God in His mercy and sovereignty intervened, working out His plan to redeem His creation. Man sees God as either a Judge or a Deliverer with no “personal relationship” but a religion/ritual to be obeyed by strict discipline.

The natural would see the world with the natural mind. The natural man seeks to dominate the environment, people and society around them. They influence with their natural reasoning and understanding. They dominate and build their own kingdoms.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING KINGDOM OF GOD Part 15

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:36 GMT

What Then Is Our Perception Of The Kingdom Of God?

The Prophet Isaiah said “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord…” (Isaiah 6:1). His eyes, understanding and perception were on the natural, but when he “saw God” (a vision, a revelation, an understanding), he repented.

Jesus’ first words in His ministry on earth were “Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand!”

Why “repent”? It is to repent from all conceptions, thinking, imaginations, teachings, the ways of life that are not in line with the Word and the Spirit of God. Repent from the commandments and traditions of Man.

Jesus did not come to proclaim and preach on the gospel of grace, the gospel of prosperity or the gospel of salvation. He came to proclaim, preach and teach on the gospel of the Kingdom.

The Jews were the chosen people of God through the faith of Abraham to bring about the redemption of God’s Creation, but the Jews had repeatedly failed to obey God and instead turned the laws of God into commandments of Man, making the people hard to enter the Kingdom of God and slaves to the dominion of Man.

The Torah has become more than 613 laws (248 do’s and 365 don’ts) to be followed. The Sabbath became a ritualistic practice that added heavy burden to the people, the laws and its practices that were interpreted by the priests to enrich themselves and to control the people under them.

The Jews view the Kingdom of God as a physical and natural deliverance by a soon coming king (Messiah), to liberate them from the oppression of the Roman Empire.

They rejected Jesus Christ for He did not fit into their understanding and interpretation of the Kingdom of God despite the fact that Jesus came to proclaim the Kingdom of God with all power and authority, signs and wonders over all dominions in the natural as well as the supernatural.

By the blindness in their minds caused by the god of this world, the Jews (God’s chosen people) crucified Jesus, the Messiah.

Until today, the Jews reject Jesus and are still waiting for their deliverer in the natural to free them from the oppression of man, to conquer the world and establish the rule of God here and now on earth. They expect the deliverer to establish a physical Kingdom of God on earth in this kingdom!

The Kingdom of God

• Is a Spiritual Kingdom. Jesus said in John 18:36 “My Kingdom is not of this world…”

• Is not in word but power (1 Corinthians 4:20).

• Is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

• Is in us (Luke 17:21).

• Is now and is also to come, the fullness of the kingdom will be established here on earth as it is in heaven with the soon return of Jesus as the reigning King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD Part 16.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:36 GMT

What Does It Take To Enter The Kingdom Of God?

Let’s take the lesson from The Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:16-22. The Rich Young Ruler asked Jesus: “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (v16).

He, being a Jew who had observed and obeyed the Ten Commandments, was proud of himself to have fulfilled the Law. Yet Jesus said that the Rich Young Ruler lacked one thing, which caught him by surprise.

What was Jesus actually saying here? Jesus was introducing the Kingdom of God to the Rich Young Ruler. Jesus is saying that He being “a mediator of the new testament (covenant)” (Hebrews 9:15) Who fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17) and had “made the first (covenant) old… which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:13) has ushered in the Kingdom of God whereby He is the King and that the Rich Young Ruler should follow Him.

In Matthew 19:24, it says that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.” The Rich Young Ruler had great possessions. He loved his wealth more than God as what Jesus said in Matthew 19:23 “that a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of heaven.”

Yet Mark 10:21 says that “Jesus beholding him (the Rich Young Ruler) loved him.” Salvation is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 clearly states that “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Our part is to believe and receive that gift and be saved.

But to enter the Kingdom of God, one must acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, and not just as Savior. To truly follow Jesus and calls Him Lord, we must consider the cost and put Him above everything else. Luke 14:26-28 says “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be MY disciple.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”

These are hard sayings. John 6:66 says “… many of His disciples… walked no more with Him.” Acts 14:22 says that “we must through much tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.”

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD Part 17.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:36 GMT

How Do We Do It?

Jesus said we must be born-again to see the Kingdom of God.

And we must be born of water and Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. Ezekiel 36:24-27. 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Titus 3:5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Ephesians 5:26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

Romans 8:1-2, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 12-13. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Only the Holy Spirit can produce the spiritual rebirth required for salvation and spiritual maturity to inherit the Kingdom of God.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING KINGDOM OF GOD Part 8

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:08 GMT

The Package of Being Born Again

John 1:12 says “as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God… which were born not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Therefore, in Christ Jesus, we are the children of God.

Jesus says in Matthew 25:34 “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” As children of God, our inheritance is the Kingdom of God. Have we been told about this?

Our inheritance, the gift of God comprises of:

1. Forgiveness of our sins and inheritance (Acts 26:18).

2. Receive eternal life, the life of the Son of God (1 John 5:11-13).

3. Receive the Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father (Acts 2:33, 38-39).

4. Partakers of the Divine Nature of the Spirit (2 Peter 1:4; 1Peter 1:3-4).

5. Become heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

6. Sit at the right hand of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 1:20-21).

7. Await the full redemption with a glorious body (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Phil 3:21) and the new heaven and new earth (Revelations 21:1).

8. Given the keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19; Matthew 17:18-20).

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING KINGDOM OF GOD Part 9

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:08 GMT

Kingdom Inheritance

A New Creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says that “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature … the old has passed away, behold all things have become new.” This new birth is brought about by the will of God (John 1:13).

We did not inherit the new nature, nor did God simply clean up our old nature. We are still work-in-progress. However, by faith in Jesus Christ, we believe and stand on the Divine Exchange.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING KINGDOM OF GOD Part 10

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:08 GMT

The Divine Exchange

From:

Death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57))

Natural (“Psuche”) Life (1 Corinthians 15:4446)

Darkness (Colossians 1:12-13)

Sense Knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Partakers of Satanic Nature (Ephesians 2:2)

Bondage to Fear & Death (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Condemnation (Sin-Conscious) (Romans 8:1-3)

Slaves (Romans 6:17,20)

Aliens (Ephesians 2:12)

Forsaken (Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 1:6)

Victims (Romans 7:19-20))

Curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13-14)

To:

Life (1 John 5:11-13))

Spiritual (“Zoe”) Life (John 10:10)

Light (1 Peter 2:9)

Revelation Knowledge (Ephesians 1:17-19) Partakers of Divine Nature – Fruit & Power of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 5:13) Freedom in Christ (John 8:36)

Forgiven (God-Conscious) (1 John 1:9)

Sonship (Romans 8:15-16)

Citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20)

Loved (1 John 3:1)

Victors (Romans 8:37)

Blessing of Abraham (Galatians 3:29)

Therefore, we are “the church of the firstborn” (Hebrews 12:23) and 1 Peter 2:9 says that we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING KINGDOM OF GOD Part 11

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:54:08 GMT

Citizen of Heaven

When we were raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 2:6), we became citizens of heaven, citizens of an Eternal Kingdom where Jesus Christ is the King.

Citizens adopt the culture and practices of the nation or kingdom to which they belong. When we are born again, we are born into the Kingdom of God. Our focus ought to turn to eternal values and know more about the Kingdom of God.

We are but pilgrims on earth (1 Peter 2:11) “for our citizenship is in heaven…” (Philippians 3:20).

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD PART 6

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:53:15 GMT

The Way Of Redemption .

The way of redemption is through the death Jesus Christ at the Cross. Jesus came to do the Father’s will. In Hebrews 10:9 “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.”

Jesus says in John 6:40 “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

1 Timothy 2:4-5 also says that “… all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Jesus Came To Earth To Do The Father’s Will.

His death at the Cross for the redemption of the sin of the world.

By identification and not by sympathy with humanity (Hebrews 2:9-18), Jesus sacrificed Himself (Hebrews 9:26) as “the Lamb that taketh away the Sin of the world” (John 1:29). “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14).

He made the way for us to return to God.

1 Peter 3:18 says that “Christ also hath once suffered for sins… that He might bring us to God…” and “by His blood … obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12). “Christ… after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12) and “appeared in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24).

He won for us victory over Satan.

Colossians 2:14-15 (NLT) says that “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the Cross. In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them at the Cross.”

He died and rose again.

Jesus died and was buried in a tomb and on the third day, he rose again by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:5-7). In John 11:25, Jesus Christ declares “I am the Resurrection and the Life” and “I am alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:18).

He ushered in the Kingdom of God.

In Luke 11:20-22 says “the Kingdom is come – demonstrated by the casting out of demons. Jesus is our Strong Man. He has defeated Satan.”

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING KINGDOM OF GOD Part 7

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:53:15 GMT

We must be born again.

Galatians 3:29 says that “if you are in Christ, you are Abraham’s seed and heirs to the throne.” Every promise in the Bible has a condition to it. And this promise can be appropriated as in what 1 Peter 1:23 says, that we must be “born again … by the Word (Seed) of God.”

Jesus said “You must be born again. That which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit” (John 3:6-7).

What Is Born Again?

The word “born again” literally means “born from above” or “new birth.” There is a change of heart – a spiritual transformation. It is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to us who believe. John 17:3 says “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Why Is It Important To Be Born Again?

Why is it important to be born again? Ephesians 2:1-2 says that “… we were dead in trespasses and sins… walked according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” which basically means that before we are born again, we are spiritually “dead.” But when we receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven and we begin to have a relationship with God.

John 3:3 says that “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Let’s look at the conversation between Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews and Jesus. Jesus was actually leading Nicodemus to the Kingdom of God. It begins with the born again experience where we see the Kingdom of God.

John 3:5 says that “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” But to enter into the Kingdom of God, two things are required – “born of water” which is by the Word, renewal of our mind and transformation of our heart, and “born… of the Spirit” which is to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14) and being the matured sons (huios) of God.

Be encouraged!!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD PART 5

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 13:50:01 GMT

God’s Redemption Plan.

The Nature Of God That Provokes Him To Redeem.

Despite the fall of Man, God in His goodness, mercy and grace pursued and began to care for Man (Genesis 3:21-24) …

1. God made coats of skins and clothe them. This is symbolic of a blood sacrifice of animals to make skins to cover them.

2. God shielded them and provided hope for eternal redemption. God drove Man out of the Garden of Eden and placed cherubim (angels) and a flaming sword to guard the way to the “tree of life” lest Man ate of it.

Sin is spiritual. Man cannot touch or deal with Sin. Only God can. Sin is not wrong doing but wrong being. In pursuing Man, God dealt with Sin in Redemption at the Cross – once and for all in all eternity.

What Does Redemption Mean?

Redemption is that God can put in me a new disposition whereby I can live a totally new life. It means that I can be delivered from the hereditary of sin and through Jesus Christ, receive a holy hereditary viz the Holy Spirit.

Jesus can put into any man the disposition that is in Him. The moral transaction on my part is to agree with God’s verdict on sin in the Cross of Jesus Christ.

“Redemption means I can be delivered from the hereditary of sin and through Jesus Christ, I can receive a spotless and pure hereditary, the Holy Spirit” – Oswald Chambers.

The redemptive work of God at the Cross is sure, complete and finished.

The Promise Of God To Abraham.

God says in Genesis 22:16 “By myself have I sworn” that “thy seed shall possess the gates of the enemy” (Genesis 22:17) “and in thy seed shall all nations be blessed” (Genesis 22:18).

The Bible says that in Galatians 4:4 “when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son” who in Matthew 1:21-23 says that “His name is Jesus: Savior – for He shall save His people from their sins… they shall call His name, Emmanuel – God with us.” And this “Jesus, who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16) is the Seed.

By virtue that we are in Christ, we are also Abraham’s seed. Galatians 3:29 says that “if you are in Christ, you are Abraham’s seed and heirs to the throne.”

Galatians 3:13-14 says that “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us… that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ… that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD PART 4

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:46:28 GMT

God’s Judgment.

As it happened in Genesis Chapter 3, Man was tempted by Satan and did eat from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

With that disobedience came the big spiritual divide between God and Man. The spiritual innocence of Man living in the perfect state of bliss, happiness and delight of God is now plunged into darkness. The spiritual separation from God meant that Darkness (Sin = Satan) has now dominated the spirit of Man, and with that Death reigns from Adam to Moses till the Torah (the Law of Moses) was given (Romans 5:12-14).

Sin is a fundamental relationship; it is not wrongdoing, it is wrong being; deliberate and strong independence of God. The disposition (strong fundamental nature) of sin is not immorality and wrongdoing, but of self realization – I am my own god. This disposition may work out in decorous (dignified) morality or in indecorous immorality, but it has one basis, my claim to my right to myself. When Jesus faced men with all the forces of evil in them and men who were clean living and morally right, He did not pay attention to the moral degradation of the one or to the moral attainment of the other; Jesus looked at something we do not see, viz, the disposition.

Sin is something I am born with and I cannot touch it, least of all to deal with it. God touches sin in redemption. In the Cross of Jesus Christ, God redeemed the whole human race from the possibility of damnation through the hereditary of sin. God nowhere holds a man responsible for having the hereditary of sin.

The condemnation is not that I am born with a hereditary of sin, but if when I realize that Jesus Christ came to deliver me from it, and I refuse to let Him do so, from that moment I began to get the seal of damnation – “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world and men love darkness rather than light.”

Just as the disposition of sin came into the human race by one man, so the Holy Spirit entered the human race by another Man.

The Law (Law of Moses) is from God. Exodus 20:1 “And God spake…” to Moses during the time “he was with the Lord forty days and nights” (Exodus 34:28). The purpose of the Law is to expose the sin disposition in Man for “by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). Galatians 3:23-25 says that “before faith came, we were kept under the Law… wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith, but after the faith is come, we

are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

“For the Law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy and moral. The Law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God” (1 Timothy 1:9-11 NLT).

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD PART 3

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:34:44 GMT

What Went Wrong?

Genesis 1:2 says “And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” And God said in Genesis 1:3 “Let there be light, and there was light.”

In looking at these two verses, something must have happened in the heavenliness. An indication of what happened can be found In Revelation 12:7-9 “there was war in heaven…the dragon fought and his angels and prevailed not: neither was their place found any more in heaven… that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world, he was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him.”

Satan rebelled against God and he, together with a third of the angels, were cast down to Earth. Satan’s target for his rebellion against God was to destroy Man, God’s creation.

The “light” in Genesis 1:3 is not the light of the sun because the sun was only created in the fourth day (cf Genesis 1:14). Darkness versus Light equate to the two spiritual kingdoms – the kingdom of darkness, which is Satan’s domain and the Kingdom of Light, which is the Kingdom of God.

When Satan was cast down to Earth, the battle continued at the Garden of Eden as Satan seized sovereignty over the creation of Man. This battle is never a physical battle. It is a battle of the mind – an unseen spiritual battle.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD PART 2

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:30:43 GMT

Before the creation of the world, God thought of Man.

Ephesians 1:4 says “…He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world…”

Therefore, the creation of Man is not an “after-thought.”

Adam and Eve were created as “living souls” when God breathed life into Adam’s nostrils and formed him with a body from the earth (mud). Thus, man consists of the body (mud), the soul (living personality) and the spirit (breath of life) – 1 Thessalonian 5:23.

God said in Genesis 1:26-28 “Let us made man in our image, after our likeness… so God created he him, male and female created he them … blessed them and

God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion…”

Man was created also in the likeness and image of God with the powers to have dominion over all of creation. Man was made a little below Elohim and was crowned with glory and honour (Psalm 8:5-6). Man was created free with a freedom of choice, to choose whatever that they decide. God gave all dominion to

Man with full liberty to enjoy all things in the Garden of Eden, including eating from the “tree of life” except for one thing:

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eateth thereof, thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

REDISCOVERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD PART 1

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:29:46 GMT

WHO IS GOD?

Genesis 1:1 says “In the beginning God…” assumes His existence from the very beginning. God is the Creator, the Self-existent One.

Psalm 14:1 says “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God…” The Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God, but what it does is to reveal the nature, character and work of God.

God is Spirit, by nature He is intangible (John 4:24). He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:712), omnipotent (Revelation 19:6) and omniscient (Psalm 147:5).

God’s attributes are expressed in Exodus 34:6 “…The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”

God created the world (Genesis 1:1) and He created Man for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11). He is working out His eternal plan (Ephesians 1:11). He will judge the world (Revelation 20:11-15).

Be Encouraged.

GBYAY

MY JOY IS FAR GREATER AT FINDING JESUS

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:28:19 GMT

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12. TNIV

Whilst on holiday, and trying not to wake the wife up, I stumbled around in pitch black darkness one night trying to find the bed, to my relief she switched the bedside lamp on, and the room was filled with light, oh, what joy!

My joy, however, is far greater at finding Jesus, who illuminates my heart on my darkest nights, illuminates my future with his coming glory, illuminates my path with his words of truth, and illuminates my hope with the dawning of each Sunday, my weekly reminder of his triumph over the grave.

Whoever accepts and follows Jesus, shall have the Divine light continually shining upon them, diffusing over their soul knowledge, holiness, joy, till they are guided by it to everlasting life .

Loving Heavenly Father, how can I ever thank you enough for giving me the light of my life? Until my face reflects the light of your glory, Jesus will light my way. In the name of Jesus, the Light of the world, I praise and thank you. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING LEFT

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:25:56 GMT

When you have nothing left but God, then you become aware that God is enough. – Maude Royden.

Salvation is the first step on that path, without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in our lives, we can never achieve true contentment. You have that opportunity today, to begin this journey.

Loving Heavenly Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to learn how to be content in every situation, help me to put these principles of your word into practice, that I might be a better child for you, and bring glory to your name, in Jesus wonderful name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

HOW CAN WE IMPROVE SO THAT OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE LORD IS CONSTANTLY IMPROVING?

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:24:26 GMT

How can we improve so that our experience with the Lord is constantly improving? Here are some principles that I believe will help us…

1. Develop a Lifestyle of PRAYER.

By looking to God in Dependence, and acknowledging how much we need Him. Let us express our dependence to Him… Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Heb 4:16.

2. Develop a Lifestyle of STUDY.

By looking in God’s Word for Direction, finding counsel and guidance from the Holy Spirit… Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. – Ps 119:105.

Let us make it a priority of knowing God through His Word… Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. – 2 Tim 2:15.

3. Develop a Lifestyle of FAITH.

By looking at our world with God’s Perspective, and believing God is at work in our lives. We can do this by responding to His truth through obedience… Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. – Heb 11:1.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Heb 11:6.

4. Develop a Lifestyle of EVANGELISM.

By looking around for God-given Opportunities, sharing God’s grace with those He brings into our lives and opportunities, by being examples in our walk of faith…

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Pet 3:9.

This encouragement is designed to improve us in our experience, so let us strive to improve in these principles, knowing God gives us the grace and knowledge of Jesus, to do so. Improve!

Loving Heavenly Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to improve my experience. Help me to develop a lifestyle of prayer, study, faith, and evangelism, that I may bring glory to your Name. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray! Amen!

Be Encouraged!

GBYAY

WHEN PEOPLE LIVE FOR CHIRST, THEY WILL BE NOTICED

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:22:08 GMT

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matt5:14.

Darkness dominates our world. Despite appearances, darkness controls much of what is said, and how it is viewed by the world.

When people live for Christ, they will be noticed. Their allegiance to Jesus and His righteousness cannot be ignored. So what are we going to do with that light? Are others going to see and be drawn to our Father in Heaven who sent his Son as Saviour? Or, are they going to reject the way of Christ because our walk is all talk, and not much service?

Let us allow them to see God’s grace through our lives, so they will come to know the Saviour!

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for your grace that saved me. Please help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to reflect your character and grace in all that I do, so that when folks notice me and know of my Christian commitment, they will glorify you because of the service they have seen. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

BE AWARE OF THE HOLY PRESENCE

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:20:32 GMT

Once, as an experiment, the great scientist Isaac Newton stared at the image of the sun reflected in a mirror. The brightness burned into his retina, and he suffered temporary blindness. Even after he hid for three days behind closed shutters, still the bright spot would not fade from his vision. “I used all means to divert my imagination from the sun,” he writes, “But if I thought upon him I presently saw his picture though I was in the dark.”

If he had stared a few minutes longer, Newton might have permanently lost all vision. The chemical receptors that govern eyesight cannot withstand the full force of unfiltered sunlight.

There is a parable in Isaac Newton’s experiment, and it helps illustrate what the Israelites ultimately learned from the wilderness wanderings. They had attempted to live with the Lord of the Universe visibly present in their midst; but, in the end, out of all the thousands who had so gladly fled Egypt, only two survived God’s Presence. If you can barely endure candlelight, how can you gaze at the sun? – Philip Yancey.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for my beautiful life in Jesus Christ; Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be aware of the Holy presence of God. For your glory Lord, and for the extension of your Kingdom, in Jesus wonderful and mighty name I pray, amen!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

HE GIVES THE SPIRIT TO THE OBEDIENT

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:16:08 GMT

And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” -Acts 5-32.

God never promised a bed of roses to any of us, yet, to the obedient ones He has promised something greater than all the roses of this life. He promised us the Holy Spirit!

The giving of the Holy Spirit, is evidence that it is the will of God, and that Jesus Christ should be obeyed. I would rather have the Holy Spirit bearing witness in my soul, when I go about my daily chores in my every day life, than to have all the trimmings and trappings of this world.

We cannot expect to be redeemed and saved by Christ, unless we give ourselves up to be ruled by Him. Faith takes the Saviour in all His functions, who came, not to save us in our sins, but to save us from our sins. Hallelujah! What a mighty God we serve!

HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:04:39 GMT

Dear friends,

NO ONE can become a Christian unless they are “Born Again” by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ says… “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:7. The necessity is absolute…you must be “Born Again”, nothing will take the place of the “New Birth”, neither Water Baptism nor Confirmation will take this place.

NO PERFORMANCE of religious rites will take the place of the New Birth. A great many people are depending on the fact that they say their prayers, read the Bible, go to Church, join in the sacraments and perform other duties. None of this will take the place of the New Birth. You can be religious in every teaching and yet be lost to God forever.

CULTURE and REFINEMENT and outward correctness of life will not take the place of the New Birth. The trouble is not merely with our outward life; the trouble is in the heart, in the deepest depths of our inward life. Our attempt to simply reform our outward life will not save us.

Suppose I had a rotten apple, I could take it to an artist and have him paint it until it was the most beautiful looking apple on canvas that you ever saw, and then have him coat it with varnish; but it would just be rotten to the core as ever. One bite into it would be a bite of decay. The trouble is that without Jesus Christ, you are wide of the mark in the heart.

Mere culture, refinement, respectability, morality, is simply a painted coating of varnish on the outside. Change means, going down to the very deepest depths of your being. “Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ John 3:3.

Are you Born Again? Now I think a good many will say, “No I am not. Can you tell me what I must do right now, to be Born Again”… I can.

Our Lord Jesus Christ preached, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15. REPENTANCE is turning from sin to God. The gospel message has power in it to revolutionise your life. In the Bible we read, “As many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His Name.” John 1:12.

WE ARE BORN AGAIN by God’s Holy Spirit, through His Word, the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. When you ask Jesus into your life, He transforms you through and through in a moment! It does not matter to Him if you are the world’s biggest sinner, if you open the door of your heart and let Him come in to rule and reign in your life, you will be made a New Creation by God Himself.

Loving Heavenly Father,

I repent of all the things I have done wrong, my sins. I ask for forgiveness and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. With my confession, your Word tells me that I am a new creation; I am “Born Again”. I thank you that Jesus is now my Lord and my Saviour. In His Name I Pray. Amen.

* If you have said this prayer, please tell someone that you have become a Christian and seek to join a Bible believing Church.

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT: COMING BACK FROM FAILURE #4

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:53:27 GMT

Those who have failed miserably are often the first to see God’s formula for success. — Erwin W. Lutzer

———————————————————-

John 21:1-25

FAILURE NEED NOT BE FATAL OR FINAL

One of the greatest truths that we can glean from Peter’s dilemma is that failure is not necessarily fatal or final.

Peter, having faced his failure… was given the opportunity to put matters right with the Master, and now that this was accomplished, was forgiven and restored back to his rightful position as a child of God, a disciple and an apostle, he had risen from the depths of his anguish and had come back from failure!

Now Peter was ready to face his future… John 21:18-19 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” What joy Peter must have felt when he heard those words… “Follow me!”

Jesus informs Peter what lay ahead for him… Previous to being called by the Lord, Peter was the master of his own destiny, but now he was to fulfil God’s plan for his future, he would be taken against his own will and executed, through this he would glorify God by his death.

Tradition records… that Peter was crucified in Rome under Nero around 67/68 AD, and that by his own request was crucified upside down because he considered himself unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

I doubt … if any of us will be called to die for God, but what an honour it would be to fulfil the ultimate sacrifice for Him, as Peter did. Many of us would be so happy to fulfil God’s plans for our lives, after coming back from failure. It is so good to understand, that failure is never fatal or final, once forgiven and restored, our future in Him, will result in the glorifying of our Lord and Saviour.

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

— Corrie Ten Boom.

Loving Heavenly Father, Thank you for your word and the revelation of knowing that coming back from failure need not be fatal or final, but that you have everything under control. I thank you that you have my destiny in your hands. In Jesus’ wonderful name. Amen.

COMING BACK FROM FAILURE #3

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:48:33 GMT

My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.– Abraham Lincoln

———————————————————-

John 21:1-25

FAILURE MUST BE FACED FOR FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION

In order for us to come back from failure, we need to comprehend that unless we face our failure, we can’t get back on the road to recovery.

In our last study study… We saw how Peter had returned to fishing when he had failed, and how we usually return to the familiar whenever we fail. We realised that this can’t help us, as we endeavour to come back from our failure.

Peter had felt a failure… Because he had denied Jesus three times in John 18, but he had taken his first step to receiving forgiveness and restoration by jumping overboard and swimming to Jesus. We learned how God loves to forgive… I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

As Peter walked towards Jesus… He could smell the charcoal from the fire that Jesus had made, and he possibly had a flashback, to the time he had denied Jesus by the fire in the high priest’s courtyard, but he was determined to go on and come back from his failure.

We begin to see a pattern emerging here… This was the 3rd time Jesus had appeared to His disciples since his death, Peter had denied Jesus 3 times, Jesus questioned Peter 3 times and Peter had replied 3 times, and 3 times Jesus committed the care of His flock to Peter. I don’t know the significance of all of this, only to say that when God does something He does it to perfection… Matt 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

All of this indicated… That Peter was being forgiven and restored as a child of God, to his calling as a disciple of God, to his correct position as an apostle of God, and from this time on, the smell of charcoal would not be the smell of failure! Peter had come back from his failure and so can we!

Loving Heavenly Father, I praise you for your word that helps me to understand, that I need to face my failure in order to be forgiven and restored. I praise you lord, for you are the God of the impossible that makes all things possible. Thank you for my forgiveness and restoration as a child of God, as a follower of Jesus and to make my calling secure. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.

COMING BACK FROM FAILURE #2

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:45:51 GMT

Failure is an event, never a person. — William Brown

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John 21:1-25

FAILURE HAS A TENDENCY TO MAKE US TO SEARCH FOR THE FAMILIAR

Failure usually comes when we attempt something out of the norm… i.e., a new relationship, a new business or job, moving to a new place etc., generally something that involves taking a risk. When we meet difficulties and it doesn’t turn out the way we hoped, we tend to go back to what we did before. Peter’s dilemma caused him to return to fishing, he would seek comfort in this.

Sometimes we seek solace for our failures in other areas of our lives… alcohol, drugs or other secret addictions that we had never dealt with in our lives, prior to our predicaments, but there is a way out…

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. The first step to overcoming failure is to confess our sins and Jesus will restore us, as He forgave and restored Peter.

John recognises the voice of Jesus in John21:7…

and Peter jumps overboard and swims to Jesus! This was his first step to receiving forgiveness and restoration. Jesus receives him and provides breakfast for him, in the miraculous provision of fish and bread. And He will provide for us, when our relationship with Him is repaired…

Rev 3:20-21 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame

and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Life is a leaf of paper white

Whereon each one of us may write

His word or two, and then comes night.

Greatly begin! though thou have time

But for a line, be that sublime–

Not failure, but low aim, is crime. — James Russell Lowell.

Loving Father, I thank you for your word that helps me to understand myself, helps me to put my life into perspective. Forgive me Lord, for going back to the things that I was familiar with, wash me and cleanse me. I thank you that you are a God of forgiveness and restoration. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

TIME TO EXPERIENCE OUR IMPROVEMENT

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:32:34 GMT

In his book… Folk Psalms of Faith, Ray Stedman tells a story of a woman who had been a school teacher for 25 years. When she heard about a job that would mean a promotion, she applied for the position. However, someone who had been teaching for only one year was hired instead. She went to the principal and asked why. The principal responded, “I’m sorry, but you haven’t had 25 years of experience as you claim; you’ve had only one year’s experience 25 times.” During that whole time the teacher had not improved.

This is truly a tragic story and one that I am sure we as Christians do not want said about us.

How can we improve so that our experience is constantly improving? Here are some principles that I believe will help us…

1. Develop a lifestyle of PRAYER .

2. Develop a lifestyle of STUDY .

By looking in God’s Word for Direction, finding counsel and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Ps 119:105 Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling. (TLB) Let us make it a priority of knowing God through the Word. 2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (NIV)

3. Develop a lifestyle of FAITH .

By looking at our world with God’s Perspective and believing God is at work in our lives. Responding to His truth through obedience. Heb 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. (TLB) Heb 11:6 You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him.(TLB)

4. Develop a lifestyle of EVANGELISM .

By looking around for God-given Opportunities, sharing God’s grace with those He brings into our lives and opportunities, by being examples in our walk of faith. 2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)

2 Pet 3:9 He isn’t really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent. (TLB)

This exhortation is to improve in our experience so let us strive to improve in these principles, knowing God gives us the grace and knowledge of Jesus to do so. Improve!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

COMING BACK FROM FAILURE #1

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:25:25 GMT

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10, 000 ways that won’t work. — Thomas A. Edison

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John 21:1-25

Someone once said… “We grow more through PAIN than through SUCCESS!” This is something that I have found in my own life, and dare I say, probably most of you! I am constantly encouraged when I read of Peter’s struggle in John 21, when he had failed so badly, yet Jesus was able to encourage him to come back from his failure, and get going again.

How did Peter get to the point of failure?

He had left all including home, wife and kids, boat and business, to follow Jesus. Peter had decided to become the best disciple… a born leader! The issue here is not whether Peter can be forgiven… but can he be restored? Can we ever arise from the ashes of failure? Can we ever get back to the point of starting again? If you are called to follow God… you will never be happy doing anything else, we know this from the many testimonies of people who have stumbled in their walk with Jesus.

As Peter went fishing…

Was he thinking of all the good times he had when walking with the Master, was he looking around at the places where Jesus had fed the 5000, where the blind man was healed, where his mother-in-law was healed, where the possessed man was set free in the synagogue, was he thinking of how he had failed Jesus? And then … as he heard the voice calling, it must have been déjà vu experience.

To begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment. — James Allen

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for your word that can bring healing to me. As I read what has happened to other Christians, I am so amazed by your love and mercy. Grant me the revelation through the Holy Spirit to know that even when I fail, you are there to help me start again. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

ULTIMATE JOY COMES FROM CHRIST DWELLING WITHIN US

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:21:26 GMT

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:11

If we haven’t been joyful lately, we may not be looking at life from the right perspective, and we might be living life with something that is sucking the joy from us.

Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ is near, and at his second coming we will fully realise this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfil

his final purposes for us.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for the love that you have for me, I thank you that Jesus said His joy is in me! Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to know Him, to love Him, to remember Him, and to obey Him, in Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen!

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

PRAYER…….

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:09:56 GMT

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. – Psalm 5:3.

Prayer is more than asking. Prayer is more than praising. Prayer is more than thanking. Prayer is more than requesting or interceding or kneeling or humbling ourselves.

Prayer is expecting that God wants us there, expecting that He hears us, and expecting that He will meet us in our prayer time and do what is best for us and those we love.

Let’s pray…

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for meeting us in this prayer time. I know that you hear us and care about what we share with you. Thank you for paying attention to us and accepting us as your precious children. We thank you, in the wonderful name of Jesus’ Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

COMPASSION IS NOT FOR PERSONAL GLORY

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:07:34 GMT

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." – Matthew 6:1.

Compassion is not for personal glory, just as it is not a private internal emotion.

Christian compassion must always motivate us to act in the best interest, and for the greater good of those that are disadvantaged, without calling attention to

ourselves or our sacrifices.

God provides what we need to bless others, and takes care of the reward when our goal is to please Him, and to be used by Him to bless others who are disadvantaged.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, use me each day to be a blessing to someone in need. Please open my eyes and ears to see those around me who need emotional or physical support, or financial help. Please give me the courage to bless them, and lead them closer to you. In the wonderful Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN…

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:03:11 GMT

Can you think of a more terrifying thought than God not forgiving us our sins?

God is gracious and he will not accept those who are not gracious!

Loving Heavenly Father, there are those that I do find it difficult to forgive. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, right now while I’m praying, soften my heart, cleanse my soul of any bitterness or resentment, and empower me to let go of the pain of the past, and forgive. I thank you for this grace to not only be forgiven, but also to forgive. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

LIVING IN OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:01:32 GMT

King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God. 2 Chronicles 27:6.

Sometimes we think we must be in a place of strength to have an impact, this is wrong. It is being weak that makes us strong, and allows Jesus to be reflected to others.

The early church learned that wisdom came through obedience, not knowledge or information. The power of God was reflected through their obedience.

Our culture often has a Greek-centred focus on knowledge and information, instead of focusing on obedience to the voice of God in our lives.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us through the power of your Holy Spirit to be focussed on obedience to your voice in our lives. In Jesus Name! Amen

Be encouraged

GBYAY