Day 8: God With Us in Our Fear
Fear is a constant companion for many of us, but God offers a powerful antidote. On Day 8, we explore how God’s presence chases away our worry.
Hand in Hand: Finding Courage When We Feel Alone
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 8 December 2025
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Welcome to Day 8.
It is often said that the command "do not fear" appears in the Bible 365 times. Whether that number is exact or not, the sentiment is certainly woven through almost every page of scripture. God seems to know something very fundamental about us humans. He knows that we are prone to fear.
We worry about everything. We worry about our health. We worry about our children. We worry about money, the future, and what other people think of us. Sometimes, fear hits us in the middle of the night when the house is quiet and our thoughts start to race. It can feel like a heavy weight on our chest, making it hard to breathe.
In the Christmas story, almost every time an angel appears, the first thing they say is, "Do not be afraid." Mary, Joseph, the shepherds—they all had to hear those words. Fear seems to be the natural human reaction when heaven touches earth.
But in today’s verse from Isaiah, God gives us the antidote to fear. Interestingly, He doesn't just tell us to "cheer up" or "be brave." He doesn't give us a strategy for self-improvement or tell us to pull ourselves together.
Instead, He gives us a reason not to fear. That reason is His presence.
"Do not fear, for I am with you."
Think about a small child walking down a dark country lane. If they are on their own, every shadow looks like a monster, and every rustle in the hedge is terrifying. But if they reach up and grab their father's hand, everything changes. The shadows are still there. The rustling leaves are still there. But the fear vanishes because they are not alone. Their confidence doesn't come from their own strength; it comes from the one holding their hand.
God promises to "uphold you with my righteous right hand." In the ancient world, the right hand was a symbol of power, authority, and action. God is saying that He isn't just watching you from a distance; He has a firm grip on you. He is strong enough to hold you up when you feel like collapsing.
During Advent, we celebrate the fact that God came close enough to hold our hand. Jesus entered into our scary, broken world so that we would never have to walk through the dark valley alone.
So, if you are feeling dismayed today, or if anxiety is bubbling under the surface, try to shift your focus. Don't look at the size of the problem. Look at the size of the God who is standing right next to you. You don't need to be strong enough on your own. You just need to know who is holding you.
Prayer of the Day:
Heavenly Father, we confess that we are often afraid. We let worry steal our peace and anxiety rule our hearts. Thank You for the incredible promise that You are with us. Thank You that You hold us with Your righteous right hand. When we feel weak, please be our strength. Help us to feel Your presence today and to walk with the confidence of children who know they are safe. Amen.
Day 7: God With Us in His Faithfulness
We have all been let down by broken promises, but God operates differently. On Day 7, we celebrate the fact that God always finishes what He starts.
A Rock in a Shifting World: Why God Never Changes His Mind
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 7 December 2025
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?”
Congratulations! You have made it to the end of the first week of Advent.
Seven days in, and the excitement of December 1st might have settled down a bit. Perhaps the chocolate in the calendar is becoming a routine, or the to-do list for Christmas is starting to look a bit overwhelming. In the midst of all the changing plans and busy schedules, today’s verse offers us something solid to stand on.
We live in a world that is constantly shifting. People change their minds all the time. Politicians make pledges they can't keep. Friends cancel plans at the last minute because something else came up. Even with the best intentions, we humans are flaky. We promise to start a diet, or call a relative, or finish a project, and then life gets in the way.
Because we are so used to being let down, we often project that onto God. We secretly worry that He might change His mind about us. We worry that if we mess up too many times, He might withdraw His love. Or we worry that He has forgotten the prayers we prayed five years ago.
But Numbers 23:19 gives us a firm "No."
It tells us that God is not like us. He doesn't lie. He doesn't change His mind. If He says He will do something, it is as good as done.
This is the bedrock of the Advent story. The journey to the manger wasn't a last-minute decision. It was the fulfilment of a plan that God had stuck to for thousands of years. Despite all the times humanity turned away, and despite all the chaos of history, God remained faithful to His promise. He said He would send a Saviour, and He did.
This means that God is a "finisher." As Paul wrote in the New Testament, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." God doesn't leave loose ends. He doesn't start writing a story and then get bored halfway through.
If you are looking at your own life today and seeing a lot of unfinished business—unanswered prayers, unresolved conflicts, or dreams that haven't happened yet—let this verse encourage you. God hasn't forgotten. He hasn't changed His mind about the plans He has for you.
We can rest in the fact that our relationship with God depends on His faithfulness, not ours. Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful, because He cannot disown Himself.
So today, take a moment to stop striving. You don't need to earn His favour or remind Him of His promises. He knows. He remembers. And just as surely as the sun rose this morning, He will do exactly what He said He would do.
Prayer of the Day:
Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your faithfulness. Thank You that You are not like us; You do not lie and You do not change Your mind. In a world that feels shaky and uncertain, we are so grateful that You are our Rock. Help us to trust that You will complete the good work You have started in us. We rest in Your promises today. Amen.
Day 6: God With Us as Our Promise of Hope
The Gift We Didn't Expect: A Child Who Changes Everything
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 6 December 2025
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Welcome to Day 6.
If you were given the task of saving the world, how would you do it? I imagine most of us would think big. We would probably assemble a team of the smartest experts, gather a massive budget, or perhaps build a powerful army to enforce peace. We naturally think that big problems require big, loud solutions.
But God, in His infinite wisdom, does something completely different. He sends a baby.
Today’s verse is one of the majestic peaks of the Old Testament. It starts with such simplicity: "For to us a child is born." It sounds so normal. Children are born every day. It is a common, fragile, human event. Yet, in the very same breath, Isaiah tells us that the government will be on his shoulders. The weight of the world, the administration of the cosmos, rests on the tiny shoulders of this infant.
This is the glorious paradox of Advent. God becomes small so that He can be with us.
Look at the titles Isaiah gives Him. He is the Wonderful Counsellor. He isn't a distant boss giving orders; He is a guide who understands us perfectly and offers wisdom for our confusion.
He is the Mighty God. This baby in the straw is the same power that flung the stars into space. He has the strength to fight the battles we cannot win.
He is the Everlasting Father. This one might seem confusing since Jesus is the Son, but it speaks to His character. He treats us with the protective, tender care of a perfect father. He is the head of the family we are all invited to join.
And finally, He is the Prince of Peace. He doesn't just bring a temporary cease-fire. He brings shalom—a deep, wholeness of spirit that puts our broken pieces back together.
Notice that the verse says this child is born "to us." He is a gift. You do not earn a gift; you simply receive it. Whether you feel worthy today or not, this child is given to you. He is given to carry the weight you are tired of carrying.
I love the line about the government being on his shoulders. So often, we try to carry the government of our own lives. We try to control everything, worrying about the future and stressing over every detail. This verse invites us to resign from the job of being "General Manager of the Universe." We can take the weight off our own shoulders and place it on His. He is strong enough to carry it.
So today, as you think about the baby in the manger, remember who He really is. He is the King who came to serve. He is the Mighty God who came to be held. He is your Counsellor, your Father, and your Peace.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You came to us as a child. It is hard for us to comprehend that You, the Mighty God, would become so vulnerable for our sake. Thank You that the government is on Your shoulders, so it does not have to be on ours. We hand over our worries and our need for control to You today. Be our Prince of Peace in the midst of a busy season. Amen.
Day 5: God With Us as Our Light
Darkness can feel overwhelming, but it is never permanent. On Day 5, we look at Isaiah’s promise that a great light has dawned to guide us home.
A Light in the Shadows: Hope for the Darkest Days
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 5 December 2025
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
Welcome to Day 5.
Depending on where you are in the world, December can be a very dark month. Here in the northern hemisphere, the days are short. The sun seems to give up by mid-afternoon, and we spend a lot of our time living in shadows. We drive to work in the dark, and we drive home in the dark. It is no wonder that during this season we are obsessed with fairy lights, candles, and roaring fires. We naturally crave the light.
But the darkness Isaiah describes in today's verse isn't just about the time of day. It is a heaviness of the soul.
He was writing to people who felt hopeless. They were "walking in darkness," confused about where they were going and fearful of what was hiding in the shadows. Perhaps you know that feeling. Maybe you are walking through a season of depression, or grief, or just a deep sense of uncertainty about the future. When we are in that place, it can feel like the sun will never rise again.
This is where the beauty of Advent shines brightest.
Isaiah promises that the people walking in darkness haven't just seen a flicker or a spark; they have seen a "great light." He isn't talking about a philosophy or a new political idea. He is talking about a person. He is talking about Jesus.
Notice that the verse says the light has "dawned" on them. This is such a gentle image. The sun doesn't crash into the world; it rises steadily. It chases away the night simply by being there. Light is powerful because darkness cannot stand against it. You don't need to shovel darkness out of a room; you just need to light a single candle, and the darkness has to flee.
God is with us as our Light. This means He reveals who God really is. Before Jesus, we might have guessed what God was like, perhaps imagining Him as angry or distant. But Jesus shines a light on the Father's heart, showing us love, mercy, and grace.
He also lights up our path. When we are stumbling around, bumping into things and making mistakes, He illuminates the way forward. He doesn't always show us the whole map, but He gives us enough light for the next step.
If you feel like you are living in "deep darkness" today, please know this: the light has dawned. You don't have to generate your own light or pretend to be happy. You just need to turn your face toward Him. He is the Light of the World, and He is with you to guide your feet into the path of peace.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World. We confess that sometimes the darkness feels very close and very heavy. Thank You that You did not leave us in the shadows but sent Jesus to be our great light. Shine into our hearts today. Chase away our fear and our confusion, and help us to walk confidently in the light of Your love. Amen.
Day 4: God With Us Through the Prophets
Prophecy isn't just about predicting the future; it is about revealing a person. Today we look at Isaiah’s famous words to see how God promised us the ultimate sign of His presence.
The Sign We Were Waiting For: Meeting Immanuel
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 34December 2025
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Welcome to Day 4.
When we think of prophets in the Bible, we often picture stern men with long beards, shouting from street corners or predicting doom and gloom. We might think of them as ancient fortune tellers, trying to guess what the winning lottery numbers might be for the next century. But biblical prophecy is something far more beautiful than that. It is less about predicting a date and more about preparing a heart.
Today’s verse is perhaps one of the most famous prophecies in the entire Bible. You have probably heard it read at carol services or printed on Christmas cards. It feels very familiar to us now.
But imagine hearing it for the first time.
When Isaiah spoke these words, he was speaking to a king named Ahaz who was terrified. His kingdom was under threat, and he was shaking like a leaf in the wind. He was looking for a military solution, or a political alliance, or a quick fix. He wanted a sign of power.
Instead, God gave him a sign of vulnerability. He promised a baby.
God told him that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. On the surface, a baby seems like a terrible solution to a war. A baby cannot fight. A baby cannot negotiate treaties. A baby just needs feeding and holding. Yet this was God’s sign that He was in control.
The most important part of this prophecy, however, is the name. They will call him Immanuel.
In Hebrew, this name literally means "God with us." It is the heartbeat of our entire Advent series. God wasn’t sending an angel to fix things. He wasn’t sending a set of rules. He was sending Himself. He was promising to come down and dwell right in the middle of the mess and the fear.
Centuries later, the Gospel of Matthew picks up this verse and draws a giant arrow pointing straight to Jesus. Matthew wants us to know that Jesus isn't just a wise teacher or a good example. He is the fulfilment of everything the prophets were longing for. He is the "Yes" to God’s ancient promise.
Sometimes we look at the Old Testament as a history book that is disconnected from our lives. But when we read it through the lens of Advent, we see that every page is whispering the name of Jesus. The prophets were like people standing on a mountain peak, pointing to a sunrise that was yet to come.
This challenges me today. It reminds me that God’s plans are consistent. He didn’t change His mind halfway through history. The God who spoke to Isaiah is the same God who walks with you today.
So if you are looking for a sign from God in your own life, look to Jesus. He is the sign. He is the proof that God has not abandoned the world. He is Immanuel, God with us, yesterday, today, and forever.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, we praise You as our Immanuel. Thank You that the prophets pointed the way to You. Thank You that You did not remain distant, but You came to be God With Us. Help us to read our Bibles with fresh eyes, seeing Your face on every page. Be with us today, and let us feel the comfort of Your presence. Amen.
Day 3: God With Us in Our Waiting
Waiting is hard, especially in today’s instant world. On Day 3, we look at Habakkuk to learn why God’s timing is always perfect, even when it feels slow.
Waiting for the Dawn: God With Us in the Pause
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 3 December 2025
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
Good morning, and welcome to Day 3.
If there is one thing we are famously not very good at in our modern world, it is waiting. We live in an age of instant gratification. We tap a screen and our shopping arrives the next day. We get frustrated if a video buffers for more than five seconds. We tap our fingers impatiently if the kettle takes too long to boil.
Even though we joke that queueing is a bit of a national sport, the truth is that most of us find waiting deeply uncomfortable. It feels like wasted time. It feels like nothing is happening.
That is why today’s verse from Habakkuk is so important for us during Advent.
Habakkuk was a prophet who was frustrated. He looked around at the world and saw injustice and pain. He wanted God to fix it, and he wanted God to fix it immediately. He essentially asked God, "How long do I have to keep crying out for help?"
God’s answer in chapter 2 is profound. He tells Habakkuk that the answer is coming, but it awaits an "appointed time."
This phrase changes everything. It tells us that God works on a schedule, but it is rarely the same as our schedule. When we feel like God is late, or that He has forgotten us, He is actually just working towards His appointed time.
Think about the first Christmas. The people of Israel waited hundreds of years for the Messiah. There were centuries of silence where it seemed like heaven was shut. Generations lived and died without seeing the promise fulfilled. They must have wondered if God had given up.
But He hadn't. As Paul writes in the New Testament, Jesus arrived at "the fullness of time." He wasn't a moment early, and He wasn't a moment late. He came at the exact second that God had planned from eternity past.
Waiting is not wasted time. It is active. It is a time where our faith is stretched and strengthened. It is in the waiting that we learn to trust the Giver more than the gift.
Perhaps you are waiting for something big today. Maybe you are waiting for a prodigal child to come home, or for a medical diagnosis, or for a breakthrough in your career. The silence can be deafening. It can feel lonely in the waiting room.
But the message of Advent is that God is with us in the waiting. He is sitting right there beside you in the pause. He has not forgotten you. Just because the answer hasn't arrived yet doesn't mean it isn't coming. As the verse says, "It will certainly come and will not delay."
So today, try not to view the delay as a denial. Instead, view it as preparation. God is with you, and His timing is perfect.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, we confess that we find it hard to wait. We want answers now, and we want our problems fixed instantly. Please forgive our impatience. Thank You that You are the Lord of time and that You are never late. Help us to trust You in the hallway while we wait for the door to open. Give us the strength to wait with hope, knowing that You are always working for our good. Amen.
Day 2: God With Us Through the Covenant
In a world of broken promises and temporary contracts, God offers us something different. Today we look at Abraham to discover a God who binds Himself to us forever.
A Promise That Lasts Forever: God’s Covenant With Us
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 2 December 2025
“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
Welcome back to Day 2 of our Advent journey.
If you are anything like me, you probably find the idea of a "contract" a bit draining. It usually reminds us of signing up for a new phone, sorting out a mortgage, or clicking "I Agree" on a website without actually reading the terms and conditions. In our modern world, contracts are often about protecting ourselves. We have them because we know that people might let us down, or circumstances might change. We need the paperwork to make sure everyone does what they are supposed to do.
But today, we are looking at a different kind of agreement. We are looking at a covenant.
In Genesis 17, God is speaking to Abraham. At this point in the story, Abraham is ninety-nine years old. He has lived a long life, filled with plenty of waiting and wondering. And here, God shows up to reassure him. He doesn't just offer a kind word; He enters into a formal, binding relationship with him.
God uses the word "everlasting."
This is crucial for us to grasp. Human agreements usually have an expiry date. A lease runs out. A subscription gets cancelled. Even our best intentions can fail because we are only human. We might promise to be there for a friend, but then we get sick, or we get busy, or we simply forget. We let people down, and people let us down. It is a sad reality of life.
God is different. When He says He is "With Us," He isn't just popping round for a visit. He is committing Himself to us permanently.
In this verse, God promises to be God to Abraham and his descendants. He is saying that He will be their provider, their protector, and their Lord. He is tying His reputation to their future. He is effectively saying, "I am not going anywhere. I am in this for the long haul."
Why does this matter for Advent? Because the Christmas story is the ultimate proof that God kept this covenant.
Thousands of years after speaking to Abraham, God sent Jesus. Jesus was a descendant of Abraham. He was the fulfilment of the promise that through Abraham's family, the whole world would be blessed. When Mary held baby Jesus in Bethlehem, she was holding the physical proof that God does not break His word. He didn't forget what He said in Genesis. He didn't get bored or change His mind.
This brings me such comfort. We live in uncertain times. The news can be worrying, and our personal circumstances can change overnight. But we have a God who operates by covenant. He has bound Himself to His people.
So, if you are feeling a bit insecure today, or if you feel like everyone else has let you down, hold on to this truth. God is a covenant-keeping God. He promised to be with Abraham's family, and through faith in Jesus, that includes you and me. He is your God, and He is with you for the long run.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, thank You that You are faithful. In a world where things change so quickly, we are so grateful that You do not change. Thank You for the covenant You made with Abraham and for keeping Your word by sending Jesus. Help us to rest securely today, knowing that You are committed to us and that You will never leave us. Amen.
Day 1: God With Us in the Beginning
Advent begins today, but the story of Christmas goes back much further than the stable. Join us as we look at Genesis to see how God’s plan to be with us started the very moment we needed Him most.
The First Whisper of Hope: God’s Promise in the Garden
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 1 December 2025
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Happy December 1st!
It has finally arrived. For many of us, today marks the start of the countdown. Perhaps you have already opened the first little door on your Advent calendar this morning. Maybe you found a chocolate shaped like a star, or a little picture of a donkey. There is a wonderful feeling of anticipation in the air as we start looking toward the manger, the shepherds, and the star over Bethlehem.
However, if we want to understand the true weight of "God With Us," we actually need to look back much further than the Gospels. We need to go right back to the beginning.
Our reading today comes from Genesis, which might seem like an odd place to start a Christmas series. We are in the Garden of Eden. It is not a scene of snowy fields or silent nights; it is actually a scene of heartbreak. Adam and Eve have just made the choice to walk away from God's one command. They are hiding in the shame of their mistake, and the perfect closeness they had with their Creator has been shattered.
In that heavy moment, you might expect God to walk away. You might expect Him to say that if humanity wants to go its own way, it can get on with it alone.
But He doesn't.
Instead, right there in the mess of that first sin, God speaks the words we read in Genesis 3:15. He speaks to the serpent, the enemy, and He makes a promise. He says that one of Eve's descendants is coming. There will be a battle, and while the enemy might strike his heel, this coming Rescuer is going to crush the serpent's head.
Theologians often call this verse the proto-evangelium, which is just a fancy way of saying "the first Gospel." It is the first whisper of Christmas. Before there was a wreath on a door or a carol sung, there was this promise. God was saying, "I am not leaving you in this brokenness. I am sending a Rescuer."
I find this incredibly comforting. It tells me that God is not reactive; He is proactive. He didn't look at the broken state of the world centuries later and suddenly decide to come up with a "Plan B" to fix it. Jesus was always the plan. From the very moment darkness entered the story, God was already shining a light toward the solution.
God is with us in the beginning. He is with us when things go wrong. He is with us when we make mistakes that feel unfixable. Just as He didn't abandon Adam and Eve in the garden, He doesn't abandon us. He steps into the garden, He seeks us out, and He promises that evil will not have the final word.
So, as you go about your day today, perhaps feeling the busyness of the season starting to ramp up, take a deep breath. Remember that the baby we are waiting for is the warrior who was promised in the garden. The story has started, and we know it has a good ending.
Prayer of the Day:
Heavenly Father, thank You that You have always had a plan. Thank You that when we lose our way, You don’t walk away from us. As we begin this Advent journey, help us to see Your hand at work from the very beginning of history. Fill us with hope today, knowing that You are a God who keeps His promises. Amen.
Your Lane Is Your Mission Field
God has placed you exactly where you are for a purpose. You carry His light into every environment you step into.
Your Lane Is Your Mission Field
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
One of the great joys of walking with Jesus is discovering that every part of your life carries purpose. Your home, your workplace, your school, your friendships, your neighbourhood, these are not random locations. They are assignments. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” He did not say you might become light one day. He said you already are. Which means your lane, the place where God has positioned you, is your mission field.
Sometimes we imagine mission as something far away. A distant country. A special event. A particular moment. But God places mission right in front of us, in the everyday spaces of our lives. The office you walk into each morning. The classroom you sit in. The shop you work in. The bus you take. The home you are building. These are places where God wants His light to shine through you.
In this week’s sermon I said that your lane is your domain. That is where your influence is. That is where your voice carries weight. That is where God has opened doors for you to represent His kingdom. You do not need a microphone to be a missionary. You simply need to be faithful where God has placed you.
Jesus calls you the light of the world. Light has one main purpose. It reveals. Light brings clarity. Light brings direction. Light helps people see what they could not see before. When you walk in love, peace, integrity, kindness, patience, and truth, you reveal the character of Jesus to those around you. Your presence shifts atmospheres. Your words build others. Your attitude stands out. Your choices carry influence.
Maybe you are in a workplace that feels dark at times. Maybe the environment is stressful or negative. Let me remind you. Light shines brightest in the dark. God placed you there so that someone can experience His love through you. Maybe you are the encouragement someone has prayed for. Maybe you are the example that changes the culture of a room. Maybe you are the person God will use to lead someone to Christ.
Your lane may include challenges, but even those challenges are opportunities for God to work through you. When you handle pressure with grace, people notice. When you remain patient when others lose their temper, people notice. When you apologise with humility, people notice. When you work with excellence, people notice. You are reflecting Christ in ways you may not even realise.
Do not underestimate the power of your presence. God has entrusted your lane to you. You are not there by accident. You are there on purpose. Your mission field is not only global, it is local. It is the people you see every day. It is the conversations you have. It is the small acts of kindness you offer.
So today, ask God to help you shine right where you are. Ask Him to give you eyes to see opportunities to serve, bless, and influence. Ask Him to let His love flow through you in simple, genuine ways. You carry the light of Christ, and that light is needed in your lane.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You for placing me where I am. Help me to shine Your light in my home, my workplace, and my community. Use my life to reveal Your love to those around me. Show me opportunities to serve and help me walk with purpose and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.
God Can Still Use What You Thought Was Lost
Nothing in your life is wasted when you place it in God’s hands. Even the pieces you thought were gone forever can become part of His good plan.
God Can Still Use What You Thought Was Lost
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is this. God is a master at working with what seems broken, unfinished, or lost. Romans 8:28 assures us that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. Not some things. Not the neat and tidy things. All things.
There are moments in life when we look back and think, “That season was wasted. That opportunity slipped away. That mistake ruined everything. That relationship broke me. That dream will never happen now.” We sometimes convince ourselves that the damage is too big or the loss is too deep. But God looks at the same moments and says, “Give it to Me. Watch what I can do.”
In this week’s message, I spoke about how nothing is wasted when placed in God’s hands. He is the Potter who reshapes broken clay. He is the Redeemer who restores what was lost. He is the Father who runs onto the track to help us stand again. There is no part of your story that He cannot use.
Think about the people God used in Scripture. Moses was a fugitive living in the wilderness when God called him. Joseph spent years in a prison that looked like the end of his dream. Ruth lost her husband and her future, yet God wove her life into the family line of Jesus. Peter denied Jesus, but Jesus restored him and used him to lead the early church. In every case, God took what looked lost and turned it into something powerful.
Maybe today you feel like you are holding broken pieces. Pieces of your confidence. Pieces of your plans. Pieces of a relationship. Pieces of mistakes you wish you could undo. Let me encourage you. God is not limited by the pieces. In His hands, pieces become purpose. Pain becomes wisdom. Delay becomes development. Loss becomes testimony.
Sometimes we only see the mess. God sees the masterpiece. He knows how to take the things that caused you tears and work them into something good. You may not understand how He will redeem it, but you can trust that He will. Romans 8:28 is not a promise that everything will feel good. It is a promise that God can use everything for good.
God may use your story to help someone else. He may use your healing to bring hope to others. He may use your journey to strengthen your family or your faith. Nothing is wasted when God is involved, because He never stops working behind the scenes.
So today, bring everything to Him. Bring the disappointments. Bring the mistakes. Bring the lost opportunities. Bring the pain. Bring the confusion. Put it all into His hands. The hands that created the universe are more than capable of turning your story into something beautiful.
You may not see the full picture yet, but God is already weaving something good. Trust Him. Rest in Him. And know that what felt lost can still be used for His glory and your good.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You that nothing in my life is wasted when I place it in Your hands. Help me to trust You with the broken pieces and to believe that You are working for my good. Redeem what was lost and let my story bring You glory. In Jesus name, Amen.
Champions Are Built in the Again
Champions are not made in moments of perfection, but in the moments when they choose to try again. God strengthens you every time you rise.
Champions Are Built in the Again
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
One of the most powerful truths in the Christian life is this. Champions are not born on the mountaintop. Champions are shaped in the places where we choose to try again. When the Apostle Paul says, “I press on toward the goal,” he is describing a life of persistence, resilience, and determined faith. He is reminding us that spiritual growth is not a one time moment but a daily decision. It is choosing to lean in again. Trust again. Believe again. Move forward again.
We all face moments where giving up feels easier. A prayer that seems unanswered. A dream that looks delayed. A relationship that has been strained. A habit that seems hard to break. Life has a way of testing our endurance. Yet Paul gives us a picture of someone who refuses to settle. Someone whose faith keeps reaching forward even when the road feels long.
In this week’s sermon, I shared how champions are built in the again. The again is the place where character is formed. The again is where faith grows deeper. The again is where our roots go down into God’s strength instead of our own. The again is where our spiritual muscles are trained. Everyone loves the idea of victory, but victory is produced in the persistence.
Think about athletes. They do not become champions because of one moment in the spotlight. They become champions because of thousands of small decisions. They show up again. They train again. They stretch again. They get up early again. They keep going when nobody is cheering. They believe in the process even when they do not see immediate results.
It is the same with us. God grows us when we choose to step out again. When we choose to pray again even when we feel tired. When we choose to worship again even when our hearts feel heavy. When we choose to forgive again even when it is painful. When we choose to get up again even after a fall. Each time you try again, heaven sees it. Each time you press on, God strengthens you.
The truth is this. Breakthrough rarely happens in one dramatic moment. Breakthrough is built over time, through small faithful steps that lead to big spiritual victories. God is not asking you to be perfect. He is asking you to be persistent. He is asking you to press on. You are not called to run at someone else’s pace, but to keep moving forward at the pace of grace.
Maybe today you need to begin again in an area you have given up on. Start praying for that family member again. Take that step of faith again. Speak those words of encouragement again. Open your Bible again. Reach out again. Believe again. Each small step is a brick in the foundation of what God is building in your life.
Do not underestimate the power of consistency. Champions are not built in the highlights. They are built in the daily, ordinary, simple decisions to press on. And as you press on, God will meet you with fresh strength, new hope, and the grace you need to keep going.
So be encouraged today. Your again is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of faith. God is with you, and He will help you press on toward the goal He has set before you.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You that You give me strength each time I choose to press on. Help me to keep trying, trusting, and believing even when things feel slow. Build my character in the small moments and give me the courage to begin again where I need to. In Jesus name, Amen.
Your Failure Is Not Final
Failure is not the end of your story. In God’s hands, every fall becomes a chance to rise stronger and walk forward with new confidence.
Your Failure Is Not Final
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”
Failure is one of the hardest things to face, yet every single one of us experiences it. We try, we stumble, we fall, and sometimes we fall more than once. It can leave us embarrassed, discouraged, or wondering if we will ever get things right. But the Word of God gives us a beautiful reminder. Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. In God’s eyes, falling is not what defines you. Getting up again is what marks you as His.
There is a lie the enemy loves to whisper. “You failed, so that must be the end. God will not use you now.” But Scripture tells a very different story. The righteous person is not righteous because they never fail. They are righteous because they keep rising. They keep trusting. They keep moving forward.
Maybe you have experienced disappointment recently. Maybe a plan fell apart. Maybe a goal was missed. Maybe you tried to change a habit or break a cycle and slipped back again. Maybe you said something you regret. Whatever it is, hear this today. Your failure is not final. God still has more to write in your story.
In my sermon this week, I shared how champions are not built on the mountaintop. They are built in the moments where they choose to try again. Think about some of the greatest inventions in the world. Behind every breakthrough were many attempts that did not work. Thomas Edison tried many times before inventing the light bulb. James Dyson spent years building thousands of prototypes before he created a successful vacuum. Walt Disney was fired for lack of imagination before he ever created the films we love today. They did not succeed because they never failed. They succeeded because they refused to let failure stop them.
But what about us as believers. The truth is even stronger. We do not get up on our own. The hand of God lifts us. The grace of God carries us. The love of God restores us again and again. Jeremiah tells us that God is the Potter and we are the clay. Even when the clay becomes damaged, the Potter does not throw it away. He reshapes it. He starts again. He forms something beautiful out of what looked ruined. That is what God does with our lives.
Sometimes failure teaches us things success never could. It humbles us. It deepens our compassion. It strengthens our prayer life. It teaches us to rely on God more than our own ability. It shapes our character in ways comfort never will. So even in the areas where you have fallen, God is working good.
Maybe today you need to try again. Try praying again. Try forgiving again. Try studying again. Try believing again. Try dreaming again. The Holy Spirit is inviting you to rise and take the next step. You are not disqualified. You are not forgotten. You are not beyond repair. You are loved, lifted, and strengthened by a God who picks you up every time.
So lift your head today. Shake off the dust. Put your feet back on the path of hope. Falling is not the end. Staying down is. With God by your side, you will rise again.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You for lifting me when I fall. Thank You that my mistakes do not define me. Give me the courage to rise again and the strength to keep moving forward. Shape me, teach me, and use every part of my story for Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.
Your Past Is Not Your Prison
Your past may explain parts of your journey, but it does not have the power to define who you are in Christ. God has made you new.
Your Past Is Not Your Prison
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.”
There are moments in life when your past tries to speak louder than your future. Old mistakes, painful memories, wrong decisions, and seasons you wish you could erase often rise up and whisper, “This is who you are.” But the Word of God speaks a greater truth. If anyone is in Christ, the old has gone and the new has come. That means your past may explain where you have been, but it does not get to define who you are.
Many people carry a quiet weight from their past. It might be a broken relationship. It might be a failure that still stings. It might be words spoken over your life that shaped your thinking in unhealthy ways. It could be a season of rebellion, addiction, compromise, or emotional pain. Whatever it is, the enemy loves to use the past as a prison. He tries to lock us into old labels and old patterns so that we struggle to step into the life God has prepared for us.
But God is a God who breaks chains. He does not hold your past against you. He does not remind you of old failures. The moment you came to Christ, you were made new. A new creation, a new identity, a new start, a new heart, and a new future. You are not the person you used to be. Grace rewrites your story.
Sometimes we struggle to believe this because we still remember what we did. We remember how it felt. We remember the consequences. But God is not asking you to deny the past. He is asking you not to let the past define you. There is a difference. You can learn from your history without living under its shadow.
In my sermon this week, I mentioned how easy it is to feed your mind with yesterday’s disappointments. When we do that, we press pause on our progress. The past can become a place of reflection, but it is not meant to become a place of residence. God has something ahead of you that is far greater than what is behind you.
Think about how Jesus spoke to people who carried messy pasts. The woman caught in adultery. The Samaritan woman at the well. Peter after he denied Jesus. In every case, Jesus did not push their past in their face. He lifted their eyes to their future. He restored dignity. He brought purpose. He reminded them who they were called to be.
You are no different. The same Jesus who restored them is the Jesus who restores you. You are not bound by who you used to be. You are not defined by what you once did. Your past is not your prison. God has declared you forgiven, redeemed, clean, chosen, and made new.
So today, walk in freedom. Lift your head. Step into the grace God has given you. When the past tries to pull you back, remind yourself of the truth. The old has gone. The new has come. You belong to Jesus, and your story is held in His hands.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You that I am a new creation in Christ. Thank You that my past no longer defines me. Help me to walk in the freedom You have given me. Heal every place where old memories still hurt and fill my heart with Your peace and purpose. In Jesus name, Amen.
Let Go of the Past, God Is Doing a New Thing
Holding on to yesterday will only slow down your tomorrow. God is doing something new, and He invites you to step into it with faith.
Let Go of the Past, God Is Doing a New Thing
“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up, do you not perceive it. I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
There are times in life when the hardest thing to do is simply to let go. Not because we want to hold on to the past, but because the past has held on to us. Memories, disappointments, regrets, missed opportunities, painful moments, all of these can settle in our hearts and shape the way we think, speak, and live.
But God, in His kindness, gives us a gentle instruction. “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.” He is not asking us to erase our memories. He is teaching us not to let the past have power over our future. Letting go does not mean pretending things never happened. It means refusing to allow what happened then to control what God is doing now.
In my sermon, I shared how your life is like a car journey. If you spend too much time staring in the rear view mirror, you will crash into what is ahead of you. The rear view mirror has a purpose, but it is not meant to dominate your vision. In the same way, your past can inform you, but it cannot lead you. God has placed a windscreen in front of you for a reason. That is where your future is. That is where your purpose is. That is where His promise is.
We often hold on to things because we fear that letting go means losing something. But the truth is the opposite. Letting go is how we make room for what God wants to bring into our lives. He cannot pour new wine into old wineskins. He cannot fill hands that are still gripping yesterday. Isaiah reminds us that God is doing a new thing. Not might do, not could do, but is doing. Right now, even if you cannot see it, God is making a way in places you thought were dead ends.
Letting go might mean releasing guilt from a mistake you made years ago. It might mean forgiving someone who hurt you deeply. It might mean releasing a season of your life that has ended. It might mean choosing not to relive old conversations that left scars on your heart. Letting go may feel painful at first, but it is the doorway to freedom.
Sometimes we cling to the past because it is familiar, even if it is painful. Moving forward requires faith. It requires trust. It requires a fresh surrender. But you can do it, because God is with you. He is not asking you to walk into the unknown alone. He promises that as you step forward, He will make a way in the wilderness and bring streams into dry places.
You do not have to carry yesterday into tomorrow. You do not have to rehearse old hurts or replay old failures. God has something new for you. A new beginning. A new chapter. A new season of growth. A new sense of purpose. Letting go is not losing. Letting go is receiving.
So today, take a deep breath. Release what has held you. And open your heart to the new thing God is doing. You will not miss what God has prepared for you when you walk with Him.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You for the new thing You are doing in my life. Help me to let go of everything that holds me back. Heal my heart, renew my mind, and lead me forward into Your purpose. Give me courage to trust You with my future. In Jesus name, Amen.
Keep Moving Forward, God Is Not Finished With You
No matter where you are in life, God is still writing your story. His grace invites you to get up, breathe again, and keep moving forward with Him.
Keep Moving Forward, God Is Not Finished With You
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
There are seasons in life when you feel stuck. Maybe you have made mistakes. Maybe you have lost time. Maybe you have had moments where you wondered if you have missed your chance. If you have ever felt like that, can I encourage you today with this simple truth? God is not finished with you.
Philippians 1:6 tells us that the God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. That means He is not giving up on you. He is not walking away from you. He is not disappointed and finished with you. He is still at work in your life, shaping you, strengthening you, and guiding you into the future He has planned.
Sometimes we put pressure on ourselves to have everything figured out. We compare our journey with everyone else and convince ourselves that we are too far behind or too far gone. But God works with people who feel behind. God works with people who feel broken. God works with people who feel like they have failed too many times. In fact, those are the very people He delights in lifting up.
In my message this week, I shared about how life can sometimes feel like being stuck in motorway traffic. You sit there wondering if anything will ever move again. You start imagining worst case scenarios or feeling frustrated because the journey is not going how you planned. But then, suddenly, the traffic starts to move. You put your car in gear. You press the pedal. And forward you go. That is exactly what God does with us. Even when life feels slow, blocked, or delayed, He is still able to move things forward.
There is something powerful about choosing to move again. Choosing to forgive. Choosing to hope. Choosing to try again. Choosing to get back up. Choosing to trust God when you do not have the whole plan. These small choices open the door for God to work in ways you could not imagine.
Sometimes we say, “But I messed up. I should be further by now. I should be stronger. I should be wiser.” God gently reminds us, “I am the Author and the Finisher of your story.” He will finish what He started in you. He will not abandon the work of His hands. Your job is simply to keep moving forward one step at a time.
If you have felt discouraged, tired, or stuck, let today be your reminder. Your past is not your prison. Your mistakes are not your master. Your delays are not your destiny. God has more for you. There is more grace, more strength, more growth, more purpose, and more joy ahead of you.
So lift your head. Take a breath. Take a step. And keep moving forward. The God who began the good work in you is the same God who will complete it.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You that You have not given up on me. Thank You that You are still writing my story and leading me forward. Help me to trust Your timing and Your goodness. Give me the courage to take the next step and the faith to believe that You will finish the work You started in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.
Pressure Around Me Will Not Rule Within Me
Life can be loud and demanding, but peace begins on the inside. In this reflection, Pastor Ras encourages us to let Christ’s presence rule our hearts when pressure surrounds us.
Pressure Around Me Will Not Rule Within Me
Learning to stay calm in a world full of chaos.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Text graphic from All Nations Community Church reading: Pressure around me will not rule within me. Pastor Ras teaches that external chaos doesn’t determine internal peace, declaring that when Christ reigns inside, pressure loses its power outside. From Week 2 of the Victory Mindset series.
Hello church, Pastor Ras here.
Let’s be real, pressure is part of life. We all face moments that stretch us, surprise us, or shake us. Maybe it’s a deadline that keeps you up at night, a relationship that feels strained, or a worry that refuses to leave your mind. Pressure comes from every side, but it doesn’t have to live inside.
Jesus told His disciples that in this world we will have trouble, but in Him we would find peace. That’s such a powerful promise. It means peace isn’t the absence of problems, it’s the presence of Christ. He didn’t promise to remove all the storms, but He did promise to remain in the boat.
When Christ rules in your heart, peace becomes your anchor. The waves may roar, but your soul can stay still. You might be surrounded by chaos, but you don’t have to let chaos enter your spirit. God’s peace is stronger than pressure, and His presence is bigger than any problem you’ll ever face.
I’ve had days where I felt like I was being pulled in ten different directions, so much noise, so many expectations. And every time, the Lord reminds me: Ras, let My peace rule, not the pressure. When I stop to pray, breathe, and refocus on Jesus, the heaviness lifts.
Maybe that’s what you need today too. Just stop for a moment. Take a slow breath and say quietly, “Pressure around me will not rule within me. Jesus rules in me.” Let that truth settle in your heart. Because the same Christ who overcame the world now lives inside you.
So no matter what this week brings, hold your peace. You are stronger than what’s surrounding you because the Overcomer lives within you.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my peace in the middle of life’s pressures. When I feel surrounded by worry, remind me that You live in me. Help me to let Your peace guard my heart and mind. I declare that pressure around me will not rule within me, because You reign in my life. In Your name, Amen.
Even in the Fire, I Won’t Bow
Faith is not proven in comfort; it’s forged in the fire. In this reflection, Pastor Ras reminds us that God doesn’t always take us out of the fire, but He always steps into it with us.
Even in the Fire, I Won’t Bow
Standing firm in faith when the heat is on.
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Text graphic from All Nations Community Church reading: Even in the fire, I won’t bow. Pastor Ras uses the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to remind believers that obedience matters more than comfort and that when they choose to stand for God, Heaven stands with them. From Week 2 of the Victory Mindset series.
Hello church, Pastor Ras here.
There are moments in life when the pressure feels like fire. You try to do the right thing, yet it still seems to cost you. You stand for truth, but others misunderstand you. You stay faithful, but the flames get hotter. It’s in those moments that your faith is tested not on the mountain top, but right there in the fire.
In Daniel chapter 3, we meet three young men who refused to bow to the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar had built. They knew the risk, yet they stood their ground. They said, “Our God is able to deliver us… but even if He doesn’t, we still won’t bow.” That statement always stirs something in me. It’s a faith that doesn’t rely on outcomes, but on obedience.
Maybe you’re facing your own kind of furnace: a financial struggle, a health battle, or a relationship under strain. You might feel the heat, but God is with you in it. The Bible tells us that when the king looked into the fire, he saw not three men, but four. The Son of God was walking with them in the flames.
Sometimes God delivers you from the fire, but other times He delivers you in the fire. Either way, you come out changed. You come out stronger. You come out without even smelling of smoke.
So today, make this your declaration: “Even in the fire, I won’t bow.” I won’t bow to fear. I won’t bow to worry. I won’t bow to compromise. I will only bow to Jesus. Because when you stand firm in faith, the same God who was with those young men will stand with you too.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, thank You that You are with me in every fire I face. When life gets hot and pressure rises, help me to stand firm in faith. Strengthen my heart to trust You even when I don’t see the outcome. I choose to bow only to You, Jesus, and to walk in courage knowing You are by my side. In Your mighty name, Amen.
Presence Over Pressure
Peace is not found in control, but in closeness to God. In this reflection, Pastor Ras shares how choosing presence over pressure changes everything about how we face life’s demands.
Presence Over Pressure
Finding peace when life feels overwhelming.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Text graphic from All Nations Community Church reading: Presence over pressure. Pastor Ras teaches that peace isn’t the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus, encouraging believers to stay under God’s covering until their valley turns into a spring. When His presence fills you, pressure loses power. From Week 2 of the Victory Mindset series.”
Hello church, Pastor Ras here.
Have you ever noticed how noisy life can get? Everywhere you turn, something is demanding your attention — work deadlines, messages on your phone, financial worries, family needs. It can feel like the pressure never stops. But in the middle of it all, there is a simple but powerful truth that I’ve been learning to live by: choose presence over pressure.
Pressure pushes. Presence invites. Pressure shouts. Presence whispers. Pressure drains you. Presence fills you.
The psalmist wrote, “You will fill me with joy in your presence.” That means joy doesn’t come from controlling everything; it comes from drawing near to God. When you spend time with Him, even a few quiet moments, something begins to shift. The problems might not disappear, but His peace begins to rule your heart.
I remember days when I’ve been running from one thing to another, trying to fix everything myself, and the Lord gently reminds me, “Ras, you’re doing a lot, but you haven’t sat with Me yet.” And every time I pause, open His Word, or just sit in stillness, I feel the weight start to lift. Pressure loses its power when you stay aware of His presence.
Maybe today you feel stretched thin. Maybe you’re trying to be everything for everyone. Take a moment right now, wherever you are, to breathe deeply and say, “Holy Spirit, I choose Your presence over my pressure.”
You don’t need to carry what was never yours to carry. God is not asking you to perform; He’s inviting you to rest. And when His presence fills your space, your mind clears, your heart steadies, and peace returns.
So today, whatever comes your way, remember this: choose presence over pressure. Because the more time you spend with Him, the smaller your problems begin to feel.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, thank You for Your presence that gives me peace and strength. Help me to pause when life feels overwhelming, to rest in You instead of rushing ahead. Fill me with Your joy and remind me that You are always near. Today, I choose Your presence over my pressure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
My Weapon Is a Melody
When life gets loud with fear and worry, lift your voice in worship. Pastor Ras reminds us that praise is not a reaction to victory, it is the weapon that brings it.
My Weapon Is a Melody
Discovering the power of worship when life feels like a battle.
“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.’”
“Text graphic from All Nations Community Church reading: My weapon is a melody. Pastor Ras teaches that under pressure, worship becomes warfare, sharing how ‘Raise a Hallelujah’ was birthed in crisis and turned into a song of victory. When fear grows louder, believers are encouraged to sing louder. From Week 2 of the Victory Mindset series.
Hello church, Pastor Ras here.
I want to remind you today that your worship is more powerful than your worry. You might not have realised it, but your voice is one of the most powerful spiritual weapons God has given you.
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a massive army that looked impossible to defeat. But instead of sending soldiers first, he sent singers. Imagine that — people with instruments and melodies leading into battle. As they began to sing, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever,” God caused confusion among the enemy. They turned on each other, and victory came through worship.
That story tells us something deep about the nature of faith. When we lift our voices in worship during the hardest times, something shifts in the spiritual realm. Worship reminds the enemy that we belong to God, and it reminds our own hearts that He is still in control.
That’s why I love the lyric from the song Raise a Hallelujah — “My weapon is a melody.” It’s more than a song line; it’s a spiritual truth. When fear starts shouting, sing louder. When doubt starts creeping in, fill your room with praise. Worship silences the lies of the enemy and fills your atmosphere with the presence of God.
You don’t have to wait for the battle to end to lift your hands. Start singing right in the middle of the fight. Sometimes your greatest breakthrough begins with a simple melody of faith.
So today, whatever pressure you are under, don’t let silence speak for you. Open your mouth, lift your voice, and raise your hallelujah. Let your melody become your weapon.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You for giving me the gift of worship. Teach me to use praise as a weapon against fear and discouragement. Help me to sing when I feel weak, and to remember that You fight my battles. Fill my heart with faith and my mouth with praise today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joy Isn’t Ignoring Problems, It’s Standing Up to Them
Joy doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It means finding strength in God even when life isn’t. Pastor Ras reminds us that joy is not denial, but defiance against fear and despair.
Joy Isn’t Ignoring Problems, It’s Standing Up to Them
Choosing strength and joy even when life feels heavy.
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Text graphic from All Nations Community Church reading: Joy isn’t ignoring problems, it’s standing up to them. Pastor Ras explains that joy doesn’t deny pressure but resists defeat, teaching that rejoicing is resistance and joy is heaven’s protest against defeat. From Week 2 of the Victory Mindset series.”
Hello church, Pastor Ras here.
Let’s be honest, we all face problems. Some days it feels like you’re juggling more than you can carry. There are moments when pressure builds, people disappoint, and plans fall apart. But I want to remind you today that joy isn’t ignoring problems, it’s standing up to them.
Joy doesn’t close its eyes to reality. It simply refuses to let reality rob its faith. Joy says, “Yes, I see the problem, but I also see my God.” It doesn’t mean you don’t feel the pain or the weight of the struggle. It means you choose to trust that God is still at work, even in the middle of it.
Nehemiah told God’s people not to grieve because “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” That kind of joy doesn’t come from having everything perfect; it comes from knowing that God is still good. It’s the quiet confidence that, no matter how things look, Jesus has already won.
When you walk in that kind of joy, it confuses the enemy. He expects you to give up, but instead, you lift your hands in worship. He expects you to complain, but you start thanking God for what’s still good. Joy is not weakness, it’s warfare. It’s how you stand up when life tries to knock you down.
So maybe today you need to make that choice again. Even if the bills are due, the doctor’s report is tough, or the waiting feels long, don’t lose your joy. Let your heart say, “God, I still trust You.”
Remember, joy isn’t ignoring problems, it’s standing up to them. And when you choose joy, you choose strength.
Prayer of the Day:
Father, thank You that Your joy is my strength. Help me to stand in faith when life feels uncertain. Teach me to worship instead of worry, and to smile even when things seem hard. Fill me with Your peace and joy today, and remind me that You are still in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.