Dayle's Blog

If we take hold of what God says in His word and apply it to our need or any situation we are facing in our lives, things will change. Even those things that the world believes to be impossible will move and amazing things will come to pass.

I put this truth into practice when at 20 years old I was pregnant with our eldest daughter Anna. I’d heard a recording of a woman who was talking about how Jesus death upon the Cross had delivered women from the curse of pain in childbirth. She spoke of the promises in God’s word and as she shared something went off on the inside of me. I decided to research the bible and I discovered that Jesus did in fact deliver us from every pain – childbirth included.

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith”. (Galatians 3:13)

So I pressed into that truth; I got every verse in the bible that referred to the truth that the curse and pain has been broken off our lives. I read and listened to the testimonies of other woman who had given birth pain free, and as I shared with my husband he started believing with me too.

Now over twenty eight years later I can say the Word works. Not once, nor twice but with all of our six children did I prove it out, and as I’ve shared my story others have experienced this truth also.

However God always wants us to go from faith to faith, ever increasing in our capacity of what we can believe for. Just as I learnt to believe for pain free childbirth because of what Jesus has done for us, I now have the opportunity everyday to apply those same principles to sickness, finances, family issues and any breakthrough I need and for my dreams to come to pass.

Is that always easy? No. Sometimes it’s really difficult to stand and believe when the world and our circumstances are screaming otherwise. But just as I discovered in giving birth to our six children, if we will make the effort to build our faith; to see and hear what is possible in and with God, and to press into His promises we will learn that the word works, and life is also never boring. Sometimes stretching, but never boring. Plus the victory and joy we experience when we do breakthrough is well worth any effort and discipline we may need to keep standing.

“The material universe is temporal and it can and is subject to change. If we take something that is unchangeable and use it to apply pressure to something that is changeable it’s obvious which one of them will yield. The changeable one! Therefore, whenever we take the Word of God and apply it in faith to this temporal realm, that realm must give in and conform to the Word.” (K. Copeland)

Today take the unchanging Word of God and apply it to your life. Wherever there is sickness, lack and relationship issues apply it. Where there is a need or simply a desire to experience more of God then go to the Word and apply it to what you are facing or desire.

Those things that are temporal and therefore subject to change must yield to the unchanging nature and promises of God.

“Understand, therefore that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations”. (Duet 7:9)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

“Forever O Lord your word is fixed in the heavens”. (Psalm 119:89)

Prayer: Lord thank you that you are unchanging and constant and that anything in this temporal world must yield and conform to your Word. Sickness, lack, and poverty must make way for your blessing, prosperity and overflow in my life today. In Jesus name Amen.

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I am faced with what feels like 101 things to do. I wonder how I am going to do everything, be available to who needs me, teach the kids, get my work done, keep the house in some semblance of order, control the washing flowing out of my laundry and still have some me time.

It’s the questions we all ask….”How do we make time? And how do we give time to what is really important, rather than to what simply looks urgent?”

Most people if they are honest, really do want to have fruitful, meaningful lives. It’s just that life and all it’s “stuff” often becomes a little overwhelming and we can end up feeling like our day consists of a juggling act. 

So the question is, “How do we make time and utilise the most our of our days?” “How do we still achieve all that we need and desire to do?”

Jesus is known as the greatest leader and teacher the world has ever seen. So it stands to reason that it might be a good idea to take the time to read and give thought to His words to help us answer these issues.

Matthew Chapter 6 in the bible tells of a day when a great multitude of people were crowding around Jesus as he talked. Everyone was eager to hear His words and the answers to these very questions. This was Jesus’ answer. “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? …….. Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen colour and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.”

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?”

“What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.”

“Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” “Seek me first, and my way of doing things”.  (Matthew 6:29-34) 

Jesus is saying that He will bring all things together to make our lives full and meaningful.  He says, “Seek Me first at the start of your day and I will direct your steps.” He wants us to trust that He will perfect all that concerns us. Even though there will be seasons and transition points in our lives we don’t need to be stressed. When we practice starting our day and following His leading He promises that the things in our hearts will start to come to pass, but without all the struggle and striving. God wants us to trust Him to complete what He has started in us. He doesn’t leave anything, including us unfinished, for in His hands we are perfected!

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever.” (Psalm 138:8)

Make a habit first thing in the morning of taking the time with Jesus and finding out His way of doing things for the day. He promises when we do that, He will make everything make sense, help us have time for what is important and bring meaning and fulfilment to our lives.

Prayer: Lord please help me to remember to spend time with you and to talk with you as I start my day. Thank you that as I do you promise you will direct and guide my steps and cause me to live a life of purpose and meaning.  In Jesus Name Amen.

Sometimes we may wonder does anyone even see me? Does God care about what I am feeling and going through and does He notice me?

The answer is not hard to find. It is on almost every page of the bible. God sees our coming and going and looks downs and watches over all He has made.

“The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do”. (Psalm 33:13-15)

But why? The answer is simple, it’s because He loves and cares deeply for us. That may be easy for us to say, but hard to comprehend. Why would God care about us?

Jesus reveals the answer in how He treated a man called Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a unpopular, short, greedy little man who cheated people for a living. One day Jesus came to the city where Zacchaeus lived. He sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was a short man. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree to see Jesus. When Jesus came to the place where Zacchaeus was in the tree he looked up and saw him and said to him. Zacchaeus quickly come down, for today I am going to stay at your house. (Luke 19:1-9)

Everyone called Zacchaeus a sinner; he was someone to be avoided, and even ignored. But Jesus saw him, and chose to affirm and speak instead who he was born to be. He called Zacchaeus by his name, which in Hebrew means “clean” or “pure one.”

Everyone complained and grumbled about Jesus having dinner with Zacchaeus, but Jesus didn’t care. When He’d called Zacchaeus down out of the tree, He was declaring that He saw, noticed and cared about this little man.  Instead of speaking out that he was a liar and a cheat, Jesus declared “I see you for who you are made to be, I love you; you are a son of Abraham, and that means “You are one of us; you’re in the family.”

Each one of us matters to God. He sees us. He sees us when we are doing great, and when we might feel like we are stuck up a tree, out on a limb financially or relationally or health-wise.

God wants us to realise how much we matter to Him. He encourages us everyday to do what Zacchaeus did, and answer God’s request to let Him come into our world. To choose to climb down and be with the God who loves and notices us.

Today, know that God cares about every detail of your life. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. He’s waiting to come to your house today.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8)

Prayer: Lord thank you that you see, know and care about every part of my life. Help me to remember that today and to let you into every area of my world. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Some very dark and ominous rain clouds gathered on the horizon as I rode today. The sky quickly turned darker and more threatening shades of grey and I found myself quietly telling the rain to hold up until I was off my horse and safely under cover.

Fast forward half and hour and the weather was steadily worsening as I put Jackson safely into his paddock and gathered his tack and my belongings as fast as I could. Those dark storm clouds weren’t going to hold up any longer and within seconds of picking up my things, the heavens opened and the wind was slamming rain into my face as I made a run for shelter and the safety of the tack room.

Fortunately I knew where to run to for shelter and the quickest route to get there. I didn’t wait around for the full force of the storm to hit me, nor did I pick up or take anything that wasn’t necessary. I got what was important and ran to where I knew I’d be safe to wait out the storm.

It got me thinking that today’s storm is similar to how life can be. Storm clouds ominously gather over our heads and we feel like we’re getting battered about by our circumstances and the situations we find ourselves in.  I’t’s why it’s so important when life looks a little crazy, confusing and storms are overhead to know where to run to.

For me that means running to Jesus and the strength and safety I find in His presence. He has always enabled me to get through any storm I’ve faced and given me the strength and guidance to be able to keep going no matter how much life has tried to tear me down or batter me about. Plus now after knowing who to run to and where to find my comfort and strength I’ve discovered that some storms which would have previously worried or had me running in fear no longer bother me …I either ignore their threat or laugh in the midst of their noise because I know I have the strength in who I am in Jesus to face them. Some stormy skies just don’t scare me anymore.

Today I encourage you to know who to run to. Jesus is a safe haven and a secure fortress to which we will find shelter and peace regardless of the circumstances. He knows what we need and how to comfort us, so that we will not just find shelter from the storm but will be equipped and enabled to keep moving forward no matter how the storm rages.

“He stilled the storm to a whisper, the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:29)

“The LORD is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety.” (Proverbs 18:10)

Prayer: Lord thank you that I can always run to you. Please remind me that no matter what I may face in life I can find my shelter and strength in you to withstand the storm until it is quiet again. In Jesus name Amen.

“Lists”, we all have them. Where we have held onto the record of our hurts, disappointments or feelings of failure. Lists where we’ve held anger, unforgiveness and bitterness in our hearts. Lists of hurts and grievances? Lists on our husband or wife, partner, friends, family or workmates.

The sad truth is that if we don’t keep short accounts and walk in forgiveness we will all gather in our hearts a great many lists. Some we may have already carried around for a very long time as we tell ourselves our “lists” are okay.

But God also knows about our lists. The lists we have against ourselves and those we have on others, and He asks us to let go of these lists and to give them over to Him. In exchange He offers us a clean slate – with no record of wrongs, hurts, disappointments, grievances or mess up’s, which He then asks us to extend to others. That doesn’t mean people won’t mess up, or that we won’t stumble ourselves. But God, if we let Him will strengthen and empower us to love and to walk in freedom and forgiveness just as He does.

“And hope does not make ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us”. (Romans 5:5)

“Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:5-8)

“But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time.” (1 John 1:9 TPT)

Give God your lists today and allow Him to cleanse, restore and make both you and your relationships healthy and whole again.

Prayer: Lord I give you my lists. Please forgive and heal me where I have held onto hurts and my mistakes and started to see myself in the wrong way. And where I have taken offense and harbored unforgiveness in my own heart. Today I let go of the lists I hold on myself and others and I choose to love and forgive just as you forgave me. In Jesus Name Amen.

As a child I grew up on a sheep farm in the south of New Zealand. Across the road from our house there was a giant tree that I regularly climbed. It was my getaway place, where I would nestle high up on the wide sturdy branches and spend hours enjoying being above the world and away from everyone and everything else. I could see for miles from my vantage point and regardless of the weather my tree remained strong and stable, firmly rooted in the soil.

There is passage in the bible that describes a person who is blessed. “He is like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)

The secret to being like that strong tree, which has an abundant water supply, yields it’s fruit in season, doesn’t wither, and prospers in all it does is found at the beginning of Psalm 1.

“Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1: 1-3)

Most of us are busy looking for the fruit of our labours; to see results and for our life to have some meaning and purpose. The good news is that God actually promises that we will produce “fruit”, and see results and the product of our life’s journey in its appropriate season. God’s given us the manual to be like the solid, sturdy fruitful tree from my childhood. It’s in walking with Him and meditating on His word every day and in being mindful of who is influencing and speaking into our lives. He wants us to be like strong fruitful trees, not windblown chaff!

Today, take the time to take hold of God’s words to you found in the bible. Think about, and consider them throughout the day. Choose well who and what you are allowing to speak into your life so that you will be fruitful and prosperous in all you do.

Prayer: Lord I want to know and understand you and your word more. Please help and remind me to do that today so that I will grow to be strong and stable in all my ways. In Jesus Name Amen.

Most people avoid dark, foreboding shadows because they are usually likened to ominous oppressiveness, sadness and gloom. Perhaps the only time we want to be in the shadows is if we are trying to keep something hidden or secret and we are choosing to keep out of the light.

However unfortunately there are some circumstances in life that do cast a shadow. Some we walk into through our own choices, and some are cast upon us. As I was reading Psalm 23 in the bible today I realised that a shadow does not have to be permanent. It is but a shadow and it will pass; I can walk through and past it. In comparison to how powerful God is, a shadow or even complete darkness is no match for His light and goodness. No shadow has the power to remain when God is walking alongside us, for he literally drives away the shadows in our lives.

David wrote Psalm 23 and drew on his experiences as a young man shepherding His father’s sheep alone in the countryside. He describes that even “when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death” we do not need to be afraid for God, our good Shepherd is close beside us to protect and comfort us. (Psalm 23:4)

The things we might fear; such as death, sickness, lack, loss and pain are no doubt real; they are shadows, which try to come between the light of God’s goodness and us. But even through they may seem dark and ominous they are still only shadows, which God promises He will lead us through. Those shadows will fade away, because Jesus has bore the cause of our shadows; our pain and the burden of sin and death. They lose their power to permanently hamper or harm us when we choose to keep our eyes firmly on Jesus and to walk with Him and in His ways.

Today if you feel like you are walking through the valley of shadows, or you know you have been hiding out of the light on purpose, know that they are only shadows and you can make a decision to step through and out of them as you fix your eyes on Jesus and journey with Him. Whenever you sense or see a shadow don’t be afraid, just keep walking. He is with you and will bring you out of the shadows and into the light of His love and goodness again. 

“Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me” (Psalm 23:4 Amp)

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Prayer: Lord thank you that you are with me even in the darkest valley and the deepest shadows. Help me to know that I don’t need to be afraid but only to keep my eyes fixed firmly on you. Help me to remember that you are close beside me to protect and comfort me wherever and whatever I am going through today. In Jesus name Amen

Many people justify their frenetic crazy schedules and behaviour by believing that life is an emergency! Our actions can signify that we think everything is urgent and life altering, when actually we are the ones who usually create the pressure situations we face as we turn little things into a life emergency.

Perhaps we allow our own unrealistic expectations, obsessive-compulsive behaviours, lack of prayer and time with God an out of balance lifestyle whilst pursuing our goals to steal our peace, quality of relationships and ability to hear God clearly. We instead turn life into a constant series of dramas and stress, when in actual fact most of what we spend our days stressing and striving over isn’t worth it. Life is so much easier when we just Chill Out!

Today, if you are tired of living life like it’s an ongoing emergency then take time to stop, breathe and realise that life does go on and be perfectly okay even if the house isn’t spotless before you walk out the door. That everything doesn’t have to be perfect for things to work and that your goals and dreams are meant to bless and inspire you, not constantly burden you under unrealistic deadlines and expectations which steal your joy.

Most things we think are urgent emergency today we won’t remember in twenty years time. Keep what’s really important and God’s plan for your life in front of you, take the pressure off and cut yourself some slack and know that even when things don’t go to plan it’s probably not an emergency.

God has a way through and the wisdom, strength and resources we need to experience peace and fulfilment in all we do. He simply wants us to learn to wait and listen so that He can lead and guide us.

“For Jesus is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Prayer: Lord please help me to keep a healthy perspective and know what thing are really important and where I have the tendency to make things bigger than they are. Please fill me with your peace, rest and the knowledge of your will for me today. In Jesus name Amen.

The bible says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body” (Proverbs 14:30) But focusing on imperfections, negative traits, and the things we don’t like about ourselves  will steal our peace. Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27).

Yet how often do we give up our peace because we wish we were someone else or our peace is stolen by negatives and our fear? It’s a trap that many of us fall into and it’s usually because we allow ourselves to be convinced that we are less than who God says we are, or that our lives aren’t significant, successful or of consequence. We essentially haven’t learnt to celebrate who God has made us to be and as a result we lose our peace.

We may not be happy with certain aspects of our lives, but we do need to listen to what God says about the essentials of who we are and what He says about us. He longs for us to accept His love and forgiveness, to know that He promises that He will perfect that which concerns us and that He has a plan and is faithful to complete what He has started in us. He will work with us to bring out the best in us, bless our relationships and help us to fulfil those things we were made for.

I’ve discovered that when we begin to accept who God says we are, any wrong thinking, negativity, lack of self worth and fears fall away and we are transformed as our thinking is renewed according to what God says about us. As a result our hearts are filled with peace. (Romans 12:2)

Today let your heart be filled with peace as you choose to listen and accept who God says you are and His plan for your life. He thinks you’re amazing, significant and special and since He is the one who created you, He’d know?

 “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8)

“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.” (Philippians 1:6)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16)

Prayer: Lord I ask for your peace to fill my heart and that I would listen and accept what you say about my life. Please help me to let go and give over to you any thinking, attitudes and concerns that would try to steal my peace today. In Jesus name Amen