Dayle's Blog

I’m currently in a lockdown in our city, which has just been extended for another month. I’m choosing to trust that God will work some good out of all the mess.

One positive is that I have no choice but to stop and take some time out from my usual schedule.

Life can feel like you are riding a merry go round with plenty of action but no real movement to achieving any set goals or reaching a destination.

I’ve learnt the hard way the benefits and necessity of taking breaks to recharge and relax spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.

Here are some reasons and positives of regularly taking time out:

Opportunity to re-evaluate your priorities

You can easily fall into step with what everyone else around you is doing, even if they are not the values, beliefs or life you want to live. When you stop, it allows you to re-evaluate and check you are on the “right track” to achieving your goals and becoming the best version of you.

Be still and wait on God.

It’s in being still and waiting quietly that you are spiritually refreshed and strengthened. It’s also how we refocus and draw closer to Jesus.

“Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)

“He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power”. (Is 40:29:11)

Don’t let the urgent overtake the important. When you pause, evaluate, and don’t go rushing into situations, but take time to focus on what is important, the so-called “urgent” problems will often take care of themselves.

Prepare for tomorrow. Taking time to reflect on yesterday and evaluating our successes and failures honestly helps you prepare for tomorrow.  No experience is ever wasted if you learn from it and adjust positively from mistakes and lessons learnt. God works all things out for good.

“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”.(Romans 8:28)

Taking time out increases your capacity for thankfulness and the ability to count your blessings. When you are constantly rushing around, you can miss the miracles and good things that happen all around you every day. It’s good to stop and give thanks.

Give out of the overflow. Taking time out helps prepare you for the pressures and battles of life. If you are running on empty, not giving time for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual rest, you will be drawing on depleted strength instead of an overflow. When you take time out to be refreshed, you can live and give out of the overflow.

Relaxation and rest are vital to you feeling right. Your emotional, physical,  mental and spiritual health will greatly determine how you react to situations. The healthier you feel, the better you are equipped to manage difficulties and decisions.

Schedule weekly time outs. It can be as simple as turning the phone and electronics off, reading a book, doing something creative or just sleeping in. Find what prospers your soul and take some regular time out.

“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2)

Prayer: Lord, help me to take time out to re-energize. I don’t want to be constantly moving but never getting anywhere. Reveal to me if I need to make any changes in my life as I stop and wait on you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Fear is one of those things that will seize any opportunity to attack and try to sap your confidence and strength.

I’ve leant that fear has a distinct voice; it’s the, “you can’t do that, what if this happens, you’re so unattractive, you’re going to fail, get hurt, sick, die, lose, or look like an idiot”. The more you listen to fear’s voice, the more you will begin to doubt God’s goodness, protection, abilities, intellect, attractiveness, and overall worth.

Whereas when I hone in on what God says about my life and circumstances by spending time in his presence and reading His words in the bible, I receive the needed confidence and empowerment to do whatever He has asked, tackle the tasks in front of me and keep pursuing my goals and dreams.

The best way I know to overcome fear is to choose to refuse to allow your heart to fear what Jesus has defeated for you.

Preach to yourself if you need to, and throughout the day, speak out what is true regarding your situation, rather than believing and being dictated to by fear and lies.

As the words of Phil Wickham’s song “God of Revival” says,

“You (Jesus) rose in victory, and now you’re seated
Forever on the throne
So why should my heart fear what you defeated?
I will trust in you alone”.

Today determine to give fear a swift kick out the door so that you can get on with your day free from fears, negative voice and lies. For with God, all things are possible, and why should your heart fear what he has defeated. In Him, we have all the wisdom, strength and confidence we need.

“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.” (Isaiah 41:10) 

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)

Prayer: Today, fear I am kicking you out the door. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I believe Gods promises are true and that God has me and every situation I face today in His hands. Thank you, Lord, that you love and care about me. In Jesus name Amen

God does answer prayer but one of the things I’ve learnt over time is that He doesn’t always repeat what He has done before or how we might expect. He will often answer quite differently from what we have experienced previously and just because we can’t physically see something happening, does not mean that there is nothing happening, so it pays to keep believing.

Sometimes the answer is instantly obvious, such as when Jesus and his disciples found themselves in the middle of a furious storm. Jesus stood up and spoke to the wind and the waves and they died down and were completely calm.

“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:37-40)

However other times when Jesus spoke into a situation nothing visibly seemed to change. An example is when Jesus and his disciples were walking along the road and Jesus was hungry and came to a fig tree that had no fruit. He spoke to the fig tree and said, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again”. The fig tree however didn’t suddenly shrivel up instantly before Jesus and his disciple’s eyes. No! Nothing visibly looked like it had changed; yet on returning the next morning along “that road again they all saw the fig tree had withered from the roots. “Peter remembered and said to Jesus “Rabbi, look! The tree you cursed has withered!” (Mark 11:14; 20-21)

So often when we pray or receive prayer we can miss what God is doing or give up on our faith because we underestimate what is going on beneath the surface and mistakenly presume nothing is happening.

But Jesus’ example in prayer teaches us that:

1. It’s by faith that we receive the things we speak and ask for. Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of believing and faith. He encouraged them after seeing the result and power of faith filled words to “Have faith in God, and “whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24).

If we lack faith the bible says to seek God and His way of doing things, and to build our confidence in His ability by hearing and speaking His word. His word and He are one, and it’s powerful when it gets down on the inside of us, and we allow it to transform us from the inside out.

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

2. Things don’t always happen the same way twice. Read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and you’ll soon discover that Jesus didn’t always pray, speak and minister exactly the same way. Sometimes He just spoke the Word, other times He spoke and then physically did something, such as when he put mud on people’s eyes or even spat on them.

Seek God for His methods and way of working in each situation you face, rather than acting in presumption.

3. The answer to our prayer is not always immediately visible. The fig tree looked like any other fig tree even after Jesus had spoken to it. Yet at Jesus’ spoken word something had began to change. That tree beneath the surface, at it’s core and root had begun to shrivel up. Jesus’ words and faith had already worked, but it was only the next morning that the disciples were able to “see it”.

When you pray or receive prayer for something don’t only look in the physical realm for evidence of the answer. Stand believing in the truth of God’s Word and the effective power of your prayer, knowing that “whatever we ask for in prayer will be ours if we continue to believe and speak God’s word”. (Mark 11:22-24)

Today, be encouraged that when you pray God will be working. Even if you can’t see anything physically, don’t underestimate that He will be working behind the scenes, at the root of the issue and on the inside of us. Take heart and trust in God’s faithfulness and goodness, as you praise Him for your answers.

Prayer: Lord thankyou that at your word things change, and that even if I can’t see the changes, that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Help me to stand on your word, and to keep speaking and believing in your promises until I fully receive in every way. In Jesus name Amen.

Strife means, “vigorous or bitter conflict, discord and antagonism; to quarrel, struggle or clash; competition, and rivalry. It’s one of the most dangerous weapons the devil has in his arsenal against us, and when we allow strife into our lives, it’s like an open door to trouble because, “where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:14-16)

Plus, leave strife to take root, and it will eventually limit our faith and the effectiveness of our prayers because our faith works by love, not anger or discord. (Galatians 5:6).

Strife gives the devil an invitation to bring confusion and every type of evil into our lives. That’s why he’s always tempting us to argue, become angry, speak harsh words and push us towards getting offended, impatient and critical of others.

Before we ask Jesus into our lives, we are under the control of the dominion of darkness, but the bible says our salvation delivers us out of this kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God. (Colossians 3:1) At that point, the devil loses any authority over us. The blessings of our salvation, peace, healing, wellbeing, provision, and abundance in every area of our lives belong to us from the moment we become part of God’s family.

However, the devil does not want us to enjoy any of these things but since he has no right’s or authority over us any longer, so he has to use trickery and deception to gain access to our lives. One of his tricks is to try to get us into strife and offence, orchestrating opportunities for us to fall into conflict. He knows that the moment we step into strife, he can begin to gain a foothold in our affairs and control our lives.

If we want our faith to work, our prayers to be answered, to walk in supernatural miracle-working power, and to experience peace, joy, provision, and blessing in every area of our lives, we must kick strife out and keep it out!

To be mindful every day that if we step into arguing, selfishness, bad temper and speaking harsh words with others, that we have to be just as quick to go to God, ask forgiveness, and forgive others so that the devil can gain no foothold.

Jesus knows we need help and says if we remain vitally connected to Him and allow His love and power to be shed abroad in our hearts we will be able to live free from strife gaining a foothold in our lives.

Jesus said, “Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit.” (John 15:4-6)

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:5)

Today take some time to examine the real cause of what is going on around you. Is the root of what you are seeing and experiencing a result of the devil and his tactic to use strife, and all that it brings to gain access to you and your family’s lives?

Pray, ask for Jesus’ help and wisdom as you consistently choose to remove strife out of your reactions, heart attitudes, and relationships.

Refuse to allow the devil to bring strife and envy as a means to cause confusion and evil, and choose instead to let the Holy Spirit guide your life into peace and blessing. (Galatians 5:14-16)

Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“Avoiding strife brings a man honour, but every fool is quarrelsome.” (Proverbs 20:3)

Prayer: Lord, I ask for your forgiveness for allowing strife, arguing, anger, and bitterness into my life. I don’t want to give the devil any further access to my life, and I ask that you help me walk in peace and love towards others. When someone annoys me, or there is an opportunity to get into strife, please help me be self-controlled and walk in the power of love instead. In Jesus Name Amen.

Whenever there is uncertainty, it is very easy for the noise to take over our lives and threaten to overwhelm us. But there are some steps we can take to survive and thrive in uncertain times.

Some helpful keys are:

1. Keep the vision before you. If you have a vision board or specific goals written down, put them before you. If you don’t have a vision, dream or know what you want in life, then take the opportunity to spend some time finding out. (See https://daylekinney.com/2019/12/01/1-dec-write-the-vision/ or https://daylekinney.com/2020/02/04/4-feb-you-can-do-it/ for more info on setting a vision)

2. You may not be able to do everything, but you can do something. Think about what can you do to make use of your time so you can keep moving forward even amid uncertainty. If you’re shut in, can’t go to work, or able to do the normal activities right now, adjust and make this time work for you rather than against you.

“God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NLT)

3. Shut off the noise. It’s usually other people and circumstances telling us what we can’t do, peddling fear, discouragement or their point of view. Go to reliable sources of information, seek God and His word, shut out, and turn off the rest. Use your efforts and mental and spiritual strength on what is true. Focus on what you desire out of your life, rather than merely sitting back and waiting for your circumstances to improve or for people to change their behaviour. Control what you can control healthily, and give God the care of the rest.

4. Remember to Breathe if you find yourself getting stressed and anxious:

• Breathe in for the count of 3 and out for the count of 3. Repeat that exercise 4 times.
• Regularly take at least 20 mins to do something fun and find different ways to relax…
• Do some exercise – YouTube and many people on Instagram and other social media platforms have posted exercise routines if you are shut in right now. Be creative and think outside of the box and give it a try.

5. Connect with God. He is our rock in uncertain times and the one who steadies and strengthens us. Take some time to check your foundations in him, and if you realise you are not secure, or you feel a bit wobbly in your confidence, then make the most of the opportunity to put down some roots and foundations in the one who holds the universe in the palm of His hand.

Shut off the TV, radio, social media, and external noise and take time out with God,

Read the bible and get to know Him and who He is a little more.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

If you do these things, you’ll find you’ll be able to remain calm and grounded, finding strategies and energy to keep moving ahead in some way.

Today adjust if you need to, keep your vision visible and trust God to take care of you. Then when the uncertainty passes you’ll have continued to be productive whilst being rested, peaceful and ready to continue running your race well. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that even in uncertainty, you are in control. Would you please help me make the most of every opportunity to keep moving forward, draw close to you, and remain steadfast and consistent in who I am? I ask for your peace to fill my heart today. In Jesus name Amen.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we obtain and maintain our ability to walk in freedom. Primarily because we can easily get things out of perspective, be prone to stress, fear, anxiety and an easy target for enemy attack when we don’t live freely or are weak in an area.

As a way to become strong and maintain this strength, God teaches us in His Word to become “fat” so that we can break off the yokes that the enemy has designed to enslave and hold us back with.

God said of these yokes, “their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat.” (Isaiah 10:27)

It seems God has given us some keys to freedom. One key is to get really “fat” in His Word so that the yoke of any bondage or lack will be shattered off our lives.

It’s His word, and the power it carries that strengthens our spirits, renews our minds, and gives us the knowledge of who we are and the resources available to us as a child of God.

Essentially God’s saying, “the fuller and “fatter” you are on my Word, the sooner yokes, limitations and anything that attempts to take your freedom will be broken off your life…..”and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (NKJV)

Today if you know you are struggling or keep getting hit in an area because it’s been a weak spot in your life, don’t be content to stay weak so that it controls you. Instead, get your bible out and find every verse that talks about that issue and God’s desire to make you strong (ie: “fat”) in it. Then:

Write down and carry these verses with you or save them on your phone.

Look at them throughout the day until your thinking starts to be renewed and you see a change in your responses.

Build your faith and understanding of God’s power to make you strong.

Schedule in a regular time in your day to “fatten up” on the Word and the anointing it holds until it starts to break off the yokes and burdens which have been holding you back and pushing you down. It’s the anointing which breaks the yoke!

But Jesus answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (Matthew 4:4)

“He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.’ (Psalm 107:20)

“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)

Prayer: Lord, please help me to consistently strengthen myself in your Word so that every yoke will be broken off my life and I can walk in freedom. In Jesus name Amen.

George Mueller established homes for as many as two thousand orphans at a time, and cared for more than ten thousand children in his lifetime. Yet, he never made his needs to do this known to anyone except to God in prayer. Only through his annual reports were people informed of how God had provided food, clothing and support for the young people he cared for.

His secret was that Mueller was a man who knew how to pray and had over fifty thousand specific and documented answers to prayer written down in his journals. Thirty thousand of which he said were answered the same day or even the same hour. That’s five hundred answers each year, more than once per day, every day for sixty years! Plus, God also provided the equivalent of $7,200,000.00 in response to Mueller’s prayers.

So what made George Mueller’s prayer life so fruitful?

One key was his practice of searching the Bible to find a promise that covered his need and what he required before he prayed. Sometimes he would spend days reading and meditating on the scriptures before he presented his petition.

When he found the promise, he would, with an open bible and his finger on that promise, ask God for what he required. In doing so, he got answers, but He always prayed with an open Bible in front of him.

Mueller discovered that spending time searching God’s Word and asking according to what God had spoken was a key to experiencing a powerful prayer life.

Mueller’s example highlights the importance of taking the time to find and take hold of God’s promises when we pray. Therefore the question to ask ourselves is, “How often do I rush my requests to God, failing to build any real faith for what I’m asking or with an assurance based on God’s Word?“

I encourage you to seek to have a life full of answered prayer. Write down your requests to God, and then go to His word and find out what He has to say. What are His promises regarding your situation and the circumstances you and many worldwide are facing right now? As you discover them, determine to pray and ask according to His Word, and then expect Him to answer.  

Today let’s encourage one another and unite in prayer together. Set a daily alarm on your phone for 7 pm and spend five or more minutes in intentional prayer for your situation and nation. Share this call to prayer, and let’s determine to intercede for our circumstances, the nations and for the Lord to bring an outpouring of His spirit to cover the whole earth.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him”. (1 John 5:14-16)

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your promises and that you are faithful to keep them. As we pray together and individually today I bring my requests to you, knowing that you will answer according to your promises. In Jesus Name Amen.

Several days ago, I was reading and the words from Psalm 107:28-30 practically jumped off the page. “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

Later that night, I was woken up with God speaking and impressing upon me the need to pray and gather others to do the same.

To raise people to pray to push back the plans and strategy of the enemy.

To pray for God to move in our nations and communities to eradicate fear, sickness and disease.

To pray for God to bring freedom, deliverance and restoration.

Where there is oppression and restriction, to pray and declare freedom.

Where there is exhaustion and weariness to pray and declare for the dry bones to come alive.

We are called to declare the goodness of God and that His will be done on the earth.

God’s word is full of His promises regarding prayer if we would only take the time to look.

Jesus said, “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).

Matthew 7:7 states, “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 21:22 “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Mark 11:24  “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13-14 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it”.

The fact of the matter is that if the devil can keep people from praying and believing in the power and effectiveness of their prayers, he will. He will put pressure on, throw smoke screens in our eyes, remind us of our failings, and try to deceive, cheat and lie to convince us that we don’t have time to pray or try to cause us to wonder if it works anyway.

But when the world looks like it is going crazy, and solutions are few and far between, that is not the time to run around screaming or throwing our hands up in the air in defeat; that is the time to pray. It’s the time to pray and seek God’s face for the answers.

Today, I encourage you to not fall for the devils lies and schemes any longer. Jesus said pray, and to pray without ceasing. (Matthew 6:9-13) He prayed, taught his disciples to pray, and wherever and whenever people have determined in their hearts to pray in faith, and according to God’s word, amazing things have happened.

George Mueller, a man who received astonishing answers to prayer, when asked how much time he spent in prayer, replied, “Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk and when I lie down and when I arise. And the answers are always coming.”

That constant attitude of prayer will bring us into a place of supernatural protection, deliverance, comfort and communion with God. “It clears the vision; steadies the nerves; stiffens the purpose, and sweetens and strengthens the spirit.” (S.D. Gordon)

Today wherever you are, I’m asking you to set a daily alarm on your phone for 7 pm and spend five or more minutes in intentional prayer for your nation. This is a call to war and intercession for God to move to bring healing, freedom and restoration. Share this call to prayer, and let’s determine to intercede for our nations and for the Lord to bring an outpouring of His spirit to cover the whole earth.

Let’s pray!

James 5:16-18 declares, “…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be obvious to everyone. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

There will be times when you will experience painful experiences, have people more than ready to criticise you, and feel the effect of other trials. Jesus even said there would be, so we shouldn’t be surprised when we face these things. But He also said that He had overcome these trials for us and that if we stay vitally connected to Him, we will be able to walk in victory through every circumstance life may try to throw at us.

Jesus said, “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.” (John 16:3)

One of the ways you can learn to keep walking through and overcome negative or painful circumstances is to train your eyes to see the good in your day.

When you focus your attention on the goodness of God and begin seeking out and looking for the good things you will soon realise that there is evidence of God’s goodness and kindness towards you everywhere. Even when it seems that no good can come of a situation, God, if you are looking, will surprise you by revealing just how He has been working all the time behind the scenes on your behalf and with your best in mind.

However, it takes practice and a renewed mindset to begin looking for the good rather than focusing upon the bad. Some people may think that it is just “putting your head in the sand” and not facing facts, but when we know God and His Word, any contrary facts have to line up with the truth of His word and bring change to things that previously looked hopeless.

I encourage you to start to retrain yourself to expect God’s favour and goodness towards you every day.

Some helpful ways I have discovered to look for the good are:

1. Keep your eyes and ears on God’s Word to build your faith and expectation for God’s favour and blessing to pour into your life.

^“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17)

2. Give God your cares and concerns, and then leave them with Him. It’s hard to see the good when you are weighed down with burdens and worries.

^“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

3. Spend time talking to God in prayer and then declaring what He says about your life, rather than focusing and repeating the negatives or what others or the world are saying.

 “And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14: 13-14)

4. Honour even the smallest good thing in your life. Don’t take God’s blessings for granted.

“Give the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendour of [His] holiness.” (Psalm 29:2)

“Honour the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce.” (Proverbs 10:9)

5. Look for the “silver lining” in situations, and remember that God has promised that all things work together for good for those who love Him. Somewhere, somehow good will come.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

Today, even if you can only see a tiny sliver of joy and blessing choose to acknowledge and honour God for it. As you do, you’ll soon be seeing goodness all around you as you train your eyes, heart and mind to focus on the good things, and to expect God’s daily favour to be made evident in your life.

Prayer: Lord, help me retrain my eyes, heart, and mind to see all the good parts of my life. Would you please help me become someone who easily sees the good and that it becomes an everyday expectation to daily experience your favour? In Jesus name Amen.