Dayle's Blog

Holding onto what we believe God has said to us, even in the face of contrary circumstances, is one of the biggest and hardest things we’ll ever have to do in our walk with God.

Take for example Abraham who was childless when God spoke to him and told him he was going to be a father. And not just the father of one child, but the father of a nation with descendants as vast as the stars in the heavens. At the time Abraham had no children and for twenty five more years, even after God had spoken this word, Abraham and his wife Sarah remained childless. Until finally when all natural hope had gone and Sarah was well past the age of being able to fall pregnant, she gave birth to a son Isaac.

Every day, year after year they’d held onto the promise, and no doubt everyday they’d battled with others opinions, their own doubts and the conflict in their minds and bodies as to how this was ever going to happen.

Yet Abraham chose against all hope to believe, and as a result he is called the Father of Faith. He figured out that if we’re ever going to receive all that God says is ours, then we’d better choose to believe and act differently from the general population. (Romans 4:1-12)

One of the biggest keys I see in Abraham’s walk of faith and choosing to walk differently is that he determined to keep what God had spoken and revealed to him before his eyes and in his mouth.

God changed Abraham’s name from Abram to Abraham because it means Father of a nation. Every time he said his name or other’s called out to Him it reminded Abraham and prophesied God’s promise to all listening – Abraham you are a Father! Each night when he looked up at the night sky he stood and remembered what God had spoken; that his descendants would be as many as the stars in the sky.

In a world where there are so many voices telling us so many things as to what we should value and believe, we are going to have to make a choice. Do we listen to the noise or do we listen to God’s still quiet voice. His voice which speaks to our hearts and tells us things to come, who we are and all that He has planned for us?

Today I recommend choosing to stop and listen to God’s voice and to spend time searching His words in the bible to discover what He has promised and wants to show you. Then stand and hold onto what God speaks and reveals to your heart to be true, and be brave enough to believe it as you keep it before you eyes and in your mouth. Because that’s the path to living the life for which you were born.

“The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram.
  I am your shield, your very great reward.”

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”  And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”(Genesis 15:6)

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”  Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.  This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:18-22)

Prayer: Lord I hold onto your promises and thank you that you are faithful. Please help me to keep what you have spoken before my eyes and in my mouth, and to remember that it is by faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God. (Heb 6:12) In Jesus name Amen.

It’s fantastic when we retell our’s or other people’s stories of what God has done in our past or even just last month. But it’s also important that we have daily accounts of what He is doing today! That our best stories are not months or years ago, but that we have a living, vital relationship with God. That the deeper we go in our relationship with Jesus the greater the stories we have to tell of His power working in and through our lives. 

I love that God never intended that our walk with Him would start with a “bang” and then fade out. He plans that we will still be running five, ten, twenty, fifty years on and that the testimonies and stories we first experienced will be nothing compared to what’s happening in our lives now and in the future. Because what we’ve experienced is nothing in comparison to what God has in store for us, if we’d just keep going deeper in our relationship with Him. For, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9)

Today remember and celebrate all that you have seen and experienced in your walk with God so far. But also make a decision to not live there, but to keep going deeper and further in your relationship with Him. Start to believe and build your faith for God to do more in your life and to know Him in a greater way. That you would become bigger on the inside.

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a crop if we don’t give up, or quit.” (Galatians 6:9)

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” (Job 5:9)

“For the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32 NKJV)

Prayer: Jesus I want to have my own amazing stories to tell of what I have seen and experienced with you. Please use me to do great things and for my light to just get brighter and brighter. Let’s do something awesome today. In Jesus name Amen.

I know from experience that it’s when we are facing our biggest opposition and battle that God will march into our circumstances and bring about the greatest miracles in our lives.

But it’s often while we are in the midst of these battles that we can easily fail to see that God is working behind the scenes on our behalf. That He is busy lining up breakthroughs and answers to our prayers. That we are actually in the middle of the making of our miracle.

However when we are in the middle of a miracle been made it may feel chaotic and like all hell is breaking loose. Your finances are under pressure, the medical report looks worse, there is bad news everywhere you look.

When God parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites it would have looked chaotic. On either side of the path through the sea there was gigantic walls of water being held back by the wind. The people were frightened, children and parents would have been running to get to the other side, the elderly struggling to get to safety, and everyone wondering if the wall of water was going to come crashing down on them. It wasn’t until they got safely to the other side that they would have relaxed and started rejoicing. Yet God had been in their midst the whole time, working to deliver and fulfil His promises.

It’s usually only when we look back that we realise when things were the most chaotic and our strength and hopes were fading, that we were actually at that moment in the middle of our miracle. Take for example David as he ran into battle against the giant Goliath, the Israelites passing through the walls of water, Joseph as he sat in a prison cell. Of Mary as a pregnant teenager, a grief stricken widow burying her only son, a blind man begging by the roadside and Jesus as he hung dying on a wooden Cross. All were struggling with some of their worst, most frightening and stressful moments. Yet on the other side of these moments was victory and triumph.

David slayed the Giant, Joseph was promoted from prisoner to the second most powerful person in the land, Mary a pregnant teenager became the mother of the Saviour of the world. A grief stricken mother saw her son raised to life in the middle of his funeral. A blind man’s sight suddenly was restored as Jesus passed by and Jesus the biggest of all miracles, conquered sin and death and redeemed all mankind.

In our darkest hour, when we are struggling to see glimpses of light, God can be heard saying, “Hold on, for I am at work.” It’s why Paul in the bible says, “God always causes us to triumph.”. (2 Cor 2:14)

Regardless of what it is we face, it is no surprise to God. He is not surprised by a global pandemic, financial pressures, sickness, or the stress and worry it may cause. He has the answer already prepared and a way through every situation we will ever face. He is not concerned by Red Seas, prison walls, people’s opinions, enormous smelly giants, bad medical reports or even death. He knows how to override the natural order of things to get the answers to us. He knows how to send a wind to push the water back, enable a shepherd boy to become a mighty warrior King, raise the dead, heal sick minds and bodies, restore families and set the prisoners free.

Today you could well be in the middle of your miracle and you don’t even know it. Your story does not end here, so hold on and stand firm in your faith and God’s promises. There’s a miracle in the making with your name on it!

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT)

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

“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:23-30)

Prayer: Lord thank you that you always cause me to triumph. Today I’m trusting in you and holding onto the fact that you still perform miracles and are faithful to fulfill your word and promises. Thank you for my miracle. In Jesus name Amen.

A few years ago we travelled around the USA as a family and visited a beautiful spot called Lake Gage in Indiana U.S.A. We had a great time seeing the sights, walking by the lake, admiring the picture postcard houses, eating lots and being introduced to some American traditions.

One of those traditions was making smores; a gooey marshmallow and chocolate concoction squished between two sweet crackers. On learning how to make Smores properly I’ve decided that smores are a little bit like how life can be.

To make a great smore you need two marshmallows (U.S. A. marshmallows are giant size) – one is okay, but two is better which is much like what the bible says, “Two are better than one, for when one person falls the other can help him up”. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) When we have the right people in our life who encourage and help us to be the best version of ourselves, two are better than one. 

To make smores you need to toast the marshmallows so they are all gooey. God has also actually designed and works in us to be soft and gooey on the inside when we allow Him to work in our hearts. Just like a toasted marshmallow He wants us to be warm and soft in the middle so that things work, we have great relationships and things all come together.

Chocolate seems to make a lot of things better and smores are no exception. Coupled with two toasted marshmallows it just works, much the same as being with others in unity makes everything work better in life too. God says, that “where there is unity He commands a blessing.” (Psalm 133:1)

Lastly are Graham crackers – a crunchy, honey flavored cracker that makes a smore all come together. It’s the crunch that balances and makes all the gooey sweetness that extra bit special. Smore crackers are a lot like life’s “meaty bits” where you just have to buckle down and get things done. It may be a handful and even difficult to handle at times, but the “crunchy” not so smooth parts of life are where God works in us. He perfects our patience and character, and in the process we get the opportunity to put wheels on our faith.  

Chocolate, marshmallows and crackers are all great individually, but they become something pretty special when put together. To be honest I think they really are better together.

Today know that God is the midst of every circumstance and is working to make everything work out for the best. There may be hard times, but God is still working in the difficulties and will draw people around you to encourage and lighten the load. Watch out for the sweet parts of your day and for those who love and care for you, because they are the ones who will help bring and keep it all together, much like marshmallows and chocolate.

“And we know that all things work together for good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purposes” (Romans 8 : 28)

Prayer: Lord help me to appreciate the sweet, gooey parts of my life, as well as the “I need to get on with it” parts. Thank you for what you are doing in me today and please help my life to be as flavoursome and good as a smore. In Jesus name Amen.  

Something strange is happening around us, and some may have started to notice it. We used to have debates in class at school, university and in our social groups. We talked freely about life, our values, faith and the state of the world. As we grew up we were educated about the power of free speech and to never take for granted these blessings that we have living in a democratic “free country”. We studied history and different places in the world where others didn’t enjoy these rights and were punished or imprisoned for their views and beliefs, and we quietly thanked God we were born where we were.

However it seems things may have changed and that we too can no longer express so freely, debate or share our faith and values. That we can’t agree to disagree with those with a difference of opinion without fear of verbal and even physical attack and retaliation regarding whatever point of view we may have.

Everywhere we look from the schoolyard, workplace, universities, and social and public settings people are now living in fear of being able to express their thoughts, concerns and opinions. People are afraid to speak or stand up for what they believe, even if they feel uncomfortable or threatened, because they genuinely believe they will be attacked either verbally or physically if they do. So sadly they often remain silent and afraid.

But when did that become okay – that we were too afraid to speak up? Where freedom in speech, beliefs and opinions are maligned in all sectors across the community because people no longer can agree to disagree without wanting to tear strips off each other?

What example are we setting for our children and the next generations if we can’t even have polite, civil conversations with others anymore? Instead we go at each other like pit bull’s thinking it’s okay to “bite and tear” away at one another’s heart’s and souls.

What are we teaching them when our world is modelling to the next generation that if they have the courage to speak up and to give their opinion they also better be prepared to be hated, threatened and even physically abused by those who may not agree with their point of view.

Interestingly even God gives each of us a choice to disagree with Him. He gives us a free will to agree to disagree if that is what we choose. He’s put before us life and death; blessings and cursings, and leaves it up to us to decide. He loves and cares for all of us and has carefully lain out the consequences in His word of those choices, but ultimately He allows us to disagree with Him if that is what we want to do.

The truth is people are going to disagree with us, but if God can lovingly allow all of us to choose without hating on us, can’t we do the same for our fellow man. That doesn’t mean we become pushovers with no voice, but it does mean that we speak only when we can do it in love and self control, and when God gives us the go ahead and guides us. It’s His love and kindness that leads people to repentance, and it’s our example of this that will reach into the heart’s of all those around us to heal, set free and bring much needed reconciliation and the answers the world so needs.

We must remember that the person who disagrees with us is not our enemy, but our brother or sister; made in the image of God, with hopes and dreams just like us. (Ephesians 6:12) It’s in each of us choosing to love each other, even when it’s hard that will change this world from a place of hatred, venom, fear and negativity into a place we want to raise our children and grandchildren.

Let’s aim to do better. To walk, talk and act with love and kindness. To pray for a world where we are not afraid to speak and share our hearts, faith and values in freedom; where we love regardless.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

“Do not let unwholesome (foul, profane, worthless, vulgar) words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear you speak.” (Ephesians 4:29 AMP)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Prayer: Lord please help me to see that my fellow man is not my enemy, and to learn to be sensitive to what you want me to say and do in every situation I find myself. Please help me to pray and believe for more; to love in greater measure and to govern better. This is my time and responsibility, so please help me to govern over the nations well. In Jesus name Amen.

 

God doesn’t want us to settle for the just enough to get by. That sort of existence is far below what He has planned for our lives.

However there is a reason why many people settle and the reason is quite plausible, even understandable. It’s because life and our circumstances can hammer away at us; it can erode and sometimes be hell bent on demolishing any of the hopes or dreams we have. The circumstances of our lives can in fact leave us feeling despondent and disappointed with only enough energy to put one foot in front of the other – to simply survive.

That entree’ size life is not what God says has planned for you. It’s not the life that Jesus died and rose again to give you. “He said, “the thief (the devil) comes with only one thing in mind – he wants to steal slaughter and destroy. But I (Jesus) have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect – life in its fullness until you overflow.” (John 10:10 TPT)

I like that line of scripture that says, “But I (Jesus) have come to give you everything in abundance....it’s what I call the “BUT OF GOD”.

When we feel stolen from, when things aren’t going well, when it looks like destruction and chaos is going to overwhelm us, we can be sure that the devil has his hand in it. His whole plan is to steal from and destroy us.

But when we’ve made Jesus and what He says our final authority you can be sure that He will have the final word, a BUT…..and it’s this, “Nobody gets away with messing with His family or His plan.” It was BUT GOD who parted the Red Sea and rescued over 3 million people. It’s BUT GOD which caused the widow’s oil to multiply and enabled her to save her sons from slavery. It’s BUT GOD who raises the dead to life, opens blind eyes, heals sick minds and bodies, breaks bondages and addictions, calms the storms and which ultimately bore the punishment for our mess up’s. The BUT OF GOD, isn’t something to underestimate; it’s what will bring you up and over every challenge, silence your critics, set you free and give you a life you once only dreamt could be possible.

“But God” says, “before we were even born, He gave us our destiny that we would fulfil the plan of God, who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart.” (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 1:11 TPT)

Trust God today, because He always, always has a “BUT GOD” and will work all things out for you.

“Today I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination flooding you with light until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling…. I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him to the place of honour and supreme authority in the heavenly realms… “ (Ephesians 1:18-20 TPT)

“Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energises you.” (Ephesians 3:20 TPT)

When my Dad turned sixty years old we all wanted to get him something special to commemorate his special birthday. We thought and prayed about an ideal present for him until God reminded me about something Dad had always wanted since he was a little boy. It was a Hornby electric train which he’d worked for as a ten year old boy, but due to family circumstances had never managed to buy. The look of pure joy and excitement on my Dad’s face as he unwrapped his train is something I”ll never forget. It was priceless. He actually danced a little jig and sang as He held the train in his hands.

Most of us know what it is like to really desire and long for something. Often it means working, saving, believing and remaining focused on our goal and desires until we receive them. But sometimes there’s a problem and we can suffer disappointment, delays or just let go of what we had been hoping, dreaming and praying for. These desires of our heart can then slip away beneath the surface where we barely think of them anymore.

However as I discovered with my Dad’s Hornby train set it doesn’t matter if fifty years have gone by, God still remembers and sees the desires within our hearts. He remembers even if we or other’s have long forgotten. Contrary to many people’s opinion of God, He is always wanting to give to us and cause seemingly impossible things to happen, and time doesn’t seem to limit His plans.

Today whether its something you’ve always wanted or dreamed of, know God sees and remembers you, so hold onto your dreams. In some way God will be planning, strategizing, and also holding those things in His heart until He can make them come to pass, or move to bring something even better into our lives. He is no respecter of persons; what He does for one, He’ll do for another, simply because He loves us, for He is the God who remembers.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him”. (1 John 3:1)

“Now to Him who is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20)

Prayer: Lord thank you that you see me and know the secret thoughts and desires of my heart. Please help me to hold onto and rest in the knowledge that you love to bless and fulfill the dreams in my heart. Even if I forget, you do not. In Jesus name Amen

I once had a vision where I was standing on the edge of the Red Sea watching as Moses stood with his staff stretched out over the waters, waiting for them to part.

The words God spoke to Moses that day rung in my ears and heart as I watched Moses stand firm, even as the enemy army approached…. “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.” (Exodus 14:13)

At the time we really needed God to deliver us from a really difficult and high pressure situation. My husband and I were struggling to know what to do next. The phone was ringing constantly with people threatening to take us to court and maligning and attacking us in whatever way they could.

I’d been crying out to God and trying to get still so I could hear him give me some direction, when suddenly I saw the vision of Moses, and heard God speak to my heart. ” Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”

I took those simple but powerful words and put them next to my bed, where they still remain today. They were the last thing I saw every night and the first thing I read every morning as God walked us out of our own “Egypt”. They got me through, and we did indeed see God’s hand and deliverance from what previously had been an impossible situation.

Standing still and waiting for God to direct and move can be a really hard thing to do when you are under pressure or just want to do something, anything to fix a situation. Standing however doesn’t mean we sit back and do nothing. Instead it’s choosing to hold a posture of peace and stillness, even when the storm is raging all around you in the natural. It’s standing still on the inside, in faith and trust that God is moving and directing your steps. It’s standing still waiting for God’s directive and word to you.

Moses stood still, heard God’s speak and then acted in faith as He spoke God’s promise to the people. Then as instructed he stretched his staff out over the waters and saw God’s awesome power move. God literally, “stepped into their Egypt, took them all by the hand and marched them out in freedom.” (Cory Asbury)

Because Moses didn’t give way to panic and start freaking out, he and all the people with him experienced what is now a famous miracle and were delivered from the enemy.

Today whatever you may be facing or perhaps wanting to get busy fixing, take some time to seek God and His plan. He knows exactly how to get you where you need to be, has a strategy to outsmart the enemy, and also the most effective way for you to achieve your goals. Stand firm on the inside, listen for God’s voice and watch for what God will do when you put your life in his hands. Let Him walk you out of your “Egypt”.

Prayer: Lord thank you that you are the God who delivers us. Please speak to me today, guide my steps and teach me how to stand and yet be still in your presence, as you direct your next move. In Jesus name Amen.

I’ve been thinking about choices and how we can be on the path that leads to fulfilling our destiny or we get off track and miss some or even all of what we were made for.

It’s a sobering thought that through our own choices we can hold up or even completely miss what God has purposed for us. Yet if you look through God’s word and history it is filled with both men and woman who either stepped into their destiny through wise choices or who delayed or totally missed the life they could have had.

A great example of the importance of our choices is Nabal in the bible who through his rudeness and bad attitude towards others nearly brought the wrath of the warrior David upon his whole household. Fortunately his wife Abigail was both intelligent, beautiful and able to quickly make the wise choice to undo her husband’s wrongdoing and save her family. Nabal in making a poor choice to snub David’s offer of friendship fell down dead the next day and subsequently Abigail became David’s wife and stepped into new purpose and blessing. (1 Samuel 25:1-42) In contrast Nabal is remembered for totally missing an opportunity to form an alliance and friendship with the man destined to be King. He lost both his life and his wife through his bad choices.

If we are honest it is not difficult to see where a wise or foolish choice did or could have very easily taken us. Plus the world around us is full of people who either flourish from living wisely and thoughtfully or who stumble and fall through their own poor choices and foolishness.

The big question for us is, “Do we learn from our’s and other’s successes and mistakes and then determine to make wise choices that lead to breakthrough? Or do we choose to risk missing the life we could have through poor choices and not listening to wise counsel and God’s leading?”

God is so gracious and will guide and speak to us through whatever means possible to lead us in the right direction. He wants each one of us to fulfill our destiny and to live joyful and prosperous lives, but He will not force His will or ways upon us. That choice is ours to make.

Today which path are you looking at and walking on? The one that leads to fulfillment and peace or the one which is a slippery slope to loss and death of purpose and fulfilling your destiny? Choose well because the choice is yours!

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants (Duet 30:13)

Prayer: Lord please help me to make wise choice so that I can walk in wisdom, insight and really live the life I was born for. In Jesus name. Amen