Dayle's Blog

I love the account of Jesus setting free the demon-possessed man. This man whom Jesus crossed a sea to reach, had been shackled and chained both in the physical and spiritual. Forces of evil had overcome his life, and he was in constant torment; chained, and shackled in every way, with no means of escape.

Jesus arrives on the scene and instantly sees, and has compassion on this man, setting him radically and amazingly free. One encounter with Jesus changed his life forever as he went from being the local crazy man who had to be physically chained, to a sane, restored, whole person. (Read about what Jesus did in Luke 8:26-39)

Have you ever felt like you are a shackled and weighed down a bit like the man Jesus set free that day? The good news is that what Jesus did for that man he will do for you. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The shackles and chains He broke off to set him free, he will break off of all who come to Him.

Whether it is a shackle of fear, sickness, poverty, addiction, sin, abuse, hurt, worry, or anxiety- whatever it is.  If Jesus said it, you can believe it, and He said that the truth will set you free, and that who He sets free is free indeed!

Jesus says you are greatly loved, and nothing can separate you from His love. He says that He came to destroy the works of the devil. That he will wash away the stain of your past and give you beauty for ashes. That any shackle can and will break when you ask Jesus into your life, and choose to believe and stand on His word.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Today let Jesus into every area of your life and allow the truth of what He has done and says about your life break off every chain. God has a plan and an extraordinary, joy-filled life for you to live. (John 10:10) Don’t waste another minute living bound up. Acknowledge any burden and with Jesus’ help tackle whatever is holding you. Take hold of what Jesus says and has done for you and begin stepping into freedom today.

“Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.” (Nahum 1:3)

“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death And broke their bands (shackles) apart. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving-kindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men.” (Psalm 107:14)

“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Prayer: Jesus I come to you and give you my life. Forgive me for everything I have done and where I have chosen my way over your’s. Would you take all the things that hold me – every burden, hurt, and shackle to my past and break them off my life today. I choose to follow you and your way of doing things and I thank you that I am set free. For who the son sets free is free indeed. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to live in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus name Amen.

God knows that we will start fulfilling our purpose in life when we focus on the “important”, and not just what’s making the most noise in our lives. He has planned good things for us, and he’s looking out for us, promising to take care of all that concerns us. To enable us to access the best life He has planned, He asks us to put Him first, seek His ways, and focus on what He has for our day and life rather than just what we can think or see in front of us.

The bible says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

When you follow and make Jesus centre of your life and choose Him consistently, turning your thoughts, heart, will, and emotions towards Him throughout the day, you change, and life begins to have more meaning and purpose. You gain perspective and start to see the “bigger picture” (God’s picture) and tend not to “sweat the small stuff” as much.

Jesus becomes your light. You feel His presence. You experience Him more and see and hear what He’s saying and doing. You get to know Him!

Jesus says, do not be afraid or worry about your life, but take the time to discover who you are, who He is and all that He has done for you. Seek Him and allow Him to reveal what’s important, for as you do, you’ll find you can spend your life on those relationships and pursuits that bring meaning and value, rather than on anything else. (Matthew 6:31-34)

Seek Jesus FIRST and His way of doing things today. Worry and stress will start to lift off your life and you’ll be amazed at what Jesus will do in and through you.  

“So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’  For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require?

 “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.” (Matthew 6:31-34 TPT)

“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, I trust you today, and I’m going to spend time seeking you and your plan. I hand over all the cares and concerns of my day to you and ask that you take care of them all. Would you lead and direct my thoughts and steps and please show me what is important. I make myself available to be a blessing wherever you need me to be today. In Jesus Name Amen.

Have faith, believe, trust God. You hear these words a lot, and when we choose faith and trust over fear and w to believe instead of doubt, amazing things will happen in our lives.

However, today I also realised that God has faith and believes in us. He believes in us far more than we believe in ourselves.

God first conceived and dreamt up the idea of the world and mankind, and what he created, he also believed and had faith in. He took a risk that all He had made would come to love Him and live embracing their unique design and purpose.

God had so much faith in man that even when we’d gone our own way bringing suffering and death into the world, He sent Jesus to redeem humanity and provide us with a way to new and abundant life. He had faith and believed in us that we would not only accept this life but that we would live it too.

Think about that for a moment; God believes in you so much that he created you with the power to choose good or evil. To live positively or negatively, to believe or to doubt, to respond to Him or to ignore Him.

He believed in you enough to trust you will seek after and fulfil your plan and purpose, rather than squander and squash your God-given ability and talents. He believes this so much that He will call out, chase after and work within you all the days of your life to make it happen.

And if He believes and has faith in you to risk everything and gave to the point of sacrificing His life, it stands to reason that you can rely on Him to take care of you now. That you can believe and trust Him with your hopes, dreams and the cares and concerns of your heart.

God has faith in you. He thinks you’re worth the risk and for Him to keep believing everything He’s hoped and dreamt of for you. The question is, what are you believing today?

“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 NIV)

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Prayer: Lord, it amazes me that you believe and have faith in me. I have been given all I need to live a life of abundance, blessing and purpose and I’m asking that you help me believe as you do. To believe in your goodness, love and promises, and in who you have destined me to become. In Jesus name Amen.

I’m always saying, “I’m “bigger on the inside”. It’s like I am “pregnant” with what God has revealed and promised me. The bible explains it as, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. (Hebrews 11:1).

While awaiting delivery day on those things you are praying, believing and carrying around on the inside, I recommend being mindful of what you speak, hear and listen to and finding what the Bible says about testings and trials so that you will keep praying and believing even when it seems things are taking a long time.

An important truth to also understand is that even though tradition and religion say that trials and tribulations develop faith that’s not what God says. The Bible says that” faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:16)

“Let no one say when he is tempted say, “I am tempted by God”, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone“. (James 1:12-14)

Any trials and tribulations we may travel through do however develop PATIENCE.

James 1:2 says, “my brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

When pressure (tribulation) comes, our faith based on God’s Word and undergirded by patience will enable us to hold on, keep praying, and not let go of God’s promises. God is for us and not trying to harm us, and will be working behind the scenes to bring His promises to pass in our lives.

Suffering is more often than not the result of Satan’s attack. He is the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10)  Jesus himself declared, “I have come to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8) It’s wise to also check that any suffering is not self-induced as a result of our own lack of trust in God’s goodness, so we’ve taken matters into our own hands and ran ahead of what God is doing or we’ve stepped outside of His will. 

Troubles may come our way, but through the goodness of God, He will always make a way for us to triumph. (2 Cor 2:14)

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

1 John 5:4 ” For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith”. 

I encourage you to keep praying, and instead of being on the defensive and waiting for the next bad thing to happen, to go on the offensive? Exert the force of faith in your life and circumstances. Get into God’s Word and discover for yourself that God wants to bless and prosper you, to give you hope and a future. Don’t settle for less than what Jesus died and rose again to provide you with.

Today put some pressure on and push back – “Resist the devil, and he will flee” (James 4:7).  If you know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you have resurrection, hardcore, devil stomping dynamo power on the inside of you! See where the real enemy and origin of the trial and pressure come from and make a stand. Get the Word out, and pray. Your promise is on the way.

“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 realms. “. (Ephesians 6:12)

Prayer: Lord, help me to hold on to the promise you have spoken to me and to keep praying and believing. Thank you that I have resurrection, hardcore, devil stomping, dynamo power inside me that causes me to triumph. I stand in faith and patience today. In Jesus Name Amen

It was the 23rd of September 1857, as Jeremiah entered an empty room, he pulled out his pocket watch and sat down to wait. The placard outside read: “Prayer Meeting from 12 to 1 o’clock. As the minutes ticked by, the solitary waiter wondered if it were all a mistake. It looked like no one had the time.

He waited for ten minutes, then ten more. Then one man came in, then another and another until there were six. After a few minutes of prayer, the meeting was dismissed with the decision to hold another session the following Wednesday. Two weeks later, they decided to move to a daily schedule of prayer.

Jeremiah Lanphier had no way of knowing those prayer meetings would be instrumental in starting a great national revival. They were not extraordinary, but within six months, 10,000 men were gathering to pray, and that movement spread across America.

Within two years, there were one million new believers added to the church. The movement swept out to touch England, Scotland, and Wales.

When news reached Ireland of what was happening in America, three young men gathered to meet for prayer in a schoolhouse on March 14, 1859. They prayed and prayed for revival. Within a couple of months, a meeting started in Belfast. By September 21, 20,000 people assembled to pray for the whole of Ireland.

In one year, more than a million people turned to God, out of a population of thirty million.

That move of God lasted for a generation, but in the early 1900s there was a great need for God to move in people’s hearts once more.

Again a prayer movement began, with special prayer meetings in England, Australia, Korea, and India. People were praying for God to move around the world, and God honoured His word and revival broke out again. The Churches of Atlantic City reported that out of a population of fifty thousand people, there were only fifty adults left in the entire city who hadn’t asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.

These stories of past revivals are important because they demonstrate how God will use just one person who is completely available to work out His purposes.

Jeremiah Lanphier and all those like him are an inspiration to even the seemingly quiet, unassuming people everywhere. Their lives remind us that God will use everyone and anyone to do mighty things.

In His own words, Jeremiah Lanphier’s dedication to the work came only after a struggle and a decision to surrender to God totally. He testified:

“The subject was laid upon my heart and was a matter of constant consideration for some time. At last, I resolved to give myself to the work, and I shall never forget with what force, at the time, those words came home to my soul: Tis done, the great transaction’s done, I am my Lord’s, and He is mine;”

If we only look at governments and institutions to fix the problems we face, we’ll be disappointed. But there is a solution. God is looking for people who will willingly go where He asks, speak when He says, and persevere in prayer until something happens! “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Cor 10:4-5)

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you“. (John 15:7)

Determine to get God’s Word on the challenges and needs you see around you and write what God says down. His promises are designed for you to speak out in prayer. They hold keys to breakthrough for every challenge, need and situation.

Believe God to answer. Yes, believe! God is faithful and alert and active watching over His word to do it. The angels are on standby, waiting for you to step up. They are waiting for you to pray! (Psalm 103:20)

“For I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it”. (Jeremiah 1:12)

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”. (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Prayer: Use me, Lord. In Jesus name Amen.

God loves to answer our prayers, and the bigger and bolder our prayers the more I think He likes it. Faith is what pleases Him, and when we pray He expects that we would pray prayers that require Him to step in to do a miracle, rather than live life solely upon what we can do in our strength and ability.

When I went into labour with our second daughter Shara, my husband, Philip, was dropping off his last assignment to finish his degree. I remember that point because I’d specifically asked God not to let me have this baby until he’d finished his studies. As he walked into the building to deliver his work, I felt my first contraction and the beginnings of labour. It’s one of the reasons I know God likes it when we pray specific prayers because when he answers, we know it.

All through the rest of that day and night, I repeatedly experienced God’s hand on my life and the power of believing in His Word and promises. Shara arrived into the world at 3.30 am, and the midwife looked at my husband and said, “I’ve never seen a baby born like that before.”  She said that because not only had I asked for a specific time for Shara to arrive, I’d also taken hold of God’s promise that Jesus has borne our every pain (incl labour pains). As a result of daring to believe his promise, I had Shara completely pain-free. (Galatians 3:13).

A vital step to seeing bold prayers answered is to know God’s will in a situation by searching His word for His wisdom and a promise. We can then pray, knowing that He desires to answer us. The answer may come differently to what we expect at times, that’s where trust comes in, but He will answer.

Instead of labour full of discomfort and pain, Shara was born into an atmosphere of peace, worship music playing in the delivery room and a knowing that God honours both His promises and our faith.

Jesus is radical and if you take a look through the gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) you will see that He said and did some pretty out of the ordinary things to answer and fulfil promises. For example, making water into wine to provide refreshments at a feast, spitting on dirt and putting it on a blind man’s eyelids to restore his sight. Touching and healing lepers, causing food to multiply to feed a crowd, interrupting funerals and raising numerous dead people to life to restore and reunite families. 

Today I encourage you to go to God and His Word and dare to believe His promises. Look into what He says about your life rather than settling for the status quo. What others may not have experienced or heard to be possible is not a valid reason to hold back your prayers when you can see what God will do for those who believe and pray.

“For with God, nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

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

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promises and that you will move whatever you need to answer my prayer.  Please help me start to pray bold prayers and to dare to believe, for nothing is impossible for you. In Jesus name

During a time in England when most orphans lived in miserable workhouses or on the streets, there was a man named George Mueller who established homes for as many as two thousand orphans at a time, and more than ten thousand in his lifetime. Yet he never made the needs he had to care for these children known to anyone except to God in prayer. Only through his annual reports were people informed of how God had provided.

Mueller 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 the same hour that he prayed. That’s five hundred answers each year, more than one 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 promises and asking according to what God had spoken was a key to experiencing a powerful prayer life.

How often do you rush your requests to God, failing to build any real faith for what you ask? We ask, but not with an assurance based in God’s word. Mueller’s example highlights the importance of taking the time to find and take hold of God’s promises to have an effective prayer life.

Today, I encourage you to have a life full of answered prayer like George Mueller. 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? As you discover them determine to ask according to His Word, and then expect him to answer.  

“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. I bring my requests to you today knowing that you will answer according to your promises. In Jesus Name Amen.

This morning, I woke up thinking about peace and how powerful it is to both carry peace within us and impart and release peace around us.

Just walking into a room where there is a conflict or one where there is love and peace tells us that we can effect and change the atmosphere. We are far more powerful than we think and what we carry within and upon our lives does make a difference to those around us and the world. The question is will we be instruments of peace, or instruments of fear and strife?

The Oxford dictionary defines peace as “a state of being calm or quiet.”  However, the peace that Jesus said He would give us is more than just the absence of conflict or being quiet. The bible’s original languages are Hebrew and Greek, and peace in Hebrew is Shalom, which means to be in a state of wholeness or completeness, without any deficiency or lack. In Greek, the word for peace is Eirene (i-ray’-nay), meaning unity in relationships, quietness, and rest. When Jesus said my peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you. He was saying, “I give you my completeness, wholeness, provision and rest in your life and relationships.”

“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 NIV)

Today instead of engaging with all the fear, bad news and angst in the world, engage and focus upon peace, and Jesus who is the Prince of peace. (Isaiah 9:6) His peace in our lives provides the quiet and rest we so badly need and has the power to change lives and atmospheres all around us. His peace silenced the storm, calmed the terrified Israelites as He parted the Red Sea, caused David to be able to run into battle with a peaceful assurance that God was with him and cared for Daniel in the lion’s den.

No matter what the world is yelling all around you, or how anxious you may be feeling today, Jesus has the power to bring quiet to any storm. Give Him your worries in exchange for His peace, and then seek to be an instrument of peace wherever you go today…..Shalom

“So let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

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

“And he (Jesus) arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)

“The Lord will fight for you, and you will hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)

Prayer: Lord, I give you every care and concern today and exchange it for your peace. Thank you that you calm every storm and bring peace into my heart.In Jesus name Amen.

Several months ago, I had a nasty fall from a horse and ended up spending a day in the hospital with broken bones and pulled ligaments. It’s taken three months to be able to ride again or to do much physical activity.

However, this past week I have faced my fears, pushed through my body protesting and gotten back out there.

My riding coach said she wondered if I would get back on again because many people who have such a nasty fall don’t ever ride again. However, she soon knew I would as on route to the hospital, I asked her what I had done wrong so I wouldn’t do it again next time. The thing is I never allowed myself to entertain the thought of giving up, and even refused to allow the nurses to cut me out of my jodhpurs because I’d decided I’d need them again.  

I know from experience that it’s in dusting ourselves off and getting back out there after a fall, disappointment or heartache that aids in our recovery and overcoming the more difficult things in life.

C.S. Lewis wisely said, “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”

Today as I rode, I had to leave the fall, the pain and the fear of something terrible happening behind me to focus on the present and how I would move forward.

Whether it’s an accident, failure, broken relationship, loss or disappointment, your painful experiences don’t need to define or steal from who you are or your future. God wants you to know that He is there to help you. If you allow Him, He will give you the strength and resolve to get back up, dust yourself off, and move forward in life instead of getting stuck in your past and your pain. However, you will have to choose whether you will let go of the negatives, trust God and determine to live, learn and carry on boldly.

Today whatever your circumstances know that God is with you. He wants to help you keep moving forward and promises to give you all the strength you need to be the person you were created to be. So with His help today dust yourself off and get back out there!

“I can do all thing through Christ who gives me strength“. (Philippians 4:13)

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I can overcome. Please help me get back up whenever I suffer a knockback and keep moving forward into all you have made me to be. In Jesus name Amen