Dayle's Blog

I woke up this morning feeling tired. I didn’t sleep well, and my head hurt as I opened my eyes. It’s Monday, and I have a list of tasks to deal with, and I’m still trying to decide how I will approach my day.

I’m very aware that we live in a world that clamours and demands our attention. It is noisy, ugly and beautiful and amazing all at the same time, and every day, I have choices to make as to what I will tune into. One click and swipe of my phone will enable me to see the news and social media feeds or tune into some music or the sermon series I have been listening to. One more often than not leaves me feeling rattled and anxious, the other uplifted and inspired.

Every day we get to choose, and this is where I’ve been learning the beauty of the pause, of taking sixty seconds to help me choose better, to be still, to let everything go and re-centre.

The pause is where you give everything and everyone to Jesus in a sixty-second break from the world. Where you refocus on those things that restore your soul and draw you closer to Jesus. (Philippians 4:8-9)

I’ve discovered without pauses, you can go continually from one thing to the next without a break. You finish one task whilst rushing to another. One phone call backed on to another; one email finished with still ten to go, all while moving to the next job or meeting. There is no quiet space, no breaks, no room for Jesus to gain a place in your schedule to whisper, He is there and loves you.  

But a pause – simply for a minute gives time to breathe, relax, even sigh as you allow space to reset your heart and mind and to draw near to Jesus once again. The pause lets you make better choices (like my swipe to choose between the newsfeeds or a sermon first thing in the morning). It reminds you of what matters and provides regular space to give everyone and everything to Jesus and remember all He has done and promised.

Today, I encourage you to practice one-minute pauses in your day. Pick one or two moments for stillness and to find your heart again. To enjoy a moment of quiet and to appreciate the beauty around you just for a minute, as you choose to be still, cast your cares, let everything go and lean into Jesus.

As you practice pausing it will, over time, begin to reshape the pace and shape of your day, and better still, you will find Jesus waiting there in the pause for you.

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

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.’ (Isaiah 26:3)

“Instead I have calmed and quieted myself” (Psalm 131:2)

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phillippians 4:8-9)

Prayer: Lord, I give you everything and everyone. I give all the concerns and demands of my life to you and trust you to lead and guide me. Would you restore my soul as I pause today. In Jesus name Amen.

I’ve learnt a few things as a wife, Mum of six kids, senior pastor, and running my own business, and I’ve been thinking about some of my top tips for living your purpose and best life.

Here are some of my top tips:

Tip No. 1 – Don’t compare yourself to others. Comparison leads to negativity, feeling alienated, unworthiness, and poor self-esteem and causes you to doubt yourself.  You need to “back yourself” and believe that what God has blessed and entrusted you with He will also provide, strengthen and enable you to handle. God doesn’t compare you; He loves you for the unique amazing creation you are.

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.  For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4-5)

Tip No. 2 – Pray. Its when you try to do everything by yourself that you most often run into problems. Prayer quietens your soul, sharpens your mind, edifies and fine-tunes your spirit and enables you to offload your burdens so that you are then more able to hear from God and glean from His wisdom on how to move forward. Start the day in prayer.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

Tip No. 3 – Make A Plan – take the time to think about what you want and then ask God for His wisdom and knowledge for the best course of action and plan for you. He wants to surpass any goal you may have and make “your plan” and whole life even better. (Ephesians 3:20)

Don’t just let life happen around you. Get involved and make some plans, but remember to seek God and include Him in the process.

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)

Tip No. 4 – Be prepared. From small children to adults, it’s being prepared in the little things that seems to make a big difference. For example, locating what you are going to wear and preparing for the next day. The issue with people’s socks, jocks and knickers and not finding them when you need them seems to be widespread.  It’s one thing that can mess with our morning schedules and facilitates more than one person to end up in tears. I’m sure the washing machine eats socks so that you are constantly left with odd or missing ones.

God wants you to be focused and ready for the things He has planned for you. However, your daily life is also filled with things you have to deal with – like socks jocks, paperwork, and locating the car keys. Being prepared and organised in the little things of life will help you find precious time, energy, and space to focus your heart, imagination, and intellect on your bigger purpose and do what needs to be done.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus, the Messiah, is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:13)

Don’t compare yourself; pray, be prepared, make some plans, and you’ll be set to live your best life and move forward to fulfil your goals.

Prayer: Lord, please help me have confidence in who you have made me to be and be prepared as I talk and listen to you every day. Would you please help me to walk in wisdom today as I listen and lean on you? In Jesus name Amen

I read a quote recently that said, “instead of thinking about solving your whole life, what if you think about adding additional good things, one at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”

God encourages us to focus on and believe for wonderful, amazing, awe-inspiring things every day. We can’t overdose on joy and positivity, and our words, expectations and beliefs will create the life we ultimately live.

The bible teaches that “as a man thinks so shall he be, and to think upon those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely of good report, and praiseworthy.” (Proverbs 23:7; Philippians 4:8)

Rather than focusing on how many things aren’t the way you’d like them, I encourage you to change your focus onto how you can “heap up piles of joy and positivity” in your day so that the good and not the negative is attracted and increased in your life.

Determine to set up a healthy environment in your mind and heart. If you catch yourself criticizing or being negative about yourself or others, stop and shift your thinking and words to something positive using God’s Word. Practice taking every thought captive, giving your cares over to Jesus and remembering who God says you are and what He says about your future.  (2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Peter 5:7)

Speak words of life rather than death because “pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones, and “anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25; Proverbs 16:24)

Today schedule some time to do something you enjoy, even if it is just one thing and choose to focus on the qualities you appreciate in other’s when you are with them rather than any issues or personality differences that cause strife and annoy you.

Everyday you can add to your life and happiness by speaking words of life and not death, and seeing your circumstances and relationships through heaven’s perspective of believing for good things to grow.

“The power of the tongue is life and death—those who love to talk will eat what it produces.” (Proverbs 18:21)

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you surround me with good things today. Would you please help me shift my focus off any negatives in my life so that the good can increase and grow. In Jesus name Amen.

There are no limits in heaven, and nothing is impossible there. Awesome, crazy, wonderful things happen in that realm and they impact the world for good when released. Amazingly, God wants you to learn to operate in these supernatural and heavenly realms every day.

However, people often live conditioned by the world’s system that believes only what can be seen and understood in the natural. Truth is relative, there are no absolutes, and miracles don’t happen.

But God is supernatural and intended that our lives would be supernatural too! Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:12)

Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life. Now think where Jesus in your day is? Because the way we live our lives each day, every day, is a reflection of how much we know, love and trust Jesus. It is a reflection of the place Jesus has in our lives. He is not someone else to fill the gaps that are not occupied in our life but desires to be central and our all and all.

The question is to what degree do you allow the power of Jesus to work within and through you.

Will you allow Him to be involved in your everyday life? Because when He is, you will discover what real living is.

Today don’t let Jesus be an afterthought. Put Him at the very centre of your life. He wants you to know Him and for you to operate more and more in the realms of Heaven and the supernatural every day.

Make this month the start of doing at least one thing every day in the supernatural realm. 

Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Practice an Act of Kindness, and bless someone. Ask Jesus Who it can be.

• Start engaging in Heaven’s realms. See my blog https://daylekinney.com/2016/12/20/20-dec-heavens-gate-is-open/

• Seek God and spend time with Him

• Read the bible -=

• Ask God to give you a prophecy (a message from God) for someone, and then give it.

• Ask God to show you someone to pray for – then go and pray for them.

• Step out, be bold and make yourself available!

• Go for it, and have FUN!

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“But our citizenship is in heaven.”(Philippians 3:20)

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”. (Ephesians 2:6)

“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).

Prayer: Jesus, would you use me today. Lead me by your spirit and show me where to speak and how to bless those around me. Would you please reveal Heaven to me and help me understand how to operate from there. In Jesus name Amen.

When our children were little, I had a book called “Angels”. The book was inspired by the words of Psalm 91, known as the protection psalm, which says, “No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He (God) shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.“

I’ve grown since then in my understanding of angels and their role in my life and often encounter and sense their protection, presence and intervention as they assist and protect myself, others and our family from accident and harm.

I’ve had angels appear in the room with me, witnessed by other people angels standing all around me, seen evidence of their presence and even had white feathers appearing out of nowhere and floating down from the ceiling.

Sadly, however, it seems many people are often more aware of evil than they are of the presence of angels carrying out heaven’s business and taking care of them every day.

We don’t worship angels, but we can engage with and appreciate their help, just as Peter did in the Bible when an angel appeared to him and told him to get up and leave his prison cell.

Peter’s chains fell off, and he followed the angel out of prison to freedom. Interestingly, when Peter arrived at his friend’s house, where they’d been praying for his release and knocked on the door, they presumed that the servant girl who answered the door had heard Peter’s angel. (Acts 12:5-17) Everyone, including Peter, was not overly shocked at the angel’s assistance and presence. They all knew that angels are involved in our lives and looked for their involvement.

In the Bible, you’ll also find that angels appeared to Abraham, Moses, Mary, Joseph, Balaam and his donkey, the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth and Paul.

Angels appear so often in scripture and around you every day because it’s their job to respond to the Word of God.  Whenever you speak God’s promises, angels go to work to carry out His Word, which means when you desire or need angelic help; you need only to declare what God promises to engage their response. Then expect things to happen!

God promises He will look after you and commands His angels to assist you in your walk with Him. (Hebrews 1:4)

Be encouraged today that whatever you may be facing, endeavouring to undertake or are concerned about, God’s angels are at the ready and working on your behalf to protect, provide and bring what you are requesting from God to pass.

“Praise the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.” (Psalm 103:20)

“If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
 no harm will overtake you; no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you so guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:9-12)

Angels,  “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:4)

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.” (Psalm 34:7)

“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realising it!” (Hebrews 13:2)

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have your angels taking care of those things that affect my life and that they surround me. I trust you to send all the help, protection and assistance I need to achieve my purpose, and I ask you to send help according to the promises in your Word today. In Jesus name Amen.

I love the account of Moses in Exodus in the Bible. God’s people had finally been released from bondage and captivity in Egypt and had followed God’s instructions. They were now standing on the edge of a large expanse of water called the “Red Sea” with no way to cross. Suddenly they hear the chariots of the Egyptian army coming towards them. They feared for their lives and the lives of their children as they had no means of escape or defence. What are they to do? Trapped with nowhere to go are three million terrified men, women, and children.

And that’s when trust came into play. Moses lifts his face and calls out to God, “What do I do now?”

The answer comes, “Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which I will accomplish for you today. I, the Lord, will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace (Exodus 14:14). Then God instructs Moses to stretch out his staff over the water and watch what He will do for them.

All the prayers, all the crying out to God, all the hopes for freedom – everything now hangs in the balance. The army is fast approaching; their swords ready to cut them down or, at best return them to a life of bondage and slavery. But Moses stands His ground and trusts. And because He trusted the waters parted, the people passed safely through on the dry ground, and the ocean engulfed the Egyptian army as God accomplishes what He has promised. “I will fight for you, and you will hold your peace”.

Over the years, I have discovered some keys to help me trust God because trust gives us the confidence to believe, act when we need to, stand when asked, and have faith that God will get to us what He has promised.

I have found it helpful to:

1. Take hold of God’s Word. God is in His Word, and when you know what it says, you know Him. You gain an understanding of His character, of how He acts and what He will do for you. Knowing His word gives you confidence and causes an inner strength and calm, even in the midst of difficulties.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

 “The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” (Jeremiah 1:12)

2. Write down when God does something “amazing” for you. When you’ve prayed and seen God answer, when you’ve had a breakthrough; when you have received what you have believed for, that’s when you write it down so that you can recount it later, or the next time you’re faced with a challenge and need to put “trust to work”.

In our family, we make an effort to remind and tell each other when God has answered. We share testimonies of His goodness. We tell stories of others who have trusted and seen God move in their lives.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us– yes, the many good things he has done.” (Isaiah 63:7)

What does this do? It builds your trust. It expands your thinking of what God is and will do for you. People think and expect too small most of the time! Telling and retelling about when He has shown Himself strong helps you take your eyes off your circumstances and onto God. Then you pray more expectantly and can look and see things through His perspective and not your own.

Today, write down all the times you can remember when God has shown His love and care for you. The times He has revealed Himself strong for you or those you know.

Talk to those around you and ask them to tell of a time when God took care of them or moved in their life. It’s amazing when you start to talk to people about how many awe-inspiring, real-life stories people have to tell.

 We trust because we learn that God is trustworthy. The more time you spend reading His Word and growing in your understanding and relationship with Him, the more you will trust Him every day.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your friendship and word, which reveals who you are and how you show yourself strong on behalf of those who love and trust you. Help me take the time to get to know you, learn how to trust you, and to remember all the miracles you do in my life. In Jesus name Amen.

God is rich in kindness towards us, but sadly, society and even religion have twisted the image people can have of God. They blame Him for all the unkindness and hurts that they see in the world or may experience.

But God is kind. Kindness is who He is and the more you know Him and let yourself receive His love and kindness the more it becomes apparent in your own life. It’s in experiencing God’s kindness that often leads people to Him.

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads to repentance”.(Romans 2:4)

God wants you to share kindness with those around you. With your family, your friends, workmates, and those you meet through the day. Why? Because people desperately need to see that kindness in you. Many go through the day never feeling the effects of kindness, never hearing a kind word, or encouraging smile. They are surrounded by negativity and hopelessness and are struggling. To be honest, these people are often the people you retreat from and avoid because they seem to be struggling and are grumpy all the time. 

But kindness has the power to change that. Practicing simple acts of kindness can soften a hardened heart and heal a broken one.

The bible says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

It takes courage to be kind. Courage to step out of your comfort zone to help another person. Courage to be kind even if that means risking loss or rejection in offering your kindness. But if you are secure in who you are and in God’s love for you, then showing kindness is far easier, and you understand that it’s not about you but about who you are kind to.

Kindness is powerful to effect change and healing in people’s lives. But it’s also beneficial for us. Medical studies have found that there are huge benefits to being kind. Not only does kindness make us and others feel good, but studies have demonstrated that the psychological benefits of kindness are reflected in the brain’s circuitry. Being kind increases happiness, life satisfaction, and self-esteem. It works for young and old, regardless of race, religion or social status.

When you are kind, you show someone that they mean something to you. Even if they are a stranger, you’re saying; your life matters. And in people’s often hectic and harsh world, even a kind word or a small gesture can help lift a bad mood, brighten someone’s day, give hope and open hearts up to the goodness of God.

Another interesting study revealed that kindness is found to be more attractive to people than good looks. So if you are looking for a date, partner, friend or even spouse, think about practicing kindness.

Today make the time to show kindness to those around you. It’s good for your health, brain, and mood; you may make someone’s day and even meet your soul mate.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your great kindness towards me. Please help me share that kindness with others and look for opportunities to make someone’s day? Amen. In Jesus Name.

It’s important to allow your soul to feel and engage fully the great moments of your life as well as the ones that are more difficult. It’s okay; you’ll be alright – it’s part of practicing soul care and is necessary to live your best life.

Soul care is a deliberate choice. As John Eldredge says, “This is your own soul we are talking about; the door opens from the inside. “Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock,” If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in”. (Revelation 3:20)

You open the door to your soul from the inside. Meaning you will have to walk in there, sit down and allow yourself to see, feel, remember and inhabit your own soul.

Today as I allowed myself to sit with and feel regarding a situation I had faced several years ago, I saw my soul like a series of rooms. Each room represented a time, place, relationship or situation, and memories were stored in those rooms.

As I looked, I felt Jesus knocking at the door so that He could wander through these rooms of my soul with me. He lives within me, but I can limit the flow of life and his tangible presence in certain spaces of my life by my choices and attitudes – I can shut Him out. I realised I had to open the door and invite Him in as I chose to engage again with my soul, because Jesus wasn’t going to push His way into those places that I had not invited him.

There are rooms in our souls where perhaps we’ve been too busy to enjoy something as much as we could have or where we’ve not allowed ourselves to feel a loss or disappointment. Essentially we can neglect our souls and then be surprised and wonder why we can’t meaningfully connect with God and others; why we can’t or don’t feel. Life becomes grey rather than full of expression, colour and experience.

But today, I want to encourage you that Jesus wants to help you inhabit your soul again. You will have to open the door and go in, but you don’t have to be overwhelmed.

As you check in on your inner world and invite Jesus to fill every space in your life, all the dry, empty places will be replenished, and the beautiful ones will be made even better. It’s how you will stay strong and ready for the next stage of your journey and is a vital part of practicing soul care.

Some Keys to Practicing soul care are:

1. Choose a “Room in your soul”; a time, place, a relationship, or situation. Go in and sit with a memory, your thoughts and emotions. Don’t tell your soul what to do; just give it permission and be present. It’s okay to be angry, sad, happy. It’s your room.

2. Invite Jesus to come and sit with you in that “room” – You open the door to Him from the inside. Ask Jesus in and what He has to say about all you see, feel and are remembering. Listen to his comforting words of wisdom, interpretation of events, and promises as He causes the beautiful things within each room in your soul to be made even better and gently heals any pain.

Your soul is like a beautiful instrument created to experience a vast array of experience and expression. Over time, it can get worn and damaged, and unable to enjoy the music and sound it was designed for.

But as you tend to your soul, opening the door from the inside, Jesus will come in and heal and restore any damage or loss. As you are attentive to your soul and what it needs and dreams of, the more colourful, amazing and full of expression your life will become and the greater your ability to know God and others deeply.

Remember, “The door opens from the inside”.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:1-6)

Prayer: Lord, please help me reconnect with who I am today and to re-engage with the parts of me I have left behind, rushed past or neglected. Would you please come in and restore my soul and help me to tend to it more carefully from now on. Would you please come in.  In Jesus name Amen.

Hope is a powerful thing, especially when you have put your hope in God. That sort of hope is a “deep settled confidence that God will keep His promises to you”.  It has a supernatural expectancy.

This hope is not based on our abilities or the goodwill of the universe but in God, who has the power to accomplish all things, including the seemingly impossible.

Hope in God will never allow you to be put to shame. Even when you may be tempted to feel that all hope is lost, or the world around you is saying, “give up”, God declares that He is faithful to His Word and urges us to remain steadfast in our believing, knowing that all things are possible for those who believe and that He will work all things for our good..”

The bible says, “No one who trusts in you (God) will ever be disgraced…Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long, I put my hope in you”. (Psalm 25: 3-5)

In our stance of hope it’s however important to understand that one of hopes biggest enemies is having to wait for things to happen. Waiting can erode our confidence as the days, weeks, and sometimes years pass by, which is why our hope has to be strengthened, nourished and energised for it to remain and work at its best. It doesn’t just happen, we need to make an effort to cultivate and maintain our hope.

It’s also wisdom to check that what you are believing for agrees with God’s Word and will for your life.

I’ve learnt that your hope increases the greater your assurance is of God’s goodness and His faithfulness to keep his promises. The more you acknowledge his goodness, the greater your expectation and hope.

Therefore one of the best ways to strengthen your hope is to remind yourself of God’s goodness and to recall all the times God has come through for you. As you remind yourself of the miracles and breakthroughs in both your own and other’s testimonies and in the accounts in God’s Word your hope in God will rise up.

As David said, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” (Psalm 43:5) David continually recalled God’s mighty acts and faithfulness.

Today, keep your hopes alive. “Don’t give up, or become  weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9).

Focus your eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, on your goals and dreams and your prayers being answered. Remember every day that God is good, and always has your best interests in mind. And may the God of all hope fill you with peace and joy today as you trust in Him.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

 “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)

“The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11)

“Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9

Prayer: Lord, help me keep my hopes alive and remain hopeful even when I have to wait or when others say it is impossible. Today I choose to keep believing for good things because you are the one I put my hope in. In Jesus name Amen.