Dayle's Blog

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day, “Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Anne Isabella Ritchie.

This Old English proverb encourages long-term solutions and helping others both in their present situations and ongoing. It expresses the idea of alleviating both present and future suffering.

I believe that this idea corresponds to Jesus’ teachings and how He wants us to respond to the needs and hurts around us. I’ve discovered a big difference in the effectiveness of providing continual assistance versus teaching people how to access what God has provided for them already. I can seek to meet needs, show compassion and pray as I minister to people, which is valuable. Yet, even more powerful and of long-term benefit is when I take the extra time to teach people what God’s Word says, who they are in Jesus and all that He has done for them already.

Then when those same people find themselves struggling with circumstances, certain behaviours, or suffering somehow, they have the knowledge, understanding, and ability to access what Jesus has done for them.

Right now, if you know Jesus, you are as perfect and complete as you will ever be in eternity. Your Spirit is already transformed and reconciled to God. To the degree that you renew your mind and understand what Jesus has already done for you is the extent to which you can enjoy heaven on earth. (Romans 12:2; Colossians 2:9-10; Colossians 1:2)

You are a co-heir with Jesus, healed, delivered, a new creation, have the mind of Christ, given power and authority to heal the sick, open blind eyes and raise the dead, and when you pray with faith, all of heaven pays attention.

God has anticipated everything you could ever need, but walking out your faith in Jesus means learning to access and receive from what’s been deposited within your Spirit.

“You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because you are united with Christ. “As His divine power has given you all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him.” (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3)

Today I encourage you to dig into the wealth of what Jesus has done for you. You’ll find this treasure explained in the bible. (Colossians and Ephesians are fantastic books). There you will discover truths as to what you have already so you can access your breakthrough, healing, wisdom, provision, abundance and peace. You’ve already got what it takes to live the life you’re dreaming of – it’s a gift, so take the time to unwrap and enjoy it.

“For he is the complete fullness of deity living in human form. And our own completeness is now found in him. We are completely filled with God as Christ’s fullness overflows within us. He is the Head^[of every kingdom and authority in the universe!” (Colossians 2:9-10)

“Christ in you the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:2)

Prayer “I pray that the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in my knowledge of Him, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened; that I may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:17-18). In Jesus name Amen.

My husband Philip shared a great illustration of what life with Jesus looks like today. He said that God’s grace and the difference between our old life and the new life he gives are like when you have old tyres on a car. You get used to driving on the worn parts of your tyres, being bumped and jarred around and having to be careful in particular conditions.  

Then you get brand new tyres, and suddenly your driving because more confident, safer and smoother regardless of the weather or other conditions. However, when you initially get your new tyres, you’re not yet accustomed to how smooth and effortless the ride will be. You act like you still have your old tyres on, especially when negotiating challenging conditions. Rather than enjoying the ride and trusting your tyres will take your car safely where you want to go, you expect to slip and slide on the road and act like you have an old, beaten up car to match your worn out, old tyres, as well.

In life, we are much the same as those two types of tyres. Before you ask Jesus into your world, it’s like you have these worn and unsafe tyres on your car. You can go places, but it’s often a bumpy, slippery ride, and if you’re not careful or you come under pressure, you can find yourself in a ditch or frequently sliding onto the wrong side of the road, going places you never wanted to go.  

Then Jesus comes along and offers to exchange your old life for a brand new one with the equipment and power to take you amazing places. He gets out the road map and shows you where you can travel with him and then equips you with everything you need for that sort of life. Jesus makes everything new, and the “tyres” he gives to take you on the journey are top of the range and fitted just right for you.

Your task every day is to get used to living out that God type of abundant life with Jesus. It means you no longer have to be afraid of messing up all the time, taking the corners too fast, or sliding onto the wrong side of the road. Why? Because you are complete in Jesus and “Everything you could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in you by his divine power.” (1 Peter 1:3 TPT) 

You need only to recognise and grow to understand what you are carrying on the inside of you already, and then choose every day to live that truth out as you enjoy the journey with Jesus riding alongside you.

“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (Colossians 2: 9-10)

Today I encourage you to commit your life to Jesus and to exchange your old life, much like old worn tyres, for a brand new one. It’s a gift, and all you need do is ask Jesus to come into your life and exchange your old one for the life he offers.  

Or perhaps you have already asked Jesus into your life – you’ve been given your new tyres, but you’ve been living like you still have your old ones on. If that’s the case, take some time to remind yourself of who you are in Jesus and all that he says about you. Trust that you have what it takes in Jesus and deposited on the inside of you, to live the life He has planned, and then every day go out and enjoy the ride.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I have everything I need in you. Would you please help me learn to live out my new life in you and get used to all you have given and say about me? I want to live boldly through your grace today. In Jesus name Amen.  

King Solomon was known as one of the wisest men who ever lived. Faced with leading a nation after King David’s death, Solomon turned to God and prayed for help to lead the country well. The interesting point to note is that He didn’t pray to be rich and powerful like many people do.

Instead, Solomon prayed and asked for wisdom, and God answered his prayer and said, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold now I do according to your word” (1 Kings 3:11)

There is natural wisdom you can gain from your experiences, education and wise counsel. However, there is also a wisdom that is neither natural nor inborn but a supernatural gift of God, and when you make God part of your life, you have this wisdom available to you. To receive  “supernatural wisdom,” we’re encouraged to seek and ask for it. For the wisdom from heaven is “first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

When you don’t know what to do,  you realise and acknowledge you need answers beyond yourself or even others advice; you can, like King Solomon, ask for God to give you wisdom. That prayer request takes humility and a recognition that you don’t know everything to navigate the real challenges you face both in your own life and in the world you live in.

Today if you don’t know what to do or desire to make wise decisions, I encourage you to ask God for His wisdom. If you ask, God promises that He will give you wisdom, so pray just as Solomon did that you would have “a spirit of wisdom and revelation”, and you too will begin to know what to do.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

“ But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” (1 John 2:20 NKJV)  

“But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2:16)

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way (Colossians 1:9-10)

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:17)

Prayer: Lord, I need supernatural wisdom from you today. Please grant me the knowledge and understanding I need, not just for my own life but also to make a difference in the world. In Jesus Name Amen.

God has a strategy and plans to combat the evil you often see when you switch on the news, read a newspaper or scroll through your news feeds. He is raising up people to influence and impact the world for good.

It’s one of the reasons God wants to bless and promote us to be influential in our fields, so we can be on top. Because whoever is on top can effectively shift the climate and culture that defines family, education, music, the arts, politics, cities, streets, and even the Church.

For some, that means being at the forefront of their profession so that they can be a voice for God and His kingdom. For others, it’s standing up and being influential in their homes, family life, schools, universities, workplaces, and communities. It means knowing how to go to the “mountain tops” in the spirit, in the heavenly places, and learning how to govern above situations, cities and nations so that God’s plans are released and fulfilled.

God knows you have the potential to affect millions of lives. Noah did, Abraham did, Moses did, Esther did, Joseph did, and Jesus did it. Now Jesus has shifted the authority into our hands so that we can too.

Consider those who have gone before you:

Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing and a social reformer. She prayed for God to give her a life-defining task and would not rest until she seized hold of her purpose.

Robert Raikes was the founder of the Sunday school movement, which sought to provide education to poor children. He changed thousands of children’s lives and future’s by simply teaching them how to read and write.

George Mueller established orphanages in Bristol, England, after a cholera epidemic. For the next 60 years, he cared for more than 10,000 orphaned and abandoned children.

William Wilberforce was a Christian abolitionist who also served as a member of England’s House of Commons. Wilberforce campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of slavery beginning in 1789. Just before his death, Parliament passed the Abolition Act, by which 700,000 slaves were set free.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist Minister who spoke in support of fair and equal treatment of African Americans in the United States during the 1960s. His dream of equality was a catalyst for the beginnings of social and political change.

Not forgetting to mention the scientists, educators, social reformers, missionaries, preachers, musicians, artists, parents, teachers and everyday people who simply said “God use me”, and because they were willing, God used them to impact the world for good.

Jesus set the example for us on how to be a person of influence – choose to follow the Father’s commands. To go where the Father says to go; saying nothing except what the Father speaks. If we say what God says, He has to back it up!

John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Even if you fall, the Bible promises that “though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” (Proverbs 24:16) “If you mess up, you “fess up” and get back up again” (Bill Winston)

But don’t focus on everyone else agreeing, understanding or liking you. You’ve got to keep your eyes on Jesus, feed your spirit’s with His Word, and look up and keep going because He’s got a job that needs doing, and He needs you to do your part.

Just one person who is willing and obedient to God’s call on their life can be an instrument of change. He is raising up those who will influence and impact the world for good. Will you be one of them?

‘Remain in me, as I also remain in you. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:5; 7-8)

Prayer: Lord, would you reveal to me what and where you would have me go, to speak and to be. May my words and actions be without compromise. As I learn how to stand on the mountaintops, would you please help me be one of those that changes someone’s life for good today? In Jesus Name Amen.

As I paced back and forth across the hospital room in frustration this week, waiting for medical staff to pay attention to one of our daughters who had been rushed to hospital by ambulance the night before, I was reminded of the importance of praise and lifting up the name of Jesus in whatever circumstance we may be facing.

The most common method for the devil to attack us is to bring discouragement, fear, negativity, hopelessness, and despair into our lives. These things can paralyze and cause us to take our eyes off God. But Praise is powerful and a force. It silences our enemy, lifts our perspective and gives us strength. (Psalm 8:1-2; Matthew 21:16)

Even if we feel overwhelmed, frustrated and unsure of what to do, God’s power is released when we take our eyes off the problem and start to praise.

Praise secures our victory and release, because praise is a weapon.

If you need a victory, supernatural intervention and God’s grace to prevail, then rather than focusing and stressing, start to praise!. For God inhabits the praises of His people, and the enemy hates it. (Psalm 22:3).

He has “established praise because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger”. (Psalm 8:2)

God says to praise because it silences the devil and his work. When we resist the devil, He will flee (James 4:7).

In fact, according to God’s Word, praise and strength are the same things. When we praise, we gain strength, so if you want to be strong, learn to praise!

Isaiah says, If your spirit is heavy, put on “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness“ (Isaiah 61:3)

In Acts 16:25-26, the power of Praise is displayed when Paul and Silas are imprisoned for speaking about Jesus.  Now, if anybody had a reason to be downcast, these guys did. They had been mistreated, beaten and chained in the innermost part of the prison. Yet what did they do? They started singing. That’s right; they were singing praises to God until suddenly the whole jail shook, and the prison doors swung open.

Today, I encourage you to begin to praise regardless of what sickness, lack, discouragement, addiction, past hurt or situation you find yourself in. It will silence the enemy, release the power of God and deliver supernatural ability and power into your life.

If you find it difficult to praise or aren’t familiar with it, then start by getting the Word out and reading (preferably out loud) the Psalms, which speak of God’s goodness, His mighty exploits and power, His mercy His grace.

Listen to praise music and get around others who know how to praise and be encouraged by them.

Praise is powerful, and instead of remaining under your circumstances, it will cause you to overcome.

“I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love; I praise him for all he has done for us.” (Isaiah 63:7)

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.” (Psalms 100:4)

1 John 5:14-15 says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, 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 the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have ordained praise to silence my enemies and to bring me strength. Would you please help me to praise you because, in Praise, I have the victory? You are faithful to your promises, and when I ask, I receive. In Jesus Name Amen.

Don’t believe the bad press! And more importantly, don’t believe your own bad press. What I mean by that is, don’t believe what your own or other people’s negative, limiting, and condemning words and emotions try to tell you. Why? Because if you agree with and align your life with these things about yourself, that is who you will remain or become.

It’s important to face up to our failings, mistakes and sin, but the whole point of Jesus’ message and ministry, his death on a cross and his resurrection, was that he doesn’t want us to get stuck with our “demons” and bad press reports about ourselves. He came to set us free, and all he asks is for us to acknowledge our mistakes, ask for his forgiveness and receive the clean slate and brand-new life He has to give us.

He says, “Therefore, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun!” (1 Corinthians 5:17 TCNT)

“Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1 AMP)

Any “bad press” where you have negative, condemning thoughts, or even people around you trying to remind you of your past or saying things that are contrary to who God says you are is “bad press”.

You need to do what you do with all “bad press reports”, turn it off, press delete and throw it in the bin.

Today, don’t keep listening, believing or becoming who the “bad press” says you are.

Challenge any negative thoughts or the words and expectations of who others say about you.

Surround yourself with people who encourage you to keep moving forward and believe the best of you.

Take some time to read and listen to Jesus and His words as you believe His “good press” about you instead.

Prayer: Jesus, please help me throw out and press the delete button on any “bad press” about me. Today, I’m choosing only to believe what you say about my life and surround myself with people who will encourage and inspire me to keep moving forward into all you have created me to be and do. In Jesus name Amen.

There is a place in Scripture where Jesus paints a picture of what is happening in the spirit realm when we pray. In Luke 18: 1-8, Jesus places prayer in a courtroom and describes a widow who continually presents her petition and case before an unjust judge. She is asking for a judgment against her adversary and repeatedly asks for justice. The Judge will not grant it for some time but eventually agrees to render a verdict in her favour because of her persistence.

Jesus says in this parable to hear what the unjust judge says in that if this woman can get a verdict, how much more can we get a response from the just and righteous Judge, who is our Heavenly Father.

The protocol of heaven places prayer in a courtroom, so we know we can come to the Judge (Our heavenly Father) when dealing with resistance and an adversary. However, as with any court case you do need to be knowledgeable on your legal standing and have your documentation in order.

 Our legal rights are contained within God’s Word and promises. The enemy (the devil) is bound and dealt with in the courtroom of heaven as we present our case with the truth of God’s Word.

It would be ridiculous to go to court without being forearmed and prepared, and so likewise I encourage you to bring your petitions directly to the courts of heaven. But first ensure you know your legal rights by knowing what God says regarding your situation so you are able to confidently ask your righteous Heavenly Judge, and see heaven released on earth.

“And this is the confidence that we have before Him: 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 already possess what we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I can come boldly before you and ask according to Your Word. Thank you that you hear me and because you hear me, I have what I ask. In Jesus name Amen.  

If you have ever felt forgotten, overlooked, or underestimated by others and the world in general, you will relate to a guy named David. (You’ll find some of his story in 1 Samuel 13 in the bible.)

David was the youngest of seven boys, and from all accounts, his big brothers were a hard act to follow. They were good looking and of notable physic and stature and were known around town. When Samuel, the prophet of God, came to their village, David’s father Jesse and older brothers were all invited to an important ceremony, but David was not. Instead, he was left out in the fields tending his father’s sheep.

God had sent the prophet Samuel to choose a new King, and one of Jesse’s sons was to be the “man of the hour.” But rather than choosing one of David’s more impressive looking brothers to be King, God instructed Samuel to ask for the one everyone else had forgotten and overlooked. For God saw David and estimated him to be worthy of being the King of Israel. “For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

The point to take from the life of David is that God’s perspective is very different from man’s. People look primarily at the outward appearance; what someone achieves, looks like, talks like, and dresses, but often don’t take the time to find out what a person is like on the inside. What is their heart like; who are they when no one is looking, there’s anyone to impress or when they’re having a bad day. That is what really matters, and that is who we truly are.

God chose David because of these attributes even when no one else “saw him.” He grew to become a mighty man and King before both God and man.

“God raised up for them David as King, to whom also He gave testimony and said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will. (Acts 13:22)

The fact is that regardless of what the world and people may say, you get to determine whose opinion matters to you most. People’s or God’s?

Other people can overlook, underestimate, forget about, and speak against us, but God won’t. No matter who you are, He has planned you with a purpose, a place, and significance in His sight. Even when you feel that no one notices you or is on your side, God is. He is for you, and He calls you His masterpiece.

Today, take a fresh look in the mirror and seek to see what God sees. Someone who is loved, accepted, and has a reason and purpose for being alive. That person has the potential to change the world.

Prayer: Lord, please work in my heart and thoughts so that my self-image will be in on what you say about me rather than what the world says or does. Thank you that you have a plan and purpose for my life.  In Jesus name, Amen

The last 48 hours have been tough as one of our daughters has once again been admitted to hospital. Unfortunately her care from the medical emergency system has been very concerning and we’ve been in a bit of a battle over her treatment.

As I was advocating for my daughter to be given a bed to rest in whilst she awaits emergency surgery I was reminded how important it is to be anchored to something steady and reliable to ensure you remain stable whilst under pressure.

It’s much like a sailing boat which has a sail designed to catch the wind. Without the sail up a boat gets buffeted about by the wind and the waves and doesn’t go anywhere fast. Yet when the sails are in place and the boat is facing the right direction it catches the wind and travels where the sailor wishes it to go.

An important part of the boat isn’t however only about the sails, but also what the sails are attached to. On every vessel there is a vertical pole called a mast and a horizontal pole called a boom which the main sails are anchored to. If the sail isn’t secured properly to the mast or the boom it will flap about in the wind and do very little, and more than likely cause injury to those on board. Yet when the sails are anchored firmly to both the mast and the boom they are able to catch the wind and travel at amazing speeds across the water.

When things feel out of your control and you feel buffeted about by the “winds of life” there is something you can do to steady your world. The key is to have anchor points and then secure yourself to them.

For me, Jesus and what He says in His word are my anchor points. If I keep my focus and heart anchored on Jesus and my purpose I know I will be okay. All my choices and beliefs are worked to be on the firm foundation of Jesus, and everything I do and am is secured to Him. As the winds of life blow I can choose to rest in Him and be carried along where I need to go. Instead of chaos I can have a calm and resolve because He is right there with me.

Today I encourage you to secure your “sails” to firm anchor points so that you have a firm foundation to hold you steady and to ensure you are carried along to where you need to go.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” (Psalm 62:2)

Prayer: Lord thank you that you are in control and in you all things hold together. Please help me to have the wisdom to know who and what my anchor points are and to secure my life to those things, so that I am not buffeted around by life but instead will catch the wind in my sails. In Jesus name Amen