Magnification!

                                                                    Magnification! 

                                                                                                    Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, glad to bring up this reminder today.God created and provided mankind the gift of free will - the gift of choice. This is the ability for humans to make their own decisions. It means that although God made this world and it was good , it is up to humans to choose to do good or bad with it.

We might be in a very bad mood today due to overwhelming commitments, unrealistic expectations from others around us, our inability to handle daily chores, the way others judge us who will absolutely have no clue what we go through, not receiving any recognition for the hard toil we do, no progress in relationship , finance, health, loneliness,  being oppressed or depressed etc etc.

There are many many valid reasons for our emotional traumas. Absolutely, there is no wrong in it as we are humans who have been made with emotions.😊At the same time, it is very important and it's a matter of fact that how do we want to handle this. The choice lies with us.

Do you remember the magnifying glass where we used to have fun working with it in our physics lab during school or college days. What it is and what does it do? 

A magnifying glass is actually the simplest form of a basic microscope. It consists of a single convex lens that magnifies an object. There is no promise given to mankind that you will absolutely have no issues in life. Infact, Jesus says to his disciples "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!".

For every challenges or the problems, there is a solution and i believe you will agree with it. But its a matter of choice, which one do we want to magnify? Is it the problem or the solution? When we magnify the solution rather than the problem, we will become more optimistic. We will continue to think of the strategy to attain the solution. Do you know, Optimistic people tend to lead a happy and successful life.

Sometimes we will be able to workout the solution immediately or it might probably takes an extra time and effort. No matter what, remember who is traveling with you in this journey. 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

He(Jesus) have overcome the world and so we are!

Have a blessed, peaceful, joyful, and restful weekend!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Detoxification

 Detoxification

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, It is always a joy when we do what God wants us to do. Isn't that correct? It will give us immense pleasure as we know that God will be pleased with us when we obey. Nevertheless,  it is not so easy but requires a fervent commitment which most of us struggle with it.  It does require conscious efforts & intentional purity of body, soul & spirit.

Detoxification process is being practiced for centuries by cultures around the world. It is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding our body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect us from disease. It will renew our ability to maintain optimum health through a range of methods. It is nothing but resting,cleansing,nourishing the body from inside out. 

This is from a physical standpoint but it is as equivalent for us to detoxify our soul and spirit. Many times we are over bogged with work feeds, social media feeds, entertainment feeds, negativity feeds leads us to fear, anxiety etc. which eventually corrupts our soul & spirit drifting us away from God's plan.

God's desire for human is obedience and to live a blessed & a long life. We are also aware about the penalty for disobedience (the first sin ever) is death through Adam and Eve. However, God loves us so much that He sent Jesus and whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (life after death). 

We need to surrender back to God rather than carrying the guilt of disobedience, hiding us from God. Sometimes expecting a perfect time to return back which probably can never happen. It is time to rest in His presence, cleanse ourselves , nourish our soul & spirit with God's promises.

Apostle Peter has written to gentile Christians, God's elect who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God that as obedient children of God, we should not confirm to the evil desires and to be holy in all we do. 

14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. - I Peter 1: 14-16

It is time to detoxify our body, soul and spirit!

May your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus"   (I Thessalonians 5:23)

Have a blessed day! 😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

You matter to God!

 You matter to God!

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, There could be moments we could have felt that we don't matter to our own family, workplace, friends, business, church, ministry etc.

There are plenty of voices in this world that will try to tell you that you aren't good enough, you are a loser, you are slow, you are incapable, you are not worthy, you are not good for relationship, etc. It is very easy for us to get caught up in this crazy web but the voice of God always says that you are loved.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I would like to bring you a reminder that you matter the most to God! Your life,life in abundance with love, joy and peace, your time, talent and treasure to build His Kingdom.

Rest assured in Him and His timings!

Have a blessed weekend!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Are we ready for Him?

Are we ready for Him?

                                                               Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend! How prepared are we to face today to meet our to-do list @office,home,academics,work,priority commitments etc? I assume there will definitely be a plan in place to  or at-least we will know what we are supposed to do this day. Isn't it?

Bare minimum we will be ready to face the earthly targets to be met. On the other hand, are we also getting ready to meet Him?

 We live in times where there are so much chaos, confusions, prophetic proclamations, unpredictable pandemic, injustice, sins, political gimmick, etc, etc. Looking at what's happening around us might give us a sense of realization that we are living towards the end times. 

In Matthew 24:14 Jesus says,And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

How it is going to be accomplished? God called us to be a kingdom builder. It is you and I ( the disciples of Christ) entrusted as a channel of testimony in the school we study, the place where we work, the family we are part of it, the church we are planted, the society we live in, etc. 

we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

What is our plan? Are we ready?

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

God wants you to smile :)

God wants you to smile :)

                                                                             Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend,  Have you noticed that in today's era we see both men and women spend lots of amount on cosmetics, parlor, health, fitness etc. What is the reason? The reason is simple, everybody wants to look good & healthier.  Don't we feel as it gives us confidence when we look good? We do, right? 

I had read an article some years before that scientist discovered smiling is the secret to a healthy appearance. 

What brings smile on your face? Do you say that whenever you are happy? Are you always happy? In reality, we go through different emotions and this biological state is associated with the nervous system brings neurophysiological changes associated with thoughts, feeling, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure.

Is there a way to control the neurophysiological changes. Yes, it is possible. We say only happiness brings cheerful look or smile on our face. The scripture says the other way round. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart.

Scripture says in Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”

Let us always put a smile on our face because it’s a very powerful weapon and its a secret to a healthy appearance. It is not about a cheesy fake one. Give God thanks and always smile, which shows strength and our trust in God. Our smile is rooted in Christ, not in external circumstances, and therefore cannot be easily displaced by external changes. Indeed, a believer can have deep and lasting joy in the midst of life’s most difficult seasons.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Bless someone’s life today by just giving them a smile and that alone can indeed uplift them. The smallest, easiest least kindness you can do another is SMILE! 😊

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

God will fight for you!

God will fight for you!

                                                                      Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, Are you feeling overwhelmed and are you tempted to battle with your own might and hands?

I would encourage and bring you as a reminder that it's time to be still and the battle is not yours and it is the Lord's.

Do not be anxious about anything. He sees us through and we don't have to live in fear. Whatever may be the storm or whatever the devil puts the scheme & torment your mind, remember in the midst of the storm we will prevail by the spirit of God!

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Bridge!

Bridge! 

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, It's a delight to meet you in this start of the week through this devotion. Today its a reminder for us about accomplishments.  We all have a list to accomplish. It could be in a day or in a week or in a year/few year or at a particular matter or things. The desire for fulfillment commences from a goal a person envision, plan and commit to achieve.

Do you wonder why the title was mentioned as bridge then?.  A bridge is a structure built over something (as water, a low place, or a railroad) so people can cross or something that joins or connects. I read this statement from Jim Rohn as the "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments". How true!

Are we disciplined enough to meet the fulfillment of our goal? May be we have been yearning for a long time on our spiritual journey with God, to lose weight , stay strong & healthy, to become financially stable, emotionally stable etc. However, we fail to build (fail to remember the truth) the bridge which is discipline.

Howsoever we try we could not keep up with our disciplines. Are we tired of ourselves? Do we condemn ourselves that its not doable with me? Actually, it is not the case. We will see what the word of God tells us about ourselves.

Paul writes this as a reminder to Timothy and helping him to overcome stating that you are given with a gift of God and its your responsibility to fan into flame the gift of God.

2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Paul reminds Timothy to exhibit self-discipline which is a fruit of the Holy spirit. It is also a reminder for us of the fact on the gifts which has been given to us by God - no timidity but power, love and self-discipline.

Having knowing the truth, let's focus on the bridge that is self-discipline to accomplish greater things this year! Holy- Spirit will help us to build this bridge to fulfillment through our lives which will bring forth blessing to us and to others around us.

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone

Justina Stephen

God Says!

God Says!

Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, thankful to God for another day in our life as He entrusted us to grow and bear the fruits  (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. Galatians 5: 22,23) in our lives.

What is our stand today to grow? 

Are we perplexed & still contemplating on the feasibility of bearing the fruits of the spirit in our lives? Do we doubt with our inabilities of overcoming the obstacles in order to grow? Do you need help? 

May be we need Him every hour as our defense and righteousness. Let's see what God says!

In Luke 11 - Jesus says,

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 
13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

If we ask Him, He is ready to do give the Holy spirit. Are you ready to ask?

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

You will live!

You will live! 

                                                                                                      Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, recent days we have been challenged to live a life. Is it not true? Life has become so uncertain and now the basic desire of every human being is just to live a life. 

Many a times, I used to wonder why God is inspiring more on pruning than about blessing. We are so habituated and get excited about the blessing and not the pruning. Is pruning important for a blessing?

For example, if we plant an apple, banana or any other fruit bearing tree, the ultimate desire for us is to see the fruit from it. Does it bear fruit immediately to us?  We water, manure, nurture, weed so that it will grow in strength and bear us the fruit.

Similar way, it is the God's heart for us. He wants us to live and bear fruit. In Luke 10 : 25 , an expert who wants to test Jesus, asked what i should do to inherit the eternal life? We will see how Jesus responded.

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

It is absolutely no doubt that we all love Jesus. Yesterday, we meditated about the importance of Obedience and how Jesus responded of loving Him. John 14:23,  "Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching..."

So loving the lord goes along with obeying what He has taught us through Scriptures. The areas which need obedience according to God's word can just not be done with a saying 'yes i need to change' rather with all our heart, soul, strength and mind should make conscious effort to obey His teaching when we say we love Him.

As we desire even our apple or banana tree to bear fruit, Our heavenly Father desires us to live and bear the fruits of the spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. (Galatians 5: 22,23)

If we lack in bearing the above fruits, then we need to water (Seek Holy spirit help), manure (Feed with God's word) and weed (weed out the act of disobedience - change from pride, hatred, impatient, quarreling & fighting spirit, not being kind with others, unfaithfulness, etc..) in-order to bear the fruits in our lives.

Have a blessed day! 😇

In Christ Alone

Justina Stephen

Deliverance!

Deliverance!    

                                                                                Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, Hope you had a restful weekend since rest (Rest in God's presence) is mandatory for us to function. Today's meditation is not about that. 😊. It is about deliverance. What is deliverance?  Generally, deliverance often has religious connotations. Meaning of deliverance is to set free. The act of setting someone free. In many places and incidents in the scriptures, we see about God's deliverance.

Having grown up as a child of God, having Faith in God is not exemplary for us (believers). We are so tuned to hearing, reading God's word and so familiarized on the word of truth. 

Romans 10: 17 states , Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 

We love God so much and couldn't deny the fact that HE died on the cross for our sins and for us to live a victorious life. However, most of the times, the challenge we face is deliverance. 

Have you ever wondered, when you pray in faith for others, you would see God does miracles in no time. However, when you pray about your struggles and deliverance, it would be taking a longer duration than it should be. What is the reason?  Where are we lacking and not wise to receive deliverance? 

Disobedience?? 

What is that one thing ( Is it discipline? addiction?sinful nature?) God speaks to you continuously to change according to His words and to put into practice but you keep postponing? Think about it. When we say we love God, He expects us to obey His teaching. He desires for us not to lack any good thing and to be wise. When an earthly parents has the same desire for their Children (not to lack any good thing and to be wise) and how much more our Heavenly father will have towards His Children.

John 14:23,  "Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."

Faith + Obedience = Deliverance

Matthew 7: 24 Jesus says , “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

So let us not merely listen to the word and deceive Ourselves. Faith & Obedience brings deliverance. Our Father is longing for us to come out of all bondage and ready to deliver us and bless us. The decision lies with us. 

James 1: 22-25 , 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Have a blessed day!😇

In Christ alone
Justina Stephen

God has a plan for you!

                                                     God has a plan for you!

                                                                                    Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, How have you been doing through this week? We are towards closing the week with a thankful note. Isn’t it? Yes, we need to be thankful. Gratitude shows that we trust Him & His plan for us. Whatever you might have experienced this week whether it is joy, peace, struggles, troubles, accomplishments, progress, doubts, fear, confusions, etc. you must remember God has a plan for you.

God has built into each one of us a desire to do something meaningful with our lives—to make a contribution to build the kingdom of God. He works out His plan for us in the midst of the challenges which we face in life.

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

Have a blessed week end!😊

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Living Water!

                                                    Living Water!

                                                              Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, Isn't it amazing to know how God speaks directly to us & our situation? He is a living God and His presence is with us guiding us in all truths!

We were reminded in our yesterday's devotion on one of the characteristic of living thing is Growth and how we can grow by all means that makes us prosper (Click here). 

The other essential element for living things is Water.Water carries nutrients to all cells in our body and oxygen to our brain. Water allows the body to absorb and assimilate minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose and other substances. Most vitally, water flushes out toxins and waste which helps us to live. 

                                

Living water is a biblical term used in both old and New testament. In Jeremiah 2:13 and 17:13, the prophet describes God as "the spring of living water" John 4: 14 Jesus says "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life"

What kind of water Jesus was referring to? Why He said that water will help the woman to eternal life?

Jesus gives us the answer in John 7: 38-39 "38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Jesus used “water” as a symbol for the Holy Spirit!  Holy Spirit dwells in us when we accepted Him.He seal us and fill us. Rivers of living water are flowing out of believers (that is us). This living water (Holy Spirit) flushes out all the toxins from our life (sinful nature) and enable us to bear the fruits of the spirit and welling us up to eternal life. 

The reason for reiterating multiple times to meditate the scripture is we will know and experience Him more in our life leading us to eternal life, which the God desires for us. 

The Holy Spirit presence is with us always directing our every step according to the scripture, convicting/alerting us when we deviate from the plan He has set for us. The plan is to prosper us and not to harm us. 

Have a blessed day!

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Growth!

                                                           Growth!

                                                                        Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, I thank God for keeping us alive today when many wasn't able to survive thro' to walk into this new year. Having said that, we have another chance to grow.

This year's faith declaration in our Church as per Holy Spirit inspiration to our Pastor is God wants us to Grow and Go into His plan. Link here for more powerful revelation of truth : Grow and Go

When you look at the world around you, the broadest groupings we see is living and non-living things. How do we differentiate them? Is it not by its characteristics? 

All living things grow. Hence, everyone of us aspire to grow by all means. Growing physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, healthily etc. could be in our goal list of this year!

Does growth comes automatically? Plant needs to be watered in regular intervals, humans and animals need food to grow.Will the growth be stagnated? No, generally growth brings prosperity.

Then shouldn't we know the secret to prosper?

 

Psalm 1: 2,3 says "but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers"

Secret is meditating the word of God daily :) The secrets of growing physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, healthily etc is just from a table, book shelves away  - Bible. Let us use it wisely!

Have a blessed day!

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Be on fire for God! Blessed 2021😇

               Be on fire for God! Blessed 2021😇

                                                 Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, It's a joy to meet you again through this devotion in a New Year!! Praise to our Lord as HE has made us glad and walked with us to enter into this New Year. Wishing you and family a blessed 2021😇

As we embark into this New Year, many of us would have set goals to accomplish.As a child of God, surely being intentional with God will be our first priority in the list. You committed that you were going to read & study the word of God (Bible), pray everyday and serve others and hunger for God more. It is feel of having our heart set on fire for God. Your heart will be full of love and joy that you couldn't contain it.However, it is necessary to keep it burning and not to put-off the flame inside your heart, we need to fuel continuously. Three simple ways mentioned below to keep ourselves on fire for God through out this year!

Talk to God everyday - It doesn't matter how much time you spend but talk to God. The reason being communication is a necessity in a relationship.  I guess you can relate how a couple starts dating and how in love they are with each other after 30 years of married life. Does the spark remains forever? If the spark has to remain there forever, it needs intentional timeout, love, communication with each other. Be intentional to talk to God. Get back to your first love daily and get excited to talk everything - your excitement, anxieties, doubts, plans.Literally everything!

Read God's word daily - We eat food daily to keep ourselves alive. It gives energy for our body to make us stay active. We are not only made up of body. We are made up of body, mind and soul. So feed not only your body, feed mind and soul with God's assuring words.
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’ (Matthew 4:4, NIV)

Serve Others - Don't we get joyful when we serve others? We do, isn't it? It gives us a feel of accomplishments. We get empowered and continuously fired up to reveal who Christ is to others.When you follow Christ’s example and serve other people, you will see God’s love in action and it will stir your heart closer to God’s.

Keep the flame inside of your heart for God. Let us grow closer and closer to God this year!

 Have a blessed day!😊 

In Christ Alone
Justina Stephen

Distractions!

Distractions

                           Good Morning Holy Spirit – Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, in this technological advancement era we are almost looking for everything to be uninterrupted and aiming for a seamless connection. Be it an electricity, water supply, internet connection, radio signals, phone signals, etc.

We get annoyed so quickly when there is an interruption. When the power didn’t come back or if the backup doesn’t work, when there is no water supply, when there is a signal issue during critical business meeting or could be even during chatting with friend. We look for various mode to do something in order to rectify the issue immediately. Don’t we?

On the other hand, there is always a distraction or an interruption when we sit in God’s presence to pray, study the word of God? Have we got annoyed about this? Did we look for ways to fix the issue? It’s high time to look for options to fix it.

What is Distraction?

According to the definition given, Distraction is the process of diverting the attention of an individual or group from a desired area of focus and thereby blocking or diminishing the reception of desired information.

It is also given this is caused by the lack of ability to pay attention; lack of interest in the object of attention; or the great intensity, attractiveness of something other than the object of attention.

There are two means of distraction – external & internal sources. External may include social media, Whats-App messages, Netflix, your amazon prime, phone calls, people and the internal sources may include worrying, anxiety, stress, weakness, fear, doubts, and sometimes day dreaming.

What are your distractions during your time with God?

Are you feeling tired, sleepy? Are you thinking about what went on the previous day? Suddenly are you switching to the priorities of that day or concerned about your to-do-list? Are your phone’s social media notifications catching your attention? Are you worried even while praying? Are your mind/thoughts wavering and lacks attention during your time with God? Do you feel convicted of your mistakes and due to which you lack focus during your time with God?

It’s not something that happens to you alone, many goes through this. There is a famous quote saying as, "Don’t let the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of the Lord".

When we give room for these things to consume our time, we drift away from God's plan & purposes of our life so easily. Satan seeks us to distract us in all ways possible. Be vigilant. “1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

How to overcome these distractions during your time with God?

Being intentional & proactive can help us to overcome or cut off the distractions.

1.    Give body enough rest (Sleep for at least 6 to 7 hrs) which will help to overcome the tiredness during your meet with God.    

2.    Set up a routine and set apart a place & time for your recurring meeting with God. It takes some effort to create but once we have set them up, it has lots of benefits, you will feel more organized and balanced with your time and this will lower the stress level. Your mind will start to realize it’s a time for God. This will help you to overcome the guilt of not being consistent with God during your prayer time. 

3.    Pay attention to what distractions are particularly hard to avoid, so you can catch them sooner. For example, if your phone notifications are a major hindrance – switch it off when you sit for prayer time

 4.    When you feel a desire to give in to a distraction, take a breath and purposely choose not to react to it. Once you’ve given in and allowed yourself to focus on something else, like reading emails, writing an action item in your to-do-list it’s harder to regroup and bring your attention back. Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. In short, be mindful of your thoughts, instead of allowing yourself to skip between task and distraction.

Have a blessed weekend😇

In Christ Alone

Justina Stephen

Know your coach!

Know your coach!

                                   Good Morning Holy Spirit – Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, Now that we have signed up for the race  🏃, how to be trained to win the race. Before that, wouldn't be a great idea to identify a coach? What would be the role of a coach technically? What do we look from a coach?

Coach aims to get the best performance out of an individual or a team. Coach plays multiple roles instructor, assessor, counselor, helper, demonstrator, motivator, and a clear communicator.

Do you wonder do we have a coach? Yes, We do have! 

We have a lifetime coach, the Holy Spirit on the day we signed up for the race. (Jesus told his disciples “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth... John 14:16, 17”). He lives in us and plays the role of a coach (“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? I Corinthians 3: 16”)

What does He do to us?

 He instructs/teaches us from the word of God to live a life in-order to win the prize (John 14:26 “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”

 He assess us regularly and convicts us when we are not following the instructions that is hindering our victory (“The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God's justice and the judgment. John 16:8”). He convicts us but never condemns us. Conviction lead us to repent whereas condemnation lead us in despair

He counsels us and makes us understand & enable us to overcome the fear of losing the game. God speaks to us by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:14-16)

He is a helper and never once will say there is no hope for you to win the race however weak we are and the sufferings which may need to endure to come out as victorious (“the Spirit helps us in our weakness.. Romans 8 : 26”)

 He demonstrated himself to us on how to live a life of victory

Now that we are assured under whom we are getting trained, is that alone enough for us to win the race? Probably not, it requires an effort and a discipline from us. He facilitates us but we need to be disciplined, productive to win the race!

Stay tuned till tomorrow to know the disciplines we need to follow to win✌😇

 Have a blessed day!

 In Christ alone

Justina Stephen

Know your race!

Know your race!

                                       Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning, Friend, in this fast-paced world, the roles that we have to play, the demands, which we need to meet, I have always felt I am racing every day. Have you felt the same? If yes, let us get ready for the run! 😄💪👍

Is there anyone who runs without knowing the purpose & destiny? Hope the answer is No. If you have no real purpose for running itself, you may eventually lose motivation to do it. We are rest assured from the word of God to Jeremiah that God knows us before we even formed in the womb that indicates we were in his thoughts and in His plan of redemption. (“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5). Therefore, our Christ centered life has a purpose and a destination to reach.

We also see in the scripture that Paul often used the metaphor of a race for a Christian life. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14”. It is a reminder for us to know that we are running a race to not without a purpose but we have a goal to win which is awaiting. Don’t we wait to hear from our Master, “Well done, my good and faithful daughter/son”?

Let us run with endurance the race which is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!

Are we trained enough to run the race so as to win? Stay tuned till tomorrow! 👋😇

Have a blessed day!

In Christ alone

Justina Stephen

Time for Restoration!

Time for Restoration!

                                 Good Morning Holy Spirit - Daily Devotion

Good Morning Friend, We all look for the sunshine in the morning and did not prefer to prolong our night, isn’t it? I encourage you to know that the season of restoration is on!. Everything the enemy has stolen from you, God is restoring to you – the faith, the joy, the peace, the purpose, the health, the love.

When there is a power outage, how does a power is restored?

Crews sent to remove damaged power lines.  Post that the substation power is restored.  Sometimes, service to hundreds or several thousand customers can be restored immediately by replacing a fuse on a substation transformer. Next, the major distribution feeders are repaired. These are the lines that come out of a substation that have three wires resting on a cross arm. If energy cannot be distributed over these lines, your home cannot receive power.Tap lines are repaired next. Tap lines carry power to groups of homes from the distribution feeders.  If a tap line is repaired, but there is still damage to your individual line, you may have to wait a while longer for restoration. Finally, individual service lines are repaired. However, the mast on the house (the pipe in which the wires run down to the meter panel) is your responsibility. For example, if a tree damages the mast, an electrician will need to make repairs at your home.

     

You may think or feel the way looking at the surroundings; you are undergoing an outage period. Wavering faith, lost joy, peace turned its own back to you, fading of the purpose or calling, deteriorated health, crazy cycle of love.  The glad news is the restoration is on. As we read, the distribution feeder lines which comes out of a substation has three wires resting on a cross arm. Our lifeline for restoration comes from trinity (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). It is time for you to check your individual line, if you have been waiting longer for restoration. What is the damage it causing you to receive the restoration? Do you still believe the lies of Satan? Then its time for you to action, pay attention to his voice pattern, which can be predictable easily. Check with God’s words against Satan’s words to your situations.

But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’ Jeremiah 30:17

Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. Isaiah 61:7

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Jeremiah 32:27, Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

Have a blessed day!
In Christ alone

Justina Stephen