Stops & Steps 1117 31X2009

HE strengthens me

We thank God for Jesus who strengthens us each day as we face difficult challenges in our lives. We thank Him for sending friends and mentors to love and encourage us.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.




(Stops & Steps 1117 31X2009)

Stops & Steps 1116 30X2009

Do not abuse your freedom

We rejoice in the knowledge that we have been made free. We thank God for sending His Holy Spirit to help and give us complete and total pardon.

Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.



(Stops & Steps 1116 30X2009)

Stops & Steps 1115 29X2009

We are different

We thank God for making us all different, giving us different gifts and unique personalities so that we may all serve Him in our own different ways.

1 Corinthians 12:12
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.


(Stops & Steps 1115 29X2009)

Stops & Steps 1114 28X2009

Be responsive

We ask God to open our hearts and minds to His will. No matter what time of year it is, may we not only see, but also act upon the opportunities He places before us .

John 1 : 5
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.


(Stops & Steps 1114 28X2009)

Stops & Steps 1113 27X2009

Be thankful at all times

We thank God for being the giver of all good things, we can emerge victorious. We ask God to teach us to be grateful, to open our eyes to all of God’s blessings so that our hearts may overflow with thanksgiving.

Isaiah 63 : 7
I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which He is to be praised.



(Stops & Steps 1113 27X2009)

Stops & Steps 1112 26X2009

We do not belong here

We thank God for the country of our birth. We thank God for its culture and all that it brings. We ask God to keep us mindful that it is not our final resting place. God helps us to live as citizens of heaven, for that is what we are.

Hebrews 11:16a
But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one].


(Stops & Steps 1112 26X2009)

Stops & Steps 1111 25X2009

To re-examine our lives

We ask God for wisdom to re-examine our lives. To teach us how to expose the sins in our lives and deal with them head on.

Mark 9 : 45 - 48
"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"



(Stops & Steps 1111 25X2009)

Stops & Steps 1110 24X2009

Spread His Word

We ask God to fill our lives with His words. To give us courage to bring these words forward and weave them into minds and hearts of those we meet. To energise us to put them into service for Him in His kingdom.

Philippians 3:10-14
that I may know [Jesus] and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this... But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.



(Stops & Steps 1110 24X2009)

Stops & Steps 1109 23X2009

Resist the devil

We thank God for sending Jesus to stand between us and the devil. Jesus gave His life so we might live. God, we ask that you will give us the courage, the wisdom and the faith that will enable us to do what we can to stop Satan’s stalking.

1 Peter 5 : 8b – 9
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.


(Stops & Steps 1109 23X2009)

Stops & Steps 1108 22X2009

To see where the need is

We ask God to protect us as we live in a world full of conflict, suffering, and greed. To forgive us when we become a part of this world, whether in thought, word, or deed. To grant us the grace to be able to see where the need is today.

Exodus 3:10-12
"Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."



(Stops & Steps 1108 22X2009)

Stops & Steps 1107 21X2009

HE alone can save

We thank God for all faithful pastors, preachers, and teachers. Let them clearly see and cleanly share the Savior's story of salvation for sinners. Let them point to Jesus who alone can save. .

Acts 4 : 12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.



(Stops & Steps 1107 21X2009)

Stops & Steps 1106 20X2009

Be fruitful

We ask God to remove any part in us that stands in the way of our serving God or bearing fruit that will be a witness to God. We ask God to prune and shape us in God’s image, and use us to show forth His kingdom on earth.

John 15:2
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be more fruitful



(Stops & Steps 1106 20X2009)

Stops & Steps 1105 19X2009

Going to higher places

We ask God to forgive us for allowing the things of the earth, our family, preoccupations, challenges, and struggles to get in the way of our climb to the ultimate high. Going to God is the place we want to go so we ask God to keep us moving until we reach the final goal.

Psalm 61 : 2
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.


(Stops & Steps 1105 19X2009)

Stops & Steps 1104 18X2009

Do not compound evil

To help us to avoid compounding evil, we ask God to teach us to forgive others as we have been forgiven.

Matthew 6:34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.



(Stops & Steps 1104 18X2009)

Stops & Steps 1103 17X2009

Be patient

We ask God to teach us to be patient and to endure until we reach our goals and find results.

Matthew 7:7-9
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?



(Stops & Steps 1103 17X2009)

Stops & Steps 1102 16X2009

HE protects us at all times

God protects us from our enemy when we are aware of it and when we are not. We ask God to fill our hearts with gratitude and love.

2 Timothy 4:17b-18,
And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”




(Stops & Steps 1102 16X2009)

Stops & Steps 1101 15X2009

HE is merciful

God chooses to redeem us and forgive us when we embarrass Him, sin against Him or dishonour Him. We thank God for the mercy He has shown to this world.

Luke 6:35-36
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.



(Stops & Steps 1101 15X2009)

Stops & Steps 1100 14X2009

Look to God's Word


We all face struggles in our daily lives. God gives us the following verses to lean on :

Psalm 139:1-36
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

These scriptures need no explanation, and they are powerful because they are God's word. They helped us to be victorious in our struggle.




(Stops & Steps 1100 14X2009)

Stops & Steps 1099 13X2009

Our times are in His hands.


We must remember that when we wait on the Lord, we are not being idle or careless. Waiting prepares us. God works in us so that He can work for us. He knows what He is doing and has His own schedule.

Waiting ultimately leads to worship. The day will come when you will rejoice in the Lord because you have trusted in His holy name. We have hope and faith in waiting on the Lord. If you find it hard to wait, remember that God's delays are not His denials. He has a greater blessing in store for you. You can be sure that one day the waiting will end, and you will start worshiping and praising Him.

2 Peter 3 : 9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some [people] count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish



(Stops & Steps 1099 13X2009)

Stops & Steps 1098 12X2009

Can you wait?


For most of us waiting is one of the hardest things to do. Our impatience is
probably why the Lord reminds us of Psalm33 : 20 "Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield."

Why does God delay in answering prayer?
He wants to give us a better blessing.
Why does God delay in bringing deliverance or healing?
He has something better in store for us.

Psalm 33:20-22
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.


(Stops & Steps 1098 12X2009)

Stops & Steps 1097 11X2009

Keep on praying

Never give up praying until the answer comes.

Elijah believed in persistent praying. Seven times he bowed in prayer; seven times he sent his servant to see if God had answered yet. While there is nothing magical about the number seven, it is the number associated with completeness in the Bible. When this seventh prayer was offered, the servant came back with the report that a cloud was on the horizon. Elijah kept praying until his prayer was completed.


A prayer is never complete until God has answered. We need to keep praying until we have the assurance in our hearts that God's answer has been given or is on the way. To stop praying too soon may forfeit the very thing we are praying for.


1 Kings 18:42-44
So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." Then it came to pass the seventh time,that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!"





(Stops & Steps 1097 11X2009)

Stops & Steps 1096 10X2009

A sure expectation


In 1 Kings 18 : 41-42 Elijah not only prayed, but he expected an answer. Before the clouds formed or the thunder boomed, he heard the "sound of abundance of rain." He knew that he was praying according to the will of God and he was confident, before any external evidence could confirm his faith, that God would supply the rain He promised. Elijah's command to Ahab was based on the assurance of God's answer, not the whims of nature.

The Bible tells us to pray without doubting (James 1:6). When we come to God, knowing that we are asking according to His will, we don't have to be intimidated by our circumstances. We can have the confidence that when the time is right, God will answer. We need to act according to His promised answer, not according to our fearful uncertainties.

As you pray, do not look around you; look above you. Real answers to prayer don't come from the situations we find ourselves in. Real answers come from our Heavenly Father.
Pray according to faith, not circumstances.

1 Kings 18:41-42
Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees.





(Stops & Steps 1096 10X2009)

Stops & Steps 1095 09X2009

The grace of strength


Whenever there is trouble, there is an opportunity to develop strength. Trouble is a moral and spiritual task. Strength is increased each time we encounter with the difficult. A world without trouble in it would be, to people of our kind, a place of spiritual enervation and moral laziness.

Each day brings with it its fair share of questions and worries and its tasks bring its load of trouble. This is our spiritual exercise and we are blessed with opportunities for the development of strength of soul.

2 Timothy 2 : 1
Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.



(Stops & Steps 1095 09X2009)

Stops & Steps 1094 08X2009

Lord, strengthen my hands

From the Bible, we know that Nehemiah had to deal with adverse conditions when he set out to rebuild the walls surrounding Jerusalem. His local rivals were bent on destroying his efforts, and they resorted to blackmail and deceit. But Nehemiah's strength came from the Lord, and when he and his fellow workers felt weak or troubled, he prayed a simple, successful prayer: "Lord, strengthen my hands."

Today, some of us may be facing an uphill task, a serious problem, or a painful issue. We may not feel strong enough to overcome our troubles because we are weakened by worry. During times like these, we look to the Lord to help us by simply praying for the strength to endure and to overcome.

Nehemiah 6:9
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."




(Stops & Steps 1094 08X2009)

Stops & Steps 1093 07X2009

In tune with the Word

The same Word that created the universe holds the universe together. When we are in tune with the Word of God, we are in tune with the whole universe and with what He is doing in this world.

God’s will for each one of us comes from His heart, completely tailor made. The will of God is His expression of love for each one of us. Let us build our lives on the counsel of the Lord. We must stay in tune with the Word of God and He will guide us according to His will.

Psalm 33:6-11
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

(Stops & Steps 1093 07X2009)

Stops & Steps 1092 06X2009

New challenges


When we go through new experiences and new challenges, God gives us new victories.
God wants us to walk closely with Him so He may lead us into new experiences and challenges. If we are not experiencing new challenges, it could mean that we need to renew our walk with the Lord. Feed on the Word of God and look at what He is doing
in our life. We must ask Him to give us a new experience.

Psalm 33:1-5
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.



(Stops & Steps 1092 06X2009)

Stops & Steps 1091 05X2009

Our renewal

It is normal for the body and mind to get tired. We all get tired, and we all need rest to renew our strength. We also need spiritual rest and renewal. When we feel defeated, discouraged, and spiritually worn out, God has promised to take care of us, give us rest, and renew our strength.

Psalm 23 assures us that the Lord is our shepherd. As we spend time in prayer and studying the Bible, we allow God to care for us. In God's care, we find rest and the strength to face whatever life brings. We are renewed.

Psalm 23 : 2
[The Lord] lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

(Stops & Steps 1091 05X2009)

Stops & Steps 1090 04X2009

On the edge of the future

Life is always lived on the brink of the future. Our knowledge is severely limited, but we do have the revelation of God in His Word. So give obedient attention to it as you live on the brink.

As the saying goes, we may not know what the future holds but we know who holds the future. Ask God for peace in your heart as you look ahead.

Mark 14 : 54-72
And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.


(Stops & Steps 1090 04X2009)

Stops & Steps 1089 03X2009

How to have a good day

"Have a good day!" may be a common expression, but you can have a good day if you follow certain instructions from Scripture. Try following the guidelines of this psalm. Not only will you have a good day, but those with whom you come in contact will be blessed.


Psalm 34:11-16
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.



(Stops & Steps 1089 03X2009)

Stops & Steps 1088 02X2009

Foolish fears

Fear is one of the major causes for disobedience among Christians. God's Word is filled with promises of His provision (Phil. :19) and our protection (Ps. 91). Yet we often fail to accomplish God's will because we are afraid that we will be physically harmed or financially humbled in the process.


1 Kings 19:1-3
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah ad done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there


(Stops & Steps 1088 02X2009)