Have you experienced broken relationships? It can be your friends, spouse, family members or even your church ministry. Deep down in your heart, you are hurt. You try to pick yourself up again, but you find it difficult. You may even try to explain your thoughts to your close ones, but you realize it is no point.It gets bad to worse.

What do you do during this season of broken relationships and hurt inside? Suddenly people misinterpret every thought or word that you tried to express. Your trust is broken and suddenly you aren’t sure did you make the right decision from day one.

I believe the Lord sees each of our struggles within us. It is wise to turn our direction to the Lord. If you are someone who has random thoughts running in your mind and it is draining you, stop these thoughts. Refuse to think negatively and dwell in the past.It is also wise to control our emotions and not dwell on these emotions.

One thing I have learnt in life is,the only way to move forward in life is to stop looking back at your past.

Genesis chap 19:26 (NIV)-But Lot’s wife looked back,and she became a pillar of salt.

In this story of Lot we see that that Lot was told to take his wife and daughters to leave Sodom.Earlier in the same chapter the angels told Lot dont look back.

Genesis chap 19 : 17 ( NIV)- As soon as they had brought them out,one of them said,”Flee for your lives!Don’t look back,and dont stop anywhere in the plain!Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

But Lot’s wife looked back as the city burned.As a result she became a pillar of salt.

How do we look back?You may be in a broken relationship with someone right now.You must stop looking back at the broken relationships.Let GOD heal the relationship.When we put our focus on GOD,He heals our soul and makes us look at things differently.Most of the times,we get so worked up in random thoughts of the past that indirectly makes us tired.Most of the time it is really no point.You may be asking WHY or How for a situation that you are in right now.Trust me,stop all the why’s.God’s plan is always to give us a future and a plan.Stop looking back.

As 2021 is coming to an end,let us learn to stop looking back.When I say stop looking back,that includes our dissapointments and also our wins in our life.Start fresh.Delete your whole past and be excited as God charts your next season in life.

1st Corinthians chap 2 : 9 ( NIV)- ”What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard,and what no human mind has conceived,the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

Say this today: ”I choose not to look back”-R.J.JOHN

Prayer:”Abba ,I thank you Lord for your mercy and grace upon me.I give you glory as you have been faithful in my life.I choose not to look back and look forward to receive your goodness only in my life.”Amen

Matthew chap 6: 33 (NIV) But seek first the Kingdom of His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I remember memorizing this verse in my younger days during Sunday School. But years later, I caught a huge revelation of this verse.

When we talk about seeking first His Kingdom, what is this Kingdom about? I used to assume I have to put church attendance first. I have to put church activity first. It was about serving God. It was so much on trying to please God, the leaders, and the Church. I see there are trends of performance-based Christians.

But seeking this Kingdom is just beyond church attendance. Actually, the main ingredient needed is to give him our TIME. How much time do we spend with GOD? When we want to know someone more, we spend time talking to a particular person. Try to get to know their character and traits. If you know something is not right, you move away. If you receive something good, you stay.

You know something, it is the same thing with GOD. The character of God is love. He just wants to love us more and more. But we must be able to receive them.

How can we seek the Kingdom of God?

Proverbs chap 8: 17 (NIV ) “I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me.

Deuteronomy chap 4: 29 ( NIV)” But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. ”

Try taking time to just spend time with God. Talk to him. Give time in seeking the Word of God. If you have been running around busy looking for souls for Jesus, sometimes it is time to learn to just focus on yourself first. SEEK GOD!

If you are unhappy with certain things in your life,seek GOD. That is the only option.It is different about worrying and praying about a situation than seeking God.For example,you may have a health challenge. Instead of focussing on the health challenge, praying about it many times, drift your focus away.If you are unsure of the direction of your life turn your focus to JESUS.He will tell you what to do. Focus on HIS LOVE. At times we get so noisy in our minds. So many thoughts running in. Silence helps. Spend time reading the Word of GOD. GOD LOVES YOU.

Proverbs chap 3: 6 ( NIV) ”Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Say this today: I want to seek the Lord.-R.J.JOHN

Prayer: ”Abba I thank you for your mercy upon me and my readers. I thank you, Lord we can always seek you, Lord. Thank you for your LOVE.

Application: Take some time listening to the lyrics of this song below. Be blessed as the Holy Spirit speaks to you.

John chap 21: 6 (NIV)- He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

I was just reflecting on this verse today. If we read this whole passage of John chap 21, it states the fishermen could not catch any fish the entire night. Being a fisherman, imagine spending the whole night for fish, but there were unable to get any. Being fishermen, supposedly, they should be already well versed in the timing and location of getting fish. But that night, the Bible states they caught nothing.

Have you come across situations in life where you work and work so hard, and yet you feel empty inside? You work so hard, and when you receive your income, you pay all your commitments and have nothing in your hand. It may be years you are struggling to keep your ends meet. You blame the devil, the people around you, for what is happening in your life.

Sometimes, we tend to just forget to do the one thing required of us, that is to give attention to GOD alone. Do you spend time reading the Bible? Is your life consistent with what the Bible says? Are you unknowingly worshipping idols in your life?

Have you thought that maybe you have been fishing on the wrong side of the boat? Perhaps you have been on the wrong side of your life? Commitments, insecurity, fear may have lead you to make wrong choices in life in the past.

Jesus told the disciples to throw at the right side of the boat. Imagine if one of the fishermen responded, saying,” There won’t be any fishes on the right side too” ‘But thank God, they obeyed and threw the nets on the right side, and then there were too many fishes.

Dear readers, sometimes the key to being on the right side of your life is obedience. Obeying the Voice of the Lord. Not men. Many Christians have the trend of seeking Pastors or leaders to give directions in life. We go from one pastor to another pastor for solutions in life. We go from one church to another church seeking God asking for which side we should be in. It is wise to take a pause and reflect. Are you seeking men or GOD? Leaders are there to lead us. We need Pastors and leaders in our life, but at the end of the day, your relationship with God is between you and Him alone. There is no middle person.

You may not have the skills required for a specific task given to you. You may not have the support that you need to do something. You may be working so hard, but you are unable to reap the harvest of your work.

Are you on the wrong side? I may not be able to give you the answer today. But Jesus can. Take time to give serious attention to the Lord. There are 24 hours given to each of us in a day. How much time do we allocate to just seek God? Is he telling you to do something? Does it sound so impossible?

Seek God. Then you can hear His voice. He will direct you exactly where you should cast your net.

Remember, OBEDIENCE is the key. If you keep casting your net on the wrong side, you will receive nothing. Get serious in casting your net to the other side.

Say this today: It is time to cast my net to the other side-R.J.JOHN

Application

1. Read the Bible.Maybe you can start reading from the Book of John.Read it like a story book first before you study it.Imagine yourself in it.Walk with Jesus in all His chapters.Let the Holy Spirit speak to you and give you the revelation that you need.Remember,get serious in casting your net to the other side.No other answer except Jesus alone.Do not waste anymore time.Enough is enough.

Psalm 107: 1 ”O Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.!”

In a world where we are always busy rushing for work, assignments, family, and the pandemic, many times we tend to just miss out on the goodness of God. Thanking God just becomes a routine and we are not convicted of this power of gratefulness. Have we ask ourselves. Why do we give thanks? To me personally, I give thanks to God because deep down within me I am convicted of the powerful mighty hand of God upon me. I am grateful for His Love upon me.

When we choose to be grateful for what we have, there is a supernatural release of power that takes place.

Let’s look at the first miracle of the bible. The famous parable of Jesus changing water into wine. You can read them in John chap 2: 1-11. I was always reminded of this first miracle that Jesus did and the power of believing.

But as I was reading this passage, I notice that Jesus’s mother told him ”They are out of wine.”But at that moment, Jesus actually replied ”Is that any of our business,mother-yours or mine? This isn’t my time, Don’t push me.” -John chap 2: 4-MSG

Even after Jesus telling his mother, it isn’t the right time, the mother went ahead anyway, telling the servants ”Whatever he tells you to do, do it.” John chap 2: 5b-MSG.Then, the miracle took place, as Jesus notice 6 stoneware water pots and he ordered to fill the pots with water. And the water turned into wine.

I realize Jesus’s mother was assured. She knew her son would take care of the wine issue during the banquet. Although during that time, Jesus has not performed any miracle yet. I believe Jesus’s mother was grateful to have Jesus there at the wedding banquet. She just knew his son would take care of it. When she told the servants to just follow what Jesus ordered there was a strong conviction in her that she knows that her needs will be taken care of for the wedding banquet.

I realize there is power in being grateful for what we have. Who would expect half-filled 6 stoneware water pots which are filled with water could turn into wine? Jesus’s mother did. Jesus changed water into wine.

If you are in a situation that seems so dark, I would like to encourage each reader here to be grateful. Stop doing maths. Stop doing calculations or trying methods to fix your current issue. Stop asking GOD why and how. You only need JESUS. You must rest assured of the power of the Almighty to do the impossible for you and YOU just rest.

Be assured He is taking care of your deepest desires and needs. There is power in being grateful and just honor the Sovereignty of the Lord Almighty and let His glory take place in your life.RELAX!

Say this today: I am grateful-R.J.JOHN

Application:

1. Take a moment to be grateful to Jesus for what He has done in your life.Even if its half filled stoneware water pots,remember when you are grateful enough,the miracle takes place.Anything that seems to be empty in your hand, can also be multipled by the Grace of God.Gratefulness is the key.

2. Stop grumbling.

Prayer: ”Thank you, Abba for your love to me. Thank you, Lord, for creating R.J.JOHN and it has been 7 years since the first book launch. At this moment, I just want to thank you for your grace to write. Let me write for your Kingdom. I thank you for the souls that are reading these inspirational notes. Thank you that their life is changed from glory to glory. Use me for Your Glory alone.”Amen

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Have you all come across situations where people may have misjudged you? It can be an immediate sphere of friends or family. People who matter to you. Suddenly, everything is different. You tried explaining yourself, but it was to no avail. What do you do? It is wise to move away.

I was led to write this note today on misjudgments. Do you know the devil loves to create chaos and break relationships and trust among people? Especially your loved ones. You may have good intentions, but somehow it was wrongly misinterpreted. Suddenly you hear wrong accusations about yourself.

But it is also during this tuff period that we see the honest hearts of people around us. Sometimes, people don’t really care. But I would like to share this. There is someone who cares. It is the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

What do you do during these situations? What can we do when we feel isolated from the very people whom we have loved so much? What can we do when suddenly we feel there is nobody that we can put our trust on?

What do you do during these situations? What can we do when we feel isolated from the very people whom we have loved so much? What can we do when suddenly we think there is nobody that we can put our trust in?

It is wise to shift our focus away from the situation that is troubling us. Move away from the hurt that is afflicting our hearts. Focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ is a wise move. Dwelling on wrong thoughts also limits our trust in the Lord. You must never forget, the devil takes advantage of situations.

As we focus on His goodness, He will take care of us. As we continue focusing on Him, He showers us with His Love, and we would be sufficient with His Love. Once we have understood the magnitude of His Love, things will be different. It will no longer be a battle. He would plant us in a new season. The promise is, ”This is the best season ever.”

When we choose to move away from situations that trouble our hearts, we have decided to move on—this time moving on with the Lord Jesus Christ himself. It is no more about people anymore. It is no more about pleasing men but pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

1st Corinthians chap 2 : 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

Say this today: I have chosen to move away to MOVE ON in my life-R.J.JOHN

Prayer: ”Abba Father, I thank you Lord for each of my readers here, that they have chosen to move away from situations that hurt them and put their focus on you, Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen

Application:

1.Obey the Lord. Have quality time with the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was moved to write about thanksgiving today. We are moving into our next half of the year 2021. So much has happened this year, and I am grateful God has seen us through.
I believe it is vital to have a heart of thanksgiving. Have you given thanks today? There are so many things to give thanks to God. It can be your life, finances, ministry, family, work, health, and so many other reasons.
When we come into a heart of thanksgiving, God sees our heart. Sometimes, we are so easily carried away grumbling about situations in life. We forget we have a God Almighty who sees us through. Let us look at Jesus how he approach his Father with a heart of thanksgiving.

Matthew chap 14: 16-21(NIV)

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

”We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

When I was reading this chapter, I notice Jesus gave thanks to the Father. He did not ask the Father to multiply the bread and fish to feed the disciples. Instead, He chose to give thanks for what he has.

If you want to experience the power of God in any area of your life, try thanksgiving.
Do not limit God with what you see or hear today. He is GOD.

Happy Thanksgiving dear readers! I am grateful for each one of you.

Say this today: I choose to give thanks to God-R.J.JOHN

Application: List down ten things you want to thank God for today.

Prayer: ”Abba, I pray for my readers that their hearts will be full of thanksgiving. Giving Glory to you alone. ‘Amen-R.J.JOHN

Proverbs chap 22 : 3 ( NIV)-The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

I wanted to understand the verse better, and so I tried reading them in different translations. Do check out the CEV version.

Proverbs chap 22 : 3 (CEV)-When you see trouble coming, don’t be stupid and walk right into it-be smart and hide.

I believe as believers in Christ, it is essential to anticipate evil. It is vital to have a discerning spirit to know if there is trouble. It is also important to move away and hide in CHRIST.

If you are in a situation where you know there is trouble, move away. For example, two different people may have a different understanding of a subject. Maybe you tried explaining to the person, but there seems to be no understanding. Things may be getting worse. To make matters worst, you are getting affected emotionally.

As a Child of the Most High God, we must remember we are spiritual beings. If you anticipate trouble in certain situations in your life, it is wise to move away. After moving away, what happens?

Romans chap 12 : 17-21 (NIV)-”Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ”It is mine to avenge, I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary; ”If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty; give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals, on his head. ”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Human pride often tricks us into thinking we can deal with evil on our own. It is always important to seek our Father in matters dealing with evil. Prayer helps you get into God’s will for your life.

A wise man avoids evil by anticipating it.

Say this today: I move away when I anticipate evil-R.J.JOHN

Application:

1) Don’t go into continuous misunderstanding with another person if you anticipate trouble.

2) Practice self-control and move away.

3) Don’t take revenge, instead overcome evil with good. Control your thought pattern.

Prayer for today:

I thank you Lord for your grace and mercy upon me. I thank Lord for teaching me what to do when I anticipate trouble. Help me always to stay focused in your Word.–R.J.JOHN

Dear God,

”I am writing today’s note for you. I want to praise your name forever and ever.”

Psalm 145 (NIV)

A psalm of praise of David

¹ I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
² Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.
¹⁴ The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁷ The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
²⁰ The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

²¹ My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature praise his holy name
    for ever and ever.

‘Abba, thank you for this gift of Eternal Life in me. This Life of God is breathing upon me. I want to live my life for your glory alone. Let your name be exalted. Let your name be glorified. I want to praise you and praise you. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for bringing the realities of God into my life. Thank you for completing what is started in me. Love you Dad ”-R.J.JOHN

How do fishes stay alive? Fishes do not breathe air. They get the oxygen they need from the water they live. Fish have special filters in the sides of their body called ‘gills’ that act as their ”lungs”. The fish opens its mouth to let water flow through the gills and out of its body. As the water passes the gill membrane, oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream. At the same time, carbon dioxide from the blood passes across the gill membrane and is carried away with the water.

What happens when we remove fishes from the water? Fishes don’t survive. They die. The water is the source for the fishes. Once taken out, it is unable to be alive.

How about men? What is the source for men? Genesis chap 2: 7 ( NIV) Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. In the very beginning, when God formed man, he breathes into the man’s nostrils the breath of life. Only when God breathes the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, the man became a living being. Remember this; the man only became a living being after the breath of life was breathe into the nostrils. Without the breath, the man is only a man. Not a living being.

Let’s look at another scripture. Ezekiel 37 : 3-4 ( NIV) He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, `Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.

If you notice, both scriptures above connect The Lord-Breath -Life. Have you seen people feeling very dry and frustrated in life? They live a sorrowful human life. Sadly, this happens when the source is not connected. You may be alive but dead inside. Without the Holy Spirit, you cannot go far in life. You would live a very miserable life. You know why? No fuel. You have not stirred the Holy Spirit in you.

Imagine a television. Without electricity, we cannot switch on the television. Everything in life, we need a source—a power supply.

It is vital to stay connected to our source, which is the Holy Spirit. We are spiritual beings. The only way to be connected to the Father is through the Holy Spirit. Don’t fret. Don’t look at the past. Don’t ask why God. The Holy Spirit is ever ready to spend time with you. As you seek Him, He will be revealed to you.

1st John chap 1: 1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

As we spend time with the Word of God, we must continue spending time speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is our fuel for the day.1st Corinthians chap 14:2 (NIV)For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. Try doing this consistently for the next three months. Watch where God takes you.

Acts chap 1: 8 ( NIV) But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Remember don’t stay out of your source!

Say this today: I remain connected to the Source-The Holy Spirit-R.J.JOHN

Prayer: ‘Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for remaining to be the source of LIFE for me and my readers today. Thank you for reminding us to stay connected to you.” Amen.

Application

1.Spend 15 minutes a day to speak in tongues.

2.If you don’t speak in tongues, pray and ask God for the gift of speaking in tongues.

Let us look at diamonds today. How are diamonds formed? Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth, about 100 miles below the surface in the upper mantle. Obviously, in that part of the Earth, it’s very hot. There’s a lot of pressure, the weight of the overlying rock bearing down, so that combination of high temperature and high pressure is necessary to grow diamond crystals in the Earth. Diamonds have been adapted for many uses because of the material’s exceptional physical characteristics. Of all known substances, it is the hardest and least compressible. ( Wikipedia)

Today, humans prize diamonds above all other stones. Diamonds are beautiful.

Diamonds go through a lot of pressure and process to become beautiful. I was meditating on a Bible verse today, and the verse reminded me of the diamond.

Romans chap 5 : 3-4 ( CEV) ³ But that’s not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. ⁴ And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope ⁵ that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.

God has given to each one of us the Holy Spirit. The more we yield to the Holy Spirit, we learn to endure. What character would you like to develop after enduring? This endurance builds our character. This character makes us very strong, resilient, courageous, bold, excellent, filled with love, forgiving, humbleness, and beautiful. In other words, endurance forms the diamond in you. Do you remember getting agitated with minor issues in life? Do you remember being pressured? Once you have learned to endure, you let go and let God take charge in your life. You have developed spiritual maturity.
You don’t go around the same circle of problems without a solution. You have endured. The problem is no more a circle. It has a way out.

Trust God in the process. After all, remember, He is in the process of creating a diamond in us.

Say this today : I have endured .-R.J.JOHN

Prayer: ”Abba, I thank you, Lord, for each of my readers, that they are your diamonds. They are your children of the Most High God. Thank you Lord, they have endured and become beautiful.” Amen

Application

1.Have a renewed mindset about yourself.

2. See yourself as a beautiful excellent person for Jesus.