“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:7-8, NIV

When we’re feeling most pressured or purposeless, when we’ve delayed celebrations and put plans on hold because of the uncertainty of the future. When we don’t know what’s coming next, when we don’t know how to mourn for what we’ve lost. When we experience an increase in fear and anxiety, when we see division, injustice and unrest… God is still rejoicing over us with singing and still works all things together for our good.

In this time I believe God is clearly wanting to work in us, so we are better aligned to his purposes. And that work starts by encouraging us to tune in to his love song. We grow increasing resilient when we know deep in our spirit that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ. Take time today to let his love sweep over you.

Let’s pray
Father, I love you, I worship and adore you, glorify your name in all the earth. Glorify your name. Glorify your name. Glorify your name in all the earth.
Jesus. I love you I worship and adore you, glorify your name in all the earth. Glorify your name. Glorify your name. Glorify your name in all the earth.
Spirit, I love you I worship and adore you, glorify your name in all the earth. Glorify your name. Glorify your name. Glorify your name in all the earth.
Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“…when this Priest had offered the one supreme sacrifice for sin for all time he sat down on a throne at the right hand of God, waiting until all his whispering enemies are subdued and turn into his footstool. And by his one perfect sacrifice he made us perfectly holy and complete for all time!” Hebrews 10: 12-14, TPT

A man accidentally drove his car into a wide ditch full of water. A farmer offered to pull the car out of the ditch but said he needed to charge £50 because it was the 10th time that day he’d had to pull a car out of that same ditch. “That’s a lot of extra work for you” said the man. “When do you look after your crops. At night?” “Nope” replied the farmer. “That’s when I widen the ditch and fill it with water.”

What a contrast the cross was to the sacrifices the Old Testament priests carried out. The animal sacrifices temporarily covered human sin but could not remove it, whereas by offering himself once on the cross Jesus perfected you for all time. All time! But although you are free from the guilt of sin, you are not perfect in character (yet!). There is every possibility you will fail Jesus in some way every now and again and put yourself in a hole.

The enemy is an expert at widening ditches and filling them with water. He wants nothing more than to see you drowning in a pit because of sin or failure. But God has already provided the means by which you are saved. And he will not charge you to pull you out of the ditch because the price has already been paid in full by Jesus at Calvary.

It takes resilience to recognise we’ve failed and accept that God has provided the rescue; we cannot do it ourselves. And the great thing about God is he is not in the salvage business. He won't just patch you up an send you on your way. God is the great restorer. When he liberates you from the pit he guarantees you come out of it better than you went in.      

Let’s pray
Thank you Jesus that you are not just the one who offers me abundant life you are also the offering that secures it. Remind me whenever I fail you that you have already made me perfectly complete for all time. Forgive me for the times I have let you down. Thank you I can be confident when I ask for forgiveness you restore me fully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“… you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9, NIV

The entrance of the tent of meeting was not just a thoroughfare; it was an important and sacred space for the Israelites. And Exodus 38:8 and 1 Samuel 2:22 mention the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting using the Hebrew verb tsaba to describe their responsibilities. Tsaba is used in the context of warfare and particularly guardianship. The unnamed women’s service was to guard - and if necessary fight to preserve - the presence of God.

You, too, must guard - and if necessary fight to preserve - the presence of God. Resilience involves taking a stand and holding to the truth that God is with you, he is your fortress, your safe place, and all-sufficient source regardless of what you see, hear, or experience. And, just like the women at the entrance to the tent of meeting you may have to fight for others around you. Receive your call to tsaba today; to serve as a guardian of the presence of God. The world so needs to know him.

Let’s pray
Thank you Lord, for your promise that you are with me and I always live in your presence. Remove the distractions that keep me from you. Help me to cultivate your presence in my life and partner with you to see the world changed as I carry you with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. And next to them the Tekoites repaired...” Nehemiah 3:3-5, ESV

The moment you said ‘yes’ to Jesus you were enlisted onto an elite team and offered the opportunity to sign up to the most astonishing adventure. In its simplest expression you are invited to partner with the Holy Spirit, pull down the Kingdom of heaven, and establish it on the earth. No-one is invited to spectate or sit on the side lines. You have been given gifts and talents and - wherever you find yourself - your role is to influence the world for Jesus.

In this season it is vital you play your part. Not only will you grow as you serve but you will develop resilience as you receive God’s power to help you be a blessing to the people around you. Ask the Lord to show you the steps you need to take today to see his Kingdom advance.

Let’s pray
Help me to say ‘yes’ again to you today, Jesus. Forgive me if I’ve made excuses, got complacent or lost my sense of purpose. Thank you that all you require of me is easy to bear and I am not in this alone. Spur me on to make a difference for you however you’ve gifted me and wherever you’ve placed me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” Matthew 11:28-30, TPT

Jesus knows there are times you need to stop, take a breath, and refocus. And not only does he offer you restoration in those times but also help with the burdens you carry.
Burdens take many forms. Big burdens such as lack, trauma, or a global pandemic can leave you feeling deeply weary and overwhelmed. But there are subtler burdens - sneaky ones that creep up on you! – which also deplete your passion for life and the things of God. I’d put things like worry, anxiety, guilt, anger, and failure on the sneaky burdens list.

To help develop resilience you need to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the thing you’re carrying that you shouldn’t be. Let him minister to you today and take some of the load.

Let’s pray
Lord, help me identify any burdens I am carrying and release them into your love and care. I resolve not to pick them up again. I know your intention for me is that I live joyfully in freedom and abundance. I look to you for refreshment and rest today, confident I will receive everything I need. Thank you so much, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. And so with unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3, CEB

The Father did not create you because he needed you. He chose to create you first for his glory, but also because he is love. He wanted to lavish his love on you. And he didn’t start loving you when you were born, nor even when you were conceived. He loved you before the dawn of creation.

Love is the most important thing God has to offer you and he gives it freely and abundantly. The evidence of that is the cross. Jesus accepts the agony of the cross knowing he will alter the destiny of millions of God's children. It is all done out of his great love for us.

We need to elevate the importance of love in our lives. Jesus made it his priority and so should we. Developing Kingdom resilience involves accepting our responsibility for the death or Christ but also knowing we can revel in the love the Father has lavished on us and then offer that love to the rest of the world.

Let’s pray
We’re going to use the lyrics of a beautiful Easter hymn Samuel Crossman as our prayer today.

“My song is love unknown, my Saviour's love for me; love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be: but who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die? Here might I stay and sing, no story so divine; never was love, dear King! Never was grief like Thine. This is my friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend.”

Thank you Father for your everlasting love. Thank you Jesus for embodying that love on the cross. I am so grateful. Help me to love as you love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2, NASB

God makes this promise to the Israelites in captivity in Babylon. Although they are held there as a direct result of their disobedience, the Father still wants them to know he loves and cares for them, and has redeemed them. And the imagery he uses is deliberate. He knows his people know their history and will be prompted to remember what he has done for them.  

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…” God split the Red Sea to allow the Israelites (a million men, women and children!) to cross through it and escape into freedom.

“…and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overflow you.” The Lord dried up the Jordan river to reveal a riverbed. His people walked on it into Canaan (the land he had promised them!) and ended their time in the wilderness.

“When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were also captives in Babylon. God protected them when they were thrown into a furnace after refusing to worship any god but the Father. Not only were they rescued, they were subsequently elevated to positions of great responsibility and never had to compromise their faith.

God reminds his people not just of his faithfulness but also that he is a miracle-working God. He wants to remind us of that, too. Part of our developing Kingdom resilience involves trusting that God is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do. Put your trust in your miracle-working Father today. Ask him for the miracle you need. Nothing is impossible for him.

Let’s pray
Father, thank you that you are my ever-present help in times of trouble. I know you love me and are working all things together for my good. I trust you. Deepen my trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Psalm 95:3-7, NIV

God is not just Abba, Daddy; he is also Yahweh, the Lord. He is not just Jehovah Jireh, my provider; he is also El Shaddai, God Almighty. God has a long, wide, high and deep love for each of us that welcomes us into the intimacy of the holy of holies, but he is also the God of thunder and lightning, and the thick cloud, and the trumpet blast, and smoke and fire.  He is the God who makes mountains tremble; the God whose footstool is the earth; the God who will not be mocked. We don’t need a pocket-sized God, someone who is made in our image. We need God in all his complexity, majesty and glory because when we know who it is who loves us, it feeds our devotion and helps build our resilience.

Take time today to remind yourself of who it is who loves you. Encourage yourself in the Lord as you worship your extraordinary God.

Let’s pray
Lord, I will honour and praise your name, today and every day for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! Thank you for all you are and all you do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18, NIV

Some time ago I faced a very difficult situation. Someone accused me of doing something I hadn’t done. The implications - had he been believed - would have been huge. But the allegations came to nothing because I prayed. And not only did I pray, but I called my prayer warriors together and WE prayed. I will never forget standing with my people, calling on God to vindicate me, and suddenly reaching a point where we all knew God had done it. The accusations ended that night and we celebrated for a long time after.

We have a responsibility to each other. We were put in community by God for a purpose. We need to build Kingdom-focused relationships that allow us to unite against the devil’s schemes. And we also need wisdom to know when we need help and with whom we can be vulnerable. Both help us develop resilience. Ask God for discernment today. Who needs you to stand with them in prayer? Do you need support, and, if so, who is best placed to provide it?

Let’s pray
Father, you call us to live in community. Thank you for your promise that where two or more are gathered you are there, and you answer our prayers. Help me to know who to pray for today and give me courage to ask for support when I need it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

A friend’s father died. He invited his mother to stay at his home that night and the following morning took her breakfast in bed. He found her with a bible in one hand and a box of tissues in the other. She was crying hard, but also thanking God for the life of her husband and praising the Lord with her whole heart for the love they had shared.

I am convinced there is something about having a grateful heart that opens our ability to hear and receive from God. It is not that he won’t speak unless we thank him, nor is he reluctant to give us good gifts. Being grateful changes us. It reduces any distance we have established between us and God, it increases our ability to see what he has given us and understand the blessing we are living in. Most importantly, it acknowledges who he is.

To develop resilience we need to train ourselves to look up often. By this, I mean we must give perspective to what we’re seeing in the world and our own circumstances by reminding ourselves who it is who loves us, protects us and fights for us. Look up. What do you see? Isn’t he worth praising?

Let’s pray
Thank you lord, that thanksgiving and prayer brings me closer to you and your purposes. I am grateful I can access your throne room at any time and you always welcome me. Teach me to look up often and remember you are my God. I give you thanks. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!