u/roddants

True Faith
▲ 15 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

True Faith

More Will Be Given
There was a time I read the Lord’s words in Luke 8:18 and felt puzzled.
He said, “Whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
At first glance, it sounded harsh, almost unfair. But when the Lord opened my eyes, I began to see that the Lord was actually revealing something about how faith operates.
He’s not talking about material possessions here. He’s talking about our posture, about how we receive what He has already purchased for us through the finished work of the cross.
In the natural, people believe they have something only when they can see it or touch it. But in the kingdom of God, faith perceives the invisible as reality.
Faith is not pretending something is true. Faith is agreeing with what God says is already true, even before you see it.
That’s what our Lord meant when He said, “To him who has, more will be given.”
When you say, “I have peace,” not because you feel calm but because our Lord Jesus has given you His peace, more peace begins to fill your heart.
When you say, “I have healing,” not because your symptoms are gone but because Christ bore your sickness at the cross, more of His healing power is released.
When you say, “I am righteous,” not because your behavior has been flawless but because of His finished work, you begin to walk in the power of His righteousness.
Faith is not about ignoring reality but choosing to align with a greater truth. It allows you to look at the symptoms yet confess healing, to see challenges yet declare provision, and say, “I have peace in Christ” even when you’re fearful.
Now, listen closely to this. Faith works with wisdom.
Taking medicine, seeing doctors, undergoing treatments… that’s not a contradiction to faith. Many times, it’s a part of how God brings healing into our lives.
So when you take your medication, take it with faith. When you see your doctor, go with the confidence that our Lord Jesus is your healer and His wisdom is guiding your care.
We honor the Lord when we receive both the spiritual and the practical with thankfulness.
This is not about faking it. It’s about aligning your heart and words with heaven’s perspective. You are not trying to become blessed. You are not hoping to be righteous. You are not waiting to be healed. In Christ, you already are.
It is important you recognize that believers can speak in faith because we have a scriptural foundation based on the finished work of Christ at Calvary.
Faith has a foundation in Christ, and it is not the same as those who practice speaking positively!
The more you see our Lord Jesus in the Word, the more you believe it and the more you speak it. And the more you speak it, the more you begin to see your breakthrough.
So don’t wait for the perfect circumstances to declare the truth.
Say, “I have the mind of Christ.”
Say, “I have joy today.”
Say, “I have peace that surpasses understanding.”
Our heavenly Father is inviting you to receive what is already yours in Christ.

u/roddants — 1 day ago
▲ 27 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

God Is Your Victory!

Your Weapon in Times of Crisis

When a crisis hits, the first question we all ask is, “What do I do now?”
Today, I want to share with you that one of the most powerful postures of faith in a crisis is simply this: to surrender to the Lord and worship Him.
Surrendering to the Lord is simply a humble acknowledgment that while we don’t know what to do in the midst of a raging storm, our eyes are fixed upon Him.
That’s what happened in 2 Chronicles 20.
With three armies gathered against him, King Jehoshaphat feared greatly. He looked at the opposition, and it was overwhelming. Yet his response was one of humility and surrender unto the Lord.
He didn’t first assemble the military strategists or call for a war council… he didn’t even pretend he had it under control… he gathered all the people to seek the Lord.
When crisis hits, seek the Lord! That’s what Jehoshaphat did that day.
Picture this with me: The king and every family in the nation, with their little ones in tow, gathered before the temple of the Lord’s presence.
And out of that place of deep vulnerability, Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord in surrender: “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
And I love what happens next.
The Lord didn’t leave them in silence. Scripture tells us that the Spirit of the Lord came upon the prophet Jahaziel, and he began to prophesy: “Do not be afraid… the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
In other words, “I, the Lord of Hosts, have got this…”
And the next day, in one of the greatest acts of dependence and trust, Jehoshaphat prepared the army not with his best warriors at the front… but instead, he sent the worshipers, the psalmists, and the musicians to sing praises to the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.
And then the Bible says something that still stirs my heart: “when they began to sing... the LORD set ambushes against the enemy” (2 Chron. 20:22).
I love how it says, “when they began to sing… the LORD set ambushes.” Not before they sang, but as they sang.
That means while their praises were lifted up, something was happening in the spirit realm… Angels were deployed, and the Spirit of God was moving and orchestrating their deliverance from their enemies.
The Bible tells us that the enemy’s camp was in such chaos and confusion that they began to fight against each other, killing themselves, all without God’s people lifting a finger.
Oftentimes, when faced with a crisis, our natural instinct might be to panic, to rush, to control, or to start fixing things in our own might. And that’s precisely what the enemy wants. He wants us anxious, striving, and completely worn down.
Instead of remaining in fear and anxiety, can I encourage you to just come before the Lord and worship Him today? Trust that He is going ahead of you and defeating your enemies as you begin to sing and praise His wonderful name.
I want you to catch this today:
Your praise is a standard against the enemy.
Your melody is a weapon.
Your hallelujah is your declaration of victory.
Your worship isn’t “empty” or made up of vain words. It’s you magnifying a greater reality than any challenge that is before you.
It’s you laying hold of the Lord Himself, the One who fights for you and wins.
Whatever the “army” coming against you today—a family situation you can’t fix, pressure at work that keeps piling up, a health crisis, or those thoughts that show up late at night, trying to convince you that the worst is coming—can I encourage you to do what Jehoshaphat did?
Bring that situation before the Lord. Put on a worship song… invite His presence into the room right where you are today.
Lift your hands and tell Him, “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.” And then worship. Don’t rush, just linger in that anointing that breaks every yoke and lifts every burden.
There’s nothing more powerful you can do than to seek the Lord.

In that place of worship, you’re letting the Lord place into your hands what our Lord Jesus has already secured at the cross—peace for your mind, wisdom for your next step, and a confidence that He’s working even when you can’t see it yet.

u/roddants — 2 days ago
▲ 30 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

Fill Your Heart With Jesus!!!

Heart Too Big for Small Things

We live in a world that’s constantly chasing after more.
Everywhere you turn, there’s this pressure to achieve, to accumulate, to get ahead.
The idea is that if you can just have a bit more success, more recognition, more things, you’ll finally feel secure, settled, and fulfilled.
And on top of that, we’re bombarded every day by ads—on our phones, our feeds, our screens—telling us what we need to wear, drive, or upgrade to.
The message may be subtle, but it’s relentless: “You’re not quite there yet. But if you just had this one more thing…”
And without even realizing it, our hearts begin to believe that a good life is defined by how much we have.
The neighborhood we live in. The car we drive. The bag we carry. The clothes we wear.
But is that really the measure of life?
In Luke 12, the Lord was speaking to a crowd, and someone asked Him a very down-to-earth, practical question. And He gave this profound answer:
“For one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
That’s clear, isn’t it?
Life isn’t found in what we accumulate. It’s not found in the kind of lifestyle we lead or the things we own.
Then where is it found?
I love how David puts it in Psalm 4:7.
“You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.”
In other words, “Lord, what You’ve given me—Your joy, Your presence, Your love—has filled me far more than any material increase ever could.”
That’s true fulfillment. That’s lasting joy.
Because the truth is, your heart is too big to be filled by small things.
It wasn’t created to be satisfied by earthly things. It was created for something greater… Someone greater.
So, let me ask you today… Has your heart been caught up in the pursuit of more?
Have you been waiting for the next thing—that promotion, that breakthrough—to finally make you feel settled?
If so, you’re not alone. But the Lord loves you too much to let you keep running after what can’t truly satisfy. Today, He’s gently inviting you to center your heart. Not on possessions, but on Him.
And I want you to hear His words to you from Matthew 6:25–26.
“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on… Look at the birds of the air… your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
The Lord sees you. He knows every practical need on your heart. He’s not distant or indifferent. In fact, He’s already gone ahead of you to provide.
But He doesn’t want those things to define your life. He wants Himself to be your portion. Your source. Your joy.
Because when you have Jesus… you truly have everything.
He is the One who satisfies your soul, and He fills you with gladness that the world can’t give, and can never take away.
And yes, He’ll take care of all the rest.

u/roddants — 3 days ago
▲ 12 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

It takes a good thought to heal a bad thought!

Put the Enemy’s Mind Games to Rest
Have you noticed how the battles you face so often begin first in your thoughts?
It’s those little whispers:
“I failed again.”
“I’ll never measure up.”
“It’s my fault… I let everyone down.”
That’s how the enemy operates. He plants thoughts in your mind so subtly that they sound like your own.
Not “You are lousy,” but “I’m so lousy.”
Not “Nobody loves you,” but “How can anyone love me?”
He dresses up those lies in your voice so you don’t question them. And because they come in the first person, you accept them as your own.
But the truth is, many times it’s not even you. It’s the enemy. He knows that if he can cloud your mind with thoughts of condemnation, he can keep you from walking in the good plans the Lord has for your life.
We see this in the vision the prophet Zechariah received. God’s people had returned from their captivity in Babylon and were trying to rebuild the temple. But the work had stalled for many years.
In the natural, it seemed like opposition was the problem. But Zechariah 3 shows us that the delay also had to do with what was happening in the spiritual. In Zechariah’s vision, Joshua the high priest stood before the Lord, clothed in filthy garments, while Satan stood at his right hand, accusing him.
This is a picture of how condemnation works.
From Joshua’s story, we see how the spiritual root of condemnation can hinder the Lord’s purpose in our lives. Condemnation doesn’t just weigh us down. It brings everything to a grinding stop and keeps us from moving forward in what the Lord has called us to.
Perhaps you’ve experienced this yourself.
Maybe you’ve been wanting to step up and serve in church, but then a thought comes: “Who are you to do that, after the mistakes you’ve made?”
Or you’ve been praying for your family, but a thought rises up: “You don’t even have your own life together, what difference can your prayers make?”
Or maybe you’ve carried a dream in your heart for years, but each time you try to move forward, the guilt of the past plays on repeat, and you pull back.
That’s what condemnation does. It paralyzes you. It makes you second-guess yourself. It keeps you from the very things God has prepared for you.
But the Lord didn’t leave Joshua in that place. He commanded that the filthy garments be removed. Then Zechariah, caught up in the vision, cried out, “Let them put a clean turban on his head!”
You see, the turban represents your thought life. That’s where the real battle takes place, where the enemy hurls his accusations.
So what’s the solution? Exchange the filthy turban for a clean one.
Many people try to overcome negative thoughts through sheer willpower, by telling themselves, “Don’t think about it, don’t think about it.”
But that’s not how the mind works.
I like to put it this way: It takes a thought to heal a thought. Just as light always drives out darkness, God’s thoughts are always greater than the enemy’s thoughts.
“But Pastor Prince, what does that practically look like?”
Let me show you.
When the thought “I’m such a disappointment” comes, don’t just push it away. Replace it with the truth: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:21).
When the thought “I’m never going to be good enough; everyone else is ahead of me” arises, respond with God’s Word: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not lack” (Ps. 23:1).
Whenever an accusing thought comes, declare with confidence: “If God is for me, who can be against me?” (Rom. 8:31).
That’s the key to victory. Don’t try to empty your mind of negative thoughts; fill it with God’s thoughts! Meditate on His promises. Let His Word fill your heart until His thoughts begin to replace every lie from the enemy.
Something powerful happens when you let the Lord renew your mind.
After Joshua received a clean turban and was freed from condemnation, the favor of God began to flow again. The rebuilding of the temple resumed. And in the book of Ezra, we see how even those who were opposed to the rebuilding were instructed to help fund it.
So, if your mind has felt like a battlefield, see the Lord stepping right into the middle of it today. Where He is, there is shalom.
Right now, let His thoughts become your thoughts. Fix your mind on what He says about you.
And as you do, I declare this beautiful promise from Isaiah 26:3 over you:
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

u/roddants — 4 days ago
▲ 50 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

The Lord Is With Me!

Realign Your Vision of Success with These Five Words
I want to ask you this important question: What does success look like to you?
Why is this important? Because whether you realize it or not, how you define success shapes the way you live. It guides your decision-making, what you pour your time and energy into, and what you choose to pursue.
Maybe you’ve been working hard… striving, pushing, trying to build a better life. And that’s not wrong. Because we all want to take care of our families. We all want to do well.
But just take a moment with me here. Pause and ask yourself, “Am I actually fulfilled?”
So often, amidst all of that chasing, all the pursuits in our lives, we end up carrying burdens we were never meant to carry. Stress creeps in. Our health starts to suffer. And even when the blessing is right there in front of us—our family, our loved ones—we’re too tired to enjoy them.
Now here’s something the Lord put on my heart to tell you today.
Don’t spend your life climbing the ladder of success… only to look back and realize the ladder was leaning against the wrong building.
Let me show you something powerful about what true success looks like from God’s Word.
Genesis 39:2 tells us, “The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man.”
Now think about this. When those words were spoken, Joseph was still a slave. No freedom. No influence. Nothing to his name. And yet, God called him successful.
That’s a whole different definition of success, isn’t it?
You see, true success isn’t about what you have. It’s about Who you have.
Joseph had the Lord with him. And that changed everything.
These five words, “The Lord is with me,” changed everything for Joseph. They turned a slave into a steward. A prisoner into a prince. And they can do the same for you.
Jesus is with you, too. Right now. Even if life feels a little messy or incomplete.
When you have His presence, you have His peace, His wisdom, His favor. That’s the kind of success the world cannot give.
So let me ask you again. What are you really chasing? And who are you becoming along the way?
Maybe today is a good time to fix your eyes back on Jesus. Not on what the world says success should look like, but on the One who right now walks with you.
So, here’s something simple I want you to do today and for the rest of this week. Speak this over yourself: “The Lord is with me.”
Declare it in the morning. Mutter it under your breath as you go about your day. Let it be the last thing on your lips before you sleep.
Every time you say it, be conscious of His presence right there with you.
And remember, because He is with you… you already have true success.

u/roddants — 5 days ago
▲ 45 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

Stop Using The Broken Ruler

Put Down the Broken Ruler of Comparison
I remember when I visited New Zealand for the first time.
I saw this vast field that was lush, green, and beautiful. It looked like the perfect picture of peace and serenity. And I thought to myself, “Wow, the grass really is greener on the other side.”
So, I decided to walk across that field. But you know what I found once I got there?
Cow dung. Everywhere.
From a distance, it looked perfect. But up close, it was a very different picture.
And often, that’s what comparison is like.
The apostle Paul tells us plainly in 2 Corinthians 10:12:
“But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
This verse is such a timely reminder because it’s so easy these days to fall into the comparison trap.
Maybe you see someone on social media living what looks like a better life, or maybe it’s someone close to you—a friend, a colleague—who seems to be getting all the breaks. And without even realizing it, you start to measure yourself against them.
But that’s not wise.
Why? Because when you compare yourself with others, it is like you’re using a broken ruler. It blinds you to the blessings in your own life, steals your joy, and robs you of gratitude.
One moment, you might feel like you’re doing okay. The next moment, someone else’s success or blessing makes you feel small, disqualified, or not good enough.
And even if you do feel better by comparison, it never lasts. There’s always someone more talented, more accomplished.
Today, your heavenly Father is inviting you to put that broken ruler down.
There is only one accurate ruler to measure your worth, your value, and how deeply you are loved: the cross of Jesus Christ.
When you look at the cross, you see the truest reflection of your value.
At the cross, the Father didn’t just say He loves you—He demonstrated it. He gave up His most treasured, most beloved Son… for you. He didn’t hold back. He spared nothing.
You’ll never know how much your Father loves you until you realize how much He loves Jesus. And yet, He gave Jesus up… for you.
This is what John, the disciple whom Jesus loves, is telling us in 1 John 4:9,
“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”
So, if you’ve been comparing yourself lately… measuring your worth by someone else’s life or journey… stop for a moment and come back to the cross.
That’s where your worth was established once and for all.
And when you see what your Father gave up to make you His, you’ll begin to walk with a new confidence.
Not the kind found only at the expense of someone else, or the kind that is shaken when you see others getting ahead.
But the kind that comes from knowing, “I am fully known, completely accepted, and deeply loved.”

u/roddants — 6 days ago

It Starts At The Root!

The Root Cause of Your Problems

Do you ever find yourself troubled by certain behaviors you see in yourself?
It could be a recurring thought pattern, or just how you tend to react or deal with things. You’ve tried to change and step out of it, but somehow it still feels beyond your control.
Maybe when stress hits, you shut down and withdraw… Or maybe you react the opposite way. You become brash and abrasive. You lose your temper and are hard on the people around you.
Maybe you struggle to trust people. You long for closeness, but when someone gets too near, something in you pulls away.
Or perhaps you just keep getting stuck in the same cycle, repeating that same habit or destructive thought pattern. And afterward, you find yourself thinking, “Why am I like this? What’s wrong with me?”
If that’s you, can I tell you something? The Lord is not pointing a finger at you. He’s not disappointed in you. He wants you free. He wants you whole. And He wants you to experience His abundant life flowing through every area of your life.
Now, what if I told you those behaviors are not the real problem? What if they are just symptoms pointing to something deeper?
You see, many of our outward struggles have an inward root. And very often, that root is condemnation.
It may trace back to something in your past you’re not proud of. Maybe you made a mistake you still blame yourself for… and maybe no one knows about it, but you feel like you’re constantly trying to cover it up.
Or maybe it was something someone once said that made you feel like you failed, and those words just stuck in your heart.
In fact, it can be so subtle that you don’t even realize it’s there, sitting just beneath your conscious awareness, shaping how you see yourself and how you react.
Here’s a picture the Lord once showed me that really helped me understand this.
Imagine a plant. Above the ground, its leaves are damaged. It looks sickly, withered, and malnourished.
But beneath the ground lies a deeper root. There’s the root of stress. Then, deeper than that, the root of fear. And deeper still… the root of guilt and condemnation.
Now, the world may be able to identify the stress. They may label it burnout or anxiety, and point to certain imbalances in your brain chemistry. Some may even be able to trace the stress to fear. Fear of failure, fear of not having enough, fear of the future.
But what they don’t see is the deepest root of all: guilt and condemnation, which quietly cripples us.
And often, it’s not the people around us who bring that sense of condemnation. For many, the harshest voice of condemnation comes from within.
“It’s really my fault…”
“If only I didn’t do that… things wouldn’t be the way they are now…”
“I deserve this bad thing that is happening to me…”
Others may have moved on or let it go. They may not even remember what happened. But your conscience does.
And when your conscience cannot find resolution, it turns on you. It condemns you day and night.
The world tries to deal with this through self-care, encouraging us to be kinder to ourselves. And while that can help to a certain extent, addressing the symptoms alone can never bring lasting freedom.
You see, a guilty conscience demands that a payment be made. It knows that when there is a sin or mistake, there must be punishment. And if it isn’t settled in your heart that the payment has already been made, you will unconsciously try to pay the price yourself.
That’s why people self-sabotage. They shrink back from opportunities. They push away good relationships with those who love them. They struggle to enjoy the blessings they have, because deep down they feel they don’t deserve them.
And sometimes, they live under a quiet, fearful expectation that something will eventually go wrong… because that’s just what they deserve.
Here’s the good news. The payment has already been made, and our Lord Jesus paid it in full!
When you truly understand and believe that Jesus has paid for every single one of your sins (Heb. 10:14, Eph 1:7), when you see that He bore all your guilt and condemnation in His own body at the cross, when you realize that you are completely forgiven, you will be set free from the inside out.
Now hear me on this. The Lord is not exposing your past to shame you. He is revealing the root so He can heal it completely.
I want to give you something practical, something you can put into practice in your life today.
Romans 8:1–2 tells us: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.… For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Now, that’s not just a verse. That is a powerful declaration.
There is no condemnation, right now.
Not when you get everything right… not when you finally feel worthy… not when you’ve “made up” for the past… but right now, because you are in Christ Jesus.
The next time that sense of condemnation rises, the next time that voice of accusation comes, speak this over your heart: “There is therefore now no condemnation for me, because I am in Christ Jesus.”
As you rest in the consciousness that you have been forgiven, I pray that fear will begin to dissipate. The stress you’ve been trying to manage begins to lose its grip. And like dead leaves falling from a healthy tree, those troubling habits begin to fall away.
May you truly reign in life and prosper from the inside out—in your soul, in your relationships, and in every area the Lord has called you to walk in. Amen.

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u/roddants — 7 days ago
▲ 17 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

Shift Your Mindset from Demand to Supply
It’s so easy to feel pulled in every direction by the demands of life. The kids need something. The deadlines are piling up for all your assignments. The house, the bills, the people who need your help—it feels like everything is shouting, “More! Now! Again!”
And when life feels that way, it’s easy to start living from a place of demand. We begin to believe that everything depends on us, expecting more from ourselves, and sometimes more from the people around us.
But here’s what many of us don’t realize: There are really only two ways to live. Under the law, where life is full of demands, or under grace, where life is full of supply.
I want to encourage you to do this today: Shift your mindset from demand to supply. Take your expectations off yourself, off others… and place them on the Lord.
The law says, “You need to do more. You need to be better. You need to make it happen.” But grace says, “The Lord Himselfwill supply. He will lead. He will carry you through.”
Now, that may sound simple, but it can play out in our lives in very real ways…
The more you expect from yourself—your performance, your discipline, your ability to hold it all together—the more weighed down you’ll feel. And the more you expect others to meet your needs or not let you down, the more stressed, frustrated, and tightly wound you become.
Let me give you an analogy.
There’s a husband who is very demanding. He wakes up and wants his eggs done just right. He expects his coffee to be on the table before he even sits down. He doesn’t tolerate any delays. No room for mistakes. No space for weakness.
That’s Mr. Law.
Always exacting. Always expecting. Never helping.
Now imagine living with someone like that. How would you feel?
Exhausted? Anxious? Like you’re never enough?
That’s what it’s like when you live under the law, where life is all about demand.
Here’s what you need to realize as a new covenant believer today: you are no longer under that old system of demand.
Romans 7:6 tells us, “But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit.”
That means you have been brought under the new covenant of grace, where the Lord supplies you with what you need through His Spirit.
Isn’t that good news? You’ve been delivered from “Mr. Law” and joined to someone else—our Lord Jesus, the Person of grace.
And grace doesn’t stand at the table waiting to be served. Grace gets up and says, “Sit down. Let Me provide all the wisdom, increase, and strength you need for the day.”
Grace supplies. Grace meets every need, fills every lack, and keeps on giving even when you fall short.
That’s the way the Lord meant for you to live. Not constantly stressed or pressured. He has given us all things freely, not to endure… not to maintain… but to enjoy. And that includes your family, your school, your job, your ministry.
When you begin to live from that place of supply, with your eyes on Jesus and your heart open to His grace, something beautiful happens.
The pressure lifts, peace and joy begin to return. And you’ll stop expecting unreasonable things from yourself and from the people around you.
Some people have asked me, “Pastor Prince, don’t you ever feel stressed or worn out? You handle so much…”
But do you know what I’ve realized? In those moments, it always comes down to where I’ve been looking.
If I’m looking to myself, I get exhausted.
If I’m looking to people, I get disappointed.
But when I look to the Lord… He always supplies.
What you need today isn’t to try harder to meet the demands in your life. What you need is to refocus your attention and reset your expectation on the Lord.
When you do, He will meet you right there… ready to supply you with more than enough.

u/roddants — 9 days ago
▲ 33 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

Your Very Present Help for Every Need
These days, it feels like we’re always connected… but not really present.
Our phones are with us everywhere. At the dinner table. Beside our bed. And for some, even in the washroom.
Without realizing it, we’ve become so used to escaping into other people’s lives. Scrolling through social media, chasing updates, binging on another drama series.
If we’re not careful, we end up traveling everywhere else and engaging with everything else, all from that tiny screen, except where it really matters—the present.
Present with the people who matter. Present with the blessings right in front of us.
And the most sobering part? When we’re not present, we miss the Lord.
Because it’s only in the present that we can encounter His presence.
Now, maybe for you, it’s not your phone robbing you of being more present. But wouldn’t you agree that we so often get caught up in the regrets of the past… or the fears and worries of our tomorrow?
“If only I had chosen that path...”
“If only I hadn’t taken up that opportunity…”
“If only I had known this would happen…”
“What if there is a recession…”
“What if I develop that condition…”
“What if my children can’t keep up…”
Living anywhere but today, in the now.
There’s a story in John 11 that shows this so clearly. When Lazarus had died, and Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Martha ran out to meet Him. Her first words?
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21).
Do you see it? She pushed Jesus into the past, saying, “If You had been here…”
Then, she swung to the other extreme and pushed Him into the future, saying, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (John 11:24).
But Jesus responded to her so gently and powerfully, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
Not I was. Not I will be. I AM.
She was face-to-face with the very answer she needed… the miracle she was longing for. The Lord Himself was standing right in front of her, not promising her a miracle someday but offering it in that very moment, in the now.
And yet, she missed it.
Let me ask you this:
Have you been living in the past, replaying regrets and wondering where the Lord was? Or have you been caught up in the future, worried about what might go wrong?
Or maybe you’ve just been so distracted. Your phone’s always in your hand. You’re following someone else’s story while missing your own.
I pray you don’t miss the very answer that’s right in front of you—the Lord’s presence with you, right where you are.
And do you know what else is in the present? His help in times of trouble!
One of the most comforting promises we can hold onto is found in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Not a someday help. Not a maybe help. But a very present help.
If you’re facing something today… or if you’re feeling overwhelmed even in this very moment… the Lord is calling you back to Him now to be in this moment, present with Him.
He is the great I AM. Hear Him whisper to you:
“I am your healing.”
“I am your wisdom.”
“I am your peace.”
“I am your supply.”
“I am your joy.”
“I am your more-than-enough.”
And as you begin to live in the moment with Jesus, something beautiful happens.
You begin to slow down. You start to notice and cherish the people around you again—your children, your spouse, your friends.
And most importantly… you become aware of Him.
His peace.
His presence.
His promptings.
His leading.
His love.
So today, come back to the present, because that’s where He is.
And where He is, is where true rest, strength, and grace begin.

u/roddants — 10 days ago
▲ 18 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

Let the Anointing Break Every Yoke

Today, I want to speak to your heart, not just your mind.
I believe the Lord wants to minister something deeply personal to you. Something that will bring real freedom… in whatever area you have been battling or struggling with.
You see, some of the problems we face don’t have a natural explanation. Some struggles don’t respond to reason or sheer willpower, simply because their root isn’t natural; it’s spiritual. And a spiritual root needs a spiritual answer.
The Word of God declares this in Isaiah 10:27: “The yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”
This is what breaks the yoke—not more willpower, not more trying, but the anointing.
And what is a yoke? It’s anything the enemy has placed upon you to weigh you down, anything that keeps you in bondage.
A spirit of heaviness and melancholy.
A cycle of addiction you can’t break out of.
A cloud of discouragement you can’t seem to shake, no matter how much you try.
Whatever it is… I want you to hear this: when the yoke comes under the anointing, it breaks.
It doesn’t say it shall be lightened or lifted for a while. The Word says it shall be destroyed.
Remember the story of young David? First Samuel 16 tells us that when Saul was tormented and no one could help him, David came and played his harp. And as the anointing flowed through that worship, the oppression left Saul.
It wasn’t the melody—it was the presence of the Lord. It was the anointing that lifted the darkness.
That same anointing is available to you today. And I believe the Lord wants you to press in to it.
Now, the anointing is not a theory. It is not a feeling or having goosebumps. It is simply the presence and the power of our Lord Jesus. And the name “Christ” literally means “the Anointed One”!

You may ask, “So, how do I step into that, Pastor Prince?”
It’s not complicated. You don’t need to earn it or manufacture it.
Simply draw near to the Anointed One.
Spend time in His presence.
Worship Him.
Take time to pray in the Spirit.
Sit under the preached Word in an atmosphere of faith.
Be planted in a church where the Lord Jesus is glorified and lifted up.
Where the anointing is, bondages break, burdens lift, and hearts are made whole.
So, don’t keep carrying that yoke. You’re not meant to live weighed down. The Lord’s desire is to see you set free.
Come into His presence.And let the anointing break the yoke off your life.

u/roddants — 11 days ago
▲ 26 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

Hear His Whisper of Love
Do you remember Elijah, the great prophet who called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel?
Not long after that amazing victory, we find him at his lowest point. He was running for his life and spiraling into a state of depression. The same prophet, who just a little while ago stood so boldly before the people, was now cowering all alone in a cave.
But in the midst of his despair, the Lord came to him.
First, there was a powerful wind that tore through the mountains. Then an earthquake shook the ground he stood on. After that, a blazing fire swept across the hills.
Elijah must have thought, “Surely this must be the Lord’s voice!” But the Bible says, “the LORD was not in the wind… not in the earthquake… not in the fire” (1 Kings 19:11–12).
Then, after the shaking stopped and all the noise had faded… came a gentle whisper. A still small voice.
And there in that stillness, Elijah heard the Lord’s voice. It was a gentle whisper full of love, imparting the confidence, assurance, and shalom he needed.
You see, lovers don’t shout. Imagine a couple sitting close together on a bench in a quiet park one night. Suddenly, one of them yells a loud “I LOVE YOU!” And then, the other party responds at equal volume, “YOU’RE MY ONE AND ONLY!” That would sound almost comical!
No, that’s not what lovers do. They speak softly because love draws near. And that’s how your heavenly Father speaks to you.
He’s not impatient with you. He’s not barking orders at you. He’s not shouting in anger. He leans in close and whispers. His tone is tender. His words are filled with grace.
Now Elijah may have expected God’s voice to thunder, just as it did back on Mount Sinai when the Law was given. But the Lord was showing him a new way that was to come—a new covenant. The Law thundered with demands, but grace whispers with love.
Know this: Under the new covenant of grace, He does not come to you with condemnation, wrath, anger, or shame.
He comes to you in the still small voice of the Spirit, assuring you: You are forgiven. You are beloved. You are righteous in Christ!
So here’s my encouragement for you today. Take a moment, quiet your heart. In the middle of the busyness, the stress, and the noise, be still. And just listen to that whisper of love deep on the inside.
That’s the Lord leaning in close, reminding you: “You are Mine. You are loved. You are secure in Me.”

u/roddants — 12 days ago
▲ 15 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

God of the Small Things… Too

Here’s a beautiful thought to start your day with, especially if you’ve been feeling a little small lately.

You know, when we think about the Lord, it’s easy to be in awe of His majesty. He’s the One who spoke galaxies into existence, who commands the oceans, who holds all of time and eternity in His hands.

But here’s what takes my breath away even more.

This same Almighty Creator…

… notices the sparrow when it falls.

… clothes the lilies of the field.

… and numbers every single hair on your head.

He pauses for a widow with just two copper coins and writes her story into Scripture forever.

He receives five loaves and two fish from a young boy, and doesn’t dismiss them as too little. No, He blesses them, multiplies them, and uses them to feed thousands.

Why? Because He’s not just the God of the big and mighty things. He’s the God of the small things… too.

Maybe today, you’re feeling small because of what you’re facing. A job interview. A presentation you have to give. A new role you don’t feel ready for.

Or maybe you’re overwhelmed by the responsibilities of the day.

Maybe you’re looking at what’s in your hands and thinking, “I don’t have what it takes. I’m not experienced enough, capable enough… I’m just not enough.”

If that’s where you are, can I encourage you to do this?

Whatever that area of smallness may be, put it in the Lord’s hands. Because nothing you bring to the Lord ever stays the same.

When His grace comes upon what seems small… it doesn’t remain small.

In fact, when you bring that area of smallness or weakness to Him, the Lord says to you, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).

When His grace touches what is little, it becomes more than enough.

Did you get that? When we bring our smallness to the Lord, He doesn’t despise it. He adds His greatness to it.

So don’t despise the small things. Don’t discount the small beginnings.

That simple desire you have to serve your family.

That job you are working now.

That gift you feel is too small for God to use.

That hour you give each week to serve in church.

That small seed you’re sowing in faith.

The Lord sees it all. And He values it.

Will you do this today? Lift what is in your hands to Him.

That very area of smallness, whether in ability, resource, or strength, is not a disqualification. In Christ, it is your very qualification to receive His grace—His undeserved, unmerited favor.

And more than anything else, He wants you. Not just what you can offer, big or small, but your heart. Your presence. Your company.

He sees you. He loves you where you’re at.

And He’s the God of the small things… too.

u/roddants — 13 days ago

An Invitation to Do the Impossible

You’ve probably heard this said before: “Nothing is impossible with God.”

But have you ever noticed what it doesn’tsay?

It doesn’t say, “Nothing is impossible forGod.”

Of course that’s true—He’s all-powerful. But that’s not what the Word says. It says, “For with God nothing is ever impossible” (Luke 1:37 AMPC).

That little word, “with,” changes everything.

It speaks of relationship, of divine partnership, of the Almighty God’s desire to involve us in what He does. It means that while God can do all things, He often chooses to work through us, inviting our participation.

Just like a dam holding back the force of millions of gallons of water, the power of our infinite God is ready to flow—waiting for a willing vessel, a heart that simply says, “Lord, I’m available.”

He’s held back only by our revelation of this truth and our willingness to respond.

To step out. To speak out. To pray.

We see this in the story of Moses. Trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Moses cried out to the Lord. But instead of doing something dramatic immediately, the Lord responded, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”

What was He saying? “You step out. You speak. You move. I’ll do the rest.”

That’s partnership. That’s the “nothing is impossible with God” kind of life He is inviting you to.

He can do it all on His own… But He chose not to.

He waits for a willing heart, for surrendered lips.

For someone to say, “In Jesus’ name, be healed.”

For someone to pray. To declare. To step out in faith.

And when we do, His power flows. He does the impossible… with us.

This is the heart of the Lord. That you would know the privilege and joy of being a co-worker with Him. That you would walk in step with Him, not just in the mundane, but in the miraculous.

So, what are you believing for today?

Is there an area in your life that feels stuck? A breakthrough you’ve been waiting for? A dream that seems too big? Someone He has put in your heart to pray for?

You don’t have to wait passively by, hoping things will somehow change. You can step out, speak, pray.

Hear His whisper today: “I am here with you… and I want to do this with you.”

I believe the Lord is extending to you a beautiful invitation to step into the impossible with Him!

u/roddants — 14 days ago
▲ 10 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

How to Be the Leader God Has Called You to Be

Whether or not you hold a title… you are called.

Called to lead in your family, in your workplace, in your conversations, in your everyday decisions.

Wherever you find yourself, the Lord has a plan and purpose for you to make a difference and be a blessing.

But here’s something I’ve come to learn over the years: True godly leadership doesn’t begin with leading. It begins with following.

When Jesus called His first disciples—those who would later become apostles, teachers, and pillars in the church—He didn’t look for people with impressive résumés, natural charisma, or leadership credentials.

He chose the most unlikely people: rough-around-the-edges fishermen, a tax collector, and others that society had overlooked. But they all had one thing in common. When He called, they responded. They followed.

That’s the foundation of all true leadership in the kingdom. We begin by following the Lord.

Before you can draw water for the thirsty, you first have to drink for yourself.

Before you can be a voice to others, you need to hear His voice.

Before you can carry others, you need to be carried by the Shepherd.

Before you can lead in strength, you need to walk in dependence.

The world’s idea of leadership starts with, “I know, follow me.” But God’s kind of leadership starts with, “Lord, I don’t know. Please show me. I will follow after You.”

And that’s not weakness. That’s a beautiful dependence on the Lord’s strength.

So, let me ask you today: Are you starting your day from a place of being led by the Lord? Or have you been trying to lead on your own?

I want to encourage you to take time to receive from the Lord personally. If you’re a spiritual leader in any capacity, don’t just go to the Word to prepare a word for others. Drink deeply for yourself first.

Let the Lord love you, guide you, and refresh you.

Say this with me today: “I am a sheep before I am anything else. Lead me, Lord, and teach me to follow You.”

That’s where real leadership begins.

Not because we know all the right answers and the right things to say or do, but simply because we know and are following the One who knows all things.

As you walk closer with Him, I know He’ll shape you into the godly leader He’s already called you to be.

u/roddants — 15 days ago
▲ 43 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

God’s Wisdom for Every Occasion

Have you ever felt stuck, facing a situation and not knowing what to do?

It might be something small, like how to respond to a difficult email, how to parent your child, or talk to your teenager. Maybe it’s how to manage your time better, or how to work more efficiently.

Or maybe it’s something bigger, like a major life decision, a financial setback, a complicated family situation… or just trying to fix a mess at work. And you find yourself thinking, “Lord, I really don’t know what to do here.”

Have you noticed this? Natural advice can be helpful, but it can only take you so far. When you try to find answers by scrolling online, asking around, or listening to different experts, you might gain some perspective, but not always the clarity you need.

See, you can have knowledge but not know how to make sense of it or apply it. And experience? That’s valuable, yes. But sometimes, our past experiences can actually limit us. They can keep us stuck in old ways of thinking, or blind us to new solutions the Lord wants to show us.

What we really need is heavenly wisdom. Because natural wisdom leads to natural results, but supernatural wisdom leads to supernatural results.

This kind of wisdom can only come from the Lord. And James 1:5 tells us He gives it liberally and without reproach. In other words, He doesn’t scold you for asking. He loves it when you come to Him for wisdom!

In the Bible, we see that wisdom isn’t one-size-fits-all. In the original Hebrew and Greek, we see different “streams” of wisdom:

**・**Chokmah: a broad understanding of things and the wisdom to live skilfully.

**・**Binah: discernment and clarity that help you see beyond the surface to the root of the matter.

**・**Sakal: practical wisdom that helps you act wisely and that brings success.

**・**Suniesis: the ability to put two and two together and come up with creative, Spirit-led solutions.

These are just some of the streams of wisdom waiting to be discovered in the Word. Each one is a gift, and they all flow from one Person: our Lord Jesus, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).

I like to think of His wisdom like a spiritual Swiss Army knife. Whatever you’re facing today, there’s a specific tool for it. There’s wisdom to guide you in your parenting. Wisdom for your job. Wisdom for relationships. Even wisdom for practical everyday stuff.

That’s why one of my daily prayers is, “Lord, give me wisdom and favor.”

The Bible tells us that Joseph had both wisdom and favor, and that caused him to prosper and be promoted even in the most difficult situations.

So today, if you’ve been going in circles over the same issue and still don’t know what to do, take a moment to pause. Don’t just look around for answers or advice—look up.

Ask the Lord for His wisdom, and don’t be afraid to be specific. You can ask for the exact stream of wisdom you feel you lack in this season, whether it’s discernment, understanding, practical decision-making, or creative solutions.

For example, if you’re facing a problem and are struggling to see what’s really going on, ask the Lord for binah, His discernment and insight to understand the heart of the matter.

If you can’t quite figure out how to move forward, or you’re wrestling with how to follow through, manage your time, or knowing what step to take next, ask Him for sakal, His practical wisdom that helps you apply what you know and make sound, successful decisions.

And if you’re faced with a complicated problem with no solution in sight, and it feels like there’s no way through, ask Him for suniesis. That’s His supernatural ability to help you connect the dots, bring clarity out of confusion, and show you a creative way forward you couldn’t have come up with on your own.

Nothing delights His heart more than when you, His child, come to Him and ask!

u/roddants — 16 days ago
▲ 31 r/Christ_Is_Lord+1 crossposts

Dare to Ask God for Big Things

Did you know that the Lord loves it when you ask big?

Now, maybe you’re unfamiliar with that idea. Maybe you were brought up in a family culture where there didn’t seem to be enough, and over time, you learned that asking for more would be asking for too much.

Or perhaps you have people around you who say things like, “Come on… that’s wishful thinking,” as though faith is only meant for the small and sensible things.

Or maybe you come from a church background where you were taught to approach the Lord almost apologetically, keeping your requests minimal so you wouldn’t seem too brazen or proud.

But when I look at the Bible, that’s not the Lord I see.

The Lord Himself said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7).

Notice He didn’t say, “Ask, and maybe you’ll receive.”

He said, “It will be given to you.” That’s the language of certainty. No second-guessing.

Of course, I’m not talking about being materialistic or getting the fanciest items to show off to people who really don’t care. I’m talking about asking the Lord to bless you with more than enough to be a blessing to others. To ask Him for a glorious family that is a showcase of His faithfulness. To believe Him not just for a job but for a position that will provide for your family while giving you time to serve in His house. To trust Him to fill you with His wisdom to parent your teenagers!

In many instances throughout the Gospels, the Lord’s gentle rebuke to His disciples was, “O you of little faith!” You can almost feel His heart in this divine rebuke, as though He were saying:

“Why do you take so little?”

“I am so full… full of health, full of provision, full of wisdom, full of grace, full of anointing.”

“Will you come and take more from Me?”

I want you to catch this: Love gives, but faith is the hand that takes from God.

And that’s what He invites you to do.

I love how David reasons about this in Psalm 116:12–13. Having experienced the Lord’s goodness, he asks, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”

And do you know how he responds?

“I will take the cup of salvation.”

Not “I will pay You back.”

Not “I will prove myself.”

Not “I will try to earn it.”

But “I will take.”

That’s the response that pleases the One who delights to give!

One of my clearest testimonies of daring to ask big is the very building where we hold our church services every Sunday—the Star Performing Arts Centre.

There was a time when our church was growing, and the space we had was simply too small. We were holding multiple services, and it became clear that we needed a larger space.

Everyone I sat down with at that time, even pastors more seasoned in ministry, told me, “Pastor Prince, it’s impossible. A church having a space like that in a prime location in land-scarce Singapore? It simply won’t happen.”

I remember walking away and sensing deep within me that the Lord was challenging me to believe for something better. It was as though He was saying, “Son, look to Me. Ask, and I will provide, not according to the world’s ways and resources, but according to Mine.”

And that’s what we did as a church. I even remember declaring to our congregation during a service that I saw the Lord giving us a world-class auditorium. At that time, I truly had no inkling how He was going to make it happen.

But the Lord did. And boy, did He answer.

Now, each week, we get to walk into a miracle when we step into the Star Performing Arts Centre for church. Not only did the Lord give us the favor we needed to build a modern, state-of-the-art auditorium in a prime location, but He also helped us pay it off in full.

There were no heavy fundraising campaigns. Just the Lord opening hearts, moving people to give, and providing in a way that made it clear: this is His doing.

So why am I sharing this with you today?

To stir your faith to believe the Lord for miracles in your own life.

Whatever area you are trusting Him for, I want you to lean in to your Father’s lavish love for you. Because of our Lord Jesus, you have access to the very throne of grace, where you can receive His undeserved favor to help in your time of need (Heb. 4:16).

The Bible tells us plainly, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Your heavenly Father already has good things prepared for you. But He wants you to activate your faith and pray these things into your life.

That’s right. The Lord wants you to ask big and pray for what He already desires to give you.

That promise in His Word. That desire He placed in your heart. That miracle or breakthrough that seems all but impossible.

When you ask Him for big things, you are saying, “Only You can do this, Lord. My eyes are on You!”

Will you do that today?

Don’t shrink your request before you bring it to Him. Don’t talk yourself out of what love has already provided.

Come to Him as His beloved child, and dare to ask Him for big things!

u/roddants — 17 days ago

Dare to Ask God for Big Things

Did you know that the Lord loves it when you ask big?

Now, maybe you’re unfamiliar with that idea. Maybe you were brought up in a family culture where there didn’t seem to be enough, and over time, you learned that asking for more would be asking for too much.

Or perhaps you have people around you who say things like, “Come on… that’s wishful thinking,” as though faith is only meant for the small and sensible things.

Or maybe you come from a church background where you were taught to approach the Lord almost apologetically, keeping your requests minimal so you wouldn’t seem too brazen or proud.

But when I look at the Bible, that’s not the Lord I see.

The Lord Himself said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7).

Notice He didn’t say, “Ask, and maybe you’ll receive.”

He said, “It will be given to you.” That’s the language of certainty. No second-guessing.

Of course, I’m not talking about being materialistic or getting the fanciest items to show off to people who really don’t care. I’m talking about asking the Lord to bless you with more than enough to be a blessing to others. To ask Him for a glorious family that is a showcase of His faithfulness. To believe Him not just for a job but for a position that will provide for your family while giving you time to serve in His house. To trust Him to fill you with His wisdom to parent your teenagers!

In many instances throughout the Gospels, the Lord’s gentle rebuke to His disciples was, “O you of little faith!” You can almost feel His heart in this divine rebuke, as though He were saying:

“Why do you take so little?”

“I am so full… full of health, full of provision, full of wisdom, full of grace, full of anointing.”

“Will you come and take more from Me?”

I want you to catch this: Love gives, but faith is the hand that takes from God.

And that’s what He invites you to do.

I love how David reasons about this in Psalm 116:12–13. Having experienced the Lord’s goodness, he asks, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”

And do you know how he responds?

“I will take the cup of salvation.”

Not “I will pay You back.”

Not “I will prove myself.”

Not “I will try to earn it.”

But “I will take.”

That’s the response that pleases the One who delights to give!

One of my clearest testimonies of daring to ask big is the very building where we hold our church services every Sunday—the Star Performing Arts Centre.

There was a time when our church was growing, and the space we had was simply too small. We were holding multiple services, and it became clear that we needed a larger space.

Everyone I sat down with at that time, even pastors more seasoned in ministry, told me, “Pastor Prince, it’s impossible. A church having a space like that in a prime location in land-scarce Singapore? It simply won’t happen.”

I remember walking away and sensing deep within me that the Lord was challenging me to believe for something better. It was as though He was saying, “Son, look to Me. Ask, and I will provide, not according to the world’s ways and resources, but according to Mine.”

And that’s what we did as a church. I even remember declaring to our congregation during a service that I saw the Lord giving us a world-class auditorium. At that time, I truly had no inkling how He was going to make it happen.

But the Lord did. And boy, did He answer.

Now, each week, we get to walk into a miracle when we step into the Star Performing Arts Centre for church. Not only did the Lord give us the favor we needed to build a modern, state-of-the-art auditorium in a prime location, but He also helped us pay it off in full.

There were no heavy fundraising campaigns. Just the Lord opening hearts, moving people to give, and providing in a way that made it clear: this is His doing.

So why am I sharing this with you today?

To stir your faith to believe the Lord for miracles in your own life.

Whatever area you are trusting Him for, I want you to lean in to your Father’s lavish love for you. Because of our Lord Jesus, you have access to the very throne of grace, where you can receive His undeserved favor to help in your time of need (Heb. 4:16).

The Bible tells us plainly, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Your heavenly Father already has good things prepared for you. But He wants you to activate your faith and pray these things into your life.

That’s right. The Lord wants you to ask big and pray for what He already desires to give you.

That promise in His Word. That desire He placed in your heart. That miracle or breakthrough that seems all but impossible.

When you ask Him for big things, you are saying, “Only You can do this, Lord. My eyes are on You!”

Will you do that today?

Don’t shrink your request before you bring it to Him. Don’t talk yourself out of what love has already provided.

Come to Him as His beloved child, and dare to ask Him for big things!

reddit.com
u/roddants — 17 days ago
▲ 31 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

The Smartest Thing You Can Do with Your Empty Boat

Have you ever felt like you’ve tried everything… but still come up empty-handed?

That was one fisherman’s night.

Simon, who we would later know as the apostle Peter, had just come back from an exhausting, fruitless endeavor on the lake. Rowing, casting, waiting all night long… with not a single fish to show for it.

By the time morning came, he and the other fishermen were done. They were by the shore, washing their nets and cleaning out the empty boats. Tired, maybe even frustrated and discouraged.

And then comes our Lord Jesus.

With crowds pressing around Him, He walks right up to Simon and asks if He can borrow his boat to teach the people from it.

Now, we don’t know exactly what was running through Simon’s mind at that moment. Maybe it was…

“It’s been a long night… what now?”

Or, “I’m not in the mood for this.”

Or maybe, “Sure, Rabbi, why not? This boat didn’t do me any good last night anyway.”

But whatever Simon was thinking, he gave the boat to the Lord to use. Just a simple act, hardly even a decision.

He let Jesus into his boat, and everything changed.

Because after our Lord Jesus finished preaching, He turned to Simon and said, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).

And you know what happened next…

Same lake. Same fisherman. Same boat. But this time, with the Lord in it. And that boat, which had just come back empty, now became a magnet for fish.

So many that the net began to break.

So many that the boat began to sink.

So much that they had to call for help to bring it all in.

Now think about it. That boat represented Simon’s livelihood. His business, his time, his blood, sweat, and tears. It was his life.

And maybe today, you’re in that same place that Simon was. You’ve worked hard. You’ve tried everything. Podcasts, consultants, strategies. You’ve invested time, energy, money… but the results just haven’t shown up.

Can I tell you this?

The smartest thing you can do with your boat, or your everything for that matter—your effort, your business, your vocation, your time—is to give it to Jesus.

Sometimes, we get so caught up hacking away at the problem, trying harder, doing more… that we miss what the Lord is gently asking: “Will you let Me into this?”

Like Simon, let Him step into the very thing that’s not working. Let Him use it. Take time off that fruitless pursuit and sow it into His kingdom.

Open your home to host a small group. Offer your time to serve in church. Use your gifts and skills to bless someone else.

Whatever your boat is—your skillset, your talent or ability, your energy—when you give it to the Lord, it doesn’t stay the same. It comes back to you blessed. Filled. Transformed.

Know this: The Lord is a debtor to no one. He will surely multiply and bless every seed you sow!

And here’s what I love most about this story. When Simon saw the miracle, he didn’t say, “Wow, what a great catch!”

No. He looked at our Lord Jesus… realized who He really was… fell at His feet. From that moment, he followed Him. He left the catch because he saw the true treasure: the Lord Himself.

Some people say Simon gave up a boat full of fish to follow Jesus. But honestly? That fish wasn’t his to give up. He was never going to catch that without the Lord.

What he really gave up was an empty boat and empty nets.

And what did he gain? The person and the presence of Jesus, and a divine calling and purpose to live for. Jesus said to him, “From now on, you will catch men.”

That’s what the Lord wants to give you too. More than success, more than full nets, He wants to give you Himself.

And that’s the best thing you can ever do with your “boat”—give it to the Lord.

u/roddants — 18 days ago
▲ 5 r/FaithTestimony+1 crossposts

Flourish as You Give and Sow

If you’ve ever been to Israel, you’ll know the land is special. The Bible really comes alive there. Even from the geography of the land, we can learn spiritual truths.

Just look at the contrast between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.

The Sea of Galilee is teeming with life. You see birds, fish, activity, life all around its banks. There’s a sense of freshness in the air. But when you go to the Dead Sea, it’s exactly as its name says. It’s dead. There is no life in the water. The salt content is so high that nothing can survive in it.

Now, why is there this stark difference?

It’s not that one is more blessed than the other.

The key difference is this: The Sea of Galilee has both an inflow and an outflow. Water flows into it from the mountains and then out into the Jordan River, bringing life and fertility to the land it flows through.

But the Dead Sea has no outflow. Water from the Jordan River flows into it, but nothing flows out. Whatever flows in remains, and it gets concentrated, heavier, saltier, until life can’t survive.

Now, why am I telling you this?

Because, beyond just geography, these two bodies of water are pictures of ways we can go about life.

One way is to be like the Sea of Galilee. You receive from the Lord, yes. You enjoy His goodness, His provision, His favor. But you also allow what you receive to flow out. You serve, you encourage, you give. You sow into the lives of people around you, and you become a channel.

And have you noticed? People like that are usually full of life. They’re not perfect, but there’s a freshness about them. A joy, a generosity. Their hearts are open, and their world is larger than themselves.

Then there’s the other way, to be like the Dead Sea.

The Lord is still good to you. You are blessed and have more than enough in the natural. But you don’t really have an outlet. You’re not serving, not sowing, not allowing what the Lord gives you to touch others. There’s no real outflow, no sense of “Lord, use me to bless someone.”

And over time, something happens inside.

Your world gets smaller. Your heart becomes more guarded. Your thoughts become more about protecting, preserving, and accumulating for “me.” And the enemy loves that, because he knows that’s a miserable life; a small, self-focused life cut off from God’s design for you.

And His design for you is simply this: to be blessed to be a blessing.

It’s important you know this is not just a catchy Christian phrase. It’s the very blessing we’ve inherited as Abraham’s heirs in Christ.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with asking the Lord to bless you. He’s a good Father, and He loves to bless and to give to you.

But there’s a deeper revelation the Lord longs to draw you into, where you begin to find yourself praying, “Lord, bless me… and make me a blessing to others.”

I remember many years ago, when I was a student, I didn’t have much money. One day, I looked in my wallet and saw that I had ten dollars left. And that was it. That was all I had for the rest of the week for lunch, and for everything else.

Then I found out that my elder brother had no money. Something rose up within me, and I quietly slipped that ten-dollar note into his wallet when he wasn’t looking. He never knew where it came from. To this day, he probably still doesn’t know.

But do you know what happened? My wallet was empty, yet my heart was so full. I felt rich inside.

And before that week was over, people I never expected began to bless me. Someone treated me to lunch. Someone else gave me money. Things that had never happened before suddenly started happening. It was as though I had stepped into a flow of God’s provision that I had never experienced before.

That was a “Sea of Galilee” moment for me.

Now, I’m not sharing that to put a feather on my cap, but I really want you to catch this for your own life.

Ask the Lord to make you a channel. Learn to sow, whether it is with your time, your money, your energy, or your gifts.

You cannot out-give God. It’s impossible. When a farmer plants a seed in the ground, he doesn’t receive just one seed in return. He gets a tree bearing many fruits, and in each fruit are many more seeds for future sowing.

It’s the same with God! When you sow, He multiplies a bountiful harvest back to you.

So today, will you be a “Sea of Galilee” kind of believer?

I believe that as you trust the Lord to lead you in your sowing, your life will flourish. There will be an overflow of joy, health, and divine provision, simply because you’re aligned with His heart.

u/roddants — 19 days ago
▲ 30 r/FaithTestimony+2 crossposts

Worship from the Place of Nearness

Let’s talk about worship today.

When you come to the Lord in worship, do you ever feel like you’re starting from far away… and have to work your way in?

Maybe you’ve heard things like, “Press in. The Holy Spirit hasn’t come yet.”

Some of us have been taught to worship like that. And suddenly, worship becomes an effort… a striving to somehow reach God’s presence.

Or perhaps certain songs have painted the picture that you have to “warm up” spiritually—you need to press in, push through, deal with your failures first—and then maybe, just maybe, you’ll finally sense His presence.

If you’ve ever felt that way, I want to tell you: that’s not new covenant worship.

Let me explain.

In the Old Testament, God told Moses to build a tabernacle. It had three distinct sections. There was an outer court, which was as far as most people were permitted to go. The priests could go further into the inner court. But only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, where the ark of the covenant was and where God’s presence dwelt. And he could only do so once a year.

Not just anyone could walk in to encounter the Lord’s presence. A thick veil separated Him from the people, a picture of distance and a constant reminder that under the law, access was limited and no one could draw near freely.

Praise the Lord, that’s not the covenant we’re under today!

When our Lord Jesus hung on the cross and cried out, “It is finished,” the Bible tells us that the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51). Not from bottom to top.

Why is that important? Because it shows us that it wasn’t torn by human hands. God Himself tore it.

It was the Lord declaring, “The way is open. Come!”

That means no more separation. No more distance. No more striving to qualify yourself before drawing near.

Because of the blood of Jesus, you have been brought near to the Lord (Eph. 2:13). You can have the boldness to enter the Holiest place, not once a year, not only on your best day, but every day.

That’s the reality of new covenant worship. It’s not about you trying to come close. It’s about recognizing that you’ve already been brought near.

Now, do you know that God promised to restore a specific kind of worship in these last days? In the book of Acts, James points us to the prophecy that the Lord would rebuild the tabernacle of David (Acts 15:16).

Not the tabernacle of Moses, but the tabernacle of David.

Do you know what David’s tabernacle looked like?

It was a simple tent, with the ark of the covenant—a symbol of God’s presence—placed right at the center. There was no veil, no outer or inner courts, no separation. Just open access. Anyone who entered walked straight into the presence of God.

And under the new covenant, that’s your reality today.

You don’t need to sing louder, kneel longer, or try harder just to “enter in.”

You don’t need to beg the Holy Spirit to come. He’s already here. He lives in you.

You don’t worship to get close. You worship because you already are.

Psalm 65:4 says, “Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.”

That word “dwell” carries the idea of settling in. Not coming and going, but permanently residing in His presence and living from that place of nearness to Him.

So the next time you come before the Lord in worship—whether you’re in church, in your room, or in your car—don’t see yourself on the outside, trying to make your way in.

Instead, see yourself already seated before the ark, loved and welcomed in His presence.

u/roddants — 21 days ago