TITLE: MIRROR, MIRROR: DISTORTED REFLECTIONS

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 (NIV)

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit”

Devotional

Have you ever tried looking at a smashed-up mirror? If yes, what do you see? You will see a distorted image of you. Will you then say that the image the mirror shows you is really who you are? Of course not! On the other hand, when you look at the mirror when it is unbroken, it shows you exactly how you look. That is what the mirror of God’s word does to you; it shows you who you really are.

Viewing ourselves with standards other than God’s view causes us to see distorted images of us. We experience common struggles with low self-image, feelings of inadequacy, comparison to others, societal pressures, unrealistic standards, and negative self-talk which may lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, jealousy, envy, insecurity, depression and many other negativities.

Are you trying to live up to the societal standards of beauty, success, and worthiness? Striving to meet these standards can lead to dissatisfaction with oneself. Do you often have inner dialogue or hear inner voices of criticism that have led to a pattern of negative self-talk, self doubt or self worth? This can be damaging to your self-esteem and overall well-being. 

Here are a few reflective questions:

• What is my standard that I live by?
• Do I practise self-compassion? 
• Do I feel inadequate? If yes, why?

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, help me use your word as my standard always. Help me to be confident to show the world who and what my standard is. Lord, let my ways, fashioned by your word and standard prove to the world that that is the way to go.

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them:

The word of God is my mirror. I am a divine creation with purpose and worth. I am grace personified. I will show the world who my God is.

Do have an awe-mazing day. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow

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TITLE: THE IMPORTANCE OF SAYING NO - ESTABLISHING BOUNDARIES

The bible verses for today’s devotional are: i. Romans 12:2 ii. Matthew 5:37 (NIV)

1. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
2. All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'

Devotional:

Have you ever found yourself saying "yes" to something just because you didn’t want to disappoint someone, even though you really wanted to say "no"? Maybe it was an invitation to go somewhere you didn’t want to go, or a request to do something that didn’t sit right with you. Learning to say "no" is tough, but it is essential for establishing healthy boundaries in your life.

Saying "no" is not about being selfish, it’s about knowing your limits and protecting your well-being. Jesus teaches us in Matthew to let our "yes" be yes and our "no" be no. This means being clear and honest about our commitments and limits. It is a way of respecting ourselves and others by being genuine and straightforward.

Think about Jesus during His ministry. Despite the enormous demands on His time, He often withdrew to lonely places to pray and rest. He knew the importance of setting boundaries to stay connected to His Father and to recharge. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to set boundaries, how much more do we?

Consider the story of Moses in Exodus. Moses was trying to do everything for the Israelites by himself, and he was exhausted. His father-in-law, Jethro, saw this and advised him to delegate responsibilities. By saying "no" to some tasks, Moses was able to lead more effectively and maintain his strength.

Establishing boundaries also helps us maintain our integrity. When we say "yes" to everything, we risk overcommitting and not being able to fulfil our promises. This can lead to stress, burnout, and disappointment. Saying "no" when necessary allows us to focus on what truly matters and be more present and effective in the things we say "yes" to.

Here are a few reflective questions:

• What are some situations where I find it difficult to say "no"? Why do I think that is?
• How do I feel when I say "yes" to something I don’t really want to do?
• What are some benefits I’ve experienced when I've set healthy boundaries?
• How can I practise saying "no" in a respectful and loving way this week?

Let us pray:

Dear God, thank you for the wisdom to know my limits and the courage to say "no" when needed. Help me to establish healthy boundaries that honour You and protect my well-being. Teach me to be clear and honest in my commitments, and guide me to make choices that reflect Your love and truth. Amen.

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them

I will not allow myself to be pressured to say yes when I truly need to say no.

I establish boundaries that honour God and protect my well-being.

This week, identify one area where you need to establish a boundary. Practice saying "no" in a respectful and loving way. Reflect on how this decision impacts your stress levels and sense of well-being. Share your experience with a friend or family member, and encourage each other to maintain healthy boundaries.

Do have a pleasant day. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow.

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TITLE: CREATED UNIQUE - CELEBRATING YOUR INDIVIDUALITY

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Devotional:

Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Maybe you wish you could be more like someone else – someone who seems to have it all together. It is really easy to fall into the trap of comparison, especially in a world where social media makes everyone else's life look perfect. But here is the truth… you are unique, and that is something to celebrate! 

God made you with a purpose. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, just as the Psalmist says. Think about that for a second. Out of billions of people in the world, there is no one exactly like you. You have a unique blend of talents, passions, and characteristics that make you who you are. And that is amazing!

Remember the story of David. When he was a young shepherd, no one thought he could defeat Goliath, a giant warrior. But David didn’t try to be someone else, he didn’t put on King Saul’s armour because it didn’t fit him. Instead, he used the skills he had honed while tending sheep…his slingshot and his faith in God. By being himself, David achieved something incredible. He became a national hero at a young age.

Even when Jesus was choosing his disciples, he chose a group of very different people, fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot. They were not perfect, and they were different. But Jesus saw their potential and loved them for who they were. 

Your individuality is a gift from God. Embrace it! The things that make you different are the things that make you special. When you celebrate your individuality, you are not just honouring yourself, you are honouring the God who created you.

Here are a few reflective questions

• What are some unique qualities or talents I have that I sometimes take for granted?
• Can I think of a time when trying to be like someone else didn’t work out well for me? What did I learn from that experience?
• How can I use your unique gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God?
• In what ways can I remind yourself daily of my worth and uniqueness in God’s eyes?

Let us pray

Dear God, thank you for making me unique. Help me to see myself through Your eyes and appreciate the wonderful way You have created me. Give me the strength to embrace my individuality and use my gifts for Your glory. 

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them

I am special.

I am unique and worthy.

Take some time this week to write down at least three qualities or talents that make you unique. Reflect on how you can use these qualities in your daily life to serve others and bring joy to those around you

Do have a pleasant day. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow.

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TITLE: Made in His image; You are made in His image

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: Romans 8:29a (NIV)

“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son”

Devotional:

The Bible tells us that man was made in the image of God. Of course, as we walk the earth, we may not exactly be ‘acting’ like God but Romans  8:29a tells us that God wants us to ‘conform’, to become like His son. Now, that takes knowledge, a willingness to change, and intentional action to do our bit to strive to become like Christ. One would wonder, “why do we need to do that?” The answer is in Matthew 5:14 which says You are the light of the world. When people see you, they should see Jesus. 

How do we conform to His image? Romans 12:2  admonishes us not to conform to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

We can learn how to conform to His image through the Word of God, and through His Spirit, which will enable us to make the required changes to our life. Another way is to ask ourselves what Jesus would do in every situation we find ourselves and try to do likewise.

Here are a few reflective questions:

What implication does being made in the image of God have on my:

• Academic/Work? - Social Life? - Spiritual Life

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, help me conform daily to the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. That when people see or know me, they will have a ‘God experience’ with me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them

I am made in the image of God and I will showcase God’s excellence through my life today.

Do have an excellent day. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow

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