Posts

Seeing the Goodness of God in the Land of the Living

Image
Psalm 27:13 says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” This verse reminds us that God’s blessings are not just for eternity but also for our present lives. Even when life feels hopeless, God is faithful to show His goodness here and now. 1. Joseph – From the Pit to the Palace (Genesis 37, 39-41) Joseph faced betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment. Yet, God’s plan prevailed, and Joseph was elevated to the governor of Egypt, saving countless lives. His story teaches us that no matter how difficult our trials, God can turn hardship into purpose. 2. Hannah – From Tears to Triumph (1 Samuel 1:1-20) Hannah longed for a child and prayed earnestly to God. He answered her prayers with the birth of Samuel, who became one of Israel’s greatest prophets. Hannah’s faith shows us that God’s goodness can manifest even after seasons of waiting. 3. Job – Restored After Loss (Job 1-42) Job lost his wealth, family, and health, yet he remaine...

Bring Your Problem to Jesus: A Life-Changing Lesson from Mark 9

Image
Sometimes we try everything — friends, family, experts — and nothing works. That’s exactly what happened in Mark 9:14–29. A father brought his son to Jesus’ disciples. The boy was possessed by a spirit that made him deaf, mute, and violently convulsed. The disciples tried to help… but they couldn’t. So the father went to Jesus and pleaded: "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus answered: "‘If you can’? Everything is possible for one who believes." The father responded honestly: "Lord, I believe — help my unbelief!" --- Step 1: Don’t Be Disappointed When Others Can’t Help If you’ve tried going to people who thought they could help and they couldn’t — don’t give up. Go to Jesus. Bring your problems: Your health Your finances Your family Your relationships Some battles require spiritual intervention, and Jesus is the answer. Step 2: Expect Spiritual Warfare When the demon saw Jesus, it threw the boy into convulsions. Why? Bec...

All Things Work Together

  Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” We are all created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). That means every person carries His design, His value, and His purpose. Because of this, I believe we are all called according to His purpose. The difference is whether we choose to walk in that calling by loving Him. When we do, even our struggles, delays, and challenges are not wasted. God weaves them into His plan for our good. Nothing is random. Nothing is lost. In His hands, all things work together for good. Let us trust Him, love Him, and walk in His purpose — because our lives are not accidents, they are part of His great design.

The Mystery of Marie Ostbo’: A Norwegian Student Who Vanished in South Africa

Image
In April 2018, a 21-year-old Norwegian student named Marie Sæter Østbø disappeared during a holiday in South Africa. She was traveling with a group of international students along the scenic Garden Route, staying in a backpacker lodge in Sedgefield, near Myoli Beach. What happened to her remains a mystery that continues to baffle the world. --- The Last Known Movements On the evening of April 18, 2018, Marie went for a walk along Myoli Beach. She was in good spirits, wearing casual clothes and sandals. But she never returned to the lodge. The next morning, her cellphone, hat, and shoes were found neatly on the beach. There were no signs of struggle—and no trace of Marie herself. Local authorities, including the police and the National Sea Rescue Institute, along with volunteers, launched extensive searches of the beach, ocean, and surrounding areas. Despite weeks of effort, no new leads emerged, leaving her family and friends in anguish. --- Possible Scenarios Marie’s disap...

Faith Speaks: Lessons from Jesus and the Fig Tree

Image
When Jesus saw the fig tree with no fruit, He spoke to it and said, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” The next day, the disciples were amazed—the tree had withered from the roots. Notice something powerful: Jesus didn’t pray to God about the fig tree. He spoke directly to it. This shows us how faith works—it must be spoken.  Three Reasons to Speak to Your Problem 1. Your Words Carry Power Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Job 22:28 – “You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you.” What you declare in faith has the power to shift situations. 2. Faith Must Be Released Through Speaking Mark 11:23 – “Whoever says to this mountain… he will have whatever he says.” 2 Corinthians 4:13 – “I believed, and therefore I spoke.”  Faith is not silent—what you believe must come out of your mouth. 3. Jesus Set the Example Matthew 17:20 – “You will say to this mountain, ‘Move,’ and it will move.” Romans 10:10 – “With the...

Why God Allows Delays (and What You Should Do While Waiting)

Image
Have you ever prayed for something, waited, and wondered if God was listening? Maybe it was a job, healing, a breakthrough, or even a promise that seemed so clear at first — but now feels delayed. Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of walking with God. But here’s the truth: a delay is not a denial. God’s timing is always perfect, even when we don’t understand it. Let’s look at why God sometimes allows delays and how we can respond with faith. 1. Delays Are Not Denials > “For the vision is yet for an appointed time… though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” — Habakkuk 2:3 God never forgets His promises. What feels like a delay to us is often God aligning everything at the right time. When Lazarus died, Jesus came “late” — but His delay brought a greater miracle (John 11). 2. God Uses Delays to Prepare Us Think of David: anointed as king but had to wait years before sitting on the throne. Why? Because God was shaping his character. Del...

Rising Strong in September – God Will Carry You Through

Image
Life has a way of testing us. August may have left many of us weary, burdened, or even broken. Some have said goodbye to loved ones, some have faced painful losses, and others have struggled with challenges that seemed too heavy to bear. But here is the good news: God never leaves us where we are. He is the God who renews, restores, and gives strength to the weary. The Word of God in Isaiah 40:29-31 says: > "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." This is not just a verse—it is a promise. As we cross over into September, we must hold on to this truth: God’s strength is greater than our weakness. God’s Strength in Our Weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: Paul reminds us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my...

The Lord Is Faithful: He Will Strengthen and Protect You

Image
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV) "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." There are moments in life when fear tries to paralyze us — when the battles we face seem too big, too strong, and too overwhelming. But in these very moments, God’s Word reminds us of a powerful truth: The Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you, and He will protect you. God is not selective about His faithfulness. He is faithful to His children. He is faithful to those who call upon His name, to those who desire a relationship with Him, and to those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus. If you are connected to Him, you have access to His strength and protection. --- David and the God Who Strengthens Look at David. The entire Israelite army, including King Saul, trembled before the Philistine giant, Goliath. Fear had taken over their hearts. But David — a young shepherd boy — stepped forward, not in his own strength, but in the stren...

Without the Vine, We Can Do Nothing – John 15:5

Image
 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (NIV) Today, Jesus reminds us that He is the vine and we are the branches . A branch cannot bear fruit on its own—it must remain connected to the vine. In the same way, we cannot produce lasting results without remaining in Him. It’s true that in life we can attempt many things in our own strength. We might even achieve a measure of success—wealth, influence, or recognition. But history and daily headlines remind us: even those who seem to “have it all” can be crushed by life’s storms. We have seen millionaires , business leaders, and celebrities lose everything in a moment and make tragic choices—taking their own lives, or even harming their families—because they saw no way forward. Without Jesus, when troubles strike, many feel trapped and hopeless. But with Jesus, there is always hope. He is the Way when there seems to be no way. He...

You Do Not Have to End Your Life — Jesus Is the Answer

Image
Inspired by Acts 16:28 He knew his life was over. The prison doors had flung wide open, and every prisoner was suddenly free. No warning. No human explanation. Just freedom — uncontainable, undeniable, impossible. The jailer knew what this meant: execution. He would be held responsible. The king would demand his head. He had no excuse, no backup plan, no second chance. So, in his desperation, he reached for his sword to end his own life. A man who had been working hard to feed his family… A man doing his duty… A man trying to survive… Now stood on the edge of a final, permanent decision. But then — a voice pierced through the darkness: > “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!” — Acts 16:28 --- 💔 Does this sound familiar? How many people today feel exactly like that jailer? Caught in a situation with no way out... Facing failure, shame, or judgment… Feeling like death is the only escape... And so, some decide to end it all. Maybe you're one of them. Maybe you’ve thought: “No on...

Stand Firm — God Is With You

Image
📖 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV) > “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you… Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” --- 💭 When You Feel Surrounded There are days when life feels like a battlefield — pressure coming from every side, the weight of decisions, fears, and responsibilities almost too much to carry. In moments like that, the natural instinct is to either fight harder or run away. But God gives a different instruction: > “Stand firm.” Not because the situation isn’t real… but because He is.  The Battle Belongs to God In this Scripture, God's people were outnumbered and under pressure. But instead of calling them to action, God called them to faith . > “You won’t even have to fight… just take your position.” Your position might look like: Standing in prayer Standing in worship Standing in obedience Standing in hope , even ...

You Will Rise Again — Biblical Encouragement When Life Knocks You Down

Image
“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” – Micah 7:8 (ESV) --- Sometimes life knocks us down. Sometimes the darkness feels real. But even in those moments, we can stand on the truth of this verse. Micah doesn't pretend things are easy — he speaks honestly. He says “when I fall,” not “if.” He says “when I sit in darkness,” not “in case.” But here's the power: he declares his comeback. --- You Will Rise Again If you're facing difficulty right now — emotionally, spiritually, or in any part of life — remember this: Your failure is not your finish. Your darkness is not your destiny. God hasn’t left you. You will rise again. Micah didn’t say “I’ll rise because I’m strong,” or “because people support me.” He said, “The Lord will be a light to me.” That’s our hope too. --- Let This Be Your Confession 🔸 I may have fallen, but I will rise. 🔸 I may be in darkness, but the Lord is my light. 🔸 My...

Welcome August – A Sacred New Beginning

Image
Today is the first day of a brand-new month—August. While the world may treat it like any other Friday, for those of us who walk by faith, this is a sacred moment. It’s a fresh beginning, a divine invitation, a gift from above. The Bible says in Romans 14:5 that some may see every day as the same, but to others, some days are sacred. Today is sacred—not because the calendar says so, but because God has allowed us to step into it. There are many who did not make it into this month. Beds left unmade, plans unfinished, dreams unrealized—because those people did not receive this new day. But you and I are still here. We are breathing, alive, and that alone is reason to lift our hands and say, Thank You, Lord. > “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) So, let’s welcome August with praise. Let’s declare the goodness of God over this month. Let’s bless each day to come and position our hearts with gratitude, faith, and hope. As you...

Why I Started This Blog and How You Can Be Part of It

Dear friend, Welcome, and thank you for visiting my blog. I'm Jacob — just a servant of God with a passion to share His Word, encouragement, and truth with others. I started this blog because I believe many people are silently struggling, searching for peace, and hungry for God. Through Bible-based encouragement, I want to help you grow stronger in faith and draw closer to Jesus. Writing and maintaining this blog takes prayer, study, time, and love. If my posts have blessed you in any way, and you'd like to support this work, I’ve created a simple way for you to do that. 💛 If you’d like to support my blog and help me continue writing, please click below: 👉 Buy Me a Coffee Your support helps me continue to write, grow this ministry, and reach more people with hope and faith. Every bit counts, and I'm truly grateful. Let’s keep believing together. With love in Christ, Jacob

SHOUT ALL THE MORE — When Prayer Feels Pointless

Image
  “Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” — Mark 10:48 Have you ever felt like giving up on prayer? Like your cries to God are falling on deaf ears? That maybe God isn’t listening, or worse—maybe He doesn’t care? That’s exactly what Bartimaeus could have felt in Mark 10. He was blind, desperate, and sitting by the roadside when he heard Jesus was passing by. This was his chance. So he cried out, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” But instead of support, he was met with rebuke. The crowd told him to be quiet, to stay in his place, to stop disturbing the Master. But Bartimaeus refused to be silenced. He shouted even louder. And that, right there, is the key: when life tells you to give up, when the devil whispers that your prayers are useless—shout all the more. Many are quietly suffering because they’ve allowed discouragement to silence their faith. But not Bartimaeus. He kept his eyes on Jesus (even with...