Be Strong and Brave

Don't Believe Everything You Hear

It's difficult, these days, to know what to believe anymore, isn't it? Much of what used to be trusted journalism has descended into spin and propaganda - for the left, for the right, for people peddling their pet perspectives. On top of which, social media algorithms feed us more and more of what we consume, drawing many inexorably into the vortex of conspiracy theories. Back during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, the media played a devastating role in inciting and amplifying violence. State-backed radio, television and print media broadcast and printed hate propaganda, dehumanising Tutsis as "cockroaches" and openly calling for their extermination. It coordinated attacks, revealed hiding places, and encouraged ordinary citizens to kill. Rather than merely reflecting tensions, the media actively fuelled genocide, turning words into weapons. People believed them and acted upon them, demonstrating the terrifying power of propaganda when wielded without moral restraint or truth, costing close to a million lives in just 100 days. Three millennia ago, wise old King Solomon wrote this: Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. (NIV) It's been said that 'the people' generally get the governments they deserve. I don't know, but whatever governmental system you live under (and not everyone gets to choose) be careful, very careful, of who you support, what you choose to believe or reject, and what you choose to say. Because so far as it's up to us, our job is to help the righteous into authority so the people may rejoice … not blindly to regurgitate the propaganda that fills our news and social media feeds. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Don't Live a Lie

Have you ever felt like a fraud? It's rather disquieting, knowing that who people think you are isn't who you really are; that they'd be horrified to know the doubts, the dark thoughts, swilling around inside you. Twentieth-century American Ferdinand Waldo Demara became known as the "Great Impostor", posing as a monk, psychologist, prison warden, and even a naval surgeon — all without qualifications. During the Korean War, he performed major surgeries aboard a Canadian warship by memorising medical textbooks the night before. Publicly, he was praised as a heroic doctor saving lives. But behind the scenes, it was all a lie. He said he wanted to "serve humanity," yet he consistently deceived institutions and individuals, often endangering lives. His charm masked a deep dishonesty. Though he claimed noble intentions, his life became a study in false righteousness — appearing good, but built on fraud. Prays the psalmist … Psalm 119:29-32 Don't let me live a lie. Guide me with your teachings. I have chosen to be loyal to you. I respect your laws. I follow your rules closely, LORD. Don't let me be put to shame. I do my best to follow your commands, because you are the one who gives me the desire. "Following rules" isn't the most popular thing in the world these days. And yet, the more you let the Word of God impact you, the more you allow His goodness to be your guide, let me tell you, the less of a fraud you end up being. And in the end, it ain't all that difficult because, more and more, God is the one who gives you that desire. Don't live a lie. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Who is Jesus to You?

It's a fact of life that the true nature of prominent people's character is frequently misrepresented in the media. There's their public persona – who the media spins them to be for good or bad – and then there's who they really are. And in a world where disinformation has become de rigueur, who really knows? That's not, by any means, a new problem. When Jesus landed on the scene back in the 1st Century, He caused quite a stir. As a consequence, there was an awful lot of confusion about who He truly was. Matthew 16:13-16 Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. He said to his followers, "Who do people say I am?" They answered, "Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Others say you are Elijah. And some say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Then Jesus said to his followers, "And who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Now, Caesarea Philippi was a pagan region known for its worship of any number of deities. It provides a powerful backdrop, in the shadow of idols and Rome's imperial rule, for Jesus to ask the ultimate question, Who do you say I am? People had all sorts of messianic expectations — prophet, revolutionary, miracle worker. But Jesus probes deeper to draw out His disciples' personal convictions, not hearsay. Peter's answer - You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God - isn't merely intellectual. As Jesus Himself later affirms, it's Spirit-revealed truth. True faith is a gift and a revelation. In today's culture of conflicting voices and false gods, set against the dark backdrop of decaying morality and ever-growing divisiveness, true faith is built on this confession: that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. The only Saviour of the world. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Kiss the Wave That Throws You

According to surveys, somewhere between half and three-quarters of all people pray in times of personal crisis - be they believers or not. What does that tell you? Personally, I've seen too many powerful answers to prayer to leave things until I hit a crisis - not to mention the peace and joy that come from praying. But from time to time we all face crises that have us shaking in our boots, that break our hearts and send tears rolling down our cheeks. But in the midst of all that, for me and for countless others who've put their trust in this Jesus who died and rose again for them, there's an exquisite peace amidst the storm that comes from knowing that come what may … God is with us. Here it is, as King David prays: Psalm 56:8-9 You know I am very upset. You know how much I have cried. Surely you have kept an account of all my tears. I know that when l call for help, my enemies will turn and run. I know that because God is with me! Emotional turmoil, yet faith. Tears, yet confidence. Renowned nineteenth-century English preacher Charles Spurgeon knew deep suffering and depression, and yet clung fiercely to God's nearness: "I have learned," he said, "to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." That's raw. Honest. He doesn't deny the wave — the pain, the tears — but he sees in that very suffering the hand of a faithful God drawing him nearer. No matter your turmoil, your tears, your pain … God is with you! That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Conduct Your Affairs with Justice

Is it just me, or is the world becoming more cut-throat? How often do you see large lending institutions portray themselves with warm, fluffy, family-oriented images in their advertising in order to attract new customers? But then, the first time someone's struggling to make their repayments, they sell their house from underneath them. And hey, it's not just the banks. Okay, a hypothetical … let's imagine a cutthroat industry — say, tech finance — where everyone's playing the angles. Interest rates are dynamic, contracts are airtight, and the fine print is where the real profits lie. But there's one firm that operates differently. Quietly. Doesn't spike rates on vulnerable clients. Doesn't squeeze the little guy. Instead, it offers fair terms. Extends grace. Eats the occasional loss. Builds trust. The other guys laugh and say, "Nice guys finish bankrupt." Then comes the crash. Markets nose-dive. Credit dries up. Clients default. And the sharks? They panic. Everyone's out for themselves — suing, ghosting, collapsing. But here's the twist: that one firm? The one that showed mercy? It's the one clients run towards. Because in the dark, people remember who had the light. Psalm 112:4-5 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. (NIV) Sure, sometimes things are tough, and the temptation always is to play things to your own advantage: To tell the odd white lie. To be economical with the truth with the intention to deceive. Why not? Who's going to notice? But whatever your space, whatever your gig happens to be, conduct your affairs with justice because …good will come to those who are generous and lend freely That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.