“THAT’S JUST HOW I AM.”

Have you ever said that about yourself?

“I have a short temper. That’s just how I am.”

“I don't forgive easily.”

“I’m naturally proud.”

“I don't trust people.”

“I always have to have my way.”

“I just speak my mind.”

But what if Jesus loves you too much to leave you exactly as you are?

I’ve been thinking about these words:

«“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:5»

When we come to Jesus, He gives us new life.

But sometimes old ways of thinking are still there.

Old attitudes.

Old reactions.

Old wounds.

Old habits.

Old ways of seeing ourselves and other people.

And some of these things don't disappear simply because we became Christians.

They have to be surrendered.

There are things only God can do.

And there are things God is asking you to choose.

God gives the grace.

The Holy Spirit gives the power.

But you still have to say:

“No, I will not continue feeding this.”

When a thought comes that contradicts God's truth, you don't have to entertain it.

When bitterness says, “Never forgive them,” you can choose forgiveness.

When pride says, “Nobody can correct me,” you can choose humility.

When temptation says, “Just this once,” you can choose obedience.

When fear says, “You can't,” you can remember what God has said.

When your flesh says, “That's just who you are,” you can answer:

“No. Jesus is changing me.”

That doesn't mean you fight everything in your own strength.

Paul says:

«“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:4»

So we pray.

We read the Word.

We depend on the Holy Spirit.

We seek godly accountability.

And then…

we make choices.

Because sometimes after you've prayed, you still have to close the door.

Sometimes after you've prayed, you have to apologize.

Sometimes after you've prayed, you have to walk away.

Sometimes after you've prayed, you have to stop feeding the thought.

Sometimes after you've prayed, you have to say NO to yourself.

That's not trying to save yourself.

That's responding to God's grace.

Philippians 2:13 says:

«“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”»

God works in you.

And you respond to His work.

So can I ask you something personal?

What needs to come down in your life?

Pride?

Bitterness?

Unforgiveness?

Lust?

Fear?

Jealousy?

The need for people's approval?

The desire to control everything?

A habit you've been defending?

A mindset you've been calling “my personality”?

Don't protect what Jesus is asking you to surrender.

And please don't condemn yourself either.

Come to Jesus.

Tell Him the truth.

“Lord, this is in me. I don't want it anymore. Help me.”

You don't have to pretend.

You don't have to clean yourself up before coming to Him.

Come as you are.

But don't be satisfied with remaining as you are.

Jesus didn't save us so we could spend our lives defending the things He wants to transform.

He is making us more like Himself.

«“But we all... are changed into the same image from glory to glory.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:18»

So today, perhaps don't just pray:

“Lord, change me.”

Ask:

“Lord, what are You asking me to surrender?”

And when He shows you…

Don't make excuses.

Don't defend it.

Don't call it “just my nature.”

Bring it to Jesus.

By His grace, tear it down.

Not because you are strong enough.

But because He is strong enough.

If this speaks to you, complete this sentence in the comments:

“Jesus, I am surrendering _________ to You.”

You don't have to explain everything. Even one word is enough.

#Jesus #Christianity #Faith #Surrender #HolySpirit #ChristianLiving #Prayer #Transformation

WHAT IF YOUR LIFE IS REACHING PEOPLE YOU MAY NEVER KNOW ABOUT?

Have you ever looked at your life and wondered:

“Am I really making any difference?”

Maybe you look at other Christians and see what God is doing through them.

Someone is preaching to thousands.

Someone is building a ministry.

Someone seems to be moving forward.

And then you look at yourself and quietly ask:

“Lord, what about me?”

I understand that feeling.

But there is something beautiful about a river.

A river can reach places its source never directly sees.

Jesus said:

«“He that believeth on me... out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
— John 7:38»

That means your life doesn't have to look spectacular for God to use it.

You may encourage someone with a simple word and never know what it meant to them.

You may pray for someone and never hear the testimony.

You may teach a child something that stays with them for years.

You may show kindness to someone who was silently breaking.

You may simply remain faithful to Jesus—and someone watching you may find the courage to keep going.

You may never know how far the river has travelled.

And then there are seasons when the river seems blocked.

Disappointment.

Rejection.

Failure.

Delay.

Closed doors.

Prayer that seems unanswered.

You wonder:

“Why am I not moving anymore?”

But perhaps the obstacle is not the end of your story.

A river doesn't stop forever because it meets an obstacle.

Sometimes it goes around.

Sometimes it finds another path.

Sometimes it disappears from sight for a while.

But the source is still there.

And perhaps that is what someone needs to hear today:

DON'T GIVE UP BECAUSE OF THE OBSTACLE.

Your eyes may be seeing the blockage.

But Jesus is still the Source.

«“Abide in me, and I in you... for without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:4–5»

Maybe you've been trying to fix everything yourself.

Maybe you've become so focused on the problem that you've forgotten the Person who holds your life.

Come back to Jesus.

Not just to ask Him to remove the obstacle.

Come back to the Source.

Not just for another blessing.

Come back to the Blesser.

Not just for what His hand can give.

Come back to His heart.

Stay connected to Him.

Let His Spirit work in you.

Let His life flow through you.

And leave the reach to Him.

You don't have to know how far the river will go.

Just keep flowing.

The Source has not dried up.

If you're in a difficult season right now, don't be ashamed to say it:

“I NEED JESUS TO HELP ME KEEP FLOWING.”

And if you've ever experienced God using your life in a way you didn't expect, share it in the comments. Someone may need your testimony today.

#Jesus #Christianity #Faith #HolySpirit #SurrenderToJesus #ChristianLiving #Prayer #God

DIFFUSIVENESS OF LIFE

“Rivers of living water.” — John 7:38

A river can reach places that its source never directly sees. In the same way, when we receive the fullness of Jesus, His life can flow through us and bless people far beyond our immediate surroundings.

You may feel that your life is small or that you are not doing much for God. But if you belong to Jesus, God can use your life to bless people in ways you may never know.

You may never see how far your influence reaches.

Our responsibility is not to control the results. Jesus says:

«“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” — John 6:29»

Our responsibility is to stay connected to Jesus and trust Him.

---

A RIVER KEEPS MOVING

A river does not stop permanently because it meets an obstacle.

When something blocks its path, it finds another way.

Sometimes it flows around the obstacle.

Sometimes it disappears underground for a while and later comes out stronger and wider.

Our spiritual lives can be like that.

You may look at another person's life and see how God is using them.

Then you look at yourself and think:

“What is happening to me? Why am I not making progress? Why don't I seem useful anymore?”

Perhaps an obstacle has entered your life.

Maybe it is disappointment.

Maybe it is failure.

Maybe it is rejection.

Maybe it is a difficult season.

Maybe it is a delay.

But don't make the obstacle your focus.

Keep your eyes on Jesus.

If the obstacle needs to move, God can remove it.

If you need to go around it, God can make another way.

If you need to wait for a season, God can still be working in you.

The important thing is:

Stay connected to the Source.

---

JESUS IS THE SOURCE

A river cannot continue flowing if it is disconnected from its source.

In the same way, we cannot live a fruitful Christian life while becoming disconnected from Jesus.

Jesus said:

«“He that believeth on me... out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” — John 7:38»

The next verse explains that He was speaking about the Holy Spirit.

So the river flowing through us is not simply our personality, talent, intelligence, or ability.

It is the life of God working through us by His Spirit.

That is why we must guard our relationship with Jesus.

Don't allow anything to become more important than Him.

Not an emotion.

Not a spiritual experience.

Not a ministry position.

Not a relationship.

Not money.

Not success.

Not even the blessing God has given you.

Jesus must remain the Source.

---

DON'T FOCUS ONLY ON THE OBSTACLE

Sometimes we spend so much time looking at our problems that we forget the One who is greater than the problems.

The obstacle says:

“You cannot continue.”

Jesus says:

“Stay with Me.”

The obstacle says:

“Your life is useless.”

Jesus says:

“Remain in Me.”

The obstacle says:

“Nothing is happening.”

Jesus may be doing something you cannot see.

Remember:

«“We walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7»

Your current situation is not the complete story of your life.

---

GOD MAY BE DOING MORE THROUGH YOU THAN YOU REALIZE

One of the most beautiful truths in this passage is that we may never know how much God has used our lives.

You may encourage someone with one sentence and never know that it kept them from giving up.

You may pray for someone and never know what happened afterward.

You may teach a child something that stays with them for decades.

You may show kindness to someone who desperately needed it.

You may preach one message that changes someone's direction.

You may simply live faithfully before God, and your example may influence people you never expected.

Like a river, the blessing can travel much farther than you can see.

So don't measure your usefulness only by what you can see.

---

THE KEY: KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

If you want God's life to flow through you, don't become obsessed with measuring your impact.

Don't constantly ask:

“How many people am I reaching?”

“Why am I not as successful as that person?”

“Why isn't God using me like He uses them?”

Instead ask:

“Am I still connected to Jesus?”

Because the river doesn't have to worry about how far it will travel.

It simply keeps flowing from its source.

Your responsibility is to remain in Christ.

Jesus said:

«“Abide in me, and I in you... for without me ye can do nothing.” — John 15:4–5»

---

FINAL THOUGHT

Your life may look small to you.

Your ministry may look ordinary.

Your opportunities may seem limited.

Your influence may appear insignificant.

But if you are connected to Jesus, God can make your life a river of blessing.

You don't have to see everything.

You don't have to control everything.

You don't have to remove every obstacle yourself.

Stay connected to the Source.

Let the Holy Spirit work in you.

Let the life of Christ flow through you.

And trust God with the reach.

You may never know how far the river flowing through your life will go.

Stay with Jesus.

Keep flowing.

Don't give up because of the obstacle.

The Source has not dried up.

WHAT IF JESUS IS NOT ASKING FOR YOUR SERVICE FIRST… BUT YOUR HEART?

There is a sentence from the devotional HIS! that has been quietly challenging me:

“I am His.”

Not I work for Him.
Not I preach for Him.
Not I sing for Him.
Not even I am useful to Him.

I AM HIS.

And somehow, that changes everything.

The Bible says:

«“Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price.”
— 1 Corinthians 6:19–20»

Think about that for a moment.

Your life is not ultimately yours.

Your gifts belong to Him.
Your time belongs to Him.
Your plans belong to Him.
Your relationships belong to Him.
Your future belongs to Him.

But here is where it becomes uncomfortable…

Sometimes we ask Jesus to bless our plans when what He is asking is that we surrender our plans.

“Lord, bless my dream.”

“Lord, bless my relationship.”

“Lord, bless my ministry.”

“Lord, bless my business.”

But what if the deeper prayer is:

“Lord, if this is not Your will, take it away. If You want something different, I surrender.”

Jesus said:

«“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”
— Matthew 10:37»

He wasn't teaching us to hate our families.

He was asking:

“When everything you love stands on one side and I stand on the other, who gets the final word?”

That is where discipleship becomes real.

And perhaps this is the question we need to ask ourselves today:

If nobody ever applauded me again, would I still follow Jesus?

If nobody recognized my service, would I still serve?

If Jesus changed my plans, would I still trust Him?

If obedience cost me a relationship, would I still obey?

If He took away the position, platform, title, recognition and applause…

Would Jesus still be enough for me?

Because we can become so busy doing things for Jesus that we forget to simply belong to Jesus.

Jesus said:

«“Without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:5»

The surrendered heart doesn't say:

“Lord, use me so people can see what I can do.”

It says:

“Lord, I am Yours. Do whatever You want with my life.”

That is freedom.

Because I no longer have to carry the pressure of making everything happen.

I am His instrument.

His life.
His purpose.
His calling.
His work.
His glory.
His servant.
HIS.

Maybe today, Jesus is not asking you to do more.

Maybe He is asking you to surrender more.

Come back to Him.

Not merely as the One who can solve your problems.

Not merely as the One who can bless your plans.

Not merely as your Saviour.

But as Lord.

Whisper it to Him today:

“Jesus, I am Yours.”

And mean it.

What would be the hardest thing for you to surrender to Jesus today—your plans, relationships, ambitions, comfort, or something else?

You can simply write: “JESUS, I AM YOURS.”

#Jesus #Christianity #Surrender #Discipleship #Faith #God #Prayer #ChristianLiving

THE WATERS OF SATISFACTION SCATTERED — Key Lesson

David’s mighty men risked their lives to get him water from Bethlehem. Yet David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out before the Lord.

The lesson is not that every blessing God gives us must be rejected. The deeper issue is whether we possess God’s gifts for ourselves or surrender them back to God.

We can receive something beautiful from God—love, friendship, favour, opportunity, ministry, recognition, spiritual experiences—and gradually make that thing our source of satisfaction instead of God Himself.

The danger is subtle:

> A blessing can become an idol when we begin to live for the blessing rather than for the One who gave it.

1. Don't allow God's gifts to replace God

Sometimes we say, “God gave me this person,” “God gave me this opportunity,” “God has blessed my ministry,” and then we begin to cling to those things.

But everything God gives us must remain under His lordship.

Abraham had to be willing to offer Isaac.
Job had to worship even when the gifts disappeared.
David poured out the water that represented something precious to him.

The question is:

“Can I thank God for this blessing without making the blessing my god?”

2. Even good things can become dangerous when possessed selfishly

This is probably the strongest part of the devotional.

It says that even natural love and spiritual blessing can become distorted when we try to satisfy ourselves with them.

That means the problem isn't necessarily the thing itself.

Love is good.
Friendship is good.
Ministry is good.
Recognition is good.
Affection is good.

But when we begin demanding from those things what only God can provide, they become dangerous.

Only God can be our ultimate satisfaction.

3. Surrender is not the same as rejection

David pouring out the water wasn't saying, “This water is worthless.”

Quite the opposite.

He considered it too precious to consume selfishly.

There are seasons when God asks us to hold something loosely and say:

> “Lord, this is precious to me, but it belongs to You before it belongs to me.”

That is spiritual maturity.

4. This explains bitterness

The devotional makes a powerful connection:

Clutching blessings can produce bitterness.

When we believe someone must continue loving us, appreciating us, recognizing us, supporting us, or treating us a certain way because of what we have invested in them, disappointment can become resentment.

But when we pour the blessing out before God, we can say:

“Lord, I gave this to You. I don't need to possess it in order to be satisfied.”

That produces freedom.

5. The ultimate question

This connects beautifully with the other devotionals you've shared about self-sacrifice, spiritual satisfaction, and living for Christ rather than usefulness.

Ask yourself:

What blessing am I currently clutching?

Has something God gave me become something I cannot imagine living without?

Am I finding my identity in someone's love, appreciation, or recognition?

Am I serving God because I love Him, or because I need to feel useful?

Can I surrender even a precious blessing back to God and still have joy?


The mature Christian doesn't merely ask, “What has God given me?”

He asks:

“Lord, what am I doing with what You have given me?”

And perhaps the deepest prayer from this devotional is:

> “Lord, teach me to enjoy Your gifts without worshipping them, to receive Your blessings without possessing them, and to love people without making them my source. Whatever You give me, help me to be willing to pour it back before You.”

That is the waters of satisfaction scattered—not wasted, but surrendered so that what could have been selfish satisfaction becomes worship.

FAVOUR & GOODNESS

This new month is your month of favour, your month of good news, may the LORD arise and have mercy on you for it is your time to be favoured, your season of good news, BABA will build you up, HE will answer your prayers and attend to your needs in JESUS name (Psalm 102)

Declare: IT IS MY MONTH OF FAVOUR AND GOOD NEWS, I MUST TESTIFY!!

HAPPY NEW MONTH

MY JOY… YOUR JOY

Jesus said, “That My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” — John 15:11

The joy Jesus gives is not the same as temporary happiness. Jesus’ joy came from complete surrender to the Father and the privilege of doing God’s will.

His joy was not dependent on circumstances, good health, money, or seeing everything go perfectly. His joy came from knowing God and being in fellowship with Him.

This challenges us because we often look for joy in what is happening around us. We become irritated when things don't go our way, and our worries gradually choke the Word of God.

But Jesus wants us to discover a deeper joy—a joy that remains even when circumstances change.

True Christian joy is found in being rightly related to God.

When we stop making everything about ourselves—our success, recognition, comfort, or usefulness—and simply live for Christ, His life begins to flow through us.

Like Jesus said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

The people who bless others the most are often those who are not even conscious that they are doing it. They are simply living in fellowship with Christ.

So ask yourself:

Where is my joy coming from?

Is it from what God gives me, what people say about me, or what I accomplish?

Or is my joy rooted in God Himself?

When Christ becomes your joy, circumstances no longer have the final authority over your peace.

ARE YOU EVER DISTURBED? —

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.” — John 14:27

Sometimes we have peace simply because we do not yet understand what is happening. But when trouble comes and we see the reality of life, we discover that true peace can only come from Jesus.

Jesus does not merely talk about peace—He gives peace. His peace is not dependent on circumstances; it comes from trusting Him.

Are you disturbed right now? Are you overwhelmed by problems, uncertainty, disappointment, or sorrow? Perhaps you have prayed but still cannot find peace. Look to Jesus.

Jesus Himself was not controlled by the storms around Him. When we look to Him, His calmness begins to influence our hearts.

One sign that we are right with God is that we can still turn our attention toward Him even in difficult circumstances. But when we are not walking closely with Him, we become consumed with ourselves, our problems, and our fears.

Ask yourself:

Am I looking at my problem more than I am looking at Jesus?

When we try to solve everything through worry, we lose sight of Christ. But when we bring the matter before Him, our perplexity begins to disappear because Jesus is never confused or overwhelmed.

Whatever you are facing today—difficulty, loss, disappointment, uncertainty, or sorrow—bring it to Jesus.

“Let not your heart be troubled.”

Your circumstances may not change immediately, but Jesus can give you His peace in the middle of them.

GOD is good
#God

THE FRUITFULNESS OF FRIENDSHIP

“I have called you friends.” — John 15:15

We do not truly understand the joy of giving ourselves to God until we completely surrender to Him.

Many times, our surrender sounds like:

“I will do it if…”
“Well, I suppose I have to give my life to God.”

There is no real joy in surrender when we are still holding back.

But when we truly surrender ourselves to Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to show us the joy that Jesus had in doing the Father's will.

Jesus is our example. He said:

> “I delight to do Thy will, O my God.” — Psalm 40:8



Jesus did not obey God with constant complaints. He willingly gave Himself because He loved the Father.

Is Jesus truly first in my life?

Self-sacrifice has no real value if Jesus is not at the centre of it.

We may sacrifice our time, money, comfort, or relationships, but the most important question is:

Am I doing it because I love Jesus?

When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, surrender becomes an expression of love rather than a burden.

Love like Jesus

We must also be careful not to allow our personal preferences to control who we love.

Sometimes we naturally feel closer to certain people because we have similar interests, personalities, or backgrounds. But as Christians, Jesus should be our greatest connection.

Christian love is not simply about loving people we naturally like.

It means learning to love people the way God loves them.

Jesus said:

> “I have called you friends.”



This friendship with Jesus is based on the new life He gives us, not our old nature.


True friendship with Jesus produces a life of surrender, love, and obedience.

When we truly love Jesus:
We willingly surrender to Him.
We find joy in doing His will.
We stop living only for ourselves.
We learn to love people beyond our natural preferences.
Our lives become more like His.

The more we love Jesus, the more we will desire to give our lives to Him.

THE SPIRITUAL INDEX

“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?” — Matthew 7:9

Jesus uses the example of a good father and his child to teach us about prayer.

Sometimes we pray and wonder why we are not receiving answers. Instead of immediately thinking, “Maybe it is not God's will,” we should also examine our relationship with God and with other people.

Check your spiritual life.

Ask yourself:

Am I treating my husband or wife properly?

Am I treating my children well?

Am I kind to my friends and fellow Christians?

Is there someone I have refused to forgive?

Do I owe someone something that I have refused to pay?

Am I asking God to bless me while I am hurting someone else?

Am I asking God for freedom while I am refusing to give freedom to others?


Sometimes the problem is not that God cannot answer our prayer. The problem may be something in our own lives that needs to be corrected.

We can easily mistake stubbornness for devotion and arguing with God for strong faith.

But God wants us to examine ourselves.

If you have been rude, unforgiving, dishonest, angry, or unfair, don't ignore it while asking God for greater spiritual blessings.

Go back and make things right.

Being a child of God is not only about saying that we are Christians. It also means walking in God's light and allowing Him to change how we live.

Prayer should not just be emotional words. Our daily lives should agree with our prayers.

Before asking God for more, check your relationship with Him and with people.

Sometimes the answer to your prayer begins with repentance, forgiveness, obedience, or making something right.

When we walk rightly with God, we can come to Him with confidence, knowing that:

> “Everyone that asketh receiveth.” — Matthew 7:8

Check the index. Look at your life. What is God asking you to correct?

What are you hiding?

Let me ask you a difficult question:

What are you hiding?

Not from your friends.

Not from your pastor.

Not from your family.

From everyone.

Maybe you still attend church.

Maybe you still lift your hands during worship.

Maybe people still call you “Brother” or “Sister.”

But there is a part of your life you desperately hope nobody discovers.

Saints with Stain is not written to shame people.

It is written to expose the danger of pretending that everything is fine when it isn't.

Because healing cannot begin where honesty is forbidden.

Sometimes freedom begins with admitting, “This is where I am.”

Get Saints with Stain:
https://nestuge.com/saintswithstain1

Can God use someone who is broken?

Yes.

But Saints with Stain asks a deeper question:

What happens when we become so focused on being used by God that we stop allowing God to deal with us?

A person can preach to thousands and still avoid their own heart.

A person can inspire people and still be struggling privately.

A person can have a gift without having the character to carry that gift safely.

The book reminds us of something uncomfortable:

Gifts can attract attention. Character sustains destiny.

Saints with Stain
Get your copy: nestuge.com/saintswithstain1

What do you think matters more in ministry: gift or character?

“I INDEED… BUT HE”

“I indeed baptize you with water... but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.” — Matthew 3:11

There comes a point in our Christian life when we must be able to say:

“I indeed… but HE.”

In other words:

“I have reached the end of myself, but Jesus begins where I end.”

There are things we cannot change or accomplish by our own strength. We may try harder, make promises, or depend on our own goodness, but eventually we must recognize:

“I cannot do this by myself. I need Jesus.”

That is where Jesus begins to work.

Am I truly ready for Jesus?

Jesus cannot fully work in us while we are hiding things from Him.

When He comes into our lives, He brings things into the light. He may show us attitudes, habits, pride, wrong desires, unforgiveness, or things we thought were acceptable.

Where we know something is wrong, Jesus wants to deal with it.

But sometimes we think we are already good enough. We defend ourselves and say:

“I'm not that bad.”
“At least I'm better than others.”
“God understands me.”

That attitude can prevent us from experiencing God's deeper work in our lives.

True repentance

Repentance is more than simply saying, “I have sinned.”

It is recognizing:

“Lord, I cannot save myself. I cannot make myself holy. I desperately need You.”

It means giving up our excuses and our attempts to defend ourselves.

We come before God with humility and say:

“Jesus, I need You completely.”

“He shall baptize you”

John the Baptist said:

> “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.”



The focus is not on what we can accomplish. The focus is on what Jesus does.

I indeed—but HE.

I am weak—but He is strong.
I cannot change myself—but He can change me.
I cannot make myself holy—but He sanctifies me.
I cannot do it—but He can.

Stop trying to do God's work through your own strength.

Come to the point where you can honestly say:

> “I indeed am at the end of myself—but He begins there.”

Get to the place where Jesus does everything.

COMPLETENESS

“And I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Whenever something begins to disturb your relationship with Jesus, turn to Him immediately and ask Him to give you His rest.

Don't allow anything that is destroying your peace to remain in your heart.

When you become troubled, overly focused on yourself, or worried about what people think about you, bring it to Jesus.

Self-consciousness can slowly lead to self-pity:

“Nobody understands me.”

“They should apologize to me.”

“I need to explain myself.”

“People should recognize what I have done.”


Instead of focusing on yourself and what people are doing, turn your attention back to Christ.

Ask God to make you more conscious of Christ than you are of yourself.

What does completeness mean?

A complete Christian life is like the life of a child—simple, trusting, and restful.

A child does not constantly analyze everything. A child trusts.

When we are constantly asking, “Am I doing God's will? Is God pleased with me? Is God answering my prayer?” it can show that we have lost our sense of rest in God.

A child of God learns to trust that God is present, God is working, and God hears prayer.

When we move away from God's will, we begin to feel the need to ask, “Lord, what is Your will?” But as we remain close to Him, our lives naturally begin to follow His will.

Jesus does not want us to live constantly focused on ourselves.

He says:

> “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28


The more we focus on Jesus, the less we become controlled by ourselves.

Don't spend your life thinking about how people see you, whether they appreciate you, or whether they understand you.

Look to Jesus.

Where Jesus is truly in control, He brings rest, peace, stability, and completeness.

Very important for our kids

GOD take away what needs to be taken away as I behold you.

Let me ask you something I want you to sit with honestly.

Do you know why you are alive?

Not the biological answer. Not — because my parents had me. I mean the specific answer. The personal answer. The one that is true about you specifically, and not about the person sitting next to you.

Most people have never seriously asked this question. And it is the most important question of your life. Because when you genuinely answer it — when you discover what God specifically designed you for — everything else begins to organise around that answer.

The Bible calls it a mandate. A specific, God-issued, God-designed, God-empowered assignment — placed in you before you were born.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart.” — Jeremiah 1:5

The mandate came before you did.

There are three things you must do with your divine mandate:

DISCOVER IT—It is already in you. Pay attention to what breaks your heart. Notice what you do naturally that others find difficult. Pray specifically: Lord, what did You design me for?

DEVELOP IT — Joseph had the dream at seventeen. But it took thirteen years of pit and prison before the throne. God gave the gift. The difficulty developed the character the gift would need. Daniel studied for three years and came out ten times better than everyone else. Divine gift + human diligence = excellence that neither produces alone.

DEPLOY IT — David “served the purpose of God in his own generation” (Acts 13:36) and then rested. Find your mandate. Develop it. Deploy it in service to your generation. Not waiting for a bigger platform. Start where you are, with what you have.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” — Ephesians 2:10

You are a masterpiece with a mandate. Discover it. Develop it. Deploy it. 🏾

#DivineMandate #Purpose #BornForAReason #YoungPeople #ChristianFaith

You can look holy and still be hurting.

What if the person everyone thinks is spiritually strong is secretly struggling with something nobody knows about?

What if they still pray?
Still worship?
Still preach?
Still serve?
Still say, “God is good”?

What if they genuinely love God… but are carrying a hidden stain?

Saints with Stain is a story about people who look like they have everything together spiritually, while beneath the surface, they are wrestling with things they don't know how to confront.

Because sometimes the greatest danger isn't falling publicly.

It's learning how to hide privately.

This book will make you look beyond appearances—and perhaps look honestly at yourself.

Saints with Stain
Get your copy:
nestuge.com/saintswithstain1

You can also visit my store:
My Nestuge Store: https://nestuge.me/nwankwoifediuche

Who do you think needs to read this book?