Aurafaith: Relationships and Marriage

Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Saturday, 20th of June 2026

KEEP RUNNING!

“O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!” Habakkuk 3:2 NKJV

The Bible likens the Christian life to a marathon. The writer of the book of Hebrews said: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV).

Paul wrote to the Philippian believers: “There is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me” (Philippians 3:13-14 NCV). Chances are you aren’t at the starting line, nor are you at the finishing tape. You’re somewhere in the middle. When running a race, the start is always filled with such enthusiasm and energy. And the finish holds such promise as we run the final stretch and reach our goal. But the middle of the race—when we are long past the start and not sure how far away the finish might be—is what often tests us.

That’s why the prophet Habakkuk wrote: “O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!” It’s in “the midst” or the middle of the race that we need encouragement, that we need our second wind, and that we need to refocus on the prize that awaits us. Those who have run before us have passed the baton through the centuries, from generation to generation—without dropping it. What are you to do? Take the baton, run, and keep running!

SoulFood: Song of Sol 1–4 Matt 21:1–17 Ps 144:1–8 Pro 16:1–3

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a great weekend

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Friday, 19th of June 2026

RESURRECT YOUR DREAM

“For God does speak… in a dream.” Job 33:14-15 NIV

God is the giver of dreams. God may use dreams as He chooses. But scripture remains the sure foundation for hearing His voice. “For God does speak…in a dream, in a vision…when deep sleep falls on people” (vv. 14-15 NIV). Unless you want to spend the rest of your life being unfulfilled and uninspired, take your dream out of the closet and blow the dust off. It’s easy to get caught up in the “have tos” of life—working; caring for children, spouses, and aging parents; taking care of homes, etc.

But you must believe that you can resurrect your life and your dreams and believe you have the ability to tap into the enthusiasm you once felt for life. You must have the courage to face the disappointments of the past, take a good look at how you got off the path, and see where you are headed. Then you have to silence the voice in your head that says: “This is all there is. Who are you to want more from life? You can’t do it; it’s too late for you.” We give up on our dreams because we think that’s what grownups are supposed to do. But as we mature, we realise that reaching for our dreams is what makes us feel alive.

The truth is that with love, prayer, and great attention, your dream, like Lazarus, can be resurrected (see John 11:43). The secret of recapturing dreams is to enjoy the pursuit of the dream rather than focus on the outcome. Achievement in this case is not about position, fame, or financial compensation, but about doing what you love. That’s what Jesus promised: “I am come that they might have life, and…have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 KJV).

SoulFood: Eze 46–48 Matt 20:29–34 Ps 139:13–24 Pro 15:31–33

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a great Friday

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Thursday, 18th of June 2026

STAY POSITIVE

“Whatever things are…of good report…meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NKJV

Most of us know criticism can linger longer than encouragement. That is why we often need to be intentional about speaking life giving words. A helpful rule of thumb is to offer encouragement often. Then when correction is needed, it can be received in the context of love.

It doesn’t matter whether that system is a church, a family, or your workplace, there needs to be encouraging words for every negative. So, what’s your ratio as a spouse, a parent, a worker, a friend? Part of the reason for the disparity is that negative feedback tends to carry more weight and last longer, so it has to be counterbalanced. A pretty good rule of thumb is this: dish out three compliments for every complaint. Instead of looking for faults, train yourself to catch people doing things right. And here are a few more things you can do to stay positive.

(1) Memorise and meditate on the promises of God’s Word and anchor yourself to them.
(2) Keep a gratitude journal. It will let you know how blessed and how well-off you are.
(3) Cultivate the habit of sending a heartfelt note to people you appreciate. It’ll only take you two minutes, but you can make someone’s day, or even someone’s year!
(4) Find a way to share “wins” with your family and in your workplace. It has the power to shift the focus and shift the culture. It’ll also anchor you to your kids and to your colleagues in a powerful new way.

SoulFood: Eze 43–45 Matt 20:17–28 Ps 139:7–12 Pro 15:28–30

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a great Thursday

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Wednesday, 17th of June 2026

PRAY ABOUT IT

“You will…find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

F***y Crosby, the noted hymn writer, said she never attempted to write a hymn without first kneeling in prayer. Given that she wrote about 8,000 songs, she was obviously a woman of prayer! Beloved hymns such as “Blessed Assurance,” “To God be The Glory,” and “I am Thine, O Lord” were born from times of prayer. But like many creative people, she was often under pressure to meet deadlines.

One time she tried to write lyrics for a tune composed by W. H. Doane. She couldn’t seem to find the words, but then she remembered she had forgotten to pray. As she rose from her knees, she dictated—as fast as her assistant could write—the words for the famous hymn, “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross.” Another time she had run short of money and needed exactly five dollars for a particular purpose. There was no time to call upon her publishers, so she simply prayed for the money. As she ended her prayer, she began to pace back and forth in her room, trying to get into the mood to write. Just at that time, an admirer called upon her.

The two chatted briefly, and in parting, the woman pressed something into her hand. It was a five-dollar bill! F***y fell to her knees in a prayer of thanksgiving, and upon rising, she wrote one of her most famous hymns, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.” The secret of F***y Crosby’s success is not a “secret.” Before she attempted anything for God, she first sought God’s help. *So, the word for you today is—pray about it!

SoulFood: Eze 40:10–42:20 Matt 20:1–16 Ps 139:1–6 Pro 15:25–27

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a beautiful midweek

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Tuesday, 16th of June 2026

YOU CAN OUTGROW THE PROBLEM!

“BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME.” ACTS 20:24 NKJV

Before leaving the leaders of the church at Ephesus for the last time, Paul told them: “The Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy” (vv. 23-24 NKJV). There are two ways to deal with a problem:

(1) Pray and believe God to remove it, like He did with the walls of Jericho.
(2) Outgrow the problem. In the 1920s, an English adventurer named Mallory led an expedition to try to conquer Mount Everest. His first two attempts failed. On his third attempt, he and most of his team were wiped out in an avalanche. Upon their return to England, the few who had survived held a banquet to honour Mallory and those who had perished. As the leader of the survivors stood to speak, he looked around the hall at the framed pictures of Mallory and the others who had died.

Then he turned his back to the crowd and faced a large picture of Mount Everest, which stood looming behind the banquet table like a silent, unbeatable giant. With tears streaming down his face, he spoke to the mountain on behalf of his deceased friends: “I speak to you, Mount Everest, in the name of all brave men and women living and those yet unborn. Mount Everest, you defeated us once; you defeated us twice; you defeated us three times. But we shall someday defeat you, because you can’t get any bigger. But we can.”

SoulFood: Eze 37:1–40:9 Matt 19:15–30 Ps 73:17–28 Pro 15:22–24

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a blessed Tuesday

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Monday, 15th of June 2026

GOD HAS MORE IN STORE FOR YOU

“Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.” Hosea 6:3 NKJV

The Lord charged the church at Ephesus with having “left your first love” (see Revelation 2:4) and the church of Laodicea with being “neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm” (see Revelation 3:15-16). R. T. Kendall said, “The greatest opposition to what God wants to do next comes from those who were on the cutting edge of what God did last.”

Read the following Scriptures carefully and prayerfully: “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10 NKJV). “The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18 NKJV). “Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord…He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth” (Hosea 6:3 NKJV). “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13-14 NKJV).

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV). “May [you] be able to comprehend…the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19 NKJV). The word for you today is—God has more in store for you.

SoulFood: Eze 34–36 Matt 19:1–14 Ps 73:1–16 Pro 15:18–21

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a fruitful week

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Sunday, 14th of June 2026

PRAY FOR A REVELATION OF GOD’S LOVE (3)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:35 NIV

Paul asked: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” And the answer is–nothing! Then he came up with a long list of worst-case scenarios, from trouble to danger and anything in between: “Trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword” (NIV).

When Paul wrote “hardship,” he was back in the Mediterranean Sea during a terrible typhoon. “Persecution” pinged his memory of being stoned at Lystra and left for dead. “Trials”: Paul stood trial before Nero himself. He also went without food, was bitten by a poisonous snake, and had the clothes stripped off his back so he could be flogged. This did not happen only once or twice. Five times he received the maximum sentence—forty lashes minus one. Paul’s back was whiplashed and crisscrossed with 195 scars. Hardship has one of two effects: it either hardens or softens our hearts. And it’s that hardening or softening that makes us or breaks us. According to one poll of Londoners, 60 percent of those who survived Germany’s blitzkrieg during World War II remembered it as the happiest time of their lives.

It’s the tough times that test our love. But that’s also how it’s proved. The love of Christ wasn’t proved by His miracles—it was proved on a Roman cross. And it has proven to be fail proof. So no matter what trouble, hardship, or persecution you face, this too shall pass. More importantly, Jesus is with you and Jesus is for you. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate you from His love!

SoulFood: Matt 5:5 Ps 37:1–11 Zeph 2:3

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a glorious Sunday

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Saturday, 13th of June 2026

PRAY FOR A REVELATION OF GOD’S LOVE (2)

“I pray that you…may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18 NIV

Thomas Aquinas was one of the most prolific writers and thinkers of the Middle Ages. His Summa Theologica is one of history’s most exhausting and enduring theologies. But Aquinas never finished it because of something that happened on December 6, 1273, that caused him to quit writing. “All that I have written seems to be like straw,” Aquinas said, “compared to what has now been revealed to me.”

Exactly what was revealed remains a mystery, but that one revelation surpassed all the knowledge he’d acquired. No matter your IQ, that’s what you need. You are not smart enough to reason your way to God. You need “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17 NIV). Nothing will change your outlook, or even alter your personality, like a revelation of God’s love. But it’s so diametrically different from the way we give and receive love on a human level. First of all, His love is unconditional. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more or less because He already loves you perfectly, eternally. Even when you don’t reciprocate His love, it doesn’t deter, deflect, or diminish His love. It accentuates it.

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV). It’s easy to love others when they are at their best. But when they are at their worst? Not so much. But that’s the test of true love. Our love tends to be reactive, but God’s love is proactive. He loves us when we least expect it and least deserve it.

SoulFood: Eze 31–33 Matt 18:21–35 Ps 80:12–19 Pro 15:15–17

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a great weekend

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Friday, 12th of June 2026

PRAY FOR A REVELATION OF GOD’S LOVE (1)

“I pray that you…may…know this love that surpasses knowledge.” Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV

In the realm of general relativity, an event horizon is the point of no return. It’s the point at which gravitational pull becomes so great that it’s impossible to escape. The most obvious example is the black hole—a celestial object so massive that light can only enter but never exit its gravitational field.

The escape velocity of a black hole is greater than the speed of light, which is impossible to exceed. So, once you cross its horizon, there is no turning back. God’s love is like that. The Bible says, “God is love.” The implications of that one statement will take all of eternity to unpack. Nothing pulls stronger or longer than God’s love. Love is an event horizon, and once you cross over, you can’t get back. And who would want to? Logic won’t get you to God’s love. His love is beyond logical—it’s theological. The only way to receive the love of God is via revelation. Paul wrote: “I pray that you…may…grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

The love of God is measureless. It doesn’t fit in a box, not even a box the size of the universe. And if the universe isn’t big enough, God’s love certainly won’t fit within the confines of our human logic. So how do we get it in our hearts and minds? Through a personal revelation! So, the word for you today is: pray for a revelation of God’s love.

SoulFood: Eze 27:25–30:26 Matt 18:10–20 Ps 80:1–11 Pro 15:11–14

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a great Friday

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Greetings people
Daily Devotional - Thursday, 11th of June 2026

YOU CAN PULL DOWN THAT STRONGHOLD

“The weapons of our warfare are…mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

Just as Jericho was a stronghold in Canaan, we have strongholds in our lives. Paul wrote: “The weapons of our warfare are…mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (vv. 4-5 NKJV). A stronghold is an “argument” or a “high thing” that “exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” It is a conviction, outlook, or belief that attempts to interfere with the truth.

A stronghold is a false premise that denies God’s promise. It “sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (v. 5 NIV). It attempts to magnify the problem and minimise God’s ability to solve it. Does a stronghold have a strong hold on you? Do you speak the language of impossibility? God could never forgive me (the stronghold of guilt). I could never forgive that person (the stronghold of resentment). Bad things always happen to me (the stronghold of self-pity). I have to be in charge (the stronghold of pride). I don’t deserve to be loved (the stronghold of rejection). I’ll never recover (the stronghold of defeat). I must be good, or God will reject me (the stronghold of performance).

I’m only as good as I look (the stronghold of appearance). My value equals my possessions (the stronghold of materialism). Many Christians don’t even recognise the strongholds in their lives. But you don’t have to be among them. God has given you the weapons of prayer, Scripture, the Name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, fellowship, etc. And collectively, they have “divine power to demolish strongholds” (v. 4 NIV).

SoulFood: Eze 24:1–27:24 Matt 18:1–9 Ps 143 Pro 15:8–10

This Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright @2026

Have a great Thursday

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