Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize winner, used 'The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter)' in her latest Instagram post, promoting her new book. ❤️🔥
OCTOBER 21, 2025, TUESDAY
Entry: 6:35am, Fairview QC
VERSE OF THE DAY:
JUDGES 6:12
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, "The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor."
A WILLING HEART
The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while he was hiding from his enemies in fear. Yet the angel’s message was, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12, NIV). Gideon did not feel strong or courageous—quite the opposite! But God wasn’t speaking about Gideon’s past or his ability. He was announcing what He could do through His powerful presence.
That same truth changed Andrew Palau’s life. For years, Andrew resisted God’s call to be a preaching evangelist. Speaking in public filled him with dread—he knew he wasn’t good at it! And he felt certain he was the wrong person for the job.
But when he read Gideon’s story, the words of Judges 6:12 struck Andrew. God called Gideon “mighty warrior” before he ever fought a battle. Andrew realized God wasn’t dependent on human ability—but His own ability. God was declaring what was possible through His own strength.
That realization shifted everything. As Andrew surrendered his fear, God began to use his willing heart. He started to publicly deliver Gospel messages, and went on to speak words of life-changing impact to thousands around the world. It was never about becoming the most skilled or confident—it was always about trusting that God was faithful and able to work through him. And God has proven that again and again.
Gideon’s story—and Andrew’s—show that God often calls the unlikely. Moses felt inadequate, Jeremiah thought he was too young, and the first messengers of the Gospel were ordinary tradesmen. Yet God moved through each of them to testify of His power and strength.
What about you? Where might God be inviting you to trust His presence and power in the middle of your weakness? What could He be calling you to step into—not because you feel ready—but because you have a willing heart, and because He promises to go with you?
SHARE YOUR FAITH
God has empowered you to share His love with others. Don't be afraid, He is with you!
REFLECT
How can you trust God's power when you feel weak?
Speak God's hope to someone today.
Pray for God's direction
Step out of my comfort zone to show God's love.
God, I invite You to guide and direct my life, Your power is far greater and more reliable than my own. soften my heart to say "yes" to whatever You ask of me. Help me to believe that You can accomplish Your will through my willing heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.
MATTHEW 6:9
Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaver, hallowed be Your Name"
Right now, spend some time thinking about God's holiness. Inhale deeply and focus on these words: Our Father in heaven". As you slowly exhale, say: "Holy is Your Name."
Repeat this exercise as often as you need.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Imagine God is standing in front of you with His arms wide open. What do you do? What does God do for you?
Think about this for a few moments, and when you're ready, bring your requests to God.
Father God, I am so grateful that nothing is impossible for You. Even when I feel overwhelmed by events going on around me. You show me that You can handle anything.
Today, please forgive me for the times I have not trusted You with my life. Give me the courage to do Your will, and show me how I can glorify Your name, In Jesus' Name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE READING:
ISAIAH 62-64
1 TIMOTHY 1
ZION'S COMING SALVATION
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
2 The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.
you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.
THE LORD'S DAY OF VENGEANCE
“It is I, speaking in righteousness,
mighty to save.”
THE LORD'S MERECY REMEMBERED
7I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,
the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has granted us,
PRAYER FOR MERCY
Look down from heaven and see,
from your holy and beautiful habitation.
O Lord, are our Father,
our Redeemer from of old is your name.
Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
to make your name known to your adversaries,
and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
You meet him who joyfully works righteousness,
those who remember you in your ways.
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
remember not iniquity forever.
Behold, please look, we are all your people.
GREETING
To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS
charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners
CHRIST JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS
2I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13though formerly I was a blasphemer,I received mercy and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience. wage the good warfare, 19holding faith and a good conscience.
MARK 4:35-41
JESUS CALMS A STORM
he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
INSIGHT
The story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41 is the first in a series of four miracles in chapters 4-5 that demonstrate Christ’s power. In stilling the sea, He demonstrates His power over the chaos of nature. The disciples ask, “Don’t you care if we drown?” (4:38). Jesus’ calming of the storm is a concession to their doubt (v. 40).
But the next three miracles show that Christ does, indeed, care for the plight of the hurting, the desperate, and the grieving. He demonstrates His authority over demons (5:1-20), over illness (vv. 21-34), and over death itself (vv. 35-43). He expends His power not to gain influence or fame but to serve those who are suffering. Jesus’ miracles point to a future where, one day, fear and pain will completely disappear. When we face difficulties and trials today, we can trust His same power and presence to help us.
CALMING THE STORM
My three-year-old niece is beginning to understand that she can trust Jesus in any situation. One night as she prayed before bedtime during a thunderstorm, she pressed her hands together, closed her eyes, and said, “Dear Jesus, I know You’re here with us. I know You love us. And I know that the storm will stop when You tell it to stop.”
I suspect she had recently heard the story of Jesus and the disciples as they crossed the Sea of Galilee. It’s the one where Jesus fell asleep in the back of the boat just before a squall nearly capsized the vessel. The disciples woke Him and said, “Don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus didn’t speak to them but instead addressed the natural world: “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:38-39).
Immediately the water stopped splashing into the boat. The howling wind subsided. There in the silence, Jesus looked at His followers and said, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40). I imagine their wide eyes staring back at Him as water coursed down their faces and dripped from their beards.
What if we could live today with the awe the disciples felt in that moment? What if we could view every concern with a fresh awareness of Jesus’ authority and power? Maybe then our childlike faith would chase away our fear. Maybe then we would believe that each storm we face is at His mercy.
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt
REFLECT AND PRAY
What are the barriers to faith in your life? How can you recapture a sense of wonder of Jesus?
Dear Jesus, please increase my faith as I meditate on Your power and presence. in Jesus' name, Amen.
BELIEVING FOR A MOVE OF GOD
MAKE JESUS THE VISION
REFLECTION
Luke’s final observation of Paul was that he “taught about the Lord Jesus Christ – with all boldness and without hindrance.” Paul never lost sight of Jesus; his Christ-centered message was proclaimed wherever he went. He spoke the name of Jesus, believing in the power of the name and being a man who was not ashamed of the gospel. Paul was undoubtedly a prayerful man who had a real and living encounter with Jesus. Jesus prayed and sacrificed His life, the early church prayed and lived sacrificially, and Paul prayed and sacrificed himself for the sake of the gospel. Our journey with Gather is that we have encountered a living and real relationship with Jesus Christ, this has been the driver behind this plan, but it is also our motivation for the future. The vision is Jesus.
PRAYER
We think of another saint as we pray, Saint Patrick, whose prayer we make our own today as we think of Jesus:
I pray today that I would experience; Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.in Jesus' Name, Amen.
ACTS 28:30
30He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
