FRESH Official Podcast

Berni Dymet

FRESH is a Daily Devotional taking you deeper into God's Word + closer to Jesus. Each devotion will have a powerful Scripture verse, together with some words of inspiration, hope and encouragement. It's all about helping you hear from God so that you can live in a rich, dynamic, powerful relationship with Jesus. God's Word. Fresh, for you, each day.

  1. 8h ago

    Don't Let Screwtape Win

    Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get dragged into arguments about politics, gossip, or the failings of others? You scroll the headlines, you read the comments, you shake your head in frustration … and somehow, without even realising it, your heart fills with angst instead of peace. C.S. Lewis captured this perfectly in his classic book, The Screwtape Letters–a series of fictional letters in which a senior demon, Screwtape, trains his nephew, Wormwood, in how to keep a human soul away from God. Here's one chilling bit of advice: "Let him begin by treating the Patriotism or the Pacifism as a part of his religion. Then let him, under the influence of partisan spirit, come to regard it as the most important part. Then quietly and gradually nurse him on to the stage at which the religion becomes merely part of the 'Cause', in which Christianity is valued chiefly because of the excellent arguments it can produce in favour of the British war effort or of Pacifism." That's the devil's strategy: keep your eyes "out there" so you never deal with what's in here – in your own heart. When you think about it, that's what Christian nationalism is all about. The Apostle Paul sees things differently: Philippians 4:8 Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honourable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. You can't control the whole world. But you can choose where you fix your mind. And when you set it on Christ, His peace rules your heart. So this week, don't let Screwtape win. Refuse to live in endless outrage. Rather, fill your mind with what is true and pure – and let Jesus reshape you from the inside out. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

  2. 2d ago

    Chop the Wood, Feel the Heat

    Mondays can feel tough, can't they? The alarm goes off, the week stretches out in front of you, and all you want to do is hit snooze. But here's the truth – how you begin your week shapes how you'll finish it. Yep, it can be tough mustering up your motivation on a Monday morning. But think about it: there's something noble, something enriching about getting into it again (whatever your "it" happens to be) and doing your very best, wouldn't you agree? There's something about putting in the effort that returns its own reward. Which, I guess, is why Henry Ford once said: "Chop your own wood and it'll warm you twice." First, when you put in the effort, and again when you enjoy the reward. That's true of firewood – and it's true of life. Proverbs 14:23 In all hard work there is profit, but talk only makes a man poor. (BBE) There are no shortcuts to a fruitful life. Endless daydreaming and talking cannot replace the simple, faithful act of getting on with it. Hard work may not always feel glamorous, but God's designed it to bless us – not just in what it produces, but in what it shapes in us. And here's the deeper truth. In Christ, your work is never wasted. The Apostle Paul wrote centuries later that whatever we do – whether in word or deed – we do it for the Lord (Colossians 3:17). That means your Monday morning emails, your commute, your unseen acts of service … all of it becomes sacred when done for Him. So today, don't just talk about what you'll do. Put your hand to it. Chop the wood. Work diligently. And let the warmth of God's purpose in Christ carry you through the week ahead. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

  3. 3d ago

    One God, One Saviour

    We live in a world that offers a thousand different saviours. Politicians promise to rescue the economy. Technology claims it'll solve every problem. Self-help gurus insist that they can fix your life if only you'll buy into their program. But in the end, each and every one of them falls short. Back in 2008, the global financial crisis shook the world. Banks collapsed. Markets crumbled. For years, people had trusted that the system would always keep them safe. But in the space of just a few short weeks, trillions of dollars vanished. What everyone thought was secure … wasn't. Now listen to this: Isaiah 43:11-12 I myself am the LORD, and there is no other Saviour. I am the one who spoke to you, saved you, and told you those things. It was not some stranger who was with you. You are my witnesses, and I am God." (This is what the LORD himself said.)' Crystal clear, isn't it? There is one God. One Saviour. One Redeemer. Israel's story was full of moments when they chased after false gods, only to be disappointed. And God reminds them: "It was Me. It was always Me." And then – centuries later – that truth took on flesh and blood in Jesus. He is God's rescue plan. He is salvation. Not wealth. Not power. Not politics. Only Christ. Whatever else you may have put your faith in, know this: if it hasn't already failed you, one day it will. So, when everything else around you feels shaky, don't put your trust in temporary saviours. Put it where it belongs – in the only One who never fails: Jesus. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

  4. 4d ago

    Straight, Strong, and Sure

    I wish I could tell you that life is simple. But it ain't. It's complex, it's messy, and the future is far from certain. Not even tomorrow is promised. All we have is today. So, what will you do with it? A few years ago, a research team tracked hikers in dense forests who had neither a compass nor a GPS. Unsurprisingly, almost every one of them ended up walking in circles. Because without a fixed reference point, we all lose our way – no matter how hard we try to stay straight. And exactly the same is true in the uncertain, complex, messy lives we each live. Which is why God means to give us that much-needed reference point. Deuteronomy 13:4 You must follow the LORD your God. Respect him. Obey his commands and do what he tells you. Serve the LORD your God, and never leave him. That's not complicated. In fact, it's pretty clear. God's people were about to enter a land full of idols and false promises. And His word to them was simple: Don't drift. Don't wander round in circles. Fix your eyes on Me. Fast-forward, and the same truth echoes in Jesus' call: "Follow Me." Not casually, not part-time – but fully. He doesn't just ask for our Sunday mornings. He asks for our lives. And here's the good news. We don't have to follow Him in our own strength. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now leads us, empowers us, and keeps us on track. So, if you've been drifting … stop. Turn. Fix your eyes back on Jesus. Because only in Him will you walk straight, strong, and sure. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

  5. 5d ago

    Wisdom in the Waiting

    Have you ever noticed how stubborn we can be? We sketch out our five-year plan, knowing exactly how life should unfold… and even though, deep down, we know that our plans don't always play out the way we think they should, we still find it maddening when things just don't go our way. Take Steve Jobs. At thirty he was fired from Apple, the very company he'd founded. By all accounts, it was a humiliating experience. But years later, he admitted that being fired freed him to think more creatively. That setback led to Pixar, and eventually his return to Apple – where he reshaped the world of technology. What appeared to be the end of a promising career turned out to be an essential stepping stone to success. Proverbs 19:20-21 Listen to advice and accept discipline; then you, too, will become wise. People might make many plans, but what the LORD says is what will happen. That cuts straight to the heart, doesn't it? Wisdom means admitting we don't know it all. It means being humble enough to listen – to God's Word, to godly counsel, even to the discipline that stings. Because in the end, our clever strategies and carefully laid plans aren't what determine the outcome. God's purposes stand. Always. And in Christ, we see that truth in the flesh. Men planned His downfall. Judas betrayed Him. The leaders schemed against Him. And yet through the cross and resurrection, God's greater plan – our salvation – triumphed. So yes, plan wisely. But hold your plans loosely. Because in the end, the only plan that matters is God's … and that plan is Jesus. That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

  6. 6d ago

    The Power of Perseverance

    No matter the circumstance, one of the hardest things to do is to keep on going when every fibre of your being is screaming at you to stop. So, when was the last time you were tempted to give up? In 1968, during the Mexico City Olympics, a marathon runner from Tanzania named John Stephen Akhwari fell badly, injuring his leg. Everyone expected him to quit. But hours after the winner had finished, Akhwari limped into the stadium, bloodied and exhausted, and determined to cross the line. When asked why he hadn't stopped, he said, "My country didn't send me 10,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 10,000 miles to finish it." That's the power of perseverance. And it's exactly what God's talking about here: Hebrews 10:35-36 So don't lose the courage that you had in the past. Your courage will be rewarded richly. You must be patient. After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you. Time and again, life hits us with setbacks. Our faith is sorely tested. And yet, God calls us not merely to start, but to finish – with courage, with patience, with trust. It's not about gritting your teeth and pushing through in your own strength. It's about holding on to Christ, who has already run the race before us. He endured the cross. He pressed through the shame. And now He reigns in glory. And the very same power – the very same resurrection power – that raised Him from the dead is available to you, here and now, to get you through to the end. So don't give up. Your faith in Jesus will be rewarded. Not because you're strong enough, but because He is faithful enough. In Him, the finish line is certain and the prize is eternal. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

  7. Jul 29

    Wisdom That Makes You Shine

    Have you noticed how the smallest bits of advice from your parents end up staying with you for life? It's uncanny how, decades later, something happens and you hear them speaking as though directly into that situation. A teacher once asked a class of top CEOs what had influenced them most growing up. Was it books, mentors, training? Almost all of them said the same thing: "My parents' voice in my head." Wisdom passed down, often simple, often ordinary – but wisdom that had shaped who they'd become. That's exactly what the book of Proverbs in the Bible is all about – godly wisdom passed down through everyday voices. Check this out: Proverbs 1:8-9 My son, listen to your father when he corrects you, and don't ignore what your mother teaches you. What you learn from your parents will bring you honour and respect, like a crown or a gold medal. See, wisdom isn't abstract. It comes to us through the ordinary people God places in our lives. Parents. Friends. Mentors. And ultimately, it comes to us perfectly in Jesus, who is the very wisdom of God in human. A crown and a gold medal – symbols of honour and achievement. God's wisdom doesn't weigh you down. It lifts you up. It adorns you. It gives you dignity. It makes you shine in a dark world. So don't despise the voices of wisdom around you. Don't shrug off correction. Don't ignore the people God uses to shape you. And above all, don't miss Jesus – because in Him, wisdom isn't just advice. It's life. When you wear His wisdom, the world sees something different in you: God's glory reflected in the everyday. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.

About

FRESH is a Daily Devotional taking you deeper into God's Word + closer to Jesus. Each devotion will have a powerful Scripture verse, together with some words of inspiration, hope and encouragement. It's all about helping you hear from God so that you can live in a rich, dynamic, powerful relationship with Jesus. God's Word. Fresh, for you, each day.

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