CHOICES MADE TODAY WILL FOR SURE AFFECT OUR TOMORROW.
As we begin 2026 new chapter, Paul’s words in Philippians 4:1–8 offer great wisdom and spiritual clarity. These intentional steps of faith affirm our identity, belief, behaviour, and ultimately our destiny.
Let’s walk through them together:
1. “Stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”
Choose to be anchored in your identity. You are loved, not for what you do, but for who you are in Christ.
2. “Be of the same mind in the Lord.”
Choose unity. Resolve conflict intentionally. Never forget, division delays destiny.
3. “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
Choose joy. Not circumstantial happiness, but Spirit-rooted rejoicing. Joy is resistance. Joy is warfare.
4. “In everything by prayer…”
Choose prayer. Make it your lifestyle, not your emergency calls.
5. “Be anxious for nothing…”
Choose response over reaction. Anxiety shrinks vision. Prayer expands peace.
6. “Meditate on these things…”
Choose to protect your mind. Remember your thoughts shape your beliefs. Your beliefs shape your destiny.
As we journey 2026, let’s do so with:
• Gratitude for what God has done.
• Faith for what He’s about to do.
• Purpose that refuses to settle.
• Prayer that refuses to quit.
So, let’s walk into this year with courage in our step and surrender in our hearts, united, expectant, anchored, and ready for the story God is still unfolding.
For our future is not something we wait for. It’s something we build, choice by choice, step by step, in Christ.
“Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 (KJV)
We are still in the opening weeks of January. As one year ended and another began, many people around the world set new goals and intentions, commonly known as New Year resolutions. A fresh year often brings fresh motivation, but experience tells us that good intentions can quickly fade. The question is not whether we make resolutions, but whether we choose ones that will truly sustain us.
Micah 7:7 offers us a set of resolutions that never expire. Written against a backdrop of turmoil and uncertainty, this verse reminds us that God remains faithful even when the world feels unstable. Within this single verse, Micah reveals three powerful, timeless commitments that provide direction for every believer:
“Look unto the Lord” – Faith
“Wait for the God of my salvation” – Patience
“My God will hear me” – Trust
These are not temporary objectives, but spiritual resolutions that anchor us throughout every season of life.
1. A Resolution of Faith: Look Unto the Lord
Micah begins by fixing his focus on God. Faith is not merely believing in God, it is choosing to live with our eyes set on Him. Scripture reminds us that “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). As we move through this year, our journey must be shaped by God’s promises rather than by what we see around us. When we allow God’s Word to guide us, it becomes a lamp to our feet and a light for our path.
2. A Resolution of Patience: Wait for God
Waiting does not come easily, yet Micah understood that strength is renewed in the waiting. Isaiah 40:31 assures us that those who wait on the Lord will rise with renewed strength. Patience grows when we trust God’s timing, remembering that He “makes everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
3. A Resolution of Trust: My God Will Hear Me
Micah’s confidence rests in the certainty that God hears him. This is not wishful thinking; it is trust grounded in God’s character. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them” (Psalm 34:17). When we pray, we can be confident that our God listens and responds.
So, Moving Forward
As we continue into this new year, let us embrace these lasting resolutions: to live by faith, to wait with patience, and to trust with confidence. These commitments do not depend on circumstances but on God’s unchanging faithfulness.
May our journey in 2026 be marked by faith, patience, and unwavering trust in the God who hears and answers the cries of His people. And as we make these good resolutions, let us lean on His grace to see them fulfilled for His glory.
In 1988, the unthinkable happened in our family when our 13 month old son Jamie, died suddenly. In a blur of blue lights, we raced behind the paramedics as he was rushed to hospital but when we arrived, we were told there was nothing the doctors could do. Jamie had gone to be with the Lord. Later that day as I stood in the Chapel of Rest at the hospital, my heart shattered, I cried out to God and asked Him to bring Jamie back. In the quiet, I felt God speak into my spirit: “He will not come back to you, but you will go to him one day.”
I later learned these were the words God spoke to King David after the loss of his own son. Over the years, those words have given me immense hope and comfort because they remind me that there is a world beyond this one. I believe we will see Jamie again one day. Today, January 16th would have been Jamie’s 38th birthday. It is almost hard to believe that so much time has passed, as the events of that day still sometimes feel like they happened just yesterday. Throughout the years we have been sustained by one miraculous truth – heaven is real. If you have lost someone you love, you will know the heartache of earthly loss but I want to encourage you to know and believe that Heaven is not a myth, it is a very real place.
The Scriptures provide a wealth of details about Heaven. It is where God lives (Psalm 23:1) and was designed for us. God doesn’t need a place to live; He is self-sufficient. However, He made Heaven for us. God’s heart was to create a home and a family, and He loves us so much that He has adopted us into His family so that we can spend eternity with Him. But He also gave us a choice. Where we spend eternity will be determined by the choices we make in this life—whether we choose to accept the free gift of Jesus or not.
What is Heaven like?
Jesus said that He would go to prepare a place for us (John 14:3). In Revelation 22, we are given a beautiful picture of a place with trees and a river “clear as crystal” flowing down the middle of the street. Heaven is also described as a place where God’s people will live with Him forever, and where all tears, grief, pain, and death will be wiped away. It is a place where the “old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21). If you are like me, sometimes you might think: “Lord, it’s dreadful down here…” But the thought of a perfect world to come with no pain gives us great hope.
Living for Today
While we look forward to eternity with great expectancy, it is important to live with purpose while on this Earth—to be fully present in the life we have been given. It is ok to dream and look forward to a day when we can shed our “suit” of flesh and blood, but we should not forget that God has a purpose for us now.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul says that we are ambassadors of Christ. If I was a political ambassador, it would mean that I had an important purpose but that ultimately, I was a citizen of another country. The same is true when we are Christ’s ambassadors. Our appointment and purpose are from God, and we have a heavenly assignment to speak God’s heart to the country and situation we are currently in.
If you are in a difficult situation or have lost someone you love, can I encourage you: Heaven is real. As believers, it is a place we can look forward to with expectancy. I believe that I will one day be reunited with both my son and grandson. But until that day, let’s live for the here and now.
Let’s make it our goal to share this truth, this hope, with as many people as possible until the day God finally calls us home.
A New Year marks the passing of time – a reminder of the ongoing flow of our lives. Each tick of the clock brings us closer to our dreams or further from our regrets. Embrace this crossing over from one year to the next, for it carries with it the lessons of the past and the promise of the future. As you step into 2025, let time be your teacher, not your enemy. Reflect on the moments that shaped you and use them to fuel your growth: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Aligning Your Priorities
A New Year is an opportunity to realign your priorities. What truly matters to you? Is it family, health, personal growth, ministry, or something else? Take this time to evaluate where you are investing your energy and ensure it aligns with your core values. Let 2025 be the year you focus on what truly makes your heart sing: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Uncovering Your Purpose
Purpose gives life meaning. As you enter a new year, reflect on what drives you. What are you passionate about? What impact do you want to have on the world? Use this moment to refine your sense of purpose and let it guide your actions throughout the year. But remember, your purpose doesn’t have to be grand; it just needs to be true to who you are: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Crafting Your Vision
A clear vision will transform your life. Think about where you see yourself by the end of 2025. Visualise your goals and the steps needed to achieve them. This is your opportunity to redefine your life’s vision, to dream bigger and reach higher. Let your vision be a beacon that illuminates your path and guides your decisions: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2).
Setting Meaningful and Realistic Goals
Goals give structure to our expectations. Take this opportunity to set new, worthwhile goals for the year ahead. Whether they are personal, professional, or spiritual, ensure they are meaningful and realistic. Break them down into smaller steps and celebrate each milestone along the way. Let 2025 be a year of growth, progress, and accomplishment: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3).
Embracing a Fresh Start
The past is a teacher, not a jailer. Take the lessons learned and leave behind the burdens of the past year. A New Year is a chance to bury past mistakes, regrets, and failures, and to step into a future filled with hope and possibilities. Embrace the fresh start that 2025 offers and move forward with a renewed spirit and determination: “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
May this New Year bring you clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of destiny. Embrace the opportunities that come with the passing of time, and let 2025 be your year of transformation and unprecedented growth.
I am thrilled to share an important update with you as we open a new chapter in the story of United Christian Broadcasters. Since God clarified our vision through a prophetic insight in 2016, I have felt deeply moved by His calling and guided by what we now call, the ‘iSee’ vision – a vision to witness an unprecedented move of God across the UK and beyond. This vision is at the heart of everything we do at UCB, inspiring and driving me every day.
As CEO, my role over the years has grown to encompass the oversight of UCB’s work across Europe and South Africa, and it has been a privilege to serve in this expanded capacity. After much prayer and reflection together with our UCB Board, we strongly feel that within my role as CEO, it is time to focus more fully on an apostolic ministry role, sharing our broader vision and ministry and deepening our impact to our much-needed world. This shift means I will be stepping back from the daily operations of UCB to concentrate on this wider aspect of our mission.
To support this transition, I am delighted to announce that, as of November the first, Mark Oakes has taken on the role of UCB’s Managing Director. Mark brings a great background to this position, with 17 years of experience as the UK Director for Christ for All Nations (CFAN). Over the three years he has been a valuable part of UCB, first as a Trustee on our Board and most recently as our Director of Communications. Mark has a true heart for revival and a deep connection to UCB’s vision, and I am confident he will lead our daily operations with wisdom, dedication, and passion.
In the coming months, Mark and I will work closely together to ensure a seamless transition, keeping UCB on course as we pursue God’s calling. I invite you to join us in prayer for Mark, his wife Kerrie, and their family, as well as for our entire UCB team, as we step into this new and exciting chapter together. Thank you for your unwavering support, your prayers, and your partnership. This new season represents a significant milestone for UCB, and I believe it will be a season of extraordinary growth and impact. Together, we are building for the future, empowered by a shared mission to bring God’s hope to a world in need
In February 1988, our lives as a family were going well. We had three beautiful children, and I was moving up the ladder in my career with a retail chain.
Our beautiful three children
I have always been an early bird, and my morning routine before leaving for work was to check on our youngest son Jamie, who was 13 months old. On the morning of February 9, I left for work but for some reason that day, I did not check on him. I arrived at work and just after 9am, I received an urgent phone call from a neighbour who said, ‘something has happened to Jamie, you need to come home.’
The details were not clear at that point, so I jumped into the car and drove home like I have never driven before. As I was racing along, the word ‘death’ kept coming into my head, and I screamed out to the Lord, ‘No, Lord… no, this CANNOT be true.’
JamieJamie
As I arrived at home, the front door was open, the paramedics were working on Jamie, and I could hear the desperate cries of my wife. I still did not know what was going on, but I learned that our son Richard, who was 10, had found his brother unresponsive in his bed. The paramedics took Jamie to hospital, blue lights and sirens blazing, and my wife and I followed behind in the car. When we arrived at Casualty, we were met by the doctor and were not allowed to see Jamie while they worked on him. Eventually a doctor came out and we could see by the look on his face that it was not good news. Our beautiful son had died at 13 months old from sudden infant death syndrome.
We were numb, confused, angry and had many questions. Jamie had been for a routine check-up just a few weeks earlier and was fine. Had we done something wrong? Could this have been stopped? It felt as though we were trapped in a nightmare and we struggled to understand.
The hospital staff eventually told us that Jamie’s body was in the Chapel of Rest and asked if we wanted to see him. My wife did not feel able to go, so I went to spend some time there on my own. As I stood there, my heart cried and ached, and I said, ‘God, I KNOW you can do this, I know you can bring him back.’ As I prayed, I suddenly felt a strange tap on my shoulder. I immediately looked around, but no one was there. This happened three times, and each time, there was no one behind me. But then very clearly, I felt God speak into my spirit. I cannot say for sure if it was an audible voice, but I know God spoke:
‘He will not come back to you, but you will go to him one day.’
I learned years later that these were words spoken by King David in 2 Samuel 12:23 after he lost his own infant son. Although I did not recognise at the time where the words came from, I knew God was saying there was nothing more we could do. He had taken Jamie home. In one sense, it released me from the burden of praying for God to restore Jamie to us, but that did not stop us from feeling the desperate agony of grief.
In the days ahead, although our lives were shattered, we tried to keep things as normal as we could for our children, Richard and Natalie. Our church family gathered around us, and our pastor, John Mosey, was a wonderful friend, supporting us through the many practical arrangements we had to make. Little did we know that John would face his own terrible family tragedy toward the end of the year, but I will talk more about that in another blog post. The church’s support was incredible, but we still had so many questions. I felt God speak to me clearly one day: Stop asking me why. Ask me what I am going to do through it.
Two weeks later, I had been due to speak at our church. Our pastor said I did not have to do it, but I was able to share a short word on Romans 8:31: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us.’ I asked our church family to pray for us, and I also encouraged them to be as normal as they could with us. We didn’t want people to stay away or think that we did not want to see their children or their babies. We knew this would be an important part of rebuilding our lives.
Throughout all that time, I can say that I felt God was lifting me. I had to grieve, but I also had the responsibility of caring for my wife and children too. My mother gave me a copy of the famous Footprints poem, and I knew that despite our shock and grief, God was carrying us through the darkest time of our lives.
Today as a family, we live and enjoy a good life. It is a different life which will always be scarred by losing Jamie, but we are not broken. We have been through many stages of grief, and up until recently, I was struggling with many private emotions. In a future blog post, I will share more on this and how I feel God has set me free from the burden of guilt which I carried for many years.
If you are facing your own tragedy today, then if you are a believer, you can know that God is with you and will carry you through it. As believers, we are not protected from pain, and we should not con ourselves and think we can go through this life without heartache. But God can hold us together powerfully through the most terrible times of our lives and give us strength to keep going.
After a terrible loss, your life may never be the same again, but with God, it can still be a good life. He is the reason for our hope, and we know that one day we will see Jamie again.
In a previous blog, ‘How to turn a crisis into a testimony’, I wrote about the people of Israel and how they quickly turned from rejoicing to murmuring when they hit difficult times.
As I have been continuing to look at Exodus 15, I have been reminded that in the middle of a crisis, our response to what is happening is very important. As Moses faced the people, who were angry and irritable because of the lack of water, I love his response. He could have sought to justify himself, but instead he did not reply. In verse 25, it says that his first response was to go to the Lord to intercede on behalf of the people. And guess what: it says ‘The Lord showed him a tree’. And as Moses threw a branch into the water ‘the waters were made sweet.’
As I studied these verses, several things came to mind.
A tree does not grow overnight
Any gardener knows just how long trees take to grow – many, many years. God used a tree to bring help to the people of Israel, which means that God created an answer long before there was even a problem. And I believe He has done that for us too. Whatever bitter waters we find ourselves in today, God has already gone ahead of us, making sure that the answer is there and ready just when we face our most bitter crisis.
The answer was right there
In this particular situation, the answer was right there in front of their eyes, but they could not see it! In my experience, I have learned that often God’s answers are so close, and yet we can fail to see them. This is just like the widow with the small jug of oil in 2 Kings 6: the answer to her problem was there in her own house already, but she needed the prophet Elisha to reveal it to her. Can I encourage you that if you know the Lord as your personal saviour, then the answer to your situation is hidden within you, just as the same spirit that rose Christ from the dead also lives in you.
A miracle tree
In this story, God used a tree to make bitter waters sweet, but that tree also reminds me of the tree that Jesus died on over 2000 years ago. God threw his beloved son on to a tree to take the bitter sin of humanity so that anyone who believes in him would be able to discover the sweetness of life. You see, through Jesus we can not only have life, but we can experience abundant life.
Whatever situation you find yourself in today, whether it is the stress caused by the global situation or you are facing your own private ‘bitter waters’, I would like to encourage you that the answer to your problems lies in Jesus Christ, who also lives in you. You might say ‘David, I don’t know what to do or where to turn.’ Well, my advice is to at least call on his name. He promises us this in Psalm 50: ‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.’
He who never changes is able to bring peace to your bitter storm. Try it and see what happens.
Recently, I have been sharing with the UCB team some of my own discoveries about the names of God. I have often said: ‘If you want to know who God is, look at His names’. Throughout the Bible, God is given many names, and each of them reveal a precious truth about his qualities and character. I find it very encouraging to read these names as they help me to understand more and more about God’s ‘character’ and what He feels about us, His creation.
Jehovah-raah – The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23)
In Psalm 23, David describes the Lord as ‘my shepherd’. I love the way David personalised it by saying not the Lord is THE Shepherd but MY Shepherd. Praise God that He is our Shepherd too, for God is a relational God. This picture of ‘The Lord Our Shepherd’ reveals some of His characteristics: He is good, He protects, He guides, He nurtures, He lays down his life. And in times of confusion or grief, let’s never, ever forget that He is OUR SHEPHERD too.
Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14 and Philippians 4:19)
In Philippians 4:19, it says ‘My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ We are reminded that Jehovah-Jireh knows our every need because He sees everything, including what you need. If the Lord was able to meet Abraham’s need by providing a ram caught in the thicket that was offered in place of Isaac, He’s also able to meet our needs at just the right time. Fear not, the name Jehovah-Jireh guarantees that your Heavenly Father is able to provide any need you have.
Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our peace (Judges 6:24)
The Hebrew word ‘shalom’, translated as ‘peace’, not only speaks of the absence of noise, strife or conflict – it speaks of wholeness, completeness, trustworthiness, and happiness. True and ultimate peace is found in God alone, and this comes to us when we focus our lives on God and put our trust in Him. His Word says ‘Are you weary and troubled? Well why not place your total trust in Jehovah-Shalom, and He will keep you in perfect peace’ (Isaiah 26:3).
Jehovah Rapha – The Lord who heals (Psalm 23 and Exodus 15)
It was in the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites that God first revealed His name as Jehovah-Rapha. After crossing the Red Sea, Moses led them into the Wilderness of Shur, where they went 3 days without water. Eventually, they came across the waters of Marah, but they could not drink from the waters, for they were bitter. So the people complained against Moses, and Moses then cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which he cast into the waters. In a moment, the waters were made sweet. The Lord does not only heal waters, He heals people too. If the Lord was able to heal the waters at Marah so that His people could drink, He is also able to heal us from any disease (Psalm 103:3). When we’re weak, Jehovah-Rapha will renew our strength the same way He did for David (Psalm 23:3 NLT).
Living in a stressful and chaotic world in these unprecedented times, the name Jehovah-Rapha speaks to us that our bitter experiences can be transformed into sweet ones, and yes, we are confronted with new problems every day that make us sometimes want to give up and give in. But we can count upon the Lord to heal and renew our strength. Jehovah is the Great Physician who not only heals our physical and emotional needs, but He also heals and restores whatever spiritual needs we may have.
Stand upon God’s promise today! His Word declares that ‘The Lord is Your Keeper/ Your Provider/ Your Peace/ Your Healer.’ Don’t ever allow the enemy to tell you otherwise.
Some time ago, I felt God give me a very clear warning to be on my guard against ‘distraction’. When you are working toward a God-given vision, distractions will come, and not every distraction immediately looks ‘wrong’. Sometimes a distraction can come in the form of a compliment (which massages our ego) or in the form of an interesting invitation. And sometimes it comes (more obviously) in the form of a fiery dart.
In the book of Nehemiah, we are given some very clear principles on how to avoid distraction. In chapter 6, Nehemiah was busy rebuilding the temple wall. He had a clear vision and mandate from God, but Scripture tells us that Nehemiah’s enemies tried several times to distract him from finishing the wall. And they used many different tactics. There is much to learn from this story.
Invitation
When Nehemiah’s enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem discovered that Nehemiah had nearly finished the wall, they issued him an invitation. We do not know how the invitation was sent, but we do know they requested to meet with Nehemiah in the plain of Ono. As leaders, sometimes we are sent flattering invitations, and to avoid embarrassment, we can say yes to things which distract us from the calling God has given us. But Nehemiah was focused on the job he was meant to do, and he had a sense that these people were planning to do him harm, so he turned down the offer.
Insinuation
Nehemiah’s enemies were not going to take no for an answer. Scripture tells us they continued to try and distract him, and in fact, they sent him an invitation four times. When this failed, they tried a new strategy – insinuation. They told Nehemiah that they had ‘heard a rumour’ that he was planning to build a new kingdom and make himself the king. Nehemiah had the strength to simply say ‘There is no truth in your story’, and once again, he declined their invitation to meet and discuss it. This obvious distraction only strengthened Nehemiah’s resolve, and he became even more determined to finish the project on time.
Intimidation
When insinuation didn’t work, Nehemiah’s enemies tried to intimidate him. Nehemiah was warned that he should lock himself in the temple as his enemies were going to kill him that night, but Nehemiah knew he could not run from danger, and he also knew that if he went into the temple (a place reserved for the priests), he would be violating God’s law. Through it all, Nehemiah remained intentional and focused on his goal to get the wall built. Scripture tells us that the wall was completed in just 52 days, and his enemies realised the work was done ‘with the help of God.’
If you are a leader, can I encourage you to be aware of distractions? I believe the enemy is trying to draw leaders into distraction and to divert them far away from the vision God has given them. The enemy can do this through flattery as well as by sending people to attack our character or intimidate us. By staying intentional in all we do, and by focusing on the plan and the promise, we can see things through to completion.
Can I encourage you today to remain focused on the plan and the vision God has given you, and like Nehemiah, to not be led astray by distractions.
When I was a child on my first day at a new school, a teacher asked the class what we wanted to do when we grew up. When it was my turn, I told her I wanted to be a surgeon, and she laughed. She said ‘Do you realise David, that is a lot of studying? I can’t see you doing it. I can see you emptying bins.’
For many years, those words stayed with me and sometimes informed the decisions I made. Was there any point in trying if I wasn’t capable of achieving much? However, when I rededicated my life to the Lord when I was 18, everything changed! I discovered what God thought about me, and I discovered that His Word could delete the past and delete all the harmful words that had impacted my life. Although I had no educational qualifications, the Word of God showed me that man’s labels do not matter. The only labels I should be concerned with are God’s labels!
Over the years, I have discovered that while God’s words are the most important, the words we use and what we choose to believe as a result can also have an impact on our lives. Proverbs 23:7 says ‘As a man thinks in his heart, so is he’, and I believe it’s important to be aware of the reality of our words and our thoughts.
Our thoughts will affect what we say and our words will affect who we are. Proverbs 18:21 says: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue’, and so we should never underestimate the power of our thoughts and our words to shape destinies and our own future. Words can kill marriages and relationships and destroy churches and ministries. But words can also bring life, hope, healing, and reconciliation.
In a world which seems to be more divided than ever before (especially on social media), we need peacemakers and reconcilers, believers who will use their words to reflect the life and peace that is found through Jesus. Luke 6:45 says: ‘A good man produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil man produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech.’
I want my heart to be full of God’s Word, full of praise to Him, for what is in my heart will flow out into my words and then out into my actions.
Can I challenge you today? What are you thinking about? What are you saying? What are you believing? Are they words of life and hope that reflect what God says about you and the situations you are facing? Or are they words of death and despondency?
As a young man, another person’s negative words could have shaped my whole life, but I am thankful for the revelation of God’s Word which showed me the truth.
David L'Herroux 