Detox with Abi

Episode 336: When Expectations Are Not MetWhat happens when someone doesn’t meet your expectations?When what you assumed they should be doing…Or who you thought they should be…Doesn’t match your reality?Recently, the Holy Spirit highlighted this to me as I studied Gospel of Matthew 11.John the Baptist was in prison. This was the same John who boldly declared Jesus as the Lamb of God. Yet while in prison, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus:“Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3)John had an expectation of how the Messiah would move. But Jesus was moving in a way John did not anticipate — healing, restoring, preaching good news.Jesus didn’t rebuke him. He responded with evidence:The blind see.The lame walk.The deaf hear.The dead are raised.The poor have the gospel preached to them.And then Jesus said:“And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:6That scripture pierced my heart.I had to do a heart check.Have I placed expectations on my loved ones that God never placed on them?Am I seeing them through God’s eyes or through my own assumptions?When it comes to my loved ones Am I supporting them according to what God has called them to be?Or am I quietly measuring them against my personal checklist?And honestly, I had to ask myself:Have I truly sought the face of God concerning their lives and destiny?Because when expectations are not met, something subtle but dangerous can happen - offence.First hurt.Then disappointment.Then distance.And before you realise it, you may be sitting in a prison not necessarily physical like John but emotional. A prison of offence.Sometimes the prison isn’t caused by what they did.It’s caused by the expectations we never surrendered to God.Maybe the prayer isn’t, “Lord, change them.”Maybe it’s, “Lord, align my heart with Yours.”Help me see them the way You see them.Help me love them the way You love them.Help me release them from my silent expectations.That’s freedom.

Take your place!Enough of complaining.Enough of criticizing others.Take your place in God’s plan.Find your place and fill it!No part of the body is useless — not one!You were designed for a purpose.1 Corinthians 12:12 says,‘Just as the body is one but has many members… so it is with Christ.’So, take your place with loveUse your gifts to build, not to tear down.Remember…Take your place!

2 Samuel 6 & Luke 23:34David was excited—jumping and dancing excitedly for the arrival of the ark of God. Free in his worship, lost in the joy of the Lord, he expressed his love for God without reservation. The presence of the Lord had returned to the heart of Israel, and David could not contain his gratitude.But while David rejoiced, Michal, his wife, watched from a window. She saw his unrestrained worship, and instead of joining in the celebration, she filled her heart with scorn. She despised him, judged him, and accused him of acting shamefully before others. Her thoughts toward David were not shaped by love, understanding, or reverence for God. They were shaped by pride, comparison, and possibly even bitterness from her past.David’s response was clear: “It was before the Lord.” His worship was never about impressing people—it was about honoring the One who had chosen him, the One who had been faithful. David understood something Michal missed: worship is an act of the heart, and when it is genuine, it will not always look dignified to others.Michal’s story serves as a warning—when we allow our thoughts about others to be filled with negativity, judgment, or resentment, we close our hearts to the blessings of God. The Bible records that she remained childless for the rest of her life. Whether this was a physical consequence or a spiritual one, the truth remains: a critical heart bears no fruit.So today, ask yourself: What are you filling your thoughts with when you see others worship, succeed, or express their love for God? Are you rejoicing with them, or are you secretly judging them? The enemy wants to turn our hearts toward criticism, but God calls us to celebrate His presence and His work in others.Let’s choose to fill our hearts with love, gratitude, and worship—just like David. Also just like Jesus did saying - Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Because when we keep our focus on the Lord, there’s no room for resentment butGod’s love.

Episode 333: You Are Made For MoreMy younger son and I always look forward to spotting the first car with the latest registration number each year. Do you know how car registrations work? New cars are released twice a year—one batch in February and another in September. For example, this February, cars will have a registration ending in “25,” and come September, the updated ones will have “75.” This cycle happens every year, with manufacturers continually upgrading their cars to make them better and better.It got me thinking about how God designed us for constant growth and improvement. Proverbs 4:18 says, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Just like car manufacturers upgrade their models each year, God wants us to grow spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially. There shouldn’t be a “better yesterday.” Each day and each year should bring us closer to who God created us to be.So, how can we upgrade ourselves? For example, spiritually, I’m committed to studying the Bible and connecting with God more in prayer. I reflect on what I study, meditate on it, and intentionally apply His Word to my life. This has helped me draw closer to God, understand His mind and thoughts for me more clearly, and also equip me to help others around me grow in Christ.Physically, I’m trying to exercise more and take care of the body He has given me. I’m also refining my financial plans and being intentional about my relationships.What about you? In what ways can you improve and keep shining brighter and brighter in Christ?God has called us to grow and move upward in every area of our lives. Let’s embrace this journey together!

Episode 332: What is good for someone might be out of context to your assignment I once covered English session for a colleague. The learning objective was centred around Homophone. For better understanding, A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning, spelling, or both. For example:-Sea and see-Right and writeAlthough they are pronounced the same, their meanings and uses in sentences different.The task was to highlight words that were wrongly spelt in a comprehension and replace them with the correct words that also sound alike. During the comprehension session, One of my learners struggled to understand why the word knight - K-N-I-G-H-T was wrongly spelt. I smiled and advised him to read through the comprehension as the word ‘knight’ in itself was right. However, as an homophone , the word ‘knight’ was written out of context as the right word is ‘night’ with NIGHT. This reminded me of the charge or admonition we were given in Phil 4:8-9“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”Philippians 4:8-9 NKJVWhat is good for someone might be out of context to your assignment or goals.What is right for others may not be right for you,Let God’s Word be a yardstick for every decision you make . Sieve your thoughts and idea with the Word of God. Ask yourself - Is it noble? Is it just?Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it of good report?Is it praiseworthy? if it ticks all go, then go for it? Let us pray - Father help my listener and I to sieve our thoughts with God’s word so we can always live lives that make you proud in Jesus name

Episode 331: God has Gone Ahead of You this Year 2025 God says “I am in your tomorrow”“I am in your tomorrow”Do not worryDo not be anxious I just want to encourage you today that God says “Live everyday for me; live each day for Me. do not worry about tomorrow. I am in your tomorrow”So I’m here today to inform you not to worry. Do not be anxious! Father had gone ahead of you this year 2025Jesus admonished us three times in Matt 6:25,28,31““Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;”“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬, ‭28‬, ‭31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬From Matt 6:24 - 29 mentioned our needs - He is aware of all your needs - the basic and higher needs. He is aware of your physiological needs. He is aware of your need for safety and security. He is aware of your need to be loved and to belong. He is aware for self esteem and self actualisation as explained by Abraham Maslow the American psychologist. Remember God had gone ahead of you this year 2025He is in your tomorrow Live everyday for Him, live each day for Him. Do not worry about tomorrow.Because Father says - “I am in your tomorrow”

I went to the kitchen early this morning and discovered that the whole worktop, sink and cooker area have been properly cleaned up after use by our young adult. I was impressed for couple of reasons-The day before, he has been reminded again to properly clean up after himself-He washed the dirty bowl left overnight. Impressive right!What came to mind was “appreciate him for the effort he put into the cleaning today” Of course, I sent a message to him before I left for work. Whilst on my way to work, with one day left for 2024 to end, and as I round up this year’s 2024 Detox with Abi podcast, I reflected on the ‘appreciation’ prompts and the message I later sent to my son. It is easy to just focus on the several reasons not to appreciate people around us. I want to implore you to be intentional about being thankful, as we round up this year 2024. Appreciate your familyAppreciate your friendsAppreciate your acquaintances who in ne way or the other supported you through your journey this year. Send a thoughtful message to them. If you can, send a little gift, it is the heart that matters. Most importantly, thank God; even if you feel you haven’t seen your desired changes. Thank Him for the gift of life. Thank Him for His life that dwells in youThank Him for satisfying you with His lifeThank Him for unseen battles He has fought for you; and still fighting  In rounding up, I would love to leave you with these Scriptural versesPsalms 22:3- But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.Psalm 91:1*” He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the AlmightyRemember God dwells in the praises of His people, as you are intentional to live thankful lifestyle, you will continue to find refuge and rest in His presence.Let us pray----If you have been encouraged, inspired and challenged by my podcasts, please subscribe and forward Detox with Abi to family and friends.  I pray you will have a fulfilling 2025 in Jesus. Name!

Just want to encourage you that God is in the details. God is in the details of every aspect of your life trusting Him with every aspects of your life trust him with every second of your life because it is in the details is in every details of your life Thank you so much for joining me today. God bless you and bye for now.Isaiah 26:3

Episode 328: How Healthy is Your Mind?

Episode 327: You are Satisfied with the Life of God“With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.””‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬