Tagged: time
Get on track
Going to university and gaining an academic award, being labelled a “highflyer” by society’s standards, moving through life at the same pace as your peers or even moving ahead of them – doesn’t mean you’re on track.
Are you on track?
It’s a difficult question to answer yes or no. For most of us this question will not fill us with many thoughts of comfort. Perhaps for some of us anxiety, feelings of insecurity and inadequacy may follow. Maybe you’re not sure you are where you’re supposed to be in life. For a few, you may be confident of our status, and feel completely secure. In that case read this post and then share it with some one who needs it more lol. In reading the first Psalm in the Bible, I came across guidelines that can help. Here are…
3 WAYS TO STAY/GET ON TRACK!
ONE. Counsel
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly Psalm 1a
Counsel is important in the life of every human being. The Bible repeatedly lays emphasis on how necessary the right counsel is on our path. (prov 1:5, prov 8:14 , prov 15:22 , prov 19:20)
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
Someone is counselling you. Whether it’s parents, a mentor, your instagram feed or YouTube subscriptions. As much as the world wants you to believe “you are the master of your fate”, you are infact being led and influenced everyday. The sooner we realise this, the sooner we can put a check on the source of our counsel, to guide us in the right direction.
TWO. Your circle
nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful Psalm 1b
Who is in your circle? Just as it sounds, these are the people that surround you; those you spend the most time with. The Bible warns that your circle also shapes your path in life – be it close friends, colleagues at work, school mates or even your church family. Your circle influences you, consciously or unconciously. My most unstable season in life was when I had the most “friends”. I lost all sense of direction and I was being pulled, enticed and influenced from all angles – by conflicting ways of life. As the saying goes, choose your friends wisely.
THREE. God’s Word
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2
To put it plainly, do you read your Bible? God’s Word is transformative – called the living Word because it literally manifests life in everyone who reads and receives it. God’s Word equips us specifically, for the individual journey He has designed for each of us to embark on.
Hebrews 4:12
If you sometimes wonder am I where I’m suppose to be? Check these three things, is anything out of sync? This Psalm explains that those who don’t have these three things in check “are like the chaff which the wind driveth away” – life is happening to them, rather than them living and navigating intentionally through life.
For those who follow these guidelines, God’s Word promises a certain end. This individual’s life is ticking according to God’s divine clock, bringing forth fruits in season (at the right time) and prospering. Please note that God’s timing as His ways are not like our ways, nor our parents ways, or our community’s ways. The ultimate judge of whether you’re “on track” is the Living God who knows the path He has set before you.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 1:3 & 6
May God in His unfailing mercy, align and keep us planted in His divine plan in Jesus name
Peace & Love ❤
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
image: v1ctor
It could be through a dream, conviction of the heart, a revelation.
When God speaks, something new is born – a vision, an assignment, a calling, an ambition. It changes the way we see all that is around us. Our priorities are often rearranged, we sing a new chorus in our hearts, and our minds are filled and fuelled by it.
“God said” starts more and more of our conversations, especially the ones we have within ourselves; as we try to defend the promise God has entrusted to us.
What should we do when God said, and nothing has happened… yet?
God said to Abraham, “Get out of thy country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing”
The angel of the Lord said to Abraham and Sarah “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “shall I surely bare a child, since I am old?” Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
It had been twenty-five years since the promise was first mentioned in the Bible; imagine how long Sarah had already been waiting before we hear of this promise. She had waited so long for this promise, that when she was told specific details of how long it would be, before she would have a child – her longing and her desire had overwhelmed her faith. Anticipation became anxiety, and waiting turned into worrying. Perhaps secretly within her, Sarah had loosen her grip and let go of the promise. Because having the type of faith that has no bearings by the world’s standards, the type of faith that exceeds mere “optimism” or “positivity”, may have been too difficult for her.
If you could utter words of encouragement to Sarah, in the midst of her waiting, knowing what you know about Isaac and Israel, what would you say?
I would tell her that the possibility of her not having a son was impossible. I would make her aware that a lineage specially chosen by God, was dependant on her having her son. I would assure her that God had plans, hundreds of years in the future, that rested upon her receiving her promise.
So, what has God said concerning you? What has been revealed to you? Is it in line with the character and nature of God? If God has confirmed it as His Word, then it must come to pass. Don’t let go of it, prepare yourself – it will come.
May God pour out over us the grace to trust in Him and wait upon Him in Jesus name amen
Peace & Love
❤
Sunday isn’t enough
image: Jason White (flickr)
Even as a Christian, don’t make the mistake of believing that your acknowledgment of God is the end of the journey.
The journey has only just begun.
You are no longer the same, in fact you will spend the rest of your life being changed forever.
You are created with such intricacy, such specific detail – nothing in this world can ever fill the void – this world alone is insufficient for you.
There are things hidden within you that only God knows about.
There are joys and rays of peace you strive for, and God has kept them in a secret and lovely place.
There is no one person without a destiny in Christ; as wretched as you may think you are, or think the next person is. God carefully designed this unique vessel, this God-inspired creation, for His own joy of loving us and the incomparable, indescribable joy of being loved by the Father.
So I encourage you today, to return to that secret place, the place that God called Jacob back to, so many times. The place where God first met with you.
Don’t ever be too busy for God, He is your sustenance – without Him, you will run out of steam. Sunday isn’t enough, everyday you must desire to rekindle that special love between you and the Father – spending time with Him in your own special way.
And if you don’t know Him, He has been waiting to know you all of your life.
Wanting to know God, is enough to begin the journey.
While I Wait
![[Image: Martin Cathrae]](https://boneflesh.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/while_i_wait.jpg)
[Image: Martin Cathrae]
One thing I think a lot of Christians struggle with is waiting…
For some people working in faith, serving in faith, sowing in faith, even being persecuted and still having faith, is not as much of a challenge for them as waiting in faith.
We become uncomfortable, we pray and we don’t hear anything, we fast, we seek counsel, and that feeling of waiting grates on us. We read over the scriptures that are supposed to encourage us, but we use them to fuel our anxiety. If God said I should ask, and I have asked, and He promised I will receive – why am I not receiving?
But a persevering faith is precious and it will only reap reward from Heaven.
When I feel like doubting God, trying to find a compromise to what I am waiting on God for, I hear the Holy Spirit cheering me on, encouraging me. Telling me to keep on waiting, not to relent in waiting, to be hopeful in the character of the Almighty God and confident in His love for me. Don’t stop looking unto God for this, He will do it.
If we are able to persevere in trusting God, even when everything and everyone else is counting the seconds, minutes, hours, days, years. We show God that our faith in Him goes beyond us getting things from Him. Instead we put our faith in God because we believe He is the only Way worth pursuing, the only Truth worth knowing, and the only Life worth living.
Philippians 4:6-7
God’s grace is sufficient for us.
Have a wonderful day.
Peace & Love
❤
Good Morning
Good Morning
On my way to work this morning, I took a moment to observe the sky, I allowed my eyes to take in every object before me, I enjoyed the peace within me, that quietness that comes with salvation, I acknowledged it. I admired the beauty of creation, surrounded by tall buildings and a construction site in my background, I was and am grateful to be alive.
I walked through the office door of my workplace and I took my time to really notice those who were already at work. I didn’t greet them all, but I wished them all a blessed day, as I desire for myself and within me I smiled. My reflection on God’s goodness this morning, did not permit me to murmur under my breath against people, to spend my time living in a bubble of fear and pride. I found, the more grateful I was, the more I could appreciate all that God had placed around me, the more I could see His fingers working everyday miracles in my life.
I bless the name of my heavenly Father, and I boast of His faithfulness, His goodness, even within me – my confidence is rooted in His sovereignty.
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High.
To show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.
And I won’t be afraid that this feeling might be short-lived, and what if tomorrow I don’t feel this way, or my morning isn’t so smooth? I put my trust in my Father, that He will remind me once again of the beauty of the life, He alone has granted me to enjoy.
With all sincerity, I say to you, have a blessed day
Peace & Love
❤
Made in His Image
Made in His image
Rightly so, as children of God we desire to look like our heavenly Father. All too often I understand the frustration when we fall short.
As one of three children, I remember how jealous I became when a family friend visited and said my sister resembled my Mum more than I did. She was clearly mistaken. The competition was never-ending between my Sister and I, to resemble our parents.
“You have your Dad’s eyes”, they would say. “You are a carbon-copy of your Mum!”
They were so passionate and sure of their observations. They enjoyed making the comparison and I enjoyed being reminded of my roots, where I came from.
Identity is a complex thing.
Whilst reading daily devotionals about what it means to be Set Apart – to be Holy, I recognised my strong desire to be like my heavenly Father and God’s even stronger desire, expressed in His word, for us to be like Him.
As the devotional revealed to me:
The more time I spend with my Father, the more I seek Him – to learn Christ, to know Christ – the more I will look like Christ. The fruit of the Spirit of God can be borne in my behaviour, my character, my lifestyle and the condition of my heart. My journey in Christ isn’t hopeless.
It amuses us when we see the resemblance developing between a married couple. They may have the same mannerisms or finish each other’s sentences. The similarities that become apparent between two good friends – two peas in a pod – so that one might be mistaken for the other. Likewise, a growing relationship with God is the avenue to looking more like Him.
Being Set Apart may not be easy, and yes it is a daily exercise and a continued goal, passing days, passing months, years and decades.
But how delightful it is to look like my Father,
A display of His splendor,
To be refined by His manifested love for me,
Created in His image, formed in His likeness.
The more we spend time with God, the more we are conformed to the image of Christ, the more we can be Holy and Set Apart like Christ.
For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:29
My prayer is that Lord, Your love for us will not allow us to weary of seeking You and spending time with You. Teach us to delight in You Lord, so that we will look more and more like our Lord and personal Saviour Christ Jesus. So that we will be conformed to the image of Christ, just like You intended in Jesus name amen.
Peace & Love
❤
Single and Rich: Spiritual Growth
Iron sharpens iron
BEING SINGLE IS BEING RICH
Often times, our spiritual growth changes in pace and direction.
For instance, discovering a new spiritual gift within a short space of time or developing an enduring faith in God, over a life time.Yes the spirit is a mystery…beyond human understanding. But by the grace of GOD , HE reveals to us, what we need to know, when we need to know it.
I remember a time in my walk with Christ, when I found it difficult to pray. I would prepare myself in the morning, and soon after my prayer began, my mind would trail off, at times I would fall asleep or say things without really meaning it…
‘When I got saved’ (every Christian uses that line right…) the idea of a godly man appealed to me. I looked forward to being completely spiritually dependent on my future husband. So long as he could pray, he could speak in tongues, so long as his faith was strong, and he always said and did the “right” thing – then our relationship – our courtship, engagement and our marriage would be heaven on earth! As my passion for God developed, I came to a point in my life when I wanted, so desperately to be in a relationship (for mostly all the wrong reasons). Being in a relationship would heal my broken past, make me more God-fearing, and give me the spiritual fervour I saw and admired in my leaders at church and my Pastor – oh and I would be in a relationship – so that would be the icing on the cake.
What I’m learning now, which never occurred to me then, is that:
My future husband will almost definitely need me as much as I need him, emotionally and also spiritually. Our relationship could not be me at one end constantly taking from him spiritually, with him at the other end, carrying the responsibility for both of our spiritual journeys, and being drained out in the process. Just imagine two empty barrels at the end of the day.
Iron sharpens iron… There is a reason why iron sharpens iron. Because both parties are bringing something into the mix, which refines and helps replenish the other – by the grace of God bestowed upon them. Thus sustaining and encouraging them both in their walk with God and their journey together in pursuing righteousness.
So, I tried to make prayer the first thing I did when I woke up, but I found falling asleep came all too easy. So I tried praying after freshening up, which proved to be more successful. Over time I developed a kind of structure, and prayer points for every day of the week, which I followed loosely. I stuck to reading a chapter from the bible every morning, so that I could gain a greater understanding of the word of God – in order to communicate better with God in my prayer time. After all, you can’t speak a language you don’t understand. And before long, I started to enjoy praying – prayer points came to me more fluidly, and my structure became easier and easier to remember and follow.
I’m learning that relationships are physical yes, but they are also spiritual. In a God-fearing relationship, what you see isn’t all that you get – And isn’t that our bonus?! Like a well wrapped present, our real prize lies within. When God says two have become one, we can’t just take it literally, in the physical sense. But what we are being made to know is that before God we are now seen as one – even in spirit. So my husband’s spiritual state should be as important to me, as my own spiritual state.
For a relationship to thrive, the commitment of time, affection, and attention is very important, but so is our spiritual commitment and accountability to our spouse. Now that I am able to pray, when the season of marriage arrives in my life, I’ll be able to pray for my husband and our kids and family members and friends… the list is endless and I’m looking forward to it. Because I have developed the discipline and practice now. I can be that Super-Prayer-Warrior-Wife I’ve always wanted to be.
This is just one example. We may appear physical, but we are all on a spiritual journey. A journey God intended for constant growth and prosperity. So where do you feel you could improve spiritually? What spiritual gifts or fruits do you desire in your future wife or husband? Now turn that list towards yourself, do you have any of those gifts?
All it takes is a conversation with God and He is willing to grant our desires.
Being single is being given the opportunity to prepare, learn and grow.
So we can enjoy the benefits and rewards before marriage and during marriage.
May God grant us the grace to grow in spirit and to go from glory to glory for HIS glory. And when our season for marriage arrives, we will be anchored in CHRIST, and our marriages and our faith will stand in Jesus name amen.
Stay tuned for the next post on being Single and Rich!
Peace and Love
❤
For more posts on being Single and Rich!
