Another wise man Watchman Nee added, “faith looks not at what happens to him but at him whom he believes.” Do you agree with this definition?
In the words of Oswald Chambers, “faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”
Numerous definitions from esteemed spiritual leaders shed light on this specific virtue, offering valuable insights. Many would argue that it serves as a foundational pillar of Christianity.
However, defining it in a singular manner can be intricate. Regardless of individual perspectives, the Bible provides a definitive portrayal.
What is the definition of faith?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Does the quantity matter?
There is no specific amount that God expects us to have. Hallelujah. What a blessing!
Matthew 17:20 “…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Why do we need faith?
The only thing we are required to have before we can be considered faithful Christians is to believe in Jesus Christ.
John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
1 Peter 1:21 “Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”
How does Christ live in our lives?
The main goal of Christ’s redemption is to have him in our hearts. His salvation is to make us have the right standing with God again. He loves us. That is why he died for our sins. However, we cannot receive him if we don’t have open hearts.
Ephesians 3:16-17 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love …”
Can faith justify us?
God will justify everything we have done and has conditions for how he will do it.
Galatians 2:16 “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too,…
How important is it?
2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
What are the benefits?
Matthew 21:21 “Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.”
Romans 14:1 “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.”
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Entering the new year of 2023 brings a mix of emotions for different individuals—some facing family challenges, others celebrating job promotions. We can thank God for 2022 by considering the following.
Amid diverse circumstances, recognizing God’s timing and purpose is crucial. Each person’s journey is unique, demonstrating the significance of gratitude in acknowledging our relationship with God.
As the year commences, contemplations about stability and life’s path arise, common to many.
Evaluating the past year’s progress can lead to both jubilation and reflection. Instead of harboring offense towards God, others, or ourselves, cultivating gratitude is a transformative approach.
The ease of discontentment often stems from unfulfilled desires, a trap that may make us doubt God’s love. Amidst this, one constant remains—God’s unwavering love.
Embracing contentment begins by awakening each day, reminding ourselves of God’s love and plan for our lives (Jeremiah 39:11). This assurance comforts us, prompting gratitude for the blessings of the past year—recognizing that even if we may not grasp all reasons, God orchestrated each circumstance.
Within the Bible, we find foundational reasons to extend our gratitude to God.
1. We thank God because it is his will for us.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Thanksgiving to God surpasses mere reception of blessings; it’s a divine request.
God’s will encompasses His desires for us, prompting gratitude for all His works, whether received or not. The Bible unfolds countless promises, underpinned by God’s unerring truth (Numbers 23:19) and his faithfulness to fulfill every word (Isaiah 38:7).
Expressing gratitude becomes an avenue to honor God, echoing the teachings of Apostle Paul. God anticipates our joyful and prayerful thanksgiving.
It’s worth noting, gratitude and frowns rarely coexist.
2. We thank God because we enjoy testifying of his good works
And on that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.” Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth.
Incorporating daily gratitude for our received blessings should be an integral aspect of our lives. God has orchestrated numerous positive occurrences for us.
Whether it’s the provision of shelter, sustenance, clothing, employment, or harmonious relationships, an array of God’s interventions demands acknowledgment.
Interestingly, we might not even fathom the extent of His benevolence.
While we responsibly care for our bodies and lifestyle, it’s crucial to acknowledge that divine well-being and tranquility come from Him without our exertion.
I often remind my friends and family that my experiences are under God’s purview.
A decade and a half ago, I’d be disheartened and distressed when my plans fell through. Now, I’ve grasped that if it didn’t unfold, it wasn’t within God’s will.
God anticipates our gratitude, often expressed through songs—a melodious declaration. Sharing our tales of His goodness becomes a public proclamation, allowing others to hear of His benevolence toward us.
3. We thank God because he is good.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
We are alive and have all we have because he is good to us.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north and from the south.
If you are wondering what to thank God for, reflect on all the good things you have. Sickness, pain, and evil came from satan.
Upon waking each morning, I express gratitude to God for the peaceful rest I’ve enjoyed. Recognizing the adversary’s ceaseless attempts to thwart God’s purposes since time began, it’s not astonishing that we remain protected, as God’s desire for us prevails.
4. We thank God because he requires it when we pray.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer is enumerated several times in the entire Bible. There is no negotiation for us to have a time of communication with God.
In this verse, Apostle Paul emphasized to the Philippian Church the importance of combining prayers with thanksgiving. Without expressing gratitude for what God has done, our prayers are incomplete.
Just as our earthly parents appreciate our gratitude and often respond with additional care, how much more with God?
His desire is to abundantly bless us in all aspects of life, yet he asks for thanksgiving before we present our needs. Although he already knows everything, he allows us to communicate our needs to him.
In return, he promises us peace when we offer thankful prayers without anxiety. Our requests for a better life may seem endless.
For instance, many desire marriage, but after the wedding, the desire for children and other family needs continue.
… but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father.
We thank God by honoring the name of Jesus. Everything we have and will ever have is a gift from God through the blood of Jesus on the cross. Without Him, we will be considered distant sinners unreconciled to God. But he died and took away our sins so we can become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Thank you, Jesus, for showing us unconditional love and accepting to sacrifice yourself for us.
6. We thank God because of his righteousness
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Some express gratitude to God for who he is, while others for his deeds. King David’s verses are explicit in his thanksgiving, outlining the reasons clearly.
In this particular verse, he underscores the core of his praises. Isn’t that a practice worth adopting?
Perhaps we should focus on celebrating God simply because of his unmatched greatness. Acknowledging his supreme authority and rule over our lives involves acknowledging his presence in our lives.
By now, you’ve accumulated numerous reasons to give thanks to God. We are called to offer our gratitude in both favorable and challenging times. The Bible is replete with verses for our use. Choose to thank him today, irrespective of your circumstances.
Commit to daily thanksgiving. I’ve embraced this practice and have found indescribable peace.
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Hope seems distant in this generation. For many, it’s a choice to hope for family and belongings.
Yet, our true calling is hoping in Christ, the wellspring of our existence. To anchor means hoping anywhere else is to embrace uncertainty.
God plans to prevent us from seeing the future. This is why we need to hope with patience in him to experience it with faith. Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” God is dependable. The hope we need in life comes only from Him.
Economic and medical struggles have led many to feel disheartened in their own countries.
I too faced hopelessness in 2021, enduring six months of job hunting without success. However, in a brief span, I turned to God, acknowledging Him as my ultimate source of life. Pouring out my heart, God came through and provided for me.
When difficulties arise, hope can slip away easily. Yet, placing our hope in Christ isn’t a choice; it’s a foundational necessity for a tranquil life.
Whether we realize it or not, hope resides within us, driving us to plan for the future. However, anchoring that hope in Christ is crucial. It steers us towards an eternity-focused life rather than just our career aspirations.
How can you hope in Christ?
Throughout the Bible, a wealth of scriptures centers on hope. God foresaw our moments of desperation and anxiety when life’s complexities elude us.
In His wisdom, He presented us with accounts of people in the Bible who faced seemingly hopeless circumstances and revealed His responses to them. The God of then remains unchanged today. This consistency urges us to reconsider our perspective.
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Embarking on the journey of studying anything, be it at home or in a classroom, comes with its challenges. Academic success is measurable and predictable based on what we do.
For me, opting to study law as well as learn French and Korean languages were significant choices. Interestingly, growing up with the English language was effortless, as I heard it spoken by my parents and friends regularly.
Irrespective of the subject, there are key steps to bear in mind before diving into your study path.
In spite of my unwavering dedication and continual striving for personal growth, I attribute my academic achievements to the grace of God. I firmly believe that without His guidance and divine provision, I would not have attained the level of success I have.
While I don’t view myself as exceptionally intelligent, I acknowledge that I am empowered by the Holy Spirit, much like any other believer in Christ.
These approaches have guided me throughout my pursuit of Bachelor’s and three Master’s degrees both in Cameroon and abroad.
Method 1: Consistency and repetition.
I’ve noticed that comprehending content becomes easier for me when I read it more than once. Do you find the same to be true for you?
Because of this, I dedicate significant time to revisiting my notes after each lesson. During classes, I focus on writing down as much as I can.
When I get back home, I engage in studying my notes in conjunction with the textbook or materials provided by the teacher.
I frequently create additional summaries on a separate sheet of paper. This approach helps me break down each section into its simplest form, enhancing my understanding.
My end of year certificate to confirm academic success
Method 2: Engage in academic success discussions.
Maintaining an open mind and fostering communication with others is my approach.
I believe that those willing to participate in discussions tend to grasp concepts more swiftly. This academic success technique involves conversing with my peers about our studies, which significantly accelerates my understanding.
Whenever possible, I seize the opportunity to interact with friends or engage in one-on-one sessions.
During these times, I make a point to pose inquiries and articulate my own interpretations. Expressing my viewpoints and seeking clarification without hesitation is my practice.
I’ve noticed that repetition aids memory retention. I often find that speaking about a topic more than once helps me remember it better.
A playful memory technique my friends and I employed during law school involved weaving case names into casual conversations.
Connecting these cases to real-life scenarios that paralleled or resembled them made recall easier. Sometimes, these lighthearted comments proved quite handy when answering exam questions.
Method 3: Watching videos or listening to audios.
I hold a firm belief in the power of audio-visual learning. Personally, I find it exceptionally effective to grasp concepts when I watch videos.
While I occasionally listen to audio files, I’m inclined to think that they notably enhance language studies. These tools can greatly contribute to success if you can maintain your focus.
You might call me old-fashioned, and I’d embrace that title: I tend to take notes while watching videos.
This practice allows me to better connect with the speaker and the content. It might sound like multitasking, but for me, this method significantly enhances my understanding.
In wrapping up, whether it involves frequent reading, revisiting discussions with teachers and friends, or engaging with video and audio resources, I believe that each individual possesses a unique learning capacity that can guarantee their academic success.
Among my friends, some could listen just once and remember what the teacher said.
This experience has led me to recommend discovering the approach that resonates most with you and consistently employing it.
For those whose study methods align with mine, you’re well aware of the dedication and hard work it entails.
Happy Studies
Please let me know how you study in the comment section.
In these current times, we are traversing a pivotal epoch. The company we keep, those who harmonize with our purpose, remains of paramount importance. However, we are entrusted with the task of discerning those who should truly be part of our inner circles. A lot of people who cross our paths are fated to share our journey, and although it presents challenges, wisdom dictates the essential need to maintain a certain distance from specific individuals.
While it carries a serious note, the conscious decision to steer clear of certain connections becomes a crucial choice. Our overall well-being and spiritual voyage hinge on this choice.
This blog deeply explores a subject that resonates with the revered Apostle Paul. His guidance to Timothy, and consequently to us, holds immense significance. A comprehensive list of individuals comes to light, encouraging us to exercise caution in the selection of our companions.
People standing and smiling
What to expect in this post
The enumeration might astound you with its length, revealing the array of personalities that Paul cautioned against. Yet, within this assemblage, lies a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to exercise caution.
This compendium serves as a mirror, inviting introspection and the discernment of traits in both ourselves and others. As we embark on this introspective journey, it becomes evident that now is the opportune moment for transformation. The heralded return of our Lord Jesus necessitates a readiness that extends beyond the surface. It impels us to embrace change, cast aside negative attributes, and recalibrate our lives to honor the essence of our faith.
In embracing this evaluation, we invite a transformative shift, not merely for our own selves, but to enhance our interconnectedness with God and with one another. As we heed the counsel set forth, we find ourselves aligning with a profound call to elevate our existence and emerge as beacons of righteousness in these hard times.
But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.
Lovers of themselves: an intense and selfish desire to get more money.
Self-centered: preoccupied with oneself and one’s affairs.
Lovers of money: having a hunger for money beyond God.
Lovers of wealth: desperate for possessions and fame.
Proud: having or showing a high or excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance.
Arrogant: having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities.
Boaster: talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities.
Abusive: extremely offensive and insulting.
Disobedient to parents: refusing to obey rules or someone in authority.
Unholy: sinful, wicked, unnatural and potentially harmful.
Profane:(of a person or their behaviour) not respectful of religious practice; irreverent.
People to be careful with.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.
[They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.
Lack of natural human affection: lack of fondness, tenderness, and liking, especially when nonsexual.
Relentless: harsh or inflexible.
Slanderer: a person who slanders someone (= damages their reputation by making a false spoken statement about them)
Intemperate: having or showing a lack of self-control; immoderate.
Loose of morals: they don’t have a strong moral code.
Which kind of people to also avoid?
Uncontrolled: not showing emotion; having one’s feelings under control.
Fierce: having or displaying an intense or ferocious aggressiveness.
Haters of good: a person who greatly dislikes a specified person or thing.
Treacherous: guilty of or involving betrayal or deception.
Rash: acting or done without careful consideration of the possible consequences; impetuous.
Self-conceit: undue pride in oneself.
Sensual pleasures: relating to or involving gratification of the senses and physical, especially sexual, pleasure.
Vain amusement: the feeling of being entertained by irrelevant things.
We are called to be lovers of God in everything we do.
Which other kinds of relationships should we be cautious of?
2 Timothy 5-9
For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].
For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate silly and weak-natured and spiritually dwarfed women, loaded down with [the burden of their] sins [and easily] swayed and led away by various evil desires and seductive impulses.
[These weak women will listen to anybody who will teach them]; they are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth.
Why should we avoid these kinds of people?
2 Timothy 3: 8-9
Now just as Jannes and Jambres were hostile to and resisted Moses, so these men also are hostile to and oppose the Truth. They have depraved and distorted minds, and are reprobate and counterfeit, and to be rejected as far as the faith is concerned.
But they will not get very far, for their rash folly will become obvious to everybody, as was that of those [magicians mentioned].
Maintaining commitment in today’s generation often seems like a distant aspiration. While many individuals enthusiastically embark on new endeavors, only a minority display the readiness and determination to sustain their efforts over the long term.
Consider the scenario of gym memberships, which see a surge in January as people declare their intentions for weight loss as part of their new year resolutions. Yet, come June, a significant 50% of these new members have already disengaged. This trend highlights a critical six-month threshold that frequently marks the point of faltering commitment.
The question then arises: How can we expect to achieve excellence if we struggle to uphold dedication to a single pursuit for at least a year? A considerable number of individuals lack structured routines, and some even advocate for going with the flow rather than adhering to consistent plans.
Living without a plan is like planting without watering.
What does the Bible say about commitment?
In the Bible, God serves as a remarkable example of commitment through the alignment of His words and actions. In this era, we are summoned to follow this example.
However, this sense of dedication shouldn’t be confined solely to our relationship with God; it’s equally imperative that we extend this commitment to our interactions with fellow humans. In the workplace, unwavering commitment should persist, irrespective of our emotional state. Likewise, in the realm of education, our studies demand our full and conscious engagement.
“Pray as if it depends on God and study as if it depends on you.” Prophet T.B Joshua.
Here are a few verses for contemplation, offering insight into the process of reconstructing a life marked by unwavering commitment. The teachings of Apostle Paul frequently emphasize this concept, not only as a reflection of his own journey towards fulfilling his destiny but also as an inspiring directive for all of us.
Feel free to use these verses as a foundation for your meditation on cultivating a life driven by steadfast dedication.
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
Two wedding rings symbolizing a marriage commitment
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will do this.
The relevance of faithfulness cannot be excluded from anything we do. God expects us to be attentive to him and do what he has appointed us to do.
The fulfillment of our callings is inherently intertwined with our reliance on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Genuine allegiance and achievement spring forth when we immerse ourselves in the divine power to overcome any challenge.
Personally, I’ve integrated this principle into my life through earnest prayer. I dedicate time to deliberate contemplation of my aspirations. Often, I outline the foreseeable pros and cons, conducting a thorough assessment. Subsequently, I weigh these factors while attuning myself to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Furthermore, I engage in a consistent practice of recalling the underlying reasons behind my actions. For instance, the inception of my blog was an inspired directive from God. Yet, there are moments when inertia sets in, making it tempting to bypass article writing. During these times, I draw strength from the awareness that this blog serves as a conduit of encouragement to individuals in various corners of the world, a calling bestowed upon me by the Holy Spirit. This realization propels me forward, reminding me that this endeavor transcends personal gratification. It’s a vessel of blessing for others. As a result, I am resolute in dedicating both time and resources to its enhancement.
To recover from brokenness is possible, but how you do it defines success.
All broken wooden colored pencils can still be used to color if they are sharpened. They can color as bright as they were initially before they broke. No one is condemned after a bad break; spare yourself the blame game and decide to shine again. Everything we do in life is a choice.
Nowadays, some ladies have become depressed, victimized, and hopeless for years. Those situations erupt after experiencing a breakup from an engaged boyfriend, going through a divorce, or the death of their husbands. They either blame themselves most of the time, their former partners, or at extreme God. Amazingly, Godly women are different.
However, alluding to Daniel, Job, and Joseph in scripture, it is not unrealistic to conclude there are a lot of things we might not fully understand why and how. Yet we must keep our faith deliberately by trusting God and remaining hopeful.
Trusting God is by adopting the deliberate positive, patient attitude that God is with you. Consequently, you will experience God’s goodness with a testimony of victory. King Solomon made a vital confession in Proverbs 4:8, “I am confidently certain I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” . This has become a far-fetched reality for many women these days. Now is the best time to start confessing God’s word regardless of past events.
Quoting the short widow phase of Ruth’s life leading to her marriage with Boaz is an example worth emulating. It is possible to date again. The subsequent decisions could be paramount to help you recover fast.
1. To recover, decide to listen to your heart, not popular opinion.
Ruth was from Moab, but she decided to follow Naomi to Israel. (Ruth 1:18)“When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.” There must be that inner determination to heal from your past. Even if it means changing your geographical location.
In verse 16, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God”. Strangely, in verse 17, she was willing to die for what she believed.She affirmed her devotion to Naomi by abandoning her country, home, family, and gods.
…These are difficult things to give up, but she was willing to pursue a new start. Yes, you, too, can begin again.
Referring to Moses, Jonah, and Abraham, it is not extraordinary to say God always calls us out of a place of comfort to a place of extra comfort. All of which require a strict process of obedience. Even though the Holy Spirit is present to help us, it is not automatic. He directs our willing hearts to act in response to God’s word.
2. Decide to present yourself with decency and dignity.
Ruth dressed appropriately before meeting with Boaz on the threshing floor.
(Ruth 3:3) “Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking”.
It is not godly to permit frustration and pain to stop you from smiling and dressing responsibly.
It is extreme to say how you dress is how you feel, but it cannot be denied! To recover can include changing your closet.
Nowadays, it is almost natural to see everyone dressed in black at funerals. This color is mostly considered as a mourning color. What you wear reflects your self-esteem and worth.
If you don’t like how you are addressed, check how you dress.
How should you dress?
How you look transmits a message of your pain or state of mind. Choose to reflect the joy in how you look. This should be a daily decision irrespective of how you feel or your experiences. Dressing is an imperative reason God made clothes for Adam and Eve (Gen 2:21).
I jokingly say looking good is good business. When I dress and mix many colors, it affects my mood. Generally, the brightness of my to-match outfits makes me smile happily and unconsciously. I am yet to meet someone who didn’t admire my dressing style. I don’t wear current fashion clothing, but I consider myself fashionable. Although I buy simple and sometimes cheap clothes, I feel great and confident when I mix them. How about you?
3. To recover, decide to build your career.
Despite the pain of the loss, Ruth was hardworking. (Ruth 2:2) And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
Growing professionally is a recovery step and opens more opportunities for a future spouse. It enables you to become financially independent and builds self-confidence before you date again.
Many ladies have lost passion for advancing their careers because of the unfortunate situation, or at least others may appear to be growing, yet, there is still inner non-satisfaction about their career excellence. So you must choose to enjoy your professional journey and use your God-given skills to help and empower yourself and someone in need.
Godly women know their identity is in Christ. With or without a partner, they can excel in their spiritual and career purposes.
4. To recover, decide to be kind to everyone.
Ruth’s decision to remain kind to Naomi was what built her excellent reputation around Israel and led to Boaz blessing her when he asked about her.
(Ruth 2:11-12) “Boaz replied, I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband- how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you didn’t know before. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge”.
People will always associate you with your past, so do not be offended if they address you using it. On the contrary, your present generous gestures will be the grounds for your future reward from God and in man’s eyes.
Be deliberately honest in the way you treat people. People will never forget and quote your sacrifices even if they do not tell you outrightly.
Even though Naomi and Ruth were widows, Naomi changed her name to bitterness but Ruth did not change her name. Ruth 1:20, “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.” Sadly no one will fully understand your pain, even with similar experiences. Refuse to be bitter and to blame God.
Choose to remain optimistic about yourself as a virtuous woman and trust God to be the channel through which He can use to fulfill His purpose.
Remarrying is possible. It happened for Ruth, so it can happen to you too. Ruth bore Obed the father of Jesse, and the father of David (Ruth 4:22). I believe, Ruth’s decision to pursue life with God is what made her become the grandmother of a great king – David.
You are valuable to God. Thus, I encourage you from today to decide to follow your heart, mold your career, be consistently generous and uphold a high decent physical outlook at all times.
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Do you consider yourself a godly woman or do you know godly women?
The 20th century perspective of a successful woman is a lady who has a white-collar job or business owner, is married, has a child or children, owns a car(s), has a house(s), and huge savings account, to list a few.
A Christ-believing, godly woman shouldn’t limit herself to these social opinions. It is not a sin to have possessions to be married, but they are not the definition of success.
Does this mean success is only what we possess? Definitely ‘NOT.’ True success is God’s peace.
Self-condemnation and alienation have become usual for women who have experienced broken relationships.
This is because they think the societal walls of success are too high for them to scale over.
There is hope for you, Sister. Christ’s definition of success supersedes public opinion. You can thrive with a successful mindset. This is if you ask the Holy Spirit to direct your heart as you study the Bible.
The highest life achievement you will make is to be able to pray and live by God’s will.
Bible definition of success
It will surprise you that the word SUCCESS is mentioned only once in the Bible.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8.
It is astonishing that God considers those who have had success as those who read the Bible. He also values those who decide to live their lives following Christ’s example.
Here are three ways you can live a life that would be successful in the Lord’s eyes!
1. Christ’s success for godly women is speaking the word of God
People can know what your life state is based on what you say.
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of”Luke 6:45.
You have the power to change your life from what you confess and affirm. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.Prov 18:21.
I advise you to choose your words wisely despite how hurt you feel. Speak about what you want to see in your life.
I recall standing in front of my mirror and sometimes kneeling at the edge of my bed in deep pain, though in the sobbing and tears, I always heard the still inner voice of the Holy Spirit reminding me about scriptures I had meditated on.
Whenever I declared those scriptures out loud to my hearing, I felt internal peace, and it built my self-confidence again with God and men.
It is hard! Yes, it is difficult not to curse the person who hurt you. Especially those people who condemn you for not having everything they possess. However, spiritual maturity as a godly woman is desiring to be successful according to God’s standard. It is that robust lady who will choose to bless herself daily. She does this with scriptures and sincerely blesses the person who hurt her.
2. Christ’s success for godly women is meditating on the word of God.
True success is knowing what God said in His manual about you. The only way to digest this manual is to devote time with undivided attention to commit to understanding what God wrote in the Bible.
“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”2 Tim 3:16-17
Since I started watching at least two or more gospel messages on YouTube from people I regard as servants of God almost every day and listening to scriptural gospel music, for many years now, my life has been full of joy, peace, and rest in everything I do. I am free from the pain of the past hurt.
I encourage you to form the habit of deliberately changing your mind with scriptures daily, and to reject the general view that success is based on what you have achieved.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2.
Meditating means repeating the verses in your heart while praying for the Holy Spirit to help you understand what it is.
3. Christ’s success for godly women is observing the word of God.
Who is your example of life? Why are you doing what you are doing?
What you do is a direct reflection of what you know and believe.
There is no dispute; action speaks louder than words.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does”. James 1:22-25.
Practice the word as Ephesians 5:1 says
“Be, therefore, imitators of God, as beloved children.”
Before I do anything, I ask myself, “If Jesus were here now, would he be comfortable doing what I want to do”? I urge you to examine yourself in the Lord.
Apostle Paul emphasized in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”
I urge you again to find a Pastor or mentor and consistently engage in a Bible-based fellowship.
Invest in this with prayers and devotion. The word success is mentioned only three times in Deuteronomy 2 regarding possession.
“The Horims also dwelt in Seir before time; but the children of Esau succeeded them,…unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them” Deut 2:12.
What is success?
Success is having an intimate, personal relationship with God and not just an external accumulation of things.
It should be noted that marriage, a good job, cars, and houses are not bad. God created them as by-products for us to accomplish our purpose, but they are not in themselves what qualifies a person or a godly woman as successful.
Sister, the secret of Christ’s success is speaking, studying, and practicing the word of God.
All godly women must forgive those who hurt them and refuse to bear offenses. Also, holy women are obedient to God above everyone else. We do it because we love him, and he loves us.
Click here to read 84 Bible verses about godly women.
God, our creator, knows our purpose, and everything we need to excel in life is in the Bible. The word of God helps us to define our identity. Irrespective of whether we have a Christian single status or a married one.
Like God, our spirits are eternal, and in light of eternity, it is essential to note that there will be no marriage in heaven. Matthew 22:30, “For in the resurrected state neither do [men] marry nor are [women] given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.”
With this in mind, we must be careful to refrain from defining ourselves through our marital status here on earth.
Mathew 19: 7-12, “They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?”He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”
Before the broken engagement, before losing a spouse or divorce….God destined, blessed, and loved us as His daughters and sons with unconditional love. Our relationship status with God doesn’t change when someone leaves or fails to enter our lives. If we have forgotten, now is a perfect time to remind ourselves of who we are in Christ. Let’s look at these points to help us remember our identity in Christ as singles:
A. God loves you unconditionally in your single status
True love is a person, and this person is God. No one can stop God from loving us. What a blessing!
I John 4:16 “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”We must believe that we already have His love.
Only God can fulfill our deepest needs, and He died to make us free and whole in every area of our lives. No human has the responsibility to define us. 1 Corinthians 7:23- 24 “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
1 John 4:10 tells us, “In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” We cannot do anything to earn such love. Love is a gift of grace. We have the identity of love.
We must not condemn ourselves because of the rejection or the death of a loved one; but instead, we must start loving ourselves just as God loves us.
A great way to rekindle love and appreciation for ourselves is to write love verses and post them on our laptops, room walls, kitchen lockers, and even fridge doors. Speaking love verses and songs loud in front of the mirror daily to combat opposite thoughts helps us place our minds on higher things like the Word of God.
When we begin to fill our lives with the word of God through reading the Bible, watching sermons, spending time with God, and meditating on His love, we become more spiritually vibrant. Focusing on Christ will help us remember our true identity in Christ, with or without a partner.
B. You are destined for a purpose
God predestined and ordained us before our mother’s womb. Surprise!!!…. We are not accidents. God knows everything about us. 1 Corinthians 7: 17 “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.”
Like David said inPsalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Oh, yes! This is precisely who we are.
God said in Genesis 1:26, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness….”
This reflects His desire and design to imprint His nature on us, and everyone possesses these attributes. The Bible contains God’s promises towards us, but we must believe that we have His identity from DNA.
We must hold fast to knowing that He has a specific purpose for us. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Believing is a firm conviction that our lives have a defined purpose. We will be accountable to God for how we accomplish His purposes in our lives, whether in singleness or in marriage. Our temporal earthly status of marriage or singleness is not our core identity.
Can you fulfil your purpose without marrying?
Jesus and Paul did not marry, yet they fulfilled their purposes.
Our Lord Jesus Christ completed his purpose when he said in John 19:30, “… It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
On the other hand, Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Before he died, he advised people to be single like him. 1 Corinthians 7: 6-7 I say this as a concession, not as a command.I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
What to do to maintain your Christian single status
Whether you recognize it or not, God loves us, and He has a prosperous future for us. Choose in this season of grief and hurt to remain faithful to God by loving God, loving yourself, focusing on your purpose, and even loving people who have hurt you. Love them by praying for them.
Luke 6:27 commands us to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
The human mind is forgetful sometimes, but God gave us all a retrospective mind. We should invest time in reminding ourselves consistently about God’s love for us and how purposeful we are. God never created anything worthless. We will always be valuable to God.
1 Corinthians 7: 23-25, “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
Christ’s definition and identity of us exceed any earthly relationship we can ever cultivate. We can be single and peaceful. Having a Christian single status doesn’t mean we are not whole. God considers us complete in Christ.
Remember that marriage is not an identity, but a characteristic of our whole being. It is a gift for some. While marriage is an institution that can help us fulfill our purposes in God, we can also fulfill our purposes for God in and through our Christian single status.
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