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What is The Power of God’s Joy

April 7, 2022 - By Sarah Luma
Discover the profound truth that genuine joy comes from God, transcending the fleeting pleasures of accomplishments or possessions. In this post, explore the transformative power of God’s joy and learn practical ways to experience it in your life. Unlock the secret to lasting happiness that originates from a divine source, leading you on a journey of fulfillment and purpose.

Nehemiah 8:10 said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Unlike fleeting happiness, joy is a divine virtue gifted by God, free from negative counterparts like “unjoy.” This enduring joy remains constant through all seasons of life, whether in times of goodness or adversity. Embrace the timeless and unwavering nature of God’s joy, providing solace and strength in every circumstance.

The dictionary defines joy as a “lively emotion of joy and gladness evoked by a success or of well-being” or “to experience great pleasure or delight in a thing.” God’s joy is not a temporal emotion. Everyone both Christians and unbelievers have experienced one or more circumstances where it was difficult to maintain their joy and stay positive.

But for every situation Jesus kept the joy of God, thus it is imperative for every Christian to emulate Him despite the situation we are experiencing.

1 Chronicles 16:27 “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” God has joy.

What is joy?

Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Sadness is the opposite of joy. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

In our modern age, many individuals tie their joy and happiness to external conditions, making them susceptible to sorrow and bitterness when things don’t align with their expectations. This vulnerability creates a fertile ground for the devil’s influence, as he thrives on sowing discontent and denying the gifts of joy and peace.

The presence of perpetual sadness not only clouds judgment but also corrodes the foundations of careers, marriages, and familial bonds. This toxic cycle limits people from reaching their full potential, leading to unwarranted suspicions and overanalyzing the actions of others. It’s crucial to break free from this cycle and rediscover the innate joy within, resilient against life’s fluctuations.

There’s power in God’s joy

A sad heart can’t pray.

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When sadness takes hold, it’s natural to adopt a victim mentality, questioning why challenging situations seem to target us specifically. These “why me?” questions can become a common refrain.

However, joy is different. It’s a byproduct of faith, rooted in the unwavering belief that God’s love encompasses us, regardless of our circumstances. This conviction gives us the strength to anticipate positive outcomes even during tough times. Joy is a force that transcends adversity, reminding us that God is ever watchful, aware of our struggles, and working for our ultimate good.

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.”

What is God’s will about our joy?

Jesus’ plan for us Christians is for us to have complete joy at all times.

John 15:11 Jesus Christ said, “l have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”.

No man (spouse, husband, children, parents, etc) or achievements (job, degrees, position…) can give us full joy.

The world has temporal happiness based on its environment. For example, some people drink alcohol, travel, or read books just to forget about their troubles. Yes, momentarily they find relief, but the next day or within hours, they go back to square zero.

Romans 14:17. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”.

God expects us to be joyful at all times, despite the difficult or happy situations we are experiencing. The power of God’s joy surpasses every form of happiness that we will ever have.

This is evident when Paul told the Philippians repeatedly in Phil 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice”.

The contentment with what you have and who you are in Christ is sufficient reason to maintain a joyful heart.

Why is a happy heart relevant?

A happy heart is a grateful heart. Psalm 81:1 “Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.”

Indeed, remaining in a state of worry or unhappiness won’t alter the challenging circumstances we face. It’s essential to recognize that this is a tactic often employed by negative forces, often associated with the concept of Satan, aiming to disrupt our joy.

These forces attempt to chip away at our well-being by introducing destructive elements, pain, and a barrage of negative experiences. However, the power to counter this lies within us, through our choice to reject these influences and maintain our inner joy.

By understanding this strategy and actively guarding our joy against such attacks, we empower ourselves to navigate through difficulties with resilience and maintain a positive outlook, no matter what obstacles we encounter.

However, as devoted Christians, we need to identify Satan’s plan to rob us of our joy by praying to God for His joy and gladness. (Psalms 51:8)

We admit everyone has failed to keep their joy, and sometimes we make mistakes and forget to be joyful, particularly during challenging periods.

Can we pray for joy?

But just like David prayed after committing adultery in Psalms 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with a free spirit”, we can also ask God for restoration every time we fail.

As Christians, we are not shielded from the inevitable health challenges, marital trials, financial hardships, and other life difficulties. It’s important to understand that such challenges are not contrary to scripture; they are part of the human experience.

However, our strength lies in the choice we make to guard our peace and joy, irrespective of the circumstances. We firmly believe that nothing should disrupt the inner serenity that comes from our faith. This choice is rooted in our unwavering trust in the enduring power of God’s joy, a joy that transcends seasons of abundance and adversity alike.

By choosing to rely on this divine joy, we equip ourselves with the resilience to face life’s ups and downs with grace and a steadfast spirit, knowing that our faith sustains us through every trial. It is through this unwavering commitment that we find solace and triumph over the storms of life, maintaining our peace and joy regardless of the challenges that may arise.

A joyful woman

What does it mean to be joyful?

Joy is that decision we as mature Christians should make daily, depending on God to be in a happy state no matter how we feel or think physically.

When you are confident as a Christian that your situation will be worked out for good by God, you will be cheerful and wear a smile on your face daily.

Joy is a choice from a God-fearing heart, recognizing only God can maintain it. When your heart is restful, and you trust God, you will experience unspeakable joy and peace.

Even though Paul and Silas were beaten and unjustly imprisoned, they choose joy by praising God.

No matter the situation you have now, one thing is sure, beyond the trial there is a triumph. That scar can be turned into a star.

Joy is our conquering power (John 16:33)

No one can take the joy of God from us. John 16:22 “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

Recommendation for God’s joy

In order to maintain the power of God’s joy every day, try the following recipe:
- Study God’s word daily.
- Listen to gospel faith-building music daily.
- Communicate with fellow Christians as often as possible.
- Pray continuously.
- Be regular and committed to a local church.
- Maintain a smile by controlling your thoughts.
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Honesty: What are the benefits?

March 28, 2022 - By Sarah Luma
Honesty is a vital aspect of moral character, embodying virtues like integrity, truthfulness, and straightforwardness. It implies an absence of deception, cheating, or dishonest behavior, reflecting a commitment to ethical conduct.

Similarly, honesty also involves being trustworthy, loyal, fair, and sincere.

Truth is essential, yet we’ve all faced lies, even told them at times. We all desire honesty, expecting it from others. Jesus, the epitome of truth, calls us to be truthful, regardless of the situation or our closeness to others. He’s the Way, the Truth, the Life, and as committed Christians, we should follow His example.

This post explores how we can mirror godly character by prioritizing honesty, reflecting on the essence of being Christ-like.

Honesty is a rare virtue only faithful Christians have.

…that’s a hard comment to make, right? Yes, it is. Undoubtedly, God is faithful to His word so, every Christian has to be faithful to theirs too.

Our integrity test is in our actions and words. Are they founded on the word of God?

Honesty is towards God and man

“We are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man”. 2 Corin 8:21

Col 3:9 “Do not lie to each other…”. Lies telling is not acceptable as a Christian practice. Paul urges honesty to us.

Not surprisingly, liars are family members of the devil as seen in John 8:44.

Today, it’s common for some to remain silent or apathetic when they witness unholy actions from church friends and family. They justify this with statements like “I don’t want to hurt their feelings” or “I don’t want to judge them.”

However, these reasons should not serve as excuses for avoiding a loving, polite conversation to address the matter.

How to be honest

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Eph 4:25.

Firstly, since we despise situations where people tell us lies, let’s be sincere enough to also be truthful to everyone.

Only those with pure hearts will see God, as Matthew said in chapter 5. Honesty in your heart is first directed towards God before people.

If we become committed to the word of God and study it daily, we will speak like Jesus with confidence and truthfulness in every situation.

honesty is from God bible verse

What are the benefits of honesty?

When you are always honest, you become trustworthy, both in the eyes of God and in the eyes of your friends and family. Prov 12:22.

God is honorable, and He does what He says He will do.

God checks our integrity and intentions every time we do something. We need to be deliberate in everything we do.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 1 Chron 29:17.

It’s important to align our actions with God’s truth.

We all recognize when we’re being truthful or tempted to tell a lie. The urge to be untruthful is a common experience that everyone faces at some point in life. Temptations are a part of our journey.

In the scriptures, we see even Jesus faced temptation from Satan, who tried to lead Him astray. However, the reassuring news is that we don’t have to give in to these temptations, just as Jesus didn’t yield to the demands of the adversary.

But as Apostle John counsels us in 1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth”, our actions and reactions should be in truthfulness.

Honesty reflection questions

Sometimes we act pretentiously in order to please our friends, but we need to sincerely examine ourselves before acting by asking ourselves some reflection questions
1. “If Jesus were here now will He do what we are about to do?
2. Will Jesus speak or respond to this person this way if He were here now?
3. What l am about to do, has anyone in the scriptures ever done it?
4. Will God be glorified in my action?…”
Let’s be bold towards ourselves and speak the truth to ourselves and others.

1 John 1:16 “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”

Isn’t it funny we can lie to ourselves and even deceive ourselves! -how unbelievable but a reality.

We need to decide to consciously define ourselves in the mirror of God’s word and be ready at all times to encourage and share with our friends or family.

It’s untruthful to tell yourself “l am uninformed, foolish…” just because you made a mistake. We do this frequently, and later we start thinking we are foolish. We do not have to give up on ourselves after a mistake. Our real identity is what God says about us. God will never reject us because we weren’t truthful, but continually lying will affect our fellowship with him. Our relationship will never change.

We admonish you to choose to speak only God’s word to yourself, even after making a mistake. God loves you.

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Godly Friendships: What is the Biblical Definition?

March 22, 2022 - By Sarah Luma

Godly friendships were designed by God from Genesis.

If God knew you could live on earth alone and fulfil your purpose, He would have created just you. I say this all the time to friends and family.

The only time God acknowledged His creation was incomplete was after he created Adam (Gen 2:18). He added, “it is not good for man to be alone”. God created Eve as a helpmeet and friend to Adam.

Every human being desires to have someone they can confide in and share their lives and everyone has had a friend at one or all stages of their lives.

Have your childhood friendships endured the test of time?

Discover the profound impact of patience, tolerance, and forgiveness on maintaining meaningful relationships.

Today, the bonds of friendship and marriage often face challenges, stemming from impatience and an unforgiving attitude. This blog delves into the inspiring examples of Godly friendships in the Bible, providing insights on how to nurture and emulate these valuable connections.

How to maintain Godly friendships

We will maintain stronger friendships if we invest time in building sacrificially.

James. 4:11 “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”

True friendship entails sacrifice and love. It implies giving, sharing, and supporting each other in all circumstances. Jesus defines sacrificial friendship in 3 John 15:13 “Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”.

Example of true friendship

A vivid example can be seen in 1 Sam 18:1-4. “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt”.

As Christians, we have to be really cautious about the people we consider friends. “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray”. Prov 12:26.

Friendships are always beneficial, but the kind of friends you keep should be people with spirituality and integrity who can motivate you to build a positive relationship with God. As unnoticed as it may sometimes seem, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”( 1 Corin 15:33).

Sometimes, our friends may reject us and abandoned us because of irreconcilable differences, but we should remember God is our ultimate friend, and he will never reject us.

I encourage equally to refuse to give up on God because someone doesn’t treat us friendly. We might get tired of trying to maintain some friendships, but God never gets tired to be with us.

What are the qualities of Godly friendships?

Solomon’s advice in Prov 22:24-25 “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared” can be a guide in selecting your friends.

Like Job’s friends, our friends are expected to show love and compassion in both hard and good times. “…they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.” Job 2:11.

We see in Prov 18:24 “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”, some friendships supersede family relationships. Friendships can be an unbreakable bond if we deliberately invest to keep it with love.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity”. Prov 17:17.

Some self-reflection questions.

Are you a reliable friend to your friends?

Are you honest and do you treat them like yourself?

It is pathetic if we cannot keep good friendships. God stresses the importance of friendships through Solomon in Eccle 4:9-10, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up”.

True friends need to always pray with and for each other at all times. Christian friendship entails jointly building a relationship that is directed to God. Like Job says, “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend”. Job 16:20-21.

God regards us as friends, not servants.

We are friends of God. What is a privilege? God doesn’t see us as enemies, despite our mistakes. He loves us unconditionally.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:12-15.

Jesus considers us loving our friends as a command. Thus, we need to be deliberate and willing to maintain our relationships despite the disagreements that might arise sometimes.

I encourage you to treasure your friends and share with them what God has revealed to you through his Word, just like Jesus did.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Phil 2:3-4.

Jesus’ definition of true friendship can only be compared to our relationship with God. Therefore, we can use the above-listed scriptural guides to strengthen our Godly friendships with both God and man.

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Rejection: Biblical Strategies for Overcoming it.

March 20, 2022 - By Sarah Luma

“Rejection doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough. It means the other person failed to notice what you have to offer “Anonymous. God accepted us before anyone rejected us. Find out how to deal with rejection.

Everyone, if not every Christian, has experienced some form of rejection from parents, friends, colleagues, or extended relationships. We must acknowledge that Jesus experienced rejection by everyone whom He came to save, though accepted as God and by the Trinity.

John 1:11 “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him”.How we deal with the negative feelings of rejection affects our peaceful Christian life. God doesn’t want us offended, but not everyone will accept us.

Can you believe it is part of God’s plan for Jesus to experience rejection? Surprised! Yes, it is. God reveals through David in Psalms 118:22, “The stone which the builders rejected. Has become the chief cornerstone”.

Prophet Isaiah prophesied Jesus’ rejection. Isaiah 53:3“He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!”.

Rejection is not preventable, but it is solvable.

We cannot escape rejection completely, but God can see us through if we use the scriptures to deal with it.

My father rejected me nine months after I was born for reasons I still do not understand decades later. Though he accepted me again when I was 12 years old after my mother died, I still sometimes wonder “why” he did that in the first place.

However, the scripture“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close” Psalms 27:10 has been my consolation from God. He will never forsake you even if a man abandons you.

There is no logical explanation for rejection. Only God knows why.

God will always accept you. In Isaiah 49:15, “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” God’s love is unconditional towards all his creation, you inclusive.

Jesus’ earthly ministry is an example for us. Thus, the following steps are worth emulating. Since I began applying them, I have experienced an inexplicable peace of mind in all my relationships. Try it!

1. Expect rejection

Anticipate experiencing rejection. This could be from either people you have or do not have relationships with. This is the first step of healing.

Jesus warns us to expect it.“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18.

When rejected, please do not think it strange and doubt your God. Everything Jesus experienced reflects what we will share, so just copy what He did.

You cannot control how people will treat you in different situations, but you can control whether to live sour, bitter, or offended with the pain of the past. Rejection by man is not the denial by God.

1 Peter 2:4. “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for a great honour.” Believe this; it is true for you, too.

2. Choose to be with those who accept you

You cannot force people to accept you always. Strangely, sometimes the most hurtful rejections are those from our closest family relatives, friends, or spouses.

Joseph experienced rejection and abandonment. Sadly, his biological brothers sold him. He decided to forgive them and reconciled with them years later, but his career/ministry advanced. He worked with integrity and maintained trustworthy relationships with all the Egyptians he met. Gen 37-50.

If you try to reconcile and maintain a good relationship with those, who rejected you but do not want to accept you, switch your focus to other people. Yes-change your company without bearing grudges against those who rejected you.

Mark 6:4-6 “4 But Jesus words to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching”.

Decide to invest your time in those who need your support, and continue showing love towards everyone you meet.

Jesus never stopped His purpose because his closest people rejected him.

3. Pray for those who rejected you

This is the most unlikely thing anyone will like to do given how painful rejection can be. I agree. It is difficult, but I found peace with God and man since I started applying this principle to all my friends and close relatives who rejected me.

The hurt can change our lives, but we must choose to push it to the positive side.

Jesus, on the cross with all the pains, prayed for God to forgive all human beings for rejecting him. Luke 23:34. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.”

It is even ironic that Jesus, even as God, felt rejected by God. “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).” Mat 27:46. What a complex paradox! That says everyone hates rejection, the devil uses rejection, but God loves you regardless.

You probably just said I don’t understand the gravity of the pain you felt! Yes, I acknowledge I cannot fully understand your pain because I did not experience the exact situation you went through. But I know that even though all cases are not the same, we can imitate Jesus by letting go of the hurt.

I encourage you to forgive and pray for those who have rejected you. Be open like God to accept them lovingly if they repent but refuse to condemn them. James 2:13 “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

There are millions of testimonies of those who dealt with rejection. You are no exception. Thus, I admonish you to expect rejection even as a Christian. However, decide to move on with your purpose. Lastly, wholeheartedly pray for those who rejected you. We have to refuse not to give up.

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Dress for More than the Eye: God, Appearance, and Making a Positive Impression

March 13, 2022 - By Sarah Luma
“The first impression people have of you is who you are.” Anonymous. Is that true? Yes, it can be partially true. People address us based on our dress code.

Indeed, God sees the inside of man’s heart, but He also cares about your appearance and what you wear. In extreme cases, some people hear what you have to say based on how you look.

We are misjudged because of our outfits sometimes. Though the stress on this post is on physical dressing, our precious spirits need dressing too. The latter is according to the divine purpose of God. I encourage you to dress neatly and decently.

Does our dress affect how people address us?

Our clothing has a significant effect on how people regard us. Since ancient times, dress has been used to depict professions. Everyone gives honor to military officials when they see their uniforms. If we respect our jobs, we can honor God through our clothes.

A typical example of dressing our spirits is in Apostle Paul’s allegorical analysis. He explains using Roman soldiers’ uniforms in those days. Eph 6: 13-16.
- “Therefore, put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
- Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
- In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people”.
Who instituted dressing?

God instituted dressing when He made clothes for Adam and Eve (Gen 3:21-23).

Dressing up appropriately is what everyone has to do. Strangely, some Christians nowadays are either indifferent or nonchalant. There has to be a balance between what we wear physically and what we wear spiritually. Some people cannot reconcile some Christians’ dress with the gospel, so they wrongly address them as such.

There are some Christians who think focusing on building the spirit is essential. As a result, the emphasis is not on the physical. They dress and expose their bodies, saying God is within. At the same time, another group of Christians has established exaggerated doctrines on how to dress. For example, they insist that ladies wear headgear or hats in church.

The list is long for denominations, but one thing is certain decency, in general, is imperative. From the Biblical characters and Jesus, inclusive is relevant. Jesus is our standard.

Everything God created was good. Also, everything He has given man the wisdom to develop is for the well-being of man. The purpose of clothes was for us to cover our nakedness. Choosing to dress half-naked is disregarding God’s intent for creating clothes.

When our dressing is inappropriate, we shouldn’t be surprised when people inappropriately address us too.

“Looking good is good business.” How you look is how you feel.

Everyone, at the least most people, dance or smile when they wear new clothes. Some women usually make turns around the room. Others move in front of the mirror, envisaging the occasion; they will wear the new dress.

Ever wondered why supermarkets have big wall mirrors where clothes are? Could it be because everyone wants to look at themselves in different outfits? “People go-to wedding celebrations to see the kind of wedding dress the bride will be wearing, “Anonymous. How accurate is this statement?

Is God interested in how we dress?

God has an interest in the kind of clothes we wear. He created Males and Females with specific differences warranting unique dressing. Even though our generation has made alterations to the type of clothes, these changes are now based on each gender group. However, as Christians, we need to be cautious and deliberate in what we wear.

Many quote Deut 22:3 as evidence for gender clothing. It says, “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wears women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.”

Spiritual decency, according to God, is not about the price tag of your clothes. Neither is it the colourful hair extensions. Nor the height of our heels, or is it the brand/kind of pieces of jewellery and accessories you wear. These are not bad. But they have to be in moderation.

In simple words, Apostle Paul again explains in 1 Tim 2:9-10. “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

Let your conduct reflect how you dress.

Apostle Peter equally remarks about the qualities of beauty and fashion in relation to dressing. He commends Christian women nowadays to adopt the dressings styles of married women in the Bible and to consider how they were addressed. Their sauce affected the address they received

His recommendation is in 1 Pet 3:2-5. “when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands”.

“The clothing of the people in Biblical times was made from wool, linen, animal skins, and perhaps silk. Most events in the Old and New Testaments took place in ancient Isreal. This is why most Biblical clothing is ancient Hebrew clothing. They wore underwear and cloth skirts.”

It is not scripturally acceptable for a God-fearing man or woman to dress naked partially. We have to treasure and value our bodies. This entails keeping them clean and well-covered. Nudity is a secular fashion trend that isn’t Biblical.

The value and cost of Jesus’ clothes in Mat 27:25 are of good quality. That sounds like an assumption, right? Unfortunately, it is not. The evidence is“After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.” You accept they couldn’t have cast lots for something worthless, right?

Our dressing affects how people address us, whether we are aware or not. We are responsible as Ambassadors of Christ to uphold reliable impressions everywhere we go. How do you dress?

For more Godly advice, consider reading the article giving up is not a Christian Option.
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3 Ways to Avoid Giving Up

March 8, 2022 - By Sarah Luma

Life’s challenges persist, an undeniable reality we all face. Embracing this complexity, we’ve encountered moments of near surrender. To navigate, we must align with the design of our Creator. That is the only way to avoid giving up.

“Giving up is one of those times in life when you stop doing something that you regularly used to do” Macmillan Dictionary.

Feelings of giving up often stem from depression, frustration, and rejection. Even Jesus faced moments of burnout and doubt in his earthly journey, yet he never gave up. Can God give up on Himself?

Absolutely not. Amid pressure, Jesus chose to obey God’s will, a reminder that following God’s purpose often means letting go of our own desires.

We see in Luke 22:39-42 a typical example of how Jesus overcomes the difficulty of giving up. “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Do you know why it was easy for Jesus to deal with the agony of giving up? Indeed, you said, what could it be?

It was because he had a custom of always praying. The power of prayers cannot be overemphasized.

From this scripture, prayer doesn’t stop temptation but prevents you from falling into it.

Step 1: Make a constant praying habit.

A habit is indeed a regular choice, but the idea that it takes exactly two weeks to form a habit is not universally accurate. The time it takes to form a habit can vary for different individuals and behaviors.

When prayer becomes an integral part of one’s lifestyle, it can indeed provide strength to resist the temptation of giving up, as it fosters spiritual resilience and connection.

The reasons behind someone taking their own life are complex and can’t be generalized. In Judas Iscariot’s case, various factors are speculated, including guilt and the weight of betrayal. People may consider ending their lives due to a range of mental health issues, emotional distress, hopelessness, or other personal struggles. It’s essential to approach this topic with sensitivity and seek professional help when dealing with suicidal thoughts.

A deep, selfless prayer connection with God prevents thoughts of ending one’s life during tough times. Life is a divine gift, and taking it by one’s own will goes against God’s purpose.

Just as Jesus’ prayers were unwavering and sacrificial, we should align our will with God’s, trusting His superior plan.

This is clearly seen as God replies to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you before you were born, I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

How to do it?

We don’t know everything about ourselves. Do you agree that is strange to say? I bet you just nodded. Yes, it is.

But, similarly to the production process, only the producer can give the original manual with explanations of how to use a product. This is an example of God as well.

Just like Jesus, it is easy and almost natural for us to want our will done in our lives, but we must always recognize that God’s will should always be sought, especially during difficult times.

God acknowledges there will be challenging periods when you feel like giving up, but he still expects us to submit to His will and trust His plans for our lives.

In the same way, he reassures Jeremiah in 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.” This is what he wants us to believe in our lives.

Step 2: Praying earnestly is the solution for giving up.

Could this be a repeated point? No, it is not an error. It emphasizes the power of prayers during happy and unhappy times. You cannot afford to stop praying, especially when you are in a desperate time like Jesus, preparing for death.

Several times, Jesus replied to the Pharisees and his disciples, saying, “Verily, Verily…”. That implies the stress on the importance of what he was talking about. (John 14:12)

Again, in Luke 22:43-44, we see “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground”.

No one wants to give up on life deliberately. Everyone expects empowerment from God to deal with their difficulty. The good news is that God is aware we cannot overcome without his strength, which is why he continually sends his angel to strengthen us.

Psalm 73:26 is a vivid example of how David was peaceful when he admitted he could not do anything alone. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” We all need God’s strength daily.

The phrase can describe the intensity of Jesus’ internal and external pain, “his sweat was like drops of blood.” This reflects absolute agony, yet he prayed the most in such a state.

Once again, you can only deal with the urge to give up on suffering by praying earnestly and lovingly. Maintain a solid, unbreakable bond with the Holy Spirit even in bad times.

Step 3: Prayer prevents you from giving up

You are probably asking why prayer is the title of this step. Good question. The answer is already what you said, and your heart has just confirmed it.

Alluding to Luke 22:45-46, we see how Jesus repeats the power of prayers to his disciples. “When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

There is no denying that the sorrows and pains of life can overwhelm us and exhaust us so badly that we will prefer to do things our way and sleep whilst life passes us by. I encourage you always to make prayer a lifestyle to prevent you from giving up.

We can choose a smile after the prayers, believing God is aware of the temptation and will deliver us from anything if we call upon him.

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Godly Living Posts / Quotes

Reasons to wear a smiling face daily

March 1, 2022 - By Sarah Luma
Discover the powerful impact of daily smiling on your well-being.

Did you realize that a simple smile can directly influence your health?

Embracing a smile daily brings both spiritual and health advantages when we intentionally wear it frequently. Amidst the uncertainties and challenges of today’s world, finding reasons to smile can be rare.

Uncover intriguing facts about smiling and the compelling reasons to make it a regular part of your life.

How can smiling daily improve our health?

Quoting King Solomon in Proverbs 15:30, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health”; a smile brings joy.

Our hearts, in this context, refer to our spirits. It is the most sacred place in our lives. It is where God abides with us, so we need to protect it because everything we do comes from there (Prov 4: 23).

A confident daily smile about who we are in God is the solution to depression. Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.”

Can we ask God to smile on us daily?

God desires to grace us with His smile, standing by us in joyful unity, if we open our hearts to it. Begin each day by inviting His smile upon you as you earnestly seek to live out His teachings.

Psalm 119:135 “Smile on me, and teach me your laws.”

God’s love for us is another reason we can ask him to smile daily at us. Psalm 31:16 “Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!”

Only the power and goodness of God can guarantee our strength in bad times and good times.

Psalm 4:6 “Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD.”

Smiling can be a daily lifestyle if we ask God to help us by first smiling at us.

Psalm 39:13 “Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again. Before I depart and am no more.”

King David believed God’s smile could save him. He prayed to experience it day by day before his death.

Psalm 80:19 “O Lord God of hosts, restore us; Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

Salvation and restoration are God’s gifts; we can receive them free of charge if we only seek God.

Can sin influence our smiles?

Genesis 4:7 “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

The robust control of sin over our lives can affect the inconsistency in our smiles. However, sin’s power over us will be broken when we surrender to God completely.

Knowing the influence of sin and refusing to allow it to control us is the higher maturity of life that will birth joyful smiles.

Can smiling be an evangelism tool?

Our genuine smiles can help others recognize the magnificence of God.

Psalm 126:2-3 “Then our mouth was filled with laughter”, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”

Some people will believe God through our smiles when we give them with a sincere heart, especially during our difficult seasons.

Job 29:24 “I smiled on them when they did not believe, And the light of my face they did not cast down.

Our smiles or facial appearances can cause people to either believe in God or not. We indirectly preach the message of Christ when we wear a smile in obedience to the word of God.

Matthew 6:16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

God rewards people who smile. Our appearances have effects on our faith and relationship with God. Our smiles are instrumental reflections of our faith in God and signs of encouragement to people who might not have seen or heard about God.

When should we smile?

There is no particular time for us to smile. We should smile every time. Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

We can smile when we are grieving or hurting. Life situations will always cause us to wear sad faces, but we can make a firm decision to keep smiling. Proverbs 14:13 “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.

Though we might not feel like doing it, we must keep smiling.

How should we smile?

Job 9:27 “If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and smile.”

We should smile by not investing energy in lamenting what we don’t have. We must choose deliberately to keep our joy, despite how challenging situations may compel us to complain hopelessly.

What is the relationship between smiling and hope?

We know we have fully trusted God when we can smile despite the uncertainty of our present lives.

Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.”

Our future is filled with hope as we anticipate eternity with God. Our smiles reflect the assurance that God will always be by our side.

Yearning for a joy-filled life is common, but achieving it requires effort. Sustaining a daily smile relies on recognizing that our own desires can’t fully control it.

Our moods often shift based on circumstances, causing imbalance. True and lasting joy comes from God’s presence, a gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit when we rely on Him.

Galatians 5: says 22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

Joy comes to our lives as soon as we welcome the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t mean we will automatically be joyful in everything at all times, but this means that despite our situation, we know we can rely on the joy from the Holy Spirit to maintain our smiles.

A daily smile is possible only when we depend on the joy of the Holy Spirit and not on our abilities or feelings.

More scriptural verses about smiling here.

Reflection questions
1. Why should we smile every day?
2. When should we smile?
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