The following is written by contributing writer, Kalu Jane . Before reading sisters let us remember

that courting and dating are totally different. God never inventing dating. He invented marriage. With that said, be prayerful in your decisions while courting someone. You and the young man you're courting should be on the same page spiritually.

Boy meets girl...

They fall in love, boy and girl lives happily ever after. Right? That's not always the case.

Sometimes, we ladies get into a scene/relationship which gloomes at the beginning, but this particular guy forgets about the "happily ever after" bit altogether due to a problem or may be no problem at all and leaves you emptied, heavy, broken, and a desperate ache that makes it hurt to breathe. Venom of regret rushing through your veins each day, and killing every remnant of self worth you have left.

 Sister, before you kill yourself for someone who doesnt know your worth,take a moment,spend some quality time with your maker, in Him you will find peace. Heartbreak shouldn't have to be your purnishment; but an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus. Pour out your pain and trust Him to bind you up. It is the same saviour who promises to mend every rip, tear and hole within us. He is longing to set you free. 

 

JUST LET JESUS!
SOURCES: Isa.61:1, Jn.10:10

"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." ~1 Corinthians 7:7

The Apostle Paul, refers to his state of singleness as a gift. Many of you are probably thinking to yourself, “Well God, if singleness is a gift, then it’s one that you can take back!” For many, it’s hard to think of singleness as a gift, but during this season of my life where I am very single, God has given me such a revelation on how much of a gift this season really is! Let me start by saying this: I have never been in a relationship in all of my 19 years of living, but I have observed many relationships growing up. Unfortunately, none of them were relationships that have honored God and placed Him first, but when I gave my life to Christ, I began to be exposed to couples who were honoring God, courting His way, and keeping Him first. These couples consisted of people who honored God, even in their single life, so the idea of maintaining godly principles in their relationship was not a foreign or outlandish concept. By the grace of God, I am able to offer a unique perspective on relationships and how singleness is truly a gift after all, having not ever been in a relationship! 

Our single season is a precious time where we can develop in God, be healed from our pasts, learn the Word, and ultimately devote our time and our lives to the Lord. I find many women waiting for their “Boaz” while missing out on the precious time that they can have with God! Paul later goes on to say in verses 32 through 34, “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 affair: 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.” First and foremost, what many women (and men) don’t understand is that a relationship is work. Of course there will be fun moments and great times, but that does not negate the fact that a relationship is work. Those of us who are blessed with the gift of singleness for however many seasons of our life the Lord blesses us with this gift, we are free from concern! This is in no way, me trying to make marriage and courtships out to be a negative thing, because relationships are God’s idea and they are beautiful when God is in the midst of it, but this is me trying to get you to understand that singleness is not a curse. A married person’s interest are divided. They are focused on pleasing their spouse, and the Lord. However, those of us who are single can devote our time completely to the Lord. There is so much that we can do for the Kingdom during this time. It’s a precious time that shouldn’t be wasted in waiting. 

As stated previously, as single people we are able to devote our time completely to the Lord. Something that I’ve noticed is that some of us either don’t want to do that, or put it to the side as something we’ll do later, knowing full well that we have no intentions on doing devoting our time to the Lord. With the time that we have, we can spend so much of it with God. During this particular season in my life, after getting saved, while I didn’t fill my time with seeking out relationships I definitely spent a bunch of it on social media, scrolling my life away so this is something that I have been guilty of as well. I was the person who put it aside until later. I would say, “Okay, at 7:30, I’ll read my Bible” but when 7:30 came, I pushed it up 10 minutes and another 10 minutes until I had wasted another hour on social media, so I definitely understand how that happens. However, I had to get real with myself and ask myself, “Where is my heart? Why am I able to put so much time into filling myself up with people’s lives rather than filling myself up with the Word of God?” It’s a heart check that I needed, and I know many others need to as well. Where are our hearts? Why are we so focused on seeking relationships, spending hours on social media, etc. and not fully devoting our time to God? Many of us aren’t lonely when we’re filling up our time with these void fillers; many of us are bored! 

This leads me perfectly into my next point: Go out and live! Although I’ve been single for my entire (short) life, it was only after I got saved that I really began to learn who I was and how to abundant life really is with Christ. This season of my life has been a beautiful time of self-discovery and growth. I’ve learned so much about myself! For instance, I never knew how much I loved History until I sought God wholeheartedly. It’s so incredible to me that in seeking God, we’ll learn about ourselves. During this time, if you want to serve in 10 ministries at your church? Go for it. You want to hold Bible studies at your house? Do it. Fellowship with your sisters in Christ. Go to museums, zoos, and skating rinks with your friends, while of course making sure to always honor God in everything that we do. I’m definitely not saying go out to clubs and get drink. But there are so many ways that you can have fun while honoring God and still have fun! Being single does not equate to having nothing to do. It also does not equate to sitting around and waiting for a man to begin to live your life. 

So, yes. As crazy as it may seem, singleness is a beautiful gift from the Lord that should not be taken for granted. I pray that this encourages every single one of you to enjoy whatever season God has blessed you to be in, whether that is singleness, courtship, marriage, or marriage with children. No matter what circumstance we’re in, we need not ever feel that we are “cursed.” God loves us so much, through every season of our lives! 

About the Author: Anijeh Green is currently a sophomore in college. She is majoring in Education with a concentration in English. She's completely in love with Jesus Christ and excited about the life that He has called her to lead. Anijeh hopes to bless people with her love and gift of writing. 

I am really struggling with the concept of what is believed to be loved in the world today and to be

quite honest I am concerned!

A few months ago I was in my cell group (a group of 10 - 15 believers, who meet weekly to build a small manageable community within a big church) we were in the middle of worship when I felt led to kneel down and so I did. Then I began to see a vision of a male figure (who I perceived to be Jesus) walk towards me, there was a great light beaming from behind him. Then I quickly took a pen and paper and wrote down the following words and scripture.

My King dressed in white and gold coming towards me with hands stretched forward - meeting me here on my knees.

Ezekiel 3:10
And He said to me, "Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you."

And like that the vision ended. I sat for a few seconds waiting to hear but nothing... Cell ended and I went on with life and almost forgot about this vision until a few weeks later I met a person who when I thought about, I was reminded of this vision.

Why am I telling you this?  Well because with this I realized how different God's ways and thoughts are and I want to encourage you to listen! God is such a great lead He doesn't just push us into things He tells us and in a way prepares us for the path ahead.

With this vision God began a journey where He is teaching me what love is and I must tell you this, something does not match up!

I've taken a good listen to conversations on the radio to songs, I watch people and I watch television. From the get go I realized that the love I previously knew and the love I have now also observed in today's world is broken. Ladies this is not the original design, it just isn't! Right now we have the opportunity to choose which one we want. 

Do we really want the love that is defined by a society with a broken moral system:

1.The "everyone is doing it that way" love? Love where two people are together but it’s okay to lust over and entertain others on the side? No we say, yet we are double tapping pictures of naked bodies and inboxing each other just for "fun".

2. Love that leaves us crying more than we smile? No we say, yet we live in the reality of these lyrics “You're way too beautiful girl. That's why it'll never work. You'll have me suicidal, suicidal. When you say it's over. Some even in the reality of these lyrics Just gonna stand there and watch me burn. But that’s all right because I like the way it hurts. Just gonna stand there and hear me cry. But that’s all right because I love the way you lie. I love the way you lie. Oh, I love the way you lie.

3. Love where we tie ourselves to each other only to carelessly tear each other apart. No we say yet we have sex on the 3rd date and if it doesn't work out it's okay find another one do the same with a few others till you find one that's okay to marry but oh divorce after 72 hours.

Please let's learn the truth, let's live the truth and realize the joy and excitement that it produces.

Firstly there is one true love, God. He made us in His image and if according to His word, His love has no beginning and has no ending, His love is unfailing and unconditional that is how our love should be.

The most amazing part is that He doesn't condemn me, He doesn't even condemn you!

So we can boldly leave behind the broken way of receiving and giving love and say yes to the real love.

This love...

1 Corinthians 13:4 - 13, "Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This isn’t just a lovely chapter to read at weddings it produces such a beautiful reward when applied. Love that is a decision and a daily proactive choice. Love that first builds friendship - a good foundation, love that makes a covenant on the right terms, love that has God as the goal, love that is together against broken love. 

 

About the Author: Mbali Mahlangu is a 21-year-old Bible College student and Owner of Isiba

Emporium-www.isibaemporium.co.za. She is born to serve and lead.

 

Anyone ever feel as though they are continually facing chaos and turmoil in their personal
relationships?  Do you feel as though your circle of associates are always involved in drama and/or mess, such as back-biting??? Gossiping???

You know that their behavior is not Christ-like, but you have not found the strength to walk away from that friendship…No matter how toxic it is…

Maybe you have not dropped the friendship because you don’t have many people you interact with…
Or maybe you simply feel indebted to that group or individual. Whatever the reasoning may be, I want you to know that it is not healthy for a follower of Christ to surround themselves with toxic relationships!

This past weekend, I was speaking with a close friend of mine about a group of women who appear to be destructive in everything they do. I can recall several events, as of late, in which they have deliberately inflicted chaos, particularly in the planning phase of events.

Any individual attempting to do something Christ-like seems to be a threat and they proceed to attack them through gossiping to anyone who will listen. After observing the women closely, I noted several things about their character, and these observations lead to an epiphany that stirred my spirit.

Character traits that I would use to describe this group of women are as follows:

                              …UNHAPPY…BITTER…ANGRY…SELFISH…JEALOUS…HURT…

The conviction that came to me is that, as women striving to live for Christ in EVERY WAY, we must be very careful about who we align ourselves with. Our job as Christian women is to pray for those who have a bitter root. We can help them from a distance.

TWEET THIS: It's IMPERATIVE that we PROCEED with CAUTION when we start to ALIGN with people with negative views & thoughts.  

Why? For starters, when you allow negative people to invade your space, that peace and joy you've found will suddenly disappear.  Most of the time, negativity brings about confusion, turmoil, and unrest.

If you have all this chaos going on through your associations, how can you have clarity? How can God bless you the way he wants, when you are surrounded by individuals who will allow Satan to lead them?And, let’s be real, if you are really trying to live for God, then you will always be at odds with negativity and chaos, you will never be able to solidify with those character traits!

It is of great importance that we are selective  about who we align ourselves with.

DO NOT allow the things of this world to propel us into alignment with people in which we are UNEQUALLY YOKED.

We are to remain VIGILANT… to WATCH and PRAY…on ALL occasions.

Like the saying goes, "CHECK YOUR CIRCLE!"

God provided us with the Spirit of Discernment to let us know what is of him and what is not. It is our job to utilize this gift.

When we see that individuals are not using their gifts, time and money to edify and glorify the Kingdom of God, it may be time to check your circle. That’s a sign to go before the Lord and seek his wisdom concerning our relationships…

I must say, it is not our duty to judge others, but we can control who invades our space.
We must remain steadfast in our relationship with God! Meaning that we must continue to pray and uplift our sisters because we are called to spread the love of Christ!

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against these things.”~Galations 5:22-23

About the Author: Lauren Ashley is a believer of Jesus Christ; he's her everything! Lauren is just trying to make the best of this life's journey and tread on the path God has created for her! She currently has a blog entitled,"Convicted: Living Life with Daily Convictions." To read more encouraging words from Lauren, visit www.dailyconvictions.blogspot.com.

The following is a contributed article from Kelly Detzel, reminding you patience is a virtue. Continue to wait on God's best. 

Please. Another wedding invitation? Gag
me. Another Facebook status announcing her engagement? Lady, stop tooting your own horn. I mean, it isn’t that big a deal. Everyone and I mean everyone and her best friend was either married or already had an engagement ring on that pretty little finger of hers. Except me.  And I know what you’re thinking. Please girl, shut up and stop while you’re ahead. Not another single me, single you sob story. Go away. I am perfectly fine with eating my feelings and drowning in Netflix episodes. Hold on, okay? Pull up a chair and stay a while.

Anyway, it was 2012, May 5th to be exact when a message buzzed on my phone.

“I’M ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It read in all caps.

I knew. I knew it was coming before she even sent the text. And I won’t lie. I was still a discontented single pringle of a gal who didn’t have a clue. There she was sitting in a South Carolina restaurant with the love of her life without a care in the world. I should have been happy for her. And sure, I was happy for her. Of course I was. Happy as I text back “Congrats.” while sitting with my best friend in her living room trying to push back the tears. Happy as I scrolled through her engagement ring pics on Facebook trying to push back frustration. Happy as I tried desperately punching that green eyed monster sucker smack dab in the face. Envy-10 points, Kelly-0.

But being happy and being genuinely joyful for someone are two different things completely. Because it was her time for love. It was her time to be joined together with the one God chose for her before she was even born. Who was I to be jealous just because she got to walk down the aisle before I did?

Selfish girl bitter attitude. Single girl lonely girl. Angry girl who desperately needed a heart and soul check. The grass is always greener on the other side. Isn’t that how life just seems to go sometimes? I’d be happier, more content if I just had. . . I’d be on fire for God, believe you me if I just attained. Lord, you know this is what I need. It’s the best thing for me really. Or is it?

Clenched fist, tears in my eyes. Stones in my pocket when God longed to give me gems. My whole life ahead of me and I was stuck in a standstill. “God’s forgotten about you.” Satan whispered. “He’s withholding what you want most because He doesn’t love you.”

And at the time, I believed those lies. Swallowed them hook line and sinker Maybe I had been wrong. Perhaps I had been deceived all along. I wasn’t getting what I thought I needed when I needed it. So I selfishly blamed God for a season. It was his fault for making me wait. It was his fault I was alone. Or was it?

Twenty three and clueless. I was nowhere near even close to being ready. Cooking? Forget about it. Household skills? Don’t make me laugh. See, what we fail to remember is that God is the orchestrator of all things in His timing alone. He’s not going to just hand over what we want or think we need just because we pout and scream and cry.  If it isn’t your time to fulfill your calling, be it a nurse or teacher or doctor it’s not going to happen. Period.

Dreams put on hold for a season aren’t necessarily meant to die.I wanted to become a writer.  Man oh man did I want to write. Ladies I waited over three and a half years and God finally answered that prayer this past Friday. Three and a half years of tears and doubt and wailing and petitions out to God. See, it wasn’t that God was saying no, He was saying “My ways are not your ways; my thoughts are not your thoughts. You need to wait. You need to trust. Even if I say no.”

Do you know how long Sarah and Abraham desired and waited for a son? Can you imagine the countless tears that were shed during the wait? Twenty five years of waiting. Twenty five years of prayers and cries out to Jehovah.

But God in his perfect timing does finally answer. Genesis 21:2-3 reads “For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.”
And then God throws a curveball.

Genesis 22:2 reads: “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”

It gets me every single time I read this account. How much do you love me Abraham?
Hey, how much do you love me, Kelly? How much? Are you, are we willing to give up what we treasure and or desire the most and put it on the altar as a sacrifice to God?

Genesis 22:10 reads: “And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.”

His precious son, his only son which he had prayed for so long. The point is he loved God more. He had faith that God would intervene right on time. He trusted and God answered.  May I encourage you tonight to follow hard after God and allow Him to become your first love? Don’t be afraid to trust God, even if He says no. Don’t be afraid to trust God even when He says yes! It’s finally time!
He knows best.

 About the Author: Kelly has been a writer since the age of twelve, and is on a mission to reach souls for Jesus through the art of written word. A blogger since 2011, she adores charming her readers with a unique outlook on anything and everything from works of pure fiction to simple truths of Jesus Christ, life, and love.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The following article was contributed from Orgen Martinez. Connect with Orgen on Instagram at Rooted in Love.

Ephesians 4:18

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.


Christian atheism: One who believes in God but lives as if God does not EXIST!

If you have watched the movie God is Not Dead then this girl on the left here is a great example of how a Christian Atheist acts. She claims to be a Christian but was so self-centered that she cared more about her future than her boyfriend wanting to defend his faith.

Be reminded that unequally yoked relationships are not healthy, Its important to be careful not to choose someone who claims to know God but lives in disobedience, no fear of God, constant sin, and only has room for two in a relationship.

God should not be a third wheel.


HE IS ALWAYS FIRST

You'll never have a healthy relationship without Jesus at the Center! If Jesus is barely mentioned, never really involved  in your issues, problems, situations, if he isn't prayed to and given a word of thanks at the beginning of dinner dates or before bed time as  (married) couples, then your relationship is headed down the wrong direction.

 It should never be this way-claiming to know God but waking up daily forgetting He's the reason. Going to church to hear about him and his expectations but never really aware of his presence being there.

God wants to be a part of every relationship, in every aspect.  Many of
our past relationships were about each other, our selfish needs and desires. But praise God that This Love is Selfless! Daily, we speak on where to go next with our faith and what does God expect of us now in the present. We read God's Word continually because we feel empty when only guided by our own opinions and thoughts, we cant function as an individual or a couple if the Holy Spirit isn't leading us.

We are NOTHING if our FAITH isn't put into action, and our deeds aren't done in SPIRIT & in TRUTH!

Some say, "there's nothing wrong with with a little bump and grind" but in reality there's A LOT wrong with it and unfortunately many college bound girls will face that harsh reality as

they enter the beginnings of a new journey all around the world. A time of new experiences, friends, classes, locations-a time of freedom! For most freedom, for the first time in their lives. That freedom can be filled with nervousness or it can be filled with the desires to be wild outside of parental supervision. Either way, its a time of a change with big decisions on the path ahead of you. Along that path, you can either stray away from God's word and promise or you choose to stay on the narrow path. 
      
"Narrow is the path, that leads to life & only few find it."~Matt 7:14

If you're reading this and you're a professed Christian, I get it-you want to have fun. But having fun, can turn into more than you bargained for if your fun involves the pleasures of the world. Remember you body is a temple! I know its easy to get off track, if it weren't I wouldn't be writing this. Simply because I remember my freshman year as if it were yesterday, filled with innocence but unfortunately life brings us tests. The purpose of this post is to show you how to stay on the right track of keeping your promise to God, concerning your bodies. I honestly look back at the things I deemed "ok" and I'm disgusted by those things now. 

There's a reason why sex was meant for marriage and that's to protect us from detrimental soul-ties. I want to encourage you not to feed your fantasies with your boyfriends, not to listen to your friends that whisper to you how great sex is, in order to make you curious. Trust me, its not worth it. However, if you're one of those young women that have bought the hype, there's still another chance and God is the same God he's always been. He's a merciful God, so never be afraid to kneel and ask for forgiveness. Stay in his word and I promise he'll reveal things beyond what you've imagined. Trust me when I say, conviction is real. I'm not telling you what I heard, I'm telling you what I know and there's absolutely no person on this earth that is worth sinning your soul to the pits of hell for.

 I encourage you to stay away from the idea of friends with benefits. Stay away from the games that are meant to string your heart along the way, that you on the other hand think are cute. Once you've given up something so precious that belongs to your future spouse to a boyfriend, it will always be expected of you. So remember, don't start something that you can't finish so easily, to desire love at the end of the road. While you're thinking love, he's thinking lust. Stick to your standards! Know you are worth the wait! As always, you're urged to pray for discernment, in order to identify counterfeit people that enter your life. Those that take advantage of you, targeting you for sex and could care less about your mind or heart.  After you've read this post, search this blog for two other related posts, I've written titled, " The Unbearable Weight of Soul Ties" and "Have You Killed Your Flesh." 

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."~1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Stay encouraged and don't give up fighting the enemy!