Tag Archives: marriage

christianity, encouragement, faith, hope, inspiration, marriage, men, prayer, relationship

The three-folded cord- testimonial

4 Comments

Red Hearts Valentine's Day Twitter Post

The three-folded cord

Whenever I remember this testimony, it reminds me of the need to have tough skin and the persistency not to give up. The practicality of holding on to the blessing God has given you, and not to surrender it. To encourage myself in the word of God, even when the world believes my situation will not change- silence those words. To reprogram our minds to live in victory, knowing that God will not disappoint us for totally surrendering to Him.

The beauty of a prayer partner is that through the journey of partnership, you experience life transforming events that only the two of you will ever understand. “What do you want to pray about”? I asked him. He responded: “I want to pray for my wife and for my marriage. Things have been challenging and my wife does not see things spiritually the way I do”. I knew that things were deeper than he was telling me, and that he was desperate for a divine intervention from God. With time, he started to explain the challenges he was facing, and He needed someone that would stand with him in prayer, to usher him into his breakthrough.

For the coming 6 months, we prayed every day without fail. I was doing my masters at the time and was very busy with assignments. But I always made time for our prayer session. It was something to look forward to as we were believing God for a miracle.

He knew my timetable and I knew his. We became part of one another’s lives. I would look for an empty lecture room or even sit in the car park for us to pray on the phone. He would call me on his lunch breaks from his car and was willing to skip anything to ensure we kept the momentum going.

Some days were good, you could feel God’s presence. However, other days were dull, and we were asking ourselves if it was even worth carrying on. The more we prayed, the more dreams and visions we both would got about each other lives and the clearer we were able to hear God’s voice. There were days when he was weary and tired, and I had to keep giving him words of encouragement to keep going. His current situation was getting worse and contrary from what we were praying for. But he kept on praying. There were days when I would ask myself whether I was wasting my time, but the Holy Spirit kept reminding me I needed to be there for him.  It is amazing how much you can learn from one another. I am more of a seer and he has immense knowledge of the word. I now understand that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

Black and White Singles Awareness Day Instagram Post.png

After a couple of months of praying, my prayer partner called me. I will never forget that May. He shared what had happened in their household. He did not tell me in detail what exactly happened. He said he and his wife were in the living room and an unexplainable presence entered the room. At that moment, something touched the both of them and they decided to rededicate their marriage to the Lord. For them that was a new start, new beginning in their marriage and their relationship with God. (Ecclesiastes 4:12  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken).

Our prayer sessions were replaced with his prayer sessions with his wife. She is a seer, God shows her things concerning him, and he uses his knowledge in the word to add to their Christian walk together. Him and his wife prayer together each day, and willingly.

When the season ended I felt sad. I was used to having my routine of prayer with my prayer partner, and despite it being time consuming, it was one of the best seasons I have had. However, when I see at what God has done in his life, his wife’s life and how God has transformed their marriage, I can only say that it could have only been God!

Things I learnt from this testimony:

  • Don’t listen to every word of advice you get from your friends

Not everyone has our best intentions. Ask God for discernment and for the right people in your life. Make God the go-to-person for everything.

  • Strength yourself with the word of God

The word of God gives us power and strength to overcome every situation

  • Ask God to give you a seasonal prayer partner

We are one body and we need support from one another to fulfill our purpose.

  • Take by force the blessing God has given you

We should always guard blessing and not allow it to slip away from us John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

  • God is teaching you something in this season.

There is always something to be learnt in each season, it is never a waste of time.

Advertisement
christianity, encouragement, faith, friendship, holy spirit, inspiration, marriage, relationship, women

God given husband- testimonial

Leave a comment

IMG_20180126_140620

Witnessing a testimony is an exceptional life changing experience. You encounter God doing the impossible, the miraculous and receiving unexplained victory. This testimony gave me hope, reminded me that God does indeed hear our prayers and that in His timing He perfects all.

I remember sitting on the tube to university one day when I had an odd conviction about my friend. I strongly had an urge to tell her she had to break off the relationship she was in, and that God wanted to bless her with a husband. How does one break this news to someone who is in a happy relationship? How do I really know this is God, or were these my own emotions? I decided to keep it to myself but the feeling kept coming back. After pondering on it for some days I decided to tell her. I said to myself, “God if this is you, you will not put me to shame”. She received the word better than I anticipated and she decided to seek God about it herself. I remember her being afraid of the unknown, leaving the man she loved for no “apart reason” and trusting that God would bring her better. As we went into prayer, I had a vision of a man who loved her, a man of God who had a pastoral calling. Again, I was hesitant to tell her but still did so in the end. For her that was confirmation to leave the life she was living, and solely trust God’s plan.

IMG_20180126_141259.png

I remember her telling me that she felt like it was a step back. How does one start all over again? She moved back to her parents’ home, but I encouraged her that God would not disappoint her. She decided to set up a fellowship at her parents’ house and it was powerful. We had bible studies, praise and worship, powerful prayer sessions and people came from all corners. She invited one of her high school friends to the weekly meeting, who happened to live down the road from her. He was a young man full of wisdom and on fire for Christ.

They started to spend more time together. A few months later, she invited him to come to our church, as we had a special service. During the praise and worship, the same urge came upon me as when I was on the tube. A voice was telling me to pray for them. I tried to ignore the voice but the burden was upon my heart. I decided to take a leap of faith. I walked over to them and told them that I felt led to pray for them. I remember saying in my heart: “Holy Spirit, please pray on my behalf because I don’t know what to say”. As the words started flowing from my month, I prayed for their marriage, their ministry and a boy child. After the prayer, the gentleman whispered to me: “Thank you very much, this is confirmation”. During the same service, the pastor called upon all who knew they had a pastoral calling to the front for a prayer, and he walked over.

Not long after that, he stated his intentions to marry my friend and a few months later they got married. When I see the spiritual growth within her personal life, and the joy she has with her husband I can only testify that it is God’s doing. Whenever I see pictures of their baby boy, I remember that God revealed Him to us, even before He was in His mother’s womb. Sometimes in life, one step backwards is two steps forward.
At the time, moving back to her parents’ house looked like a backward step, not knowing that her God given husband lived down the road from that home. Perhaps if she had not moved, this testimonial would not have taken place (obedience).

IMG_20180126_155939 (1).png

Things I learnt for this testimonial:

1. God speaks to you
Many times we doubt ourselves and wonder whether it is His voice speaking to us. The word tells us that you know His voice- do not doubt!
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me..”

2. Take a leap of faith
Try to walk into the unknown by trusting the word God has given you. He has good plans for you
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

3. Uncomfortable situations build up character
No situation last forever and there is always something to learn from it. Sometimes we have to go through uncomfortable situation to embed godly characteristics into us.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”

4. God will not put you to shame
When we put our trust in God, we have the confidence that all will work out for our good.
Psalm 9:10 “And those who know your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You”.

I want to encourage you today, that whatever your heart yearns and desires, God can give you more than that. God wants to perfect everything in your life. He will not start something that He will not finish and the outcome will be victory!

baby, bible study, blessing, christian blogger, christianity, encouragement, faith, happiness, house, job

Triple blessing

2 Comments

Floral Background Instagram PostThe first day at a new workplace can be quite daunting and anxious. New colleagues can become your new best friends or become your enemies. My new office consisted of myself and one other colleague. I really prayed I would get along with that person because 8 hours day in day out is a long time! So here she was, a lady the same age as me. At first, there was a lot of silence, I guess each of us was cautious of the other. But in my second week, she was on leave for three weeks, as she was getting married. When she came back, we clicked so well, it was like I had known her for years. Moreover she was Christian. We had very deep Christian conversations. That became the focus of our daily chat and I always looked forward to coming to work. 

She opened up to me about her fertility chances, based on what the doctors told her. I had so much compassion, considering she was a lady like myself in her twenties and moreover a newlywed. Then she told me that her husband lived abroad, and it was almost impossible and unaffordable to bring him over. In addition to this, she always had the desire to pursue further studies. But she stated she would only be able to do if it was fully funded. 

In our third month of working together, is when she received a job alert regarding a higher position.  She was not going to apply. I encouraged her to go for it, especially since it was better pay and a higher position. I told her that God would open the doors for all the things she desired and that she would get them all in a year (speaking in faith).

She went for the job interview and got the job. As she had on a higher position than myself, I was offered her job without an interview (God’s favour).

She took a leap of faith, she left her parents’ home and moved into an apartment. She didn’t know how she was going to manage paying for it but trusted that God would provide. A few months later, her husband joined her. After that, her job offered to pay for her further studies. As we speak she is at one of the top universities in the country!! In addition to this, I recently received a photograph of a beautiful baby girl.

The three months that I worked with her felt like years and I believe that is was purposeful for that season. She changed my way of seeing things spiritually and how powerful God is. Not only did He give her a triple blessing, he quadrupled it and gave her more than she asked for!

Highway Quote Graphic Instagram Post.png

6 things that I learnt from this testimony:

 

  1. Encourage one another and speak into each other’s lives.

We all need encouragement and as you bless others, God is also going to bless you.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

  1. Do not envy the success of others.

Your time for reaping will come at God’s appointing time

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

  1. Put all your trust in God.

He will not disappoint you nor put you to shame.

Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

  1. Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith.

God will not put you to shame, He always has your best interest.

Psalm 9:10 And those who know your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

  1. God is your provider.

He can take care of all your financial needs. 

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

  1. Do not limit God.

God will bless you with more than you can ask for. 

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us..”

I encourage you today to take a leap of faith and believe God for a triple blessing. Believe God that He is able to fulfill your hearts desires. May He come through for you in every trial and difficulty. May you be an overcomer and accomplish all God has in store for you IJN. 

christianity, christianwomen, declarations, godlywomen, prayer, repentance, women

The purity of a Christian woman- Daily Declarations

3 Comments

  • I thank you Lord for today and for waking me up today
  • I repent of the sins I have committed knowingly or unknowingly
  • God has a great plan for my life and I shall accomplish these plans
  • I have a bright future, regardless of my past mistakes
  • My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
  • I refuse for lust, sexual immorality, perversion to be part of my life
  • I declare holiness upon every aspect of my life
  • Any area where I am falling short, Lord reveal this to me
  • I denounce any generational curses and I am free from them in Jesus name
  • I will marry and have a prosperous marriage with no delay
  • I will be virtuous wife and I am ready to be prepared to be that woman

celibacy, christianity, christianwoman, faith, grace, marriage, purity, scripture, struggle, womanoffaith, womanofgod

The Purity of a Christian Woman

19 Comments

The journey of an unmarried Christian woman has many challenges, having to juggle to try and meet the standards of the world as well as the Christian norm and values. It’s a paradox, wanting to fulfill the attributes of the modern day woman and fueling oneself with the ways of God. Many Christian women are dying, and yet not acknowledging the deep rooted aspects to why. For many, this aspect doesn’t make sense; I am keeping myself for marriage, I have only been “so far” with my partner/ we have not gone all the way, hence why I am on the route to hell? I can share that from my own personal experience that I was that Christian. Having had my first encounter with the Lord at age 13, I always knew it was not right to have sex before marriage, as that was the expectation of a Christian. I was unable to quote any biblical scriptures but I knew it was wrong. Many times we are not taught why it is wrong; we just know it’s the Christian norm. Here are some questions/statements Christian women have asked me: 

  • I mean as long as we just kiss it’s okay isn’t it? 
  • As long as it doesn’t go beyond touching it is fine?  
  • I can count the number of people I have slept with one hand so I’m not as bad as the girl who has multiple boyfriends, had an abortion or is a single mother right? 
  • If I repent each time after having sex, God will forgive me won’t He? 
  • If I continue to sleep with him, cook/clean his house and look after him, he will marry me eventually 
  • I can continue to accept gifts and financial support from a guy who is not my husband, he’s offering them anyway.  
  • We are engaged now so it’s okay for us to start sleeping together 

The list of compromising statements is endless and the word of God clearly states “that my people perish for lack of knowledge”- Hosea 4:6. Within the body of Christ there are various standards Christian women have set in their relationships; from kissing, masturbation and having sex. The question you have to ask yourself is what would Jesus do? Jesus is able to see our heart and our physical activities; is He happy with your thoughts and actions? I pray that God will give you the discernment to answer these questions. 

Having lived in sexual sin myself, I knew deep down inside what I was doing wrong was wrong but did not have the strength to stop fornicating. I knew God was real and was willing to try and live a righteous life but had no self-control. It was not until I wept and cried unto the Lord for help that He was able to deliver me and use me for His kingdom. He was not able to use me in His kingdom until I repented, kept my body as His temple and fully surrendered to Him. This is when He opened my spiritual eyes and used me as His prophetic vessel. Does that mean that I don’t get tempted? Of course I do, I have to die to the flesh DAILY! Nevertheless, the fear of hell and having countless divine interactions with the Lord Himself has installed a great deal of fear towards the Father. Repentance is the first step to victory. I encourage you to take that same leap of faith for yourself. Remember that if He woke you up this morning, He still has a great plan for you and it is not too late regardless of how far you have gone. An example of this is Rahab (read the book of Joshua) who was a prostitute. Regardless of her sinful nature, because of her obedience to God, the greatest man to have ever lived fell into her lineage! 

Many Christian women lie about their sexual activities and remain in bondage and sin because of it. Everyone wants to be the holy girl. Nevertheless we all fall short. Remember you don’t have to have done the act to have committed a sin. No sin is greater than the other! Let’s be open about our shortfalls and pray for one another rather than condemning (1 Corinthians 6:19 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”). You will come to realise that many Christian women are struggling with the same issues as you are, do not be afraid to share. By exposing the enemy we gain victory over our short fallings.  

If your desire is to be married, ask God to prepare you to be a wife, what your individual and marriage purpose is in His kingdom. The martial institution is not just about having a man, having sex and children in wedlock, there is a godly ministry attached to it. This is why it is important to marry the right person. Be bold enough to ask God who your husband is and to reveal it to you. Be bold enough to pray and say: Father, if this man is of you reveal it to me and if not, cut him off from my life. I have in fact prayed that prayer 3 times and each time I never heard from those guys again (Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know”). Some of us Christian women are desperate to get married, put pressure on our Christian brothers, are too focused on the lavish white wedding and forget that it is a lifetime commitment!  

Be patient to wait on God, whilst He prepares your husband and most importantly prepares you! Believe that Gods timing is perfect and that everything happens for our God; even if it doesn’t make sense to us. 

Image