Sibling Rivalry

Many times parents fuel sibling rivalry without intending to. They may have a specially gifted child and compare the other children to this particular one. They may have one that is way more responsible and organized than the others, and once again fuel sibling rivalry. This is to be avoided at all costs. The family unit must be a team.

My dad will be coming back tonight from the US where he has been undergoing treatment for diabetes, kidney failure and cancer. It was a very tough time for us when he was here, and in the 4 years that he has been abroad it has still not been easy. We are now bracing ourselves financially and psychologically for dialysis payments, pharmaceutical bills, hospital visits etc... but we are so glad he is coming home!

I have talked to my siblings about the financial implications involved severally, and I am sad to say that none of them has made any plans on helping out with the costs. I am not worried about that though. I know that God will come through for us. I will do all I can to make sure he has what he needs, although it will be a strain.

What I am afraid of, is the comments he will make. He will probably start comparing them to me and I know the results of that. I will be targeted for snide remarks and resentment - classic sibling rivalry!

The Story of Joseph is a classic in this. Jacob loved him because he had been born to him in his old age and made him a heavily ornamented robe or a robe of many colors (Gen 37:4) The other children noticed this and resented Joseph.

Gen 37:3-4

"Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him".

This matter has been weighing very heavily on me. I want peace and harmony. I asked God what to do and he gave me the following passage.

Matthew 6:1-4
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you".

I must keep my contributions quiet. I'm not sure how I will get dad to do this, but on my part I will ask him not to talk about it. Then I will pray for peace.

LOL! Doing good is not necessarily easy. But we must do good at all times and conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. Hallelujah!

One thing I do know, that whatever happens it will all play into God's hands. Joseph was sold into slavery and God elevated him. It all worked out for good. This will too. The devil meant it for harm, but God meant it for good. My hope is in God.

The Wing of your garment

I had never thought of this before so when God showed it to me yesterday I was blown away. I guess that is because I am very traditional in my thinking and feel that the man should pursue me. I hold on to that VERY FIERCELY! I want to be pursued. But did you know that Ruth requested marriage from Boaz?

Ruth 3:9 "...I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." That was Ruth saying, I really would like for you to marry me. The Lord led me into a strange prayer last night where I prayed those words regarding the person I am currently seeing. "Spread the corner of your garment over me" It blessed my heart.

Then I found this one as well. Ezekiel 16:8

" 'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine".

Lord knows I am old enough for love!! It was a love filled night between Jesus and Me!!

Steal His Heart With a Look!

Song of Songs 4:9

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have stolen my heart
with one glance of your eyes...

Song of Songs 6: 5

Turn your eyes from me;
they overwhelm me...


So interesting when the Lord highlights verses like the two above. The eyes are the windows to your soul. Part of being naked and not ashamed with the man you love is to let him into your soul through your eyes. Let him see how much you love him. Take off the veil and let love out.

If you are anything like me, you keep the veil down. When did I get so hard and so afraid to show my emotions? Even with my man I am afraid to show when I feel him intensely. Could that be one reason why guys are unable to approach us women? Could it just be that they have nothing to go on? Who wants to court a rock anyway? I'm not saying do it foolishly, but there comes a level in your courtship where you have to let him in if you are to go to the next level. It's food for thought.

Sleep Woman!

I am usually the type to go and keep on going. As such, I get worn out really quick because I push myself beyond the limits. Well, yesterday was such a day. My weekend was filled with work on Saturday and Church on Sunday and by yesterday afternoon I was totally pooped. I was in bed before 8pm. I feel really good this morning. Very refreshed and just ready to face my day and the rest of the week. Don't know about you, but I need a full night of sleep every now and then.

Genesis 2:2
"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work".

Hope in the Lord!

Lamentations 3

21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD...

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men...

37 Who can speak and have it happen
if the Lord has not decreed it?

38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that both calamities and good things come?...

49 My eyes will flow unceasingly,
without relief,

50 until the LORD looks down
from heaven and sees...

55 I called on your name, O LORD,
from the depths of the pit.

56 You heard my plea: "Do not close your ears
to my cry for relief."

57 You came near when I called you,
and you said, "Do not fear."

58 O Lord, you took up my case;
you redeemed my life...

Recruitment

Today I will be very busy recruiting for a new account. I am very excited about it and can't wait to get to it. A while back I had been talking to the Lord about the kind of people that we need to recruit for the business. People who will be loyal, hardworking, excellent in their work, diligent, faithful etc (the list is long). Basically, the people we need to get us to the top! While I was talking to him I heard him say "Don't worry, I will recruit for you!" Of course that threw me off so I asked him where he had ever run a recruitment process before. He pointed me to Judges 7 the story of Gideon. It was he that sifted the men and chose those who would go into the battle with Gideon. The men through whom God would bring about victory for Israel.

Judges 7:4

But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."

I am relying on God to chose those who shall go and those who shall not go. Sift them for me Lord and chose the ones you want.

One of the challenges with this is that there is a tendency in the market place to ensure that you justify all your decisions. Telling my directors "The Lord says that person will cut it" will not fly, I must show evidence from the recruitment process that the person passed the interview. The Lord has already given me the criteria for the person who will go through. I am praying for grace and the courage to overrule some decisions made that may be out of God's will. I'm standing on Provers 3:5-6

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths".

You are the chief recruiter in this process Lord. Have your way. Cause me not to look on the outside like man does, but to look at the heart the way you do. May your hand be on me heavily throughout this whole recruitment process. Holy Spirit, Clothe me with yourself. Take possession of me. May all my decisions be the decisions you have already made. I am blessed. I love you Lord and thank you that by this team that you are putting together, you have stooped down to make me great. Exaltation come! In Jesus name, Amen!

Will the real men please stand up!

This article by Creflo Dollar blessed my heart. I so feel this.




Will the Real Men Please Stand Up?

Dr. Creflo A. Dollar


According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of homes headed by single mothers has risen from 3 million to 10 million since 1970. Although these statistics only represent U.S. figures, these numbers are similar all over the world.

This is the most fatherless generation this world has ever seen. As a result, it's been on my heart to minister specifically to men. Men, where are you? Children need you to stand up and take an active role in your homes, communities, and churches.

God has put men in a very fundamental position. We are the leaders of the household; therefore, it's up to us to establish the course of this nation beginning with our own families. Marriages are breaking up and children are fatherless because too many men act irresponsibly. All too often, men allow their manhood to be defined by the media, instead of the Word of God, and it's destroying our families.

For years, society has distorted the definition of manhood. Having certain male body parts defines you as a male, but it does not make you a man. Being a man requires facing the truth about who you are, and changing those things you know need changing. Many of you are great husbands, fathers, and mentors, and for that, I applaud you. However, this article is directed to the men who aren't living up to their full potential.

My objective in addressing these issues is not to condemn you; instead, I want to encourage you to be a real man, not just for your families, churches, and communities, but also for yourself. If you're falling short, ask God to help you make the necessary adjustments and get back on track. Recommit yourself to God, and allow Him to guide you into success.

Real men fellowship with God and understand that He is the source of their life. Consider this: God blew His very breath into you. You've got His spirit and power inside you, so don't hide under excuses and negativity. This generation needs you—your families, neighborhoods, and churches need you!

It's time to take a look within. Will you judge yourself? Are you willing to sacrifice? If not, your children will suffer. While I've seen many women successfully raise children, it's not God's perfect design. God's design includes the man as the head of the family. Now, is the time for the real man to stand up! Will you be one of them?

Scriptures References:

Hebrews 10:24, 25

Ephesians 5:23

Ephesians 3:9

Romans 12:1, 2


— Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

Birth Order

We serve a strange God indeed. He elevates even in families and sets one above all the others. I don't know why he does it, but he does. He reaches down to a second born, a fourth born and makes them the FIRSTBORN!! When Rebekah was pregnant in Genesis 25 she was found to be with twins. God put them there and knew that Esau would be born first and Jacob second. Yet for some reason he planned that Jake would get the birthright and the blessing that went with it. In fact the bible says:

Romans 9:10-13

"Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger." Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

One was loved before the beginning of time and the other was hated. Esau stands for sinful man, the one who will neither listen nor obey what the Lord says. He loves wickedness and hates righteousness. Jacob stands for you and me. Heirs of the truth. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Therefore you and I are loved. Hence the Lord says:

Psalm 45:7

"You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy".

Promotion and elevation comes to Jacob from God. Before he was born the Lord said he would rule over Esau who represents sinful man. The righteous will rule over the wicked.

I have seen this in my own family, where the one who seeks God and follows God's rules is elevated and held in higher regard than the one who chooses not to do things God's way. It started with Cain and Abel. Abel was accepted and Cain became a restless wanderer. Now it has happened with Jake and Esau.

The First Born in most cultures has a place of honor in the family. It was the same in this case. Esau by virtue of his birth was to get the greater portion of the physical inheritance plus the special blessing that went with it. In Genesis 28 you find him lamenting after he discovers that the blessing is gone. He says of Jacob in verse 36 "He has deceived me these two times. He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing" and he planned to kill him.

That statement is not entirely true. The blessing was pure conniving no doubt, but the first time around, the birthright was purchased with a bowl of stew and the Bible records in Gen 25:34b "So Esau despised his birthright." He considered the bowl of stew more valuable than his birthright. Jacob on the other hand knew that the birthright came with a special blessing. It separated him as the one elevated above his peers. It spoke of double honor and double wealth and double inheritance. He saw not just the birthright but what was attached to it. And when the blessing came, he was blessed thus:

Genesis 27

27 So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said,
"Ah, the smell of my son
is like the smell of a field
that the LORD has blessed.

28 May God give you of heaven's dew
and of earth's richness—
an abundance of grain and new wine.

29 May nations serve you
and peoples bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.
May those who curse you be cursed
and those who bless you be blessed."

He was sustained with grain and wine. The earth's richness. Nations were to serve him and his relatives to bow down to him. This speaks of material wealth and honor. The curse was devoured and anyone who tried to curse him discovered that it didn't work and that curse turned back on them. He was blessed by God and as such was to be blessed by men!! This is my portion. I am Jacob and so are you if you love righteousness and hate wickedness. If Jesus is Lord over your life and you are walking after the Spirit.

When Jacob was about to die and had called his sons around him for a blessing he did some reversals of his own. Reuben was his firstborn in the flesh so he deserved the birthright and the blessing that went with it. But it was given to Judah. Son number 4. Judah's blessing was as follows:

Genesis 49

8 "Judah, your brothers will praise you;
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
your father's sons will bow down to you.

9 You are a lion's cub, O Judah;
you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs
and the obedience of the nations is his.

11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.

12 His eyes will be darker than wine,
his teeth whiter than milk.

Once again he is proclaimed the head of the family. He is given honor and dominion. He is given wealth in verse 11. The obedience of Nations is commanded for him. Wow!!

And he did the same thing with Josephs sons in Genesis 48 putting Ephraim ahead of Manasseh even though Ephraim was younger. When Joseph tried to correct him, thinking he was unaware of what he was doing, he said to him:

19 "But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of
nations."

So God has a way of elevating us even in families. Take a look at your own family. It could be that God has elevated you and blessed you above the others. It could be that God has considered you the firstborn of that family regardless of where you fall. He gives you this honor and responsibility because he loves families and is looking for someone that will bring them together, unite them and help solve their issues. Yes, being a firstborn comes with responsibilities, but God blesses you so that you may become a blessing.

I am a second born in my family, but God has elevated me to be the firstborn. I used to be resentful because of the responsibility that comes with it. But God has shown me that he blesses me with all I need to be who he has called me to be in my family. So I take my place. And I urge anyone else that God has called the firstborn in their family to take their place. Let us guide them to God and uphold them to God as he requires.

Wife - A Closer Look

1 Peter 3

1IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,

2When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your [a] reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].

3Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] [b] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

4But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.

5For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them].

6It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].

If Sarah did it, then I need to do it. The Lord has advised me to look at Sarah and follow in her footsteps:

Isaiah 51

1HEARKEN TO Me, you who follow after rightness and justice, you who seek and inquire of [and require] the Lord [claiming Him by necessity and by right]: look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the hole in the quarry from which you were dug;

2Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him when he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many.

Judgment must begin in Israel, so judge yourself as a wife or even wife to be. If you are unmarried are you willing to do it God's way? If not don't mess with it until God has dealt with your heart. The only way a marriage will work is if you take your rightful place as a wife and he takes his rightful place as a husband. Are you willing to take your place?

Marriage Manual

Why are so many marriages breaking up? Why aren't they able to pass the test of time? When will we discover that the one who created life also showed us how to work it by giving us his manual - THE BIBLE. Why are women not submitting to their husbands Ephesians 5:22, Loving their husbands Titus 2:4 or busy at home Titus 2:5 and why in the world are men not loving their wives Ephesians 5:25 Providing for them 1 Timothy 5:8 take leadership in their families and just be men? Why?

A relative just walked out of a marriage after 9 years and 4 children. She has had enough. She despises the man, can't submit to him, is sick and tired of fending for the family on her own while trying to keep the home and is sick and tired of dealing with hateful in laws. He in turn, can't deal with an insubordinate wife and can't understand what the big deal with providing is since his parents have given them a house to live in their compound (never mind that his mother is insulting to his wife), and his parents give them an allowance every month so they practically dictate what goes on in their lives and marriage. His parents are raising the children for them and paying their bills. What does he do all day? Sleep and eat, and go see his friends.

This really angered me. I know that God's command is to submit, and I am sure that there are things that she could do to make the marriage better, but she doesn't seem to have any more strength left to fight for her marriage. She is physically worn out from trying to make money, run the home, deal with four young children, and the demands of marriage as a wife. The first thing out the window was sex. She didn't have the energy for it, she was resentful due to his laziness, and she just is unable to deal with bossy in laws. As I write, she has absolutely no desire to deal with him or work things out. She has no feelings towards him other than hatred and spite, and never wants to see him again, leave alone be a wife to him.

All I could think about was if only each one had taken their own role in marriage and stood in it. Then none of them would be overwhelmed with what they needed to do. If the man could only be a leader, protector and provider for his family, and the wife focus on keeping the home, and child rearing maybe she would have been less overwhelmed and he would have the respect from her that he desires. This makes me even more determined to do marriage God's way. My marriage must work! I must start by finding out what my own role is and doing it. Paul's counsel to younger widows in 1 Tim 5:14 says it very well:

So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

And in Titus 2:4-5

...train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

And in Eph 5:22

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

God help us, and help each man and woman out there who's marriage is struggling. Only you can do it. So make haste to rectify the damage done in our homes.

A Walled Garden

You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; You are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.

Song of Songs 4:12

Heritage of the Sons of God

I smell change in the air. Usually I would be terrified of it, especially because the enemy is all dressed up for battle. But this time around I am strong and very courageous. God is fighting for me. Plus if he can conquer Jesus then he can conquer me since I am hid in Christ. I must get mine!! Whether the devil is happy about it or not I must take my inheritance. I must walk in the heritage of the sons of God. And what is my heritage?

a) I am the top, never the bottom
b) I am the head, never the tail
c) I am above only, never beneath

God is about to showcase me. I'm I not created for the display of his splendor? My time has come. I am expectant and very joyful. God has done it for me.

Psalm 45:7
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Psalm 75
6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man.

7 But it is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.

Psalm 18
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35 You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.

STRONG IN BATTLE, MIGHTY IN WAR

It is so interesting how God says to you “Do not fear” when you are going into battle with the enemy. But it is because you are hid in him. There is nothing to fear. He activates Ps 91 and hides you under his wings so that you only see with your eyes but it does not come near you. The Bible says that our heritage in warfare is that no weapon formed against us shall prevail and every tongue that rises against us we condemn in Jesus name. I want this part of my heritage activated in my life. I sense in the Spirit that I am going into battle and that a storm is brewing. But I am already a conqueror in Christ Jesus. I have never had so much confidence in God to carry me through as I have now. He who promised is faithful to do it.

Ephesians 6:10-18 gives instructions on how to prepare for Battle. It says be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Clothe yourself with Jehovah’s strength and power. Put on the full armor of God and take your stand against the devil's schemes. So he is scheming, strategizing and putting together a battle plan. As he is getting ready to fight me, I too must get ready to engage in war. But who or what I’m I fighting?

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. It is not the person who is used to bring the war that I am fighting. The battle is against the rulers and authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. It is a spiritual battle and requires spiritual armor so that I will be able to stand my ground when the evil day comes.

a) The belt of truth – His word is the only truth there is. Everything else is a fact, temporary and changeable. I must stand on the truth of God. What he says about the situation or circumstance.

b) Breastplate of righteousness – I must understand that I am the righteousness of God in Christ. That he became sin so that I may become the righteousness of God. I must rely on his righteousness and not my own. Hide in him.

c) Dress my feet with readiness – The readiness that comes from the gospel of peace is a readiness unto obedience in Christ. I must be ready to follow after Christ. I must know that he orders my steps and be ready to go where he tells me to. It is a mine field in the spiritual realm at this time of warfare and I will escape by following and keeping in step with the Spirit of God.

d) Shield of Faith – Standing on the word of God. Knowing that I know, that I know that whatever God has promised me is so. Now!!! Be sure of what I hope for, certain of it, even though I still cannot see it. I must believe it, speak it, confess it and pray my expectation and hope. I must surround myself with what I believe God for. Create vision boards with pictures and verses that fuel my faith and kill any fear.

e) Helmet of Salvation – Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!! Claim all the benefits of redemption. Freedom from sin and sin nature, Freedom from all sickness and disease, freedom from financial struggle and walk in them by faith until they manifest in the physical.

f) The Sword of the Spirit – the word of God. ‘Nuff said!!

g) Pray in the Spirit – Build myself in faith praying in the Holy Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this said I must keep alert and keep praying. Philippians 1:27 adds the final touch to it. Lord knows I need this one “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” So help me God!!

God of the 24 hour turn around!

With God all things are possible. Circumstances that seem dire and unchangeable can be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Hallelujah! He is the God of the 24hr turn around and he is my God.

God has been known to make some really incredible statements. Picture this: Your city has been under siege for quite a while. The water has dried up, the food has been long gone. It is so bad that women actually make deals to kill, cook and eat their own children. Then God says through the man of God 2 Kings 7:1 Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah [a] of flour will sell for a shekel [b] and two seahs [c] of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria." He was proclaiming a 24hr turn around in a place where a donkey's head is a King's meal!!

Now there are two ways to look at God's statements. You can take the Abraham approach and count him faithful who made the promise or you can say like the soldier "Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?" I choose the Abraham approach. I choose to count him faithful who has made the promise. I choose to look to the Rock from which I was hewn and follow in my fathers steps. I believe and it is credited to me as righteousness in heavens records. He is the God of the 24hr turnaround!!

And you know exactly what happened, God made a way and the word of the prophet was fulfilled. Vs 16 "Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a seah of flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, as the LORD had said".

Ruth is another person who experienced a 24hr turn around. She was a poor widow, and outcast in society one day and the next she was the wife of Boaz a wealthy Jewish man, and a leader in the society. The Bible says that she went to the threshing floor, made her request and went home. That morning Naomi says to her Ruth 3:18 "Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today." Praise the Lord! Today the matter will be settled. Today it will happen. Today the turn around comes! And sure enough, Boaz gets up and hurries to the City gate to make sure the deal is done. The Bible records that he calls the elders of the land to witness that Ruth is now his wife.

Ruth 4:10 "I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife..." Just like that, in 24hrs, she turned from a poor widow to the wife of one of the wealthy leaders of the city, and was put in line to be King David's grandma and an ancestor of Jesus!! Ruth 4:13 "So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son." God is just quick like that!!

When your Kairos time comes, he does it in the twinkling of an eye. When the set time comes, there is nothing to stop it. The turn around must come. Hallelujah Lord!!!

Psalm 102:13
"You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show favor to her;
the appointed time has come."

My Kairos time has come. It is time to show favor to me, my appointed time has come!!

Leadership in Marriage

God is still working in me in preparation for my marriage. I have learnt so much and have seen so much of how I have been brainwashed in the past by the thoughts of the world. I want to do it all God's way.

One of the things I have found is that I am a total control freak. I don't worry about the other part of things but the finances really bother me. I want to control those. I want to balance the cheque book, budget and even be in charge of the investments we make. With his input of course, but only as suggestions. How many know that's a recipe for disaster?

God has really been speaking about it. If I trust my husband and I know that he hears God, then I should be able to trust that he will make good financial decisions and invest wisely for the future. We will be the kind of parents who leave an inheritance for our children's children because listening to God, he will make wise decisions all the way.

I need to trust in my husbands leadership ability. What I need to pray is that he will walk after the Spirit of God. Worry and fear accomplish nothing.

Lord Jesus, I surrender control of my marriage and every aspect of leadership in the marriage. I acknowledge that the husband you give me is the head and the leader in our home. I pray Lord that you will give him a hearing ear and an obedient heart. I pray that he will listen for your voice and walk after the Spirit in every single thing that he does, and in every decision that he makes from this day forward. I pray that your will be done in our lives and marriage. That it be done in our marriage as you have ordained it in heaven. He is the leader, I am the helper and I am grateful for the blessing of my God given role in marriage. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

The Lord has done great things!

Psalm 126

1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."

3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.

6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.

Isaiah 26

2 Open the gates
that the righteous nation may enter,
the nation that keeps faith.

3 You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

4 Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal...

7 The path of the righteous is level;
O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth.

8 Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, [a]
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts.

9 My soul yearns for you in the night;
in the morning my spirit longs for you.
When your judgments come upon the earth,
the people of the world learn righteousness...

11 O LORD, your hand is lifted high,
but they do not see it.
Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame...

12 LORD, you establish peace for us;
all that we have accomplished you have done for us...

15 You have enlarged the nation, O LORD;
you have enlarged the nation.
You have gained glory for yourself;
you have extended all the borders of the land.

Awesome God, you are worthy of all my praise. I honor you and lift you up. I glorify your name and praise you. You have done me well O Lord. You have done me well. Be exalted in my life forever.

Don't urge me to leave you

"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

Ruth 1:16-17

My Protector

We came to work today only to realise that the seal around our glass door has been taken out on one side. It seems that someone is trying to work open the door little by little by taking off the seal. I began to worry and panic about it and then I found a devotional from Joseph Prince in my email on Ps 91. It has been such a blessing to me. Below is the devotional. I hope it blesses you as much as it has blessed me.

The Lord Is Your Refuge

Psalm 91:1–2
1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

Every day, we are bombarded with news of conflicts, natural disasters, diseases and new strains of drug-resistant viruses. We also hear of people losing their loved ones in freak accidents. And we ask ourselves, “Is there a place where I can take refuge from a world gone mad?”

Yes, there is! God foresaw all these things and He has promised in His Word protection from every evil known to man. There is no trap set by the devil that our Father cannot deliver us from, if we trust in Him and take Him as our refuge. That is His promise in Psalm 91.

Whether it is an earthquake at midnight, a crazy sniper, an unknown virus or a terrorist attack at noonday, God says, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” (Psalm 91:5–6)

Because you have made Him your dwelling place, angels are watching over you right now. (Psalm 91:9–11) They give heed to the voice of God’s Word, so you should give voice to God’s Word. This means that you should agree with and speak what God’s Word says about His preserving and protecting you. Then, angels are sent to minister to you. (Hebrews 1:14)

My friend, don’t say, “If it can happen to them, it can also happen to me!” Say, “A thousand may fall at my side and 10,000 at my right hand, but it will not come near me!” (Psalm 91:7) The world says that there is danger everywhere. God says, “You are in this world but not of this world. You have My protection because you are of Me and in Me.” (John 17:14–23)

You have access by faith into the secret place of the Most High where no evil can touch you. There is no need to fear living in the end times because the Lord is your refuge and your fortress. His Word says so. And those who trust His Word completely, find His Word completely true!

So, based on the word of God in Psalm 91 I decree that no evil shall befall me, my workmates, my directors, or our equipment and even premises. I seal our workplace with the blood of Jesus, and put everything that concerns this place and those that work here under the blood of Jesus. I decree that no evil shall befall us. No weapon formed against us or this place shall prevail. And I ask the angels of the Lord to stand guard with flaming sword at the ready to protect and defend this place and each one of us in Jesus Name. A thousand may fall victim to robbery and destruction around us, ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come near us, for our protection is from the Lord. In Jesus Holy Name I pray. Amen!