Christian Relationships

I haven't blogged for a while because I've been going though some personal things in my relationship. I've been with my boyfriend for nearly 5 years and things haven't worked out the way I thought they would. I was so determined to make things work that I ignored all the signs....I don't really want to go through the ins and outs of exactly what happened but its reiterated the importance of having God in the centre of your relationship.

I remember telling my Godmother about my boyfriend for the very first time and she prayed for me saying "that if it was meant to be God will make everything work and if it wasn't meant to be then certain things will happen to make us fall apart". When she said it, I was completely against it because I was adament that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this guy but I'm glad she said the prayer because Lord knows I needed it.

As Christians, its important for us to find the right one - especially when your ready to settle down and start a family. The bible tells us in Genesis 2 vs 18 that God said, "it's not good for Man to be alone; I'll make him a helper, a companion". I personally believe that when God created us, he also created our companions who we would eventually spend the rest of our lives with.

A couple weeks ago, I heard an inspiring message about relationships which I thought I'd share. It was titled The Cornerstone of Christian Relationships. Here are a few pointers I took down;

1. You need to know who you are before Finding your Shining Star; 
Once we give our lives to Christ, we become a new creature so its important for us to understand our value and worth before finding our companion. Many people try and change who they are for love but if someone truly loves you then they'll accept you for who you are AND if they dont then thats they're loss - not yours. God had someone in mind for you when he created you so be patient and he/she will find you. 

2. Friendship is the Foundation of any Relationship, its the Master Key;
Ecclesiastes 4 vs 9 sums this up; "It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough! Relationships shouldn't be based on lust, its more than that!"

3. Courtship is Making a Comeback;
It's important to take things slow and at a steady pace when developing a romantic relationship. Galatians 5 vs 22 -23 says "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. There's no need to rush when God is in control, take it one step at a time. Your going to spend the rest of your life together if he or she is the right one!

4. Commitment is Key;
This is pretty self-explanatory - no relationship can work without commitment.
Proverbs 3 vs 3 - 4 says "Don't lose your grip on love and loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people."

5. Don't confuse the Strength of your Relationship with the Length of your Relationship;
The fact that you've been in a relationship with someone for many years doesn't mean that your meant to be. The enemy may send people your way to distract you from finding your soulmate. 1 Corinthians 13 vs 1 - 8 talks about "the way of love" and i would encourage everyone to read the verses to understand the meaning behind love.

In conclusion, it's important to have God in the centre of your relationship so he can guide you and give you the wisdom, strength and knowledge you need to make the right decision.

Stay Blessed xxx

When Faith Talks

Faith has a sound and it talks, Galatians 3 vs 5 says "So again I ask, does God give you his spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by you believing what you heard?" In other words, the faith of the spirit and hearing of miracles comes from God hearing your faith...faith is us hearing from God  and God hearing from us.

Have you ever heard the saying - "positivity breads positivity"? When you proclaim positive things over your life then positive things will happen. The phrase is similar to faith speaking in the sense that - when faith talks something positive is about to happen. As christians, we must have faith with a confession because there is power in speaking your faith. Mark 11 vs 23 - 24 says "Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to the mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea' and does not doubt in their heart  but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours".  In this passage, Jesus clarifies that the word of faith is in what we say -  we must speak it, believe it and it will happen. Miracles will happen by proclaiming positive words of God into our lives.

Apostle Paul preaches the word of faith in Romans 10 vs 8 - 10 'But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart  that God raised him the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved".  

Even God spoke his faith in Genesis chapter 1 when he asked for light and there was light. Jesus is the high priest of of our confession and we must never underestimate the power of our confession. We must speak the word God speaks, praise him and declare his words upon our lives.

It's important to stay strong and continue believing even when things don't go 100% our way. The bible tells us in Matthew 7 vs 7 "ask and it shall be given to us, seek and you will find it, knock and the door will be opened unto you". I believe that we can we can only receive these things by believing and having faith in God.

I was truly blessed when I heard this message and thought I'd share it with you all. 

Stay blessed x

The Power of Worship

It's amazing how worship can lift your spirit...theres something about the words you declare and the melody of the songs that draws you closer and nearer to God.

Worship is one of my favourite parts of the church service because I feel Gods presence over me and I know I'm at peace. Worships means giving all glory and adoration to God for his mighty works. John 4 vs 17 says "True worship has nothing to do with the external but everything with the internal, your heart, spirit and soul".

True worship comes from the heart, its not something were obliged to do - its natural and comes from within. God created worship to draw us closer to him so that we can develop our own individual and personal relationship with him. The power worship has over you can not be described in words - sometimes i cry, sometimes i smile but ultimately I'm filled with joy because i know all my troubles are far away and god is in control.

The christian journey is never easy, theres always obstacles in the way - sometimes you take a step forward and two steps backwards but thats what a journey is about at the end of the day. I personally feel that worship is an important part of the christian journey because it draws you closer to God despite what your going through.

The last couple of years haven't been great for me but every time I get into the attitude of worship - I feel God speaking to me and telling me not to worry because he's in control.

I just want to take this opportunity to encourage people not to give up, life is full of trials and tribulations and its never going to be easy. One thing that can help is developing a relationship with god and worship can help strengthen that relationship. 

Stay blessed xxx