YOU ARE NEEDED SOMEWHERE

There is a time when builders start searching for BROKEN BRICKS to fill the GAPS to complete their work. Yes some of us are like BROKEN BRICKS, we are IGNORED and thrown out and considered as people of NO VALUE to the world not fit even to serve God. NO ONE SEES YOUR VALUE but a day is coming when some people will go around LOOKING FOR HALF BRICKS to make their work COMPLETE. YOU ARE A FORGOTTEN PERSON BECAUSE OF YOUR SITUATION. If you look in scripture, God preferred to use people  with WEAKNESSES, people like Moses, David etc to the glory of HIS NAME. Weak as you are, God wants to use you as a child of God. You are BETTER than what people think you are TODAY. You may be a subject of discussion. Somebody could have said something that made you INFERIOR. Don't worry. You are a product of GRACE. When other people are throwing you away as HALF BRICK, there are other people looking for HALF BRICKS to use. Someone is praying to MEET YOU one day. Someone is desperately looking for you. You are NEEDED SOMEWHERE TO FILL THE GAP. You are that half brick!!! Yes you're

4 Wife Material Lessons From The Proverbs 31 Woman

4 Wife Material Lessons From The Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31 woman sets standards that are worth emulating.

You are now a woman, who’s done with her teens and the experimenting twenties. It now calls for you to be the type of woman any man would want to share his last name with.

So here are four things that you can learn and apply from the proverbs 31 woman

Source: Pinterest

1. Be worth far more than rubies

This is how she is described and it is truly fitting, because as we read on we come to realize she adds value to those around her and is a great support system not just to her husband but to her family and her workers too.

2. Never take the shine away from your husband

As you begin to read about the Proverbs 31 woman, you read how her husband has full confidence in her. This indicates two things that the husband is secure in himself that he never deters her away from confidently achieving in her own right. Secondly, there is also no mention of her competing with her husband and so her hardworking nature comes across as her being a supportive wife and complimenting what her husband is achieving in his own right.

Source: DailyBeast

3. Hard working woman

One thing that is clear, is the Proverbs 31 woman is not lazy at all. She does not solely rely on her husband efforts but she works to make sure that the family never lacks and always has food on the table, by investing in a variety of opportunities.There are times in a relationship where one of you will be unable to provide as much but it is on both of you to always make sure that the struggles you’re going through are never seen by the public and the family is hardly affected for your efforts restore balance.

4. Strong woman

This woman clearly doesn’t come across as one who has had a smooth life and all the experiences she gains add to her beauty, her strength and her wisdom, which in turn lead her to be a reputable woman.

The Proverbs 31 woman and her husband, teach us that a winning relationship requires mutual respect, support, and encouragement. This can sometimes lack in African relationships whereby the society dictates that a man is the only gender that matters, so we as women have a duty to continue changing the narrative just like Proverbs 31 woman did.

We should aim to be a woman who diligently works at succeeding in their careers, as well as finding a balance between being a wife and a mother, however, this comes with time. As we take shape to be this type woman, we should aim to be with men who respect our vision and are fully supportive of it.

You are Beatiful

Beautiful"

Days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too
much

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

And praying that you have the heart to fight
Cause you are more than what is hurting you
tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to die

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
In His eyes
Dedicate to Gracy at 21

A woman of Valor

A woman of valor makes the world change 
Her strength is the content that guides through the days 
Defined by her actions that bring light to all dreams 
Valor is something that's defined by her deeds.

Her valor is golden, sparkled and gray 
She stands up to the challenge no matter the way
It can't be held back or defined by her age 
Yes, a woman of valor makes the world change.

For valor's not held by the young or the old 
But by the deeds of the heart that give and unfold 
It's merit and honor that hold no disguise 
Like the creation of being in the blessed Holy One's eyes.

For valor is the color of the song of her soul 
As she changes, creates and turns light into gold 
Divine is Her Presence, be it joyous or sad 
— A Woman of Valor — 
May offer little, but it will be all that she has.

For only her heart will know the depths of her soul 
That nurtures and blossom and forever unfolds 
And holds in its essence new life and new gain 
Yes, 
A woman of valor makes the world change 
A woman of valor makes the world change 
A woman of valor makes the world change.

from a boy to a man

one message , a serious one: life presents us with different choices at different times if u ask me now u have a chance to remain a boy or be a man. If u choose to be a man i will be behind you and you can rely and count on me . still a boy then this is good bye. By the way sort of circumcision only that the first one u had men with u but this second circumcision u have to do is alone and it has to come from within u . A woman who Cares about you .

Big decisions take Big Prayers

So how can we know whether we're hearing the voice of God? The Bible gives us seven basic keys or filters through which every possible leading should be judged. We are to carefully examine the thoughts and intentions of our hearts -- and the words of godly people who may have influence on us by their words and actions -- through the use of these seven keys:

• Scripture: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17).
   
• The Holy Spirit speaking to our heart: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, 'know the Lord,' for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them" (Hebrews 8:10-11).
• The Prophetic (word of knowledge, word of wisdom, personal prophecy): "Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:19-21).
   
• Godly counsel: "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14).
• Confirmation: "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed" (Matthew 18:16).
• The peace of God: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).
• Circumstances/Timing: "After these things he (Paul) left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers" (Acts 18:1-3 -- this relationship between Paul, Aquila and Priscilla -- which happened as a result of circumstances -- became one of the most important strategic partnerships in the book of Acts).

Many times the Lord will confirm His direction to us through three, four or more of these keys -- especially when we are in the process of making an important, life-changing decision.

The bottom line, as Pat Robertson has said for years, is that big decisions take big prayer. In other words, as we humble ourselves before the Lord, seek His guidance in our lives, the Good Shepherd will be faithful to lead us, "…in paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:3).

In the coming weeks we'll look more closely 

Recognize God’s voice above all others.

Here are 10 ways how you can hear from God and recognize his voice regularly:

---

1. Recognize that God has created you for a close friendship with Himself. 

By design, the way you hear best from God is in the context of a friendship with Him. God intends for you to figure out His will freely and intelligently as you engage in regular conversations with Him. God’s will is to be personally present with you and speaking with you moment by moment as you go through life. Then you’ll grow to understand Him more and become more like His Son, Jesus.

2. Consider your motives for wanting to hear from God. 

Honestly reflect on why you want to hear from God. Is it because you’re truly open to whatever God has to say and committed to putting His guidance into action and fulfilling His purposes, even when doing so is challenging? Or is it for a selfish reason, such as wanting to feel righteous or comforted? Confess and repent of any wrong motives. Ask God to give you an openness to hear and respond faithfully to what He wants to tell you.

3. Make your goal more than just hearing God. 

While it’s important to hear from God, that shouldn’t be your ultimate goal. Instead, make your main goal to become a spiritually mature person in a close relationship with God. That’s the only way you’ll clearly and correctly hear what God has to say to you.

4. Know that you’re important to God, but be humble. 

Have the confidence that God is willing to speak to you just as powerfully as He did to the people in the Bible, because He values you just as much. However, don’t let pride creep into your soul, because you must be humble in order to faithfully receive and respond the messages God has for you.

5. Don’t try to force God to tell you something. 

No matter how much you want to hear from God about something or how hard you may try to convince Him to speak to you, you’ll only hear from God when He chooses to communicate with you. Focus on developing a respectful relationship with God and wait for His timing to deliver messages to you. Also, if God chooses not to give you specific guidance about something you’ve prayed about and what you’re considering is within the Bible’s moral principles, you can confidently go ahead and make your own decision about what to do and be within God’s will.

6. Recognize that God communicates in many forms, but most often through your mind. 

God may choose any one of many different ways to communicate to you, according to what’s best at particular times and in particular circumstances. You may sometimes hear God’s message in dramatic ways, such as through angels, visions, or miraculous events. But more often, you’ll hear God speaking through your thoughts, and He will use ordinary practices such as reading the Bible, praying quietly, learning from circumstances, or seeking counsel from other Christians to reach out to you as you think about them. God will use dramatic means to get your attention when necessary, but His goal is for you to be so closely connected to Him that you’ll pay attention whenever He speaks to you. Usually, God speaks through what people have described as a “still, small voice” to encourage those He loves to choose to keep walking closely with Him through life.

7. Renew your mind. 

Since God often speaks to you through your mind and wants you to develop what the Bible calls the “mind of Christ” (the ability to make decisions as Jesus would), it’s crucial for you to follow the Bible’s urging in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” As you invite the Holy Spirit to renew your mind every day, He will cleanse it from such dirt and clutter as false beliefs and attitudes, unhealthy feelings, and misguided plans. Then the Holy Spirit will replace all of that with true thoughts that reflect God’s purposes.

8. Invite the living Word to help you when you read the written word. 

The Word of God is a living, creative force – Jesus Himself – and He is actively at work when you read God’s written word – the Bible – prayerfully. When you read the Bible, ask Jesus to make the Bible’s words come alive for you and become conduits through which He sends His thoughts, faith, and love into your soul. Then focus on what He sends you and orient yourself toward it so it will begin to transform your life.

9. Recognize God’s voice above all others.

By experience, you can learn to recognize God’s voice when He speaks, and to confidently respond to what He says. When thoughts recur, pray about them to discern if they may be coming from God. Keep in mind that God will never send you a message that contradicts the Bible’s principles. Also, God’s voice carries the weight of authority within it, and expresses a spirit of peace, confidence, joy, reasonableness, and goodwill. If you think that God may speaking to you, ask Him to confirm so as you study and meditate on the Bible, as you’re alert to the circumstances you encounter, or as you experience the Holy Spirit’s impressions in your mind.

10. Set aside time regularly to listen for God’s messages. 

Make a habit of intentionally and expectantly listening for whatever God may want to tell you. It’s more important to become a person who listens regularly to God than it is to constantly ask God to give you guidance.

Set aside sometime today to begin listening for God's voice and hearing his promises and plans for you. Keep a journal to remember

I Can't Say Sorry for Nothing....

I Can't Say Sorry for Nothing....

Son: Dad, I want to get married
Dad: First, tell me you are sorry
Son: For what?
Dad: Say sorry
Son: But for what? What did I do?
Dad: Just say sorry
Son: But... What have I done wrong?
Dad: I said, say sorry
Son: Why???
Dad: Say Sorry!!
Son: Please... Just tell me why?!
Dad: Say sorry...
Son: OK Dad, I am sorry
Dad: Uhun... you've just qualified for marriage.
When you learn to say sorry for no reason at all, then you are ready to get married!

I can never forget this, It was in Rev Omar Pela's church. He told a story of how on a particular morning, his wife stormed into the room with a moody look on her face.. Being a gentleman, he asked, sweetheart what's wrong? She said, nothing! (you know when a lady tells you.... nothing. irk!).
So he pressed further, You don't sound fine dear... She replied, I said I'm fine! At that moment he tried to replay in his head, if there was any misunderstanding previously... He couldn't remember any. So, not to cause any tension at all he decided to continue his study in church office...

As he picked the car keys to leave, the wife blurted.. So you are going to leave without showing concern or care. He said at that point, he was angry and shouted... Did I not ask you? What else do you want me to do... So he slammed the door and left. On getting to the car downstairs about to start the car... The Holy spirit asked him, if someone passes by now and mistakenly hit his leg on a stone, what would you say? He replied, I will tell the person sorry. The Holy Spirit asked again, did you cause the person to hit his leg on the stone? He said no! Then why would you say sorry for what you didn't cause?....

He said instantly he got the message the Holy Spirit was trying to pass across... that you don't have to be the cause to say sorry. So he got back upstairs, his wife looking at him angrily... Then he said, sweetheart I'm sorry...
She just wrapped her arm around him and sobs.

What a wonder! He said he was left speechless and wondering.

Dear friends, stop justifying yourself. Can you just tell him/her you are sorry even if it was your partner's fault? I am sorry can make that relationship work! Absolutely awesome!!! This is truly needed in our today's world when everyone is right and no one seems wrong thereby causing unnecessary tension in our homes, work place, church, community and nation.

Have an awesome time in d presence of God and I AM SORRY FOR WHATEVER PAIN OR ANGER that myself or anybod

The old great calabash.....interesting story!

The old great calabash.....interesting story!

There was once an old man who was a great shepherd with a huge herd of cattle and sheep. The old man loved his cattle and every morning he would set out for the grazing fields returning at dusk. His best companion was his well kept multi-colored calabash in which he would carry his fermented milk which was his favorite drink. The calabash had been handed over to him by his legendary grand father and he had carried it daily since he was a young man. This calabash was so important to him such that his wife would clean it separately store it separately and no one else in his house was allowed to touch it. He believed it had good luck and he would never exchange it for a new one or for whatever amount of money.

One day while in the grazing field at around mid morning he left his calabash under the tree as he went to bring his cattle near him. On getting back to his calabash he realized that there was some strange noise coming from the calabash. On checking inside, a snake had crawled in his beautiful calabash! He turned his calabash upside down pouring all the remaining milk to try and have the snake get out. He tried to hit the calabash with his hand while it faced upside down but the snake couldn't move. He tried knocking the calabash gently against a tree a rock etc without success. He was devastated since the snake would not budge! He realized he would break his great calabash, a price he was so reluctant to pay and decided to hang it facing downwards and bid his time. Who knows, by evening the snake might have just come out!

Evening came and it was time to go home and the snake was still there. Was he going to carry his calabash home and therein the snake? No! With a heavy heart he had to break the calabash and killed the snake.
Moral? We are his favorite calabash (our Maker) and he is not willing to exchange us with anything. He bought us with his own blood. But sometimes we have let sin crawl in us. We have refused to let the snake(sin) out of us. Sometimes he turns our lives upside down we get hurt but still cling to our snake! He hits us against walls, rocks trees etc but we are unwilling to let go of the snake. We are unwilling to let go of slander, hate, sexual impurity, pride, envy etc. Some of us have just been hang facing downwards as the Lord is giving us time to let go of the snake! Time is running and evening is coming and we are there mourning our bad lack, failed relationships etc yet our maker is waiting for us to let go of that snake. Its almost time to go home, let go before you are finally crushed!

Show me where to cast my net

Show me where to cast my net 

Dear Lord, you once thought of walking along the lake where Simon Peter earned his bread. That particular day wasn’t his lucky one. He had been fishing all night and had gotten nothing. Out of your love you directed him to cast his nets into the deep and there experienced what he has never experienced in all his fishing life.

You are the Lord of more, Simon Peter’s obedience led him to experience your Providence. This new week I pray that just like you were passing by near Peter,  pass near where I ‘fish’. At times I have spent many nights with nothing but I believe this week becomes like that particular day when you met Peter.

Show me where my deep is and I’ll truly obey and cast my nets there. Let this week be one that I’ll experience such a major comeback. Bless me even to a point that I’ll call my neighbours to come help me pull out the nets.

Show me where to cast my nets for a good job, where I’ll cast my business for good profits, where I’ll cast my nets for my soul mate, where I’ll cast my nets and do away with generational curses. Let me never think that I have done this for long and not heed to your call, but let me listen and obey to your directions.

Peter had experienced a period of stagnation,  a tough time zero entry but upon your visit he moved from a zero entry to a multiple entry.

SHOW ME WHERE TO CAST MY NETS THIS WEEK

WAITING ON THE LORD-BOAZ VS BOZO

WAITING ON THE LORD-BOAZ VS BOZO

To all my ladies, who are yet to be married… Singleness to most of us is about fun, exploration and enjoying life to the brim.

Of course in that fun, we all make some bad choices, but if one is enough quick to learn, you can move on faster and wiser than before.

Mistakes are part of growth. We are not always 100%, but that shouldn’t give you your identity.

Aspire to be better, learn and move on ASAP, with greater courage and wisdom. Still, part of growing up are the intricacies of relationships.

You met a guy, you fall in love, the butterflies, the ‘muumuus’ and the sweet nothings are part of the day to day stuff.

The chemistry is just too much. I know, it’s amazing to be loved and to love. It’s the closest feeling to heaven. For some, the true colors of this guy you are dating are seen from the onset while for others, it takes longer.

The truth is, you can’t know the person you are dating 100%, something which not so many are told. You know the person more in marriage, where the right atmosphere for Agape love to blossom is found. Back to Mr. Charming.

He is this guy that you can’t get over. His physique is to die for! He has loads of cash, he drives, is articulate, smart, witty, he is hands on, his sense of humor is just on point.

I mean what more could a lil’ mama ever want!  So you date him, and within a few months you have a little being growing inside of you.

Who wouldn’t want to be preggers! Woo-hoo!! With such a man, ohhhh! I mean.

You begin to imagine the life you will live. The house you will live in, the car, the insurance, don’t forget the massive shopping, the little mittens and booties she/he will wear, your baby is so lucky!

You count yourself lucky. You didn’t use ‘Dr. Karim from Tanzania’ charms, no jujus, you are simply blessed!

So you tell this guy you are preggers and the next thing that follows is a spat on your face. “Am not responsible”, “Naaahh, I can’t be the dad”, “it’s not mine” -As if you can conceive immaculately like Mary.

Or worse, he takes responsibility, but you realize you are number 101, and he has 201 children, and there are others whom he has no idea about. The figures are exaggerated, but, there are men like that.

The world is full of Bozos’. Of course for every bad seeds there are always good ones. Not all are unfaithful, not all are ‘Bozos’. ‘Boaz’ exists.

These are men and husbands who are a darling! They are simply the sweetest, adorable, hardworking, loving and caring men.

They take care of their families, they are faithful to their vows and are gentlemen. Stereotyping them won’t help your attitude. God always has remnants in every place. He had them during Elijah’s time, He still has them now.

It’s funny how a video that has the husband beating the wife gets a million views, and so does the one with a husband or wife cheating, yet, one that has a husband and wife happy, or hugging – like the photo of our dear President hugging his wife  –  is jeered, it’s criticized, and a funny stickman goes around saying this “Jane is Smart, Jane doesn’t post her pictures of her husband because she is smart, Be like Jane.”

That’s another lie from the devil.

Oh! If you are happily married! Shout it on top of the mountain! Let the devil and all his little demons know that marriage works!

That union can never be overrated. Marriage can never be overrated. If that builds your relationship, fill up your Facebook wall with her pictures Mr.!

After all, marriage is about the other person, and if both of you have found your path, occupy to the fullest.

‘Boaz’ exists and so does a ‘Bozo’. Notwithstanding all the marriage talks around, you end up making a mistake of marrying that man in hopes that he will miraculously develop the qualities you desire in a husband.

A common mistake among ladies. You end up marrying a “Bozo”, who has perfected the art of makeup and cosmetics.

You are intrigued by the ‘made up’ face he has, and you forget to look behind the mask.

Every lady’s being has been infused with intuitiveness.

You can feel when a relationship is not right. You know the kind of man you need, but you compromise out of fear of being alone, pressure, etc. etc.

To discern a Bozo, you need to take a keen look at him, observe any red flags and pray.

His perfection of the outward look is simply ingenious.

He can put up a show for you, only to later realize it was all a facade. Do not rush to just settle and survive through your marriage, instead, get married to live in abundance of joy through it all, enjoying, thriving and thanking God daily for giving you a man from his throne.

Funny how things nowadays are so different.

You rush towards a Bozo, instead of Boaz rushing towards you.

You find Bozo, instead of Boaz finding you.

Look at Boaz in the Bible, he was a man worth waiting for. He needs to find you, waiting for him. He was God fearing, a man of unquestionable character, he was full of integrity, meek, caring and hospitable to his workers, yet he was full of riches.

Therefore, riches shouldn’t make a man arrogant. They say good men nowadays don’t exist.

Truth be told, good men still exist. God clearly knows the heart of a human being inclines to evil, but still knows that you can make a choice to be the last man standing, and be counted faithful

Are you with Bozo or Boaz

1.     A Bozo will drain you, a Boaz will build you.

2.     Marriage is never a sprint race.

 It’s a long long long marathon. Take an example of Tyson gay, the USA based sprinter and our very own marathon runner, Wilson Kipchoge. If you were to pick out a man based on his physique, I can bet most ladies would pick Tyson. Why, he is lean, so chiseled, muscular and ripped. Marathon runners look weak, pale, skinny and wasted. Now, if placed in 40 kilometers race, Tyson would not make it to the end of the first kilometer. – Our marathon runner, Kipchoge, would win the race without breaking a sweat. Why? It’s because, both are fit, but trained in different kinds of races. A sprinter needs propelling power, a marathon runner needs endurance. A sprinter only needs 7-10 seconds to finish the race, a marathon runner can be running for upto 2 hours or more. He needs to have trained his body to have endurance. That he can stand the scorching sun, he can stand the rain, and he can stand any weather variation. A sprinter is not trained for endurance. No wonder they look built. Their diet is different too. A sprinter feeds on more proteins and low carb diet, while a marathon runner feeds on more carbohydrates. With that said, I reiterate again, marriage is a marathon. You have to have the right spirit, the right attitude, the right expectation, the right training for you to succeed. Your mind should be set on finishing the race. There’s no rule book on marriage, you just learn for others, pick what is relevant, and cut your own path.

3.     A Boaz will have his mind and strength towards you, a Bozo will make you change your direction and cause a premature death to God’s plan for your life.

4.     A Boaz will complement you, a Bozo will compete with you. Your differences will be celebrated and those that add no value will be shed off.In Ruth 2:1, 4, the Bible describes Boaz as a man who was worthy and he believed in the Lord.

5.     A Boaz will be a man of unquestionable character. He is of good reputation and he is not afraid of you finding out more about him. The Bible still says that a good name is better than silver or gold. A good name gives one favor. He has his reference point as Christ. As I said before, you cannot change a man. Only the Lord can mold him.

Only the Lord can smoothen his rough edges, only the Holy Spirit can convict, and your character will direct him towards Christ.

6.     A Bozo will believe that he can do it on his own, with no regards to authority .He is wicked and unbecoming. Nabal was such a man. Boaz went further to ask Ruth to glean in his own field, among the women, so that she would be safe. He also instructed his men not to touch Ruth. How many men in this modern society would have such standards? We hide under the term “modern trends”, “society has changed”, and we need to keep up. The gospel has been diluted to attract the younger generation and the true gospel of the cross is not preached. Society has lost its moral standards. The moral fiber is rotten to the core.

7.     A Bozo will sleep with you at whichever instance if you cannot respect yourself. He will have no regards of your boundaries if you have no regards to them too.

8.     A Boaz clearly knows that and he will protect you even from the ones he knows. He will set the record straight to them and to you.

9.     A Boaz will protect your purity till the right time. He is a master of his own emotions and feelings.

10.  Being a provider is not about having cars, and lots of money and a house. It’s about knowing that as a husband, you are the head of your family and under your care, they will thrive. That you can go miles to fend for your family, and you need not be told over and over again that you should provide.

11.  A Boaz will be a provider to his family, and support their needs, just like the way Boaz took care of Ruth, while Bozo is an irresponsible, immature man with his priorities upside down.

12.  If there is one thing I know and believe is that Abigail was an attractive woman. She was wise and beautiful. Unlucky for her, she married a Bozo by the name of Nabal. He didn’t notice her kindness, her good deeds and her industrious nature. He was sucked up in his own world of evil and wickedness. Boaz on the other hand took note of Ruth’s character, good deeds and kindness.

13.  A Boaz will study you, take note of your inward beauty as much as you are beautiful on the outside. He will notice that inner beauty that doesn’t fade because the outward one does.

14.  A Boaz will keep complementing you for your good qualities, and seek to understand you. He will work to make you the happiest woman alive. He will cleave to you.

15.  A Bozo will not even notice when you have saved him from a predicament. Nabal did not notice that his wife Abigail wasn’t there when she went to ask David to spare their life.

16.  A Bozo is self-centered and selfish. No wonder, immediately after God stuck him, Abigail run straight to David’s arms! A man after God’s own heart.

17.  Boaz used to take care of the people around him. Am sure his workers, both men and women were happy to work for him. He was a kind man who had espoused good values and always disposed to help.

18.  A Boaz will always be helpful, and compassionate. He cannot mistreat his wife, he cannot mistreat others.

19.  A Bozo will always be critical, intolerant, corrupt, harmful, vicious, materialistic and egocentric.

20.  Psalms 1 says this, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers”. The saying goes, “show me your friends and I will tell you the kind person you are “. The people around you determine to a large extent how your character will be. Two cannot walk unless they agree. A thief walks with a thief. Boaz was a man of integrity. He was not manipulative to Ruth, he followed the right procedures in betrothing her, and waited till the whole process is done.

21.  A Boaz is a man of integrity. He does not WALK in the counsel of the wicked. He does not STAND in the way of sinners, he does not SIT in the seat of mockers. His delight is always in Lord.

22.  A Boaz is therefore fruitful in his ways. Both in season and out of season, he continues to flourish. This is because he leans on the unending source of joy, he leans on the Lord.

23.  A Bozo’s life is always dry. He has to use corrupt means to flourish.

Who does your husband to be listen to more often? Who gives him counsel? Which company does he walk with? Where do you find him mostly?

24.  A Bozo is a man whose is largely controlled by his self will. He cannot control himself. He gets really pissed off when things don’t go his way. It’s either his way or no way.

25.  A Boaz can rise above any failure or disappointments that happen in this life. He is willing to adjust himself to be better.

26.  A Bozo is really rigid, with an unteachable spirit. He cannot learn, he cannot be corrected.

27.  A Boaz is a humble man, meek, willing to be corrected, willing to learn. Ladies, your Boaz exists. Develop yourself, enrich yourself, be the best you can be, pray to God for discernment, court wisdom, and our Lord, being a generous God, will fill you. Be a Ruth, and you will be found by your Boaz.    

#marriage works #Gods

 Borrowed from Marriage Chronicles 

Meaning of Manhood

The Meaning of Manhood

One of my favorite things to do while cleaning the kitchen or doing other chores around the house is to call my mom. It’s become a pattern, so much so that when I call, she’ll jokingly say, “You must be cleaning the kitchen.”

In a recent conversation, I confessed how I’ve struggled as a husband. I explained how I’d failed to fully grasp what true manhood looked liked. For most of my life, I’d assumed that if I was taking care of myself — working, paying my bills, buying my food, and finding adequate shelter — I was fulfilling God’s calling in manhood.

As I grew in my understanding of biblical manhood, I discovered that true manhood demanded more of me. As a single man, I had failed to put into practice what I knew marriage would require. I secretly thought that marriage would miraculously change me and make me a better man. I didn’t drink from the fountain of true manhood as a single guy, so I’m now drinking from a fire hose as a new husband. Now I’m learning the hard way about the high and hard calling of manhood.

Jesus’s Selflessness and Sacrifice

Jesus’s life embodied true masculinity. How could it not? No doubt, we could produce a long list of characteristics that Jesus embodied that made him a real man, but two noteworthy traits are his selflessness and sacrifice.

Jesus’s life embodied true masculinity.

Tweet

Share on Facebook

Jesus’s teaching in the Gospels are soaked in these themes. When asked, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus responds,

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36–40)

Furthermore, Jesus taught us to not only love our neighbor, but to love and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). It’s easier to sacrifice and act selflessly towards those we feel are worthy of our affection, love, and resources, but true manhood is displayed when we freely and selflessly sacrifice for the unworthy.

Alongside his teaching, Jesus added an unsurpassed testament to his selflessness and sacrifice: the increasing lowliness of his life, even to death. Throughout his ministry, he selflessly gave up his time, energy, and resources for the sake of others. Paul writes that Christ “made himself nothing” and took on “the very nature of a servant.” Paul admonishes us to embrace this mentality: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5–8). Christ’s lifestyle is a model not only for the married, but also for how unmarried men (and women) should live.

Jesus best displayed his selflessness and sacrifice when he freely went to the cross for the good of his bride, from obedience to his Father, and for the joy set before him. Our perfect Savior died for a bride that had unassailably proven herself unworthy of such a sacrifice. Which presents a beautiful picture of how sinful husbands should love and cherish their wives.

Real Men Freely Give

For many, there is a huge disconnect between what we say and do. But as we can see, Jesus’s life embodied his teaching completely and perfectly. Unlike us, Jesus understood the implications of his teaching better than anyone and never cut corners for the sake of personal comfort and convenience.

We learn from Jesus that true manhood isn’t simply about keeping our noses clean and our own ducks in a row. True manhood means getting beyond ourselves to love our neighbors — and our neighbor is anyone we meet that is in need. Real men freely give their time, resources, attention, energy, and emotional support to those that need it without regard to what they can give in return.

Masculine leadership isn’t an opportunity to be served, but a calling to serve sacrificially.

Tweet

Share on Facebook

For the unmarried Christian man, this means freely giving your time and resources by being hospitable, volunteering at church, providing for the needy, visiting the sick, and helping the elderly. It has implications for how you steward your money. Could you give more to the cause of Christ since your present expenses are fewer? How can you honor your parents in this season? You might check in more regularly to see if they have any needs that you could meet.

For the married man, your closest neighbors are your wife and children. Manhood means leaning into your marriage and family. It means providing for them physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. It means humbly loving your wife even in the moments when you feel she’s especially unworthy of that love and loving your children when they seem least deserving. And real men honor their father and mother, and are eager to “to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God” (1 Timothy 5:4).

The High Calling of Manhood

The first time I called my mom while washing dishes, she was shocked because she knew that acts like this didn’t come natural. I’ve always been quick to think of myself and slow to think of others. But her reaction to me cleaning the kitchen, which was amusing in the moment, encourages me today. It reminds me that though the journey to manhood has been slow and difficult, I’d grown — even if the growth feels insignificant. Her shock reminds me that God is at work.

Real manhood is a hard and uncomfortable calling, whether you’re single or married. The role of leadership God has given men isn’t an opportunity to be served, but a calling to serve sacrificially. In a world that offers immediate gratification — financially, emotionally, and sexually — Christian manhood may seem unattractive and even pointless at times. Why live selflessly and sacrificially when I can do the opposite and enjoy instant pleasure? When society tells us that leadership amounts to privilege, why hold fast to the biblical vision of leadership as sacrifice?

If you’re not serving others like Jesus, you’re not fully walking in biblical manhood.

Tweet

Share on Facebook

Real men deny themselves carnal pleasures for true joy in Jesus. Whether you’re married or single, if you’re not serving your neighbors selflessly and sacrificially, you’re not fully walking in biblical manhood. Boys say, “I’m responsible for myself.” Men say, “I’m responsible for my neighbors.” Boys are forced to give, but men give freely because they’ve been freely given. Boys expect their wife or mom to do the dishes, but men are quick to grab the sponge and soap. Ultimately, manhood means serving others as much and more than you serve yourself.

While the temporal rewards are not always immediate, the eternal rewards will be well worth the wait. God the Father demonstrates that he will indeed reward the obedient and faithful, just as he did with his selfless and sacrificial Son:

God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)