Why I Am Not Marrying A Christian Man

Just to quickly clear things up, i am definitely getting married to an amazing man who truly loves me like Christ loves His church. He might not be perfect but he is working to becoming a better man daily as i am too. He is a leader and all other good stuff. He constantly puts God before me and for that I am truly blessed.

So why am i not marrying a Christian?

Photo courtesy of Jay Muia Photography

In the past few weeks, i have had the pleasure of sitting at the feet of many women and got to learn from their past experiences and insights on the ‘M’ word….Marriage. One of my most memorable advice was......."Joy, don’t get married to a Christian man. Marry a man who loves the Lord and put Him first above you. Marry a man who doesn't just sit at the church pew on Sunday but one who serves the Lord with the gifts endowed to him. Let him have his eyes fixed on Christ and constantly aims to bring glory to the Lord”

At first I was a bit sceptical. This sounded like one of those definition of a ‘busy’ Christian. Then it later dawned to me, my friend was right. Why?

A man who is in constant communion with the Lord has taken that first step to know him intimately and love on him. I realised that I wanted a man who has a relationship with the Lord and not just based on the name Christian but rather someone who has an active relationship with Him.

If I marry a man based on a job-it can fade, on money-it can leave, on looks-they actually fade away however if I marry him based on His love for Jesus, then Nothing is Impossible.

Lord work on me as i pray for him

Kindly note that as I expect this of him it should also be the same of me. Am i just a ‘pew’ Christian or am I using what God gave me to serve Him and bring Him glory. Does my relationship-my first ministry, embody the expectations that Christ has of me.

The Big 'IF'

Everything is possible for one who believes. Immediately the boys father exclaimed,  "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! - Mark 9:23

A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavors of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was bidden to bring his son to him, he said to Jesus, "If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." Now there was an "if" in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the "if" in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the "if," kindly puts it in its legitimate position.

How many times have we put the 'if' in our prayers? How many times have we wondered whether Jesus was sovereign enough to do the thing we desperately need him to do? In this particular passage Jesus seems to say there should be no if' about His power, nor concerning His willingness, the if' lies somewhere else.

 I have wrestled with this truth one too many  times. I have whispered in those silent prayers... If" Jesus can help me--"if" he can give me grace to overcome temptation--"if" he can give me pardon--"if" he can make me successful? Slowly i have come to realize "if" you can believe, He both can and will.If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. 

So the next time you feel things are a bit chaotic and you need a Texas sized miracle, believe in Him who is sufficient and sovereign enough to do it all ( yes, despite your minute self), especially when you cant feel or see it.

Then you will quietly calm those storms with a quiet answer......i do believe Lord; help me overcome my unbelief 

Have a faith-filled day :)

That Rock!

We all have felt overwhelmed at one point or another. Maybe its the responsibility at home, work, friend or even family(traffic also tops the list). I remember at one point i felt so overwhelmed that i kept asking myself what is the point to all this.

Life has a way of sometimes pulling a first one on us. One minute we are totally fine and the next our world crumbles around. Disappointment and heartbreaks are just a few of those 'life' moments.Billow after billow we feel it rolls over us and we feel like a broken shell hurled to and fro by the surf.

BUT despite this, we have an all-sufficient solace around us. He is the harbour of our weather beaten sails, a refuge to the lonely pilgrim and a shelter.

......lead me to the Rock that is higher than I Psalm 61:2

 He is the rock that is higher than us. His mercy is higher than our sins, His love higher than our thoughts. He is that impenetrable Rock, the unchanging One. I am encouraged to know that no matter what happens to us, there is nothing to overwhelming for Him. He is not disturbed by them but He rules them at His own will.

Only when you understand that because He is great, you can be great. Because He is love, you will love others and yourself. Because He is all powerful, you can live without limit. Because He is unshakable, you can endure the most trying times and remain unshattered.

picture courtesy of todayschristianwoman.com

It gives me great comfort to understand that no matter what i face in this life - Expected or unexpected- God is sovereign enough to change is all for my God and the best thing is......Nothing is too difficult for Him.So the next time you feel overwhelmed, ask him to lead you to the Rock that is definitely higher than you.

So as promised, here is a one of my favourite songs for those 'overwhelming ' moments :)