(Entire Passage: Exodus 3:11-22.)

Ponder it Prayerfully: It is interesting that Stephen the martyr, in his sermon, said that Moses supposed that God would use him to deliver the Israelites (Acts 7:24-25), but yet in this passage, we see that Moses was anything but confident when the call came. When he slew the Egyptian, he was seemingly aware of this fact. What happened between that point, and this point of his life when it was time to begin to walk in his calling? Did he feel less qualified because he was now a shepherd, or did the reality of the situation finally sink in – that under God’s leading, he would be in charge of thousands of people?

In this passage, God tells Moses everything that is going to transpire. The Lord already knows that Pharaoh will be stubborn, but that His people will go free. He sees ahead and still counts Moses worthy to take up this position as a leader to the Israelites. He knows the mistakes Moses will make, but still calls him.

It is not so much who Moses is. It is entirely about who God is and thus by extension about what God wants.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): In the same way, you and I may wonder, “Who am I…” to tell this person about Jesus, to start that business, to witness to that stranger, to offer help to that friend, to write that song, to teach that topic. Maybe we started out with zeal, like princesses, but somehow made mistakes and ended up shepherding in the desert, and now we laugh to think we can be used of God. Just like He spoke to Moses, the Lord says to us, “It is not who you are, but who I AM.” Who we are is inconsequential because we can do nothing in our own strength. At the same time, who we are is a big deal because we were created for His glory and all our flaws, our pasts, our failures, have worked together until this point where the Lord knows we are ready and says, “Go.”

And yet, for our information, as a bonus, we are reminded that because of who He is, we are royalty; sons; His own children… He loved us so much that He decided to adopt us…

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2).

Pray It Personally: God, Your Name is I AM – You are everything to me. Because You are I AM, my flesh is unnecessary; my help is futile; my efforts do nothing. You saved us by grace, Lord; help me to rest in that amazing grace, and to walk strong in the calling You have given me, and remember that I am royalty because of that grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

3Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

9Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: Again, we are reminded that the Lord sees the plight of His people and hears their cries when they are oppressed.

He says, “Come now therefore.” The word “therefore” is an adverb whose use gives the meaning of “because” or “on that ground.” (Dictionary.com). The Lord is saying here that because He has seen the plight of the children of Israel, He is sending Moses to Pharaoh. The Lord came down to deliver them, yes, but He did it through, or using, a man.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): Many times we wait for God to do something about something, when in reality it is the reason that He has placed us in that situation or even caused us to notice it. As we pray about solutions to our problems, we should listen to Him and see if He has not put us where we are to be a solution. The church is the light (Luke 11:33, Matthew 5:15) and salt of the world (Matthew 5:13). Light is a solution or a better alternative to darkness. Salt is a solution or preferable alternative to tastelessness. In the same way, the church shines in this dark world and makes this realm more palatable because of the vision of a better place that the Lord has for us.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, I know that You have put me here to take up my role in the church that is light and salt. Today, I ask You to help me pay attention to You while I pray, so that I will know if You are sending me like You did Moses. Use me, and let my life serve the purpose You designed for it, may I fulfill the destiny that You have for me here, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: We are reminded here that the Lord sees our affliction. Not only did He see the affliction of the Israelites, but He knew it – not just knew about it but knew it as intimately as He would if He were going through it Himself.

What human beings cannot do for His people, God will do. He will come down personally to deliver us if people afflict us. He cares about us enough to actually move on our behalf and do something that He could very easily do with just a word. He came down personally to deliver us from our sins and from eternal death.

A good land and large, flowing with good things: God does not deliver us from trouble into trouble. He delivers us into freedom – freedom cannot be quantified but God delivers us into abundant freedom. The enemies that seem so big, like armies – the Amorites, the Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites – are no threat. God is infinitely mightier than their mightiest.

God heard the cry of the Israelites and He hears our cries today.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): We should first of all refrain from being like the Egyptian taskmasters that tortured the Israelites, or the Pharisees that Jesus would later say, bound heavy burdens, grievous to be borne, and laid them on men’s shoulders, but would not lift a single one with even a finger (Matthew 23:4, paraphrase). Secondly, we should remember that in this world, we will all have tribulation, but God sees and knows our sufferings and will deliver us from them like He did to the Israelites.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (Psalm 18:2).

Pray It Personally: Heavenly Father, thank You for not distancing Yourself from the afflictions that Your children go through. If I feel vexed by the pressures and plunders of this world, please comfort me with the reminder that You know my afflictions, and You came down personally to deliver me. In You, I am victorious, and for this I am eternally thankful. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: God introduced Himself. Every time we encounter somebody who claims to be God or from God, we should ask who it is. An angel from God will not receive worship from a human being so any angel before whom you bow, who accepts your worship is not from God. The Lord will introduce Himself by His Name. He will not just say He is God, because there are many gods. He will tell you which God He is.

He introduced Himself to Moses as the God of his father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He introduced Himself to Paul as “Jesus Christ, whom thou persecutest.” He introduced Himself to John as “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.”

The God of thy father. God was indicating that He was not distant at all, nor was He a foreign god. He was revered by Moses’ father Amram, who was a Levite priest.

The God of Abraham. God gave Abraham a son when he was an old man; Romans 4 tells us his body was dead and Sarah’s womb was dead but he did not stagger at God’s promise. After waiting for this son for a hundred years, God asked Abraham to offer him up, and Abraham obeyed. God is the God who rewards sincere and unwavering faith. The Bible says “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

The God of Isaac. God is the God of all “good people” who go through “bad things.” In reality, we are all bad and wretched (Romans 3:23). Still, God is just and He notices when we are treated unfairly. Isaac was deceived by his son Jacob when he was blind (Genesis 27). God is also the God of human beings, who are guaranteed to make mistakes. He understands our frailty (Psalm 103:14) and has mercy on us.

The God of Jacob. Jacob’s name had been changed to Israel (Genesis 35:9-10). Why did He not call Himself the God of Israel in this instance? He is the God who knows our mistakes and calls us as we are, and then changes us into who He desires us to be. He meets us at our point of need – when we are supplanters, when we are sinners and deceivers.

Here is a blessing in that verse. God calls us when we are Jacobs – deceivers and supplanters. He forgives us when we make mistakes, like Isaac. He perfects our faith, and then rewards it, like He did to Abraham. He is not only the God of the living, but He is a God of progress.

But Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were long buried at this time. Why would God say He is their God? Ultimately, from this scripture, we see that God is a God of covenant. He keeps His Word. He was here to deliver His people and take them to the place that He had promised their fathers they would see. This scripture shows us that there is hope beyond this life; we do not just exist and then waste away. Because of Jesus, we have eternal life.

Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. In our human nature, when we truly understand God’s glory, majesty and holiness, we realize our inadequacies and our utter helplessness without Him. In Isaiah 6, we are told that the angels covered their faces with two of their wings.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): The God who knows us intimately will never break His covenant with us. He is a holy God, worthy of all our reverence, yet He gives us access to His presence by the Blood of His Son Jesus. Our journey of salvation is one where we are called when we are weak and helpless, and strengthened until we have the faith of Abraham and are called His friends. No matter what stage of our walk we are at, God is our God. He is everlasting, and He gives us eternal life. Small wonder Moses sings of this in Psalm 90.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God (Psalm 90:1-2).

Pray it Personally: God, it is an honour to be Your child. You know me inside out, yet You still chose me. Thank You for reminding me that You are a God of covenant and an everlasting Father. Keep me in the shadow of Your wings, and let Your omnipresence comfort me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: According to the Jameson-Fausset-Brown Bible commentary, putting off the shoes in the days of Moses is similar to a man taking off his hat today. However:

the Eastern idea is not precisely the same as the Western. With us, the removal of the hat is an expression of reverence for the place we enter, or rather of Him who is worshipped there. With them the removal of the shoes is a confession of personal defilement and conscious unworthiness to stand in the presence of unspotted holiness.

The holiness of God was a serious matter in the Old Testament days. It was not something to be joked with. Anyone except the high priest who entered the holy of holies in the Lord’s tabernacle or temple would die instantly. The priest himself could only enter in once a year, on the day of atonement, after purifying himself (Leviticus 16). Tradition holds that the priest went in with a rope tied to his leg, just in case he died in there. This tradition is unproved, but shows just how seriously the holiness of God was taken. Uzzah died instantly when he touched the ark of the covenant, because he was not a priest (1 Chronicles 13:9-11).

Is God as holy now, as He was then? Is His presence just as powerful, His holiness just as serious? Yes, it is (James 1:17, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). However, at the death of Jesus, the veil of the temple was torn in two, allowing access into the holy of holies. The temple veil was as thick as a man’s hand (Matthew 27:50-51, Mark 15:37-38). That signified the tremendous miracle that took place at the cross – vile, unrighteous men now could be made holy and righteous enough to have access to a holy God.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): Our “personal defilement,” our inherent filthiness, is washed away by the Blood of Jesus, and we are made as white as snow. No longer do we have to take off our shoes in His presence. Now, all we must do is confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord. When we are saved, we have access into holy ground.

Have you given your life to the Lord? Continue to serve Him, and remember that you are now His adopted child. You have access. You can stand on holy ground.

If you have not yet begun a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please consider doing it now. He paid a debt that you owed but will never be able to afford – and this debt was to the holy God in whose presence unholiness cannot dwell. Eternal death was your portion and destination, but Jesus changed that. Jesus’ death on the cross was in your place, and you do not have to die. You will face this holy God one day, and the only way you will live is if you are clothed in the righteousness that gives you access. Consider committing your life to Him. You will not regret it. Click here to take that step.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Pray it Personally: Father in heaven, I thank You for the gift of salvation. Jesus,thank You for the access that You purchased with Your Blood. You are my High Priest, and You intercede for me, so there is no need to worry. Let me never forget that I can come before You, God, with no fear, shame or guilt, because I am made righteous by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: At this point, Moses was eighty years old. Half of his life had been spent as royalty. The other half had been spent as a lowly shepherd. Suddenly, God appeared, to change the next forty years of his life.

“The bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.” The first thing we see is that Moses noticed what was going on around him. He paid attention to his surroundings. Yesterday we saw that God appeared to Moses as he was in his occupation. God interrupts our work. The devil seizes idleness (consider David walking in the balcony on the day he saw Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11:1-2).

“I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” It cannot have been unusual for a bush to catch fire in the desert. It happens often in dry conditions. Moses was observant enough to take note of the fact that the fire did not consume the bush. He decided to investigate. They say curiosity killed the cat, but this is not always so. God is a God who hides Himself, but avails Himself to those who will seek Him. He walks with those who invite Him. As Jesus talked with the men on their way to Emmaus, the Bible says he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us (Luke 24:27-29).

The Lord hides Himself in plain sight. Romans tells us, …the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made… (Romans 1:20) and therefore human beings have no excuse.

“And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, [He] called unto him.” God will never force Himself on us. He draws near to those who draw near to Him (James 4:8). He reveals Himself to us if we seek Him. He answers when we call Him; sometimes even before we do. He blesses our faith and He rewards those who seek Him. Since it says that the Lord called after seeing Moses turning aside, we can surmise that if Moses had ignored the bush, the Lord would have left him alone.

“Moses, Moses.” The Lord did not call him “You, there,” “Person,” “Israelite,” “Old man,” “Shepherd”, “Husband of Zipporah,” or “Father of Gershom.”

God knows us intimately. He calls us by name. He is acquainted with all our ways. He understands us better than we understand ourselves.

“And he said, here am I.” Moses was ready when God called him. He did not say, “Let me first make sure my sheep are okay.” He answered readily, instantly.

Be a Doer (James 1:22): It is not wrong to investigate strange circumstances. There is a curiosity that the Lord cautions against (Romans 16:15) but there is one that He rewards, and that is a genuine curiosity concerning Him. Seek, and ye shall find, He promises in Matthew 7:7. He does not force Himself on us, but encourages us to draw near to Him. What do we do if we want to hear Him? We should inch closer. He spoke to Moses in a burning bush that was not consumed. He speaks to us in His Word, by His Son (John 1:1, Hebrews 1:1-2). He knows us intimately – personally. He has a mission for each of us. God can turn a bad or mediocre beginning into a glorious ending and a good one into a better one.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Seek ye the LORD while he may yet be found, call ye upon him while he is near (Isaiah 45:15,19; 55:6).

Pray it Personally: Father in heaven, I want to get to know You. Sometimes things get hectic and prayer seems boring, but You are a loving God who knows me personally and wants to draw close to me, too. I pray that You will help me to be attentive to the ways in which You speak to me throughout the day, and that You will guide me, help me to be obedient, and continue to manifest Yourself to me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: Moses knew that he was God’s instrument for Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Acts 7:25). This did not deter him from doing what he was supposed to do. He had made a mistake once in killing the Egyptian. Now he was going on with his life, possibly resigned to the fact that if the Lord was going to use him, He would do it in His own time.

Notice that Moses led the flock to the backside of the desert. It is unlikely that he knew that he would be leading another flock into another desert shortly. In leading the flock, he came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. His experience as a shepherd would help him in the upcoming wilderness journey. David’s lion and bear prepared him for Goliath. Paul drew on his study of the law to express why grace is such a gift. The disciples fished fish before they fished men.

In the same way, we should not neglect our daily duties or forsake what we think to be lowly, thinking that because we are called of God, we should do nothing while we wait. What we are going through now is preparation for the giant, the palace, the calling that awaits us. To the Egyptians, shepherds were the lowest of the low. Moses grew up as a prince, in Pharaoh’s household, but here he was tending sheep. After leading the flock to the backside of the desert, he encountered the Lord. Amos was a herdsman when God called him. Jesus called fishermen. Several times in scripture, we see God interrupting people’s occupations. Nobody secludes himself or herself and awaits a booming voice.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): It may seem like your current occupation is worthless and leading nowhere. Do not fret. Continue to be submitted to the Lord and do what is expected of you. It may seem dry and lifeless, but the Lord may be closer than you imagine. Hang in there and do your part, and you will come to the mountain of the Lord in good time. We may be living in the last days, and the times may seem worse than ever before, but the return of the Lord is closer than we can imagine. With each day, we are closer to His return; closer to Horeb; closer to that encounter we desire. The work of the Lord is not necessarily preaching, teaching and singing in the choir. The work of the Lord could be that occupation you so detest. Embrace and enjoy it.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Pray it Personally: Promotion does not come from the east or the west, but from You, Lord. Guide me now, in my occupation, however lowly it may seem at this time, and help me to be faithful in doing my part for this season. I know You have not forgotten me – help me to remember that whether I know it or not, there is a reason for every experience, and a season to every purpose under heaven. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

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“Who is a diligent worker?” you may ask. There are many biblical teachings that reveal this kind of person.

The Bible says in Colossians 3:23-24, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ that you are serving. A diligent worker knows that other than his human employer there is another superior Divine Boss he or she is accountable to and is therefore committed to and passionate about whatever task the Lord has given and works with minimum supervision.

At times, sacrifice may be needed. For instance, doing extra time so as to complete the day’s work and begin the next’s or even going out of your way to help another workmate who is in need. Luke 19:11-26 encourages us to sacrifice and invest our time and skills in our places of work. The two servants went out of their way to invest the money that their master had left them and because of that they were richly rewarded, each in accordance to their input, but disaster followed the servant who failed to invest his money.

Faithfulness is another attribute of a diligent worker. Being faithful with our employers’ property, be it in the office or out of it, is important. Handling those resources responsibly glorifies the Lord. Proverbs 28:20 shows the destiny of a faithful man. The Bible says, a faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. It is also good to remember that he who is faithful in the little things automatically qualifies to be entrusted with bigger things. You may not see those bigger things coming your way at the moment but God will reward you in due time because his word is true and will never go back to him void without accomplishing that which it was sent to do. Isaiah 55:11.

Honesty does not escape in the path of the diligent. While working, honesty is very important, be it in trivial matters or enormous ones. Speaking the truth, using right measures and weights (Proverbs 20:10), refusing to hoard goods (Luke 12:16-18) and selling goods at a fair price all bring glory to the Lord. Proverbs 28:8, He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

A diligent worker realizes the value of community. These are the people we refer to as colleagues or workmates. This worker realizes that people are gifted differently and therefore appreciates the contribution of each person. In addition, he or she realizes that God has divinely networked him with those people for a reason and season and should therefore utilize the God given opportunity maximally. John 2:1-11, Jesus attended a wedding ceremony which was a social gathering together with his disciples and while he was there, the wine ran out and his mother instructed the servants to do whatever Jesus would tell them. The servants obeyed and behold, there was more tasteful wine and the occasion ended successfully. Jesus realized the need to involve people. He did not act alone yet He is God and had the power and ability to do everything. It is wonderful to work together and to respect authority.

The diligent worker commits his work unto the Lord. He or she takes time to pray and thank God for his work place and colleagues because he understands that it is because of the Lord’s doing that he/she is working there. The person understands that all the targets and goals set can only be accomplished through God’s help.

It is possible to be a diligent worker and to make that our lifestyle. It is indeed a choice one needs to make. We may not do everything right everytime, but with God’s help, we keep on trying, never giving up. After all, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Every time we work diligently, the Lord blesses the work of our hands, and through it all, we glorify Him.

Be blessed!

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I just got back from the ER where I was given tons of Ibuprofen.

Apparently I sprained my chest muscle. How can this have happened? What is
the chest muscle, because it felt like it was inside my lungs. Thanks

Fifi

Hey Fifi,

Thanks for writing in. It was quite a shock to find out you had chest muscles right? Most people tend to think that only men have them but no, we women have as much muscle as men, it is just the size that differs. Chest muscles are used with almost every upper body activity! They are used to breathe, lift your arms and sit with your back straight, cough and stretch. They are vital but can easily be injured during strenuous activity.

You have many chest muscles but the two major ones are the Pectoralis Major and Pectoralis Minor; they are very visible in well built men but lie underneath the breast in females. As I mentioned before, they are used in deep breathing and this is why you might think the pain is in your lungs rather than your chest as it hurts to breathe in. Rest assured, with proper rest and care, you’ll be up and about ASAP in Jesus name!

Stay blessed

T

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Do CT scans and MRI scans have side effects? I recently had health problems and so many times the doctors ordered CT scans, was wondering if this poses any dangers or what I can do to protect myself.

Anne

Hey Anne,

I am so sorry you’ve not been feeling well but thanks for sending in this valuable question. Computed Tomography Scans aka CT Scans can be likened to huge cameras used to take pictures of the contents of an object and it is used in the diagnosis of things ranging from tumors to internal bleeding. In this process, a liquid known as “contrast material” is introduced into the body (through a vein, rectum or swallowed) and this acts as a light that makes the intended organ or vessel more visible. Although it is a valuable diagnostic too, it may be a source of concern to people because of the fact that they are being exposed to radiation.

Are there risks to using CT Scans? It actually depends on who you are:

1)Pregnant women: it is very harmful for pregnant women especially in their first trimester because radiation can affect the growth of a normal fetus. So if you’re pregnant or think you might be, please tell your doctor before you are exposed to any form of radiation (CT scan. X-ray etc).

2)Medical personnel: the next time you are getting any form of radiation, pay attention and you will see that you are probably the only person in the room. The fact that we constantly perform different procedures involving radiation makes us (doctors, nurses, tech’s etc) more vulnerable to the effects of radiation. So most of the time, medical personnel either wear special suits or step outside the room when such procedures are going on; but don’t worry, we are outside the door watching!

3)Children: Just as it is unhealthy for the fetus, it is equally unhealthy for growing children. If there came a situation where it HAD to be performed, the level of radiation is dramatically reduced for the safety of the child.

4)Allergy to Contrast: There are some individuals who are allergic to the contrast (usually iodine based) given and might break out in rashes, hives go into anaphylactic shock or even end up with kidney failure. Before you are given any medicine or procedure it is vital you tell your doctor of all allergies to food, drugs or medications.

Besides these groups of people, CT scans are generally of low risk to people. The radiation level is minimal and usually has no side effects. I pray you speedy recovery!

Stay Blessed

T

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Have you, like me, always wondered how the ancient women of the Bible and history kept their skin so beautiful??? Women like Esther, Bathsheba and even Cleopatra. It is said these women were extremely beautiful. Some men got carried away – we all know of the story of King David and Bathsheba. I have always wondered – those thousands and thousands of years ago, when there was no Black Opal, Iman, Mac Cosmetics, etc, you name it, they managed to keep their skin flawless! I used to think that they were born that way. Besides, there was no pollution then! How wrong I was! Through my research I made some interesting discoveries that I am going to share with you.

Ladies, these women took great care of themselves! They did not just sit and look pretty and assume nature would take its course. In Esther 2:9, The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food…

See? They took it very seriously and it was part of their lifestyle. It continues to say in verse 12 …she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. You know as I was reading this I realized these women took their beauty treaments very seriously! And remember they used natural ingredients, what are these you may be asking?

I went out looking for answers and I came across excerpts from a wonderful book called Beauty Secrets from the Bible by Ginger Garrett. This book will amaze you. One ingredient she talks about is Honey! Yes, honey! Its amazing how the answers are so simple, yet we spend so much on time and finances trying out product after product. Honey was extremely valuable in ancient days. Women applied it to their skin along with oils as part of their bathing rituals. Ancient beauties regularly applied a mixture of honey and milk to keep their skin young-looking, radiant and smooth.

So, you may be asking, why is honey good for my skin? Well, honey is a natural anti-oxidant which helps to protect the skin from the damage of the sun’s rays, it supports the skins ability to rejuvenate and refresh depleted skin, leaving it feeling silky, soft and supple. These ancient women knew their stuff, don’t you think so? One of the most-common natural skin benefits with honey is related to treatment of minor acne, which could be caused by hormonal changes or other factors. Honey absorbs impurities from the pores on the skin, making it an ideal cleansing agent. Honey’s ability to absorb and retain moisture make it an ideal ingredient in many cosmetics as it keeps the skin hydrated, fresh and prevents drying.

A simple DIY recipe Ginger Garrett recommends to enjoy the benefits of honey in skin care is The Cucumber and Honey Toner. Puree 1 cucumber in a blender, drain and collect the juice. Add 2 teaspoons of honey into the juice and mix. Pour the mixture into the bottle. Apply on the face and neck area with a cotton pad in the morning and night. Air dry and rinse clean. Store the bottle covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Another DIY home treatment I found was the Honey Tonic – Apply 1-2 drops of honey to wet finger tips and massage onto wet face. Do not rinse. Pat dry. Use whenever fine lines or blemishes are a problem. Honey is suitable for sensitive skin and also has anti-ageing properties.

Ladies, are you learning like me how simple these things are,  not to mention how natural these treatments are? Personally, I am really scared of applying cosmetics on my face. They have too many artificial chemicals, so when I came across these I was extremely happy. One that I regularly do is the Pawpaw/Papaya Mask. After eating the pawpaw, you simply scrape of any remaining pawpaw, leaving the moist part. Massage the inside moist part (the part that you have just eaten not the outside cover) onto your face and neck and let it dry. Rinse your face clean. When you look at your face after you will see a difference, your face will look radiant and refreshed. Do it regularly. Another thing we often forget is our necks. Our neck is very important and we should not neglect it remember to always include it in your beauty regimen.

We all know how important water is for our bodies and skin. A recent article on this forum talked about it so I will not get into it but ladies, let’s drink our recommended eight glasses. Another aspect that affect our skin is our pillow cases. You can easily overlook this but our pillow cases carry thousands of unseen germs which causes rashes and pimples. Changing your pillow case regularly makes a huge difference. So ladies, change that pillow case.

I hope this article has blessed you like it has me. These are ancient beauty secrets that have stood the test of time and better yet natural! Its amazing what these women figured out those thousands and thousands of years ago and there are still so many other ingredients they used I cannot exhaust them all.I would love to hear your comments and contributions if you have any other home treatments you would like to share with us. Be blessed ladies.

You are beautiful!

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I have an issue i would like you to address for me in a christian manner. I’m 24 and I have a boyfriend of 13 months in Texas. He moved out of state when the relationship was 8 months. We are both christians, infact I am a choir mistress  in my church . However, I ve always had this friend of mine who is a muslim that I have known for 5 years and I have feelings for him, and i have a feeling he likes me too. But i cant date him coz he’s a muslim. We ve been communicating a lot lately. I am liking him more each day. As for my boyfriend I don’t talk to him too often because of his schedule. I am confused, what advice do you have for me?

God bless.

Hi.

Thanks so much for visiting Yakuti. We are honoured to be used of God. May He bless you.

This is a tough one but we serve a tougher God. There is nothing too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:27). He is not the author of confusion but of peace, and I pray that His peace will fill your heart.

Someone sent in a similar question and it was discussed in a previous issue. You might want to check it out later.

Let’s first talk about your Muslim friend. You say, “I’ve always had this friend of mine… I have known him for five years.” I would have passed by that part had I not been nudged by the Lord to address it. In reality, though we often forget it, the only friend that any of us can say we have always had is Jesus Christ, and He has known us from before we were formed in the womb. There was a point in your life when your Muslim friend was not there, but there has never been any point in your life or mine, or in time, where Jesus was not there. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God… without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3).

I want to remind you that unequal yokes do not just exist in courtship; they exist in all kinds of relationships. You can be unequally yoked in a friendship or even a business partnership. That you are in consistent contact with your Muslim friend means you are pursuing or building an unequal yoke, which the Lord specifically tells us not to do (2 Corinthians 6:14), and which is therefore blatant disobedience.

You speak about your feelings several times. You have feelings for your Muslim friend, and you have a feeling that he likes you too. Feelings are fickle and deceptive. They are different from instinct (biological impulses/tendencies), conscience (inner sense of right and wrong) and the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God, which takes control of our instinct and conscience when we become born again). Operating by feelings is operating on the sensual level. It is not bad to like things. But liking something does not necessarily mean it is good for you. In fact, many times we deceive ourselves and end up liking things that are detrimental to our walk. All things are lawful unto me, but not all things are expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12). All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not (1 Corinthians 10:23). In other words, Christ has set us free to like what we want, but it is unwise to like everything under the sun in this spiritual battle. Once we submit ourselves to the power and teaching of the Holy Spirit, we are able to apply only those likes and likings that edify. This is because the deceptive, stony heart which is desperately wicked is now replaced with a heart of flesh (Jeremiah 17:9, Ezekiel 11:19).

Now. You say, “…this friend of mine who is a Muslim.” Would it make a difference if he were an atheist, Hindu, or even Christian? Two realities would remain: First of all, you are in a relationship with someone else. Second, and of more importance: let us judge righteously. The fact that he is a Muslim does not make him any less loved of God than you or me. The fact that we are Christian does not make us any more loved of God than him. Jesus died for me, you, the Muslim, the Ba’hai and the agnostic. God loves this man. God loves us. Do we love him? Jesus said, If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

If you love the Lord, it is time for you to put your feelings aside and seek God’s agenda for your Muslim friend. Think about the example that you are setting for him, and what your actions are telling him about your faith. You are still an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20).Your words may say you are Christian and love the Lord, but your actions might say something else. Jesus said not everyone that says to Him, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of His Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21). The Bible says, the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God (Psalm 14:1, 53:1). The fool’s words may say there is a God, but his actions reveal what his heart says. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45), but as we have seen above, the heart is deceitful and in these last days people may convince themselves they are doing God a favour in their sins. Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16-20) – what fruit is your Muslim friend observing? Double-mindedness or steadfastness? Faith or doubting? You don’t boil a cow and expect to eat beans. You don’t use a tea bag if you expect to taste coffee.

You will definitely like this man more each day if you spend time with him continually. In fact, if you spend more time with him than with your boyfriend, then the day is soon coming when you will say you like him more than you like your boyfriend. When we constantly surround ourselves with people, we grow to like them more. This is true even of our walk – I am sure you agree that if you spend more time with the Lord, you get to love and enjoy Him more. It is the same with all relationships.If Eve had fled from the serpent after the first statement, where would we be? Instead, she allowed herself to remain around him and she continued to listen to his lies (Genesis 3). Jesus, on the other hand, responded to each temptation with the Word (Matthew 4, Luke 4) and refused to tolerate discussion.

In my humble opinion, seeking God’s agenda for your Muslim friend would mean distancing yourself from him for some time, for now. Of course it is God’s desire for your friend to receive Christ, but at this point in time, you might not be the right person to plant and water – seek the Lord about this. Wisdom is the principal thing and it is very easy for you to tell yourself that you are maintaining contact so that you will tell him about Jesus, when instead you are subconsciously practising missionary dating or PCM.

Now, let’s talk about your 13-month relationship. When your boyfriend was leaving, did you both talk about keeping in touch and how often you would communicate? It’s difficult to be in a relationship with someone you don’t see or talk to often, and usually for long distance relationships there are a lot of sacrifices involved. They can work, and I have seen a few succeed. I have married friends who have been in long-distance relationships, some of them even from the beginning. Some have been a three-hour drive apart, and some have been 11,000 miles apart and everything in between. What these friends of mine will assure you is long-distance relationships require prayer, patience, plenty of trust and understanding, and constant nurturing. But they can work.

Remember that while you are in a relationship, you are a steward over this man’s heart and you are responsible to do right by Him. Owe no man anything, but to love one another (Romans 13:8a). If there are explanations and discussions pending, do the necessary. Be open with your concerns and fears. If you do not want to be in a relationship with him, do not lead him on. What you give will come back to you, full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over – this is not just about money or good things, but applies in the negative as well (Luke 6:38). We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:9). Back to the tea bag and coffee.

This is one of those situations that I say is “pretending to be complex.” It’s one of those very tough positions to be in, but once you pray about it and decide what to do and have the decision behind you, you realize in hindsight that it was actually very simple. I know that right now it is very difficult. Pour out your heart to God (Psalm 62:8) and share your anxieties with Him (Philippians 4:6-7). His name is Wonderful Counselor – He can show you exactly what to do and exactly how to do it and if you continue to walk after the Spirit you will remain uncondemned (Romans 8:1, 8:31-33). He promised that if we ask for wisdom, He will give it to us without finding fault (James 1:5).

I pray that this helps! Thank you so much for your question. I will be praying for you; please keep in touch and let me know how everything goes.

God bless and be brave,

Paula

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My boyfriend told me he has herpes. Should I break off this relationship?

What is the scoop on herpes? How is it spread? I am really disgusted by
all this. Am I overreacting? How did he get it? Can we be married and I
don’t get it.

Rachel

Hey Rachel,

Thanks for your candidness and sending in this question. I think the best way is for me to answer your health questions and then send the question of whether you should stay with him to Pea at the Relationships section. I feel that this way, your question will be answered in depth.

In no way do I mean any disrespect but the first thing I will say is this: if you are sexually active (in ALL forms of the word be it kissing or oral/anal/vaginal sex) with this guy please STOP! NOW!

There are two types of the Herpes Simplex Virus; HSV-1 and HSV-2 and I will tell you about both. HSV-1 is the harmless version of the virus and appears as a cold sore or fever blister which appears at the corner of our lips; EVERYONE has had it at one point or another. I am assuming that since your boyfriend feels it important to tell you, it means he has been infected by the Herpes Simplex Virus-2 which is a Sexually Transmitted Disease and primarily affects the genitals (even though it can spread to the mouth through oral sex). HSV-2 manifests as a cluster of blisters/sores/ulcers on the surface of the genitals. In males, these sores are obvious on the penis, thighs, buttocks and anus. In the female the sores can spread from the vagina to the inner and outer labia, clitoris, buttocks and anus causing “genital symptoms” such intense itching, aching, burning and pain and “body symptoms” such as fever, muscles aches and headaches.

These are the less severe of the symptoms but for some reason, women tend to have additional symptoms; the more severe ones include cervical cancer, numbness and loss of sensations from different parts of the body, dysfunction of the bladder and sometimes the virus can cause problems with the spinal cord.

Can you get it? ABSOLUTELY! HSV is a virus and with any exposure to the sores, this STD can spread and infect you. There is no cure for herpes and once a person is infected, it is for life. Yes, there is treatment (acyclovir) but this drug is used to control and decrease the number of outbreaks a person has. A person with herpes will have what are called “outbreaks”; this is when the blisters are visible on their skin, but sometimes they are also in “remission” when they have no evident blisters but are still all the same infected. It is extremely easy to get infected with herpes and a pregnant woman with herpes is advised to have a C-section rather than a vaginal delivery in order not to infect her child. For a person who chooses to stay in a relationship with an infected partner, many precautions need to be taken in order to decrease the risk of getting infected but to be honest, the risks are still there. These precautions and more information can be found at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-herpes.htm

I would also like to advise you to make an appointment with your OB/GYN for an STD panel to get tested in order to get more information and protect yourself.

Stay Blessed

T

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In my study of Bionomial nomenclature in form two Biology, I learnt that man is first an organism, just like plants; then, an animal; then, a mammal; then, a primate; then, a human being; then finally, either male or female. While I learned this in the same class as the one that taught me the Darwinian Theory – the very one that I have aptly rejected – I find this classification an apt analogy for understanding the place of man in relationships. Man and woman share most of everything in common apart from the very obvious and unavoidable diversities (just like not all women resemble each other yet they all belong to the female fraternity) that we see in the beauty of creation.

Thus there is one common denominator that defines man and woman: humanity. Both genders report to this inescapable reality, that they are first human beings before they are anything else. Being humans, man and woman share some common characteristics that depict the image of God (Imago Dei) in them. On the other hand there are some definitive features that separate female from male. To the best of my knowledge, and I stand to be corrected, the major difference is physiological. Most of the other supposed differences are culturally instigated, for example the big lie that men do not cry, or rather express their emotions. I say this last part with double certainty because my experience allows me to.

I humbly propose to the ladies that to understand men, they must first seek to understand humanity. In so doing we will all cease to label and tag each other with endless name callings but rather will appreciate the limited diversity in the human order. It is true that God made man, and that he made man good. But it is also true that that the hitherto good man is also sinful (Romans 6:23). These two statements, though seemingly a paradox, are true of humanity, in which case “man” is used generically in reference to the entire human race.

All men are potentially good men and consequently good husbands. But also all men have a potential for evil and poor relations just like some women are also potentially evil. The fall and its effect as well as our response to the same are what makes one good or bad (I say this in a specific sense, because I don’t want to open the debate on good and bad). At this point, I need to explain that my assumed readers are godly women or at least women working towards godliness.

What aspects of humanity does a woman need to understand in order to understand man? First, human beings are spiritual beings capable of both good and evil and consequently in dire need for God. Just like the woman, the man too needs God – there is no macho man. A godly woman can only blend with a godly man, there are no two ways about it. How to ascertain that a man is godly is your assignment. It is only in relating with God that our evil tendencies are taken away as God fills the void within us that we quite often allow the enemy to fill.

Secondly, women must be contented with the fact that humanity is emotional. Like women, men too are fragile. A man’s strength is his weakness. Men have emotions that culture has taught them to hide. Men desire to be loved, respected, appreciated, and supported. As opposed to women, most men take time to trust individuals in whom they can confide and with whom they can share their feelings. Thus an understanding woman would be the one who cares to listen to the man and appreciates his situation and not the one who scolds at him and makes him feel like a loser. May I add that most of the times, men have bloated egos. Now ego means edging God out and surely, redirecting a man to God decisively deals with this.

Thirdly, humanity is social. The cultural mandate leaves man with no option other than being relational. It is a concept that is deeply entrenched in the trinitarian theology where at first the triune Godhead is seen as cooperating in creation. The “let us” phrase (Genesis 1:26) particularly confirms this. In equal breath, men too are incurable social animals. They love to interact and socialize and detest any separation from the same. Yes, men too love to talk and to cuddle. We just don’t want to make it public knowledge. Like lawyers, deep down we are very sociable people.

But we like guy things — we need “guy space” for stuff like cars, tools and watching kick-boxer action flicks. Sadly, women want to take over, to “female up” what used to be exclusive male territory with frilly drapes and paintings of flowers. In fact, they’re so committed to feminizing all the space around them that they quickly start forbidding us to have any guy stuff at all. So suddenly you find the bathroom buried in female products, your leather couch has been reupholstered in pastel paisley, and the spot where you kept your tools has blossomed into an indoor herb garden. I assure you these too can be detestable.

On a more personal note, women need to understand that men are clueless. I wouldn’t know what to do to you if you started crying all of a sudden. I am sure most men, unless they are counselors, might not know how to handle such delicate situations. Making a simple meal, or performing simple first aid are things that essentially give me nightmares. I just don’t know what to do about stuff. The problem is that we don’t easily admit our fears. One time my uncle asked me to accompany him to a morgue to view the remains of my late aunt. My inner self was shaken but I displayed a manly stature from the outside and so obliged. Little did I know that my uncle too was fearful and I found this out when we got to our destination and he almost ran away had it not been that the attendant had locked the door behind us. I was very scared but never revealed it to date.

Men are also blunt and very liberal with their facts. If you think your dress is nice and you don’t want a negative answer then don’t ask. Just don’t ask me if you are fat or anything, unless you want the real answer – which in most cases is what you don’t want to hear. How else am I not supposed to be a liar and at the same time not hurt you? Just for the records – I prefer slightly whole bodied women to the skinny ones – again that is just me.

We men are extremely independent by nature. We like to make our own decisions and run our lives by our own rules. We want to do what we want when we want. But when a woman enters the picture, all the choices a guy simply used to take for granted — going out for a beer with his buddies, buying a big screen TV, playing golf on Saturday afternoon — suddenly have to be cleared with her first. And her answer is almost always, “No — we’re a couple now” (translation: “We’re going to do things my way”). Almost overnight, we find ourselves trapped, doing what she wants to do, regardless of his own wants or desires.

While there could be some generalized patterns in men, every woman must guard against the fallacy of generalization. This is the synthesis: The Peril of Collective Judgment. Each Man is individually different and each case must be treated differently. I implore my dear sisters to start from a positive note: the Glass is often half full. Our starting point in every issue determines our conclusions. If because of a separate incidence or experience you carry the bad feeling to every other man you meet then you are possibly swallowing a wrong bait. Commonly misused words like “men are dogs” or “men are liars” are very misleading because indeed, not all men are.

Treat men like human beings because that is what they are and they will treat you like human beings too because that is what both of you are – any deviation leads to a deconstruction of the cultural mandate.

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For most of us,the bathroom sink is where it all begins. It is our first stop in the morning and our last stop before we get into bed. Many of us underestimate the impact that a sink can make on our day. Few of us pay attention to bathroom sinks when we are selecting or selling houses. In reality, they can make a huge difference on the outlook of a bathroom and our enjoyment of our beauty regimen. Having a fun beauty regimen can go a long way in lifting your mood before and after a long day.

When choosing a sink, there are several factors to consider before you can determine what works for you.

The first thing to think about is function. What is this sink going to be used for? Decide whether you will use it just as a three-second stop in the morning and at night, to wash your face and brush your teeth, or if you will spend time there applying make up and examining your face for changes that can help you decide if your skin care regimen is working for you.

After figuring out the most practical sink function for you, you can choose the lighting, style, material and size.

Lighting:

Lighting is important because you need it to check if you have cleaned your face properly. If you do not have a vanity sink, then you can use general bathroom lighting. However, if the sink is where you apply your make-up, you will need ample light to ensure for example that you do not end up with different shades of skin on your face and your neck, that you have no lipstick in your teeth and that your eye shadow is the same on both eyes.

Style:

This can be contemporary, traditional, victorian, etc. There are various sink-styles for you to choose from. A few of them are listed below.

Wall-mounted sinks are the kind that are fixed onto the wall. This type of sink is ideal for small bathrooms because although they do not create storage space, the space underneath can be maximized.

Pedestal sinks are attached to the wall, but are supported by a pedestal. They do not offer storage space and can hold no more than soap and a toothbrush holder, but they create more floor space.

Drop-in, top-mount, or self-rim sinks fit into a bathroom vanity/dresser, and are the kind you want to choose if you will be placing your make up and beauty products on a counter in the bathroom. It is also possible to store things under these sinks as the bottom part is a cabinet or drawers.

Undermount, under-counter or bottom-mount sinks are the kind that fit under the bathroom vanity. The sink surface does not interrupt the vanity surface as with drop-in sinks. They are easier to clean, as dirt, grime, old soap, hair, debris and things are not caught in-between the sink and the counter. The tap/faucet is mounted directly on the counter, which provides an opportunity for creativity.

Console sinks are slightly similar to pedestal sinks. The difference is that instead of a pedestal, this type of sink is supported by two legs at the front, or two at the front and two against the wall.

Vessel or basin sinks are, in line with their name, free-standing sinks that appear like bowls or basins, mounted on a counter/vanity. This type of sink also provides beautiful opportunities to be creative.

Material:

Many people think that all sinks are made out of porcelain, but there are so many other creative materials you can use. It is important to find out about the material of a sink so that you can determine how to care for it and clean it.

Porcelain and clay sinks are among the most-common bathroom sinks. They are durable and easy to clean, but they can chip, crack and break relatively easily.

Metal sinks include stainless steel, copper and brass sinks. These are fine but can dent easily. They also darken the look of a bathroom. Stainless steel sinks make bathrooms look more industrial than comforting. Copper sinks change color over time. However, bacteria can only survive on copper for a short period of time, so this would be the best type of sink for the health-conscious person.

Concrete sinks are heavy and require sufficient support. They are best supported in a console version.

Stone sinks can be beautiful and unique. They are also heavy and are best used as pedestal or vessel sinks. Cleaning this type of sink requires scrubbing.It is not a very practical sink and if necessary, it is best used outdoors.

Soapstone sinks are smooth, beautiful and full of character. This sink would work well with the artistic person. They change colour over time, becoming darker. They also retain heat and are very easy to care for.

Bamboo sinks are another creative type of sink. They are exotic and beautiful, but require more care as their surfaces have to be sealed treated with oil. They cannot be cleaned using regular, abrasive sink cleaners. The same goes for wood sinks.

Terrazzo is a faux-marble material that can be used to create a beautiful, unique type of sink. However, it also requires a great deal of care. The best way to care for a terrazzo sink is to clean it with a neutral cleaner. Harsh abrasives will scratch the sink.

Size and depth:

Use a big or deep sink if you splash around a lot and have plenty of space.

Use a smaller or shallower sink to maximize space and if you can manage to brush your teeth and wash your face without splashing water onto the counter, floor or yourself.

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SP:

How did you know your wife was the one?

I just somehow knew that I knew that she was the one.There was a chemistry, a desire, a love, God – but I guess one of the greatest tests for me was the time it took. I waited a whole 12 months after I asked Joy if she would consider spending the rest of her life with me, before she said yes.It was the longest I have ever had to wait.

You say your backgrounds are very similar. How has God used your pasts to strengthen your marriage?

Our pasts are both broken and dysfunctional. God has used this to give us a vision for a different future. It is primarily where our passion to serve our generation is born. It is the reason why we do what we do.

What is the first thing your wife does when you get home every day?

It keeps varying… sometimes she is not home when I get home, most of the time she opens the gate for me and welcomes me back home.

What has being a husband taught you about Jesus? What does it mean to love Joy the way Christ loved the church?

To be the best husband to Joy I must love Jesus with all my life. In terms of loving Joy as Christ loved the church:

Be willing to give of myself to the point of death. Jesus loved the church so much He was willing to die for her, and He did. This is the thing about Him that releases the church to submit to Him because the church understands that He is not out to abuse and control her but rather that His heart is for her. Once my wife understands that I will hold nothing back from her, it releases her to submit in freedom because my heart is for her.

Is there such a thing as a soulmate?

Oh yes…it is a wonderful and sweet mystery. The becoming of one even though you are two.

What are the marks of a man of honour?

A lover of God. Commitment. Humility. Strength. Honor. Service

Joy:

What part of your marriage vows stood out the most for you?

All of them were powerful. Right now it’s the part that says for rich or for poor and in sickness and in health. I have had a chance to experience both. My husband and I started with just faith, right now we are still amazed at God’s blessing.

When we lost our son, I experienced a great ministry through my husband. After the cesarean birth I had an infection and it was hard for me to move, go to the bathroom, I was so helpless. There is not a day when my husband was not next to me, he took time off his work and stayed home with me, fixed all the meals, took me to every hospital appointment, helped me read my daily scriptures. I can never trade that experience for anything, now I deeply know that my husband was serious when he made his vows.

As someone who speaks often in public, your husband must get a lot of attention from people. How do you deal with this? Have you ever had to sacrifice “us-time” for someone who needed to be ministered to, and how did this make you feel?

The vision my husband and I have involves him being exposed to the public so I am really okay with that, because the experience with my husband is that he is a humble man. There have been times when he had to sacrifice the “us-time” and it was totally okay with me, because most of the time I get to be involved in what is occupying him. He is also very strong on family so I rarely notice the sacrifice.

What three myths about marriage do you think unmarried women should discard with immediate effect?

“All men are bad.” After I met my husband I totally got over that one. The male figures we grew up with might not have been good to us but they are not all men.

“Marriage is a prison.” I believe marriage is what you choose to make it. If you’re to do it right it will give you life, but if you just do it as you see fit it will suck life out of you.

“A man can not have one woman.” This is a decision that one makes. After I grew up in a polygamous setting and faced all its consequences, I’m determined to be the best woman my husband will ever think about. I’m intentional about this every day.

How have your friendships (especially with your girlfriends) changed since you got married?

My girlfriends and I got married almost the same time so am thankful for that. Though I got married first. It was a little tough with no one to enjoy this stage with [me] but soon they joined me. It’s a joy to look back to where we were and where we are right now. Some of them have children now and I refer to them as our children and it’s so much fun to continue writing the chapters of our story together.

What is a woman’s biggest need in marriage?

It’s just that four-lettered word, “love.” Experiencing my husband’s love just frees me to be and I love that experience.

Both:

What steps can couples take to make marriage less stressful?

Intentionally work at investing in it, so it can produce the desired results.

How can couples raise godly children in these treacherous times?

You cannot expect to raise godly kids if you are not godly yourselves. Also this does not happen by accident, just like a good marriage, it takes time, work and intentionally pursuing this goal.

[One way to do this is] sitting at the feet of those who have done it right though they are scarce.

What are your thoughts on each of these statements?

(1)“Love cannot pay the bills” / “Will we eat love?”

How we define love matters. Love is a behavior, so it’s inseparable from action. If the action is with the motivation of love it will pay the bills.

(2)“There is no marriage in heaven. Don’t kill yourself because of a man.”

While it is true that in heaven there is no marriage, that should not prevent us from doing whatever we have to do to keep our marriage because marriage is a covenant. When we do not get tired in doing good in due time we reap the harvest of a good marriage.

(3)Only married people say singlehood is a gift.

Sounds like one who is not satisfied in marriage and so they long for the singlehood days. It is good for us to live [out] a season, fully enjoy it and let it prepare us for the next phase in life so that there are no regrets.

(4)“Marriages lasted a lifetime in the past because the lifespan/life expectancy was so much shorter than it is today.”

That’s an excuse; the principles of living and marriage are still the same. The fifth commandment exults us to honor our Father and Mother so that we may live longer, this is not a very common practice today, because finally everyone has their rights…

(5)“We’re in a committed and monogamous relationship. We love each other and that is all God expects. Sex is simply an expression of that love. Why should we reduce our union to a piece of paper – after all, that’s what marriage is, and what difference does it make? Look how many miserable couples exist today because of that contract.”

For starters, love is not a piece of paper. There is a difference between a contract and a covenant. A contract is a temporary agreement between two or more parties to give something in exchange for receiving something. Therefore it can be a good thing but very limited. It can be changed, ignored and broken especially in today’s society.

The idea of a covenant is very different. It is two parties mutually entering into an unconditional, life long [agreement] that cannot be broken. Regardless if one of the parties neglects to fulfill their part of agreement, the covenant is still binding.

It is hard for one to tell that you have lost your son, because you exude such joy and have continued to serve and blog, with images of both of you smiling radiantly. How is this possible?

There is a foundation that is deeper than pain… our faith in God. In the morning comes joy. We have found joy in the strength of the Lord as we have waited on Him. Once you understand that you are not the final in-charge person, you can afford to smile.

You had Gabriel’s room decorated and painted while you were still pregnant. Were either of you angry about this and all the preparations you made when he passed away?

It was painful to say the least. We prepared ourselves because we were expectant. I don’t think we were angry. God allowed us this responsibility and the understanding that even though we had prepared a place for Gabriel, He too had prepared a place for him that does not even come close to what we have for him. As we have reflected on this, it has shed a bit of light in understanding the pain that God must go through for everyone of His kids who turn away from the place He has prepeared for them,our eternal home.

Looking back, would you have done anything differently during the pregnancy?

Both of us were glad that we were fully present for our son. And we knew that Gabriel felt the warmth of our love even before he was born. I don’t know if there was anything we would do different.

Did you ever hold your son in your arms? How did it feel to hold him, only to have him taken away from this realm barely hours later? How can we let go of people and things that God takes away from us?

None of us got to hold him in our hands while he was alive, but his mother carried him in her womb for 41 weeks. We miss Gabriel… In terms of letting go: It takes time and we must seek to be authenticate and vulnerable in the letting go process. Only then can we experience true surrender to God. The other thing is understanding that God is the author of life, not us, and He has our best interests at heart. Trust in God is key. He gives and takes away.

What have you gained in this period of loss?

We have grown deeper in our walk with the Lord because He alone can and has comforted us. We have grown to admire pain (we love and are inspired by Philipians 3:10-11). We both can relate to people in pain much deeper.

What can you share with other couples or individuals who may be questioning God’s existence during times of intense pain?

There are several things we could share.

First of all your questions and concerns are legitimate. However, we should be careful not to confuse our facts and the way we feel because of the pain we are experiencing with the truth. Leaning on the truth will hold us up even when our feelings and facts fail us. The other thing is no matter the amount and kind of pain, God does comfort but we must open ourselves up for that comfort. The thing that has also helped us is to understand that we are not the first to suffer. Jesus suffered and He endured.

Joy found it difficult to see how people go through pregnancy alone, eg out of wedlock, according to one blog post. Do you think being married makes a difference when dealing with losing a baby?  If so, how?

Two are better than one. When one is weak the other is strong. The presence of another person (spouse) is a representation of God’s truth that we are not alone.

Click here to read SP  and Joy’s blog!

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…My boyfriend told me he has herpes. Should I break off this relationship?… I am really disgusted by all this. Am I overreacting?…

Rachel

Dear Rachel,

Thanks for your question and thanks for being candid. Toyin tackled the medical part of it and forwarded the rest to me (LOL, she is clever, isn’t she?).

Wow.

Well, many things are going through my mind right now as I think about your question. What does Jesus say about situations like this? Does Jesus even talk about situations like this? What would Jesus do?

Before I begin, I want to say I hope and pray that you two have not been sexually active. I second Toyin in saying that if you are, then I beseech you, please STOP! NOW!

Let’s first give this man credit for telling you that he has herpes. Let’s give thanks to God for revealing this at this time. Think of the many millions of women who end up married to men who have herpes but have kept it from them. Think about those who don’t even know they have it.

I can’t tell you whether you should break off your relationship. What I will say is this: The courtship/relationship period, used wisely, is one where both of you get to know the necessary, gory basics about each other, and make a conscious decision to marry or to refuse to get married to each other. Knowing what you know about this man, and given the information you now have from the Apprentice, are you willing to love him sacrificially for as long as you both shall live?

It’s probably not something you’re going to answer in two seconds. Think about in sickness and in health, during flare-ups (or outbreaks as Toyin calls them) and doctors’ visits and the fact that you too are probably going to get this incurable disease. On the other hand, try to put yourself in his shoes. Imagine how difficult it is to reveal such a thing to a person, knowing that it is more likely for you to be rejected than accepted.

Does the Bible talk about this? I would say yes. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). I don’t know what you would want him to do to you if you were in his shoes, but I venture to guess that one thing you would not want would be for him to remain in a relationship with you out of sympathy, because that would breed resentment on both your parts.

Also, as cold as this may seem, it is better for you to break off a relationship than to get married and end up divorced and sick. Someone once said, “wedlock is padlock; the key is thrown into the Atlantic Ocean.” So take your time with your decision, and understand that should you choose to get married to this man, then that’s it, for life. And the Lord would want you to remain in the union joyfully, without bringing this up during fights no matter how tempting it may be, and without partnering with the accuser of the brethren in using your words and actions to plant guilt in this man’s heart and mind. You would still have to remain submitted to him and to love him the same way you would if he did not have herpes.

As always, I cannot give you the answer to your question, but I can point you to the One who can. This might sound a little radical, but the Lord is the Great Physician and there is a stripe on the back of Jesus for healing from herpes (Isaiah 53:5). He is also the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) and can give you wisdom beyond what you can imagine. Talk to Him.

I pray that the Lord would give you divine understanding and the strength to carry out whatever you prayerfully decide to do. It’s a tough choice, and if you just found this out, then I would say no, you’re not overreacting, but be careful that it does not become a root of bitterness that will spring up to trouble you later. Forgive him for having herpes – forgive him if you remain with him, and forgive him if you break up. No matter how sinful we are, and no matter how many times we may think we can handle it, none of us ever walk into things honestly wishing for the outcomes that sin brings. I sense a little guilt in your question, and I would ask you to forgive yourself, too, for being disgusted. Whatever you choose to do, if you are walking in the Spirit, you are not condemned (Romans 8:1).

God bless and I’m praying for you both,

Paula.

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Great book! What made you decide to write this?

I was actually training to be a part of a community response team for domestic violence situations in the community I resided in. I learned so much from the training that I received. After receiving that training I became a member of Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships. The knowledge that I received from both trainings encouraged me to reach teens that are raised in Christian households. It is my belief that Christian many pre-teens and teens face difficulties filtering what they observe in their households, in schools, information from peers, and making a commitment to have a transparent walk with Jesus Christ. The statistics show that Christians are not immune to unhealthy relationships. I decided to write this book to encourage teens to maintain or re-establish a transparent walk with Jesus Christ by sharing my story. My mother has always told me that prevention is better than cure. I hold on to that belief as well. I believe knowledge and testimonies are tools that empowers and may prevent an individual from making poor choices.

What went on between the first thought, “Maybe I should write,” and the day you actually flipped your laptop open and began to type out this book (or opened a notebook and began to write it)?

My book started out as a journal where I was keeping track of the things I learned, scriptures I studied, statistics I gathered, and correspondences that I was having with teens and their parents. I prayed about it a lot and I asked God to make it clear if He wanted me to write this book — and I believe He did. When writing this book I was very nervous because it is written, Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1). So I prayerfully made certain that my book was a tool of encouragement not a teaching or preaching tool.

Did you always want to be a writer? What’s your “day job”?

I began writing songs when I was seven years old. Then it progressed to writing poetry in high school. I never had any intention to write a book; however the desire to write this book pervaded my thoughts for a long time, actually two years before I wrote this book. My day job is that I work as a patient liaison of a Emergency Room Department and I am a nursing student scheduled to graduate soon.

How did you come to know the Lord?

I never thought I would actually commit my life to the Lord. Growing up in a Christian home frustrated me as a teen. I hated going to church and I would purposefully make fun of many if not all the ministers I saw or heard. One day, when I was fourteen years old, my mother purchased DirectTV for their 24 hour Christian station called TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network). We had four televisions in the house at that time all the televisions in the house were tuned to TBN all day. I had no choice but to watch the ministers preaching on the television. One day, I heard a minister on the television preaching and I remember feeling like a dagger went through my heart. I prayed willfully for God to come into my life for the first time and since then I made a conscious decision to pursue a relationship with God.

What has been the most victorious moment of your life so far?

I have had several victorious moments in my life. But the one that sticks out to me is a revelation in my thought life. I realized that the devil is a liar and that God has broken that chains and has set me free from every bondage. So with this mindset that I have, whenever legalism, discouragement, condemnation, fear, and other things creep into my mind and environment, I have learned that those things are not fruits of the Holy Spirit.

In my twenties I have started to develop a character of perseverance in the midst of confusion and discouragement. My greatest victory is coming to the understanding that I do not have to be a perfect person to be a vessel or instrument of God. I believe that I am the clay and God is the Potter and He is continually molding me.

We all feel like giving up every once in a while. What is the one Bible verse that keeps you going at such times?

Quitting is not an option for me because I know God is real and I know that God is ever present. What I constantly struggle with is discouragement, especially when I am challenged to increase my faith and not dwell on what is actually in front of me. The Scripture that encourages me and keeps me going is 2 Corinthians 4.

In your book, you say a few things that may be a little controversial. For instance, you say “believe in yourself and stand by your feelings.” One might say, “but the Bible says believe in God (John 14:1, 1 Peter 1:21, etc), and the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).” How would you respond to this?

I didn’t intend for anything to be controversial in the book. The Lord says the following [in] Matthew 10:16, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 1 John 4:1 [says], Beloved, do not believe every spirit, But test the spirits, whether they are of God… 2 Timothy 3: 13 [says that], evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. In 2 Timothy 3, it talks about the character of people that will be present in the last days and it instructs women in verse 5 to turn away from such men, which is an action. In verse 6, it indicated that women were taken captive and deceived by ungodly men because they were weak-willed and silly. In verse 15 it discusses that the only way to build wisdom is through the knowledge of the scriptures.

Situations have to be tested and tried against the word of God. I believe it is dangerous for an individual to negate their ability to make sound decisions. I said to believe in yourself because self-doubt many times can cause an individual to do unwise things such as elevate another person over themselves. [This] may expose them to being belittled and/or controlled, which is ungodly. To do anything against your conscious is not a good thing. That person has to hesitate, find out why their red flags are going off  and analyze if the situation or circumstance is unhealthy, goesagainst their standards, or needs to be discussed with a spiritual elder for advice.

You also say, “You have the right to be mean, it is okay!” What do you mean by this?

There are cases when an individual may go along with a situation or circumstance that they do not feel comfortable with; because they did not want to appear mean. The Lord says to submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7. It also says in Ephesians 6:12, For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 1 Corinthians 5:11, But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

The definition of resist is, “refuse to comply or stand up or offer resistance to something.” There are situations and perhaps individuals that you may have to walk away from. Peers or family may classify that as being “mean” whereas you are being wise and resisting an avenue for the devil to enter your life.

Your book is directed at teens and pre-teens, since the majority of teens in America begin dating at age 14. Would you recommend dating at age 14?

No I do not believe any one at the age of 14 should be dating. But the reality is that some teens are secretly dating or having unhealthy friendships unbeknownst to their parents or guardians. I believe dating is intended for individuals who are seeking marriage. At the age of 14, teens should be figuring out what direction they want to go in life and should be focused on developing and maturing their relationship with God.

What is the purpose of dating?

I believe dating is intended for individuals who are seeking marriage. It is also an avenue to build a stronger friendship with the person whom you are dating.

At what point is it alright for a woman to begin dating?

I am uncertain, that individual needs to seek godly counsel from a trusted minister or elder.

Many Christian women are resolute in their teens about remaining chaste. However, they get into their twenties, and sometimes into their thirties, and begin to get frustrated by the wait. Can you honestly say it is possible for a woman to abstain from sex before marriage? How can she do this?

It is possible for woman to abstain from sex before marriage. It is all about being strong-willed. If an individual commits their life to the Lord after having a godless life or comes back to seeking Him after walking away from Him, they can definitely recommit to abstain from physical intimacy until marriage. Many are doing it. It is written in Psalm 27:14, Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Romans 10:11, Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.

A man that respects you and serves God will wait for marriage. I, as a single lady, am also in the waiting period. I am waiting for the Lord to lead the right individual into my life; however, until that time comes, I am working on my soul to make sure it is healthy. My soul, meaning my mind, my will, and my emotions. I want to be a spiritually and emotionally healthy individual and that pursuit constantly occupies my time and thoughts. I am not an expert and this book was in no way to be an instruction guide but a tool of encouragement by sharing my experience.

What is an abusive relationship?

Abuse is any behavior that is designed to control and subjugate another human being through the use of fear, emotional attacks, verbal assaults, mind games, and humiliation.

As you have mentioned, you work with an organization known as TEAR, Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships. The Cycle of Abuse is similar among teens and among adults. First of all, it is shocking to know that teenagers are being abused, and in many cases by fellow teenagers. What are teenagers looking for – why are relationships starting out so early these days?

Teenagers are following trends. Their parents may have set an unhealthy or bad example or they may not be educating, teaching, or monitoring their children properly. Teens are also bombarded by standards that the media places via movies, magazines, music, and other avenues. Also, I truly believe there are a lot of broken homes nowadays and children are not getting the proper emotional, mental and spiritual guidance. Therefore they are more open to falling prey to unhealthy situations. Job 1:7 says, The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” 1 Peter 5:8 [tells us to] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Teens are easy prey because many of them if they are not properly guided by parents are guardians are not able to withstand the tricks of satan.

How do women get into abusive relationships?

The same reasons as teens; many are deceived and were unable to recognize the warning signs. Some bypassed the warning signs, deceiving themselves, thinking that they can change the individual. Therefore getting caught up in an unhealthy cycle of abuse, in which the partner is controlling the individual through either emotional, verbal, or physical abuse.

Are women abusive, too?

Yes, they can be. Abuse is about power and control. The gender of an individual does not dictate abuse.

What causes a person to become abusive in a relationship?

The desire for power and control over another individual.

You say you went through an abusive relationship, but stayed there for years. You are confident and headstrong woman, and so are many women who end up in abusive relationships. How does this happen?

Deception. I was deceived and I was also very young 18 years old. I was away from sound counsel, I wasn’t attending church regularly, and I had the wrong friendships around me. My friends at the time were secular Christians they weren’t very devout in following the Lord. Since I did not wisely control my environment or surround myself in a healthy Christian surroundings and fellowship, I fell into one of satan’s traps. While I was in the friendship stage with my then ex-boyfriend I did detect unhealthy behaviors and beliefs, but I did not take a break to seek godly counsel and I did not understand the urgency to turn away from such individuals who exhibited ungodly characteristics or who were manipulative and controlling. I also put too much unearned trust in my ex-boyfriend.

There is a scripture in which Jesus spoke and said, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. (John 12:35).” It is also written: It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8.

I always say when in doubt, take a break and pray it out. And I believe that an individual has the right to walk away from any situation that may cause confusion or is chaotic, while they are able to recognize the dysfunction. God is not the author of Confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and I did not know that at the time. One thing that I was led to believe by my friends and ex-boyfriend was that conflict was normal and I was also led to believe that if I changed the relationship would get better. This is a cycle of brainwashing and emotional abuse. Many times in unhealthy relationships it begins with emotional abuse then proceeds to verbal and physical abuse.

The Bible says that the only situation where divorce is acceptable is adultery (Matt 5:31-32, Matt 19:3-9). What then is a woman in an abusive marriage to do?

I would personally separate myself from someone that is capable of harming me. Statistics show that thousands of women are killed by their significant others each year. I believe God is a just God and He is full of Compassion. I do not believe the Lord wants us to be martyrs for the sake of maintaining marriage vows with an individual who is of no self-control, manipulative, and etc. Such a person is not a man of God. 1 Corinthians 5:11 [says], I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

I like to refer to 2 Timothy 3, where it commands that women should not subject themselves to abusive men but should turn away from them. I am not a minister, therefore I would advise any woman in an abusive marriage to seek godly counsel. However, if I were in an abusive marriage and if my husband had no desire to change, divorce would be an option for me, especially if I had children. I would not want my children to grow up assuming abuse was normal and having that abuse imprinted on their minds.

These are some scriptures to consider along with 2 Timothy 3: Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18.

Does dressing have anything to do with date rape?

From the cases that I am aware of that some women unknowingly placed themselves in a dangerous situation. Date rape many times occurs by someone that the victim knows. I am certain that a victim of date rape had no idea that the individual would assault her.

I do believe provocative clothing is not wise, for it is written for women to dress modestly. 1 Timothy 2:9, I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety… Unfortunately the fashion nowadays is anything but modest. But the victim is not to be blamed at all for any rape case. The act of rape is pre-meditated, the rapist makes the conscious decision to assault the victim against their will. Dressing has nothing to do with the act of rape, the rapist does not exercise self-control and purposefully assaults the victim. Blaming a victim for dressing in an unscrupulous manner is merciless and unwise. To blame a victim would be saying that the victim asked and welcomed the assault and therefore deserved it. That is almost never the case.

What would you say to Tamar (2 Samuel ch. 13) if she came to you right after she was raped?

Tamar’s situation was very sad. If she was present in 2010, I would listen to her account of the situation, be a great friend and confidant as she seeks medical, psychological, and spiritual counseling. I would advise that she go to the hospital within 24 hours after the assault to receive medical treatment and file a police report. I would then advise her to go to receive counseling from both a professional counselor of a rape or sexual sssault crisis center and a trusted minister. Rape is a tragic offense and I believe only counseling and the Holy Spirit can help to properly heal a victim.

Do you think Christian women today are desperate to be in relationships?

Yes! Women in general are desperate.

If there was one thing you could tell Christian men everywhere, what would it be?

The Christian community tends to focus a lot on the Proverbs 31 woman. The men need to realize that there was a prophecy concerning how they would be in the last days in 2 Timothy 3. Christian men need to rise a higher standard in regards to their character and set an example to the rest of the world, instead of following the world’s example.

The Bible says whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:9). How can single women sow now, so that they can reap bountifully in marriage?

I am not married at the moment, so I don’t believe it is wise for me to give my opinion. I can only speak about myself at the moment. Right now I am focusing on myself and God. I am focused on casting down every thing that tries to take the place of God in my life–this is the hardest task of my life. I want God to be my Father, my Lord, my friend, my brother, and my shield.

What are the marks of a man of honor?

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

How can a woman know if God has called her to be single?

I am uncertain.

Is it realistic to think virtue is possible in 2010?

Yes, but it is hard. I struggle all the time especially in this society that many times what is wrong is right and what is right is considered to be archaic and wrong. Examples: Cursing, gossiping, excessive partying, foul music, and etc. But to serve the Lord we have to deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow Him, Mark 8:34. I am challenged every day to do that. Sometimes I fail, but I get back up again and continue pressing forward to strive for perfection. Proverbs 24:16, Phillippians 3:14-15.

Should Christian ladies expect more books from Ms Jessica Martin?

I really do not plan [to write] another book, perhaps in the future, 5 years from now (God-willing), I will re-release the book with more information or if I get married I would write an account of the marriage. I do plan [to create] and publish a magazine.

Click here  to visit Jessica’s website.

Click here  to buy The Christian Lady’s Dating Constitution on Amazon.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: Nothing in this realm lasts forever. In chapter 1 of Exodus, we are told that the Pharaoh who knew Joseph and under whom Joseph had served, was no longer in power. Now, we see that the next Pharaoh passed away, too. The Pharaoh Moses would confront was also going to die in the Red Sea.

The children of Israel sighed by reason of their bondage. They were in a strange land and they were slaves. The Lord heard their groaning. Their cry came up to God, even though we are not expressly told that it was directed at Him. This shows that the Lord is concerned about all of us and sees all our struggles. He is merciful and hears the cries of the oppressed, whether they know it or not.

The Lord then ‘remembered’ His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The covenant was never forgotten in the first place. This verse just reminds us that despite the struggles of the Israelites, the Lord’s word still stood and remained. He was still going to do what He promised Abraham – to give him many children in a beautiful land, and to bless all the earth through him (Genesis 12:1-3).

God had respect unto the children of Israel. This means that the appointed time had come for the Lord to move on behalf of His chosen nation. He had been watching them all along, protecting, guiding even despite their struggles. From the time that Rachel cried with travail at the birth of Joseph, through his time in the pit and the palace, through to his death and the miraculous preservation of baby Moses, God’s plan had been unfolding in the unseen realm. It was now time to manifest Himself on behalf of His children, in ways that the eyes of men would see.

Be a Doer (James 1:22): The Lord sees your struggles and mine. He remembers His promises to us. He moves on our behalf, but at the appointed time. He selected Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt; therefore the children of Israel could not leave Egypt until the Lord had prepared Moses and honed his skills to the point that he was ready to be a leader. Before things begin to show in the physical, there is a lot of action in the spiritual. Regardless of what it looks like, God sees our situations and hears our groanings. He remembers His covenant and is getting ready to move on our behalves.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, You are the Awesome God. You heard the groanings of the children of Israel, and You heard and hear mine whenever I am in trouble. Thank You for using Your mighty power to move on behalf of those You love. Thank You because it is not the wicked, but Your word, that will prosper. Be glorified in my day and in my life, and help me to be continually encouraged, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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