Unequally Yoked: The story of two donkeys

Sometimes I feel like some of God's word is not very applicable now or its outdated. Especially when I want it to suit my will. Do you guys get that feeling? This time, God made it sink in such a way that left no doubt in my mind. I guess He saw I kept failing in this area :-)

Two weeks ago as I was heading home from work in the evening I saw a now familiar sight in Meru town. Donkeys! They are used to transport farm produce, house hold items when people are shifting and all sorts of things in this town. The beatings used to make me cry when I was new in Meru but now I just shake my head in sadness. I guess am getting hardened (how sad).

Anyway, to todays story. There was something unusual about this two yoked donkeys. They seem to be going slower and with much struggle. They kept jerking each other in different directions. No matter how much beatings they received on their already sore backs, they just did not seem to co-ordinate in harmony. This pitiful situation was causing distraction as all cars were hooting to the donkeys wanting to overtake them (they were very slow). The harder the hooting, the harder the man on the cart beat the donkeys.

Now, the thing that I noticed was how mismatched this two donkeys were. One was small, frail and thin while the other donkey was huge and strong. There and then, I felt in my heart clarity of the verse to be 'Unequally yoked'. God was speaking to me and making his word alive.The donkeys were unequally yoked. No matter how much the man beat the donkeys, there is no way they could coordinate. They were pulling each other in different directions. Its was uncomfortable for both donkeys to have to put too much effort in order to match with each other. For there to be harmony, the man in the cart had to find donkeys of the same size and strength so that they could be equally yoked!

To be unequally yoked simply means to be mismatched. Now, picture if the donkey was yoked with an ox. Even more chaos!

Dear friends, God is wise. when he tells us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, it is for our own benefit. When a born again christian marries a non believer, it results to much strive and struggle because you will be pulling each other in different directions. Its equivalent to a donkey being yoked to an ox or a donkey and a camel. If you want your marriage to be for keeps, well, isn't being unequally yoked a high risk to take? The marriage may last a lifetime but the struggle to maintain it will be too much.

This verse does not only apply to marriage only. It also applies to close friends, you know those that influence your life and thinking, the people we take advice from, role models. The bible says in 1st Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Let us be warned. Forewarned is fore armed. Especially us who are young and yet to be married. If you are in an unequally yoked relationship (not a marriage), ask God to give you the strength to be detached. Lets not be in a rush. God knows you need someone who matches your faith. He will provide. Do not be unequally yoked.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. 2nd Cor 6:14

Of swallowships and Fellowships

Last week was a crazy time at work. Really crazy that I worked on the weekend and I never do unless its absolutely necessary. In the process, I missed my Monday prayers at church and barely made it to the Thursday home fellowship. First, you have to know that I LOVE those two days of prayer and fellowship. I really do and I look forward to them. Its wonderful being with people of faith even if just to chat and enjoy ourselves and do swallowships.

Just in case your not aware, swallowships is where a group of Christians meet with the main agenda being to eat :-). They are so fun!

After I missed the Monday prayers at church, I felt so bad like something was missing. I knew technically I hadn't done anything wrong as I was genuinely busy at work. But by Thursday, I felt like I needed spiritual top-up from a group of believers. I practically ran to the home fellowship though I was late :-(

I realised, its true, what the bible says, do not neglect the coming together of brethren. God is wise! When you neglect fellowship with people of faith, your spirit weekens. Iron sharpens iron Prov 27:17 . No day will plastic ever sharpen iron. Same case, Believers sharpen believers. If you want your spiritual life to get better, good place to start will be looking for a bible believing fellowship and join ASAP.

Too many times I hear Christians say, they attend TV church from their living room and I just wonder. It is not right. God never intended us to replace human fellowship with virtual fellowship. So no, JCC church on TV cannot be your only church. Christian blogs cannot be your only bible study. Its during those times of solitude that the devil speaks lies to us and causes our faith to weaken. Its during those times of solitude that we are influenced by other things and we loose focus of our salvation.

God is wise. Lets listen to his counsel. We must never forsake fellowships and swallowships.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing Heb 10:25

Siyabonga Jesu: Thankyou Jesus

Pretty much the whole day, and the whole of yesterday, I have had the Siyabonga song on replay the entire time. Well, this is not a new song and I have heard it many times before but suddenly I cant get enough of it.
There is just something about giving thanks to God. And this song is right about that: Giving thanks.

You can listen to it below.

                

So today, as am singing along this siyabonga I was thinking about so many opportunities I had to give thanks to God but instead I complain.

• The long drives from Meru to Nairobi : I should have given thanks for the quiet time it gives me to pray and meditate on God's word or read a book. Instead, I complained of nausea.

• A lot of office work: I should be thankful because this job provides a livelihood instead, I complain for keeping me in the office after working hours.

• Neighborhood dogs that bark so loud in the night: I should be thankful that they provide security and companionship when I walk the stretch home. Instead, I complain that they are too loud.

• My alarm clock in the morning: I should be thankful for another day instead of complaining how short the night is.

You get the drift...

See, good people. We are supposed to be thankful. We are COMMANDED by God to be thankful. Its not an option. God hates complainers. And to see just how much the Lord hates it when we complain, see his wrath on Israelites when they used their mouths to mumble Numbers 14.

Let us have the attitude of Christ Phil 2:5. Even unto death, he was thankful and did not complain.

Phil 2:14 Do everything without complaining and arguing.'
If you needed proof, there it is. Its sin to complain. Period.

Being thankful opens doors.
Being thankful draws beautiful things to us.
Being thankful causes showers of blessings to fall on us like rain.

And it doesnt matter what the cirsumstance is. Be it be in good times or in bad. Be it we are overwhelmed or underwhelmed. Our song should be 'thank you'.

Siyabonga Jesu!!!

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1st Thes 5:18

Dressing to Please my Parents and an Epiphany

I attended a wedding this weekend for my friend. The wedding was at my home town in Nakuru so that means I had to travel home. My parents were also attending the wedding. As I was packing on Thursday, I noticed, like every other time when I am going home, that I had to wade through many clothes until I find those that are 'Parents appropriate'. This time it really hit me!

I realized that the clothes I was looking for were 'more modest' than the other ones I was ruling out. Just to qualify, I don't usually dress immodestly but lets just say I have some 'grey area clothes' :-). You know, those that are a little tighter and a little shorter. Suddenly I had an epiphany moment, I don't really have to be doing this every time I am visiting home. God's word says that my parents are my authority here on earth and they prefer me in my more modest dressing. So actually, God has been speaking to me all along to maintain the 'parents friendly' bar of modesty in and out of season (read at my home town or otherwise).

I ended up dressing like this...well, minus the top (obviously) minus the hat (because it was hot). I had a more covered up top. So lets just say I had the skirt :-)

So here I am extending the same challenge to all of us.
To purpose to be modest in our dressing. Someone told me a very interesting quote.

"Dress like you would like other women to dress near your husband".

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety... 1st Tim 2:9

Love - God's dictionary

 

Hello dear readers. I have missed you all so much and missed writing.

Lots have been happening in my life which maybe I will share some day but its been exciting and ...'working out for my good because I love the Lord :-)

Today's topic is about Love. I don't know of a more talked about topic.

Think about this scripture today:

1st Corinthians 13:4-8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

When I read this verse, I feel like I ALWAYS fall short in this love department. I mean, really think about it. Have you ever been rude to someone you claim to love? I know I have. Have I ever kept a record of wrongs? YES sir!

Let this verse speak to us today. Let us really meditate on this word of our Lord and let us learn from the best example of love how to really love.

God is love. 1st John 4:16b

Book Review: A Young Woman's Call to Prayer

I am an avid reader, so you are going to find a lot of book reviews.

I LOVE Elizabeth George. Her style of wring is so soft, encouraging and graceful. You actually feel like she's speaking to you face to face.
A young woman's call to prayer explores the impact of prayer in ones daily life. What catches me about the book unlike other prayer book is how normal Elizabeth puts a prayerful life across. She addresses prayer as a jewel. She encourages her readers to pray about everything. Their worries, their joys, all decisions...both big and small, Imean, EVERYTHING. Also, to prayerise our lives, like the Lord says, to 'pray without ceasing'.

Without a doubt, this is the BEST prayer themed book I have ever read. I encourage all women of all ages to get it. It is addressed to a young woman, but I personally feel that every woman can benefit.

 Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Beautiful Christian

I will be starting a new series about a beautiful Christian. I believe that just like me, you want to be beautiful in God's eyes. Lets see what God's idea of beauty is.
A beautiful Christian can be compared to a beautiful tree described in Psalms 1:3. Hence a beautiful christian is like a tree planted by the river. It bears fruit in and out of season.

So what exactly are these fruits that Christians should bear in and out of season. The bible tells us about the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22. These are qualities that us Christians reveal when the Spirit of God dwells in us.

We shall be going through each and everyone of them to see how we can radiate the beauty of Christ.

Disclaimer: Beauty in God's eyes is the inward beauty. Not how much make up we have on, not how beautiful our dresses are, not how much jewelry we have on. That is only beautiful in the eyes of men. The bible describes this in 1st Peter3:3-4.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22

Media Enticement - Its just a movie

As I write this, I want to emphasis I am not writing from a point of holiness or know it all, but from a point of grace. God is teaching me and I am sharing what I am learning with you.

Christianity nowadays is not easy. Especially not with all the negative media surrounding us. You want to see pornography, someone naked, someone stealing, someone engaging in sexual immorality, vulgar language? All you need is to turn on your television and there it is. No wonder so many people are addicted to pornography today. No wonder so many married men and women and committing adultery with advertisements promoting 'mpango wa kando', no wonder so many of us young people are involved in casual sex before marriage, no wonder so many people are becoming homosexuals.

The Lord clearly says in his word, out of the abundance of your heart, the mouth speaks. Now, this may seem very far fetched and far from our reality but take a closer look. How do children learn to abuse and call other people vulgar names? I personally noticed this specific time when I was watching the season Revenge. I was thrilled about how sweet revenge is that i almost forgot God's command that revenge is wrong. Another time I was watching the series Scandal and oh my!!! I cannot tell you how uncomfortable I was with the glorified adulterous relationship between Olivia and the married President.This other time I was watching brothers and sisters ( a show I very much enjoyed). My heart softened towards homosexuality. I even started thinking it should be accepted in our society which is clearly wrong because the Lord rejects homosexuality in his word.

The Lord says we guard our hearts for it is the wellspring of life. My christian friends, lets guard our hearts. Lets test everything we see and pass it through the fire of God's word. God says, 'Test everything, hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil'. Thes 5: 21.

For those with young children, I don't know how much to emphasize this. Its appalling the way parents are letting TV's to act as babysitter as they do other chores! Carefully scrutinize everything your child watches. Their young minds soak up a lot more, and I imagine no parent wants a vulgar, rude, alcoholic, sexually immoral child. Instead, fill them with Gods word and virtuous movies. The Lord requires us to bring up Godly offspring.

It maybe just a movie, but if it promotes sin, it will harden our hearts towards the sinful action. I am speaking this to myself as well as to you. There are some movies I definitely have to throw out.
I will start praying the Lord to bring my way decent movies to watch. Movies that will promote the fruits of the spirit. In the meantime, before I find good movies, no one ever died of TV starvation :-)

Test everything, hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. Thessalonians 5: 21

Spirutual Growth

Spiritual growth is INTENTIONAL. There, I said it. It does not depend on anything else but you, of course with God's help but you are the major determinant. Most of us Christians have refused to grow spiritually. The bible refers to them as infants. Imagine a baby who refuses to grow! Oh my, what a cause of stress it is! 

You must set apart time to pray in your busy schedule. You must sit down, open the bible and read it. You must listen to Godly music and stop listening to trashy songs. You must seek out company of Godly friends to fellowship with. We must Flee from temptation (as in, run away very fast and far).

For all of us who sit around wishing that spiritual maturity will just find you, I know this post has bust your bubble. Ain't no other way sisters! Get up today and do something. Start moving. God is waiting. He does not leave us or forsake us, it is us who move away from him.

Let us stop being baby Christians who are still suckling milk even after being born again for years! Make a conscious decision today and intentionally (putting effort and being discipline) draw closer to God. Feed on God's word and grow!

Like new born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it, you may grow up in your salvation 1st Peter 2:2

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it....For since there is jelousy and quarelling among you, are you not worldly? 1st Corinthians 3: 2-3

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. Hebrews 5:13

God is able

Snow in Timau, Kenya

This particular day I was traveling on a work related assignment and we saw this amazing view. It was snow in Kenya, well more like hailstorms but still, it was an such an awe. For those of us who live in Kenya, we know it never snows.
I am reminded of Gods word as I look upon his marvels. He makes rivers in the desert! Oh yes he is able. As I looked through the snow, I thought about how my faith quickly turns into doubt when am faced with a faith needing situation. How I doubt God's strength in the face of a storm.  God reminded me there and then that I needed to trust him more. He is able to do more than we think or imagine!

Can you imagine that God made it snow in this part of Kenya? Can you imagine a desert full of endless acres of sand and right there in the middle is a vibrant flowing river?

Are you looking for a job? Trust him. Are you looking for a godly husband/wife? Trust him. Are you experiencing troubles in your family? Trust him. Are you looking for good friends? Trust him. Whatever it is, trust him.

Have faith my dear friends, God is able.

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. .... Isaiah 48:21

Drawing People to Christ

At a Children's  home sharing the love of Christ

I have been away for a while now. I was having exams and you all know how they pretty much occupy every inch of your mind. I can honestly say I saw the hand of the Lord. I got a lovely room (My exams were in a different town from where I stay), lovely roommates and the Lord led me to read in areas where the exams were coming from. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

On to todays topic. I will be sharing on a verse I read last night that challenged and encouraged me from Acts 15: 19. I have always wanted to draw people to Christ and was wondering how I can do this in my daily life. I want to be so full of God, so full of excitement for my Savior that everyone around me will want to have the God in me. In the book of Acts, James says that we should not make it hard for the Gentiles to become Christians.

I was asking myself, how do I make it hard for unbelivers to become Christians? I came up with a couple of things (to my dismay :-) )

• Speaking negatively
• Not being gentle and kind
• Not being generous even when the bible says we give and it will come back
• Not loving all of God's people even the ones who have wronged me.
• Not being humble in speech and actions in my daily life
• Not extending grace and mercy to those who wrong me or are unkind. Lord knows how much mercy he has extended to me.
• When my actions and manner of life does not reflect the gospel of Christ
• When I do not joyfully serve the Lord, my family, friends and workmates
• Arguing to prove my point when the Lord clearly says we live in peace.
• Worrying, worry and more worry and the Lord says, Do not be anxious.
• Measuring myself with the standards of the world instead of the Lord.
• Not speaking about my Lord to unbelievers.

The list goes on and on. We must every day strive to be like Christ. Daily dying to ourself and letting the will of the Lord prevail.

Jesus calls us to be salt of the world. He calls us to be his aroma. So that anyone who comes near us will smell the sweet scent and be drawn to Christ. Be encouraged with me to be an instruments of God's love and to go out and make disciples for Christ.

we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Acts 15:19

Not enslaved by anything

Today I decided to finally take action on my growing addiction to tea. You may ask why. After all, there are numerous benefits to tea. The reason is because I came across this verse in the bible. Paul says, "

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything ."1st Cor 6:12 ESV

I was  becoming addicted, enslaved by tea! One day without tea leaves me with a such an insistent and annoying headache. It may be a small thing but enslavement is enslavement.

My beloved friends, today I encourage you to join me and look into your life. What things are you doing that are not beneficial? What things are you drinking or eating that are causing addiction? Most of us are so addicted to TV shows especially soaps! Some are addicted to hard drugs, alcohol, junk food, eating binges (which the bible calls gluttony). Cut that dependency at the roots. The Lord calls us to freedom. He says we take his yoke, for it is light and he will give us rest for our weary souls Matt 11:29. When we ask for his help, He will help us.

Start now. Let this be the day you make that leap of faith to freedom. Seek for help and pray. The Lord is caring he promises to never leave or forsake us. Do a TV fast for a week, take leave from coffee and tea for a week - I read that caffeine addiction is broken after 9days, get professional help for hard drugs addiction, join alcoholic anonymous, do whatever you need to do to be free of addiction.

The Lord is by your side to encourage you. I am also here to encourage as I also free myself from tea addiction. 

NB: I am now taking soya and am sooo looking forward to take a refreshing cup of tea possibly in two weeks. But this time, it will be because I want rather than because I must!

All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything ."1st Cor 6:12

The Beginning

Hello All,

I recommitted my life to Christ a while ago and this time I wanted to stay on fire for my Lord. I decided the first step will be to increase my circle of Christian friends both physically and virtually, after all, the bible says iron sharpens iron and I definitely want to be sharper. So I set out looking for christian blogs by young women. And alas! I found none from my country. Oh the disappointment!
This blog is to cater for the beautiful young ladies who are looking for a cup of grace from the Lord, who are looking to be encouraged in faith, who are looking to stay on fire for Jesus.

Learn with me as we sit at Jesus feet.

Jesus says, 

"...Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart," Matt 11:29

Shiku