“And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” – Mark 6:46 (ESV)​

“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” – Luke 5:16​ (ESV)​

‘And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, …’ Luke 22:39-41​ (ESV)​
​

I believe intentionality is one of the major keys to any good relationship. Quality time needs to be mutually invested for the best results. Our wise and perfect Father God has indeed done His part and gave us a love letter, the Holy Bible, to learn more about Him. Interestingly, His words are equally relevant in today’s world as it was in times past. It is now up to us as His children to do our part and cultivate a relationship with Him.

About a year ago, I married the love of my life and it’s quite easy to recall our courting phase. During that time, we purposefully sowed time to learn about each other. Even after our wedding ceremony, we constantly learnt something new about each other as the tides of life continue to change.

Likewise, it would prove tremendously beneficial for us to be constantly curious about who God is. Although YAHWEH does not change, our understanding of Him can certainly evolve. We may experience Him as Jehovah Jireh (Provider) in one season of our life and Jehovah Rapha (Healer) in another season.

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, it is crucial to, like Jesus, withdraw and connect with God.

Here are 4 Tools to Help You to Build a Better Quiet Time: :

1) Invite the Holy Spirit through prayer.

The Spirit of the Living God dwells inside every believer in Jesus Christ. He is the One who gives us the ability to live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). The Holy Spirit is the very breath of God. He is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. He is also known as the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 

The word “fear” in this verse refers to having respect, reverence and piety for God. What other power could help us in our devotion time than the very power of God Himself? Praying for wisdom and understanding to grasp the concepts in God’s Word can only be done through the revelation of the Holy Ghost.

So, feel free to ask your heavenly Father to give you His revelation of His truth through His Spirit to help you have a better quiet time.

“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” – Isaiah 11:2 (ESV)​

2) Use commentary websites.

God has blessed people from different walks of life to teach and interpret scriptures. Although everyone is not gifted the same way, some people are graced to accurately teach scriptures. Websites such as Enduring Word, Through The Word (TTW) and the Blue Letter Bible have helped me tremendously during my personal Bible studies. Audio features are also available on these apps if you are an auditory learner. Educated teachers teach doctrinally sound content that protects the integrity of God’s Word.

Admittedly, these commentaries can take some time to get through so it would be wise to properly schedule your time with God. A better quiet time is within your reach!

3) Incorporate the Bible Project and sermons.

For all of the visual learners, the Bible Project might be for you. This is a YouTube channel that explains key biblical themes through sketches and animation. I must say that the artwork is truly amazing . The narrators do an excellent job of describing topics ranging from God’s love to the need of our repentance to angelic beings and the like.

Sermons are a good tool to also incorporate in your quiet time. Hearing God-ordained pastors preach godly truths can add drastic improvements.

4) Praise & Worship.

A popular Bible teacher, Tiphani Montgomery, says that “The kingdom of God is voice activated” and she is absolutely correct! God Himself demonstrated this principle in the very creation of the world. Jesus also said the phrase “it is written” on several occasions. Proverbs 18:21 tells us also that “death and life are in the power of the tongue,…” (ESV)​

Keep in mind that when we speak according to the will of God, we are not manifesting anything whatsoever. Rather, we rely on the manifestation power of God to do what He deems best for us by His good, pleasing and perfect will. Singing worship music; dancing onto your God; and giving Him glory is an active tool to improve your devotion time.

Summary

Having personal time with God is essential to the health of the believer in Jesus Christ. Learn to utilize the available tools to deepen your walk with God. Pray that God will lead you to Spirit-filled teachers in order to avoid false ones.

To recap,

Here are a few popular tools that can help you to improve your devotion/quiet time:

1. Invite the Holy Spirit through prayer.
2. Use commentary websites.
3. Incorporate the Bible Project and sermons.
4. Praise & Worship.

Resources:

• ​Enduring Word Bible Commentary Isaiah 11​
• ​Blue Letter Bible​
• ​Through The Word​
• ​Bible Project​

Praise & Worship: YouTube is a good source! For example, you can check out Nathaniel Bassey.

What tool or resource has helped you to connect with God on a deeper level?​

Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

With love & laughter,

Monique Glasgow

Other Helpful Resources:

How to Steadily Grow in Your Relationship With God

10 Easy Tips to Start Journaling today 

How to Spend Time with God Every Day AND Enjoy It!

Recommended Books:

“Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman” by Anne Ortlund

“How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth” by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart

“The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: An easy-to-use one-volume library for Bible study and lesson preparation” by Thomas Nelson

Recommended Reading Device (LOVE IT!):

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The post How to Build a Better Quiet Time: 4 Tools to Help You Focus appeared first on Petals Bloom.

Anna is the CEO. She runs things. As she ends her last call for the day, she starts thinking about that one conversation she and her fiancé Mark had with their pastor about pre-marital counseling… and that word kept coming up. Submission.

She almost laughed. She doesn’t submit to anyone! Her whole life is built on taking the lead, having the final word, being equal to—or better than—anyone else in the room. The thought of ‘submitting’ to a man, even a good man like Mark, makes her stomach clench. It feels like signing a contract to give up her power, to erase the woman she has fought so hard to become.

The word “submission” often carries a heavy, negative weight in today’s world. Many women, especially those with strong personalities or executive careers, fear it, seeing it as a surrender of equality or a path to being taken advantage of.

However, the Bible presents Christian submission not as a robotic duty or inferiority, but as a path to order, functionality, and protection—and most importantly, as a choice to honor Christ.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” Ephesians 5:22-24

As an executive-type of woman myself, I’ve learnt that submission is not awful at all! As a matter of fact, it’s quite freeing! From the wisdom of God’s Word and from my own personal experience, I will share with you the gems of biblical submission.

Here are the key truths about happily submitting to your future husband:

1. Submission Is Not Inferiority.

Submitting to a husband does not mean you are less than a man. The core of submission is functionality and order, not a matter of value. Submission was modeled by Christ. Jesus, who is the “image of the invisible God” (in Colossians 1:15) and equal with God, chose to humbly submit to God the Father, even to the point of dying on the cross. When I choose to submit to my husband, I am following the model of Jesus Christ.

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 5:30 ESV

“And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” John 8:29

Also, men and women have equal value. Both men and women are created equal in the image of God and therefore, we all have the same worth.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 ESV

Therefore, choosing to submit to your future husband does not diminish your worth in any form or fashion.

2. Submission is voluntary.

“Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.” – Ephesians 5:22-24

What does “subject” mean (or some translations use the word “submit”)?  Subject means to voluntarily relinquish your independent rights. Furthermore, a wife’s submission to her husband is not the same as a child obeying a parent or an employee obeying an employer. A husband cannot demand that you obey him because you’re not in a one-up one-down relationship with him. 

Let’s take Jesus’ example. Christ, in His own free will, chose to submit to the Father’s will, saying in John 5:30, ‘I can do nothing on my own… I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.’ “

You’re following the model of Christ—and that’s a position of immense strength, not weakness.

3. Submission is about divine order evident throughout life.

God has an order assigned to the family structure. It follows that a family will function better when God’s divine order is in operation. Let’s look around—you’ll see that this concept of order and structure, this act of yielding or submission, is actually evident everywhere in life! Children submit to parents; the Church submits to Christ; employees submit to their bosses; team members submit to the team leader; and all of us submit to our governing authorities. Order is important for all relationships and organisations to work well. Submission is an act of giving honor and respect so that we can all function optimally.

4. Mutual submission is biblical.

The Bible talks about mutual submission. 

“… Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21 ESV

If we are all seeking to please God, and not ourselves, then we have to grow up and know that life does not revolve around us. If each of us has the mind to yield to one another, we would have much better relationships in the Body of Christ and in our Christian marriages.

Questions to ask yourself:

• How can God be glorified the most in this situation?
• Do I want my own way at the expense of others (your family, your team, your church, etc.)?

The world will not collapse if you don’t get your own way. 

In Hebrews 1:3, it says that “he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” However, if you cannot come to an agreement, yield to your husband and then bend your knee in prayer. You can NEVER EVER go wrong in praying to the Almighty God. Either God will change your mind; change your husband’s mind or change the situation. I’m a firm believer in the power of praying to God! You don’t need to resort to a temper tantrum like crying, screaming, yelling, whining or refusing to budge!

5. Submission is much easier if you choose a godly husband.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, .. ”Ephesians 5:22-25

A husband’s primary command is greater and more demanding because God has made him the head of the wife. God has given husbands the responsibility to protect and provide for their wives and their children. Our part is to submit to our husbands as they obey God to lead their families.

A godly man is called to love his wife as Christ loved the church, even being willing to die for her. This is a man who recognizes his wife is an absolute treasure. God will hold him accountable for how he treats her. A godly husband is committed to loving and being obedient to the Lord. When you marry a man who truly loves God, he will try his best to love you and over time, he will get better at it! Submission is good because following God’s principles brings about blessings and protection.

Here are some questions to ask yourself about the man you’re interested in:

• Is God’s character evident in his life?
• Does his conduct show love & humility?
• Does he have a mutually submissive attitude? 
• Does he love God and hate sin?

6. Submission has wise boundaries.

Submission never means submitting to sin or abuse. When you encounter a man who believes submission means you must disobey God in order to obey him, that is not biblical. His aim is to manipulate you for his own selfish gain. God is the Higher Power. Your first submission is always to God.

If your future husband commands something that is against the word of God—such as lying, abusive behavior, or immorality—you must choose to submit to God instead. Whatever you choose to submit to, it should line up with the Word of God and the character of God.

Before marriage, here are some warning signs:

• He’s okay with you lying about the relationship.
• He sees nothing wrong with being sexually active before marriage.
• He has become physically abusive to you. Healthy boundaries are protection. As you grow in health and healing in your walk with God, you will learn to set and protect proper boundaries with everyone—your boss, co-workers, and even your future husband. When you are a healthy person, people are less likely to take advantage of you.

7. Submission begins with submitting to God.

If you are a strong, executive-type of woman, becoming comfortable with submission starts at the very top, that is, surrender to God. The first battle is choosing to surrender your life to the Lordship of Christ and submitting to His word, His ways, and His will.

This is rooted in trusting that God is sovereign, in control, and wants the best for you. When you know God is for you, who can truly be against you?

Summary

Submission is not a weakness. It is an act of wisdom and faith, a choice that follows the model of Jesus Christ. Choose a man who is for God, so that he can be for you.

To recap,

Here are the key truths about happily submitting to your future husband, as explored in the Word and lived out in my personal experience:

1. Submission is not inferiority.
2. Submission is voluntary.
3. Submission is about divine order evident throughout life.
4. Mutual submission is biblical.
5. Submission is much easier if you choose a godly husband.
6. Submission has wise boundaries.
7. Submission begins with submitting to God.

Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

With love & laughter,

Kimberly Garth

Other Helpful Resources:

5 Proven Steps to Get Your Busy Life Under Control

Top 5 Attractive Qualities Single Men Want

5 Qualities that Attract a Man to a Woman

Recommended Books:

“The Fascinating Girl”  by Helen Andelin

“Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs” by Emerson Eggerichs

“Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Recommended Reading Device (LOVE IT!):

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The post Why Submission Is Not a Dirty Word appeared first on Petals Bloom.

Which one describes your situation?

• You’re now a top leader of a reputable organization or in the political sphere.
• You are well known in your field of study/work and you have extensive experience and academic qualifications to support it.
• You’re now a very influential leader.
• Your video went viral and you’ve become an overnight success.
• You have thousands of followers on IG and brands are seeking you out.
• You’ve blossomed into all the “right” places and are constantly admired and flattered by many.
• Your income is more than you have ever dreamed it will be.

Money, power, influence, knowledge & beauty can be sources of blessings as well as they can lead to the demise of many Christians. We can subtly place our significance in them rather than in Christ. When the focus changes, we also change.

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:16-17

These are some changes that might occur if you are not careful:

• When you are around people who do not know who you are, you feel a need to enlighten them.
• You get upset if someone leaves out your title when he/she is addressing you.
• You expect your family, friends and acquaintances to treat you with greater respect and honour.
• Your advice should always be sought after and taken seriously. If that is not the case, you’re not a happy camper.
• You begin to dress more seductively and immodestly. Your sex appeal must be shown to the world through social media. You crave comments like “you’re so hot”, “sexy”, “you’re on fire” and the like.
• Slowly, you gravitate toward people who will support your new mindset and spend less time with people who will oppose the “new and improved” you.
• You brag about every achievement because deep within you, you are looking for approval and applause from those around you, especially the naysayers because you proved them wrong.

When I reflect on my own life, I can see that becoming a missionary straight out of college was a safeguard for me. God was protecting me from ME! He was setting my foundation to stay grounded in the future. Honestly, if God had left me to follow my own path, I would have been a very different person today – materialistic, manipulative, egotistic, vain, proud, etc.

As my popularity and influence grows as a blogger & vlogger, what am I doing to keep myself grounded? Perhaps these tips will help you as well.

Here are 6 tips to keep you grounded when you are rising:

1. It’s not about you.

You and I have only one main purpose and that purpose is centered in Christ. You are simply a servant of Christ trying to faithfully accomplish all the good works that God has assigned to you before you were even born. As such, all you do should point people to the Lord of your life, Jesus Christ.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

My guardrail: I remind myself that my main goal is to help people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. It’s not about me.

2. Put God first continually.

As the demands for your time and expertise increase, it is very tempting to replace your time with the Lord with activity. With consistent neglect over time, you will begin to change and make subtle compromises that are contrary to your faith in Jesus.

Conversely, if you were to make your special time with God a priority, He will guide your steps; He will keep you sane when the public attacks come; He will give you wisdom beyond your experience, knowledge or skill to handle difficult and stressful circumstances; you will stay focus on God’s purpose and not get derailed by your own vanity; and so much more.

My guardrail: I will meet with God and be grounded in the His Word every day.

3. Surround yourself with mature Christian friends who are not star-struck.

You need people in your life who are both spiritually-grounded and sober in their thinking. Friends and relatives who are simply opportunists are not the best persons to be your advisors. Their advice may be warped and crafted to just please you (or themselves), and not necessarily to honor God.

Ideally, you want people who will pray for you; give you sound advice; and tell you the truth regardless of your popularity, stock portfolio or academic qualifications. If your closest advisors are foolish people (like the peers of King Solomon’s son King Rehoboam), your demise is imminent. Read 1 Kings 12.

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20

My guardrail: I will keep myself surrounded by mature Christian friends who will always be honest with me and give me constructive feedback.

4. Resist flattery and emotional entanglements with the wrong men.

For the single woman, all of a sudden, you may get attention from more men (single and married) who will attempt to full your head with flattery. Nothing is wrong with a man giving a woman sincere compliments, but do not be deceived and become emotionally entangled by a man who will not be good for you. Non-Christian men and “shoddy” Christian men may begin to pursue you.

Some of them are extremely determined even after repeated rejection. But remember, my sister, you are trusting God for a genuine Christian husband who is becoming more Christlike. Therefore, don’t allow your heart to be tied up.

My guardrail: I will not naively or secretly build a relationship with another man. Emotional adultery is where it starts. Also, I will inform my husband when I believe a man is trying to pursue me.

5. Prioritize family and close friendships.

This life is very short and we were made for relationships. Do you find yourself neglecting your key relationships because the demand for your business, ministry, or public portfolio has become intense? The truth be told … many of us actually love the adrenaline and the sense of significance that we feel from our success. However, neglecting your most important relationships is damaging to you and to them.

Some questions to consider:

• Are you mentally and emotionally present when your family or friends are talking with you? Or are you constantly paying more attention to what’s happening on your phone or other device?
• Have you been too busy to attend family gatherings?
• Do your close family members often complain that you’re too busy and you have no time for them?
• Are you so focused on being efficient and productive that you miss opportunities to have meaning heart-to-heart connections with your family?

My guardrail: I will attend to my marriage and my family above “Petals Bloom”.

6. Choose humility.

In order to stay grounded, you must choose humility every day. You have to keep at the forefront of your mind that all your accomplishments, skills, influence, knowledge and beauty comes from God. A woman with a proud heart will seek applause for herself instead of using the aforementioned blessings to glorify Him and mankind.

In essence, pride seeks to draw attention to yourself and put you on a pedestal to be admired by as many people as possible. It certainly feels good because it feeds our flesh! For each person, conceited pride rears its ugly head in different ways.

A few subtle evidences of pride:

• You get offended when you are not addressed by your title.
• You have to show-off your wealth, your body, your beauty, your accomplishments and the like so that everyone will be impressed and desire to be you, look like you or achieve what you have.
• When someone does not know who you are, you scorn their ignorance.

Your boasting should be in God and not in yourself.

My guardrail: How I dress, what I say and what I post on social media must show viewers, Christians and non-Christians, that I am loyal to the Kingdom of God. I will not dress immodestly to get more likes or comments to fan my vanity.

To recap, here are 6 tips to keep you grounded when you are rising:

1. It’s not about you.
2. Put God first continually.
3. Surround yourself with mature Christian friends who are not star-struck.
4. Resist flattery and emotional entanglements with the wrong men.
5. Prioritize family and close friends.
6. Choose humility.

Summary

What guardrails have you put in place to protect yourself and the name of Christ as you gain more wealth, expertise, power, fame or influence? What has helped you to stay grounded? Comment below. I look forward to hearing from you so that I can learn from you.

#madeforlove

Thanks for dropping by!

With love & laughter,

Kimberly Garth

Other Helpful Resources:

Doing This Changed My Life

The One Thing That All Successful People Have in Common 

6 Signs That He’s Not Really Into You

Recommended Books:

“Think, Learn, Succeed: Understanding and Using Your Mind to Thrive at School, the Workplace and Life” by Dr. Caroline Leaf

Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald

Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes Remarkable Results by James Clear

Recommended Reading Device (LOVE IT!):

The post How to Stay Grounded When You Are Rising appeared first on Petals Bloom.

From age eleven to twenty, I was a Christian but there was no consistent growth. As a matter of fact, I had the opinion that serious Christians were too boring and prone to over-spiritualize everything.  As such, I committed myself to attending only ONE church event on Sundays.  I had a desire to desire in my relationship with God, but it was not my priority.

When I began university, I had no desire, whatsoever, to participate in a Christian group especially a group where the meetings resembled a church service.  Then, I  was approached by a Christian group that offered me the opportunity to discuss the claims of Christ and to participate in a Bible Study.  Truthfully, I signed up out of duty and not out of zeal.  

I faithfully attended the weekly Bible Study and I was learning, but still I wasn’t growing much.  I avoided any further involvement.  

Then, a great change occurred.  You would never guess what God used!  A hike!  The club had a hike and I enthusiastically agreed to go.  For the first time in my life, I enjoyed being around other Christians.  They were down-to-earth, fun, witty and I had the time of my life.  After that hike, I willingly participated in nearly everything the club was having.  I went from being on the “borders” to a leader in the twinkling of an eye.

My transformation did not come only from mere attendance at club meetings (although enjoying their company was important for me to actually attend other meetings!), but I was exposed to teachings, experiences and relationships that changed my paradigm.  

[Btw, if you want ideas to spice up with your time with God, get my FREE 25 Awesome Ideas in my resource library].

Here are 8 proven steps to steadily grow in your relationship with God:

1) Belong to a healthy Christian Community.

Every growing Christian woman needs to belong to a Christian community where she is known, loved and valued.  If your church is large and you are more or less invisible, then you need to also intentionally seek out a smaller community (like a small home group or care group or discipleship group or prayer group).  You need people around you who know what is happening in your life so that they can help you. An alone Christian is a weak vulnerable Christian, where the enemy will be sure to attack.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Evidences of a healthy Christian community:

• Accepts and loves you as you are;
• Challenges you to grow and follow Jesus wholeheartedly;
• Encourages righteous living and does not celebrate or ignore sinful behavior or attitudes;
• Advises you based on the Word of God;
• Values repentance and forgiveness;
• Encourages freedom to disagree and offers constructive criticism;
• Values vulnerability and transparency;
• Focuses on helping and serving others;
• Shows the importance of depending on the Holy Spirit;
• Facilitates the development of leaders;
• Offers opportunities for serving others using your gifts and talents;
• Teaches the Word of God unapologetically.

There is no perfect Christian community, but a healthy community can produce mature Christians.

2) Choose to have close Christian friends.

“Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.”

The people with whom you spend time influence you slowly but surely.  The reverse is also true.  If you want to steadily grow in your relationship with God, trust God for close Christian friends whose primary focus is loving and living for Jesus.  

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20

Some benefits of close Christian friends:

• You will be surrounded by people who will lift you up in prayer (you most definitely need this!).
• Friends who are committed to telling you the truth when you don’t want to hear it;
• Friends who have the Holy Spirit within them so God can give them special insights into your circumstances;
• People who will give you solid biblical advice when you need it;
• People who will challenge you to live courageously for Christ.
• Friends who will stick with you even when others give up on you.

3) Get a discipler/mentor.

Being discipled has changed my life!  As you read at the beginning, I went to church regularly, but my life didn’t change much.  However, I saw a steady growth when I began being discipled by three young women during my university years.  

True biblical discipleship is not a Bible study, but it goes beyond that. It is simply another Christian woman coming alongside you; sharing her life with you (her ups, downs and mundane times); teaching you Biblical principles as she lives it; showing you the “ropes” and challenging you to live for Christ.  You will learn a lot more if you practically see another Christian demonstrating following Christ before your very eyes.  

“More is caught than taught.”

Qualities you need in a discipler/mentor:

• A woman who is willing to be vulnerable and transparent with you;
• She must love the Lord and be committed to following Him;
• She should be seeking to be obedient to God;
• A woman who is willing to spend time with you and share her life with you.
• She must be confidential.
• Although she’s not perfect, she is willing to pass unto to you what she has been/is learning from the Lord.
• She will pray for you.

4) Guard Your Heart.

A lot of Christians believe that they can take in anything and it will not affect them.  Your entire body is interconnected and what you read, listen to or think about will subtlety influence your mindset and therefore, your entire life.   They will affect your views, your mood, your sleep, your joy, your peace, your relationships and the like. 

Take some time to evaluate everything that you allow to enter into your mind.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight as to their impact and to help you to give up what you need to. 

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

5) Discipling others.

I’ve been involved in Christian ministry for over twenty years and I’ve observed a sad reality.  Most people want someone to help them to grow.  However, very few people want to help others grow.  Interestingly, the people who decide to help others to grow usually are the ones who grow more.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 

True discipleship takes time, effort, commitment and love to nurture another Christian to the path of maturity for a period of time. 

“If you keep on taking in and not giving out, you will suffer from spiritual constipation.” One of my former disciplers

If you want to grow in your relationship with God, pass on what you learn to other people.  As such, my challenge to you is to disciple other young women.

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

6) Developing an active prayer life.

Simply put, prayer is talking with God.  Make a habit of talking with God throughout your day.  Additionally, reserve some undistracted time to sing praises to Him, pray and listen to what He might be saying to you.  God talks and directs in many ways, but most importantly, if it is from God, it will line up with the Word of God. Furthermore, I would suggest that you form or join a prayer group.  

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

For your free 25 Awesome Ideas to Spend Time with God, click here to get access.

7) Knowing and living the Word.

Reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on the Word will transform your life from inside to outside and grow your relationship with God.  A survey was conducted by the Center for Bible Study Engagement among 40,000 people (ages 8 to 80) about the effect of engaging with Scripture on the respondents’ lives based on the number of times a respondent spent time in the Word of God.

The following insights were revealed:

• 1 time per week = negligible effect on some key areas in life (read key areas below)
• 2 times per week = negligible effect on some key areas in life
• 3 times per week = blip on the map
• 4 times per week = spike off the charts (radical change begins to take place)

This is what happens when a person engages with the Bible four times or more per week:

• Feeling lonely drops 30%.
• Anger issues drop 32%.
• Bitterness in relationships (marriage, relationship with children, etc.) drops 40%.
• Alcoholism drops 57%.
• Feeling spiritually stagnant drops 60%
• Viewing pornography drops 61%.
• Sharing your faith jumps up to 200%.
• Discipling others jumps to 230%

It was noted that there was no gradual effect from 1 time to 4 times, but a big change came after people spent time in the Word 4 times or more per week! 

Here are some suggestions to make this a reality in your life:

1. Following a Bible reading plan. There are tons of plans on the Internet.
2. Memorizing Scripture by yourself or with a friend.
3. Listening to an audio version of the Bible when you’re doing chores or commuting.
4. Regularly attending church (even if it’s virtually).
5. Participating in a cell group or small group (or similar community).
6. Singing the Word.
7. Dramatizing the Word.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Of course, this will have little or no effect if knowledge is not accompanied by obedience. Obedience is key to growing in your relationship with God.

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” Song lyrics by Don Moen

8) Depending on the Holy Spirit.

The sooner you learn to be dependent on the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life, the more successful you will be in your desire to grow in your relationship with God. No amount of will power will be sufficient to overcome the flesh.  I wish I had known this truth sooner!  With true biblical Christianity, God is not merely concerned about your external religious practices, but He wants to change you deep within.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

Related articles:

9 Powerful Prayers Every Single Woman Should Pray

How to Spend Time with God Every Day AND Enjoy It!

Summary

As you surrender to Christ daily and learn to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life, the impossible becomes possible as your heart changes, your faith grows and Jesus becomes the center of your being.  

In what ways has your life changed since becoming a Christian?  What steps have you taken to grow in your relationship with God?  Comment below so that our younger sisters in Christ can be encouraged to grow.  Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

With love & laughter,

Kimberly Garth

Get your FREE 25 Awesome Ideas to Spend Time with God!

Complete the form below to access this freebie, along with other amazing useful tools to help you as a single Christian woman. These are all found in my resource library which is free at the moment!

The post How to Steadily Grow in Your Relationship With God appeared first on Petals Bloom.

After each birthday celebration, Chrissy thinks, “Will this be my year?”  She is faced with the fact that she’s getting older and she has no husband.  Why is God making her wait so long?

Chrissy finds herself praying for a husband more and more.  But yet, nothing seems to change.  She wonders if God has forgotten her.   Needless to say, she is beginning to lose hope.  Will she ever get married?

There are countless reasons why you might remain single for much longer than you expected.  If your life is lived in total surrender to God, then you can rest in the fact that God will orchestrate the events of your life in His marvellous timing.

Check out how content you are as a single woman. Do my “Single & Content Self-Assessment” which is in my resource library among other incredible goodies!

Here are 6 reasons why God has you waiting long:

1) God wants you to be totally set apart for Him.

The truth is you can accomplish a whole lot more than a married Christian woman.  When I was a single woman, my life was devoted to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.  There was no need to collaborate with a husband with respect to time, activities, travel, projects, etc.  

Here’s a reality check ladies.  When you’re married, you will have less available time and your focus WILL be divided.  Without a mistake, you have a level of freedom that no Spirit-led married woman can have.  If she is overly focused on external ministry to the neglect of her family, she doesn’t understand her God-given priorities of being a wife.    

“… and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:34

2) To change your perspectives about men.

Your period of singleness might be lengthened because you may need a change in mindset.  For example, I was only interested in men who were missionaries.  All other men seemed too materialistic and worldly for me.  Therefore, God had to break my erroneous mindset before my husband and I got together.  That mindset took many years to break!  God also had to change the way in which I related to men.  

Look inwardly to see if you have mindsets that might need to change about men.

Check out my article, 5 Guys to Consider as Future Husbands.

3) God is maturing you.

Marriage is not for the faint-hearted.  If you are going to enjoy being married, you have to grow up.  You must learn to be more merciful, gracious, forgiving and the list goes on.  In essence, become a true follower of Christ, not only in words but in thoughts and actions. 

Selfish attitudes will never produce a happy marriage.  Each individual has to make a conscious effort to die daily in order to bless and please the other person.  As you mature in Christ and your character begins to become more like Him, then you realise that the world doesn’t revolve around you but rather, Christ should be the center. 

Also, God might be requiring you to get help in overcoming past hurts, trauma and even strongholds like porn addiction.  God wants you to have a healthy marriage so He might delay it until you are ready for it.  More and more, I think preparation for marriage should involve seeing a counsellor.

4)  God is preparing your future husband.

Perhaps, God has you waiting because your future husband might not be ready for you or even marriage.  God might be working on him just as he is working on you.  If you were to ask my husband, he would also say that he was not ready for marriage when we had first met.  

Ladies, growth takes time.  But when you trust God’s wisdom and sovereignty, you can be certain that you will meet a good man who is the right fit for you.  By the way, several men could actually be a complimentary fit for you.  

5) God has a specific purpose for you as a single woman.

If the purpose God has for you is best served as a single woman, then God might have you waiting long.  It can even be that you might never get married.  But don’t despair, God will give you the grace.  I believe that a person can be so satisfied with God that marriage is not even a desire.  

I was speaking to a widow recently whose deceased husband was very good to her.  Surprisingly, she wasn’t lonely and she said that she will never marry again.  Her love for Jesus and her intimacy with Him was all that mattered to her.  In her voice, she sounded like a woman totally in love.  

Honestly, my desire for the Petals Bloom community is that Jesus will reign first place in our hearts so that marriage pales in comparison.  

6) God knows that marriage is not the best fit for you.

God knows who you are and He knows what is best for you.  You might actually be happier single than married.  Trust Him to execute a plan in your best interest.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  In this case, your only marriage might be at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9).  Try my “Single & Content Self-Assessment” and see how single and content you are.  The results just might surprise you! You might realise that singleness is better for you!

‘Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”’ Revelation 19:6-9

Related articles:

Why Jesus is Better Than a Husband | 10 Epic Reasons

Suppose You Never Get Married … 10 Ways to Deal With It

Summary

You may not understand why your sincere prayer for a husband seems to go unanswered year after year.  But I assure you that God is hearing your heartfelt cries.  Undoubtedly, God has you waiting long for good reasons, some of which I have discussed above.  He is sovereign and has a reason for everything He allows under the sun.  As such, you need to trust Him in His wisdom and goodness while you wait on Him.

On another note, you might be complicating getting married and God is waiting on you! Read 5 Truths About Why You’re Still Single.

What makes the wait difficult for you?  How have you been dealing with it?  Please comment below.  Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

With love & laughter,

Kimberly Garth

Get my “Single & Content” Self-Assessment!

You can get the self-assessment and the password for my resource library (while it is free) by filling out the form below.

The post Why God Has You Waiting Long | 6 Reasons appeared first on Petals Bloom.

Have you ever heard the quote, “A verse a day keeps the devil away?”  I’m certain that was my mantra many years ago.  To ensure that he was kept away, I added two more verses!

For me, spending time with God seemed more like a duty than a delight for years!  Guilt would often plague me, but it did nothing to help me to spend time with God every day.  Then, one summer, I attended a training and I heard three powerful words that would forever change my time with God – “JUST SHOW UP!”  It’s simplisticity took all the emotional drama out of it.  

Related Article:

10 Easy Tips to Start Journaling today 

From that time onwards, I began to spend time with God every day and also learnt to enjoy it.  Talking about enjoying it?  You just might be interested in getting 25 Awesome Ideas to Spend Time with God. Some of them might just surprise you!

Here are 6 tips to spend time with God every day and enjoy it:

1) Ask God to give you the desire.

God loves you and He wants an intimate relationship with You.  Also, He knows that it’s in your best interest to spend time with Him, so ask for His help.  Undoubtedly, you want to spend time with God because you want to and not only because you have to.  In essence, love is a much better motivation than guilt in helping you to spend time with God every day.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

2) Make a date with God and show up.

You cannot allow your emotions to run your life.  Instead of not spending time with God, decide that you will do it and when you will do it, whether you feel like it or not.  

Sometimes, I am not in the mood to exercise (raise your hand if you can identify ), but I have made a commitment to myself to exercise on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  What do I do?  I simply start my YouTube exercise video; change into my exercise clothes; collect my hand weights; and begin exercising.  I don’t spend time deliberating if I’m in the mood or not.  I just do it.  

Similarly, make a daily date with God.  Set a time and a place and just show up!  When that time comes, go to your place of meeting with God (even if it’s kneeling by your bedside) and spend time with Him.  (I would not recommend lying horizontally on your bed because you’ll end up in a deep sleep instead).

NOTE:  I’m aware that you can talk with God all the time throughout the day which is wonderful.  However, it is equally important to set aside time with God in the same way that you crave quality time with your loved ones.  

3) Form a habit of spending time with God.

You are a creature of habit.  If you were to observe your morning routine (comprising habits), it might look similar to this: wake up; reach for your phone; look at messages; whisper a prayer to God; go to the bathroom; make tea/coffee; etc.  

When you add spending time with God to your morning, day or night routines, the habit will become second nature to you.  Feelings will no longer be a determining factor if it happens or not.  Of course, there might be times that you may miss it for various reasons and in those times, be gracious to yourself.  

In essence, carve out a specific time to spend time with God for the next 21 days.  Then repeat for 2 more cycles.  After that, it will certainly become a no-brainer!  In time, you will see that your spirit and soul is being refreshed daily and you’ll begin to look forward to it!

4) Choose the best time for you.

Your body has developed a rhythm that works best for you.  I prefer to get up early and go to bed by 10pm.  My husband is the opposite.  As a result, I spend time with God in the morning and write in my journal before I sleep.  

It’s more important that you spend time with God than no time at all. Therefore, select the time where you can give God your best.

WHAT YOU NEED:

5) Have a plan when you spend time with God.

What will you do during this time?  Will you pray?  Which book of the Bible will you read?  Are you going to study a passage?  As the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, plan to fail.”  If you have no plan, your chances of going back to sleep is very high!  

Also, you might be stuck in a rot because your routine is too boring for you.  Even your time with God should reflect how God has uniquely made you.  For ideas, get your 25 Awesome Ideas to Spend Time with God in my free resource library.  At the bottom, I’ll direct you to the password.

6) Understand and embrace your uniqueness.

I once heard about a guy who eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast every single day.  That will never work for me.  I’ll be totally bored with eating breakfast after a few weeks!  

In the same way, you need to know yourself and what will help you to enjoy your time with God.  You don’t need to compare yourself with others and what they do.  Since you are unique, what will help you to connect with God (and enjoy it) may look differently to someone else.  Hence, I’ve created a list of 25 Awesome Ideas to Spend Time with God to give you other options.  This can be found in my free resource library and you can get the password at the bottom. Remember that God is the Creator and we need not box Him in.

“Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor” – William Cowper (The Task, 1975)

Related article:

Doing This Changed My Life (How to Memorise An Entire Book of the Bible)

It is totally common to skip spending time with God.  However, as a growing Christian woman, your desire is to spend quality time with God every day.  Just feeling guilty about it is not helpful at all.  Guilt just weighs us down and nothing fruitful is borne.

What has helped you to spend time with God every day?  Comment below and share with the entire Petals Bloom Community.  

Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

With love & laughter,

Kimberly Garth 

Get my list of 25 Awesome Ideas to Spend Time with God.

Get the password for my library HERE along with the free list by filling out this form.

The post How to Spend Time With God Every Day AND Enjoy It! appeared first on Petals Bloom.

“Janice” has recently given her life to Jesus Christ.  Slowly, her life is beginning to change.  She’s so excited about this new relationship!  However, her cousin “Peter”, who was very passionate about Jesus, seems to have lost his desire for Him.  Now, “Peter” lives contrary to the biblical values he once embraced.  

In addition to this, she has heard from other believers that the Christian life can be rough and tough at times.  This has made her a bit fearful, but she’s determined to enjoy this new found relationship as much as possible.  

So she’s wondering what exactly she needs to be aware of concerning the strategies of the enemy?  In what ways can the enemy try to make her fall? Furthermore, how can she overcome so that she wouldn’t lose her passion for Christ like “Peter”.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV

Lessons from my deceased pastor

With his low baritone voice, my deceased and beloved pastor repeatedly taught the congregation about three common strategies used by our enemy to hamper an intimate and growing relationship with Jesus.  Therefore, it is crucial that you also understand them so that you can resist his plan for your demise. 

Here are three crafty strategies the enemy will use against you and how to overcome:

1) He will try to get you to backslide.

Our enemy, Satan, is not happy about your relationship with Jesus, so he will try his utmost best to cause you to revert into your former state of rebellion against God.  In his crafty ways, he will try to attack you exactly at your weakest points.

“For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:16-17 ESV

Seven common tactics to get you to backslide:

Backslide Tactic 1

Weak point: Inability to accept God’s forgiveness and to forgive yourself.

Tactic: He wages accusations about your past.  

Result: You become so burdened with guilt about your past that you erroneously believe God will never accept and love you as you are.  Then, you throw in the towel and revert to your former way of living.

Backslide Tactic 2

Weak point: Desire for a man’s love and adoration.

Tactic: He connects you with an unbelieving guy with qualities that you admire or a Christian guy who prefers to remain a babe in Christ.

Result: You fall in love with him and begin to compromise in ways that you never thought possible.

Backslide Tactic 3

Weak point: Desire for wealth and prosperity.

Tactic: He opens doors for you with prospects for great wealth which requires that you either compromise and/or become extremely busy.

Result: You have no time for God or serving Him.  

Backslide Tactic 4

Weak point: A stronghold of lust.

Tactic: He exposes you to pornorgraphy in whichever form suits you most.

Result: You become enslaved by its power that you begin to hide from God and live a lie.

Backslide Tactic 5

Weak point: You think very highly of yourself (due to intelligence, talents, beauty, special skills, money, etc.)

Tactic: He makes you believe all your accomplishments have been achieved by your own doing.  Your success was not because of God or anyone else’s help.

Result: You become puffed up and refuse to acknowledge God’s provision, enablement and blessings.  In essence, you become ungrateful to God and filled with pride.

Backslide Tactic 6

Weak point: Easily offended and unforgiving.

Tactic: A fellow Christian brother or sister hurts you.

Result: You decide that you can no longer fellowship with believers because they are all a bunch of hypocrites.

Backslide Tactic 7

Weak point: A strong need for approval.

Tactic: In order to gain greater popularity or acceptance, you begin to compromise your values or allow abuse from others.

Result: You lose your Christian “voice” and even who you are.

You don’t have to fall prey to any of the above ‘revert tactics’ (or any others) that the enemy would devise against you. Instead, you need to ask the Holy Spirit to constantly show you what is in your heart and allow Him to bring freedom and growth in the areas which are likely to be your stumbling blocks.  We all have them.  The main thing is to be willing to grow, regardless of how painful that process may be.

2) His plan is to make you become neutral.

If the enemy is unsuccessful in getting you to backslide, he will try to get you to become neutral.  A neutral Christian, or worldly Christian, is someone who has lost her passion for Christ.

Some evidences of neutrality in your life are:

• A lack of a desire to spend time with God.
• Little or no desire to be among Spirit-filled Christians.
• Your closest friends are at the same minimum spiritual level or not even believers in Christ.
• You justify any disobedience to God in your life.
• You will not even consider sharing the gospel with others.
• Your prayer life is practically non-existent.
• Your life is centered around you, and not Christ.
• Spending time in God’s Word is a chore to undertake.
• It is difficult for you to trust God with your life, especially relationships with men.
• Your love for God and others is waning.

“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.  I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 ESV

If you see that many of the above traits evident in your life, pray to God that he will restore you.  You need to be directed by God once again.  Check out “How you can be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  God can and is willing to refresh you and turn your life around.  

My story

At a young age (around 11), I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.  However, I felt that Christianity was very boring.  In my heart, I said that I would live more for Jesus when I got older …. like over 60!  

Although I attended church every Sunday, it was difficult to participate.  I didn’t even open my mouth to sing!  Then, things began to change when two almost parallel events took place.  One, I started attending a small group Bible study conducted by a relative who is a pastor and secondly, I got involved in a Christian student group at university.  

In the students’ Christian group, it shattered my belief that Christianity was boring.  My life was never the same after a hike that I attended with the group.  A few years later, I was talking on Facebook to one of my highschool friends.  I told her that I was serving Jesus and she said she nearly fell off her chair on hearing it. Lol  I’ve come a long way!

3) He will try to discourage you.

Finally, his last major tactic is discouragement.  This one has caused many faithful believers to give up.  It is said that many start the race, but few end well.  How many Christians do you know have lost their zeal or have given up on God’s call on their lives?  

You may still be faithfully serving Christ, but you are weighed down by unfulfilled dreams; disappointed in your failures; shackled by the rejection of others; and stripped of your passion by life’s hardships.  It can be a sad state of affairs … but for God!  If this describes you, you need to cry out to God for his healing and refreshing.  More importantly, ask other Christians to pray for you.  Right now, you need to be surrounded by the care, encouragement and prayers of the Body of Christ so that God can restore you.  

The church and the world needs what you have.  Also, you will be better off fulfilling God’s call on your life.  Do you know anyone who is discouraged that you could adopt in prayer?

“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:17-19 ESV

Related articles

Why Jesus is Better Than a Husband | 10 Epic Reasons

9 Powerful Prayers Every Single Woman Should Pray

Summary

God wants you to live for Him fully.  As John Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  Although the enemy will come and try to “steal, kill and destroy”, remember that Jesus is the super victorious one so you don’t have to live in fear.  Instead, submit your life fully to Jesus and allow Him to bring beauty out of it.  He’s certainly able!

What strategy has the enemy used against you in the past?  What weak points do you need to work on in cooperation with His Holy Spirit?  Have you given up on what God has called you to do?  Who can you reach out to for prayer?  Please comment below and share with the Petals Bloom community.

During my lonnnnnnng years of singleness, I read lots of books that helped me to grow as a daughter of God and as a woman.  I have selected 36 of them and created “My Favorite Books for Single Christian Women” to share with you since some of these books might also help you.  Get your free “My Favorite Books for Single Christian Women” when you subscribe.  If you’re already a subscriber, you can access it also.  

When you subscribe, you will also receive weekly emails to help you in your journey as a single Christian woman.  God has given me the opportunity to mentor and coach over one hundred women throughout the years and I’d absolutely love to help you too.  See you on the inside (aka email)!  Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

Like, share & subscribe!

Love,

Kimberly Garth 

The post 3 Crafty Strategies of The Enemy and How to Overcome appeared first on Petals Bloom.

Here are 10 epic reasons why Jesus is better than a husband:

1) You can always speak your mind to Jesus.

In a marriage, the ideal is that you would like to say what you want; when you want; and in whatever manner you wish at the time, especially when you are upset.  However, you are still on the earth and a husband is another human being whose feelings you must consider.  Therefore, you should try to speak the truth in love and be sensitive to the other person’s feelings.  

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV

With a relationship with Jesus, you can lay everything before Him.  In fact, you can release your pent-up emotions to Him.  He will not be offended.  Chances are, you will also feel much better and even get some clarification from Him.  

I am extremely grateful that He knows and understands everything.  You may be complicated, but Jesus can handle all your issues.

Get my list of Favourite Books for Single Christian Women!

2) Jesus can even read your mind.

Oftentimes, as a woman, you expect a man to interpret your frowns, silence, smiles and any other emotion.  When a man is unable to take the hints, you may wonder why he is not understanding you.  

On the other hand, Jesus is well acquainted with your thoughts.  Oftentimes, I have had experiences when God answered a desire that was a mere thought.  I didn’t even reach the point of voicing it in prayer! That is how awesome Jesus is.  

“Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” Matthew 12:25 ESV

3) He can handle all your emotional ups and downs.

It is commonly held that women are moody.  I don’t think that describes me (in my humble opinion), but I can be upset, angry or in a foul mood from time to time:)  Jesus has the emotional strength and wisdom to deal with all of our ups and downs.  Conversely, a husband might have challenges adjusting and dealing with those emotions.  Jesus is clearly better than a husband.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV

4) Jesus has no bad moods.

Men can become depressed if their lives, career, relationships, finances and health do not match up to their dreams and expectations.  They may react by verbally and physically lashing out; retreating behind video games and entertainment; and even absconding from their responsibilities.  

In contrast, Jesus is “cool like a cucumber.”  Nothing phases Him.  His treatment of you will always be one characterized by love and care.  You will never be a recipient of the effects of a bad mood, because He never has any!  If you receive any correction from Jesus, it’s all because of His great love toward you.  Jesus is better than a husband!

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:5-6 ESV

5) He can protect you like no other.

I’m a firm believer that we are mostly unaware of the many dangers from which God protects us daily.  Jesus has the power to protect us from dangers seen and unseen.  On the other hand, a man may try his best (and we are grateful), but he is limited because he’s only human.  

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

6) Jesus will never be unfaithful.

Many Christian husbands may not commit physical adultery, but Jesus raised the standard for all mankind.  In Matthew 5:28, He said, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  

Since men are generally more visually stimulated than women, more “heart” adultery is taking place hourly and daily, just by scrolling through social media or by deceptive ads leading to porn sites.

In contrast, Jesus has no unfaithfulness in Him.  As a matter of fact, He’s forever faithful to you, even when you are unfaithful to Him.

“… if we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 ESV

7) He will never lose his ability to provide.

A husband might lose his income and be unable to provide for his family.  On the other hand, Jesus does not operate on the world’s system.  He will always be able to provide for you, whether the world is in a recession or not.  

Even beyond providing our needs, He provides our wants as well.  A good husband may try his best, but Jesus is definitely better than him!  Since He is God, Jesus has an advantage for certain.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ESV

8) Jesus will always be near you.

Many singles think that marriage is a cure for loneliness.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  If you’re lonely as a single woman, you’ll probably experience that same loneliness after marriage.  

In essence, a husband cannot completely fill your need for constant companionship because he cannot be with you 24/7 365 days a year.  Only Jesus can meet that expectation because He is omnipresent.  You see why Jesus is better than a husband?!?

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17 ESV

9) Jesus will not die or leave you.

Jesus died once and then He conquered death.  He rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven.  Therefore, Jesus will never die again.  That’s great news!  You may marry a wonderful man, but he (and you) will someday die.  You may have all the best intentions, but this life is temporary for all of us.  

When you have Jesus, He will be with you now, when you die and forever in eternity.  Your relationship with Jesus will last much longer (eternity long) than your marriage.  Jesus is better than a husband!

“… for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19 ESV

10) No unrealistic comparisons with other women.

Whether a husband makes it known or unknown to his wife, he will constantly be comparing her to the awesome cooking of his mother; his former girlfriend; past sexual experiences (whether real or fantasy) and the list goes on.  It’s simply human nature.  

While Jesus knows everything about you (your heart, your past, your thoughts, your failures and triumphs), He loves you just the way you are.  With a husband, it’s a work in progress. Jesus’ love is exceptional and you can feel totally comfortable knowing that He accepts you as you are.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9 ESV

Related Articles

5 Compelling Reasons Why Singleness is Beautiful 

Single and Disappointed-5 Helpful Tips to Deal With it

Suppose You Never Get Married … 10 Ways to Deal With It

Summary

Have you ever struggled with feelings that you’re better off being married?  I’ve been married for a little over a year and I feel very blessed because my husband is amazing.  However, a husband can never be a substitute for Jesus. He will always fall short of Jesus’ caliber.  Undoubtedly, Jesus is exceptional and no man on earth can compare with Him. A loving husband is good, but a vibrant relationship with Jesus will always be better!

In what ways do you see Jesus being better than a husband?  Have you begun to believe that marriage is the cure for all?  Please comment below and share your views and insights about this topic.  

I am aware that some of you might be struggling at this time.  Please reach out to me if you need someone to pray with you. I’ve brainstormed a list of “My Favourite Books for Single Christian Women” that have helped me to develop in every area of my life and have made it available for you. 

When you subscribe, you will get this list on incredible books in your Inbox. You’ll also receive my weekly tips to help you to become that awesome woman that’s already in you. Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

Like, share & subscribe!

Love,

Kimberly Garth 

The post Why Jesus is Better Than a Husband | 10 Epic Reasons appeared first on Petals Bloom.

Without a doubt, many of us are saddened by the loss of lives.  To further compound the matter, millions of people have lost their jobs or earning capacity. 

How can you have joy in the midst of this crisis?

While you may not be able to control the ravaging effects of covid-19, you can control the way in which you respond.  Yes, you can still have joy!

“Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 

“A person can endure anything that life throws at him if he understands that he has the freedom to choose what to feel about each situation he faces, no matter how strongly he is opposed by outside forces that he cannot control.” Viktor Frankl in ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’

Here are 8 tips on how to have joy in the midst of a crisis:

1) Count your blessings.

When a crisis occurs, you have two choices.  Are you going to fill your mind with all that is going wrong and might go wrong?  Or are you going to recall all your current blessings and opportunities that the crisis has brought?  

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV

In order to follow Philippians 4:8, you have to intentionally train yourself to be grateful.  Firstly, you need to pay attention to your thought life.  When a less-than-desirable situation occurs, what is your natural tendency? (If you don’t know, ask a relative or friend.)

If you have developed a habit of negative thinking over the years, this is a good time to replace it with a positive mindset that is based on God’s Word.

Action steps:

• When you wake up, write down 10 things for which you are grateful.
• If a trying situation arises, think about 5 opportunities that you have because of it.
• Before you go to bed, recall 5 things for which you are grateful.

If you need a little help, get your free “100 Things to be Thankful for” list.

Also, check out “7 Great Opportunities from This Pandemic.”

Here are some blessings and opportunities from this crisis:

• Re-evaluate your life and priorities and make corrections.
• Spend more time with God.
• Experience God as your provider, protector, comforter, etc.
• Motivate you to study what the Bible says about the end times.
• Deepen relationships with family and friends.
• Provide an opportunity to have a much-needed change in career (especially if you’ve lost your job).

“Anything that makes us need God is a blessing.” Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth

2) Be a light and a voice of hope to others.

People are grieving, worried and panicking all over the world.  As such, they need hope.  The best hope you can give is the message of eternal life and peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Hence, if you know someone is having a particularly rough time, reach out to them.  Listen to them; share Jesus with them; and pray with them.  I don’t think anyone is refusing prayer these days!

3) Fill your life with God’s Word.

When you read God’s Word, it helps to put everything into the right perspective – death, suffering, healing, comfort and everything else under the sun. 

In the times ahead, life may become even more challenging.  Therefore, you need to prepare yourself by studying, meditating and memorizing God’s Word.  

Many Christians may read God’s Word, but not necessarily believe it.  This is the time for the Word of God to come alive in every believer’s life.

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, …” Ephesians 6:16-17 ESV

4) Dedicate time to sing and dance.

In a recent conversation with a woman who lost her beloved husband five years ago, she said that praising God through song during that difficult period allowed her to cope well and experience God’s peace.  Hearing her speak, I detected no bitterness about her loss.  

During this crisis, set aside time daily to sing praises to God.  It will fill your heart with joy and help you to focus on who God is (and not on the effects of the virus).

“When we thank, praise & worship God, we prime our circuits for high intellectual function, & every cell in our body is positively affected.” Dr. Caroline Leaf

5) Talk with life-giving friends.

If you’re beginning to despair, contact a relative or friend with whom you will be able to speak and pray.  Undeniably, it’s normal to feel saddened by what is happening and that’s why we need to rely on one another.  

Also, don’t wait for someone to reach out to you and please resist having a no-one-cares-for-me pity party.  Remember that everyone is trying to adjust to this new normal and you may not be at the front of their minds.  Nevertheless, they will probably be happy to talk and pray for you. 

At the same time, you also need to encourage yourself in the Lord, so that you can give life-giving hope to others!

6) Do not worry but pray.

Whenever you feel like worrying, bow your head in prayer instead.  Worrying will solve nothing and only give you backache, a headache and diarrhea!  On the other hand, God has all the power and resources to work on your behalf.

“… do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

7) Correct poor theology about trials and suffering.

Why do some Christians believe that we will have no trials here on earth?  It is clearly stated in the Bible that in this world, trials are to be expected.  

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 ESV

However, God has a purpose for every trial He allows.  Essentially, trials are meant to mature us, and not destroy us.  The way you respond to trials show you what you truly believe about God.  Is He in control? Is He still good when you suffer?  Will you still trust in Him? Is His grace sufficient for you?

8) Limit news intake to once or twice a day.

If you listen to every news update, you’ll most likely feel increasingly burdened and depressed.  That will not help you to have joy. 

It is important that you know what is happening, but you don’t need to know every covid-19 statistic, heartbreaking stories of losing loved ones, exhausted health care facilities, lack of ventilators, country comparisons, death tolls, rates of infection, conspiracy theories and the list goes on.

You just need to know enough to pray and prepare.  Block out the rest!  

Related articles 

Summary

As a Christian, you can have joy regardless of the circumstances of your life.  More than having a positive attitude, it comes from having a deep intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  This is my prayer for you:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

What other tips are helping you to have joy right now?  What did you do in the past to keep your joy when you were faced with challenging situations? Please comment below.

Get your free “100 Things to be Thankful for” list today to help you be thankful to God.  He remains good!  

When you subscribe to “Petals Bloom”, you’ll receive helpful weekly email tips because I would love to help you grow in your relationships with God and others.  Feel free to email me to let me know how you are doing and in what ways I can pray for you.  

Also, join me on Facebook @PetalsBloomBlog for my weekly live events on Thursdays at 8pm (Atlantic Standard Time).  Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

Like, share & subscribe!

With love,

Kimberly Garth

“Petals Bloom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.”

Recommended Books:

“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl

“Think, Learn, Succeed: Understanding and Using Your Mind to Thrive at School, the Workplace and Life” by Dr. Caroline Leaf

The post How to Have Joy in the Midst of This Crisis | 8 Simple Tips appeared first on Petals Bloom.

Yesterday morning, I woke up with a slight fever.  By the evening, I wasn’t feeling my usual energetic self.  In the absence of this virus, I would have just thought that it was the common cold.  

But now, given our current reality, every indication of a sore throat or a cold, has most of us wondering if we have the Coronavirus!  It is important to note that currently, about 24% of persons have already recovered from it.  Therefore, even if you were to get it, you can recover.

So, how do you prepare for the virus?

We have heard stories from recovering individuals and as such, we can learn  from their experiences.

Here are 6 smart ways to prepare for the virus:

1) Get exercise instead of joining long grocery lines.

Resist the urge to go to the supermarket to get more groceries.  In any case, if you get ill, you will have a reduced appetite.  During that time, you will probably need a basic diet (read below).  

The virus causes severe respiratory problems so by exercising, you will help your heart and your lungs to function more efficiently.  Generally, I exercise at least three times weekly for thirty minutes and I’m healthier because of it.

Instead of using your time to wait in the long supermarket lines, walk, run or jog around your house.  While you’re doing this, inhale some clean fresh air.  As an alternative to exercising around your home, find an exercise routine on YouTube.  Regardless of your space, you can get your blood pumping and body moving.  Prepare your body to fight against the virus!

2) Get a good night’s rest every night instead of staying up late.

For those of you who think that you only need six or less hours of rest nightly, how often do you get the common cold or other viruses?   Sufficient sleep keeps your heart healthy and strengthens your immune system.  

Even if you were to contract the virus, a strong immune system will either prevent the virus from overtaking your body completely (less symptoms) or help you to recover quickly.  

3) Prepare soup and other liquids instead of worrying.

When I’m ill (which occurs very rarely … thank the Lord!), I cannot eat any foods that are heavy.  My wonderful mother would often make a simple vegetable soup for which I was very grateful. A warm bowl of soup is easy to digest and sufficiently filling.

Based on recovered COVID-19 individuals, pre-made soup and liquids will come in quite handy.  So while you are well, make a pot of soup and store in the freezer.  

I made a large pot of soup recently for this purpose and it spoilt before it could even reach the freezer… much to my disappointment:(  To make maters worse, it was tasting so good! Anyway, at least I can write about it! (Lol) Please learn from soup mistakes.

Tips on soup-making:

• A large pot of soup will take longer to cool.  You can either stir it periodically and/or pour into smaller containers to help the cooling process.  This is a particular problem if the soup has any oily substance like a cooking oil and/or butter which creates an un-breathable layer on top.
• Do not leave the finished soup on the stove top if you are baking other items in the oven.  This will prevent the soup from cooling quickly and thus, increase the likelihood of spoilage.
• Allow the soup to be exposed to the air to speed up the cooling process, that is to say, do not cover it completely.
• Cool completely before freezing. 

Besides soup, you may also need to have other juices on hand.  I personally like to make my own juices rather than buy store-bought ones which are full of preservatives and artificial sweeteners.  Therefore, I made some tamarind and guava juices and have frozen them.

4) Eat lots of fruits and vegetables instead of consuming too many processed snacks.

God, in His wisdom, has given us fruits and vegetables to enjoy as well as build up our immunity.  Hence, if you have to go out, go to a less-crowded area to buy your supply of fruits and vegetables.  They will be better for your body than processed potato chips and chocolate chip cookies.

5) Build community among your neighbors instead of talking only with your far-away friends.

In times like these, when you have to stay at home, the nearest people to come to your rescue (and vice versa) would be the people who live right next to you.  If you don’t know them, this is a good time to send a message to find out how they are doing. 

A lot of people are cooking and baking more these days.  Why not send a slice of cake to them (while maintaining your distance!)?  While you’re there, exchange contact information.

6) Feed your faith instead of fueling your fears.

If you were to get the virus and you cannot even send a message to your family of faith, you’ll have to rely solely on God.  No pastor or priest can come to lay hands on you at this time (unless the person lives in your house).

As a result, while you are well, this is a great time to build up your faith in God.  The best way to do this is to daily dive into God’s Word.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 ESV

Furthermore, the truth of God’s Word needs to make it from your head straight into your heart.  That is why meditating on God’s Word is so essential.  This step will make you the most prepared for the virus! When you have recovered, your faith will be stronger and you’ll have a great testimony.

Get your free “How to Memorize an Entire Book of the Bible” guide!

Alongside this, starve your fears by listening to or watching less COVID-19 news!

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 ESV

Bonus tips from my mother-in-law:):

• Organize a separate “sick” room in your house if you live with others.
• Have a supply of disposable utensils (paper plates, cups, etc.) for the ill.
• Make other medical concoctions ahead of time and store appropriately.
• Ensure you have enough masks for the ill person. 

My mother-in-law knows how to really prepare for this virus!

Related articles:

7 Great Opportunities from This Pandemic 
10 Fantastic Ideas When You Are Stuck At Home

Summary

I’m hoping that none of you will get this dreaded Covid-19 virus.  But if you happen to get it, you can be prepared to comfortably and successfully recover from it.

What tips have you heard about from recovering people?  What have you done to prepare for the virus? Please share your thoughts with the Petals Bloom community.  We’re in this together!

Memorizing scripture can help you to meditate on scripture.  That practice has certainly helped my faith in God to grow and it can help you too. 

So, with this extra time on your hands, why not try to memorize large chunks of Scripture?  You’ll be a changed woman at the end of the isolation/lock down/quarantine!  

As such, get your free “How to Memorize an Entire Book of the Bible” guide today when you subscribe.  As a subscriber, you’ll also receive weekly email tips to help you to grow as a woman of God in every aspect of your life.  Life is truly an adventure with Jesus!

Additionally, I am aware that some of you may be worried sick about your life, your loved ones or your future.  If you need a listening ear and prayer, I invite you to email me. When you receive my welcome email, just shoot me a reply and let me know how you’re doing in all this madness.  Thanks for stopping by!

#madeforlove

Like, share & subscribe!

With love,

Kimberly Garth

Recommended books:

“Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose” by Rebekah Lyons

“Petals Bloom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.”

The post 6 Smart Ways to Prepare For The Virus appeared first on Petals Bloom.