Beyond Valentine’s Day

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Photo credit: bbc.co.uk

So the very popular Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. I’m sure between tomorrow and Sunday, floral companies in particular, will be in overdrive. I’m talking worldwide.

The reality is, some men feel pressured. They know they would be in the proverbial dog house if they do nothing for a wife, fiance or girlfriend.

I, on the other hand, don’t even celebrate Valentine’s Day. When my husband and I met a few years ago, on our first Valentine’s Day – which was a few months into the relationship – he brought flowers to the house and we went to the local fish fry to pick up takeout. He knew from then though, that while I appreciated it, he ought not feel pressured for future Valentine’s Days. I made that clear. I really don’t care about that day – at all. I’m not in the least fazed.

For the three Valentine’s Days following, neither of us acknowledged it. We both carried on smartly. And Sunday coming will be no different.

What I do love though is when he surprises me – JUST BECAUSE. Like today. He came home and I caught him resting Dunkin Donuts on the bureau. He totally caught me off guard. I immediately knew it was my favourite tea in all the world: vanilla chai. This small, sweet, thoughtful gesture made me smile.




This act of kindness though, cannot compare to what God has in store for me and for you. It pales in comparison to how God wants to make us smile. In fact, when you consider all of the blessings of your life, perhaps you can crack a smile right now!

So for the married, the single, the separated, the divorced, the widowed, the recently broken hearted – whatever your status – rest in the fact that although flowers and teddy bears, candle light dinners and gifts have their place, the love God has for you is irreplaceable. He loved you even before you were formed in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). He loves you so much that the lamb (Jesus Christ), was slain in the spirit realm before the foundation of the world (Revelation13:8). There is no greater love. Hallelujah!

Photo credit: Pinterest



If you haven’t given Jesus a chance as yet, He’s at the door…knocking. Why not let Him in? He wants to take up residence in your heart. He wants to sup with you (Revelation 3:20). Love beyond measure!

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah

Are you a lukewarm Christian?

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You remember how it was when you started dating someone you were interested in? The butterflies in your stomach on that first, official outing or the racing heart when that number showed up on your phone…the long hours of phone conversations.

Then at some point, that excitement wanes. The mountaintop experiences might be fewer and farther between. And if you are not intentional about reassessing your WHY and pushing the reset button, you can end up just being two people who seem obligated to stay with each other. Those flames become really low and in some cases, only the embers remain of a once burning love.

The reality is, no relationship is on a high at all times. No relationship is perfect. But just as we humans might have – or maybe not – done all we could to revive and save a natural relationship, how much more should we strive to bring in alignment our spiritual relationship with our heavenly Father?

Are you lukewarm in your relationship with God? Have you lost your first love?


Recently, my mind has been on Revelation 2:4-5. It is a message to the church of Ephesus and to many of us today. God told them they had “left (their) first love” (4). What’s interesting here is that God did not leave them; they left Him. He continues to want to be in relationship with us.

This state is similar to the church of the Laodiceans in chapter 3, of whom he told in verses 15 and 16 that they were neither hot nor cold – and He would rather them be one or the other – but instead, they were lukewarm. In that case, he would spue them out of his mouth. Very strong, serious language here.

Look, I know what it feels like to be dry in my relationship with God. I recognize that this has happened at times when I am distracted. I get so busy with life. I put God on my to-do list, but He’s not first. I squeeze Him in, but don’t give Him the attention He deserves. And I can tell you that when I’m not getting in the Word in a very intentional way and spending time with God in a meaningful way, I feel empty. I could tell the difference. I become spiritually malnourished. I need food and water. Once I recognize this, I confess where I am and am intentional about getting back on track. Staying in that condition is spiritually dangerous.


Like a natural relationship, sometimes we have to regroup. Revitilization might be necessary. Here are a few tips:

1) Confess to God how you are feeling.

2) Ask God’s guidance on the way forward.

3) Study the Bible in a different way. Instead of trying to get through a whole book right now, perhaps study a particular character. Can you identify with that character? Can you learn from that character’s mistakes and/or triumphs? How about studying who God says you are in Christ Jesus? Maybe study the miracles of Jesus or study all events leading up to Christ crucifixion, comparing and contrasting the details in the gospels.

4) Begin studying with a Christian friend or a small group for new, fresh insight into the Word. Pick a day and time, and stick to it. You might be surprised at what others outside of your regular study crew might reveal through the Holy Spirit.

5) Make it a point to literally stop what you are doing and pray throughout the day. Connect with God, not only when you need Him or during morning and night devotion. For example, I LITERALLY pray audibly when driving. I sometimes have church all by myself! I sometimes intentionally stop what I’m doing at my desk and pray. You can even decide on lunch time prayer meetings with a friend, family member or colleague. It doesn’t have to be in person. Use WhatsApp to voice or video call, or hey, there’s Zoom too! Walk outside, go to your car…whatever is convenient.

5) Play worship music when you can, throughout the day – whenever possible. If not, quietly sing songs or hymns.

6) On your lunch break, listen to a short sermon by one of your favourite pastors.

7) Fast. It’s a way to draw closer to God, as you seek His face. And it’s not just about not eating; it’s more about hungering after God and doing His will. After a focused fast, we should feel revived in our spirits. After all, dry bones can live again.

So just some thoughts worth sharing as I know all too well that there could be some dry spells during this Christian journey. However, there’s an oasis right in front of you. Drink. It’s a well that NEVER runs dry.

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah

Less Me. More God!

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It’s been long. Far too long. I have not posted anything in this space in nearly three months.

I am led now though to share some thoughts: God has been doing a wonderful work in my life. I am growing in Christ and it is but for the grace of God!

The growth is evident because in recent weeks, I’ve experienced a shift in my atmosphere. Notice, I didn’t say a shift in the atmosphere, but a shift in MY atmosphere.

My thinking has changed. It has evolved. I find myself more interested in doing God’s will than my own. In fact, during my evening worship today, I sang along with William McDowell as he belted out the simple, yet profound words of, ‘I Give Myself Away.’ The lyrics resonate with me:


Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I’m longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away

I give myself away (I want to be used by you)
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands


Truly, I am at the point in my spiritual walk where I am beginning to divest myself of things I have really wanted… yearned for. I am at the point of: Not my will, but THY WILL be done…whatever that will might be. There are earthly things I desire, but I have decided: Even if you don’t give them to me, Lord I will still praise you, I will still worship you…I will still serve you, for you are God – and God ALONE! I want nothing or nobody more than I want God.



My life is no longer about me. It’s less me and more God. I am more interested in being a light and the salt of the earth than attaining things, accolades etc.

I am here to serve God, sharing the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ, in person and on social media. I am reminded of wise King Solomon, who surmised that all of the things in the world and of the flesh are vanity and vexation of spirit. In the end, we can’t take a thing with us. God won’t ask us about our degrees, our followers…our awards. As Jesus commanded: “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13); however, we are not to become so occupied that we give Him a backseat to our lives, only telling Him to hop in front or drive when we are on rough terrain. We must allow Jesus to take His rightful place in our lives.



Anyway, just thought I’d give someone some inspiration by sharing my heart. Join me in realizing: Our lives are not our own. Let’s give ourselves to Him…fully. His way or no way.

Growing in Christ,
Hadassah

Time to Surrender

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Photo: 3 Leaf Health and Wellness

From after four this morning, I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking about my soul and how I have not fully surrendered to God.

Yes I am a Christian. In 1998, while in my early 20s, I gave my life to the Lord. Every so often my mom – who was a Christian all my life – would encourage me to give my life to the Lord. That morning was different though. The Spirit of God convicted my heart of sin. I got on my knees, confessed my sins and asked Jesus to come into my life.

Twenty two years later and I confess, I haven’t fully surrendered my all to Him. I haven’t laid it all on the altar. There have been some idols (check yourself; you might find one or two and be surprised by what or who they are). As I look over these past two decades, there have been times I embraced the Burger King mentality: Have it Your Way. I realize there were still those, “My will” moments as opposed to, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” Everything has not been left at the foot of the cross. There are times when I haven’t put God first. Self will and not God’s will reigned supreme at times.

When I think about surrender to God, I think about letting go. I think about being satisfied in Him. I think of, “Even if my will doesn’t come to past, I would still serve you Lord.” That’s surrender and today, I want to be there.

In January this year, I was at an event and heard a song that was beautifully sung. But what touched me more than the beautiful voice were the words. I quickly wrote down a few lines and after the event typed them in Google. I learned that the artist was multiple award-winning singer, Lauren Daigle. She is so real and her lyrics have touched those in the secular and Christian world.

Photo: Amazon.com
Photo: Nola.com

I didn’t know Lauren but I did further research and came to love a few of her songs. One of the songs which struck me was, Trust in You. This song has special meaning to me. It’s my favourite of her songs.

Lauren encourages us to lay it at His feet. And even when He doesn’t move the mountains or part the waters, we must trust Him. That is surrender.

Today, I invite you on a journey with me. Today is a new day. It’s a new chance…a new beginning. Yesterday is gone. Let’s start afresh…quit the Burger King Mentality. Not my will. May Romans 8:28 become real to us, knowing that all things are working together for our good, no matter the circumstances. Let’s trust Him. Let’s trust the process. Let’s surrender to HIS will.

Growing in Christ,
Hadassah