Hope – FEARFULLY WONDERFULLY MADE

8 Biblical Reminders For December.

December 1, 2022 No Comments

Hey beautiful ladies,

As we have entered into a new month and are fast approaching Christmas, I have put together eight reminders below for every day living before this year ends.

1. First and foremost, put God first in everything that you do.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
~ Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭~

2. Be grateful in all things, no matter how big or small.

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
~ Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18 ~

3. Forgive and let go.

“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
~ Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭~

4. Spread kindness everywhere you go.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
~ Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭~

5. Be patient and wait on God.

“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
~ Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭31‬ ‭~

6. Pray always.

“Pray without ceasing”
~ Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭~

7. Invest in renewing your mind.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
~ Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭~

8. Trust God and do not be anxious.

“Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.”
~ Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭~

I pray that you have found these reminders useful.

Click here to download a list of these Biblical reminders to keep on your phone or around your home and workplace.

Stay blessed and encouraged,

Nkay

xoxo

Motivation

Pressure Creates Diamonds

October 25, 2022 4 Comments

Have you ever been through a test or trial so severe that you did not know how you were going to make it through? You may also have felt confused or forgotten by God. Going through trials or other painful experiences is not pleasant, however many times these experiences can shape us for a greater purpose. This does not negate the fact that what we experience can be painful as I really believe that there is a grieving process that needs to take place so that one can heal in a healthy way, however the aim is to not stay in that place.

As I thought about many trials I have experienced, God showed me the process of how a diamond is created. A diamond is a precious stone and is described as beautiful due to its multiple facets and shiny appearance. They are mainly valued due to their natural strength. There is, however a refining process that takes place before diamonds are formed. Diamonds are created under immense heat.

Like the diamond creation process, we also go through periods of pressure, some more intense than others. One of my hardest moments was losing my Grandmother under horrific circumstances in 2016. Your period of pressure may be very different from mine, however we should never be defined by what we go through, instead we should allow difficult circumstances to refine and transform us. The truth is, without pressure, nothing ever grows.

Navigating through trials is imperative to Christian growth. Have you ever noticed that one of the questions asked in job interviews is “how do you work under pressure?” This question is asked, because pressure is inevitable and being able to function under it is a recognised skill.

Scripture tells us that we should rejoice when we go through trials- James 1:2. This is not because we are mad and enjoy going through pain, the answer is actually found in the next two verses.

“knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
– James‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭-

Similarly, Romans 5:3-4 says that trials, build our character. Difficult circumstances can either make you bitter or better. I’m not sure about you, but I desire to be better.

God wants us to come out better than we were before the trial occurred. Job went through various trials within close proximity of each other including losing his children, live stock, properties, and health, however, amongst it all, he chose to persevere.

“But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”
– Job 23:10 –

We may not understand the painful experiences that we have gone through or may be going through at this current time, however we can trust God. Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭says that we should not lean on our own understanding. I believe it says this, as God is sovereign and we do not see the whole picture or the ending.

If you are going through a difficult time right now, remember that God promises to work all things out for your good. Things may have not worked out the way that you hoped, or you may have incurred failure, but God wants the best for you.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
– Romans 8:28 –

Below are some helpful pointers to remember when going through trials:

1. Have Faith That God Will Bring You Through It.

Often times, a trial is a sign that something bigger is coming. Look at the story of Job. After he went through various trials the Bible says that his latter was greater than the beginning. Trials are very difficult to go through, however we can have a positive outlook when we experience them. The Bible says that we should rejoice when we go through trials, but we can only do this if we have faith that God will bring us through them.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” ‭‭
– James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭-

2. Exercise Gratitude.

“…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
– 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭-

I have found that remembering the times when God delivered me from things or took me out of dark places helps. David did this when he faced Goliath. He remembered a lion and a bear that he previously had victory over and I believe that this gave him the motivation to face Goliath. Remembering your previous victories, and being grateful that God brought you through them will help you to overcome your current situation.

3. Pray.

Prayer is effective, and the Bible says that we should do this constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When we cry out to God He hears us and delivers us from not just some, but all of our troubles.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.”
– Psalm 34:17 –

4. Resist Temptation.

Many times when we go through trials, temptations can come our way. We see this played out with Job when his wife told him to curse God and die and Jesus when He was tempted in the wilderness. Wilderness seasons can make us vulnerable to temptation. During these times you will need to endure temptation, knowing that your perseverance comes with a promise.

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
– James 1:12 –

5. Be Hopeful.

As long as you are still breathing, there is hope. Despite anything difficult you are facing right now, God has a plan for you that prevails against your current circumstances.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11 –

6. Speak Positively.

Whilst it may be tempting to complain or speak negatively when going through a trial, please note that this is an open door for the enemy to infiltrate your mind and heart. Also, words have power. Make a conscious decision to praise and worship your way through difficult times. Meditate on the word of God trusting that He will bring you out of it.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
– Psalm 19:14 –

7. Encourage Yourself In The Lord.

1 Samuel 30:6 tells us that when David was greatly distressed, he encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord. We should also do this, as there is beauty in crying out to God. You will find that when you don’t have strength, He will give you His strength.

“As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.”
– Psalm 138:3 –

8. Surround Yourself With People Who Encourage You.

Whilst there are times when we need to spent time with God, or time alone, we need to exercise balance. Remember, the enemy works amongst isolation. One of Gods greatest gifts to us is through relationship. We need to ensure that we are connected to the right people. Surrounding yourself with the right people, people who genuinely want the best for you and that can encourage you when you encounter trials will benefit your life in so many ways.

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
– Proverbs 11:14 –

9. Finally: Persevere.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” ‭‭
– Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭-

The Promise:

Queen, I would like to encourage and remind you that you are a diamond and your suffering has not been in vain. There is actually a promise attached to what ever you have either been through or are going through.

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
– 1 Peter 5:10 –

Also remember that through Christ you can overcome. God says in John 16:33 that in the world we will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, He has overcome the world.

With that, I pray that this blog post has encouraged you. Feel free to share your views by leaving a comment below.

Stay blessed and encouraged

Love, Nkay xxx

Motivation

Loving Yourself!

April 30, 2018 12 Comments

It’s actually okay to love yourself. No, we are not talking about the love where all you do is think about yourself. Neither are we talking about being narcissistic, vain or prideful, but rather the type of love that you have when you regard your own well-being, happiness and accept who Christ has made you to be. This is the kind of love that you can extend to others.

Loving yourself is something that should be instilled in women from when they are young, however many women miss this and go into woman-hood struggling to find their self worth, value and sense of happiness.

You can only love another person as much as you love yourself.

What does this mean?

Take *Becky* for instance. She has grown up hating herself, from the way she looks to where she is in life. *Becky* does not know her self-worth. The way she feels about herself leads to her feeling depressed and insecure. The way *Becky* feels about herself is projected onto the people she meets. Because she does not love herself this impacts on how she sees and treats others. She is overcome with bitterness, envy and anger towards people.

You would be surprised how many young girls/women are like *Becky*.

“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

~ Matthew 22:39 ~

Judging from this scripture, Jesus is making the assumption that we already love ourselves. Loving ourselves in this regard is not a bad thing.

Created in His image:

God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27). When we begin to hate ourselves, we are basically saying that the way God created us is not good enough or that God got it wrong.

We need to begin by seeing ourselves as God sees us. Yes we sin and fall short of the glory of God daily but God washes us clean.

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

~ I Corinthians 6:11 ~

Loving yourself is one of the best gifts that you could ever give yourself. If you don’t love yourself, there isn’t much left to give others and this will result in you becoming an ineffective Christian.

Here are some steps to help you to love yourself:

1. Begin by valuing yourself.

“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you;

~ Isaiah 43:4 ~

Jesus loves you and places such a value on your life. So much so that the very hairs on your head are numbered. You do not have to worry because God has got you in every way. The Bible says that you are of more value than the sparrows who He takes care of very well. How much more will He take care of you(Matthew 10:30-31).

2. Accept who you are.

When you accept yourself for who you are, you begin to accept your weaknesses as well as your strengths. Paul also acknowledged this.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 ~

There will be times when you mess up. This is where you will need to accept yourself through the redemption of Christ Jesus and remember that it is because of Him that you are accepted not because of yourself.

“being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

~ Romans 3:24 ~

3. Embrace your uniqueness.

“My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”

~ Psalms 139:15 ~

You are you, and nobody can take that away. This is what makes you unique. The fact that you were “skillfully” made by God is something you can appreciate. When you embrace your uniqueness you will then begin to understand God’s plan for your life and will allow God to use you according to His will and purpose.

4. Take care of yourself.

“For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.”

~ Ephesians 5:29 ~

Your basic care is very important and is more than just taking care of yourself physically. You must also take care of yourself mentally and spiritually too.

Every time you look at yourself negatively and think you are not good enough, you are denying that God made you fearfully and wonderfully, (Psalms 139:14) so start working on loving yourself today.

Stay Blessed and Encouraged.

Nkay

xoxo

Declarations, Motivation

21 Declarations (Winning the Battle of the Mind!)

March 13, 2018 9 Comments

Sometimes the biggest battles we face are those that take place in the mind. It’s time to fight back. Use the word of God to make a declaration so that you can overcome the battles in your mind.

Let’s go:

1. You restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your Spirit (Psalms 51:12)

2. You keep me in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)

3. I have a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)

4. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)

5. The devil is the father of all lies (John 8:44)

6. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came to give me life more abundantly (John 10:10)

7. I am transformed by the renewal of my mind (Romans 12:2)

8. I set my mind on the Spirit where I find life and peace (Romans 8:6)

9. I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)

10. I was brought at a price; therefore I glorify God in my body and in my spirit (1 Corinthians 6.20)

11. God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)

12. The weapons of my warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4)

13. I bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)

14. The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:7)

15. I will meditate on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)

16. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)

17. God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

18. God will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5)

19. I submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7)

20. God has called me out of darkness into the marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)

21. I love God because He first loved me (1 John 4:19)

Stay Blessed and encouraged

Nkay

xoxo

Motivation

Purpose in Pain

March 12, 2018 7 Comments

Have you ever experienced painful events in your life or perhaps pain is something that you are still experiencing? Are you wondering whether God will ever give you the victory and fulfil His purpose in your life through your pain? If so, keep reading. This message is for you.

I got saved in 2013 and although I had experienced traumatic events in the past, I believed that God had truly redeemed me. By 2015 I really thought that things had changed and I was no longer going to experience issues in my life because I was Saved. Boy was I wrong. 2016 came and I lost my Grandmother to a tragic event. This has been the most painful situation I have ever experienced and had me questioning how God could allow this to happen.

It was my Grandmothers anniversary recently and I was reminded of the pain I went through two years ago. I could feel myself slipping into depression and questioned what the purpose of this pain was.

You see, we go through things and know the scriptures that God is working out everything for our Good, (Romans 8:28) however, how many of us are really believing this when we are going through things?

You hear stories of people sharing their testimonies and see how God is working in their lives. A Pastor even recently did a revival at my Church and spoke of the traumatic events that took place throughout his childhood and adolescence. His testimony was powerful. But all I could think about was wheres my testimony? Where’s my victory? When are You going to work things out for me? What is the purpose in what I have gone through?

Sometimes it’s okay to let God know that your are frustrated and that you feel this way. He wants you to cry out to Him.

As I was going through this painful time conversations from friends (One in particular) reminded me that although this memory is painful, God is sovereign. Yes, He could have stopped certain events from playing out if He wanted to, however God has a purpose that He can birth from my pain.

I also spoke to a friend who was struggling with the same feelings. Her realness showed me that I wasn’t the only one going through this.

Our pain is temporary.

Ultimately heaven is our home and there is so much more to life then what we see going on around us.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

~ Romans 8:18 ~

This Scripture reminds me that the pain that we may go through on earth is only temporary and does not compare to what God has in store for us.

God uses our pain to comfort others.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ~

Sometimes when we go through pain, God wants us to help others that are going or have gone through the same thing. For example, if you have been through a bereavement, you could help somebody else who is going through a bereavement.

Jesus also went through pain and suffering. We call this redemptive suffering and we see this when Jesus died on the cross for us.

Jesus suffered in order to fulfill God’s plan and reveal His infinite love for us. His pain was used for His own glory and He is more than able to use our pain to bring His Glory and to vindicate us.

In summary, your pain will never stop God’s purpose for your life. Just don’t give up.

When you are going through pain remember these key things:

1. Walk By Faith.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

~ 2 Corinthians 5:7 ~

Sometimes when we are hurting it is hard to hold on to our faith. We want a way out and it may look like anything is happening. God does not tell you when He is going to bring you through it, however He promises that He WILL bring you through it. This is where we have to walk by faith and not by what we see around us.

2. God is Sovereign.

God is sovereign. Remember in the midst of your suffering He is in complete control and knows the beginning from the end.

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”

~ Isaiah 46:10 ~

3. Trust God and allow Him to direct your steps.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~

God wants us to trust Him when we are going through trying times. Although we do not understand, God is still God. If we lean on Him, He will direct our paths.

4. God is a Restorer.

“And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

~ Job 42:10 ~

In the story of Job we see a number of tragic events happen to him. He loses his children and livelihood in the space of one day. It doesn’t just stop there though, we also see an attack on his health and his friends even accuse him of secret sin as a reason for his suffering.

Sometimes in life painful event after painful event happens and it feels like all hell is breaking loose in our lives. It is tempting to give up on our faith, however we see in Jobs story that he endured his trials and God restored everything he had.

“Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning;…”

~ Job 42:12 ~

God can restore you too.

5. Be Patient.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

~ James 1:2-4 ~

When you are going through pain and it feels as though there is no way forward, remain patient and do not give up. Through your pain God wants to perfect and complete you.

6. There is a Purpose.

God says:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~

My prayer is that if you are going through pain, that God will open your eyes to His word and you will truly believe that God has a purpose in every pain you have been through.

Stay blessed and encouraged

Nkay

xoxo

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