It Is Time To Return

It Is Time To Return

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It Is Time To Return

Valentine’s day has come and gone. Some people are smiling, some others are still wailing. Some people received multiple gifts, while others waited till midnight, yet got no gift.  Now, you know exactly where you stand.

Some people had their innocence taken away, while some gave it out cheaply. Now that the adrenaline rush is over, and you are back to reality, let us talk.

Now is the time to take an inventory of whatever happened to you on Valentine’s Day, and make some decsisions.

If you feel you messed up, don’t stay there. Don’t sit down, sulk, and cry over what has happened.

Hos 6:1 [NIV] Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.

Rise up from your pain and regret. It is not the end of the world. Mistakes have been made, but they do not define you. What defines you is what you choose to do next. Rather than sit in self-pity, rise, learn, and move forward.

For those who feel used, unappreciated, or broken, take a step back and reflect. What led you to this point? Were you too trusting? Did you ignore the red flags, I am sure they were there. You must answer these questions to prevent a repetition of what just happened.

For those who had a wonderful Valentine’s Day, filled with love, gifts, and attention -be grateful. However, do not let one day of affection blind you to the reality of your relationship. Is your relationship built on a firm foundation? Will the love last beyond the chocolates and roses? Feelings are fickle, they do not last, so ensure your love is rooted in something deeper and more meaningful – in Christ.

No matter what your Valentine’s Day looked like, today is a new day. Pick yourself up. Make wiser choices. Seek healing, and most importantly, like the prodigal son, return to the One who loves you unconditionally. His love is not seasonal, it does not waver, and it will never leave you empty.

Selah!

What God Wants Versus What You Want

What God Wants Versus What You Want

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What God Wants Versus What You Want

In the journey of life, whether you’re single or in a relationship, it’s easy to get caught up in our own desires and expectations.

We often find ourselves asking, “What do I want?” But as followers of Christ, we must also ask, “What does God want for me?”

The difference between these two perspectives can shape the direction of our lives, relationships, and spiritual growth.

For singles, there may be moments when loneliness feels overwhelming, leading to impatience or even compromise. You might think, if only I had someone now, or why isn’t God moving faster? Yet, God’s timing is perfect, even if it doesn’t align with ours.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

When we surrender our plans to Him, He uses those seasons of waiting to refine us, deepen our faith, and prepare us for His best.

Couples, too, face challenges where personal desires conflict with divine will. Perhaps one spouse prioritizes career over family time, or both partners struggle to agree on major decisions like finances or children. In such cases, seeking God’s guidance becomes essential.

Ephesians 5:21 encourages mutual submission out of reverence for Christ. This means putting aside selfish ambitions and choosing instead to honor God through love and selflessness in marriage.

Ultimately, what God wants transcends fleeting pleasures or temporary satisfaction. He desires intimacy—both with Him and within our relationships.

For singles, this means cultivating a deeper walk with Christ during times of solitude.

For couples, it involves nurturing unity rooted in a shared devotion to God. By aligning our hearts with His purpose, we experience lasting joy and fulfillment that worldly pursuits can not provide.

So today, take a moment to reflect: Are my choices reflecting what I want or what God wants?

Let us pray for discernment, patience, and trust in His sovereign plan. As we yield our wills to Him, He promises blessings far greater than anything we could dream for ourselves.

Loving Wisely – Signs of a Toxic Relationship

Loving Wisely – Signs of a Toxic Relationship

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In our journey through life, relationships are one of God’s greatest gifts. Whether you’re single or married, every relationship—whether romantic, platonic, or familial—has the potential to either build us up or tear us down. Today, let’s reflect on how we can recognize toxic relationships and seek God’s wisdom to navigate them.

The Danger of Toxicity

A toxic relationship is one that drains your emotional energy, undermines your self-worth, or leads you away from God’s best for your life. It may not always be obvious at first, but over time, these relationships can cause deep wounds if left unaddressed. As followers of Christ, it’s crucial that we discern between healthy and unhealthy dynamics so we can honor God with our interactions.

Signs of a Toxic Relationship

Here are some common warning signs to watch out for:

Control and Manipulation: Does this person try to control your decisions, isolate you from others, or manipulate you into doing things against your will? Healthy relationships respect boundaries and encourage mutual growth.

Reflection: Are there areas where I feel pressured or controlled? Am I allowing someone else to dictate my choices instead of seeking God’s guidance?

Lack of Respect: Is respect absent in words or actions? Name-calling, belittling, or dismissing your feelings are red flags. True love honors and values each other as equals created in God’s image.

Reflection: Do I treat others with dignity and kindness, even when disagreements arise? Do they do the same for me?

Emotional Unavailability: A partner who consistently avoids vulnerability, refuses accountability, or shows no interest in understanding your needs creates an imbalance. Communication should foster connection, not distance.

Reflection: Am I being heard and understood? Am I listening attentively to their heart?

Spiritual Disconnection: If a relationship pulls you away from God or discourages spiritual growth, it’s important to evaluate its impact. Our faith must always remain central because it defines who we are in Christ.

Reflection: Does this relationship draw me closer to God or further away? Am I prioritizing my walk with Him above all else?

Abuse – Physical, Emotional, or Verbal: Any form of abuse is never acceptable. If you experience harm, seek help immediately. You deserve safety and peace.

Reflection: Have I ever felt unsafe or threatened? If so, have I taken steps to protect myself and reach out for support?

God’s Heart for Us

Jesus modeled perfect love by laying down His life for us (John 15:13).

Jhn 15:13 (KJV) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

His example teaches us what true love looks like—it gives freely, serves sacrificially, and seeks the highest good for others. When we encounter toxicity, whether in ourselves or others, we must remember that transformation begins with repentance and reliance on God.

Steps Toward Healing

If you identify toxicity in your relationship, here’s what you can do:

Pray About It: Bring everything before the Lord. Ask Him for clarity, strength, and courage to make wise decisions.

Set Boundaries: Protect your mental, emotional, and spiritual health by setting clear boundaries. This might mean stepping back temporarily or permanently.

Seek Counsel: Talk to trusted friends, mentors, or pastors about your situation. Professional counseling can also provide valuable insights.

Choose Forgiveness: If possible, extend grace and forgiveness without condoning harmful behavior. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t mean staying in a harmful situation; it means releasing bitterness to God.

Trust God’s Timing: Let go of fear and trust that God has something better planned for you. He promises restoration and redemption (Jeremiah 29:11).

Singles

For those who are single, know that waiting on God’s timing is an act of faith. Don’t settle for less than His best. Instead, focus on growing spiritually, emotionally, and mentally during this season. Pray that God would prepare both your heart and the hearts of those around you for meaningful, godly relationships.

Couples

For couples, remember that marriage requires constant effort and communication. Be intentional about nurturing your relationship with God together. Lean on Scripture, prayer, and community to strengthen your bond and overcome challenges.

Even in the Waiting, God Is Still Good

Even in the Waiting, God Is Still Good

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Waiting is never easy. Whether you’re waiting for a job, a breakthrough, the right person, or even clarity on what to do next, it can feel really exhausting. You pray, hope, and wonder when things will finally change. But here’s the truth: God’s goodness isn’t on pause just because you’re in a waiting season. He didn’t bring you this far to just leave you, you are never alone, He’s still with you. He is just as faithful in the process as He is in the promise.

Lamentations 3:25 – The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.

If you’re single and waiting for the right person, it’s easy to feel discouraged, wonder if God sees your desire, or even be tempted to compromise. In this season, the waiting can feel endless and uncertain. But your waiting isn’t wasted. It’s the place where God is shaping you, preparing you, and strengthening your trust in Him. What may feel like a delay is often His way of protecting you or getting you ready for something far better than you can imagine.

The truth is, you can’t rush God’s timing.

Though it may tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3.

If it’s not the appointed time, no amount of force will make it happen, but when the time is right, nothing can stop it. As Isaiah 60:22 says, “I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.”

So don’t give up in the waiting. Don’t force what isn’t ready. Keep trusting, keep growing, and keep believing because when God moves, it will be worth every moment you waited and more!

Dear Val! (My letter on Valentine’s Day)

Dear Val! (My letter on Valentine’s Day)

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Valentine’s Day is here again—the season of red roses, candlelit dinners, and grand romantic gestures. Everywhere you turn, social media is flooded with sweet messages, couples showing off their love, singles showing off their bae/boo, and businesses selling the idea that love must be proved with expensive gifts and intimate moments. But here’s my candid advice for you—something to chew on even before the day goes far.

What is true love?
This is the question that should stay in your heart throughout today. Judge everything that comes your way with this question.

Many [young] people feel pressure on this day—pressure to be in a relationship, to impress, and, most sadly, to compromise their values. The world has painted a picture that love must be expressed through physical intimacy—and we are buying it, simply because we want to “belong” to the world—but God’s Word tells us otherwise.

The Bible tells us what True love truly is. True love is patient. True love honors. True love waits.

Any acclaimed love that buys you a gift and wants to unwrap you as you unwrap the gift is not true love. A straight warning here: Don’t carry yourself and go to places where it’s easy to compromise—his house, her house, lowly lit joints, etc. I saw a post recently by a pastor that made sense to me. He said that it is those who go close to a pit that have a greater tendency to fall in!

The Bible is clear: Flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). It doesn’t say “walk” or “resist”—it says flee! Why? Because sexual sin is not just another mistake; it affects your body, soul, and relationship with God.

Don’t go to strange places. Be overly careful, because the demon of lust will be operating strongly today, and compromising will be easier. So, take my advice, whether single or married: flee from every appearance of evil.

If you’re single, don’t let loneliness push you into something you’ll regret. If you’re in a relationship, don’t let the expectations of the world override God’s standards. If you’re married, what exactly are you looking for with that man/woman that is not your spouse? Why those chats? Why that expectation/desire in your heart this Valentine’s Day? Like, why? Kill it now! It will burn you!

Singles and couples, our strength to say no to nonsense comes from staying rooted in God’s Word and surrounding ourselves with godly friends. Find a church program and attend this evening, and after service, go home—go home with no one! Unless you’re married, then go home with your spouse.

Dear singles, remember that your worth is not in a relationship status but in Christ. Don’t be pressured today. This Valentine’s Day, choose to celebrate love the right way—pure, honorable, and pleasing to God. Instead of falling for worldly pressure, why not show love in a way that truly matters? Serve, encourage, and remind others of the greatest love of all: God’s unfailing love for us. Preach the love of Jesus to someone today!

I’m rooting for you. ❤️

From:
Your brother in Christ.