Birthday Messages

What a year! 

If you know me personally then you would know that this year has been nothing but a year of harvest on every side and I am nothing but eternally grateful to God.

Every year, I take time out to hear what the word for the next year will be. This year it came in two batches and I thought it may be of benefit to share with everyone else. 

One question that has popped up severally over the past few months for me has been focusing on what I see. I don’t mean physical things per se. I’m referring to my future, goals, visions etc. 

For example, there was one time I was running late for a train I really needed to get on. As I was picking up my pace, I heard God say “What do you see?” I’m like first of all, I can’t talk and run at the same time lol. Eventually I responded that I see myself getting on the train. I got to the train station 50 seconds before the train left and someone helped me get on the train. This is one instance out of several examples.

God was trying to teach me something. Ultimately, He is in control but we have a part to play. What you see, is what will occur. What you see will be what you work towards or anticipate. It is such a mystery but I encourage us all to refocus our lenses by which we operate. 

This year I ‘saw’ several things before they happened. I essentially, through God’s help, created my own path and achieved personal desires that in other circumstances would have taken much longer. Another example, is in the area of my career. I kid you not, I changed roles twice this year because I knew there was more. I saw myself in a different position and God fulfilled it. 

So what do you see? Limitations or opportunities? Victory or defeat? Possibility or impossibilities? 

I will say that it’s not everything you see that will occur at that moment. As I mentioned earlier, God is in ultimate control and sometimes things are withheld for our own good, but we have a part to play. 

May I add that until we adjust what we see, we won't walk in full potential. 

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" Ecclesiastes 12:1

This is just a word of caution and honestly I love how balanced God’s word actually is when we choose to take the time out to understand it. 

There's a reason why this scripture is so relevant. ‘The time of your youth’ is a unique opportunity you’ll never have again. It’s when you’re most naive, so you can explore different things. It’s the time you have the most strength and even zeal to take risks. It allows you to explore, find and build. Key element here is build. It is a time to build, a foundation if you will. This is why as we build it is in our best interest to build with our creator. 

The time of our youth is also very special because things are still very new to us. It's the beginning of a journey to discovery. Therefore whilst you still have the time, make sure you use it wisely. 

So as we step into 2018, take some time to assess what you see and stay in tune with your source. 

Happy birthday to me!

Ruth

P.S. 

A few scriptures that got me through the year are:

Ecclesiastes 9:10

1 Peter 5:6

Isaiah 55:10-11

Job 32:8

Zechariah 4:6

Psalm 31:14-15

Psalm  16:8

Psalm 46:10

Isaiah 41:10

Into-me-you-see

Source: Wallpaper4God.com

Intimacy, Romance, love, affection, emotions, affirmation, anxiety, pressure, uncertainty, .these are all words that I can associate with the month of February. Let me be honest, I don't know how to feel about February 14th. I'm in this middle phase where I'm content with who and where I am but I'm also slightly fidgety. I do not necessarily understand why I feel this way but that's when God started speaking to me.

He reminded me of the word intimacy and I personally like to express that word as 'into-me-you-see'. In relation to God, He sees inside me. He knows all about me. Psalms 139:1 says 'O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.' I was trying still to understand what was being relayed here but I kept silent to ponder and understand further. 

Here's me feeling all apprehensive about February 14th, not because I don't like the concept of dedicating one day out of the year to show love and appreciation, but because I had no clue on who to lavish that love, appreciation and attention to. It almost got to the point where I felt unloved by God and I actually rebelled against His love by rejecting it. How did I reject it, you may ask? I just chose not to spend time with Him and ended up doing things that were not expected of a Christian who had died to sin (please take note of my openness, I'm trying to get somewhere with this). Has anyone ever done this before? Mind you all of this came from a place of 'I-have-no-one-to-show-love-to', well apparently.


In this moment, I find myself subconsciously singing the lyrics 'I could sing of Your love forever, I could sing of Your love, forever.' At that moment, I almost burst into tears. His love is forever, even in my rebellion!! The lyrics of the song go on to say 'Over the mountains and the seas, your river runs with love for me.' Have you ever seen the end of a river? Can you see the depths of an ocean? That's just one illustration on how deep the Father's love is for us and in that moment, I was able to come back to the Father's heart and just push aside my silly insecurities, fears and worries. 

I have a reason for writing this post and that is to let you understand the Father's love for you. It is unconditional, sacrificial, consistent, available and in excess!
Here are a few scriptural references to illustrate His love (all taken from New Living Translation, Bible Gateway, 2014): 
2 Corinthians 5:21 'For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.'

John 3:16 'For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.'

John 15:13 'There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.'

Romans 5:8  'But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.'

Isaiah 53:5-6 'But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.'

If this is an example of love, then maybe I fully haven't been able to express love, but I believe I'm walking in it. I asked my mum what she felt love was and she said 'Love is sacrificial.' BOOM! 

I'd end by saying, love is a beautiful thing when experienced and given. Therefore, I chose not to be down during this season knowing that the Father loves me and through Him, I'm able to love others.

He loves us, oh How He loves us..

P.s.
1. Singles and unmarried, be appreciative of God's love in your life this valentines and through the people He has surrounded you with. 

2. Married couples, I don't think I need to say much but if you're the type of person that overlooks your spouse's everyday efforts, now would be a good time to simply say thank you. Don't just get them a card and flowers or a shirt and cuff links, get your other half an item that means something. For example, a scarf they once loved but lost, a ring they'd always wanted but you couldn't afford, a spa day because they truly deserve it lol or a home cooked meal if you usually don't cook. By the way, don't forget your kids, they're part of the love! 

3. Children of any age, appreciate your siblings and parents alike. Make a home cooked meal (That's what I'm doing lol) or something just to let them know you really appreciate them. 

4. Give! To a charity, to a friend or to a colleague at work who's always quiet and uninterested in group conversations, just give! 

My points in this post are: 

1. God knows us inside and out and knows what in our hearts
2. His love is consistent, constant, available and in excess
3. Appreciate those around you and show them some luurrrvvee 

#inlovewithaMan

Till we meet again,
Rubologs