Godly Dating Tips!

As the Holy Spirit has instructed in June, I have been teaching upon the series: 'Godly Dating Tips'. You can avail yourself of these teachings freely at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwMpFxOEvygNohko5Yi3eFxvX1kxWObSQ Subscribe - and share freely!

WHAT GODLY DATING IS NOT!

The word 'dating' is NOT found in the scripture. That having been said, does that mean that the 21st century Christian cannot/must not date? Absolutely not! Which is one reason we are talking about the subject, so that I can help contribute the quota of the Heavenly revelation to me on the subject, thus helping to clear and dispel all controversies surrounding dating! Hence, for the major entities that dating is not, here's my countdown:

1. GODLY dating is not marriage. At least not yet, if not yet. And it is not yet! Because you rarely know who you're meeting - or attracted to. When you're proposing to meet on a date, please, be cautious. Only meet strangers in public places. Maybe you could bring your friends with you. As you will discover I already have said in my video-teachings, that will serve as an extra advantage! Be very cautious;

2. GODLY dating is not a hook-up scheme. Nor is it a one-night stand. Nor a one-afternoon chance, whether standing, sitting, bending, or twerking. Only children of darkness engage in any of these. Do NOT enter their car. Do NOT go home with them, nor enter their hotel room. Some who had had emerged with bruises and scars! I'm even talking about unseen emotional scars! Don't go that way (See Proverbs 4:14-15). Be holy. Be polished. be civil! Remember the son/daughter of who you are, as the proverbial African saying goes!

3. Godly dating is not a covenant. It is an avenue to begin to get acquainted with someone of the opposite sex that you are attracted towards, for the possible end-result of marriage;

4. Godly dating is not lowering your boundaries. If at all, you need to erect them, ramrod-style. Some people do not have boundaries. That only translates unhealthiness of the foundation of the friendship/relationship. You don't want to ever pursue someone without boundaries or lacking restraints. They are disasters-waiting-to-happen! You would be surprised at the sheer number of born-again Christians who are tongue-tied when it comes to voicing their opposition or liking; they cannot say an outright YES or a NO. Such are likened to the invertebrate creatures. Invertebraes possess a strange defense mechanism: Stings. Or Foul-smelling, thick squirts. Be warned!

5. Godly dating is not friends with benefits! I think that is self-explanatory! Or isn't it?

6. Godly dating isn't signing away your choices and preferences. We all have the freedom to choose and have preferences. Don't you ever let anyone bully you into submitting your power of choice and preference!

7. Godly dating is not un-committing your thoughts and desires into the hands of the LORD! (See Proverbs 3:5-7).

For more on relationships, generally, order Dr. Sammy Joseph's book 'APPRECIABLE Gifts' at this secure link: https://www.harvestways.org/product-page/appreciable-gifts

#Relationships #Friendship #Dating #Marriage

Follow the Path Carved for Your Feet

For each of us on this earth, there's a path already carved out for our feet to tread by the Almighty God before we even surfaced here! I use the word "carved" with utmost precaution.

Because some of us could be headstrong. Or rascally. Or dodgy like Jacob, until he'd encountered the Angel of the LORD at the Jabbok Ford. Or some may find a way through their subtle importunity, 'twist' the arms of God into doing for them what they insist upon, like King Hezekiah of Judah had done when Prophet Isaiah had been sent of the LORD to inform him to "set your house in order, for you shall die and not live!" Isaiah 38:1 This self-willed king used God's injunction to "put me in remembrance" to intreat the face of the LORD unto beseeching the Almighty to rescind His instruction to the angel that was ready to ferry his spirit Home, to Heaven. YES, Scripture teaches that each of us has - at least - an angel assigned to us through life (See Acts 12:15). These God's angels hearken the WORD of God spoken through our lips (See Psalms 103:20). If that is true, then, Satan's demons too can only reverberate and act upon the fears that we empower through our words, Satan's wiles, or his demons' suggestive caressing of our senses! This is one perfect reason why you should mindful of what you say through your mouth, to ensure that everything coming from there aligns with the Word of God! Anyway, God nodded to Hezzy's wish. He had added fifteen more years to his life. But it was during this time that Judah's most wicked king, Manasseh would be born. He had undone practically every progressive policy he had inherited from his father, and had bankrolled Judah. He had ordered the Prophet Isaiah into a wooden casket - and sawed him into two halves, alive!

Look at my illustrative picture: It is a coal-tar pathway serenaded by some beautiful trees. Some of the trees have cast their shadows on this path. This particular one looks seeming straight-ahead to a stroller. In contrast, some other pathways are paved and have adorable flowers for hedges. Some pathways in the equatorial regions of the world are dense, inhabited by dangerous animals. Some in the dense Amazon forests are serenaded by watercourses and venomous reptiles. Yet, travelers keep traversing them. Here's my point of comparison: Whatever your pathway is, tread cautiously. Tread with thankfulness, and no soulful wishes to preferably walk/travel on someone else's! Stop crying to walk in someone else's shoes (I have written a booklet on that topic in 2010). You'd better be grateful for your lot in life, approach in the grace of God, and walk in it successfully in His strength!

Follow that path carved for you by God. It is in following it that you will be fulfilled - and many lives' thirsts, quenched!

In 2012, a married, Godly, Texan sister asked for prayers against the depressive, suicidal spirit in our inbox on Facebook. I'd managed to assure her that my book 'When the Chips are DOWN' would tremendously address her immediate needs! Immediately, that had been shipped. That had been the end of that ministration. Fast forward to nine years later, the lady had contacted me and written these words:

"You sent me a book when I was suffering from depression and anxiety at no charge. Yes!! It was so good, you are an incredible servant of God. Keep doing what you do ... I was so grateful you helped me you can’t imagine ... You probably didn’t know it but you helped me. God will prosper you because you help people!"

You would believe when I yield to you that those words were all I needed to read on a day of discouragement! The Scripture says that "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country" (Proverbs 25:25).

P.S.

You too may know someone going through the distasteful moments of discouragement and depression - and may want to recommend this anointed resource to them. Here's the link to order it https://www.harvestways.org/product-page/when-the-chips-are-down

Should you love to attend our one-on-one counseling session, then, make contact here: https://www.harvestways.org/counseling

Photo credit: Dan Joseph. (Danny is a British Year 2 Landscape Architecture student at the University of Sheffield, England, UK). Copyrighted photo used by permission and must not be reproduced or stored or altered without the written permission of the copyrights holder!

SHELTERED from the Storms!

We’ve been battered by stormy gales and winds coupled with pouring rains in the UK this past week that our potted Japanese Maple in the garden kept taking a tumble. Funny, its shoots are like a climbing plant's tendril: Soft and tender, prone to easy breakages. An expensive piece at £51.99 GBP - that is in the regions of $75USD - mindful of my investment not being killed, I pulled it in into the warmth of our inner shelter! I think it was the right thing to do.

In the same way, Father-God nurtures and shelters us away from stormy gales that are brewing up, unbeknownst to us. This Jap Maple could have whined and complained about me withdrawing it away from direct sunlight. It could have moaned about missing the camaraderie of the earth and its green grass surrounding. It could have complained of being pulled away from the natural company of other trees. It most likely would have labeled me a tyrant in its little mind! Just like we do when Father-God too decides to shelter us from the storm that would break us.

This baby had suffered some breakages to its twirling, pretty tendrils. It may not have minded that. But I do mind! It's my tree. Purchased with my money. Taken home by me. I am responsible for its upkeep until it is matured enough to understand the motive behind my pulling it inwards, into the safe shelter!

When you too are tempted to moan, complain, and grind your teeth at God pulling you away into the shelter of His wings, remember Isaiah 61:3 wherein you are called, "the planting of the Lord" whom He had bought with a price! When I look at my baby tree, I hear in my spirit one word: SHELTERED! I know God shelters me! That is the first precious truth; the second being: God sheltered me so that I may be able to shelter those in the path of the oncoming gales and storms of life! Never forget that!

I'd not always remembered that fact in retrospect. Three decades ago, I'd have turned my nose at those battling addictions. Or those who were undergoing or had been through the divorce process. Because I never understood how that could be, until midlife crisis knocked upon the doors of my marriage in 2004/5 - and had caused me to file for divorce! Then, I'd understood the stigma, the searing, the shame, and the pain associated with divorce.

"Then it had dawned on me that divorce happens to blameless people too! Then my bowels of compassion had been tickled!"

Apart from sufferers who wouldn't accept our hands of fellowship, suggestions and advice to help, we are to shelter the afflicted away from their afflicters/afflictions!

Jesus assured and instructed Peter: "... and when you have (understood my dealings and doings), strengthen your brothers and sisters" (Luke 22:32).

Do you believe that this Word is for you?

Photo credit: Sammy Joseph Ministries. Copyrighted photo used by permission and must not be reproduced, stored, or altered without the written permission of the copyrights holder!