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Nothing Catches God By Surprise by Pamela Nance Johnson

1/15/2024

There are times when we are caught off guard by the things or circumstances in our lives. It seems like storms of life come out of nowhere and come crashing like thunder or the waves of a flood. Be assured that absolutely nothing is a surprise to God.

God knows the present and the future because he planned it! The Bible says that even before we were born, God knew all our futures. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16 NIV).

Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) encourages us to hold on to hope, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

While we may feel blindsided by an unexpected event or unforeseen circumstance, oh…think it not strange. According to 1Peter 4:12 -13 (KJV) “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” The Message Bible says, “This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”

Not only does God know the events and things that will happen, He also knows us. He knows our behaviors, our thoughts, and actions and yet he still loves us anyway! God knows how we will react, much like our natural parents it doesn’t change how he feels toward us. We can look to Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV) for assurance “1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”

How do we know he still loves us despite us? If we had only one or two scripture truths, they would be John 3:16-17(NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” In addition, we can stand on Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

As we go about our daily lives knowing that trouble will come, it will not last forever. We know that in our humanity it may get difficult, don’t get weary and don’t give up in the middle of your storm. God is right there with you and will carry you through. Remember His promises are Yes and Amen as it is written in 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

God’s Yes and Amen mean so be it or let it be so. It leaves no room for doubt, an expression of our trust in God’s faithfulness. It is a way of acknowledging our faith in His character and our willingness to trust Him. If God said it then we can believe it, stand on it, have faith and hope in it.

Minister Pamela Johnson
January 2024

Pamela Nance Johnson is a lover of Christ, an author, a minister, and entrepreneur. Pamela enjoys sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to those she encounters day by day. She also loves lifting up a praise to our Lord and Savior through song. Follow Pamela on Facebook @PamelaNanceJohnson.

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Christ, the Road to Life!

7/5/2023

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As a little girl, somehow I knew there was something greater than I! I remember finding a corner in our apartment, and I would go and pray to Santa. At that time, I thought Santa was real. I believed he could fix the things I was going through. I remember one time asking him to allow me to see my dad. I didn't want toys. I wanted things in my life to be better.

As I got older, I came to realize that Christ is the one who answers prayers. God used some awesome women of God to lead me to life in Him. Today, I felt led to remind you that Christ is the only road to life! No matter how the world changes, we must stand on this truth. There were many days I did not realize I was walking in darkness. Then one day, God led me to life, and I have not turned back. Here's my prayer for today:

"Dear LORD, I am so grateful that I am not who I was. Thank You for meeting me on the road of life and calling me to Yourself. I love You, Jesus. I long to love You even more. Father God You brought me out of a dark past. You have protected my life from an infant and I thank you! Fill me with YOUR power and anoint me afresh. Help me never to turn back to the world. Help me to go deeper in YOU. No more deception, all truth which is only found in YOU. In Jesus name, Amen!"

I pray that this post blessed you today. Also, below is a song by David Crowder to uplift you! Only seek His truth! Be blessed!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0oUqrqYv30

#Hope-in-Christ

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.

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"But God" by Pamela Nance Johnson

2/6/2023

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But God…!

There are two very simple words that are life changing. They sum up the glory of salvation in an extremely concise, yet powerful way. To understand why the words “But God” are so significant, we must first understand how hopeless our condition was without God. Look at how Paul expresses our lives before God in Ephesians:
21-6 “It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah” [The Message Bible].

What an awful, hopeless picture. We weren’t just sort of dead in our trespasses and sins. We weren’t mostly dead with some hope of bringing ourselves back to life. We were completely and totally dead with no hope of ever having spiritual life. Because we were born with a wicked, sinful nature, the wrath of God was upon us from the moment we were born; “Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” [King James Version].

To say that we were in bad shape spiritually speaking is an understatement. We were in hopeless shape. There was absolutely NO way we could be saved by our own strength. Someone had to intervene on our behalf. We were in desperate need of God. We needed those amazing words, “But God.”

The Good News is that what is impossible for man, is not impossible for God. When God shows up, you never know what might happen. And something wonderful indeed did happen. Christ died for us when we were still sinners. As it says in Romans 5:7” For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Maybe a person might be willing to die for a righteous man. But God isn’t like us. God demonstrated His own love for all of us by sending Christ Jesus to die for our sins on the cross. As it says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” [KJV].
We were dead in our sins, but God gave us new life in Him. We were hopeless until the Lord rescued us. We were willing slaves of Satan, but God set us free. As it is written in John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” [KJV].

But God.
The words, “But God,” truly do change everything.
Once we were enemies of God. Now we are seated at his table as his children. Once we were slaves to sin. Now we have been set free from sin and can pursue righteousness and holiness. Once we were members of the kingdom of darkness. Now we are Kingdom citizens of heaven and joint heirs with Jesus. To be saved by God is truly a marvelous thing, isn’t it? If God had not saved us, we would be destined to hell. If God had not rescued us, we would have no hope.

Now that we have this new life, new hope, and freedom, what should we do?
Let’s look to Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” [New International Version]. The message of Micah is still pertinent today. Religious rituals, no matter how extravagant, can never make up for a lack of love. Outward appearances to following God’s instructions are not as important in God’s eyes as a humble heart that simply does what is right. God’s people today must continue to desire justice, mercy, and humility before the Lord.

Minister Pamela Nance Johnson

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The Faith of Elisha

2/4/2023

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As I was reading 2 Kings chapter 6, one thing stood out to me. Elisha was a man of great faith! In verse 11, the Syrian king sent horses and chariots and a great army to Dothan to attack prophet Elisha and prophet Elisha responded as a man walking by faith in relationship with the Father. The verses that follow reveal his trust.

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:15-18 NKJV
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

So he (Elisha) answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

After reading these verses, I wondered, "Am I believing God for everything in my life as Elisha? These words show that Elisha had a close relationship with God, and He walked with Him. He had faith and believed that God was who He said He was even in the presence of danger. He also prayed for his servant to see as he saw. Elisha was a great example of contagious faith.

As Elisha, how can we trust God more? How can we depend upon the Creator with everything that concerns us?

1. Give Him our whole heart. We don't realize what has our hearts until He begins to show us. He commands our worship. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus said, Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."

2. Read and trust that His word is the only truth. Romans 10:17 reminds us of this, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

3. Begin to go to God in prayer with every aspect of our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 reminds us of this very thing, "pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Be Blessed!
#hope-in-Christ

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

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What are you Seeking?

2/5/2022

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Matthew 6:33 - "But seek (strive to find) first (before all) the kingdom (royal power, kingship, dominion) of God, and his righteousness (integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting); and all these things (concerns, everyday needs, desires) shall be added unto you."

According to the Strong's Concordance, to seek is to aim at, strive after, or crave. There are many things in our world today of which we seek.

We might seek, aim or crave a spouse, a certain income, or even becoming a parent.

"What are you seeking?" Have you ever asked yourself that question? Those things we seek can be dangerous for our spiritual health. Sometimes, we can also seek or strive after the approval or acceptance of others. So, when an individual doesn't approve or accept us, what happens to our self esteem?

Absolutely, because it was connected to the response of that individual, we struggle with believing in and loving ourselves.

There were times I would often ask myself, "Am I good enough? Am I smart enough? Why am I here? What is my purpose?" Then, one day, I was drawn to Christ! I began to seek him for truth. He began to show me myself through his eyes. He fulfilled that longing for others' acceptance and showed me why I must strive for Him and His path for my life. He has the answers, and we no longer have to seek fulfillment in others, which is temporal. We must seek the living God above all else. We are called to His purpose, to live a pure set apart life for His glory.

Be Blessed,
Hope-in-Christ

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

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Train Up a Child in the Way...

11/1/2021

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My mother always says we grew up together. She married young, as a college student, and I was born the day before her 20th birthday. She would spread out a blanket with her books and her baby. She tells me I developed my voracious appetite for words by picking up her books, as she studied. I would ask her what the words said and became an independent reader by the age of three. Otherwise, I grew up a typical child of the seventies. We really only had three rules: don’t go past the corner, get home before the streetlight goes out, and be in bed by 8:30 p.m. on a school night.

Mom grew up in a much stricter, devout Christian environment, but she didn’t want to live so restricted anymore. As a result, my sister and I had many freedoms and were encouraged to explore our hearts’ desires. Mom never told us what to do. She disciplined us, when necessary, but mostly gave her encouragement, and sometimes her shoulder, in all the things we had an interest to pursue. She knew she had given us the best example she knew how and had put everything else in the Lord’s hands.

As an adult, I have moved away from my hometown many times. Yet, I choose to stick to Mom’s example of life and have remained close to her. We talk regularly, dress alike without planning it, have worked together, still eat together every chance we get, and even have Bible discussions when it is her turn to teach at church. Seeing how many families are in turmoil these days, I believe she did a wonderful job.

Training up a child does not mean you are treating them like a soldier in the Army, constantly yelling and screaming, or preventing them from ever leaving your sight. It simply means they are watching what you do, and you should be aware of your actions in their presence. They will most likely do what they see you do and say what they hear you say. Even if you provide a great example, they will not always be perfect. You can give them the world and they may still end up as a prodigal child, lost in their ways. But, when they come back begging for any little crumb, welcome them home and continue to show them the grace required to get them back on the path to righteousness. Even a child who turns into a thief on a cross can receive forgiveness and meet the Lord in paradise.

Feel free to use this prayer:

Dear Lord,
I pray that you will help me to see opportunities to teach my child to live in a way that is pleasing in your sight. Lord, give me the correct attitude and the right words to be a good example. Give me patience and strength for the trials that may come and remind me to embrace the joy of the triumphs. Give me wisdom to impart into my child and compassion to provide comfort for any troubles that may arise. Thank you for helping me to give lessons that will provide a path for life and a love for You. I am so glad that You have given me a part in my child being fearfully and wonderfully made!

About the Author
National Bestselling Author and Poet Michelle Lynn Stephens hails from Durham, North Carolina and is an inspirational writer who encourages others to make comebacks out of setbacks as they press to overcome life’s obstacles through faith and perseverance.

In her writing, she sets out to examine the social ills of the world, as seen through the many perspectives she has been exposed to. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing, performing spoken word poetry, and dancing with her toddler.

Visit her website at www.michellelynnstephens.com.

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Never Forget Your First Love - Guest Blogger: Author Shanita Rowsey

3/17/2021

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It is so easy to get caught up in the things that the world loves. Such as your car, your home or your status. Sometimes as believers, we can get caught up in what we do for God or what we need Him to do for us, that we forget Him. I know you may be thinking if I am serving Him at my local church, paying my tithes and there every time the doors open, how can I forget Him?

Truth be told, we are so caught up in religion, we forget the relationship. So when tough times hit, we are unprepared and caught off guard. We are drowning in doubt and walk around as if we have no hope. I want to remind you that your hope should be in God. Having your hope in God is provided by a sure solid foundation. A foundation that is constantly being built upon as you grow in Christ. I want to share with you how you can always remember your first love which is God.

1) Establish Relationship with Him. Just like you get to know people in the natural, it is the same thing with our Heavenly Father. We must recognize that we need a true relationship with God to live a successful life. Spend time with Him every day. Make it your mission to hear from Him and let Him hear from you. Start with 10 mins a day. Read a scripture, pray and spend a few minutes just worshipping God.

2)  Include Him in your everyday life. Most times when it comes to including God in our life, we only include Him when we need a miracle. In order to get the most out of your life, include the Creator, your God in every aspect of your life. Include Him in your route to work, your relationships, the decisions you need to make and how to raise your children. God loves when we remember Him in all things, it shows Him that you value Him in your life.

3)  Stay Humble. Never get to a place that you believe you have arrived. Always give glory and honor to God. He is the reason why you are where you are. Never allow your ego, your possessions and people around you to cause you to forget God.

4)  Accept His Word. Recently, the word “acceptance” was ringing in my spirit. So I began to look up the definition and one definition said “action of consenting to receive”. Now I love this definition because sometimes we read God’s word, but we don’t fully accept it. We quote the word, but we don’t necessarily believe it can happen for us. When we learn to accept the word of God, we activate our faith, which pleases God. A lot of your desired answers to prayers are not happening because you haven’t accepted His word. You don’t believe Him. You don’t believe what His word says about you. When you want to remember the Lord, you have to trust Him.

Remembering your first love means allowing Him to be your Lord. The word says in Psalms 23:1, “The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want”. This is an indication that when we allow God to lead us and guide us, He provides for all that we need. So, don’t get caught up in chasing things that you forget Him. Remember your first love because in Him you have everything.

Shanita Rowsey is an author, speaker, and coach. Shanita is the CEO of Shanita Rowsey Enterprises. She seeks to help women embrace wholeness.

Grab a copy of Shanita's books below:

30 Days of Power Devotionals:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1731160089/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3

The Power of You:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1947054589/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

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When God Gives You Signs

1/3/2021

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It was an ordinary summer day. I had been walking in this neighborhood since we sold our house and moved into a townhouse not too far from our old community. It took me some time to get adjusted to this new neighborhood. I missed my old neighbors. After all, my husband and I had raised two children in that old house. We saw the neighborhood grow and change over the years. Leaving it was bittersweet for me.
We had great neighbors. Down the street, Joe would come over every winter with his big red snowplow, plow out our whole driveway, and never asked anything in return. I missed baking Christmas cookies for the couple with two small children who lived across the street. We had developed connections and friendships.

As I walked down the street that summer morning, I saw this chair sitting in the middle of a driveway with a sign that read, Beware of the hornet nest in the tree. I quickly moved to one side and avoided walking under the tree. As I walked past this house, I had to stop and snap this picture. It suddenly dawned on me, this ordinary precautionary sign about a hornet’s nest was more than that; for me, it was a sign that God wanted me to move into a new season of life.

He reminded me of how he watched over our family in our old neighborhood, how he surrounded us with neighbors who lend a helping hand. If you ask Him, he will give you signs that show you when it’s time to move into the new seasons of your life. Our son had gone away to school, and my husband could not keep up with the yard work or the cost of what it takes to keep a house in good repair. This was one of God’s signs that perhaps it was time to move to a new season.

I was thankful that this kind person decided to leave the sign about the hornet’s nest. It was very thoughtful. It’s precisely what God does for his children; he will gently nudge us and tell us that it’s time for a new season. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, God’s word tells us. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (NIV).

As we embrace this new season that we are all in, we must remember that God’s timing is perfect. His will is always done in good season. Embrace the signs and enjoy your season.

Rovenia Braddy is an author, playwright, the facilitator of B.R.E.A.T.H.E. book club, a wife, and mother.

Visit her website at www.roebraddyproductions.com

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Keep the Faith, Have Hope and Show Love By Pamela Nance Johnson

9/14/2020

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It’s nearly the last quarter of the calendar year for 2020, and some people, Christians included can’t wait for it to be over. It seems that this year has been written off, voided and cancelled. Just like a check written with a mistake, some have decided to act as if this year 2020 never existed. Yes, we’ve had some challenging times, the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Times which have caused some to doubt their faith, lose hope and question the very love of God.

We continue to deal with the full range of issues related to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and there are still disparities regarding social justice issues in America. Issues that everyone deserves equal economic, political, social rights and opportunities. That everyone should be treated fairly under the laws that govern our country regardless of their race, religion, age or gender. These are times when hearts have grown heavy and weary. Some have gotten tired and given up. It is a time when even the modern Church is being called out to acknowledge the racial divide and immorality among its leadership.

It is in times such as these that we must fully rely on our faith. Now more than ever, Christians individually and the Church corporately must rise and be the beacon of hope and source of love for the troubled world. In Hebrews 10:23-25, each Believer is challenged to hold on to our hope, show love and encourage one another.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.  24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

         This scripture is a call to confess, in a hostile world, the object of our faith, despite a fear of rejection. We may not face the same level of persecution as the early Christians, but we must hold firm to the hope we profess. No, it’s not always easy to follow Christ, when we do, we can expect trials and difficulties. Many of us will be tempted to give up.

         One way we can hold on to hope is through the support of others in the Body of Christ. We are to encourage each other. We need our sisters and brothers to survive. We cannot go through our faith journey alone. Remember, when God saved us, He put us in a community of His children so we could have fellowship with one another. Many ask how we are to fellowship with church buildings closed. Yes, we can still build relationships through other means. Let us remember that an actual phone conversation may lift the spirit of someone who is feeling down. Sending a positive affirmation or scripture can make a difference.

         As Believers we must use this time of quarantine and quiet to carry out the assignments God has given us. We must not back down out of fear or frustration. I believe that if are to tell how God brought us through 2020, we must stay the course. We must stand on Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Let us renew our minds, write the books, tell our testimonies, and revamp ministries. I believe there is a remnant who will confess that God is still in control of every situation. That God is still a Deliverer. That God is still a Healer. That God is still a Provider. That there is indeed nothing too hard for God. That we have victory through Christ, our Lord. I encourage all to stay positive, keep fighting temptation, be courageous and strong in your faith. There are souls assigned to you, and their spiritual lives depend on it. May God bless and keep you today and tomorrow.

Minister Pamela Nance Johnson

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Seeking a Mate Requires Wise Guidance Guest Blogger: Dr. Velma Bagby

7/7/2020

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Throughout God’s Word, He provides us direction to help us live a successful Christian life in Him. God’s direction includes His desire for women, to experience the joy of their mate’s arrival, love and marriage. Dating and seeking a mate requires wise guidance, but some fall short of their own success in discovering their mates because of the absence of wisdom. This happens even though we have access to scripture full of wise guidance and emphasizes the importance of using wisdom to make informed choices.

How does scripture explain the importance of using wisdom? Scripture provides us warnings when wisdom is not used, classifies the person who refuses wisdom or does not listen to it as a fool, warns us about what happens when we do not apply wisdom - people fall and fail without it, and there is disrespect without it. Our plans are established when we apply wise counsel; we are admonished to listen and accept it and warned not to forget its teaching. (Proverbs 12:15, 11:14, 15:22, 13:10 20:18, 1:7, 19:20, 3:1-25 ESV) Given all this and more, we tend to apply wisdom in many aspects of our Christian walk, yet women (and men) forget to apply this wisdom when it relates to dating and marriage.

Let’s examine the words wise and guidance. I love breaking down a word to gain a better understanding. Here are the online bing.com definitions for the words wise and guidance:
Wise - intelligent, learned, knowledgeable, informed, sharp, sensible, prudent, discerning, perceptive, insightful, clear-sighted, well advised, well thought out, smart, rational, sound.
Guidance - advice, counsel, direction, instruction, teaching, intelligence, information, tips, pointers, facts.

Based on the definitions for the word wise, any decision which does to pass this test is not wise, sound or smart, etc. And, the definitions for the word guidance, tells us it is well thought out counsel or instruction. As we put our definitions together, wise guidance is defined as wise, sound or smart counsel and instruction. It is interesting to see the words broken down into smaller pieces or definitions, and it is exciting to rebuild the word using the pieces we discovered. Keep in mind, our definitions point us to scripture. As Christians, the scripture is always our go-to source for direction and wisdom. In a nutshell, wise guidance describes the Word of God!

My last scripture about using wise guidance is one of my favorites for my personal wise guidance and is found in Proverbs 3:6. Proverbs 3:6a (KJV) says, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” The word acknowledge comes from the Hebrew word “yada”, which means “to know, perceive, see, discern, recognize, be acquainted with or recognize” him.  We find duplicates to the Hebrew definitions when looking at the online bing.com dictionary definitions: to recognize, honor, praise, speak highly of, address, accept, grant, allow, connect with. We learn to acknowledge Him is to make sure we see Him in everything concerning our lives.

Part of verse 6 also reads, “in ALL thy ways”, which says this practice of acknowledging, recognizing, seeing, praising, connecting with God in everything, should be natural for us. We are to consider God in everything and not just in hard times, but in our everyday lives; even when deciding about our lifelong mate. God promises to guide us and says, “He shall direct thy path.” But, we must pause to invite Him in every area.

Today, more than ever, it is important that women acknowledge God on their journey to discover their mate. God is not the person to exclude from this process. I believe God already knows who is best for you, just as he knows who He wants for that man of God, who is also prayerfully seeking.  But, when coaching single women, I found an unwillingness to apply or an absence of wisdom in their dating process.  This shows that God is being excluded.  This lack of wisdom reminds me of what Jesus said to Saul on the road to Damascus. Jesus told him in Acts 26:14(KJV) “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” In the scripture Jesus used the analogy of the prick, the farmer and an ox. The prick was a stick which had a pointed piece of iron on the tip used to poke or puncture the ox when plowing. The farmer used the stick to prick the ox when guiding the ox in a specific direction. If the animal rebelled, it did so by kicking against the prick, which resulted in the prick being driven into its flesh. The more the ox kicked, the more it suffered.  When a Christian kick against the process God has provided to help them discover their mate and refuses to follow direction, the result will be the same was the ox who refused the farmer’s instruction.

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust the Lord with all thine heart” and ends with a warning, “lean not to thine own understanding” - do not do your own thing or without God’s wise guidance. This verse reminds us that leaning to our own understanding or doing our own thing is rebellious. A Christian who does their own thing, outside of God’s Word, outside of His wise guidance, is in rebellion and this takes us back to the story of the farmer, ox and the prick.

To summarize, we see how a lack of wisdom can cause failure or a fall. It was never God’s plan for women to enter this journey to discover love and marriage by themselves. It was always God’s plan to direct our path, send us assistance, and help us make wise choices. We must acknowledge, know, or discern or invite Him into every aspect of our lives, at all times, every day. This should become a practice in our everyday life.
My question to every single woman: Is the process to getting your lifelong mate, husband, prophet, priest or king important enough to make seeking wise guidance your top priority? My answer is, YES, and I have been married 46 years.