Message: This portion of the blog this week is inspired by my husband’s bible study notes:
“In Genesis 35, we find the story of Jacob’s return to Bethel, the place where he had encountered God years earlier. This journey represents a pivotal moment of spiritual renewal and reconnection with God’s presence. Today, let us reflect on Jacob’s journey and consider how we too can return to our own ‘Bethel’ experiences.
Key Points:
1. **Remembering God’s Promises** (Genesis 35:1-3):
– Just as Jacob remembered God’s promises to him, we should recall God’s faithfulness in our lives.
– In times of uncertainty or wandering, holding onto God’s promises can guide us back to His presence.
2. **Removing Idols** (Genesis 35:4):
– Jacob instructs his household to rid themselves of foreign gods and purify themselves.
– We must examine our own lives and remove anything that hinders our relationship with God, whether it be material possessions, distractions, or false beliefs.
3. **Building an Altar** (Genesis 35:6-7):
– Upon reaching Bethel, Jacob builds an altar and worships God.
– Similarly, we should create spaces in our lives dedicated to encountering God, where we can worship Him freely and intimately.
4. **Receiving a New Name** (Genesis 35:9-10):
– God reaffirms Jacob’s new name, Israel, signifying his transformation and renewed identity.
– When we return to God’s presence, He can transform us and give us a new sense of purpose and identity.
Conclusion: Just as Jacob returned to Bethel and encountered God afresh, may we too seek to return to the places of spiritual significance in our lives. Let us remember God’s promises, remove any idols, build altars of worship, and embrace our new identities in Him. In doing so, we can rediscover the joy of His presence and experience His transforming power in our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Jacob’s journey to Bethel. As we reflect on his story, may we be inspired to return to the places of spiritual significance in our own lives. Help us to remember Your promises, remove any idols, and build altars of worship where we can encounter You afresh. Transform us, Lord, and guide us in our journey of faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Modesty: What is modesty? There is inner modesty which has to do with the transformation of heart by Christ and then there’s external modesty which has to do with the choice of clothing we put on. The principle of external modesty is COVERING UP & LOOSENING UP. ‘Covering up’ the sensitive parts of our body such as cleavage, backs, undergarments, etc. Someone once said “the Victoria Secret garment should be kept secret.”
‘Loosening up’ means eliminating tight clothing such as tights which should be worn as undergarments and NOT outer wear, blouses that exposes our midsection, mini skirts, short shorts, tight and sexually suggestive texted tops, etc. The scriptures should always be our guide: 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 which says “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Marriage: Last week I wrote about my challenge of having certain expectations towards my husband’s Spiritual leadership in our home. This week, I want to discuss the importance of communicating expectations in marriage. I remembered that in my pre marriage days as I learned about marriage, I was inspired to jot down the importance of orally and effectively communicating my needs to my husband because quite frankly he cannot read my mind. I learned this to be so true in marriage.
We went through a season in our marriage. In hindsight, I realized that there were certain things that I really would have appreciated that my husband did for me at that time. He didn’t think to do those things because I didn’t communicate it. I then expressed those expectations and at a later time in a similar situation he fulfilled my needs; I was appreciative . So while some expectations may be unrealistic, others should be communicated so as to promote a peaceful marriage.
Motherhood: the early part of last week I was unwell. We recently had a drastic change in weather and it appears that many of us were negatively impacted. I remember that at the height of my feeling weak and uncomfortable, it dawned on me that I still had to be mom! My children did not understand what was going on and they just needed their needs met by me. I often tell my husband that since I clocked into to motherhood, I have not clocked out and will not clock out.
Many jobs require that one clocks in to work, perform their tasks associated with their role and then clock out and leave those tasks at work. Although so many tasks are performed on a daily basis in motherhood, motherhood is not like any other job. The responsibilities of a mother is continuous, daily, at all times, non stop.
It is definitely a blessing to have the privilege of being entrusted with life; since life is so precious to God much is expected of us as mothers! The beauty of it all is that God is willing to hold our hands along the way; with Him we can have a fulfilling motherhood journey. My health has been restored by the grace of God – I thank God for His miraculous touch of healing!
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I hope that you’re inspired by the
4 M’s this week!
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With love,
Mrs. Charity Umar ❤️