Author: LRJ

A few weeks back I had a little melt down before God.  I was feeling a little disappointed and upset. I was believing something from God, and the answer that I got wasn’t really what I had been hoping for. Pretty much God’s answer for my request was “NOT NOW, WAIT”. But Lord I want it now,…Why not now. Did you not say “You shall fulfill the desires of my heart if I delight myself in you?” To be honest, with you guys, I was so upset, my peace left me. How can I possibly be happy, how can I be at peace when God has just told me “NOT NOW, WAIT”… “Lord how long am I supposed to wait. Why not now?

In the midst of all my raging emotions, God said to me “PEACE BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”… (QUICK DECLAIMER: I would like to believe I am one of God’s stubborn daughters. Respectfully stubborn though….lol ..) I responded to God and said “Lord how can I be at peace when you have not given me what I have been praying and believing for. Where is the Peace Lord in any of this?”

And again, He said PEACE BE STILL RUVIMBO!

Lord it’s really hard to be at peace right now. And I heard God say to me “That’s where your problem is Ruvimbo. Your Peace is based on what you have or don’t have. Your peace is determined by the condition and status of things happening around you. That’s why you can’t accept my WORD right now. Your PEACE should be found in me and not in the created things. I am the CREATOR – Only I have the peace giving ability”.

Holy Spirit reminded me of the scripture that says ” You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, All whose thoughts are fixed on You” – Isaiah 26:3

The things that God  created are incapable of giving you peace. Even if they give peace it’s not the kind of peace that God gives. Placing your peace on things that were not designed to be givers of peace is a recipe for disappointment and frustration. I heard Holy Spirit say “STOP placing your peace on the ‘created’ but rather in the CREATOR… for only He is the peace giver .

My dear friends, Your job can’t give you peace, your co-workers can’t give you peace, your spouse can’t give you peace, your friends can’t give you peace, your siblings or family can’t give you peace – BUT God CAN. Keep your mind fixed on God and allow Him to give you peace – peace that goes beyond human understanding or reasoning. That’s the God kind of peace that we have to pursue for.

When your peace is found in the Lord – it doesn’t matter what is happening for you or against you, you are at peace always. Embracing the God kind of PEACE, enables you to have a peace of mind and heart even when all hell is breaking loose around you.

The God-kind of Peace is like this –

• You could be experiencing a loss of a loved one, and yet you are at peace
• You could be experiencing joblessness and yet you are at peace
• You could be facing what seems to be an eternity of singleness (“where are all the eligible bachelors or bachelorettes?”) and yet be at peace
• You could be experiencing divorce or relationship hardships and still be at peace…. etc
• You could be facing health problems/scares and yet you are at peace
• You could be experiencing miscarriages, and yet be at peace

That’s the kind of God –Peace that we all need. Don’t fall into the trap of only having peace when things are good – That’s the world’ kind of peace. God kind of peace – gives you God-security at all times.

The World’s peace is based on things that we see and is conditional – For example

• You are at peace just because you have a job – so the moment you lose that job, so goes your peace along with it.
• You have peace because you have money in bank account but the moment you lose your wealth – maybe the economy tanks, or a deal goes wrong so goes your peace
• You are at peace because you are in a relationship, the moment you lose that relationship – so goes your peace. (Don’t be suicidal because you got broken-up with –THIS IS A WORD FOR SOMEONE. If it didn’t work out, that’s ok dear. Move on. God has better in store for you. Peace be still and keep your mind stayed on Him)
• You have peace because things are ok, but the moment there’s a storm, so goes your peace (Ask the disciples, they can attest to that – read Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus Calms the Storm) The disciples were only at peace when the sea and the winds were calm, the moment a hailstorm came, so went their peace, regardless of Jesus being in the boat with them..smh.

How do we know that the disciples had lost their peace when the storm hit.read v38 of Mark 4

V. ³⁸ But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” Other versions say “Master, Do you not care we are perishing?”

The modern day version of this statement could be:

• Lord do You not care that I am still single and all my friends are married?
• Lord do You not care that I am Jobless and all my other peers are working? Did I mention Lord that I was a Straight ‘A’ student and they were ‘C’ students. How is it possible that they are working and I am not?
• Lord do to You not care that I am drowning in poverty? In debt? Struggling financially?
• Lord do You not care that I am sick
• Lord do You not care that my biological clocking is ticking?
• Lord do You not care…. HELP LORD!! HELP LORD I’M ABOUT TO DROWN HERE!

Just to be clear – Having PEACE doesn’t mean you are immune to what’s happening around you. It doesn’t mean denial either. It means that, I am calm , I am not shaken or move with what’s happening. I am ok because I know that it will all work out for my good because I trust God. Some one once said  “Peace is not the absence of a storm but rather the presence of JESUS in the storm to go through it with you and deliver  you from it”

“Our PEACE is not a result of our senses or experiences – Our PEACE is within regardless of what we go through. Life is Spiritual!! – Rachel Williams

(Read the book of Job). Peace says “Though he slay me, yet I will trust in Him”. Though things may not be the way I would like them to be, I will continue to trust in Him. My peace is in knowing and believing that He loves me so much He will deliver me.

Where ever you are today, whatever you maybe experiencing – I am here to tell you that God cares. He cares so much about you. Don’t lose faith – Don’t lose Hope – Don’t lose PEACE. God is with you. God says:

Psalm 91:15-16 New International Version (NIV)

15 You will call on me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble, I will deliver you and honor you.16 With long life I will satisfy you and show you my salvation.”

You may be feeling like you are drowning. You may be feeling like waiting on God is killing you. You may be feeling hopeless. But I want you to assure you that God is eternally ever faithful. He is with you in the Boat, so don’t lose hope just yet. Stay in Him. Stay in the boat with Jesus. Keep your thought fixed on Him. Soon, He is going to rebuke the storm, His going to silence the enemy… He is the PEACE you need today.

Let the PEACE OF GOD overwhelm and overflow in you. May His peace enable you smile even during the storm. May the peace of God be an anchor to your heart and mind. IT IS WELL.

Peace be still and know that He is GOD. Everything will work out for good, because you love the Lord and have been called according to his purpose.

Philippians 4:6-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

Blessings and Stay encouraged.

Lady Rue J. aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let your light shine”

#WednesdayEncouragement4U 

One thing that I have learned and have begun to live by daily is “CELEBRATING THE SUCCESSES OF OTHERS” Friends there is so much power in celebrating with others when good things happen to them. As you celebrate what God is doing in the lives of others He will honor you and bless you too. If your neighbor buys a car or a bigger house and they testify about it or share the news with you, that’s not for you to start hating or being jealous about it – but rather its your opportunity to praise the Lord for them and their success – because by so doing you are opening a door for a breakthrough in your life as well. I know that some times its difficult to celebrate for something that you are also waiting on God to do for you. its hard – I know. I have been. I know the feeling. Its easy to have the “What about me – When is my turn coming” kind of attitude – but don’t fall into that trap… do the unexpected and celebrate and cheer them on – Your turn will soon come.

From my experience the more you celebrate for others, the more the blessings coming your way. A year ago, my husband and I were believing God for some paper work to be processed in our favor. We had been praying and even fasting  for a while for God to intervene. I remember quite vividly, when I would hear others who were submitting the same paperwork as we had submitted way after us where getting responses and nothing was happening in our favor. For a moment I was tempted to hate on their breakthroughs. It was hard to accept or see how our prayer was being answered in the lives of others and not our own. I remember hearing – “Begin to celebrate with them”….“Lord how do I celebrate for them , when you haven’t answered our own prayer?”– I asked. It was difficult. But by His grace and Holy Spirit enabling me I started celebrating with those who God had showed up for and done it for them. I celebrated genuinely for them.  Soon enough, precisely 2 weeks later my husband and I got our response and our papers had been approved -#PowerOfCelebratingOthersSuccesses.

I have come to LOVE to hear peoples testimonies of what the Lord is doing in their lives – Because it is an assurance to me that God still hears and answers prayers – So if he can do it for them, He certainly can do it for me too.

Are you waiting on God to provide someone to marry or be married to? – start celebrating the engagements and marriages of others. Are you believing God for a job or promotion – Start celebrating when others are testifying of getting jobs and big promotions.  Are you believing God for a child/children, healing, ministry, finances… whatever it is – begin to celebrate God for what his doing for others and watch Him do it for you too.  

Devotional Prayer

Father God, thank you for reminding us that we should always celebrate the successes of others. God grant us the grace to be happy with those who are happy, to celebrate with those who are celebrating – knowing that – if You are doing it for them -You will certainly do it for us in due time. Forgive us Lord, when we have envied, jealous-ed, or failed to be happy/celebrate the good work you are performing in the lives of those around us. Grant us the patience to continue waiting on you. In Jesus Name. Amen!

Be Blessed and stay encouraged. Happy Wednesday 🙂

#DontHateButCelebrate

-Lady Rue J. aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”

^{Mark 10 v. 47} 

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸ “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

In Mark 10:46-52, we are told of a blind man who shouted like a crazy man to get the attention of Jesus just to get his miracle. Unfortunately the people around him were not giving him the chance to flourish – they tried to Shhhh HIM UP – BUT  Bartimaeus wasn’t about to miss out on his opportunity  to receive his Sight that day. He knew what he wanted and he refused to be silenced by those around him. I would like to believe that there must have been a large crowd of people  following Jesus when Bartimaeus started shouting aloud – His shout must have really been loud to penetrate through such a crowd.

If twitter, Instagram, FB had been there in their time I bet everyone would have been tweeting the tagline #DontShhhhMeUp #ItsGettingRealHere #BartimaeusGoneCray . This was a real relentless pursuit for change by Bartimaeus.

Today I want to encourage you with a few principles demonstrated by Bartimeaus that will change your life or at least challenge you to make some changes in your life.

RELENTLESS PURSUIT FOR CHANGE – What we can learn from Bartimeaus

1. Have a Crazy Discontement #BartimaeusGoneCray

Have a crazy discontentment for settling for less. DON’T SETTLE!. Bartimaeus was tired of being blind. He was tired of being known as the Blind beggar who sits around and begs. There was a crazy discontentment in him that said “I will not settle for less – Blindness is not my portion for life – I will no longer be known as the blind beggar -I NEED A CHANGE TODAY”.

His attitude was “I might have been born blind – but I don’t have to stay blind forever” This ends TODAY!

I dare you to be like Bartimeaus who got sick and tired of being known as the blind beggar. The moment he knew that the Messiah was in town – He knew this was it! This was his chance to becoming a new Bartimeaus. Change had visited his town and there was no way on earth he was going to let that opportunity pass him by.Today I want to ask you – Have you settled for less? Have you become content with the state of things in your life?  What in your life have you come to accept as normal and okay and yet it’s not God’s best for you? You might have been born a certain way – but you don’t have to stay that way if it is not God’s best for you! Whatever it is – I need you to stir up some crazy discontentment within you that causes you to SHOUT EVEN LOUDER, TO PRAY EVEN HARDER, TO PUSH EVEN MORE, TO PURSUE EVEN HARDER, TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON.

    2.   Do not be Hushed Up (Bartimaeus Refused to be Hushed Up) #Don’tShhhhhMeUp

I believe when Bartimaeus was shouting on top of his lungs– He was thinking –

“How dare you shhhh me up – You SHHH me because you yourselves can see – I cannot!!! – This is my opportunity to SEE–  y’alls must be cray crayyy to think I am going to be dignified about this and be calm – Don’t  Shhhhh me up!!! – I am so not about that life anymore!  – J-E-S-U-S son of David have mercy on me!!!!!!”

Friend, refuse to be hushed up by society, by peoples around you, friends or family who have no clue about your purpose, dream, vision or destiny.  If you know what you want and believe that Jesus has more for you – Don’t you dare be silenced? There are some people who will only see you as a blind beggar and the moment you try to stretch out in faith for better, they will try and hush you up. They will tell you every reason as to why you are unqualified (and how others are better qualified than you), they will highlight all your weaknesses all the while magnifying the strengths of others, they will say everything possible to make you rethink your decision to STEP OUT into your calling, purpose, dream, aspiration…etc They will even tell you how the Economy, Market Competition is bad that you can’t stand a chance…lol. You will hear Remarks like ….

1. No body in this family has ever taken that route and succeeded – what makes you think you will make it.
2. This a little out of you league, why don’t you try something else
3. Did God really say….??? Maybe pray just a little bit more hey
4. Don’t say I didn’t worn you. I am just being real with hey…

…just to silence you up

BUT REFUSE TO BE HUSHED UP. Change can be very uncomfortable; especially to those around you – so you need to FOCUS on your dream at all costs and be very mindful as to who’s around you, and  whose advice you are taking.

If God has revealed it to you, gifted you, equipped you – please don’t be disqualified before you’ve even started. Today I want to challenge you that as you pursue your DREAM relentlessly, choose your associations wisely. Best believe that the people you associate with will determine the momentum at which you will become the “you” that God intended you to be.

Do not curve in or give up at the face of resistance. It is only those who are moving, who are progressing, and who are elevating that face resistance. Your resistance should be an indication that you are going somewhere.  Anyone who has made it BIG TIME in this life – are those people who refuse to be silenced. Are those people who have a dream and will continue to pursue it against all odds? Are those people who were told that “that’s the worst idea in the history of ideas” but were not deterred by the negative remarks.

NO ONE EVER silences up a woman in labour even if they tried. Trying to tell a woman in labour (giving birth) to be quiet is asking for WAR!  The baby inside her will cause her to push, scream, possibly look and sound cray cray – because at that time – all that matters in that moment is birthing that which is on the inside of her. Today I want you to PUSH the dream that is on the inside of you to life. NO MORE BEING SILENCED! God has gifted you on purpose. Its time the world experiences the gifting in you. Stir Up the Gift in You, Step out in faith, Trust God and may His Spirit guide you as you pursue your DREAM.

PROVERBS 16:3 (AMP)

Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

Devotional Prayer

Heavenly father we thank you because you have put great purpose, dreams and visions in us that need to be accomplished (birthed to life). I pray that we don’t sit on our purpose, dreams or visions simply because we don’t have cheerleaders to cheer us on. Remind us always of your enabling grace that is readily available for us to bring each and one of us into your purpose for our lives.Grant us the wisdom and discernment to recognize and silence voices that kill, steal or destroy that which you have purposed for our lives. Even in the face of adversity – give us strength to continue to pursue our destiny. Father, I silence every spirit of fear that attacks your children from being who you have purposed for them to be. You said in Your word that ‘You have not given us the spirit of timidity/fear but that of power, love and a sound mind” – So father we hold on to that promise as we boldly step into our purpose and calling. Thank you Lord. In Jesus Name, AMEN

Be blessed and stay encouraged

-Lady Rue J AKA Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”

HE LOVES YOU AND HIS TIMING IS PERFECT

John 11:5-6 (NLT)

⁵ So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, ⁶ he stayed where he was for the next two days. ⁷ Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”

This is the most encouraging verse I have ever read this past week. Seriously it is! Read it carefully again. WOW! We are told that, although Jesus LOVED Martha, Lazarus and Mary – He didn’t respond immediately to their call for His help. Martha and Mary where in desperate need of the Messiah to come and attend to their sick brother Lazarus and yet he DELAYED for 2 days before responding to the call for help. I can imagine the pain and questions that Mary and Martha had for Jesus for not coming right away. “Jesus did you not know that your dear friend Lazarus, our brother whom you LOVE was sick? So how come you didn’t show up earlier? Had you come on time-wouldn’t he be still alive?” – These were probably some of the many questions that these two women had.

Many of us like Mary and Martha feel the same way when God doesn’t come to our rescue right away. We feel dejected and even sometimes angry for the silence. Sometimes when we hit rock bottom we even question His existence- Question His Love for us. I know there are times I have gone to God with so many questions as to why certain things happened the way they did? Why certain things were taking forever to happen even after I have prayed sincerely and earnestly about them. But I have come to realise that regardless of what I may be going through, it doesn’t change who He is and His LOVE for me. And I want someone to hear this truth today – GOD LOVES YOU. GOD LOVES YOU. GOD LOVES YOU. Do not allow your present circumstances to make you ever doubt the love of God for you. Whether God shows up or DELAYS – His Love for you will never change. I love the words of 3 young men in the bible – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – they boldly said…

 “ ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. ¹⁸ But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18 (NLT)

These men were assured of God’s unfailing love for them. They understood the one they served. They honored His sovereignty to the point that they were even ready to die for Him. Friend, we will not always know why God sometimes delays, or why certain things are allowed to happen the way they do but we should never forget of His love for us. God’s timing is always perfect. Because when He does show up – He shows up BIG time. God always shows up at the perfect time – Yes he does! In our eyes it may seem like His taking forever – but I believe to Him ITS JUST THE PERFECT TIME! Jesus arrived at the perfect time for Mary and Martha – so that God’s Glory would be revealed and so that they would believe in Him. He arrived just in time to resurrect Lazarus from the death.

He showed up just at the right time for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to reveal His Glory so that a whole nation would believe in Him (read Daniel 3:28).

He showed up at the right time even for me. And HE still does.  Had God come any time sooner than He did when I called Him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.  I wouldn’t have come to know Him and give my life to Him – to be my Lord and Saviour. I wouldn’t even be sharing His word like I do now. There are things in my past– that I wished had happened differently, but had I not gone through them I wouldn’t have come to know God and His wonderful amazing love for me.

Friend, God loves you and His timing is perfect. Today, be encouraged to focus on God’s love for you. Let everything else happen but your focus should remain on Him. May His LOVE FOR YOU be an assurance that He will show up for you – JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME.

GOD LOVES YOU AND HIS TIMING IS PERFECT! DON’T BE DISCOURAGED OR WAVER IN YOUR FAITH. HE WILL SHOW UP!

Be blessed, be encouraged and focus on His LOVE for you 🙂

-Lady Rue J aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”

For the longest time I just could not find time to be still and talk to God. I mean there just seemed to be a lot of things on the go to do. For me talking to God was just a quick 15 -30 second prayer and that was it hopefully till we meet again before bedtime – of which that too wasn’t guaranteed. It so happened God wanted to teach me a good lesson – And here is what happened …

I remember this one day when I was talking to God. I gasped – “ Lord, I just want him to spend more time with me! I understand his trying to balance his schooling, work and Church duties; but can’t he also put me in that schedule too.

REWIND – It was during my husband’s exam period. Don’t know whether I was just being too selfish or not, but I was feeling a tad bit neglected. ( In actual fact I wasn’t being neglected – He (my hubby) was trying his hardest to balance everything – I was too blinded with emotion to notice the small but sentimental gestures of his love. Anyway back to my story, In that moment I needed more of his time, more than usual to be quite honest…For someone who’s primarily love language is “Quality Time” I felt as though I was being robbed off in that area. I remember I was complaining before God as to why my hubby wasn’t really spending enough QUALITY time with me. “Lord I understand he has to study after work and other church obligations but I also want my time too” I argued. “ Yeah yeah, he sort of kinda spends time with me but I want more. Lord, do you know by the time he comes back from studying I’m either about to sleep or sleeping already. I see him but I REALLY don’t see him – do you get what I mean Lord – Speak to him Lord, Speak to him”

That was me a while back -I remember feeling quite justified bringing my complaint to the Lord. Hoping to hear him back me up agreeing to my complaint – And I heard God clearly say to me –

GOD: “NOW YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL”….

ME: So you agree with me right Lord, right? I’m glad you see it too…

GOD: Nooooo…..“NOW YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL”..

ME: uuurrrhhh Lord… Say what now???.

“Now you know how I feel” He said to me again.

This is what the Lord said to me:

GOD: “Everyday I want to talk to you. I want to hear your voice & you hear mine, I want to hear your ideas, thoughts,  I want to hear what’s been on your mind lately – And I share my Heart, my Mind, my Will with you. But you never make time for me. When you wake up – I get excited to hear from you– spend some quality time with you before your day begins. But Oh no, When you wake up, the first thing on your mind is not me. You are already planning how your day is going to go – and don’t care to even involve me. I know that your work, your day’s agenda is important to you, I won’t argue about that but if you say we are in a relationship how come I am not even involved.  How come we never spend quality time like we should? Yeah sure you say hello here and there but that’s about it. The only time that you really talk to me or involve me in your life is when you need something from me OR when all hell is breaking loose on you and you need my help”

AT THIS TIME GOD HAD MY FULL ATTENTION… YOU CAN IMAGINE THE CONVICTION THAT HIT ME.

GOD: You say you love me – but what an interesting way of showing it.

The same way you crave your husband’s undivided attention – the way you desire his love and affection demonstrated – no matter how busy he is with his schooling, work and ministry – is no where compared to how I crave, desire, need your attention, affection too.

ME: But Lord, I do talk to you. I do.

God: When it’s convenient for you

ME: There’s never enough time

God: hmmm But you sure have time for all your TV SHOWS, Social media, online shopping, your friends ETC

ME: oh Yeah. Lord please forgive me – I have been selfish with my time. Help me to spend more time with you. Teach me to Love you MORE than anything else in this world. I am sorry for neglecting our relationship – will you give me another chance?

God: My arms are always open wide – waiting for you.

Oh and about your husband – you can have him back– I just wanted YOU TO KNOW HOW I FEEL.

In that moment my eyes where opened to see the amazing and unconditional love my husband had and has for me. The sacrifices he made to make me happy. The time he took away from studying to just hold me even if just for a few minutes. The small things that he did  like help with the dishes or household chores. WOW, Lord Thank you – Lesson Learned 🙂

Friends – If you are stilling reading this- then probably you can totally relate. Even if you don’t – Let this be an encouragement to you. Always make time for God. Do you know that if HE turned away HIS EYES from  you just for a Second – your life would be a TOTAL Chaos.

By virtue of you being able to wake up, go to work, see your friends, do all that you want to do – it’s because of His Grace and Love for you.

YOU ARE GOD’S CREATION AND HE NEED’S TIME WITH HIS CREATION.

After all, TIME belongs to Him.

Do you know that, when we spend time with Lord as we should and have Him involved in every detail of our lives – Life will be a lot easier than it is. It is written that He is the Beginning and The End (Revelations 1:8). He knew us before we were even born (Jeremiah 1:5) – That means His is aware of the things that have happened; about to happen; and will happen in the future. Spending time with God aligns you to his purpose and will  for your life. Could it be that some of the things that give us sleepless nights could be avoided if we just took time to be in God’s Presence and hear what He has got planned for us today (Jeremiah 29:11). Spending time with God especially in the morning helps you to have a fresh start in the morning and a new and heavenly outlook to the day. Let your steps be directed and ordered by God – God enjoys and delights in every detail of your life.  Spend time with Him. Don’t neglect Him. He desires to communicate with you. Everything about you is IMPORTANT to Him.

Today’s Declaration:

• I will make time to spend quality time with God
• I will commit my everyday plans into His hand
• No matter how busy I get I will not neglect prayer  and bible study time – IN JESUS NAME – Let It Be So!

DEVOTION PRAYER:

Lord, we are sorry for robbing you of what truly belongs to you – TIME. We have used (y)our  TIME selfishly. We have neglected what’s most important in life -OUR RELATIONSHIP with you. Lord by your grace and power of the Holy Spirit help us to always make time to spend with you. Help us to make permanent dwelling in your presence always. Even when Life gets in the way and we are too busy – enable us to always look to you for leading and direction. We love you Lord. In Jesus name, AMEN

-Lady Rue J. (aka) Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”

PS: This Christmas Season as we spend time with family, party, enjoy ourselves let us not forget the true reason and purpose for Christmas – JESUS.

Make time to be thankful for all that God has done and spending time with Him. His our Father who loves us dearly.

God Bless and have a wonderful Christmas!

LIVING PAST YOUR MISTAKES

Today, I want you to know that you can live past your Mistakes. Don’t allow your Past to Hold you hostage and hinder you from achieving your dream or pursuing your passion. Its Time to live Beyond your mistakes and be everything that you were created to be. Determine in your spirit that I will not short change myself and experience LESS; when I was created for MORE.

Your Mistakes should accelerate you into your destiny and NOT hold you back.

YOU ARE GREATER THAN YOUR MISTAKE. 

COOKIES GONE WRONG – LIVING PAST YOUR MISTAKES – DEVOTION

Most people, who know me, know that I love and enjoy baking. So, this month I have been baking for daily prayer meetings at my church. It so happened that yesterday, I simply messed up. I put an ingredient that wasn’t part of the recipe to substitute an ingredient I didn’t have. The scones tasted horrible least to say. I remember feeling a little downcast as to how I could have made such a mistake. Pretty much no one managed eat them (one bite was enough) because they were that bad…lol. Me being me, I resolved in my heart not bake for a bit (taking a break- I called it) until I could courage up and bake again.

Isn’t it sad how a small mishap can cause us to give up on what we truly love to do? God used this experience to teach me something important- He said that, “in life you are not always going to be perfect. You will make some mistakes – lots of them. But making mistakes shouldn’t define who you are but challenge you to do better if not learn something from it”.

YOU ARE GREATER THAN YOUR MISTAKES. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR MISTAKES TO HOLD YOU HOSTAGE. LEARN FROM THEM, MOVE FORWARD AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE.

Mistakes sometimes just remind us that we are human (we aren’t perfect) BUT we need GOD (whose perfect) to complete us.  Dear friends, please don’t allow your mistakes to create mountains out of a small stone that you can simply kick to the side and keep moving. Even if the world, your friends, your family, your co-workers…etc fail to accept your mistakes – We serve a God who loves us beyond our mistakes and through His Love for us we become better and more like him. May this be an encouragement to you – Don’t give up on a dream, a passion, a vision simply because of one or two mistakes.

MISTAKES HAPPEN, BUT THEY SHOULDN’T DEFINE YOU AS A PERSON OR DICTATE YOUR LIFE. 

Am I still going to bake? Yes I certainly am

Am I afraid? – Yes I am – But I will bake anyway. Even If I make more mistakes- eventually I will get it right.

Take a moment to revisit the areas in your life where the enemy has lied to you. Told you -you were a failure – that you should just give up – that you should just take a break. Whatever the lie the enemy has told you – It has no power over you unless if you allow it to. I encourage you to stand up for yourself and fight for your dream, passion, whatever it maybe – Do whatever it takes to do what you love with out fear. I believe you can do it – Do you believe?

I pray this encouraged someone today 🙂

Today’s Declarations:

1. I refuse to be held hostage by my past mistakes
2. I refuse to be a prisoner of unrealistic perfectionism
3. I choose to accept Me for Me and love myself
4. I choose to fight for what’s important to me
5. I choose to fight for my dream, my vision, my passion – to fight for what I love against all odds.

Devotion Prayer:

Lord I thank you for this loved one who’s reading this devotion. I pray that you give them the courage to keep on keeping on even when they have made a mistake or failed at something. Help them to realize that their mistakes don’t define them. I pray that you give them their bounce back and the confidence back. Lord I pray you help them to look to you always and remember that  they are “More Than Conquerors” and that “They Can Do Anything Through CHRIST who gives them strength” – In Jesus name, I Pray – AMEN

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged!

-Lady Rue J. aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”

SINGLED-OUT ON PURPOSE

I remember, growing up as a child – I was always the unlucky one – well so I thought. Especially at school – I was that kid that always got caught on the wrong side of things. It didn’t matter how many other kids were also doing wrong – for some reason I would always be the one who got singled out. The entire class could be making noise but I seemed to always be the one that the teacher would single out. Or maybe a group of us could be late from coming back from lunch break – and again I would be the only one to get singled out. Excuse you what about everyone else who came in late – did you not just see them. Why am I being the only person who is being singled out; why am I being the only one being punished. I never understood why this always happened until now when the Lord opened my eyes to see what was actually happening. God said the reason why you were being singled out wasn’t because your teachers didn’t like you – No in fact they loved you – Loved you so much they singled you out not to shame you but to help shape your character to align with the leader they saw you to be. The potential they saw in you was what caused them to Single you out.

And Guess what? – God also does that with you and I – He will purposely single you out to bring the best out of you. Friend, there will be times when God will Single You Out for your benefit and His Glory. However uncomfortable or difficult -It’s necessary .

Being singled out is not the easiest thing to embrace. But God reminded me that He singles out those that He loves. The purpose of singling you out is not meant to break you, but rather to prevent you from further self-distraction. I have had times when I will  go to the Lord in prayer complaining about so and so – complaining about how they did me wrong. And instead of God backing me up and cheering me on in my sulking and complaining attitude – He instructs me to go make things right by apologizing. “URRRH God; did I not mention I am the one who was wronged here and not the other way around.  I am supposed to be the one receiving the apology “. But God response remains the same “Go make things right”. I never understood this kind of instruction. Sometimes I would cry back to the Lord that I be the one on the receiving end of an apology- “Lord for once can’t he/she come and apologize this time around. Lord you know they are at fault – so why am I the one going to make peace” – You know what I am talking about right?

In cases like this when God Singled me out and called me out to go apologize even though I wasn’t at fault or not entirely at fault – He reminded me –  Because you are my Light – Because I have chosen you and set you apart you – You will do what is right by Me. I see the bigger picture – will you let go of your ego and follow through.

Whenever God singles me out I am encouraged and reminded that I am supposed to shine His Light at all times. When people see me they are supposed to see His Image in me. So if my behavior is not reflecting His light – He singles me out. It doesn’t matter if everyone else around speaks unbecomingly, behaves crazy, responds rudely, have no regard for authority or others– Because He expects more out of me, He singles me out.

The bibles says in

Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)

“6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

When God singles you out – its because He loves you. From the above scripture it is evident that when God is disciplining or singling you out – His doing it for your best – Training you to live God’s holy best. At the time being singled out, being disciplined isn’t much fun. However, later of course, it pays off bountifully, for it is the well-trained who find themselves mature in character and their relationship with God. God improves our character every time He disciplines us. Let’s face it; admitting that you were wrong to someone is not easy, apologizing to someone is not easy (especially if you don’t think you are wrong), being the bigger person can be quite the challenge – But when we heed to God’s correction and do as He instructs we will reap the reward sooner or later. God is continually working in us so that we can be Holy like He is. So today embrace God’s discipline and when He singles you out know that his simply shaping the right character in you and molding you to be more and more like Him.

Maybe God has been singling you out:

• At your workplace – how you relate or speak to your co-workers or boss,
• In your marriage –how you respond or treat your spouse,
• With your Friends – how you are always right and it’s all about you;
• On Social Media – what you post – does it reflect the Christ in you?
• The TV shows you watch;
• The Jokes you entertain and laugh at and so on.

Do not be dismayed – If He is correcting you through conviction- it’s because He loves you. As the sons and daughters of God we are held up at a higher standard in all we do. What may be a free pass to some may be a NO NO to you.

I encourage you to hold with high regard your interactions, your actions, your attitude, your daily living..etc For you are the IMAGE of God on earth. Embrace his discipline and correction – You have been singled-out on  purpose; for a purpose.

This week challenge:

1. Take heed to God’s correction, rebuke or instruction (If GOD has so long ago told you to make things right with a friend, a sibling, a parent, a spouse, a co-worker , the lady at the grocery store.. you name it – Take it upon you to go and make it right. You will be amazed at how a sincere apology goes a long way and softens even the hardest of hearts)
2. Do what is right according to God’s standard – WWJD
3. Let your light shine brighter and brighter everyday

Remember:

YOU HAVE BEEN SINGLED-OUT ON PURPOSE FOR A PURPOSE

Be blessed and be encouraged 🙂

~Lady Rue J. aka Ruvimbo Judith

“Let Your Light Shine”