Author: findchristianman

  • He Says He’s a Christian, But Is There Fruit?

    He Says He’s a Christian, But Is There Fruit?

    A Profession of Faith Matters, but Jesus Told Us to Look at the Fruit

    A man telling you that he is a Christian should matter to you. If you belong to Jesus Christ, you should want a man who belongs to Him too. But somewhere along the way, we can make the mistake of treating the words “I’m a Christian” as though they answer every other question we need to ask. They don’t. A man may attend church, know Scripture, pray with you, serve in ministry, and know how to have a spiritual conversation. Those things are good, but Jesus gave us something deeper to look for. Luke 6:44 (NKJV) says, “For every tree is known by its own fruit.” Jesus did not tell us to determine what kind of tree we are looking at by what the tree says about itself. Eventually, what is inside is going to produce something we can see. So when a man tells you that he loves Jesus, listen to him. But then give yourself enough time to see what that relationship with Jesus is producing in his life.

    Fruit Shows Up in the Way He Lives

    Fruit takes time to observe, and sometimes you learn the most about a person’s character when things are not going his way. How does he treat people when there is nothing in it for him? What happens when he is disappointed, inconvenienced, corrected, or told no? Can he admit when he is wrong, or does every disagreement somehow become somebody else’s fault? Does he keep his word? How does he handle money? Does he respect your boundaries when they interfere with what he wants? Is he teachable? Can he forgive? Does he exercise self-control?

    Galatians 5:22–23(NLT) says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” We are not looking for a man who demonstrates every one of these perfectly every day. None of us does. We are looking for evidence that the Holy Spirit is doing something in him—that when his flesh wants one thing and God requires another, there is evidence that he is learning to submit himself to God.

    Be Careful About Explaining Away What You See

    This is where discernment can become difficult, because once we really like someone, we can start helping him explain away his own fruit. We call a pattern of anger “stress.” We call controlling behavior “protective.” We call inconsistency “he’s just busy.” We call sexual pressure “chemistry.” We call spiritual passivity “he’s still growing.” And yes, people do get stressed, people are busy, and every Christian is still growing. One bad response does not tell you everything there is to know about a man’s character. But neither should you keep giving a different explanation for the same behavior every time it appears. There is a difference between extending grace to an imperfect person and refusing to accept what repeated behavior is showing you. Matthew 7:20 (NKJV) says, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Sometimes the hardest part of discernment isn’t figuring out what you’re seeing. It is being willing to accept what you’re seeing when you hoped the relationship would become something more.

    Look for Patterns, Not Perfection

    A godly man can have a bad day. He can say the wrong thing, make a poor decision, struggle in an area of his life, or need time to mature. The question is what happens when his failure is brought into the light. Does he repent? Does he make excuses? Does he receive correction, or does he resent anyone who challenges him? Does he want to grow, or does he simply want you to become more comfortable with behavior that should concern you? One of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity is not that a person never gets anything wrong, but that he can be confronted with truth and allow that truth to change him. A man who is following Christ should be becoming more like Christ. Not overnight, and not without struggle, but there should be movement. James 1:22 (NKJV) says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Knowing what the Bible says and allowing the Bible to govern your life are two different things.

    Before you begin imagining what kind of husband he might be, pay attention to the man he already is. You are not trying to determine whether he is flawless, and you are certainly not being called to sit in judgment over another person’s salvation. You are discerning whether the life in front of you is consistent with what he says he believes. Is there humility? Integrity? Repentance? Self-control? Faithfulness? Does he obey God when obedience costs him something? Does his relationship with Jesus Christ affect the way he treats you and other people? Give fruit enough time to grow where you can see it, and don’t allow attraction, loneliness, potential, or the desire to be married to make you afraid to examine what is actually there. If he says he is a Christian, don’t stop there. Look for the fruit.

    Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

    “He Says He’s a Christian, But Is There Fruit?”, written by Alex for https://findchristianman.com, Copyright©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

  • Build Unity Through the Words You Speak

    Build Unity Through the Words You Speak

    “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.”

    Words have power, and they can change the course of our relationships. Through the words we speak, we can help to build unity, strengthen trust, encourage someone who is struggling, and bring peace into situations that could very easily go in another direction. We can also do the opposite. Our words can tear people down, create division, deepen hurt, and sometimes damage a relationship in ways that are very difficult to repair. Proverbs 13:3 tells us plainly that opening our mouths can ruin everything. This doesn’t mean we should be afraid to speak. It means we need to recognize that God has given us a responsibility to be careful about what comes out of our mouths.

    Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 12:34 (NLT), “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” This is one of the reasons our words tell us so much about where we are spiritually. We can try to dismiss something we’ve said by claiming that we were angry, frustrated, or didn’t really mean it, but Jesus teaches us that our words are connected to what is going on in our hearts. If bitterness has been allowed to sit in our hearts, sooner or later it will show up in our conversations. The same is true of jealousy, resentment, fear, and unforgiveness. We may not like admitting this, but sometimes the things that come out of our mouths are God’s way of showing us that there is something going on inside that we need to bring before Him.

    This is especially true when we’ve been hurt in relationships. We can carry the pain of what someone did five or ten years ago into relationships with people who had absolutely nothing to do with it. Before we know it, we’re responding to a person standing in front of us based on something somebody else did years ago. We become suspicious when there is no reason to be suspicious, defensive when no one is attacking us, and angry about things that normally wouldn’t bother us that much. Then we wonder why there is so much tension in the relationship. God doesn’t want us dragging old wounds from one relationship into another. He wants to heal us, and part of that healing has to include the way we think and speak.

    Philippians 4:6 (NLT) says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” God never tells us to pretend that we don’t have problems or that something doesn’t hurt when it does. He tells us to bring those things to Him. This is important because when we don’t take our worries, frustrations, disappointments, and fears to God, we have a tendency to take them out on other people. We say things we shouldn’t say and respond in ways that don’t represent Jesus Christ. Then, after the damage has been done, we wish we could take those words back.

    Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) tells us, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” We need God’s peace operating in our hearts because peaceful relationships are not built by people who never disagree. They’re built by people who have learned that every disagreement doesn’t have to become a war. We don’t have to say everything that comes to our minds, and we don’t have to win every argument. Sometimes spiritual maturity looks like recognizing that we’re too angry to have a productive conversation and giving ourselves time to pray and settle down before we speak. There are also times when something absolutely needs to be said, but we need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to help us say it in a way that produces understanding instead of more division.

    Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) says, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” God is very clear about the standard He has set for our words. He tells us that what we say should be good and helpful, and it should encourage those who hear it. This doesn’t mean that every conversation will be easy or that we should avoid saying things another person may not want to hear. There are times when the truth must be spoken, problems must be addressed, and boundaries must be established. But even then, we don’t have permission to use our words as weapons. Being angry doesn’t give us the right to insult someone, call them names, deliberately say something we know will hurt them, or bring up every mistake they’ve ever made just so we can win an argument. When we belong to Jesus Christ, the way we communicate should demonstrate that He is working in our hearts.

    This is something we have to practice, because controlling our tongues doesn’t come automatically. James 1:19-20 (NLT) tells us, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” Sometimes we’re so busy preparing our response that we haven’t really listened to what the other person is saying. We hear enough to become offended, and immediately we’re ready to defend ourselves. God tells us to do the opposite. He tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. There is wisdom in giving ourselves enough time to understand what someone is saying before we decide how we’re going to respond.

    This becomes even more important when emotions are high. Some things cannot be unsaid. We can apologize, and certainly we should when we’ve hurt someone, but an apology doesn’t erase the fact that the words were spoken. This is why we need the help of the Holy Spirit in our conversations. We need Him to help us recognize when pride is getting in the way, when anger is taking over, and when we’re about to say something that will cause unnecessary damage. We need to become sensitive enough to His leading that when He tells us to stop talking, we stop. There will be another opportunity to discuss the issue after we’ve prayed, settled ourselves down, and are in a better position to hear one another.

    Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) teaches us, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” We are going to experience consequences from the way we communicate with people. If criticism, sarcasm, disrespect, complaining, and harshness are continually coming out of our mouths, we cannot expect those things to produce unity. Over time, they create an atmosphere where people don’t feel safe communicating honestly. On the other hand, when people know that they can speak to us without being attacked, mocked, dismissed, or punished for what they say, trust has room to grow. This doesn’t mean there won’t be disagreements. It means disagreement doesn’t have to destroy the relationship.

    We also have to be willing to examine ourselves when the same communication problems continue showing up in our relationships. It’s very easy to believe that everybody else is too sensitive, difficult, or always misunderstanding us. There may be times when that is true, but when several people have been hurt by the way we speak to them, wisdom requires us to consider whether God is showing us something about ourselves. Spiritual maturity means that we can humble ourselves enough to say, “Lord, if I’m contributing to this problem, please show me.” We can’t build healthy relationships if we’re unwilling to allow God to correct us.

    Colossians 4:6 (NLT) says, “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Grace should be heard in the way God’s people speak. The people closest to us shouldn’t receive the worst of us simply because we know they’ll probably still be there tomorrow. In fact, our closest relationships are where we should be even more mindful of how we communicate. Familiarity should never become an excuse for disrespect. We should want the people we love to know through our words that they are valued, that we’re listening to them, and that even when we disagree, we are committed to treating them in a way that honors God.

    Unity doesn’t mean that two people will always think alike, want the same things, or see every situation the same way. That’s not realistic. Unity means that we value the relationship enough to work through our differences without trying to destroy one another in the process. It requires humility, patience, forgiveness, self-control, and sometimes the willingness to admit that we were wrong. All of these are qualities the Holy Spirit develops in us as we grow in Christ, and eventually they should become evident in the way we speak.

  • God’s Timing Is Always Perfect

    God’s Timing Is Always Perfect

  • Before Your Vineyard of Love is Ruined

    Before Your Vineyard of Love is Ruined

    In Song of Solomon 2:15 (NLT), we read, “Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!” In this verse, “foxes” are used metaphorically. Foxes were known to be destructive to vineyards, and during Old Testament times, their presence was considered a threat to the crops. Similarly, in the context of this poem, “little foxes” symbolize small issues or problems that can threaten the health and beauty of a relationship. Just as foxes can destroy a vineyard, small issues or misunderstandings can harm a relationship if they are not addressed promptly.

    In marriage, it’s easy to take the things we’ve grown accustomed to for granted over time. So, how do we truly value and honor our partners? Reflect on the last time you genuinely expressed appreciation. When was the last time you said “thank you” or let your partner know how much you value them? When they share good news, like getting a great review at work, do you take a moment to congratulate them and celebrate their success?

    Think about the everyday things, too. Do you make an effort to cook regularly, or to keep the place tidy? These small actions might seem routine, but they carry significant weight. They show that you’re committed to nurturing your relationship and supporting your spouse. Little things like expressing gratitude, celebrating achievements, and sharing household responsibilities all add up to a stronger, more loving bond.

    These seemingly minor gestures play a crucial role in maintaining the health and happiness of your relationship. They reflect a deeper respect and appreciation that make a big difference in the long run.

    Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT) tells us, “3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” In marriage, these verses provide essential guidance on how to cultivate a strong and loving relationship. By embracing humility and prioritizing our spouse’s needs and feelings above our own, we reflect the selfless love that Christ exemplified. This involves actively listening to each other, respecting one another’s feelings, and being willing to make sacrifices.

    When both partners commit to these principles, it creates a supportive and caring environment where both individuals feel valued. Embracing this attitude not only strengthens the relationship but also reflects the selfless love that Jesus Christ demonstrated, prioritizing his example in our marriages.

    Hebrews 13:4 (NLT) tells us, “4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.” This means that marriage should be respected and valued and staying loyal and committed to our spouses is crucial for a happy and healthy relationship.

    In a marriage, it’s important to guard against the small issues or conflicts that can damage our love, often referred to as “little foxes” in the vineyard of our relationship. Even when it feels like our spouse isn’t fully engaged or giving their best, we must make the right choices and follow Christ’s example of love and faithfulness. By doing so, we nurture our relationship and keep it strong, as we strive to reflect the selfless and enduring love that God desires for us all. ■

    Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

    “Before Your Vineyard of Love is Ruined”, written for findchristianman.wordpress.com. Copyright©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  • The Most Important Step to Godly Marriage

    The Most Important Step to Godly Marriage

    What You Honor Now Shapes What You Can Sustain Later

    In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT), God’s Word teaches us a profound truth: “19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Despite society’s attempts to downplay this truth, it remains pivotal in shaping our understanding of personal worth and responsibility before God. Sadly, even within the believing community, there are those who have embraced societal norms over God’s standards. However, there are also those who steadfastly uphold and honor this biblical principle.

    Many single believers today are earnestly seeking marriage and have committed to abstinence, but in a culture where premarital intimacy is normalized, they find themselves challenged as they uphold God’s standards. Choosing to honor Him in this area often invites criticism, but we should never be swayed by this.

    Allegiance to God’s standard

    Scripture provides clear guidance on living distinctively as followers of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV), God calls believers to maintain separation from worldly influences, emphasizing the importance of purity and obedience to His standards: “Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’” This directive from our Heavenly Father emphasizes the call to live in a manner that honors God’s holiness and reflects our identity as His children.

    Similarly, Romans 12:2 exhorts us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to undergo a transformation through the renewal of our minds, enabling us to discern and live according to God’s good and perfect will. This transformation is essential for living a life that is pleasing to God. Many people think of abstinence as an extreme sacrifice they are unwilling to make. In truth, it is the privilege of obedience that allows us to demonstrate our love for God and unwavering commitment to live by faith.

    Embracing Purity and Purpose

    Sexual purity isn’t just about following rules—it deeply affects our spiritual health and how we honor God. As 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) bluntly puts it, “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.” This verse shows how sexual choices can seriously impact us physically and spiritually. We must be careful in this area.

    In today’s world, some might say that staying abstinent is old-fashioned or not practical. But believers should know that our main focus isn’t about fitting in with society—it’s about pleasing God. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) encourages us to “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” This verse reminds us to get rid of anything that hinders our relationship with God, including temptations that pull us away from His plan for purity.

    The decision to uphold God’s standards often means facing worldly pressures. It’s a choice between pleasing others or honoring God. While society may prioritize physical desires, our Heavenly Father desires our purity and offers His Spirit to guide us through temptations.

    Again, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and honoring God with our bodies leads to His blessings, including His guidance in relationships. He wants us to have a God-honoring marriage, and if we seek His wisdom earnestly, He will guide us away from sexual sin and into the beautiful marital union we desire. We must be clear that abstinence isn’t about legalism—it’s about aligning our lives with God’s Will. Abstinence is the most important step we can take towards a Godly marriage. It’s a way to honor Him and protect our own well-being, ensuring we can walk in His blessings and purpose for our lives.

    Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

    “The Most Important Step to Godly Marriage”, written for findchristianman.wordpress.com. Copyright©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  • Trusting God’s Wisdom for Relationships

    Trusting God’s Wisdom for Relationships

    You Don’t Find the Right Man Without First Following the Right Voice

    In Proverbs 4:4–5 (NLT), Solomon recalls the wisdom his father taught him: “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.” This wasn’t casual instruction—it was direction meant to shape a life. And Solomon didn’t just hear it—he took it in, held onto it, and allowed it to guide how he moved. That’s the difference. Wisdom that sits on the surface won’t change anything. But wisdom that’s internalized will begin to govern your decisions.

    And that matters more than we realize—especially when it comes to relationships.

    Many of us are praying for a good, godly man, but we haven’t fully submitted to the wisdom that prepares us to recognize godly character and make wise relationship choices. We want the outcome, but we don’t always want the process. Yet Proverbs 4:7 (NLT) makes it plain: “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” You don’t make wise relationship choices by chance—you learn to make them by being led by God. Wisdom and discernment are what protect you from choosing based on emotion, timing, or pressure instead of truth.

    Because if we’re honest, some of us have learned this the hard way.

    We’ve followed what felt right. We’ve moved too quickly. We’ve overlooked what God was trying to show us because we wanted something to work. But God, in His mercy, doesn’t leave us there. He doesn’t define us by our past, but He does call us to grow from it. Internalizing His wisdom means that we do more than just acknowledge what went wrong—we allow His Word to reshape how we choose moving forward.

    Jesus Christ makes the order clear in Matthew 6:33 (NLT): “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” That includes your relationships. Seeking God first doesn’t mean you’ll never have questions or make mistakes, but it does establish the order of your life. His Word becomes the standard that helps you recognize what honors Him, what doesn’t, and where your own desires may be influencing what you see.

    So this isn’t just about waiting—it’s about alignment with God’s plan for you.

    God already knows your future. He knows whether marriage is part of it, and He knows who you may one day marry. Nothing about your life is uncertain to God, even when it feels very uncertain to you. Nothing about your life is uncertain to Him, even when it feels very uncertain to you. But our impatience cannot be allowed to push us ahead of His wisdom. We don’t control how this comes together. We participate through obedience, through growth, and through trusting His timing even when it stretches us. Because real peace doesn’t come from finally having someone—it comes from knowing you didn’t step outside of God to get there.

    And this is where we have to be careful.

    The world has a lot to say about relationships—what’s acceptable, what’s normal, what’s worth tolerating. But God’s standard has never shifted. If we allow culture to shape our expectations, we’ll find ourselves accepting things that look good on the surface but are completely out of alignment with His Will. And that kind of compromise always costs more than we think.

    So we have to release our grip. Not because we don’t care—but because we trust Him more than we trust ourselves.

    Let God lead you. Let His Word correct the places where your thinking and choices need to change, and let His wisdom teach you how to move differently. When we really trust God’s wisdom, we stop trying to make things work that He hasn’t confirmed. We stop making excuses for things His Word tells us are wrong, and we stop convincing ourselves to settle just because we’re tired of waiting.

    Trusting God’s wisdom doesn’t mean every decision about relationships will be easy. Sometimes you’re going to have to walk away when you really wanted to stay. There may be times when God is telling you to slow down when everything in you wants to move forward. And sometimes, you simply have to wait. This is why our confidence has to be in God and not in our feelings. His wisdom will always keep us aligned with His Will when we are willing to follow it.

    At the end of the day, finding the right man can never become more important than following the right voice. We can’t ask God to lead us and then ignore Him when His direction isn’t what we wanted to hear. Jesus Christ must come first. When He does, we can trust God with who comes into our lives, who needs to leave, and everything in between. ■

    Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

    “Trusting God’s Wisdom for Relationships”, written for findchristianman.wordpress.com. Copyright©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  • God Can’t Be Rushed

    God Can’t Be Rushed

    There are inevitably days when being single feels like it’s outstayed its welcome. Longing for the companionship of a husband, you yearn for those days to pass quickly and never return. “Lord, how much longer must I wait?” you ask. The truth of Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT) gives us much-needed encouragement: “7 But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” God remains steadfast and faithful as we go through our ups and downs, but we must know that His focus is on our soul’s ultimate transformation and growth during this period of waiting.

    Our Heavenly Father deserves our unwavering confidence and faith in Him, extending way beyond the anticipation of a long-awaited partner in life. In Philippians 4:19 (NLT), the Apostle Paul testifies of God’s power, provision, and faithfulness: “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Our Heavenly Father promises to take care of all our needs, and when He makes a promise to us, He’s not going to waver back and forth. He always keeps His promises.

    One of the underlying truths of all blessings is that God can’t be rushed. His timing is perfect, and this truth is the conduit through which all blessings are delivered. Waiting to meet and develop a relationship with our marital partner is a part of trusting God’s timing and plan for our lives.

    Preparation

    The reality of life is that God doesn’t force things to happen. If this was His way, then we’d most likely be born already saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. We’d come out of the womb knowing His Word fully, but we all know that this isn’t the case. God waits on us to grow and learn, and to ultimately make the choice to love Him for ourselves.

    Waiting allows us to grow spiritually and personally, becoming the kind of person who is prepared for a healthy relationship. Personal struggles with doubts, wrong believing, and negative habit patterns can hinder a relationship from flourishing in Christ. Galatians 5:24 (NLT) says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” Many of us haven’t done this. We’ve not made it a priority to seek God through prayer and studying His Word in order to renew our minds and nail the passions and desires of our sinful nature to the cross.

    If we haven’t demonstrated a deep commitment to God during our singleness, it may be challenging to maintain that commitment once married. This shortfall can have long-term consequences, leading to heartbreak and pain for everyone involved.

    Purpose and Alignment

    Romans 8:28 (NLT) is a powerful and comforting message about the assurance and faithfulness of God in the lives of believers: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” This verse reminds us that God is the One with the plan for each of us, including the timing of when the right person will enter our lives. Waiting acknowledges that God orchestrates circumstances, our spiritual readiness, and the readiness of the other person to align perfectly according to His purpose. It’s a period of trusting His timing and preparing ourselves spiritually and emotionally for what He has in store.

    Even though it may not seem evident to us, God is orchestrating events behind the scenes to align both partners with His purpose, ensuring their relationship starts on a solid foundation. Waiting allows these divine aspects to unfold naturally, but we’re not to sit around twiddling our thumbs. Instead, we should be partnering with God through our faith and diligence.

    Not giving up hope despite delays or setbacks, cultivating patience, acquiring new skills, and using the waiting period as an opportunity to serve others and contribute positively to their lives; these are the kinds of diligent effort that our Heavenly Father rewards. So, by practicing diligence during the wait, we align ourselves with God’s purposes and position ourselves to receive His blessings in His perfect timing.

    God tells us that those who trust in Him are like trees planted by the river. Unaffected by tough times, we remain anchored in Him, productive and nurtured by Him continually through Christ. He can’t be rushed, but He will be pleased by our efforts to use our time as singles as a season of preparation and growth. It’s an opportunity to surrender our desires to God’s timing and guidance, knowing that His plans are ultimately for our good and His glory. ■

    Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

    “God Can’t Be Rushed”, written for findchristianman.wordpress.com. Copyright©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  • God Never Makes Mistakes

    God Never Makes Mistakes

    Proverbs 31:10-12 (NLT) beautifully portrays the value of a virtuous and capable wife: “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Many hold this verse as the gold standard for what a man should seek in a woman. It’s God’s standard, timeless and true, and for women that are devoted to God, it serves as a benchmark that we should strive to embody.

    These verses show us that God’s Will for relationships, especially marriage, is for them to be meaningful and fulfilling. His standard of honor, devotion, and dedication is as important for the woman as it is for the man, but in these verses, He’s dealing with the role of a wife. His description of the honorable character He expects her to possess shows us how much she should mean to her husband and the positive impact she should have on his life. This passage reminds us that God’s plans are always perfect and purposeful, especially when it comes to relationships. It’s a beautiful picture of how He designed marriage to be a source of support, love, and growth for both partners.

    Jesus Christ commands us in Matthew 6:33 (NLT) to: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” God never makes mistakes. This profound directive by our Lord and Savior is in God’s Word because our Heavenly Father requires us to adhere to it with all that we are. As women, we prioritize God and His Kingdom by doing what He says and following the standards He has set for us. Many of us have allowed the world and its standards to infiltrate our hearts and minds, and we are assimilating it into a lifestyle that shuns holiness. The danger of this lack of allegiance is that it will taint every aspect of our lives. It stagnates our blessings and cheats us out of our heart’s desire.

    2Corinthians 4:4(NLT) informs and describes how the wrong beliefs can keep our eyes blinded from the truth: “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”

    It’s common to hear women lament that all men are alike and that good ones are hard to find, but this is a matter of perception, and is not steeped in the truth. Our eyes must be open to the perfection, holiness, purity, omnipotence, and glory of God’s being in order for them to perceive the opportunities and blessings that embracing the truth of Him reveal. It should not be a surprise to us that the enemy wants to keep us blinded and following the world’s standards, so that we are continually separated from the blessings of God. We should wholeheartedly reject the tricks of the enemy, and cling to God and His Word.

    God never makes mistakes. He doesn’t forget about the needs and desires of His daughters. There is a plethora of good men who are looking for good women, but we must be clear that our hearts must be sold out to faith in God. We must demonstrate this through our allegiance to seek Him first and to live by what He has said in His Word. This is not a burdensome undertaking, but a glorious one! When we prioritize God and align our lives with His truth, we open ourselves to His best for us in every aspect, including relationships. ■

    Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

    “God Never Makes Mistakes”, written for findchristianman.wordpress.com. Copyright©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  • Now is Not the Time to Be Comfortable

    Now is Not the Time to Be Comfortable

    Comfort Can Cost You What You Didn’t Realize Was at Risk

    One day, sitting at a red light, I watched a woman walk straight through a busy intersection—completely absorbed in her phone. Cars were moving, people were watching, but she was unaware. And in that moment, it hit me—distraction doesn’t always feel dangerous until it is. That’s how it happens spiritually too. We don’t always drift because we’re rebellious; sometimes we drift because we’ve grown comfortable. We let our guard down in places that actually require awareness, and over time, what once felt small becomes the very thing that leaves us exposed.

    Revelation 3:2–3 (NLT) gives a direct wake-up call: “Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead… Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.” This isn’t gentle language—it’s urgent. Because spiritual complacency doesn’t just pause growth, it weakens what was once alive. And if we’re honest, some of us are moving through life with our eyes open, but spiritually we’ve gone quiet. When it comes to the things of God, we’re passive, unguarded, and unaware of how much our spiritual strength matters.

    Scripture makes it plain—there’s no neutral ground here. You’re either aligned with God or you’re drifting, but there’s no safe middle to hide in. 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) tells us, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” That means we don’t get to coast. We don’t get to move through life half-aware, especially when it comes to the areas that matter most. We stay grounded by remaining in God’s Word, by praying consistently, and by seeking His direction before we move—not after we’ve already stepped into something we didn’t fully discern.

    And this matters deeply when it comes to relationships. As single women, it’s easy to fall into patterns that feel normal but quietly leave us unguarded—entertaining attention too quickly, opening up too soon, or allowing emotions to lead before God has spoken. But your heart is not something to casually place in someone’s hands. The enemy often targets this area first, because if he can disrupt your discernment, he can influence your direction. This is why we can’t afford to move impulsively. We don’t dive in—we seek God first, allowing Him to lead us with clarity instead of trying to sort things out after we’re already emotionally involved.

    Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” That includes your relationships. God is not silent about who you connect with—He is intentional. He leads, He warns, and He confirms. But we have to stay in position to hear Him. Comfort can make you careless if you’re not paying attention, and this is not the time for that. We are living in times that require spiritual awareness, not emotional impulse. You can’t afford to walk blindly into something that looks good but isn’t aligned.

    Take your time. Pay attention. Watch for fruit. And most importantly, stay connected to God every step of the way. Pray before you open your heart. Seek Him before you say yes. Don’t ignore what the Holy Spirit is showing you just because something feels good. Peace doesn’t come from rushing—it comes from alignment. And when you stay aligned with God, you don’t have to strive to figure everything out. He will lead you, guard you, and guide you into what is truly right for your life.

    Now is not the time to be comfortable. It’s the time to be aware, anchored, and led. ■

    Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

    “Now Is Not the Time to Be Comfortable”, written for findchristianman.wordpress.com. Copyright©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  • God Is Always Watching

    God Is Always Watching

    Ephesians 5:15 (NLT) delivers a powerful truth: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.” This verse reminds us that God sees it all, and He’s watching not just what we do but also our faith and love. He knows the motivation behind every choice and action we make, and when we’re careful how we live, our faith and love towards God will manifest in our lives in a powerful way!

    Let me introduce you to Yvonne’s journey towards this realization. She’s the epitome of a multitasker—juggling motherhood, a job as a travel agent, moonlighting as a hair braider, and a dedicated member of her church’s choir.  But what truly sets her apart isn’t just her busy schedule; it’s her knack for making everyone feel at home in her braiding chair. People spill their life stories to her, knowing she’s a vault of trust. She learned early on that gossiping wasn’t her style—partly because it’s messy, but also because her grandma drummed into her that God isn’t a fan of this practice at all.

    After hearing so many of her clients’ stories of heartbreak and mistakes, Yvonne offered a consoling ear, but she was also making mental notes and praying to the Lord that she would never find herself in their situations. The wisdom of Micah 6:8 (NLT) says, “The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Yvonne’s grandmother taught her this very basic tenet of our faith. We must do what is right, love acts of compassion, forgiveness, and kindness, and we must throw arrogance to the wind and always be humble towards our Heavenly Father. This Godly wisdom had been Yvonne’s backbone and helped to guide her out of many of the challenges she had faced in life. Recently, though, she’s been struggling with it.

    Two years after her divorce, her last relationship was another crash course in heartache. She dove in heart first, only to spend months picking up the pieces. Her grandma’s voice echoed in her head, urging her to wise up and stop chasing after the wrong things, but that voice was drowned out by Yvonne’s refusal to let this man go and obey God.

    A pattern of on-again-off-again summed up many of her other client’s relationships, and some of them were dating the same man and didn’t even know it. They relentlessly pursued men that were non-committal and unfaithful. Yvonne had vowed to never allow herself to be taken in like that, but there she was—stalking, obsessed over a man who simply wasn’t interested in loving her.

    Jesus Christ states in Matthew 6:33(NLT): “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” This isn’t just a piece a wisdom to be placed on a shelf somewhere; it’s a game-changer! Our commitment to the Father must be wholehearted. God is watching. He sees our hearts, and they tell Him the condition of our love and faith towards Him. Don’t be unwise and let the enemy trap you by fooling you into idolatry. Get your head and heart into living this life of Christ and become more grounded in your love and faith towards God.

    Instead of blindly following our emotions, we need to question our motives, learn from our blunders, and stick close to God’s Word. Yvonne woke up, switched gears, and surrendered her all to the Lord, and this is the move many of us desperately need to make, especially at this juncture in our lives. As we grow older, we must realize that time is a precious commodity. We can’t afford to waste it stumbling through life. Whether we missed out on life lessons or chose to ignore them, we can’t hit rewind. As women of God, we’ve got to be strategic, walking in wisdom, truth, and God’s guidance every step of the way. This is the path that pleases Him, and it will always lead to His blessings and peace. ■

    Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

    “God Is Always Watching”, written for findchristianman.wordpress.com. Copyright©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.