Rediscovering Grace, Growth, and God's Purpose in the Wake of Change

 

It’s Not What Time Steals That Matters—It’s What It Leaves Behind

Time is a strange teacher. It moves without asking, takes without warning, and often leaves us standing in the middle of change wondering what just happened. Life changes—relationships drift, opportunities pass, loved ones are lost, and dreams shift. But amid all that is taken, what truly matters is what remains. In the wake of loss, we are given the invitation to rediscover grace, growth, and God’s purpose.

1. When Time Moves On Without Us

Have you ever felt like life changed before you had the chance to prepare for it? Like a chapter was closed and you weren’t ready to let go? Whether it's the death of a loved one, a job loss, relocation, or personal heartbreak, sudden changes can feel like a theft. Time robs us of what was—but in that emptiness, it also whispers of what still is and what can be.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

God allows seasons not to punish us, but to prepare us. If we focus only on what time has stolen, we risk missing the treasures left behind—spiritual resilience, hidden strength, and deeper intimacy with God.

2. Rediscovering Grace in the Wilderness

Grace is not just for the moments when we feel strong; it is especially for the wilderness. When you find yourself stripped of comfort and certainty, grace arrives not in loud declarations, but in subtle ways—quiet strength to wake up, courage to keep moving, and mercy that meets you in tears.

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

The apostle Paul learned that God's grace doesn't always come in the form of deliverance. Sometimes, it shows up as endurance. Grace teaches us to lean on God rather than our understanding. It reminds us that even when we feel we’ve lost everything, God is still present.

3. Growth Through Broken Ground

It is in broken soil that seeds take root. Similarly, life’s trials often till the hardened places in our hearts. Change, although painful, has the potential to become a fertile ground for spiritual maturity. The process is not easy, but it is sacred.

“But we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” – Romans 5:3–4

Every tear shed, every silent prayer whispered, becomes a watering of the soul. Growth may not always be visible immediately, but it is always happening underneath the surface. God does not waste pain; He transforms it into purpose.

4. What Time Leaves Behind: A New Lens

Time changes how we see. What used to matter may fade in importance. What we once ignored becomes precious. In the wake of significant change, we begin to view life differently—not through the lens of fear, but of eternal purpose.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:2

When we lose something temporal, we often find something eternal. Time strips away illusions and distractions, leaving behind what truly matters: faith, love, truth, and the deep awareness of God’s sovereignty. Pain doesn’t just change our path—it changes our vision.

5. Finding God's Purpose in the Rubble

Purpose is not always found in clarity; sometimes it’s discovered in chaos. God’s plans are not derailed by what you’ve lost. In fact, the detour might be His divine direction.

“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.” – Romans 8:28

The loss of a job may push you toward a calling you ignored. The heartbreak may lead you to a relationship that’s healthier. The death of a loved one may draw you deeper into the arms of God. His purpose never ends with pain—it flows through it.

6. Anchored in Hope: You’re Still Standing

If you’re reading this, it means you’ve survived something. You’re still standing. You may be limping, yes. You may be weary. But you’re standing—and that is proof that grace has held you.

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee...they shall not overflow thee.” – Isaiah 43:2

The journey ahead is not about avoiding more change, but learning to walk through it with wisdom. And even more, with worship. Let your survival become your story. Let your scars become your sermon.

7. The Power of Remembering What Remains

Rather than focusing on what’s gone, focus on what remains:

• Your faith is still intact.
• Your heart still beats.
• Your calling is still alive.
• Your God is still good.

Time will always move, but your spirit doesn’t have to be swept away. Remember what remains—love, lessons, strength, and vision. God has not changed even when your world has.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” – Hebrews 13:8

8. Living From What Was Left Behind

In the wake of change, live from what was left behind—not what was taken. Let grace lead your actions. Let growth inspire your discipline. Let God’s purpose guide your decisions.

You were never meant to stay stuck in what was lost. You are being shaped by what remains. And in that place, God meets you—not with shame or guilt, but with renewed purpose.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIV)

That “new thing” begins in you. Not in circumstances changing—but in you changing through circumstances. You may not be who you used to be, but you are becoming who God designed you to be.

9. Practical Ways to Rediscover God's Purpose

If you're in the middle of a life transition or recovering from a major shift, here are some ways to begin walking in grace and rediscovering purpose:

• Journal your journey – Write about your pain, your prayers, and your progress.
• Pray honestly – God can handle your emotions. Be real with Him.
• Re-evaluate your calling – What is God trying to stir in you?
• Talk to someone – Sometimes healing starts with being heard.
• Serve others – Purpose is often unlocked through service.

Healing is a process, but so is rediscovery. As you move forward, know that God is not just restoring you—He’s redefining you.

10. Final Thoughts: Beauty in What Remains

Yes, time may have stolen something precious. But don’t let it rob you of hope. What remains can be more powerful than what was lost—because what remains is eternal, meaningful, and anchored in Christ.

“For which cause we faint not...though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Let this post be your reminder: It’s not what time stole that defines your story. It’s what God left behind that will shape your destiny.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What has time taken from you—and what have you discovered in its place? Share your testimony in the comments. Let’s build each other up, as we walk forward in grace, grow in faith, and live boldly in God’s eternal purpose.

Tagged: Rediscovering God’s Purpose, Grace After Loss, Spiritual Growth, Christian Encouragement, Change and Faith, Richems.com

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A Father From Afar: My Love, Longing, and Letting Go

I once looked up to him not only as a father in the Lord but as a divine voice—a man whose words stirred the heavens and awakened something deep within me. His sermons were like thunder wrapped in glory; they made me crave the anointing he carried. I hungered not just for God, but to walk in the very shadow of his mantle.

“His sermons were like thunder wrapped in glory.”

He wasn’t just a preacher. He was a beacon. He was the voice I turned to when the world felt silent. His teachings became my compass. His prayers seemed to move mountains. And in those moments, I wasn’t just a listener—I was a disciple from afar, leaning into every word, writing down every revelation, praying to become a son in the Spirit.

In my heart, I believed we were spiritually connected—that he saw me, that he knew I was one who genuinely drank from the well of his ministry. I reached out—again and again—during my darkest storm, hoping the one I called father would answer. But silence met me every time.

“For three years, my calls, messages, and quiet cries for spiritual covering went unnoticed. The absence pierced deeper than words.”

The Long Silence

It wasn’t just about unanswered calls. It was about unseen tears. Nights spent in warfare, holding on to the last sermon I had downloaded. Reading old notes. Replaying YouTube videos of his teachings just to feel covered. I was not asking for fame or visibility—I simply wanted the reassurance that I was not alone in the battlefield.

But the silence continued. And in that silence, a slow erosion began. Not of my faith, but of my expectations. I began to realize that sometimes, those we crown in our hearts as heroes are still human—fallible, forgetful, perhaps overwhelmed.

The Wilderness Season

I would love to tell you that I handled it well. That I stayed strong. But I didn’t. I felt rejected. Abandoned. Invisible. I began to question whether I was even worthy of mentorship. Maybe I had made it all up. Maybe I wasn’t really seen.

Yet, in the rawness of that pain, something holy happened. The wilderness, which I thought would destroy me, became the altar of divine intimacy. God stepped in.

“And yet, I survived. God sustained me in the wilderness. I found strength in the silence, direction in the delay, and power in the pressing.”

The God I had longed to meet through another man’s voice, began to speak directly to me. I started waking up with scriptures in my heart. I began to pray without needing background music. My spirit began to catch fire—not because I was seen, but because I was sought after by God Himself.

The Reappearance

Then came the day when I saw him again. Glorious. Anointed. He walked into a meeting with the same fire that once lit up my soul. The crowd erupted. Cameras flashed. I watched, not with bitterness, but with a strange peace. I realized something within me had changed.

“Now, as the storm settles, he reappears like a glowing figure—angelic, powerful, moving with fire again. But something within me has changed.”

I didn’t rush to reconnect. I didn’t push to be seen. I simply observed. Honored. And quietly whispered, "Thank You, Father, for using him to light my path. But thank You even more for leading me Yourself.”

The Beauty of Letting Go

Letting go didn’t mean dishonor. It meant perspective. It meant placing God above the vessel. It meant understanding that my destiny was never in the hands of a man but in the hands of the One who made me.

“I still honor him. I still value the deposit his ministry made in my spirit. But I no longer idolize his voice over the voice of the Holy Spirit.”

This journey taught me to love deeply, but not depend blindly. To honor men, but not to worship them. To be grateful for impartation, but not anchored by human validation. The shift was subtle, but seismic.

When Silence Speaks

We often think silence is absence. But silence can be divine strategy. Had he answered, I would have anchored myself to him, not to God. Had he replied, I may have built a tent around his approval. But in his silence, God’s voice echoed louder.

“I’ve learned that sometimes, the silence of men makes room for the loudness of God.”

The True Fatherhood

I discovered the Fatherhood of God. Not through dramatic encounters, but in the gentle way He carried me daily. Not through prophetic utterances, but in the still small voice that met me in the kitchen, on the street, at 3 a.m. when I wanted to quit.

And though I may never hear from that man of God again, I know now that I’m not fatherless. I’m fully known, fully loved, fully carried.

Healing Without Confrontation

This healing didn’t require a conversation. It didn’t need closure. It came from surrender. From allowing God to rewrite the narrative in my heart. From releasing resentment, and choosing gratitude for what was, without demanding what could have been.

Some lessons aren’t taught by words. They are carved in silence. I walked away not with bitterness, but with a blessing.

“The storm didn’t drown me—it baptized me into something deeper.”

Final Thoughts: A New Honor

I still listen to his sermons. I still quote his words. But now, I see them for what they were—arrows that pointed to God, not substitutes for Him. I walk lighter now. Freer. Rooted not in platforms or relationships, but in Presence.

To anyone out there who’s felt unseen by the one they looked up to: You are not forgotten. God has not overlooked you. There is a divine plan in the silence. Let God father you. Let Him prove to you that He is enough.

“He will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5

Call to Action

Have you ever felt abandoned by a spiritual mentor or someone you looked up to? Share your journey in the comments. Let this be a place of healing and hope. And if this post resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone walking through a similar season.

May you discover the Father’s voice clearly—even when others are silent.

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Faith-Fueled Growth

 

Faith-Fueled Growth: Creating an Action Plan that Builds Credibility, Stays Focused, and Submits to God’s Timing

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

In a world driven by speed, success, and self-made glory, building a life of steady growth that honors God requires more than motivation—it requires submission, strategy, and spiritual sensitivity.

This blog post is your guide to creating a practical action plan that helps you build credibility, stay focused, and grow in a way that glorifies God.

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1. Start with the Vision God Gave You

Everything begins with vision. Without it, we drift. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Before you draft a to-do list or chase goals, pause and ask, “Lord, what have You placed in my heart?”

Your vision is the divine seed of your growth journey. It's where purpose meets potential. Whether you are building a godly home, launching a faith-based business, or growing spiritually, your action plan must begin with a clear God-given vision.

Tips:

• Pray about your purpose regularly.
• Write down dreams, ideas, and nudges from the Holy Spirit.
• Review your vision monthly to stay aligned.

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2. Faith + Works = Fruitful Planning

James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith without works is dead.” A divine vision is powerful, but it must translate into daily action. Here’s where the action plan comes in.

God doesn’t bless laziness or guesswork. He blesses faithful effort. Your job is to plan with diligence, pray over your plans, and take daily steps with a heart surrendered to His will.

Build a God-First Action Plan:

• Break your big vision into quarterly and monthly goals.
• Use a planner or app to map out tasks.
• Include time for prayer, family, rest, and service.
• Start every week asking, “Lord, what do You want me to focus on?”

Let every plan you write begin and end with a prayer. That’s how you submit the pen of your life to the Author of it all.

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3. Credibility: The Currency of Godly Influence

Growth that lasts requires trust. Whether in ministry, marriage, business, or daily interactions, your credibility determines how far your influence can go.

Credibility is built through:

• Consistency – showing up even when you don’t feel like it.
• Integrity – keeping your word even when no one is watching.
• Character – doing right, even when it costs you.

Matthew 5:37 says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” This is more than a moral suggestion—it’s a divine requirement for trustworthy living.

Real-life Example:

If you promise to deliver a service by Friday, honor it. If you say you’ll be present at your child’s event, show up. These small acts of integrity stack up into a life of credibility, and that becomes the platform for godly impact.

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4. Stay Focused: Guard Your Mind and Schedule

One of the enemy’s biggest strategies is distraction. He doesn’t need to destroy your dream if he can divide your focus. That’s why staying focused is a spiritual discipline.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

Focus Tips for the Faithful:

• Limit your priorities – Not every good thing is a God thing.
• Cut distractions – Schedule social media, don’t scroll aimlessly.
• Stay in your lane – Stop comparing your journey to others.
• Protect your quiet time – No appointment is worth missing your time with God.

Productivity isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about doing the right things, for the right reasons, with the right heart.

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5. Understand: Growth Is a Process, Not a Destination

We often want God to microwave what He designed to marinate.

Spiritual and practical growth happens over time, not overnight. Jesus spent 30 years preparing for a 3-year ministry. David was anointed king but had to wait years to sit on the throne.

Galatians 6:9 encourages us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Embrace the Growth Seasons:

• Waiting Season – When God builds your patience.
• Testing Season – When God proves your character.
• Harvest Season – When God multiplies your efforts.

Don’t rush the process. Don’t despise small beginnings. Don’t measure your worth by your speed. Trust God’s timing.

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6. Submit It All to God: Plans, Pressure, Progress

You can make plans, but only God gives success. That’s why surrender is not a weakness—it’s your spiritual advantage.

Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us the blueprint:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

When you daily surrender your actions, your goals, and even your frustrations to God, He gives you clarity, peace, and divine direction.

Daily Submission Practices:

• Morning prayers of surrender: “Lord, take the lead today.”
• Evening reflections: “What did I do today that aligned with Your will?”
• Fasting during seasons of confusion or big decisions.
• Inviting godly counsel and listening for confirmation.

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7. Testimonies from the Journey

Testimonies bring glory to God and hope to others. Whether you’re a business owner, a homemaker, or a ministry leader, your growth story is a sermon someone needs to hear.

Here’s a simple framework to share your journey:

• What was the vision God gave you?
• What action steps did you take?
• How did you maintain credibility and focus?
• What delays or challenges did you face?
• How did God show up?

Your testimony becomes someone else’s prophecy. Share it boldly.

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8. Prayer of Commitment

Father, thank You for the vision You have planted in my heart. I submit my plans, ideas, goals, and growth to You. Help me build with integrity, stay focused through distractions, and trust You through every process. Make me credible, faithful, and fruitful for Your glory. Let my life reflect Your light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Conclusion: Walk Boldly, Build Wisely, Surrender Fully

You were not called to hustle in fear but to walk by faith. Building credibility, growing with integrity, and staying focused doesn’t come by accident—it comes by intentional planning and spiritual surrender.

So go ahead—create that action plan. Take bold steps. Guard your focus. Stay consistent. And above all, let God remain the CEO of your life.

The world may applaud fast success, but heaven celebrates faithful obedience. Choose to grow the faith-fueled way.

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💬 Have you created your faith-fueled action plan for the year or month? Share it in the comments or tag us with #FaithActionPlan and let’s grow together!

📩 Subscribe to receive weekly encouragement and practical tools to build a godly and peaceful life.

🕊️ Until next time, keep growing by faith and living with purpose.

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The Guidance of the Holy Spirit

 The Holy Spirit is the divine guide that God has given to every believer to lead them into truth, wisdom, and righteousness. His guidance is essential for living a victorious Christian life, making godly decisions, and fulfilling God’s purpose. Many Christians struggle with discerning the Holy Spirit’s leading because they do not fully understand His role or how He speaks.

In this article, we will explore the significance of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, how He speaks to us, and how we can develop sensitivity to His leading. By the end of this discussion, you will have a clearer understanding of how to walk in the Spirit and live according to God's perfect will.

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. He is not an impersonal force but a divine Person who has intellect, emotions, and will.

Biblical Evidence of the Holy Spirit as a Person

• He speaks – "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:7)

• He teaches – "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26)

• He intercedes for us – "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26)

The Holy Spirit is God’s presence in us. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers and be their guide (John 16:7-13).

2. Why Do We Need the Guidance of the Holy Spirit?

In a world full of distractions, temptations, and confusion, the guidance of the Holy Spirit is indispensable. Here are some key reasons why we must rely on His leading:

i. To Know the Truth

Jesus said, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). Many people are deceived by false doctrines and worldly philosophies, but the Holy Spirit leads us into the truth of God’s Word.

ii. To Make Godly Decisions

Life is full of important decisions—who to marry, what career path to take, how to raise children, and how to handle finances. Without divine direction, we may make choices based on our limited understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding.

iii. To Overcome Sin and Live Righteously

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8) and empowers us to live holy lives. Romans 8:13 says, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

iv. To Fulfill God’s Purpose

God has a plan for every believer, but we cannot walk in His purpose without the Holy Spirit’s direction. Acts 13:2 tells us that the Holy Spirit instructed the early church to set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary work. Likewise, He reveals God’s calling for our lives.

3. How Does the Holy Spirit Guide Us?

i. Through the Word of God

The Bible is the primary way the Holy Spirit speaks to us. He illuminates Scripture so that we can understand and apply it to our lives. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

ii. Through the Inner Witness

Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." The Holy Spirit gives us an inner conviction or peace when we are on the right path.

iii. Through the Still Small Voice

In 1 Kings 19:11-12, God spoke to Elijah not through a mighty wind or earthquake, but through a gentle whisper. The Holy Spirit often speaks in a quiet, gentle way that we must be sensitive to hear.

iv. Through Dreams and Visions

In Joel 2:28, God promises that He will pour out His Spirit, and people will see visions and dream dreams. Many times, God reveals His will through dreams and supernatural encounters.

v. Through Prophetic Messages

God sometimes uses His prophets, pastors, or fellow believers to confirm His guidance. However, every prophecy must align with Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).

vi. Through Circumstances

Sometimes, God allows circumstances to guide us. For example, Paul and his companions were prevented by the Holy Spirit from entering certain regions (Acts 16:6-7).

4. How to Develop Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit

i. Spend Time in Prayer

Prayer is our communication with God. The more we pray, the more we become familiar with the Holy Spirit’s voice.

ii. Meditate on Scripture

Since the Holy Spirit speaks through God’s Word, we must fill our hearts with Scripture so He can bring it to our remembrance when needed.

iii. Walk in Obedience

The more we obey the Holy Spirit’s promptings, the more He will continue to lead us. Disobedience can dull our spiritual sensitivity.

iv. Live a Holy Life

Sin can grieve the Holy Spirit and hinder His guidance (Ephesians 4:30). We must strive for holiness and avoid anything that quenches His fire in our lives.

v. Develop Spiritual Discernment

1 John 4:1 warns us to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. Not every voice we hear is from the Holy Spirit. We must learn to distinguish His voice from the voice of our flesh or the enemy.

5. The Benefits of Walking in the Spirit

When we follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we experience:

• Peace – "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)

• Wisdom – "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach." (James 1:5)

• Protection – "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want… He leads me beside still waters." (Psalm 23:1-2)

• Fruitfulness – "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)

6. Conclusion: Yielding to the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is our divine guide, and we must learn to yield to Him daily. He leads us in truth, helps us make godly decisions, and empowers us to live righteously. By spending time in prayer, meditating on Scripture, and walking in obedience, we can develop a deep sensitivity to His leading.

Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your life? If you haven’t fully surrendered to His leadership, today is the best time to start. Ask Him to fill you, lead you, and transform you so that you can walk in God’s perfect will.

May the Lord help us to always follow the guidance of His Holy Spirit! Amen.

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