An Open Letter to Christian Writers

Dear Readers & Followers,

Over the weekend, I had a discussion with my husband about the journey of my Christian writing website (www.mysslafunky.com) and the various experiences I encountered since its inception. During our conversation, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to encourage fellow writers in my network who may be facing similar challenges that I encountered in 2012 and 2013.

In December 2012, after months of hesitation to launch, despite feeling the Holy Spirit's clear guidance, my husband encouraged me to start a faith-based website where I could write and share Christian articles. I initially believed that writing on social media was sufficient; however, I felt the Lord telling me that there were audiences from search engines waiting to find my content.

When I launched the website in December 2012 and began writing, I noticed that my readership was minimal. Sometimes, only five, ten, twenty, or fifty people would read my articles. I often checked the analytics, feeling discouraged by the low numbers. I expressed my frustrations to my husband, who reminded me that even those five or ten readers matter to God and that their souls are important. He encouraged me NOT to focus on the number of views or likes, but rather on fulfilling God’s calling to write.

Once I shifted my focus away from metrics and persisted in writing, the Lord began to lead people to my website in remarkable ways. Recently, I decided to check the analytics, and I was amazed to find that over 790,000 people had viewed articles on the site, with an average of 30,000 readers last month. I also checked the first article that was posted in December 2012; the article has been read by 14,734 readers.

If you are a Christian writer or someone who writes to uplift and encourage others, remember: do not despise the days of little beginnings. Keep writing!

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

Managing Life's Storms as a Christian

Hello Readers & Followers,

I hope you are well.

We all face storms in life —regardless of our race, age, gender, social status, or position within the church. This includes individuals in roles such as Reverend, Minister, or Pastor. Life’s challenges can touch us all, and nobody is exempt.

Job 14:1b says, "Everyone born of a woman will experience trouble." Nevertheless, God says in Isaiah 43:1-3 that, "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Saviour..." God is reassuring you that you are only passing through all the life's storms and they will not crush you because He is with you. 

One way to manage life's storms is to identify their source or cause, allowing you to learn how to deal with them effectively. It is God's desire that none of life's storms will crush any of His children. Did you know that God's true children are those who believe in Him and apply His teachings to their lives? - John 1:12-13 and Romans 8:14. Our Heavenly Father is not the Father of everyone. Jesus said to some religious people in John 8:44, "Your father is the devil as you do what he wants..." 

                                 So, is God your Father or is satan your father?

Back to the teaching, so what types of storms could you experience on this earth?

1) The Storm of Life - This is a storm that happens to every individual, whether you are a Christian or not. It could be the death of a friend or a family member, waiting that is beyond your control, sudden health issues, conflict in a relationship, war in your country or a neighbouring country, and it has affected the cost of living, unsuccessful job interviews, etc.

When the storm of life comes, depending on its severity, only a life built on the Word of God will stand. In Matthew 7:24-27, two men chose to build on different foundations. When the storms hit, only one of their buildings remained intact, while the other one crashed. Why was this? This was due to how they built the foundation of each building.

What could help you manage the storms of life?

- Feeding your mind on the true Word of God

- Praying (In Word, through Music, through Journalling, through arts, prayer walking, praying in the Spirit)

- Making a conscious effort to fellowship with Christians by attending church

- Seeking counsel from a Christian counsellor

- Seeking therapy from a Christian therapist

- Asking your Pastor to pray for you

- Fasting and Prayer.

2) The Storm of Disobedience - The example of Jonah in the Book of Jonah 1:4, the Lord sent a strong wind to blow, and such a bad storm came up, and the ship that Jonah was in was about to be broken to pieces due to Jonah's disobedience. Jonah was choosing to run away from the instructions the Lord had given him. Jonah realised what he had done, and he asked to be thrown into the sea, and a fish swallowed him - Jonah 1:12.   

From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God, who ensured that the storm of disobedience did not kill him. Jonah's prayer:

When I was in trouble, Lord,

I prayed to you, and you listened to me.

From deep in the world of the dead,

I begged for your help, and you answered my prayer. - Jonah 2:1-2.

The Lord answered Jonah's prayer, and He restored him.

We also have the example of the Prodigal Son, who made some poor choices, and the Lord enabled him to come to his senses after he had experienced a storm by feeding on pig food, but the ultimate goal of the storm was to restore him to his father. - Luke 15:11-32.

3) The Storm of Opposition - This storm is sent by the devil through human beings to stop or oppose you from fulfilling God's purpose for your life. Jesus rebuked the devil when the devil brought the storm of opposition to His disciples' ways through a very strong wind in the boat. Jesus rebuked the wind. - Luke 8:22-25.

It's not a nice experience when the devil tries to oppose us as Christians, but one thing I would like to assure you is that Christ has conquered the devil and has overcome the world - John 16:33. God will make everything to work together for your good, especially if you love the Lord. - Romans 8:28.  Joseph experienced a lot of challenges from the opposition, but God caused everything to work together for his good.

4) The Storm of the Lord - The Lord can send storms to destroy your enemies, as vengeance is the Lord's. The Lord allowed the Red Sea to swallow the Egyptians. The Lord allowed David to destroy Goliath, who was an enemy of God's children. Jeremiah 30:23-24 says:

See, the storm of the Lord will burst out in wrath,

a driving wind swirling down on the heads of the wicked.

The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until He fully accomplishes the purposes of His heart.

In days to come, you will understand this.

How to recognise where the storm is coming from?

A) Spend time continuously asking the Lord where the storm is coming from.

B) Ask the Lord to search your heart. Is there anything that you have done that may have caused this?

C) Ask the Lord for His specific instructions on how to manage the storms.

D) God is sovereign; thus, He may choose not to tell you where the storm has come from and why you have experienced the storm or are still experiencing the storm, but be assured that His presence will be with you in the storm and He will see you through. Let me leave you with one of the Scriptures that I started with. God says in Isaiah 43:1-3 that, "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Saviour..."  God is reassuring you that you are only passing through all the life's storms and they will not crush you because He is with you. 

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

Divine Timing Is Part Of God's Plan

Hello Readers & Followers,

I hope you are well.

There is a reason the Scripture is silent about the age at which the Lord instructed Noah to build an ark.

It is evident from the Scripture that it took a while for Noah to build the ark, and it took a while for the Lord to send the flood that was going to cover the whole earth/the flood that destroyed the whole earth during the time of Noah (Genesis 6 & 7).

The delayed timing of the flood coming to the earth was part of divine timing that demonstrated God's mercy and how God's desire was for people not to perish. 

2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."

Because this is God's desire for humanity, it does not mean humanity wants this desire.

The delayed time of the building of the gigantic ark was a warning to humanity to follow Yahweh, but sadly, almost the whole world, apart from Noah's family, yielded to God's Word, and they were saved.

The road to enter God's Kingdom is narrow, but the highway to hell is broad and the broad gate is wide, while the gate to heaven is very narrow and only a few ever find it.

Which road are you on?

Jesus spoke about the broad road. He described some people who thought they were on their way to Heaven, but when they got to the judgment, He said to them, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23).

They protested, “But Lord, I cast out demons in your name. Lord, I was an evangelist. I was this; I was that” (Matthew 7:22). And Jesus said He would say to them, “I don’t even know you.” 

Jesus said the broad road is deceptive. It may seem right to many people to get what they can out of life, to seek their own pleasure, to satisfy their own appetites. But the Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Jesus said that the road to heaven is narrow and the gate is narrow, and that He is the gate. “I am the door,” He declared. “If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). 

Which road are you on today? 

Which direction are you travelling?

The daily choices that you are making determine the road that you are on.

The road to heaven requires discipline, yielding to the instruction of the Holy Spirit and daily surrendering to Jesus.

The choice is yours on the road to be on.

It is my desire for you to enter into the final ark.

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

What Are You Doing With Your Time?

Hello Readers & Followers,

I hope you are well.

Will you say this Prayer?

Dear Lord, teach me to number my days,
That I may gain a heart of wisdom,
In Jesus' name.
Amen!

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Have a lovely day!

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

The True Test of Your Love for Jesus

Hello Readers & Followers,

I hope you are well.

There is no coincidence with our Lord Jesus Christ.

It wasn’t a coincidence when Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him (John 21:15-19). This interaction contrasted sharply with the three times Peter had denied, rejected, and lied about knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75).

How do you think Jesus felt when Peter denied and rejected Him?

Despite Peter's denial, Jesus embraced him and even prepared breakfast for Peter and his friends.

Would you be able to forgive someone easily if they denied you? That person could be a friend, spouse, leader, manager, family member, or pastor.

It's easy to profess your love for Jesus when it doesn't require any sacrifice. However, the true test of your love for Jesus lies in how you demonstrate the love of Christ to those around you, especially when you don't "feel" like it based on the circumstances.

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Have a lovely day!

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

3 Ways To Embrace The New Thing That The Lord is Doing!

Hello Readers & Followers,

I hope you are well.

Isaiah 43:18-19 AMPC says "Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

For some of you, the Lord has shown you a vision of what He is going to do in your life and God has shown you a glimpse of the future. What the Lord wants from you is to Perceive it, Know it and Give heed to it.

Perceive it!

You need to patiently ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognise and discern what He is doing in your life, your church, and your nation in this season. Make sure you keep seeking the Holy Spirit and I am confident that you'll be guided by Him if you're serious about looking up to Him. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV says "You will seek God and find God when you seek God with all your heart."

Know it!

God wants you to know how to interpret this present season of your life, and also when He is bringing a change of season your way. It is in the place of fellowshipping with God that you will get to know the mind of God. Also, it is in the place of fellowshipping with God that your faith will be strengthened in the things that you have perceived. Remember, fellowshipping with God includes spending time alone with God, and also fellowshipping with your church family to hear the mind of God through the sermons/songs/prayers at your local church.

Apostle Paul had fellowshipped with God so much that when he and his disciples were experiencing challenges, Paul encouraged the disciples by saying he had faith in God and he believed and he knew what God had said to him would surely happen (Acts 27:25). 

Jesus said to the crowd in  Luke 12:54-56 NIV “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does and when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?"  

I'd like you to take a pause right now and say this prayer: "O Lord, help me to interpret this present season of my life in Jesus' name."

Give heed to it!

To enjoy the New Thing that God is doing, God wants you to be a part of it and not be a discourager of what God is doing in your life, church and nation. Do not play a part in quenching the Spirit.

As you give heed to what God is doing this season, your patience will be tested, your love for God will be tested and your love and motive for the things of God will be tested. In fact, you'd want to go back to your comfort zone or what you naturally desire but to enjoy what God is doing, you need to commune with God to discern what He is doing in this season.

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Have a lovely day!

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

Spiritual Integrity is the Hallmark of the Christian Faith

Hello Readers & Followers,

I hope you are well.

Spiritual integrity is having the courage to live an honest life. Proverbs 11:3 says "Good people [People with integrity] will be guided by honesty [innocence]; dishonesty will destroy [devastate] those who are not trustworthy."

Spiritual integrity is doing what is right even when no one is watching. Proverbs 10:9 says "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out."

Spiritual integrity is living a consistent life, and having words and actions that align with the Word of God. Proverbs 12:22 says "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight."

Spiritual integrity is about being a promise keeper, you mean what you say, you keep your words and you do what you say you will do.  Proverbs 20:7 says "The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!"

Are you a person of integrity?

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Have a lovely day!

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

Overcoming Hurt Using Christ's Word

Hello Readers & Followers,

I hope you are well.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:43 that you have heard people say, “Love the people who are your friends but hate those who want to hurt you." It's a lot easier to love people who share the same values and have similar character qualities as you, isn't it? And to despise/hate/dislike/be angry/be bitter to those who have hurt you? 

Jesus also said in Luke 9:23-27 that if anyone wants to be His disciple or anyone who says he or she is a follower of Christ, you must give up your own way of thinking, your own way of doing things and you are to surrender to His ways as this is when you are truly living as a Christian. 

The Holy Spirit would like to use your hurt to grow your faith in Him and to help you produce Godly Fruit if you allow Him and yield to Him. 

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Have a lovely day!

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

Character Qualities To Dwell in God's Presence

Hello Readers & Followers,

I hope you are well.

I would like you to learn about the character qualities of those who are dwelling in God's presence as this would allow you to reflect on your character qualities.

David asked the Lord who is allowed to enter God's presence? Who is allowed to worship our Lord continuously? And who are the people that are close to the Lord? Psalm 15:2-5 says:

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends.

Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honour the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.

Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

In line with Psalm 15 that you have just read, what do you think are the qualities required to dwell in God’s presence? 

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Have a lovely day!

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.

The Very Essence of The Christian Faith | The Just Shall Live By Faith

Hello Readers & Followers,

Happy New Year!

I hope you are settling into the new year and progressing well. Today, I would like to encourage you to embrace living by faith. Many times, I hear people get offended or compromise the truth of God's Word or lie or take actions that the Lord would not be pleased with, and I usually ask myself, "Was that action motivated by faith in God's Word or faith in the individual's emotions?" In the Bible, at least 4 times, the Word of God says that the 'Just/Righteous shall live by faith." Have a read at Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38.

God said He does not take pleasure in individuals who do not live by faith (Hebrews 10:38b). 

What does it mean for "The Just To Live By Faith?"

The "Just" are individuals who strive to follow the teachings and commandments of our Lord Jesus, and who recognise that to live a godly life and a life of integrity, they have a duty not to stray from the teachings of the Lord, even when temptations arise or when their emotions are running high or when the walks of the flesh, pride of life and the lust of the eyes want to influence them or when things look gloomy and unclear, the "Just" would choose to put their trust in God's Word. 

Did you know that the devil works through the flesh? Thus, as a Christian, we have the flesh to contend with in this world; we must walk in victory over the flesh. Paul said he constantly had to discipline himself so that his flesh would not control him. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT) says "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified."

The "Just Would Live By Faith" by ensuring that their emotions, the societal culture that is against the teachings of God's Word, do not determine how they live.

The "Just Would Live By Faith" by fighting the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12); this is the only fight that the Just gets involved in as they know that as a follower of Jesus Christ, they must strive to live in a way that shows that they belong to Jesus. 

Would you describe yourself as living as 'The Just?'

I love hearing from you in the comment section. Please take a minute to say hello in the comment section.

Have a lovely evening!

Yours in Christ,

Mysses Lafunky

I have a free e-book for you. The book (15 Women of the Bible: How They Lived a Purpose-Driven Life). This e-book was written by my Bible Study Group. To download it on Google Drive for free, click here.