Galatians 3 - GNTD & HBN

DALL·E 2024-10-16 11.46.48 - A black student sitting at a desk, focused and writing an exam in a quiet exam hall. The student looks calm and composed, with pens, pencils, and pape

Avoiding stress during exams is essential for maintaining focus, performing well, and staying healthy. Here’s a biblical, practical, and actionable guide to managing stress effectively during exam time:

1. Start with Prayer and Trust in God

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Tip: Whenever you feel overwhelmed, pause and pray. Surrender your worries to God.

Action:

Start and end your study sessions with a short prayer.
Keep a prayer journal where you express your concerns and ask God for peace.

2. Stay Organized with a Study Plan

1 Corinthians 14:40 – “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
Tip: A well-organized study schedule prevents last-minute cramming and reduces stress.

Action:

Break your syllabus into manageable chunks, covering a little every day.
Use tools like a study timetable or to-do list to track progress.

3. Take Care of Your Body

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
Tip: Eating well, exercising, and sleeping enough will help your brain function better.

Action:

Exercise: Take short walks or do light stretches between study sessions.
Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night to improve concentration.
Eat Nutritious Foods: Include fruits, vegetables, and water to keep your energy up.

4. Take Breaks and Rest

Exodus 20:8-10 – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…”
Tip: Rest is essential to recharge your brain and avoid burnout.

Action:

Take 10-15 minute breaks every hour to relax your mind.
Set aside one day a week to rest and engage in something you enjoy.

5. Avoid Comparison with Others

Galatians 6:4 – “Each one should test their own actions… without comparing themselves to someone else.”
Tip: Comparing yourself with classmates can lead to unnecessary anxiety. Focus on your progress and efforts.

Action:

Remind yourself that your journey is unique, and God has a plan for you.
Celebrate small achievements along the way, like completing a topic or practice test.

6. Practice Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Tip: When stress creeps in, breathe deeply and meditate on God’s presence.

Action:

Deep Breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale for 4 seconds. Repeat several times.
Play soft, relaxing worship music while you study or during breaks.

7. Stay Positive and Speak Life Over Yourself

Proverbs 18:21 – “The tongue has the power of life and death…”
Tip: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations rooted in Scripture.

Action:

Speak aloud Scriptures like: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Avoid saying things like “I will fail” or “This is too hard.” Instead, say, “I am prepared, and God is with me.”

8. Engage in Fellowship with Others

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one… If one falls down, the other can help him up.”
Tip: Talk to family, friends, or mentors when you feel overwhelmed.

Action:

Join a study group for encouragement.
Share your concerns with someone who can pray with you and provide guidance.

9. Limit Distractions and Focus on the Present

Matthew 6:34 – “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
Tip: Avoid worrying about the future or dwelling on past mistakes. Stay focused on what you can do today.

Action:

Set specific times to study without distractions from social media or phone notifications.
Tackle one subject or task at a time to avoid overwhelm.

10. Trust God with the Outcome

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”
Tip: After you’ve done your best, trust God to handle the rest.

Action:

After each exam, pray and thank God for the strength to finish.
Avoid overanalyzing your performance, trust that God’s plan is perfect.

Conclusion

Managing stress during exams is about trusting God, planning wisely, taking care of yourself, and staying focused on the present. Remember that success is not just about grades—it’s about learning, growing, and relying on God’s strength. Following this guide will help you stay calm, focused, and productive throughout the exam season. You’ve got this! God is with you every step of the way.

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

The season of harvest is a time of gratitude, reflection, and abundance. For farmers, it signifies the end of a season of hard work, when crops are gathered, and the fruits of labor are celebrated. Spiritually, it reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the importance of sowing seeds of righteousness in our lives. The Bible speaks of harvest not just as an agricultural event but as a symbol of spiritual growth, provision, and God’s blessings.

Here are seven Bible verses that reflect the beauty, meaning, and significance of harvest time:

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

Just as the harvest comes after a season of hard labor, our spiritual harvest will come if we remain steadfast in our efforts to live righteously. God’s timing is perfect, and we must trust that our diligence will bear fruit.

2. Matthew 9:37-38
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”

Here, Jesus calls on us to be workers in this field, sharing the good news of salvation and helping to bring others into the kingdom of God. Harvest time is not just about receiving but also giving — sharing God’s love with the world.

3. Psalm 126:5-6
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”

We may endure seasons of sorrow, but God promises that those who faithfully sow, even through hardship, will one day reap a harvest of joy. There is hope in the midst of trials, and the harvest will be a time of celebration.

4. Proverbs 10:5
“He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

Just as a farmer must be attentive during the harvest to gather his crops, we must be alert and ready to seize the spiritual opportunities that God places before us. Laziness and neglect lead to missed blessings, but diligence ensures that we reap the benefits of our labor.

5. 2 Corinthians 9:10
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

God is the provider of all things, and He ensures that those who sow will have what they need to reap a harvest. Not only does He provide materially, but He also increases the harvest of righteousness in our lives, enabling us to grow in character, faith, and good works. Our trust in God’s provision is important to experiencing His abundance.

6. James 3:18
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

When we sow seeds of peace and righteousness, we reap a harvest of goodness and integrity. Just as the farmer carefully chooses what to plant, we must be mindful of the seeds we sow in our relationships and daily actions.

7. John 4:35
“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

The time for action is now, not later. The fields are ripe, and God is calling us to step into His work, sharing His love and truth with those who are ready to receive it. There is an urgency in the harvest, and we are called to respond.

Conclusion

Harvest time is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and the spiritual principles of sowing and reaping. Whether we are harvesting crops or gathering the fruits of our spiritual labor, we are called to trust in God’s provision and timing. As we reflect on these Bible verses, may we be inspired to continue sowing seeds of righteousness, peace, and faithfulness, knowing that in due season, we will reap a bountiful harvest.

Law or Faith

1 You foolish Galatians! Who put a spell on you? Before your very eyes you had a clear description of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross! 2 Tell me this one thing: did you receive God's Spirit by doing what the Law requires or by hearing the gospel and believing it? 3 How can you be so foolish! You began by God's Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power? 4 Did all your experience mean nothing at all? Surely it meant something! 5 Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do what the Law requires or because you hear the gospel and believe it?

6 Consider the experience of Abraham; as the scripture says, “He believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.” 7 You should realize, then, that the real descendants of Abraham are the people who have faith. 8 The scripture predicted that God would put the Gentiles right with himself through faith. And so the scripture announced the Good News to Abraham: “Through you God will bless all people.” 9 Abraham believed and was blessed; so all who believe are blessed as he was.

10 Those who depend on obeying the Law live under a curse. For the scripture says, “Whoever does not always obey everything that is written in the book of the Law is under God's curse!” 11 Now, it is clear that no one is put right with God by means of the Law, because the scripture says, “Only the person who is put right with God through faith shall live.” 12 But the Law has nothing to do with faith. Instead, as the scripture says, “Whoever does everything the Law requires will live.”

13 But by becoming a curse for us Christ has redeemed us from the curse that the Law brings; for the scripture says, “Anyone who is hanged on a tree is under God's curse.” 14 Christ did this in order that the blessing which God promised to Abraham might be given to the Gentiles by means of Christ Jesus, so that through faith we might receive the Spirit promised by God.

The Law and the Promise

15 My friends, I am going to use an everyday example: when two people agree on a matter and sign an agreement, no one can break it or add anything to it. 16 Now, God made his promises to Abraham and to his descendant. The scripture does not use the plural “descendants,” meaning many people, but the singular “descendant,” meaning one person only, namely, Christ. 17 What I mean is that God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it. The Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, cannot break that covenant and cancel God's promise. 18 For if God's gift depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on his promise. However, it was because of his promise that God gave that gift to Abraham.

19 What, then, was the purpose of the Law? It was added in order to show what wrongdoing is, and it was meant to last until the coming of Abraham's descendant, to whom the promise was made. The Law was handed down by angels, with a man acting as a go-between. 20 But a go-between is not needed when only one person is involved; and God is one.

The Purpose of the Law

21 Does this mean that the Law is against God's promises? No, not at all! For if human beings had received a law that could bring life, then everyone could be put right with God by obeying it. 22 But the scripture says that the whole world is under the power of sin; and so the gift which is promised on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ is given to those who believe.

23 But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed. 24 And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith. 25 Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.

Unlocking the Spiritual Essence of AFRICA:

As we journey through the spiritual essence of AFRICA, let us embrace its blessings, celebrate its diversity, and honor its heritage. For in this vast and vibrant continent, we discover echoes of God's faithfulness, reminders of our shared humanity, and glimpses of His divine purpose for all creation.

26 It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus. 27 You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. 28 So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised.

Kalo gathuminyi lijo gi dhuŋun dha imaan gwati gi dhuŋun dha naamuus no

1 Liji lai la Qalaaṯiiya lina liro jirila, ei gwiro gwina gwimajapa ŋima, dathanya uthejo dhuŋuna dhina dhiro titiganu nyuni no? Gi je ganu jalo Yasuuⓐ al Masiiẖ gwigitinu dagalo, ŋwurinyini gi lure alaŋ lina limaliganu. 2 Nyi gwara gwaliŋa dhuŋuna ibidha dagalo dogo. Nyaŋa lapo Dhigirima ŋiro ŋai ŋa naamuus a? i diŋini gwai gwa imaan. 3 A minoŋ nyaŋa liro jirila; dina manya ela gi Dhigirim, nyaŋa limameajini ŋinena gi aŋinu a? 4 Nyaŋa limumi ŋiya dhuŋun dhai dhoinyadho tur a? Ada dhimaro tur. 5 A minoŋ gwina gwimajidhedha Dhigirima, a ŋwapai ŋiro ŋina ŋipiŋipa dagalo ganu, gwapo ŋiro ibiŋa ŋiro ŋai ŋa naamuus a? i diŋini gwai gwa imaan. 6 A gwiro ŋinena uminyina Ibraahiim Kaloŋa, ŋwugitini gi ẖisaab gwuŋun darnu dhuŋun dhuŋun dhiŋir. 7 Liŋidhul minoŋ darnu lina luthi imaan ŋediŋa liro keleŋa ga Ibraahiim. 8 A kitham gina gaŋinu kwereny darnu Kalo gaji giŋiriye Liumam gi ŋwamun ibiŋwe imaan gwai, ŋwabiŋaijo Ibraahiimuŋw kwereny Dhuŋuna dhina Dhiŋir, ŋwarnu, Duguŋa Liumam peth laji labarikini. 9 A minoŋ lina luthi imaan libarikinu Ibraahiim ŋalai gwina gwuminyu. 10 Ŋinena peth lina luthi ŋiro ŋa naamuus lo gi dhuŋun dhadhi luini gwina gwikanu gwuleny gwadhai. Minoŋ dhulinu, Peth lina liluini lina lati lathela gi dhuŋun peth dhina dhulinu kitham ganu ga naamuus dilapai no. 11 Gwimaŋini darnu abi kwiji gwate gweda gwina gwiŋirinu naamuus gwai gi je ganu ja Kalo no. A minoŋ gwina gwiŋir gwamidhe imaan gwai. 12 Abi naamuus gwati gwiro gwa imaan no; abi kwiji gwina gwathapai dhuŋuna dha naamuus gwamidhe naamuus gwai. 13 Al Masiiẖ gwimijibibre gi lo gwa naamuus, gwina gwigitinu duŋwuro lo gwan alŋa; a ŋinena ulinuŋwna darnu, Luini gwaje gi liji peth lina lalijini gi lure alaŋ lina limaliganu. 14 Di baraka gwa Ibraahiim ila gi Liumam Yasuuⓐ al Masiiẖ gwai; dilapai dhuŋuna dhina dhabiŋaijijidhai dha Dhigirim imaan gwai.

15 Limega lai, nyi gwabiŋu dhuŋun dhai dha kwiji; Gwati gweda gwina gwuthi ŋoma duŋwirniye dhuŋuna ibidha dhina dhidiminu no, dhimulini di; a kwiji gwate gwina gwuthi ŋoma duŋwbadhaije no. 16 Abi dhuŋun dhina dhabiŋaijidhai Kalo Ibraahiimuŋw dhimabiŋini gi Ibraahiim a gi lulaŋ luŋun. Gwati gwabiŋu gwiro ŋinena gwabiŋudhi gi ŋwulaŋ ŋwoinyadho no; ŋwubiro ŋinena gwabiŋudhi gi lulaŋ letipo, a gi lulaŋ luŋun, lina lan al Masiiẖ. 17 A nyi gwabiŋu dhuŋuna ibidha darnu, Dhuŋun dhina dhidiminu dhuminyinu kwereny di Kalo gina go gi al Masiiẖ; a naamuus gwina gwidhedhinu gidon gi jidhila jina jiro arbaⓐ miiya wa talatiin gwati gwa kwiji ruje tur no, dathuŋw rujo dhuŋuna dhina dhardhai Kalo tur no. 18 Ada dhuŋun dhimaje dhadhi madhadhe ŋeleny alaŋ gi naamuus, a dhati dhaje ko gi dhuŋun dhina dhardhai Kalo no; abi dhima Kalo dhedha Ibraahiimuŋw gi dhuŋun dhina dhabiŋaijuŋwdhai.

Kworaŋ jibi Kalo dhedha naamuus?

19 A gi dhuŋun ibidha naamuus gwiro dhaŋ? Gwima ginyadhe gi dhuŋun dha dhapai ŋida ŋina ŋike, di maji ma Lulaŋ ila lina limal dhuŋun dhina dhardhai Kalo gitini; a ŋwugitini malaayka lai gi dhoi dha gweta gwina gwo keligeny ganu. 20 Abi gwina gwo keligeny ganu gwati gwiro gwa kwiji gwetipo no, abi Kalo giro getipo. 21 Abi naamuus gwirinu dhuŋuna dhina dhardhai Kalo a? Oo. Abi ada naamuus gwimadhedhini gwina gwuthi ŋoma gwadhedha midhuŋw, a titiganu dhai ila naamuus gwai. 22 Abi kitham gimalaŋthinijo lijo peth lina lo gi ŋidi ganu ŋina ŋike, duŋwuldhedha dhuŋuna dhina dhardhai Kalo gi imaan gwa Yasuuⓐ al Masiiẖ di ŋediŋa lina luminyu. 23 Abi kwereny nanaŋ imaan gwati gwidhi no, alŋa litedhinu naamuus gwai, a alŋa lilaŋthinu gi dhuŋun dha imaan gwina gwaji gwaŋini gidon. 24 A minoŋ naamuus gwiro gweta gwina gwathiji ethadhe dijapa di al Masiiẖ, dilro liŋir imaan gwai.

Dhuŋun dhina dhuthi imaan

25 Abi dina maji ma imaan ila, alŋa lati loma gi ŋoma ŋa gweta gwina gwathiji ethadhe manaŋ no, 26 abi nyaŋa peth liro keleŋa ga Kalo imaan gwai gi al Masiiẖ Yasuuⓐ. 27 Gwiro ŋinena nyaŋa peth lina limapai maⓐmuudiiya gi al Masiiẖ, nyaŋa limagena al Masiiẖuŋw. 28 Gwati gweda gwina gwiro Yahuudi i Yuunaani no, a gwati gweda gwina gwiro gine i gwina gwati gwiro gine no, a gwati gweda gwina gwiro kwoma i gwina gwiro kwa no; abi nyaŋa peth liro letipo gi al Masiiẖ Yasuuⓐ. 29 A ada nyaŋa limaro la al Masiiẖ, a minoŋ nyaŋa liro ŋwulaŋ ŋwa Ibraahiim, a nyaŋa luthi ŋelenya gi dhuŋun dhina dhabiŋaijidhai Kalo.