Becoming a Woman of Faith: In Season and out of Season

By Dr. Anniekie Ravhudzulo

You are not reading this book by accident; God wants YOU to be a woman of faith! A woman of faith has the following characteristics:
• a Godly Spirit, she has made Jesus Lord in her heart, home, and habits;
• a Generous Spirit, she uses her talents and time to take care of the needs of her family and others.
• a Gentle Spirit, she is careful of what she does, she is cautious of what she says, and she is observant to think about the feelings of others.

Does these words describe you? Or do they sound like impossible dreams? Your life can be all these things, and more, when you know how to fully engage your heart with positive thinking before it engages you!

Life not often turns out the way you have planned. An unexpected diagnosis, an unexpected job loss, a surprise relationship disintegration, an accident and all kinds of trials and tribulations can come into your life at any time and crush your best plans apart. When that happens, you have a choice in life. You can allow your situation to destroy your life and try to endure in a depressed condition. Or, you can decide to rise above your challenges so that you can succeed regardless of them.

After reading “Becoming a Woman of Faith in Season and out of season”, you will know how to reconnect with your desire to live a rewarding wholeheartedly and experience a fully engaged personal, marriage and family life. Throughout this book, my goal is to help you understand your heart, value it, engage it before it engages you, take care of it, and use it to bless your marriage, family, children and women at large. Specifically, I will help you:

• Understand the purpose of your existence, who you are and what is it that you want from life
• Unblock your heart so that you can rearrange it in life, in your marriage , in your family, with other women; and
• Unleash your heart to empower yourself, spouse and children to live the life which pleases God wholeheartedly

Whatever the details of your story, your past is history and you are reading this book because you want to have the best possible life, marriage and family. As you grow spiritually, remember to grow others. There is truth in the Word of God. You cannot obey the written Word without being filled with the Holy Spirit. The enemy can establish you for the reasons you don’t even know. “Have a wholehearted Faith adventure”!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984562760

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Dr Anniekie Ravhudzulo.

Library of Congress Control Number:        2018912924

ISBN:                      Hardcover                        978-1-9845-6274-6

                                Softcover                           978-1-9845-6275-3

                                eBook                                978-1-9845-6276-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them. The purpose of this book is to teach, educate and train. The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.

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

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Contents

Dedication

Introduction

PART 1   WOMEN OF FAITH

Chapter One   Women of Faith

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Faith and the Grace of God

1.3 Qualities of Women of Faith

1.4 Be Courageous and Confident in the Lord

1.5 Conclusion

Chapter Two   Principles for Women of Faith

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Faith Takes Trust and Belief in God

2.3 Principles to Inspire Women of Faith

2.4 Effects of Principles Relating to Women of Faith

2.5 Conclusion

Chapter Three   Agree With the Word of God for Your Transformation

3.1 Introduction

3.2 The Right Decisions to Agree With the Word

of God

3.3 God Can Only Communicate With a Free Spirit

3.4 Do Not Wait Until Your Pit is Dark

3.5 Conclusion

Chapter Four   Women of Faith and Seasons

of Life

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Different Unique Life Situations to all Women

4.3 Your Areas of Life Which Need God’s

Transformation

4.3.1 Your Heart

4.3.2 Your Mind

4.3.3 Your Mouth

4.3.4 Your Body

4.3.5 Your Emotions

4.4 Conclusion

Chapter Five   Women of Faith Who Received

Their Dead Raised to Life

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Women Who Receive Their Dead by Faith

5.2.1 The Wife of Jairus the Synagogue Ruler

5.2.2 The Widow of Nain

5.2.3 The Widow of Zarephath

5.2.4 The Shunammite Woman

5.3 Characteristics of Faith

5.3.1 Faith Sees a God Who Can do Anything

5.3.2 Faith Wants God More Than Anything

5.4 Taking Back What the Enemy has Stolen

From You

5.5 Conclusion

Chapter Six   The Grace of God Breaks Down

Protocols

6.1 Introduction

6.2 The Presence of the Grace Transforms Situation

6.3 Unforgiving Spirit

6.4 Your Faith Reshapes Your Story

6.4.1 We All Make Mistakes in Life

6.4.2 Gossip and Rejection

6.5 Hope for the Future

6.6 There is One Thing You are Wrestling With

6.7 Similarities Between the Widow of Zerephath

and the Samaritan Woman

6.8 Break All Unnecessary Protocols Around You

6.9 Conclusion

PART 2   TOUGH TIMES INTIMIDATE,

BUT NEVER LAST FOREVER

Chapter Seven   Live a Purposeful Life

Because Life is Too Short

7.1 Introduction

7.2 It is Worth Living a Purposeful Life

7.3 Never Give Up in Life

7.4 You are Your Sister’s Keeper

7.5 Speak Life to Other Women’s Lives

7.6 Share Personal Experience With Other Women

7.7 Conclusion

Chapter Eight   Stand Together in Times Such

as These

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Standing Together as Women of Faith

8.3 The Power of Unity is Full of Grace

8.4 Embracing Seasons of Life

8.5 Move Out of Your Comfort Zone

8.6 Women Should Stand Together

8.6.1 Gossip

8.6.2 Women Bullies

8.6.3 Self-Serving Women

8.6.4 Lack of Prayer

8.7 Strategies to Stand Together

8.8 Conclusion

Chapter Nine   Tough Times Never Last

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Choose God to be Your Spiritual Husband

9.2.1 Talk to God Only

9.2.2 Trust the Promises of God

9.2.3 Thank God Continually

9.3 Tough Times are Biblical

9.4 You Will Experience Tough Times

9.5 Strategies to Deal With Tough Times

9.6 Know How to Respond to Tough Times

9.7 Conclusion

Chapter Ten   The Valley of The Shadow of

Death

10.1 Introduction

10.2. The Death of my Beloved Husband

10.3 The Lessons I Have Learnt From His Death

10.4 Rejoice in the Lord

10.5 Realities of Grief

10.6 Grief Never Goes Away Completely

10.6.1 A Stubborn Faith and Belief

10.6.2 Engagement of the Heart

10.6.3 Dealing With Anger

10.6.4 Keeping Records of Our Marriage and Family

10.6.5 Happiness and Sharing Commemorations

10.6.6 Talk Out Your Thoughts and Feelings

10.6.7 Experiencing Multiple Emotions

10.6.8 Take Your Time With Personal Belongings

of Your Husband

10.7 Conclusion

PART 3   A WOMAN OF FAITH WITHIN

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Chapter Eleven   Marriage and a Woman of

Faith

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Responsibilities God Assigned to a Wife

11.3 No Submission No Love

11.4 Develop a Good Attitude

11.5 Don’t be Afraid.

11.6 Conclusion

Chapter Twelve   An Unbelieving Husband

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Understanding Your Role as a Woman

12.3 Spiritually Unequally Yoked Marriage

12.3.1 Your Actions Speak Louder Than Words

12.3.2 Practice Your Spiritual Maturity

12.3.3 Your Unbelieving Spouse is Your Project

12.3.4 Allow Your Unbelieving Husband to be a

Man

12.4 Disrespect Crumbles and Disheartens

Marriages

12.5 Praying for Your Beloved Unbelieving Spouse

12.6 Conclusion

Chapter Thirteen   Developing a Godly Family

as a Single Mother

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Move Out of Your Comfort Zone

13.3 Talk About God

13.4 Choose Media Wisely

13.5 Teach Your Children to Memorize Scriptures

13.6 Expecting to Get Married as a Single

Woman

13.7 A Christian Family

13.8 Conclusion

Chapter Fourteen   Raising Godly Children in

a Family

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Train Up a Child in a Godly Way

14.3 A Model for Raising Children God’s Way

14.4 Strategies to Rear Godly Children

14.4.1 Demonstrate Godliness to Your Children

14.4.2 Train Your Children in the Word of God

14.4.3 Discipline Your Children

14.5 Conclusion

Chapter Fifteen   Raising Teenagers as a Woman

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Strategies to Raise Teenagers

15.2.1 Respect One Another

15.2.2 Information Interchange

15.2.3 Open Communication

15.2.4 Trust is Earned

15.2.5 Honour God in All Actions

15.2.6 Discussions and Arguments

15.2.7 Obedience is Compulsory

15.3 Strategies to Support Teenagers

15.3.1 Pray for Your Teenagers

15.3.2 Listen to Teenagers

15.3.3 Inspire Your Teenagers

15.4 Conclusion

Chapter Sixteen   When a Child is Born Out of

Marriage

16.1 Introduction

16.2 An Affair can Destroy a Marriage

16.3 Children Are a Gift From God

16.4 Handle Your Situation Differently

16.5 Strategies to Heal Your Marriage After an

Affair

16.5.1 Surviving the Pain of a Child Born Out of

Marriage

16.5.2 God’s Promises are Real

16.5.3 Forgive Your Husband for the Infidelity

Child

16.5.4 Keep the Faith While Going Through

Challenges

16.6 An Affair in a Marriage

16.7 Conclusion

About the Author

To Contact the Author

Other Books by the Author

DVD’s and CD’s by the author

Services by the Author

Dedication

In memory of Tendani Makhuvha

09 April 1962 - 12 September 2014

A Martyr of Faith

SUBMISSION%20TENDANI%20MAKHUVHA.JPG

Tendani Makhuvha was born on 09 April 1962. She is the daughter of Mr Mbudzeni Titus Makhuvha and Pastor Rudzani Regina Makhuvha (Maposa). Pastor Rudzani Regina Makhuvha was pastoring Mapate Assemblies of God. Tendani was blessed with two daughters, Takalani Adoree and Hulisani Donata. She raised them as a single mother and they are all educated. She believed that, the life of the light of education determines peace to the nations. Her seamless kindness, goodness and open love to the needy made her derive happiness in giving others visible materials to help them to live in wellness, comfort and hope.

Tendani attended her Primary education at Mpate Primary school, and Vandani Territorial School (it was a boarding school known as a school for Royal Princesses). She proceeded to Mphaphuli and Ratshilumela High School where she furthered her Grade 12. She went to Gauteng to study in Phoneficient Computer School. Tendani is a Graduate of BA and UED from the University of Venda at Thohoyandou in Limpopo Province

Tendani was a B.Ed. Honours Degree Graduate of the University of South Africa (Unisa). She was a teacher by profession, always with a smile on her face full of laughter. She went to work in Giyani at Zamani Primary school in Nkuri village Sifasonke. She stayed with the Makhubele family. She worked at Khungulu Primary School and then got a promotion to be a Principal at Nwamakena Village in Giyani.

Tendani was a giver; she helped many children to go school by paying for their fees. She did not mind whether it was a relative or a complete stranger. She would see to it that she also buys them school uniforms. During school holidays, she would focus on her businesses. She would go to places like Bangkok, Italy and China to stock goods in order to resell in South Africa.

She was a God fearing woman. She loved the ministry of Prophet TB Joshua with all her heart. She received a call on 12 September 2014 to be a Martyr of Faith while she was at Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). Miraculously she walked across a threshold of pain. She was in SCOAN Nigeria when the building collapsed and claimed her life.

A TRUE FOOTPRINT THE ETERNAL GRACE OF JESUS

• Tendani was a woman of Faith treasured most for her humility, tolerance, patience and open heartedness.

• She was a close friend and partner of SCOAN, Emmanuel TV and Prophet T.B.Joshua

• A woman who devoted her time to the spiritual and physical support of family, friends and strangers.

• She lived a stress free life because she loved sharing experiences and learning from Others

• She was a woman who had many demands on her time and energy.

• She was a woman who wanted a place to receive personal, spiritual nurturing and opportunity for Growth.

• She was Generous – She gave me three very expensive outfits from Denmark. Even the community where she was a school principal at can confirm this because she adopted many children she was financing for their education.

• An Outstanding Leader – she was aware that the success or failure of the school was in her hands, so she was willing to take charge.

• She was People Person - the simple act of smiling at people, greeting and treating everyone with respect set a tone of positivity for her whole school.

• She was Fair and Practical - It is human nature to have favorites, but as the principal she was absolutely unable to give anyone preferential treatment. The family can tell you more about this character because she was very practical.

• She was a Problem Solver – I remember when she was asking my late husband Dr Aaron Ravhudzulo about working with rural staff members as a principal. My husband advised her about empowering teachers to offer solutions to problems in the school, rather than relying solely on herself to initiate change. This creates a culture of people who want to contribute and make a difference, rather than waiting for change to find them.

• Unique Listener - Listening to a person makes them feel like they matter and it really means a lot when they can get a few minutes of the principal’s time.

A KIND AND CARE GIVER FRIEND

Tendani Makhuvha and my late husband Dr Aaron Ravhudzulo were close friends you could not separate. She was a kind and a caregiver friend of my husband. Whenever the two friends were together, they will be talking about life stories, church conferences and the work of God in totality. In 2009, she heard that my husband was not well, she brought him a booklet and Anointing water from the Man of God Senior Prophet TB Joshua. When he slept, he would put the booklet in the pillowcase. Every time when Tendani visited SCOAN, Dr Ravhudzulo would be the first to know and her first stop will be at our house in Pretoria giving her friend Anointing water, DVD’s and booklets to read.

From the 10th September 2014, my husband was asking me every day if Tendani was back from SCOAN and I would say, I don’t know, when she is coming back. When we were discussing something at home, he would say, Tendani must come back because on Friday the 19th September 2014 is her Graduation, she is graduating for the Leadership Management Course at the University of Venda. I have been trying to call her, but her phone is off. Anniekie, kindly phone Velly (Tendani’s sister who is our Family Friend) to find out if Tendani is back from SCOAN. This afternoon, I have heard over Phalaphala FM that one of the buildings at SCOAN collapsed and there are a number of people from South Africa where inside and some are promoted to Glory. By that time my husband was very sick, I would call Velly and tell my husband that Tendani is fine, she was not in that building which collapsed. I didn’t even tell him that Tendani is one of those who have been promoted to Glory by our Lord Jesus.

The day of Tendani’s funeral, I didn’t tell my husband that I am going to attend her funeral. What I said to him was, Tendani is fine and she has been transferred to Polokwane Medi Clinic and she is badly injured. I drove to the funeral Saturday early in the morning to Thohoyandou.

What I have learnt from being a Woman of Faith is that, God’s main purpose for our existence is to reflect the glory of Jesus Christ. God gave us life so that with our bodies, minds and hearts, we might draw attention to Jesus and make him look as great as He really is. Faith, taught me that the purpose for our existence does not change at death. It is the purpose of our