Let It Out

It's October!!!

This is my favorite time of the year...the holiday season.  From now until January, there will be many celebrations and indulgences of many delicious foods.  Throughout this time, we are often tempted to discuss what we did and did not do during the past year.  We also spend much time discussing what we're planning to do in the next year.

I'd like to take a moment to halt you right there...stop right there in your tracks!  Do not spend any energy dwelling on what you did not do this past year.  If there was something that you wanted to accomplish or start but have not done it, do it NOW! The time is NOW!  All of the energy used to think about what you should and could have done can and should be spent on the actual activity! I think we'll be extremely productive people if we spent just as much time doing what we talk about doing.

Look toward your incredible and awesome future! I believe that God has placed something great in each of us! Guess what, that THING that you're holding inside of  you, someone NEEDS it...there is someone out there who NEEDS your business, your non profit organization, your song, your book, your talent, your skill...

Know this...whatever it is that God has placed within you--His vision for your life--it is meant to be used to glorify Him and to uplift His people!

So get going...someone needs you...walk in love!

Consistency...

More about the Proverbs 31 Woman...

Proverbs 31:19-24
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
²⁰ She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
²¹ She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm^[c] clothes.

²² She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
²³ Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
²⁴ She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.

 

As I read more about the "Proverbs 31 Woman," I note one thing: consistency.  Each of the scriptures support one another in that she is a hard worker.  She spends her time being productive and doing that which needs to be done. She is also a giving person (v 20).  She helps those around her as well as looks for opportunities to serve others. She is organized and a planner because as noted in v. 21 her family is prepared for winter because she made sure that they would be. They have warm clothes because she made them. She knew that winter would someday come so she did what needed to be done to prepare her family for it. She is also well dress (and covered). Her husband is well known at the city gates because of her. She adds value to his reputation because of the kind of woman she is.  Not only is she diligent at working to make sure that her family has everything that they need but she makes enough to sell.  Based on her character, I'm sure she invests the money wisely.

 

I believe as women, we can learn so much from the character of this woman. Whether or not we are married or have a family to take care of, we can still practice some of these same qualities.  Prudence and Diligence are well suited for any situation. One can never have too much wisdom either.

 

I'd like to encourage you to have as less idle time as possible. Spend your time being productive and bettering yourself so that when you are a wife, you will possess many of the same qualities.  If you are already a wife and have a family, be diligent in everything that you do. Be sure that your family is well taken care of and that your works will bring praises to all of you.

 

Be encouraged. Be better today than you were yesterday.

Obedience everyday not just TODAY

Have you ever stopped to examine your life and actions when you’re in need of a blessing or desperately need the Lord to move on your behalf? During these times in our lives, I find that many of us live more righteously as if this would get God’s attention and cause Him to move quicker in our lives.  We oftentimes pray more often, go to church more often, praise more often, read our bibles more often, give more often, worship more often, and do all of the things that we’re supposed to do anyway.  I’d like to bring your attention to the following verse:

John 5:14 NLT But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.”

Jesus said this to the man that he healed and gave the ability to walk.  I’d like to encourage you to live righteously everyday and not just because you are seeking something from the Lord.  The Lord requires that we do all of those things in obedience to Him and not simply because we want something. If anything, I believe that we should already be doing these things and they should just be magnified even more when we’re seeking something from the Lord.

Also, once you have received whatever it was you were seeking (probably even more than you asked), keep on living righteously. Don’t stop. Once you receive what you’ve been asking, don’t go back to living the way you once were, continue to walk in obedience to the Lord. Getting what you asked for is not a license to go back and live like hell.  Afterall, something even worse may happen to you!

Lord help us to not be obedient only when we want something from you but help us to make obedience a part of who we are. I pray that you allow your light and power to manifest in our lives so that we may have the courage and boldness to seek after you and live the way you want us to live like never before.  As we go through this week, help us to be mindful of your love for us and what you require of us.  Please make our paths straight and give us wisdom and discernment to hear your voice and walk along the straight path. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Have You Considered my servant (....)?

I wrote this 4 years ago. I found it in my e-mail and decided to share!

Have you considered my servant (insert your name here)?

Scripture reference: Job 1:7-8

How about that?  God knows Job's heart.  In the text, we can see that God already knew what Job would do.  He knew that whatever came upon Job, that Job would still praise Him and give Him glory.  When all of those trials came upon Job, he didn't stop believing in God.  In fact, at one point in the text, he said that "The Lord gives and he takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." 

Can God say that about us today?  If He allows (notice that whatever happens to you or whatever you go through, has to be run by God first....satan has to get PERMISSION to bother you) you to go through trials/tribulations, do know that it is not for naught..there is a PURPOSE.

So, my question to you today is this:  Can the Lord say to satan:  Have you considered my servant (insert your name here)?  Is your heart in the right place? When you're going through trials, are you focusing on God or the trial?  Let's not edify our problems but edify OUR GOD!  Our God is AWESOME!

Join me in a quick prayer:  Father in heaven, I come to you right now thanking you Lord just for being WHO you are.  I thank you that your ways are greater than my ways and your thoughts are greater than my thoughts.  I thank you for having a plan already laid out for my life.  Lord I seek to do YOUR will and not my own.  Lord, I live to give you praise, honor, and glory.  In the name of Jesus, if I am not living my life in a way that always gives you honor and glory, show me that right now Lord so that I may seek through you. I do realize that I cannot do it by myself and that is why I seek you. I thank you for loving me Lord just as I am but Lord, I do not wish to stay as I am because I want to go higher in you!  I want to be what you have called me to be so that one day you can have confidence in me and say to satan, "Have you considered my servant (your name here)?
 
Have an awesome and blessed day! And if you are going through something today, you can rejoice because it is not the end, it is only the beginning....pushing you toward your purpose!

Be encouraged!

The Money Manageress

Proverbs 31:16-18 NLT She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.

Reading and meditating on verses 16-18 above tells me that the Proverbs 31 Woman is a woman who manages her finances well! She is an accountant, investor and entrepreneur wrapped into one!

Verse 16 indicates that she researches a purchase before actually making that purchase.  She doesn't buy things on a whim. She knows the status of her finances and does not put herself in a bind to make purchases (accountant- keeping track of her money).  She makes sure that the purchase will be beneficial to her household.  She reinvests her money so that she will get the most of out it (investor and entrepreneur).

Verse 17 reveals that she isn't lazy. She works hard. She makes her money work for her!

Verse 18 tells us that she makes sure that her dealings are profitable. (There's the entrepreneur in her again).  She doesn't waste her time or money on things that won't add value to her (or her household).

The more I read this, the more I believe that she is managing the finances of her household.  Her husband has entrusted her to manage the finances.  Her family's wellbeing depends on the way she manages the finances.  Therefore she makes smart decisions when it comes to money.  "Inspecting a field before she buys it" tells me that she considers her purchase.  This means that she may not make the purchase right then.  In the same way, I think we should be more mindful of the way we spend our money.  We don't have to spend our paychecks before we get them or buy something just because "it's on sale."  I would like to encourage you to tithe, save and pay your bills first.  If you have money left, consider what you have left and what it is that you'd like to purchase.  How will the purchase benefit you? Your family?  I am certainly not saying that we shouldn't buy nice things for ourselves but I am saying that business should be taken care of first.

Today, I'd like to encourage you to take a serious look at your finances and the way you've been managing them. If you aren't doing well, make a plan and start now. There is no better time than the present.  If you are, keep it up! For Proverbs 27:23 says that we should know the condition of our flock. We should always know the condition of our finances.

Walk in love and faithfulness today! Be encouraged!

Becoming more...

Still discussing The Proverbs 31 Woman:

Proverbs 31:13-15 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

By reading and meditating on Proverbs 31:13-15, I learn that this woman of virtue is business minded, smart and diligent.  I can also tell that she is a planner and a very organized person.

Let's start with verse 13:  She makes her own clothes!  Today, I know that it is highly unlikely that many of us would make our own clothes.  We don't have to make them but we can make better choices when purchasing them.  We can assure that we buy quality items and that we do not spend up all of our money doing so.  We can also make sure that they are wholesome and that our parts are covered. ;-)  In addition, this shows that she is not afraid to work.  She is working hard to get what she wants and needs.

In the following verse (14), the scripture says that she brings her food from afar.  This tells me that she makes sure that she buys the best foods for her family.  She takes the time to plan and seek out what is best.

In the final verse for today (verse 15), we see that she gets up early to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls.  This tells me that she is very organized and diligent. She's a planner.  She does whatever it takes to make sure that her house is in order. Getting up early is no easy task...at least it isn't for me.  I have to give myself something to do to rise before dawn.  On the mornings I wake up early, I have more time to plan my day and get everything done in the mornings that need to get done. 

So here is what I've learned today:  As a Proverbs 31 Woman, I must work hard, do what's best for my family and remain organized and diligent.  So why don't you join me today and purposing in your heart to work hard, put your family first and remain (or become) organized and diligent.  Our families certainly needs us to be those things. 

Be encouraged today and give someone a smile! :-)

A Trustworthy and Enriching Wife...

To continue our talk on the Proverbs 31 woman...

Proverbs 31:11-12 NLT Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

As women who seek to become all God has called us to be in every area of our lives, we must also seek to be the woman God has called us to be for our husbands.  We must be trustworthy and add value to his (husband) life.  For a husband to trust in his wife, she must be honest and truthful. She must be naked before him--hiding nothing.  I believe that when a husband knows that his wife is naked before him, it produces trust...ongoing trust because she has nothing to hide.  We must add value to his life by contributing to the relationship and supporting him in prayer and deed.

As a "Proverbs 31 woman," a wife must look for ways to be good to her husband.  I believe that her relationship with the Lord will cause this scripture to manifest in her life.  Sometimes, a wife has to look beyond her husband and remember the Lord and His love for her...remember God's faithfulness and sovereignty.  Truthfully, no wife is going to want to be nice when she is upset or there's an unresolved issue.  Face it, we're imperfect people who serve a perfect God.  That is what we must remember! That is how we become who God has called us to be! In every situation, we remember God. Do everything as unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23) There you have it--that is how she does her husband good and not harm all the days of her life.

God bless you! Be encouraged!

A Virtuous Woman

Know the "Proverbs 31" Woman? Doesn't she just sound amazing? Well over the next few blog entries, I want to talk about her.  She is so inspiring so let's talk about who she is and who so many of us desire to become...

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.

The dictionary defines virtuous as conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright. A very good example of this is Romans 12:2 which says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:2 NLT states it more plainly, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to now God's will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.

I am convinced that this woman of high moral character that the writer speaks of in Proverbs 31:10 is a woman who seeks the Lord with everything that is within her.  Her behavior mirrors Christ and she seeks to please Him in every area of her life.  The writer also says that she is more precious than rubies.  This woman is rare and valuable to the kingdom of God.

Today lets become more like this woman.  Let us allow God to transform us in every area of our lives by submitting our will to His will.  I pray that we would all seek the Lord today. I pray that we would have hearts and steadfast spirits that are sensitive to His voice.  Let the only one we copy today be our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

BEFORE you finish praying...

This is an old post from about 3 years ago that I want to share...

Scripture Ref: Genesis 23: 1-15.

In the scripture reference, Abraham sent his servant out to find a wife for his son Issac. Abraham gave him directions on what to do based on what God promised him. In verse 15, we learn that BEFORE the servant even finished praying, God had already answered his prayers. (The servant prayed that the woman who was to be chosen said and did a particular thing so that he would know that is what God wanted.)

Isn't that awesome?

I believe that this is true today. When we are OBEDIENT to God's Word and are walking according to His Will, BEFORE we can even finish our prayer God has ALREADY answered it!

We know this because God has a plan for each and everyone of us. We just have to be OBEDIENT! We all have fallen short of God's glory and we will not be made perfect until Jesus comes back. However, this is not an excuse for us not to walk according to the commandments that God has set before us. It is not an excuse for us to continue in sin.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has plans for us...plans to prosper us and not harm us...plans to give us hope and a future.

I'd like to encourage you this week to seek God daily....seek His will and His plans for your life! When you walk with God and begin to pray for things that He has already ordained for you, know that your prayers have already been answered because it is what God has designed for you!

I know that we all want to experience the fullness and favor of God! We all know what is required of us as well so let God renew your mind and spirit today!

Prayer: Eternal God. We come to you thanking you just for being who you are! We thank you that you love us in spite of everything we've said, done, or thought in our hearts. We come to you asking that you forgive us of our sins and unrighteousness. We ask that you create in us clean hearts and renew within us the right spirit! We come seeking Your plans and Your Will for our lives. Show us what you would have us do. We honor you and praise you today! Show us You in our lives this week! In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

God speaks through dreams too

Good morning!

I'd like to share something with you all that I read a few nights ago that resonated with my spirit!  In Daniel 7:1, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed.  He wrote down the dream...

I thought that was very interesting because I believe that this is one of the ways that God speaks to us (through our dreams).  This is where many of our visions come from.  When I was in grad school, whenever I would have a dream or any kind of thought while I laid in bed, I would get up and write it down.  I think its very important that we get up and write them down.  How many times have you dreamed about something, knew it was important, woke up the next morning and could not remember it?

Writing the dream down will allow us to envision in the conscious state what God is trying to say to us.  Sometimes the dreams may be very clear and we know exactly what God is saying.  Other times, we need to pray about it more.

I know that getting up out of your sleep is not a fun thing to do but I believe its well worth it.  I just had a dream two nights ago and I "thought" about getting up to write it down but was too "something" to do it.  I have no idea what that dream was about now.

Even if you think (or know) you will remember it when you wake up, write it down anyway.  Write it as a reminder to yourself of how God spoke to you and gave you insight.  The next time you need God to speak to you, you will have a reminder that He has done it before and that He will do it again. (It may not be in the same way) He is faithful!

I thought this was awesome and I hope that it encourages you today! Wishing you many blessings!

Trust your life to the One Who Created You

So many times in life we put our trust in so many things. We worry constantly over our finances, our future, our relationships, our jobs, etc.  During times of worry, we very seldom stop to think about our Creator.  Just like He created us, He created everything else in this world. (The earth is the Lords and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1)

Worrying does not and will not change anything. So today and any other day, when worry creeps up on you, began to pray. We must pray without ceasing. Talk to your Creator about your problem(s).  Go to your quiet place. Pray. Listen. Pray. He will listen and answer you. Be diligent and steadfast in your prayers. Seek the Lord with all of your heart. Once you're finished praying, do not start to worry, instead Praise God! Praising God puts your mind, thoughts and heart on Him and off your problem(s).

In good times and bad times, be careful not to neglect your Creator! Trust your life to the One Who Created You! Be encouraged!

Good company or bad company

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

Take a moment to think about your friends, loved ones, coworkers and associates. Think about the people who you interact with daily.  Have you ever found yourself saying a new word?  It doesn't have to be a bad word but just a new word that you've picked up on from someone else?  You've heard the word so many times from this person that it has just become a part of who you are.  I have.  For example, my husband used to say two things ALL the time and I do mean ALL! LOL!  These two things are: "you good?" and "matter of fact."  I would tease him about these words but would find those two phrases slipping out of my mouth from time to time. (Honey I'm not saying that you're bad company--stay with me here)

Have you ever found yourself doing things that you didn't use to do? Have you found yourself in places you didn't use to go? Places that made you uncomfortable have now made you comfortable?  Have you really ever been in a place and thought, "how did I get here?"

One thing to remember is that once you're around something or someone for so long, you become like that thing or person.  Whether good or bad, you're going to change.  I would just like to encourage you today to make sure that you're exposing your mind and spirit to the right things and people...people who are going to encourage you to grow and help you proceed in the right direction.  Do not be fooled to think that their (those you are with most) ways won't become a part of you because they will. See our key verse.

Be encourgaed and continue to strive toward greatness!

Testing of Character

Psalm 105:19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.

Many times when God places dreams in our hearts and we purpose in our heart to fulfill it and seek after it, we encounter many obstacles along the way.  Our scripture today tells us that the Lord is the one who tested Joseph’s character.  Do you remember all of the things that Joseph encountered before Joseph’s dreams had been fulfilled?

Let us first recount Joseph’s dreams.  His first dream (Genesis 37:6) is that he is in a field with his brothers, tying up bundles of grain.  Suddenly his bundle stood up, and his brothers’ bundles all gathered around and bowed low before his.  His second dream (Genesis 37:9) was that the sun, moon, and eleven starts bowed low before him!  These dreams signified that Joseph would be ruler.

Now let us revisit the obstacles he encountered before his dreams came to past.  First, his brothers sold him into Slavery. (Even as a slave to Potiphar, God was with him and still gave him success in everything that he did) Second, Joseph was put in prison because Potiphar’s wife lied on him. (Still the Lord was with Joseph in prison and made him a favorite with the prison warden.)

One day Joseph was called upon to interpret Pharaoh’s dream.  After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the entire land of Egypt!! Dream fulfilled!

No matter what obstacles you are facing.  Remember that they are just stepping stones to get you where you need to be.  This is just a testing of your character.  The obstacles will only make you a better person and you will be better equipped when the time comes for the dream(s) to be fulfilled.

I imagine that Joseph became more patient throughout the process and even developed a better relationship with God seeing as how God continued to give him success even when his circumstances weren’t that great!  I imagine that this caused Joseph to give God even more praise and glory!  Joseph gave credit to God for everything that had happened. Genesis 45:5-8 NLT states “But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place.  It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.  This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.  God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.  So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh-the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all of Egypt!”

So today if you’re encountering difficulties while working toward fulfilling your God-given dream, remember that its only a testing of your character and you will be better for it!  God’s plans are for your good and to give you hope and a future. (Read Jeremiah 29:11)

Prayer:  Father in heaven, we honor and praise your holy name today! You are Most worthy of all of our praise! Sustain us during the times when our character is being tested.  Give us strength and help us to not lose sight of what you have in store for us! Things that we can’t even imagine!  You are so great to us and your faithful love endures forever and ever! In Jesus name, be our strength, Amen.

Who opened the door?

Revelation 3:7b (NIV) What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

I remember when I first received notice from my current job that I was selected for an interview.  I received this message by e-mail and so for 3 weeks I waited.  I heard nothing. In preparation, I looked up information about the organization on their website and even prepared my questions I would ask for the interviewer. (I did all of this before I received news that I would get an interview).

So after the three weeks passed, I sent an e-mail to the contact person telling her that I was selected and have not received any more correspondence.  Well...she said, "if you haven't heard anything by now. You probably won't.  There were budget issues and they aren't going to hire as many people as they expected."  She told me to apply again next year including the website at the end of her e-mail address.  I was crushed!  But have you ever had a "feeling" that something is going to be yours?  In this case, I did.  So I just prayed about it and left it at that.  Afterall, there was still time.  This was late July and the position didn't start until September!

Well, two days later, I received a phone call to interview the following day!! Praise God!  To make the story short, I was offered the job on the same day as the interview.  It has been a blessing every since.

I said all of that to say, keep pressing (in the words of my friend Rebecca)!  We may not always know what's going to happen in every situation that we encounter.  Many times (I believe) it is the testing of  our faith!  Remember that no man can shut a door that God has already opened!  Just as no one can open a door that God has already shut!  I truly believed that God had opened this door for me.  I didn't even see the announcement for the job online. My friend Erin received it by way of someone who works at her church!  She lives over 400 miles away! 

So friends, remain faithful!  When God opens a door for you, no one can shut it.  One may try to shut it but it won't even close! ;)

Much peace and many blessings!

How Long Are You Going To Wait?

I've been contemplating writing a book well several books for a few years now.  I have played around with several ideas and even started putting words on paper.  Then I stopped!  Why?  Life happened. I changed jobs, started a new relationship and soon after that, got married and had a baby.

None of those things are an excuse but I let them get in my way. 

Now when I first received the idea to write a book, I wondered if I was qualified. Did I have the right background? Heck, I went to school for accounting. Not writing. Nonetheless, for the past 3 years, I've received confirmation after confirmation.  Within the past several months, the task began to weigh more heavily on my heart.  I've heard pastors say that when your dreams are God-given, they won't go away.  And I tell you that I've had this dream for some time now. 

So, guess what? I'm working on my first book!  Yay!  Throughout the course of the next year, I'll be releasing little snippets to you! So get excited!

Okay so lets revisit the stage of this process where I went back and forth with myself wondering if I should do this.  Each night that I would bring this issue up in my prayers, then study my bible, guess what happened? I'm sure you guessed it.  God gave me confirmation in His Word.  I will share one of the scriptures that God gave me in a moment.  And to think I was still asking questions....

There are two things I want to share with you that finally got me moving after about 3 years:

1.  Joshua 18:3  Then Joshua asked them, "How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors has given to you?" NLT 
When I read this scripture, God reminded me that He had already given me everything I needed.  He had already equipped me! Praise God! Here I am thinking that it would be better if I worked in a certain place and had a particular job but I am reminded of WHO GOD IS! None of that matters when God is on your side! If God is for us, then who can be against us? Through Him, we are MORE than conquerors!!!

2.  About 2 weeks ago, I was halfway watching this tv show and playing a game on my phone, when the voice on the screen said something so important!  She (can't remember her name or the show, I just know that it was on the WORD channel) said that if you don't fulfill your assignment, God will raise up someone else who would do it! Whoa!  Stick a fork in me because I'm done!  She then went on to talk about the assignment that God gave her--which was to write a book--and she never completed it.  She had the title and chapters but never finished.  She even received confirmation through someone at her church who actually whispered the title of the book and the chapters to her in her ear (that she never shared with anyone)! 

Wow....so after these two things in particular, I decided it was time for me to get serious and complete the first of many written assignments!

So my question to you today is, how long will you wait to go after what has already been promised to you?