A Year Ago Today The Test Said YES!

A year ago today the test said yes!! I’ll never forget how excited we were as we walked down the isles of the store looking for the pregnancy test or the joy we felt when we discovered that it was positive!! I rolled on the floor in our living room! We thanked God and sat there grinning at each other because our desire to start a family was coming to pass!!

We went to the store and created a surprise gift for my parents. We went to their house and I told my mom to look at the gift I had gotten for my girlfriend’s baby shower. When she opened the pretty blue and yellow box inside was my 2 tests, a poem from the baby to them and a baby musical toy. My mom screamed, my dad laughed and they both congratulated us! We ate dinner together and talked about baby stuff. I will never forget that day, how excited Eddie and I were but more importantly how faithful God was. I have always wanted to be a wife and a mother ever since I was a little girl. We had only been trying to conceive for a short time and God had given us the desire of our hearts!! Many ladies were telling me all types of methods to try to get pregnant and I was researching the topic weekly but my husband told me to calm down, enjoy trying and trust God and he was right!

I want to encourage people today to trust God and the plans that He has for you. He knows what you need and when you need it. He hears your prayers, He sees your effort to live right and please Him. When the time is right and He knows your ready, He will grant you your desire if they are in line with His will. (Psalms 37:4) I sit here typing this with my precious, healthy, blessed baby girl right now and I’m encouraging myself, reminding myself that if God did it on 7/30/10 He CAN AND WILL DO IT AGAIN! I have things that I’m believing God for my family right now and I know God hears me and I know He’s able and faithful! I will walk in peace and trust Him just as I learned to do last year when trying to conceive. Thank you Jesus for your love, mercy, faithfulness and goodness!!

Don’t Be Deceived, The Grass IS NOT ALWAYS Greener

I have many friends in all stages of life; single, married, children, no children, employed, out searching for employment and stay at home moms. Some of my friends are  in their mid 20’s, some are turning 30 this year, like me and some are in their mid to late 30s. While we are all in different stages of life, we can learn from each other and be a blessing to each other as long as we’re careful not to walk in envy or discontentment.

In talking to many ladies, I’ve come to see that it’s easy for us to start comparing our lives and feeling like the grass is always greener. Let me explain what I mean: a single woman could say, I wish I was as successful in my career as my other single friends or I wish I had a husband like my married friends, a married woman could say, I wish my husband was like your husband, a pregnant woman could say, I wish my pregnancy was easy as your pregnancy and a mother could say, I wish my baby was as peaceful and well behaved as your baby. The truth of the matter is no one’s life is perfect and we ALL have something to be grateful for. We are to thank God for our health, sanity, jobs, housing, friends, families, marriages etc. We can also thank God in advance for what He is going to bless us with in the future (such as a job, car, spouse or children) because God knows what we need and desire. Psalms 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Today I want to encourage and remind my readers as well as myself to continue to trust God and walk in His peace and contentment. God knows where we’re at in life and where we want to be. Today I pray that we all learn to seek His face more so that we can receive the answers and direction that we need. I pray God shows each of us what is HIS perfect will for our lives. I pray that we learn to allow God to lead and us to follow, not trying to tell Him what’s best. May we continue to walk in Psalms 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. God’s got us, there’s no need to worry!!

Psalms 37: 25 KJV

²⁵I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

11I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

2 Corinthians 9:8

⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

James 1:3-5 KJV

³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. ⁵If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Stirring Up My Mustard Seed Faith

This morning as I sat at my desk thinking about a few things that haven’t been going right lately, a scripture came to my mind that really blessed me. Matthew 17:20 NIV He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” My mustard seed faith CAN and WILL move mountains!!

Often times we see our problems as gynormous but our God is BIGGER, BADDER, FAITHFUL and ABLE to do everything that we need Him to do. Eph 3:20 KJV Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. I want to stir up  my faith and yours this morning. It doesn’t matter what it looks like. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, God loves you, He is waiting with open arms to bless you and take care of you. Money, jobs, health relationships, sickness/diseases, unsaved family members, houses, cars, spouses, children, businesses, money to go back to school WHATEVER your need is today, stir up your mustard seed faith. You can’t do it on your own. Matt 19:26 NIV Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

We are God’s children and He knows our needs and He knows what’s best for us. He hears our prayers and He sees us trying our best to walk out His word. He sees us giving to the church and others in need. God is working all things out for our God. Romans 8:28 KJV 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.

Be encouraged today. Let’s mediate on the word of God and not our circumstances. When we start thinking about all the things that are going wrong, let’s start praising God for everything that is going right!! God is good and He is working things out for each of us!!! Phil 4:8 NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

29th Birthday 29 Reasons To Shout

  

Today is my 29th Birthday and I have so much to be thankful for!! God has been so good to me, without Him, I would be lost but with Him, there has been nothing that I haven’t been able to do!!  Where would I be without His grace and mercy! Lost and looking crazy!! Today I wanted to share 29 reasons that I shout and praise God regarding my life. I pray this list encourages, motivates and stirs you up like it continuously does me!!

29 Reasons To Shout

God has blessed me with:

1. Good health

2. A sharp, peaceful and sound mind

3. An intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I am NOT ashamed to share the gospel of Christ and let my lifestyle be an example to others.

4. An awesome black man, YES ladies there are great ones out there! My husband loves God, himself, me and our bundle of joy with all that he has in him.

5. I’M GOING TO BE A MOMMY!!

6. We were blessed to be able to plan when we wanted to started our family and God granted us our desire!!

7. An education. I was blessed to go to two different private schools and was able to go to college and obtain my Bachelors and Masters degrees.

8. The funds my husband and I needed to purchase our first home right before we got married. We purchased a 3 bedroom condo in Southfield for $36,000. It’s 2,500 square ft with a huge basement!! God is so AWESOME and faithful!!

9. Both sets of our parents are still happily married (30 and 29 years!!). They are all saved, love God and welcome Him to be the center of their marriages. We are so blessed to have the 4 of them in good health and living in the same State as us. We thank God for their love, guidance and support.

10. All 5 of our siblings (Joe/Chasity, Leah, Rachel and Rebecca) are saved, hard-working, loving, kind, hilarious, giving, college students, athletes, volunteers and business men and women, that love the Lord.

11. A healthy, intelligent, funny, giving, happy and well-behaved niece. I love Gabrielle Mackenzie Wood!

12. A career that I love. I am a supervisor at Judson Center in the Family Reunification Program.

13. I am a limited licensed counselor in the State of Michigan.

14. A husband whom is my best friend, the leader of my home, my life companion, lover and future baby’s daddy!

15. An awesome church home where the word is taught straight from the bible. We are taught how to walk in it and trust God for all that we need. Our lives have been forever changed since joining Word of Faith in 01 and 02.  Shout out to ALL of our Word Of Faith family, we love you all!!

16. A healthy and comfortable first 2 months of my pregnancy. We are confessing great things over our baby and my body.

17. I am no longer lost, broken, bond, confused, hurt or deceived by the treats of the enemy! Jesus died on the cross for my sins and because of His blood I am cleansed, healed and free.

18. I love myself. I am happy in my own skin. I know who I am in Christ and who He has made me to be!

19. God has given me the strength, boldness and heart for the people. He has turned my mess into my message and helped me to share my life experiences with those in need. BUT GOD LADIES, BUT GOD!

20. I know my God loves me unconditionally.

21. We have 3 grandmothers and 1 grandfather still living and ALL four of them love the Lord and their families and they continually share their wisdom with us. Eddie’s grandparents have been married for 62 years!!

22. God’s divine protection and the blood of Jesus covers my home, our baby, our bodies and our family and friends daily.

23. God has blessed us to get married during a time that so many other Christian couples were getting married and therefore we have an awesome community of married couples to fellowship and pray with.

24. My hubby and I are blessed to have support from all of our family and friends regarding my pregnancy and our upcoming baby. It’s such a blessing to have people praying for us, encouraging us and being ready and willing to be a blessing to us!

25. I thank God for the gifts and talents that He has given me to write posts for this blog each week and to finish my book project soon. I thank God for my book coach, Versandra Kennebrew and my peer Leslie B! I really enjoy working with these lovely ladies and growing with them.

26. I praise that I am in His will and right where I need and desire to be in my life. God is continually developing and molding me but I am happy to be able to say that I am in His will for my life right now.

27. I praise God for my drama free, honest, happy HOT marriage.

28. I am extremely thankful to God for my true friends. My friends that I’ve had for years, since a little girl all the way to my friends that I just met this year. You know who you are. I love you and I thank God for your love, prayers, guidance, support and friendship! True friends keep you on the right path and make you better. I thank God for you ladies!!

29. I thank God that favor goes before me each and every day and prospers my way!! God is continuously opening doors for me and my family and making ways when it seems like there is no way. I do not have to fear because I know that my way is blessed because I’m following Christ!!

YES GOD CAN: My Testimony List

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. 

 

Last Sunday, 8/8/10 at Word of Faith, Pastor Butler preached an encouraging message reminding us that yes God can do EVERYTHING that we need Him to do. Pastor encouraged us to make a victory list of things that God has done for us in the past and use that to encourage ourselves during the tough times. God has already done so much for all of us and He’s changing and rearranging things right now on our behalf!! No matter what it looks like right now, know that God is in control. He sees your circumstance, He sees your diligence and He hasn’t forgotten you or the seeds that you’ve sown over the years.

 

In case you need reminding, YES GOD CAN:

 

*Restore your family

*Heal your body

*Save your children

*Bring promotion on your job

*Cancel your debt

*Move your mountains

*Save your marriage

*Bless you with a spouse and/or a child

*Give you God ideas to bless the world and increase your finances 

*Give you peace, joy and comfort

*Get your family members off drugs

*Increase your business/ministry

*Help you sale or buy your house

*Bless you with a job

  

Those are examples of what my God can do because with Him ALL things are possible!! Here is a brief testimony/victory list of my own. God gets ALL the glory! He’s been too good to me and I don’t deserve His love, mercy or grace but I thank God for it!!

 

1. When I was in college making bad choices, my God protected me and had mercy on me. When I came running back to him at the age of 20, He was right there to love on me and make me whole again!

  

2. My God helped me pass my Statistics class. The class was the most challenging of all my undergraduate classes but I exercised my faith, studied a lot by myself and with a study group. I needed the case to graduate and I was overjoyed when I found out that I had passed and would graduate on time!

 

3. 2003 was a year of many miracles!

 

A) That was the year that I started counseling and got restored from the sexual assault that I survived in 2000. I began to get stronger and stronger in God. I learned to trust in God, forgive those who had wronged me, walk in God’s joy, peace and wisdom. I began developing an intimate relationship with Him and I was no longer walking in fear or shame.

B) I graduated from Oakland University with my bachelors in Psychology.

 

C) I met my husband and many other young people at Word Of Faith. My husband and the other brothers in the Lord showed me what it meant to be treated like a sister and not a piece of meat. I made many friends that year and having Christian friends really helped me to grow in God.

  

4) God restored my brother. My brother Joel came back to Michigan a few years ago and started working, going to church, being hard working and responsible. He got married, had my beautiful niece and continues to be an awesome husband, man of God, father, son and brother to all of us.

 

5) God blessed me in 2008 to graduate with my Master’s in Counseling, we purchased our 1st home and I was blessed to marry to the man of my dreams, the man God ordained just for me. All of this happened within a few weeks of one another. God is faithful!!

 

6) Less than two months after getting my Master’s degree, I was promoted to supervisor in my department at my job.

 

7) God continues to heal and restore our families mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. God is faithful and He continues to do miracles and show himself faithful. If he did it once, He will continue to do it again and again and again!!

1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony

Take No Thought About Tomorrow

Today I was reading my bible before work and I was led to read Luke 12. The chapter speaks about not worrying about life’s issues and putting our trust in God. The entire chapter is powerful but I focused on verses 22-32. Holy Spirit was reminding me that it is easy to praise God, sing and dance around the sanctuary on Sundays but the real test of my faith comes during the week when work is stressful, my bank account is lower than I need it to be and life’s issues start hitting me left and right. As Christians we need to learn to truly trust in God. No matter what is going on, good, bad, pretty or ugly, God is good and faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us. When things get tight, lets not forget what we have been taught at church and read for ourselves in the word of God. During tough times, we are to remind ourselves of the countless things that He has done for us and remember that our current situation is no different. If God did it for you once, He WILL do it for you again!

I have been believing in God for a few things for a while now and sometimes it gets hard to remain patient. We live in a right now society, we want everything right away and we get upset if we have to wait. With God, things don’t work that way. Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. After I pray, I have to give God praise and thanksgiving because I know He’s working it out.

Something else I was reminded of was on my worse day, I am better off than many other people. There is always someone doing worse than you. Sometimes we think, “if only I had this amount of money, car, job, food in the fridge, clothes in my closet.” You may not have the wardrobe that you want but you aren’t walking around naked or in rages! You may not have money for restaurant food or even the food that you have a taste for at the grocery store, but your cabinets and fridge are not completely empty. God is faithful and He reminded me to be grateful and content where I am at. When we show ourselves faithful over what He has blessed us with, He rewards us with more.

Lastly, remember that a seed will meet any need!! Whatever you’re in need of, take time and sow that. Sow money into someone who has less than you, give groceries to someone who has less food than you. If your lonely, go visit someone who does not get visitors often. Lets take the attention off of us and our needs and sow into the lives of others. God is faithful!! Psalm 37:25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Luke 12:22-32

Do Not Worry

 ²²Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[a]? ²⁶Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

 ²⁷“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

 ³²“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ³³Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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Keep Having Faith, It Will All Be Worth It

Yesterday Pastor Butler of Word of Faith (www.woficc.com) brought an awesome and encouraging word entitled “It Will Be Worth It.” He encouraged us to trust in God and don’t give up, not matter what things look like or how long we have been praying and believing in God for certain things. He instructed us to not put a due date on God’s reward. Like a pregnant woman who goes through challenges in her body throughout the 9 months (fatigue, nausea, funny appetite cramping, body changing and growing) when she gets to hold her healthy baby she is reminded that it was all worth it! Even though waiting is tough and we have to exercise patience, as Christians we have to choose to respond the right way and resist temptation. We must remember that we can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength and eventually it will ALL be worth it!

7 Things To Do While You Wait For Your Blessing To Manifest

1. Keep Living Holy

*Hebrews 11:24, Psalms 24:3-5, 84:11

*If you do it God’s way, He will reward you.

*Single people, keep standing and living holy, it’s worth it. (I can testify to that!!)

*Walking according to God’s word will cause you to be blessed all the days of your life.

2. Keep Putting Up With Difficult People

*Walk what you talk, walk like Jesus.

*Eph 4:1-3, 1 Cor 13 AMP, 1 Peter 2:18-20, Heb 6:10 1 Tim 4:8

*Forebearing means to put up with in love. If your kind to the person that you’re putting up with, they won’t know that you’re putting up with them.

*If you please God, rest assured He will reward you.

*Vengeance is God’s. Feed your enemy, overcome evil with good.

*The greater reward is that your pleasing God. Prov 11

*God will reward the pain you went through so someone else will be blessed.

*Resistance is the most tempting when your near your break through. When you get your blessing, you will be able to encourage others to keep going. You will have a double harvest: on earth and in heaven. Eph 4

3. Serve God Through Serving Others

*We bless God by serving Him.

*The liberal soul will be made fat (those that give to others will be blessed)

4. Living Two Give

*2 Cor 9:11, Prov 11:24-25

*When you give, you get increase. Remember the two bible stories about the woman with the vessel of oil and the boy with the 3 fish and 5 loaves of bread. God increased what they had because they were willing and had faith.

*Confess- I’m a money magnet for God.

*2 Tim 4:7, 1 Cor 7, Prov 10:4

*Faith, Focus, Finish

5. Be Diligent In Your Assignments

*Married couples, be diligent in meeting each other’s needs. Husbands make sure you take time to romance, communicate, give compliments and non sexual touch to your wives.

*Wives make sure you meet your husbands need for sex and you show him the respect that he needs. A woman who does not have sex with her husband is foolish. The bible encourages married couples to have sex and come together as one so that they are not tempted.

*Parents be diligent in parenting and training your children regularly. Teach them God’s ways. Don’t be organized and implement structure at work and have your home life disorganized.

6. Keep Having Faith In God

*1 Tim 6:12, Gen 5:24

*Keep fighting the good fight. Keep trusting no matter what it looks like.

7. Keep Chasing God

*The story of Enoch, the first man to be raptured. He was so close and in tune with God, God took called him up to heaven.

*Keep following Him. Keep going after God. Remind yourself that He is yours and you are His. In His presence is fullness of joy.

*Don’t allow the enemy to get you away from what you need the most. Stay tuned in after God. The word WILL produce for you. Keep doing the word every day, everything else will come to pass.

What To Do When Life Throws You A Detour

Pastor Butler brought an awesome and encouraging word yesterday at Word of Faith Southfield. The message was right on time for me. The message was about the detours of life. Life happens and things change and sometimes we find ourselves off the right path whether it’s our own fault or not. Pastor was encouraging us that no matter what happens in life, we as believers need to continue to seek God, stay in faith, be of good cheer, walk in patience and love. There are things that I’ve been believing in God for that lately I’ve been feeling anxious about.  I know that being anxious and stressed is not of God. Also worrying doesn’t produce results, faith does! I’ve repented of my ways and I’m ready to start fresh.

I’m excited to start walking out this message. God knows my needs and desires. He knows the plan He has for me, plans to give me hope and a future. I don’t know more than God and therefore I will trust Him and follow His plan!! Amen! Be blessed today everyone!

Checkout my notes below. I pray they bless you as much as they did me. It’s a good reminder and very encouraging. I got excited just retyping the notes! If you want to purchase a cd, dvd or mp3 of the message go to http://woficc.com.

1. Take the time to hear from God.

*Seek His face.

2. Be Patient

*Cheerful endurance.

*Don’t give up. Keep doing and saying the right things.

*Don’t give God a deadline.

3. Have Faith in God

*Have faith no matter what.

*Only by faith do you get the victory.

*1 John 5:4 Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

4. Be of Good Cheer

*Rejoice in the Lord always

*Believe He’ll work it out

*Cheer up, something good is going to happen.

*Wake up each morning saying “something good is going to happen to me today.” And if not today than tomorrow it will!

*God’s got a plan for your life and your family’s lives.

*Nothing can stop God. There are no limits on God.

*No matter the detour, God can make it right if you follow the plan.

*Remember that in the middle of your storm, God is with you!!

*God is with you and will provide favor to you.

5. Be a Blessing

*God wants to use you, wherever you are. (on your job, in your community, at your church, wherever)

6. Treat others right

*Walk in love

*Treat people how you want them to treat you.

*There is no excuse to mistreat people

7. Repent Where You’ve Missed It

*Repent means to turn away from

*God is faithful to forgive us

*Your still a son/daughter of God and God will show you mercy.

*Repent and do it the right way.

Scripture texts

Joel 2:25, Acts 9:15, Acts chapters 27 and 28, Luke 15:17-24

Will The Real Proverbs 31 Women Please Stand Up

^{Majority of Christian women have read the Proverbs 31 passage before but today I felt lead to post it in the Amplified, to get a break down each verse and mediate on its meaning. I want to be a woman that glorifies God in all things; my mind, body, soul, career, speak, actions, marriage etc. What better way to make sure I am living according to the word of God, then to study His word and discover exactly what He says a good woman is. I don’t care what the world defines a good or valuable woman as, I only care what God says. He created me, He is my source and strength, and He is my delivery. I highlighted some of the verses that really blessed me and made me think about how I wanted to be better.}

^{Proverbs 31:10-31 (AMP)}

¹⁰A capable, intelligent, and ^[b]virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her Proverbs 31:10-31value is far above rubies or pearls.^(D)

    ¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.

    ¹²She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

    ¹³She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].

    ¹⁴She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household’s food from a far [country].

    ¹⁵She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.^(E)

    ¹⁶She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]

    ¹⁷She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.

    ¹⁸She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].

    ¹⁹She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

    ²⁰She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].

    ²¹She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.^(F)

    ²²She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].^(G)

    ²³Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.^(H)

    ²⁴She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].

    ²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!

    ²⁶She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

    ²⁷She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.^(I)

    ²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],

    ^29[c]Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

    ³⁰Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

    ³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!^(J)

^{What I hear Proverbs 31 saying is that as women of God we need to be:}

^{1.  capable and smart.}

^{2. Good with our hands.}

^{3. Wise with regards to money and business deals.}

^{4. Spiritual leaders.}

^{5. Motivated and not lazy.}

^{6. Multitaskers.}

^{7. Spiritually, mentally and physically fit.}

^{8. Giving}

^{9. Fearless.}

^{10. Skillful.}

^{11. Wise}

^{12. Drama free.}

^{13. Good wives and mothers.}

^{Seek God today and ask Him to help you to sharpen some of the skills that you read in the above passage. God is faithful, He will grant you your request.}

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6 Steps To Keep Your Perspective in Check

We attend Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI and yesterday Pastor MiChelle Butler brought an awesome message entitled Change Your Perspective. Pastor MiChelle gave 6 Steps To Keep Your Perspective in Check. Here are the notes that I took from the message. The message was a huge blessing to my house hold and I’m sure it will bless yours as well.

Thank you Pastor MiChelle for your diligence and obedience to bring this message forth. Your humor and own life experiences always help to bring your messages full circle. We love and appreciate you.

1)    Make a quality decision to be better.

v     Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

2)    See yourself how God sees you. Keeping your perspective starts with how you see you.

v    Be careful of the all or nothing mentality.

v     Don’t wait until everything is perfect to step out in faith and do what you’re called to do or to get right with God.

v     It’s better to start walking with God and still struggle with some things because the more you develop a relationship with him, you will get free of the things that were hang ups for you initially.

v     God is a right now God.

v     Let God put His super on your natural.

v     Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

v     Matt 12:31 (KJV) The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

v     If I said to some people, love on me how you love yourself, I would have to run because they don’t love themselves.

v     You were born single, learn how to be single and love you, see God’s perspective regarding who you are and your life.

v     We live in a world that makes us feel negative about ourselves. Women compare themselves to celebrities and video girls.

v     1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

v     There is nothing in this world more important to God but you.

v     John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

3)    Be thankful for where you are now.

v     Phil 4:11 (KJV) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

v    God blesses grateful people.

v    The bible story of the ten leopards. Only one turned back to say thank you.

v    God is in the business of blowing your mind and restoring your life.

v    If your perspective if always looking at what you don’t have, you will throw away what you do have.

4)    Be honest about what affects you.

v     Under pressure, what you put in yourself is what will come out.

v     If you always compare yourself to others, you will always be average.

v     Galatians 6:7 (KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

v     The music you listen to, the clubs or other places that you go, the company you keep; they all mold your perspective.

v     If you’re single and trying to be holy, stop listening to lustful music and watching lust filled TV shows and movies.

v     Be aware of your temptations and know what affects you.

v     Your perceptive is off if it does not line up with the word of God.

v     Just because everybody’s doing it, doesn’t mean it isn’t hurting you.

v     Lust and sin start with a thought.

v     Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

v     We are all capable of despicable things; it’s only His grace that keeps us.

v     Thank God that someone was praying for me when I was tripping and he opened my eyes to see that he had better for me.

v     I don’t want to live my life in recovery; I want to live life in victory.

5) Be consistent, don’t quit.

6) Trust God.

v    Protect your perspective (the way you think)

v    Be consistent in the Word. When things go bad, read the Word, play some gospel CDs or call a praying family member or friend.

v    Your perspective should be God’s perspective, keep it in check.

Question: Which of the 6 steps are you working on currently? Which key points spoke to you?

The message was a blessing to me because it continued to remind me to keep my thoughts in check and trust God. I need to continue to have my life and thoughts lined up with the word of God. No matter what our bank account looks like, what I may feel on the inside or what challenges my family/friends may be facing, I need to continue to speak the word and keep my perspective lined up with God’s regarding each situations. We can’t allow outside factors (media, coworkers, family/friends who aren’t living according to the word) to impact our lives and change our perspective. We must keep our eyes on Christ.

Pastor MiChelle spoke about making sure that we put the word of God in us continually so that when we are under pressure, the word comes out instead of profanity and negativity.  I know I need to do better with reading and mediating on the word. If we spend more time watching, listening to and mediating on secular TV/music, the lust, drama and attitudes associated with the media is the fruit that we will produce.  We all want to produce good fruit.

Matt 7:15-20 (NIV) ¹⁵“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Regarding being thankful and content with where we are now, I have to remind myself of this every now and then. I have goals that I want to accomplish (professionally, spiritually and naturally) and I know I have to be content and trust God no matter what. In His timing and perfect will, I will have what I’ve been praying for BUT in the mean time, I need to continue to be happy, patient and at peace.

Phil 4:6-7  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.