Faith – She Believes 3

Faith March 8, 2025

When Two or More Agree

Have you ever been in a situation where you could feel others praying for you? Well I certainly have, and I can tell you it is the most comforting feeling to know that others are praying on your behalf. I am blessed to have some sisters in Christ who will storm the gates of heaven on my behalf, and they know that I will do the same for them.

What I really love about these sisters is, if they tell me that they are going to pray on my behalf not only do they do so, but they will call me back and check to see if my prayer has been answered and if so how.

God knew exactly how much we would need others to be His hands and feet to stand in the gap for Him. If you don’t have someone that you can freely ask to pray for you, or a church family praying for you, I strongly suggest that you get plugged into a family of believers who will be happy to lift you up in prayer. When life starts to throw those inevitable curve balls you will have the support that you need to carry you through your difficult season.

I also suggest that your personal prayer life be strong and frequent, like daily. This way you are not only prepared to talk with God on your own behalf, but for others also in their time of need. The power of prayer is an amazing thing. Praying to God is also an amazing blessing we get to experience as Christians.

Never underestimate what God can do with the simplest of heartfelt prayers. Oh how blessed we are that He hears every single one of our prayers!

¹⁹“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. ²⁰For where two or three gather together as my followers,^[a] I am there among them.”
James 5:14-16
¹⁴Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
¹⁶Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Romans 15:5-6
⁵May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. ⁶Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:1
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.I am writing to God’s church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece.[a]
Acts 1:14
¹⁴They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

Faith February 24, 2025

The Power Resides Within You

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the POWER of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Ephesians 3:16
That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with POWER through his Spirit in your inner being.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more that we ask or imagine, according to his POWER that is at work within us.

Acts 1:8 you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you.

Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God DWELLS IN YOU. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

John 14:26 But the HELPER, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have to you.

Have you ever been in a difficult situation, and you just didn’t know how you would make it through it? Maybe you are one of the thousands that are stressed to the max and you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. There are circumstances in life that can make you feel overwhelmed and powerless. Today I want to assure you that you have the power to be victorious over anything that life throws your way, and that power resides within you.

From this day forward with God’s help we can choose to be victorious women of God and not hopeless victims of the enemy. Please read the scriptures below and see what God’s Word says about the power that we possess within us, as well as the help that He has provided for us through the Holy Spirit. By the time you finish reading these scriptures my prayer is that you will know God’s provision for you in times of Spiritual Warfare and that you will truly feel POWERED UP for the battle.

Ephesians 3:20
²⁰Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
2 Peter 1:3
³By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
Luke 10:19
¹⁹Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.
Ephesians 2:10
¹⁰For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
2 Corinthians 12:9
⁹Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Philippians 4:13
¹³For I can do everything through Christ,^[a] who gives me strength.
Ephesians 3:16
¹⁶I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Isaiah 41:10
¹⁰Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
1 Chronicles 16:11
¹¹Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
John 14:12
¹²“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
2 Peter 1:3-4
³By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
Matthew 19:26
²⁶Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Psalm 28:7
⁷The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Faith February 13, 2025

Happy Valentines, “GODS LOVE US

Who Is Love?

1^st John 4:8
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
John 4:16
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

How Does God Love Us?

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 15:13
13 Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Ephesians 1:4-5
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
John 4:7-10
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

How Are We Commanded To Love?

Matthew 22:37-40

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have a love for one another.”
John 15:12-14
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends.14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

How Should We Love One Another?

Philippians 2:1-11

2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 13

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicings in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
1 John 3:14-24
14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother[a] abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
16 By this we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word or in the tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know[b] that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us[c] commandment.
1 John 5:1-3
5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

How Should Husbands and Wives Love One Another

Ephesians 5:21-33

21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.[a]
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[b] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[c] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:38-48
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[b] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,[c] 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren[d] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors[e] do so?48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Romans 12:14
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:17-21
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Faith December 26, 2024

Yield Not To Temptation

Have you ever gone through the process of psyching yourself up to start a new diet? Well I have, and it seems that the moment that I decided to start my new food plan, every commercial on TV is about the most mouth-watering cheeseburgers or the best-looking pizza you have ever seen. That also seems to be the time that my husband decides to surprise me with a brand-new carton of my favorite Butter Pecan ice cream.

Temptations are all around us at every turn. Food may not be the thing that gets to you, it may be something else, but what I do know for sure is that we all have weaknesses, and Satan preys on those weaknesses. For some it may be overeating, others may deal with alcohol, drugs, or sexual temptations. There are some that may deal with issues of greed, gossiping, or even lying. Whatever the case, in order to overcome the constant temptation to participate in these sinful acts, and live a life of holiness that God calls us to, we must use the greatest weapon that we have and that weapon is prayer.

Each morning when you arise, ask God to give you the power and strength to resist the wiles of Satan. Also, it’s important that you don’t set yourself up to be tempted. Stay away from people, places, and things that trigger you to fall into temptation. With God’s help, you can overcome any temptation.

Remember, Satan even tried to tempt Jesus, but Jesus resisted his temptation. As Christians, we must do the same. Tap into this power to resist sin by maintaining a healthy prayer life. My sisters get prayed up and stay prayed up. Prayer is the catalyst to transform your life and have the strength to say no to the enemy.

Yield not to temptation!

⁴⁰There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ²And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple ⁶and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”

¹¹Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

¹⁸For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:1
4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
¹³No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
James 4:7
⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Faith December 19, 2024

Holiday Stress

Last week a dear friend of mine expressed how stressed out she was about Christmas. My heart went out to her because I know that she is not alone. The hustle and bustle that occurs during this time of year can be overwhelming.

Everyone either has a list, or is making a list of the things that they need to accomplish by Christmas. Whether it be a list of groceries to purchase for all of the delicious goodies, or a list of toys and other gifts to buy, there is work to be done. And let’s not forget to mention the decorating of the house and the Christmas tree. There is also house cleaning to be done in preparation for the special day. There are Christmas plays to attend, Church Christmas programs and Christmas Parties to attend. Wow there can be a lot going on in the month of December! Just listing these things makes me want to take a nap.

The thought of all that needs to be done from Thanksgiving to Christmas can be quite stressful and absolutely exhausting for some. Obviously this was not God’s intention. This should be a time of joy and it should also be a peaceful time, when we can be in God’s presence full of gratitude and hope for the future that lies ahead of us because of the birth of Christ. Today I would like to share a few tips that can possibly help you to have a calmer Christmas so that you can refocus on the reason for this special season and that would be Jesus!

10 Ways To Calm Your Anxieties During The Christmas Season

Start each day in the presence of God through prayer and by reading your Bible. Just get still.
Play soft Christmas music throughout the day in your home and in your car.
Make a list of all that you need to do, and do things over several days. Stress comes when we try to accomplish too much in a short amount of time.
Maybe this could be the year that you suggest pulling names to your family, instead of trying to purchase gifts for everyone. It saves time, energy and money.
If finances are a bit tight this year and you have the time, you may consider giving baked goods, such as cookies etc. and trust me, they will be well received.
Delegate. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do it all. Share the load. You don’t want to be totally exhausted on Christmas morning and the day after that too.
Nothing makes us feel better than doing something nice for someone else. Why not take a name from an angel tree this year and bless a stranger with a gift. You will be surprised at how quickly you will forget about yourself and all that you need to do when you focus on someone else’s needs.

Take a moment after one of your long days and sit and watch a cute Christmas movie, preferably a funny one. Laughter is a great stress releaser.
Take a 20-30 minute nap if you need to recharge.
Review your list and determine if everything on it is really necessary. If you see places to cut back, be willing to do so.

I hope that this helps! Have a Merry and Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year!

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27
²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Matthew 6:34
³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Isaiah 26:3
³You will keep in perfect peace  those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Colossians 3:15
¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
⁷“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,  whose confidence is in him.
⁸They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought  and never fails to bear fruit.”

Faith November 29, 2024

Are You Willing To Trust And Obey?

John 21:1-14
21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. Have you ever felt like Jesus asked you to do something that defied all human logic?

In John chapter 21:1-14 it is quite clear that the disciples probably felt this way. They had been out fishing all night and had caught absolutely nothing. Jesus shows up and instructs them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. Well of course this probably made no sense to them, since they had already told Him that they had been fishing all night and they had not caught anything.

You see these were professional fishermen. This was not their first rodeo so to speak. They did this daily for a living. One would think that if something as simple as casting their nets on the other side of the boat, would bring about a successful fishing day they would certainly have enough experience to figure that one out.

What I love about this story is that they did not try to think of all the reasons why it did not make sense to cast their nets on the other side. Two things happened immediately. They heard Jesus’s voice, and they obeyed His voice.

What we must remember is that our blessings are always connected to our obedience to God. Because the disciples were willing to obey and cast their nets on the other side of the boat, the Bible says when their nets were drawn from the water they had caught 153 large fish. God did more in a second than they had achieved all night and possibly even over several days.

Where are you today? When God instructs you to do something, do you obey without question, do procrastinate, or do you try to rationalize and figure out all of the reasons why it does not make sense to you? May I suggest that you respond immediately, trusting that God has always faithfully guided you correctly, and this time will be no different? Let’s make it a point to respond to God’s voice without hesitation. He is a loving kind Father who knows what’s best for us.

Remember He knows where the fish are so

Don’t Miss Out! Trust and Obey!

Faith October 14, 2024

You Are Worthy

This past weekend I was asked to speak at a retreat. The theme of the retreat was Worthy To Win. I thought that this was a great topic, because at some point or another we all have felt unworthy to some degree.

Feeling unworthy comes from believing the lies that Satan tells us. He wants us to doubt the promises, and truths that God’s Word has given us. He wants us to live in doubt, fear and unworthiness. These are the tools that he uses over and over and over again.

Another one of his tools is to accuse us of things that God has already forgiven us for. Although God has forgiven us, Satan’s constant accusations make it hard for us to forgive ourselves. He reminds us of past failures or past experiences and that causes us to feel shameful.

He knows how this eats away at our self-esteem and our sense of self worth, so he keeps the accusations coming. It is difficult to feel worthy when you are constantly reminded of all of the reasons why you should qualify as unworthy. Through this process we are held hostage and we lose our effectiveness to grow and achieve all that God would desire of us. Believing Satan’s lies keeps us from stepping into our purpose.

Be clear, God sent Jesus to sacrifice His life for us, because we were important to Him. That in itself means that we have value and we have worth. God took the time to masterfully create us, and all that he created was good. We are worthy because of what God has done for us, not because of who we are. Because we wear His seal we have worth.

We are worthy to live a joyful life. We are worthy to enjoy the blessings that God has provided for us. We are also worthy to walk in freedom, because we are no longer held captive. We have been set free by Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection. We can only be held captive if we choose to believe Satan’s lies.

How Do We Change Our Thought Process And Start Believing That We Are Worthy?

1. Pray! Since our worth comes from God, we should spend time in His presence. Daily when you pray, ask God to help you believe that you are who He says that you are, and that you can do what He says that you can do. Remember, it is His power that works through you to achieve great things.

2. I encourage you to Journal. Journaling is one of the best ways to process your thoughts and feelings. It also helps you to release the things that you have been holding on to.

3. Forgiveness is key! If you have been hurt or abused in some way, it is crucial that you forgive the person that offended you. This helps you to move forward in believing that you are worthy. Remember you are not what happened to you.

4. Read your Bible daily. I recommend that you read scriptures when you rise each morning and before you fall asleep each night. Keep God’s word on your mind and in your heart at all times. It has transforming power.

5. Take ten to fifteen minutes each day, and just be in total silence. Listen for God’s voice during this time. Remember, total silence!

6. Believe that you are worth the personal work that it will require to change your thought process. Your goal is to get to a place where you are in full agreement with God, that you are worthy of all of the blessings that He has for you.

7. Positive affirmations are important. Look in the mirror and tell yourself five to ten great things about yourself each day.

8. Be grateful! Write down ten things that you are grateful for each day. Gratitude opens the door for more blessings to enter in and it helps you to be appreciative of what God has already provided.

9. Don’t allow people who are consistently negative to occupy your time or space.

10. If you are still struggling after several months of follog these steps, I suggest that you seek a good Christian Therapist, or Counselor to help you work through issues that may be more serious. Don’t be afraid to get the help you need, because you are worthy!

¹³For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Luke 12:7
⁷Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Psalm 8:4
⁴what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?[a]
Isaiah 53:5
⁵But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
John 3:16
¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 8:1
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Faith August 28, 2024

Are Your Words Seasoned With Love?

Are Your Words Seasoned With Love?

Have you ever said something and instantly wished that you could take it back? Unfortunately, once our words escape our tongues, they hurl into the universe, never to be recaptured again. I must confess that there have been many times that I have said things without thinking, that I later regretted.

As we all know words are powerful. We have the power to bless or curse with our tongues. Our words can build others up or tear them down. They can encourage or discourage others. Hurtful words can literally stick with a person their entire lifetime and words of encouragement can do the same.

We have all been on the receiving end of both the positive and the negative use of words. Do you remember how both felt? When someone uses their words to encourage you, you feel energized, I am sure. But, when they use words that discourage you, it deflates you and sucks the energy from you. It can also make you feel inferior as well as angry.

Let’s make a commitment to think before we speak. Even when we know that we may have to have a tough conversation, let’s pray before we speak. We can ask God to give us the perfect words for that particular situation. We should try to think of the most loving way that we can communicate what we are feeling, Let’s season our words with love.
Let’s speak life!

²⁹Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Proverbs 15:4
⁴A gentle[a] tongue is a tree of life,  but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 25:11
¹¹A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Proverbs 18:21
²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue,  and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 15:1
15 A soft answer turns away wrath,  but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Luke 6:45
⁴⁵The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Colossians 4:6
⁶Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Faith August 15, 2024

Are You Running Your Best Race?

For the last two weeks my family and I have been watching the Olympics. Both my husband and my daughter were athletes at one time. So, they really have a healthy respect for what the athletes are going through as they compete to bring gold medals back to their country. Most of them have worked their entire lives for this big win.

The track and field events are especially captivating to me. To see the athlete’s strain and push themselves beyond what they could have even imagined in some cases, is really something to witness. Talking about leaving it all on the field, nothing could be truer for these athletes. At the end of the races that we have been watching, most of these elite athletes collapse from sheer exhaustion. They truly exert everything within themselves to win.

My question for you today is are you giving it your all? Are you using every bit of your strength and energy to achieve what God has called you to do? Are you taking your assignment as seriously as these athletes are taking their assignments? When God calls you home, will you cross the finish line all used up from faithfully pursuing the work that He has placed you on this earth to do, or will you cross over rested because you chose to be a spectator instead of a participant?

Today I want to challenge you to run the race that God has placed before you purposefully with passion and fervor. Choose to honor God by using up every drop of all that He has poured into you. There will be no gold medal when you cross the finish line, but there will be a jeweled crown and the words well done my good and faithful servant, and that my friend is worth more than the gold of a million medals.

²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Hebrews 12:1
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,2 Timothy 4:7
⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Faith July 28, 2024

Squash The Negativity

If you are one that is paying attention to politics right now, you know that this past week has been a political roller coaster. My purpose in writing the blog on this topic today, is not to encourage you as to whom you should vote for. You will come to that conclusion on your own. Also, I believe that who we choose to vote for is a very personal decision. However, what I would like to do is encourage you to remember who you represent at all times, and that is Jesus Christ.

Let’s be the change that we want to see in our political climate right now. Let’s not add to the current negativity that is brewing in politics each and every day as we get closer to the election.

As Christians we are called to a much higher standard. A standard that calls us to love and respect others even when we don’t necessarily agree with their viewpoint. We are called to use wise judgement and to choose our words wisely. We are called to love and not hate. Let’s not spread this evil poison called negativity.

We know that negativity is another tactic that Satan uses to destroy what is good. Don’t fall prey to his antics.

Choose to be a part of our country’s solution, not its problem. Choose to take the high road when you see something ridiculous posted on social media. Just simply choose not to comment. Not all things are worthy to be dignified with a comment. Let it go and move on. Win by making your statement in the voting booth. Continue to let your light shine and remember God is still the One in control and He will ultimately have the final say. it is His will that will supersede everything. May God bless us all, as we navigate through this political season.

⁸Finally, 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.

²⁰and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
²¹He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

¹³Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
Proverbs 10:19
¹⁹Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Proverbs 12:18
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Matthew 12:36
³⁶But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
Ephesians 4:32
³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.