Purpose…

God has a purpose for everything.

My daughter’s little 8-year old son prays that a cure will be found for the Corona Virus. But each time he prays he ends with words “unless you have a purpose”.

With mouth aghast when I heard it the first time, I asked him to clarify. He said maybe God wants to bring us together or something. I now know he does understand.

I pray that we too will be like him. Simply trusting God for His sole Purpose and plan.

Keep the faith. This too shall pass.

Blessings overflow

Before We Ask…

Before we ask he answers. And while we are speaking he hears.

Ever had that experience where the lord seems to respond while you’re on your knees? While your praying? Just as you were about to ask? It leaves us aghast doesn’t it?

He sends a neighbor, a stranger, a friend.

Today let’s remember he sees, he hears, he comforts. Let’s do our part ….just ask. Pray. Through prayer and supplication he meets our needs.

Ohhhh and when he answers, don’t forget to say Thanks.

Blessings overflow.

Things Change…

Things change.

In one sweep a virus instilled fear affecting worldwide travel, vacation, stock market, business, interviews, relationships, behaviors, mental capacities.

But one thing remains forever…God.

Trust Him.

The Fear You Feel Is Often Not Real. 9 Verses To Fight The Fear…

Do it afraid.

We all have dreams, goals and aspirations. Sometimes these call for us to step out of our comfort zone. With that comes fear. What if I fail? How will I look to others? What if I don’t get the opportunity? The business? The job? The relationship?

This fear causes us to hesitate. To hold back from taking the step. With that I’ve always encouraged “do it afraid“. Don’t let the fear you feel stop you.

Here are 9 verses to encourage you to fight your fear. To step out in faith.

The Fear Factor

1. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28

2. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. ~Psalm 18:2

3. Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. ~Isaiah 43:1

4. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

5. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.~ Psalm 56:3

6. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~2 Timothy 1:7

7. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ~Joshua 1:9

8. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~Matthew 6:34

9. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears. ~Psalm 34:4

 

Here’s hoping these verses encouraged you to step out in faith today. Knowing that he’s got you in your time of need.

Blessings overflow!

Why It’s Important To Connect The Dots…

Doesn’t everything work through God no matter how small? The food we eat, the friends we keep, the goals we make, the careers we choose, our spouses, relationships. Doesn’t everything line up with God?

Been waiting on God‘s direction. So my mind is alert to whatever comes my way. A colleague shared some real life-changing news with me. As I reflected, I realized that the Lord had lined up everything in that space for her.

My Gleaning

So I shared my gleanings. Her response was “you don’t have to make everything so spiritual”. She’s a believer so I gasped at her response because she figures that I might end up being a little bit ‘preachy’. Convicted, she later apologized.

What’s in reflecting? Doesn’t everything work through God no matter how small? The food we eat, the friends we keep, the goals we make, the careers we choose, our spouses, our relationships. Doesn’t everything line up with God?

Personally for me I don’t want anything unless it is lined up with the Lord’s leading. My life has been one that sometimes you go off course and then you realize that you’re not in his will.

No Time To Waste

So now I have no time to waste. I just want to do everything according to God‘s will. So yes I’m gonna step back, examine, reflect and connect the dots. This happened. That happened and they’re all lined up in the path that you want …how can you not praise God? How can you not?

Today, may you back on your journey and connect the dots. You’ll be surprised at what you glean.

Blessings overflow.

When All Is Nothing…

I have room that provides shelter. A sure place to sleep. I have food on the table. Something to eat. I have a car that provides transport. Ability to commute. But all is for nothing for that’s safe place for me.

I am at that place where all I have is you. I’m down to my last resort and my last resort Lord is you. I am at the bottom of the well. Nowhere to turn. If only …I could look up.

My head is held low feeling sorry for myself. I keep it down so others won’t see the conflicts that exists in me. The dread in society that has caused me to be. Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing is okay within me.

A visionaire  in my past life, now I can hardly see. Will I ever get back to the heights of self confidence that I’ve been known to preach? Will life turn 360 so I can see what’s for real? I’ve never been an oppressor, but depressed and oppressed is all I seem to see. Bring me back to those days of confidence and habitat that surely exist for real. 

Excerpt book GreenLight 2

Too Helpful. Is That Even Possible?

“Don’t help me”. That’s her cry each time I try to assist.

Too helpful. Is that even possible? Well my hairdresser thinks so. I often help her when she’s doing my hair. Hold my head up when she wants it down. Holding it down, turning to the side, this way or that. All going against her desire and affecting the progress she’s trying to make. So she always says, “Shell, don’t help me”.

Let Go. Let God

Isn’t it the same with our Heavenly Father? Sometimes we step in to help but do more harm than good. Often we end up in a different direction which may last anywhere from a short to a long time depending on when we learn, or get back on track.

Today, let’s let go and let God have his way in our life.

Blessings overflow!

Time For Me…

Time for me

Time for me Holy Spirit

Time for me praise His name

Time to hear your Spirit’s leading

Time to read your holy word

Time to bask in your presence

Time to seek your holy decadence

Time to praise the one above

Time to sing hallelujah

Time to shout your Spirit’s name

Time. Oh time for me

Time to hide in your loving arms

Time to seek your spirits leading

Time. Oh time for me to be with you

Examine Your Path …

A man plans his path but the lord directs his steps.

You have a lot planned for 2020. I pray the lord will lead, guide and direct your path. May all you do …be done according to his will and purpose for your life.

May you always hold onto him for his strength.

Go back to him (if you slid unintentionally). Spend some time to reflect on where you are today. What did you do over the past year? Over the past few Months? Examine the path you’re on. Does it line up with his will? If so, terrific! If not make a change.

Check your plans. Are they really where you want to be? Want to do? If so, work it. If not, “find your what” and create it.

Pray

Are you aligned? Is your life aligned according to his plan and purpose? Examine your habits.

If it is what you wish, then good for you! Keep going! But… if not, examine the path you’re on. Make a u-turn if needed. Shed some dead weight (whatever and however that looks like to you). It’s Your life …not anyone else’s. You have to give your own account.

Find your verse

Pastor D. Owens new year’s message charged the congregation to find their verse for the year. Then “see it; say it; seize it. Personally I found my verse:

“Do not Fear…All things work together for good to those who love the lord and who are called according to his PURPOSE.

Search, find your verse; and soon. Don’t rush it. Find it and let it be your guide this year.

Follow Where He Leads

Continue to follow the Lord’s leading. He’s ahead of you. Give him THANKS even before he comes through bringing all things together in your favor.

Reflect after a long struggle. Travel if you want. Explore. Find yourself. But … in doing so, do it with him and not without. For without Him, life is dangerous and makes no sense. Engage your sense of responsibility.

Aside…sometimes the lord takes long to give us something because he wants to protect us. Think this through quietly. Was their a response that took awhile to come through? Ponder …why…

You were born for a purpose from in the womb. He designed you Special…find out what he wants from you. Pray always and He’ll guide and show you the way.

Always do the right thing even when no one is looking. Always.

May this be our guide throughout the new year.

Blessings overflow

Live A Day At A Time…

Live each day one day at a time.

Funny how many of us worry our heads off about the future. At times some pass away and not even around to enjoy what they worried about. My sister had cancer and worried about leaving her kids. But because she knew she wouldn’t be around much longer after fighting the dreaded disease for over 12 years, she decided to put things in place for them to survive and thrive after she passed.

To Worry Or Not To Worry?

Some of us worry about tomorrow …what we are going to eat, what we are going to drink and more. Yet when tomorrow becomes today, we find that we have enough for the day. Often even more than enough. We are not satisfied with what we have. We want steak when mere chicken will do. We want a mansion when a small condo will do. We want vacations to share on social media and gain likes and followers when a quiet space will give our hearts peace.

As we enter a new era may we become satisfied with the present. May we be satisfied with God’s deserving provisions now. May we be comforted that like Joseph who accomplished his will in prison and rose from the depths of the dark hole, false accusers to the heights of ruling a nation during its most severe time of need.

Lord, when we are weak, make us strong.

For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to give you hope and a bright future.