What to Expect in the New Year!

                                                                             
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With the New Year arriving in just a few days, people are gathering ideas of what they would like the New Year to bring into their lives. Often we are excited about not only a New Year but a new start in relationships, dreams, goals, unresolved issues or the embarking of a new journey. But for many reasons- after the excitement wears off- the process that it takes to see these entire aspirations manifest is soon to be neglected. It takes work and a made-up-mind that until the goal is reached, you will not quit! Additionally, we must realize that the work that God has began in us, He is faithful to complete.

God has finished what He needs to do but there is a part that we have to do. So whatever you are expecting the New Year to bring, make sure you put something “in” so that you can get something out! And there is no need to wait until Jan.1, start now. Get a journal and right down what you desire to happen within the year 2013 and your plans to reach those goals.

Next, get alone with God- the author and finisher of your faith! You need His guidance and strength if you’re going to successfully experience a fruitful year. Ask God for a vision, then write it down and make it plain. Keep the vision in front of you until it manifests! Because what you consistently focus on- good or bad will manifest in your life. Why not focus on things that are possible to him that believes.

Last, stay away from vision killers and surround yourself with everything and everyone that will add to the process. Vision killers are negative thoughts, negative/unproductive people, bad habits and negative confessions. Don’t hesitate to let go all the accumulated “baggage” that is dragging you down and hindering you from stepping out in faith and seeing your dreams come to past! Get serious about your goals like your life depends on it and never look back until you reach them.

As for me, a lot has happened since I lasted posted on this blog. What I am most excited for is (God Willing) the release of my first book in February 2013. STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS!

Until Next Time Remember, God loved YOU First!

Saleena

“The Gardener of my heart and the Part I Play”

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Proverbs 4:23

As people, we are all tempted with jealousy, depression, self-seeking, greed, gossip, unforgiveness, laziness, impatience, worry, fornication, adultery and any thing else that would contaminate the soil of our hearts and threaten our growth and well-being. These pollutants along with others are used as tools by the enemy of our soul to choke our faith and destroy the life within us; it chokes our capability to love as Christ loves and live in abundance.

God is the gardener of our hearts (if allowed). He plants seeds in our hearts that will produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” Galatians 5:22-23 However, we have a part to play and that is we- with God’s help- are sort of like the pest control. Our job is to study God’s Word (The Bible) so that we can be exposed to all types of pests (sin) that wars against our hearts. Once we are made aware of what is wrong, we’ve got to stay away from it. “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17

S/N Often times when I am tempted to do something I know is wrong, I ask myself this simple question: “Is it worth it?”

Additionally, we must allow God to also pluck the weeds that have taken root in the fallow ground of our hearts. Jesus came that we may have life and life abundantly. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 However, there are times that we experience circumstances as children and adults that scar us in different ways. As a result, we MUST allow God to heal and restore us so that we can then experience the abundant life that Jesus made available for us.

To “wear your crown” is not only about loving you, accepting who you are or celebrating “you” but it also requires us to deal with who we are as a person. Dealing with who you are requires you to look within and consider the good, bad and the ugly. We must also be willing to put in the work to keep our lives pure and pleasing to God! Are you wearing your crown?

Until Next Time, Remember: Put on the breastplate of righteousness that you may guard your heart against ALL contaminants.

~WHY AM I HERE?! ~

Most of us have asked this question but if you haven’t it is about that time YOU DID. It is time to live life in purpose and on purpose. Everyone has a purpose, even those who seem to believe that their life is of no value or void of direction. We may not know every single step in God's plan but we can be sure that God is the most purposeful being and He’s got a plan for you and me!

“So there is hope for your future," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 31:17

There was a time when I used to live my life aimlessly. I would wake up every morning and do whatever I felt like doing that day; whatever I had to do to survive, I did it with a ‘poor man’s’ mentality. That type of mindset breeds only poverty IN EVERY AREA! I had NO VISION, NO DIRECTION and NO HOPE. Why was I even here? Until one day I became tired, restless, depressed and lifeless- all ingredients for mental, spiritual and possibly physical suicide. I was right where the devil wanted me (at least that is what he thought).

My friend, I had tried everything to try and cover the void and pain in me-residue that still existed from my past. With a smile on my face, hardly anyone knew what was going on in my life; BUT GOD. After being married for a few years, I was in my early twenties with two kids and an enormous mountain that seem to block any view of God’s grace and His mercy! It was like living in a maze blind-folded. With all of life’s twists and turns, ups and downs, disappointment after disappointment, I felt abandoned  and hopeless.

MY THOUGHTS:

Why am I here? Am I good enough?  Am I smart enough?  I seem to never finish what I start. If I could just survive, I’ll be okay. This is too hard! I can never seem to get over this revolving hardship. When will it all end? Will it ever get better?

GOD’S THOUGHTS:

I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, 'You are my servant.' For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Isaiah 41:9

Maybe your thoughts are a little different than what mine use to be. You may be wondering if you will ever meet the right person to marry or questioning if you will ever get pregnant. Could it be that you feel clueless to what your purpose in life is and are currently surviving instead of thriving? Maybe you are constantly being looked over for a promotion and no one seems to notice all the hard work you have been doing. Has God already shown you what you are to do for Him but things just don’t seem to be coming together? Whatever the uncertainty may be, just know that God has a plan.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

 

Once I began to trust that God had a plan for me and that He really did care for me and did not forget about me, things begin to come together. He began to help me heal and -as he removed the blinders from my eyes- He helped me to see that He was there all along; I was not alone or abandoned!

My life right now is far from perfect but I have direction, a vision, a purpose and I am surrounded by His grace, mercy, love and favor!

I also learned that it is okay to embrace hardship because it is then-during the hard times- when I see God the most; it was then -in the darkest hour that I came to realize that I was created by the most powerful, gentle and loving hands and that "I am" simply because HE IS! And so are you!

When we diligently seek God, He rewards us; He is faithful! If you are still wondering why you are here, just ASK! He wants to tell you.

God loves you!

Saleena

~Trusting God When You Don't Understand~

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

How many times are we tempted to ask God “why”? When things just don’t make sense or go the way that we planned for them to go, that is when we must trust God the most. For example, Joseph experienced many opportunities where he could have easily asked, “why God” or “why me”; instead of asking God “why”, Joseph simply believed God. The situations that he was placed in –like the time when he was sold into slavery right after having a very promising dream- didn’t always make sense or seem fair. Did Joseph quit? No. He pushed past doubt and unbelief and he waited on God's deliverance. 

Have You Opened Your Gift From God?

Created With a Purpose?

What is our purpose as a woman? Why are we here? It’s amazing how simple questions can result in complex thoughts.

 Have you ever taken notice of others who seem to “just know” their purpose? Sometimes witnessing others pursue their “calling” can be encouraging but also discouraging when flustered with trying to discover our own reason for being. Maybe you feel that you don’t have a talent or just have one talent.

Well I’m here to tell you that there is more to you than the obvious and it’s time to actively display your gifts. We were never given gifts for ourselves but so that we can enhance the lives of others; in turn our lives become better because we reap what we sow. No matter what you’ve experienced in life, YOU HAVE A PURPOSE!

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

As a woman, it is one thing to hear advice and receive wisdom from another woman. However, when wisdom is shared from the depths of a man about the things that many women go through it is powerful beyond measure.

Here is the story of the many lives of women who have told and have yet to tell their experience of a vicious cycle that is paralyzing all over the world and seems unending.

Written by Shi’Meek Branch

She needs help but doesn't know how to get it.... She craves attention from men who want her but don't want her... She gives away her personals to any man that calls for it.... She performs many carnal acts only to silence the screams from her past... Her name is mentioned among the men but only to pass her on to the next man.... All whom she looked up to and loved, renounced her, So now she relinquishes her soul and womb to these men that cradles her for their own sick fantasies.... They don't love OR like" HER"...How she performs is their concern... They use her, and she uses them to silence her past... Her womb yells for help but she ignores its screams, because mentally she's being caressed with the silencing of her past...... Her soul aches, her mind is numb, her spirit is broken, her flesh cries and bleeds along with her womb... Yet she continues on… So long as the noise of her past is silenced. She's lost and needs help... She heard of God but she calls or seeks him NOT... She cries over and over but no one hears her. She's alone again but just for a short time Because the next man is on his way to enter her womb and then it all starts over… The silencing of her past...

Be Encouraged.



For more of Shi’Meek’s Words of Wisdom

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This Holiday Season, I'm Thankful for MY World

As women, often times we endure undue pressure to be better; the pressure is placed on us by ourselves, family, significant others and the media. So what is the issue? There is nothing wrong with self-improvement until you begin to compare yourself to others. When we make comparisons, we set ourselves up for failure. Why? Because as long as a woman compares herself, she will never see herself as being “good enough”; as a result she is usually held back and never reaches her full potential.

It’s about the value that you place on your life. Do you value yourself? Do you value your gifts and talent? Do you value your family? If your answer is yes then the follow-up question is: How much value?