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Your Talents

Use your God Given Talent

God has given each of us a talent to bring Glory to Him. We are all apart of His beautifully woven tapestry. When He calls you to do something,

 He has already equipped you to do what He has asked of you. The enemy of your soul would want you to believe that you are trapped in the status quo.

 Every day the same. Things have always been this way. People in my family have always been like this, so therefore I am the same.

If you are happy to remain the same, things will never change. When you decide to do something about it then you will grow.

Your talent will grow, as you use what you are given, God will increase your talents. They will multiply, for your good and His Glory.

You must become teachable and open yourself up to do the little things.

Like everything else in life, it always starts with the first step. Start today take that step, He will meet you where you are. There is no telling where you will go or what you will do.

Ask Him to reveal your talent and start your Adventure today!

“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance: but he who does not have, even that will be taken away.” Matt 25:29

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Looking for the Colors of Heaven

Look around you and take notice of what you see. Do you see the beauty in others, the color of the flowers, or a child’s laugh? There is beauty and ugliness everywhere. If you see the ugly, the mean, and the evil of this world, you are overlooking some of the good around you. You might be taking it for granted. You might not appreciate the good things you have. The blessings that you have that you think you deserve. For what you take for granted, is that which you lose. Seeing only the bad and ugly in the world, because you have quit looking for the good, and the blessings. Thinking you deserve what you have. Instead look to that which you deserve for being sinners. Hell and judgment are what we deserve and should take these for granted. Then you shall see good and blessings that have come to you. That which we do not deserve but obtain through our salvation. Every moment, every blessing, everything that we get is a gift from God. Compared to hell this life is heaven. Take hell and judgment for granted and praise God that we have been saved. Our blessings are undeserved and come by His Grace. Look around and see all the colors of heaven.

‘For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift from God.” Ephesians 2:8

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Taking it to God

Have you talked to God about it?

Before making any decisions about what to do with your life ,family, jobs and daily choices that confront you, do you stop to seek God’s wisdom? When we come to decisions about choices we have to make, it is important to stop and listen. Come into a quiet place and rest a minute to hear the counsel of your Heavenly Father. A lot of what we encounter is the mess we made for ourselves. We charge in and think we know what’s best without seeking wisdom or knowing all the facts. We look at our surroundings and do not consider the journey. In our self-sufficiency we cross lines that will cause great distress and issues that could be avoided. We sometimes compromise where we need to stand strong. We have tendency to rush in and do it in our own strength. Stop, wait, listen and sit in expectation for the answer you need or the direction you need to take. Your choices affect all those around you. Choose wisely!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes. ” Proverbs 3:5-7 NKJV

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Spending Time with Your Children

Time well Spent

Spend time with your children. Taking time to share yourself is one of the hardest things to do. Parenting takes sacrifices: your time, energy and yourself. As a parent we need to take time for our children. Your children are a gift from God and are ours only for a fleeting moment. Find something you love and share it with them. Make up stories and games that will make memories they will never forget. Plant seeds of love, joy and happiness. Water and tend to the garden of lives that you were blessed with. Remember it is the quality of time you spend and not the quantity of time spent that matters most. Children act out when they need you and your attention. When your time is short talk with them and plan to do it later. Keep your promise. Stick to it! Do not back out! Remember time spent with your children is priceless!

“Behold children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Ps. 127:3

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Your words make your life

Change Your Words: Change your life!

What you speak is what you see. What you see is what you spoke. Tell someone they are stupid, dumb, or worthless and sooner rather than later they will believe it! Take note of how you speak to your children and those around you. Your life is what you created by your words and the words spoken over you. Choose this day to make a change. Start today speaking words of hope, love, and life to yourself and those around you. Especially your children! Start today to make a difference. Look in a mirror: speak to the lies and tell them you will believe them no longer. Speak life! You are beautiful, you are capable, you were created with a purpose. You have a plan, a destiny, and a future. Quit looking at the storm around you and look to the one who controls the storm. He will walk on water to get in the boat with you. Speak life to your children, speak life to yourself. Change your words -change your world. Create a better world for your children. Believe in the One who believes in you!

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully Made.” Ps 139:14

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Hupogrammos

The Hupogrammos

The hupogrammos is an ancient tool a teacher would use for writing in a box of wax. They would write a word and the students would use a stick to follow and trace what he did. Just like Jesus left us a hupogrammos to follow. Our children watch and follow what we do. Our lives are an open book for our children to read daily. We as parents need to lead by example. Children are human lie detectors and can pick up on fraud in a moment’s notice. The old antic “Do as I say and not as I do” will not work with them. If you want your children to live a life of purpose, live your life with a purpose. You need to be the example you want your children to follow. Be the best version of yourself, so they can be the best versions of themselves. Jesus gave us the best example. Follow Him and they will follow too.

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Let go and let God

Letting go

Sometimes you have no control over what happens in your life. Sometimes you are blindsided by the little things. Letting go of these interruptions, worries and cares can relieve the pressure from within.  So, the kids are fighting, your husband is late for work and you get blamed for his alarm not going off! The Dog chewed your shoe and you spilt your coffee on your new carpet. Let it go! Release your cares to your Heavenly Father. Is it easy, absolutely not! By giving up these cares, you allow Him to carry the burden your shoulders were never meant to carry. Let go in love and watch as your Heavenly Father moves on your behalf. I learned this early in my married life, was it hard yes! Did I always do it when I needed to, no. By letting go of the things I could not control, and working on the things I can, helped me to have peace. It then allowed Him to work on my husband. Remember a closed hand holds on and open hand releases to allow freedom.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

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Children are a Blessing

Children are a Blessing.

Children add to the family dynamics. When you bring a child into your family it can be a challenge. Not only did you adjust as a couple, but now you have a helpless individual in your care as well. They now control your world! They tell you when to eat, sleep, and relax. They have a schedule all their own and they are an extension of your love. They are a gift from the Lord for a short time to watch over and care for. Your job as a parent is life altering. You create a safe place for them, full of love, joy, tenderness, and safety. Speaking into their live that first few years is so important. Pray for them, love them, hug, them, and be with them. Your love as a father and mother is the beginning of their journey to success or failure.  Choose Love, Choose Life, Chose your Child!

“Behold children are a heritage from the Lord… Happy is the man whose quiver is full.”  Psalm 127:3-5

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Be like a first Responder

Isaiah 6:8 Here I am Lord, Send me.

How many times have you felt the urge to reach out to someone. Like a family member, a friend or even someone at church. Maybe a person checking out at the local Wal-Mart. You might only have a quick word or I was thinking about you. Is there anything I can help you with. Small things that can make a difference. When you are ready to respond at any time, it can mean a world of change in a persons life.

Like all first responders we should be prepared to go at a moment’s notice. They have no time to stop and wait. The bell in the station goes off and they must respond. They have studied, trained, and are prepared to go. Once they answer the call, it’s all hands on deck. Reacting to situations they have been trained for.

We as God’s first responders should be ready at a moments notice. When we feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit. We must respond. Survey the surrounding area and let the Lord lead.

We study the His word and learn to listen to His voice. When we spend time with Him daily, we can be His hands , His feet, and His mouth piece. We can reach out to the world around us. Maybe the person you are lead to, is in a relationship with Jesus. They may only need someone to stand with them in prayer. You may also share His love, through a hug or encouraging word.

For example: I was in the baking isle of a local supermarket and felt the urge to talk with a young mom. After a brief chat I learned of her son’s condition. I asked her about praying for her and her son. She was on board and we prayed right there in the isle. She was excited and encouraged. Going home to stand on scripture and in faith about her son’s healing. Another time I was praying for a family member. I sent her a text with a scripture verse. I told her I was thinking about her. She responded immediately and was excited for the confirmation. She said the Lord just told her the same thing.

Let’s be ready on all occasions to step out in faith. First spend time with Our Heavenly Father, get to know His voice. Be ready to react when He leads. Be ready to spend time with the person He leads you to. Encourage them to become first responders to others.

We make disciples by reaching out to those around us. One person at a time. So go be like that First Responder. Go and help lead others. Be that example to a world in need of a change. Share the love of Jesus with all those in your sphere of influence. He has called all of us. Be one of those who says Here I am Lord send me. (John 20:21 As the Father has sent me, I also send you)

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Be a Chocolate Chip: Stand Out in Life

We need to be a chocolate chip in the cookie dough of life. We are meant to mix our lives into the world around us, but not blend in. Even when the circumstances in our lives become heated. We are to remain steadfast in our beliefs.

Our lives have many different aspects that affect how we relate to others. Like the chocolate chip cookie dough is made up of many ingredients. They all add to the end result. We add flour, butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, salt, vanilla and blend it together in one large bowl. Do we ever hear anyone say, wow that flour really made those cookies great or that sugar really add to the flavor. Or those eggs really taste better than when I fry them in a pan. Why, you may ask, because they are all mixed together. There is no distinction between them. So we cannot taste the difference.

Chocolate on its own melts and mixes together when heated. The real magic happens when we add chocolate chips to our dough! When mixed in with the cookie dough, the chocolate will stand out. You will then taste the chocolate goodness. They change everything! When you bite into the cookie you can taste the chocolate goodness! They stand out! Even when the heat rises the chocolate chips do not melt. They retain their shape.

Likewise when we act like the world around us, they will see no difference. We are to live in the world, but not to conform to it. We are called to be set apart, even when life’s pressure comes against us. We are to remain the same. steadfast unaffected by the heat. We like the chocolate chips are meant to stand out and not to conform to the world’s standards. Then the world will see Jesus through us. The light of His Holy Spirit will shine through us as we share His love with those around us.

In order to reach the world we need to stand fast in what we believe and know to be true. We must be faithful to what the word says. Like David in the lion’s den, God delivered him because he stayed faithful. You can remain strong and stand firm. God will deliver you too. Joshua led the people into the promised land with God going before him. God will lead you too. Stay set apart. Don’t mix into what”s happening around you. Trust in Him who has called you. We were called with a purpose to spread the Gospel throughout the world. As believers, we are called to remain firm in what we believe and represent Jesus.

What ingredient are you? Are you blending into the dough or are you the Chocolate Chip? Be the chocolate chip in the cookie dough of life!

(adapted from teaching by Jason Beham)

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Be Yourself, Be who God Created You to Be.

Live your life as you were intended to live it. God had already planned out your days before you were even born. Before your parents even thought about you. God prepared before hand that you should be a part of something bigger than yourself.

When we live our lives comparing ourselves to others, we are telling ourselves we are not worthy. We are telling our Heavenly Father He was wrong in who he intended us to be. That we are not worthy to be a part of His greater plan. Our lives were created to be unique. We were individually created by our Heavenly Father with His plan and purpose instilled in us. Each of us are uniquely designed, His workmanship to which we were created in Christ to be.

No one else can be who you were intended to be. Your gifts are not accidental. They are evidence that God created you for a specific reason, a unique Plan. We all have a purpose, a plan, and a destiny that He created for us. To accomplish, His will and plans here on earth. If we were all try to be like everyone else, His plans would never get done. Like a baseball team, if we were all catchers , who would hit the ball or run the bases. No one wins. The game of life is lead by your Heavenly Father, the owner of the team. His Holy Spirit coaches and leads us to do our part to establish all that He has for us to do.

Stop trying to be someone elses copy and be the original God created you to be. You were not created for comparison, you were created individually. Through a Spirit led life of devotion rather than that of distraction. Be obedient in your personal life and in your public life. God will continue to give your life purpose. You will hear His voice clearer as you seek Him.

Do not let the opinions of others define who you are and whom you are becoming. Stop considering the opinions and expectations of others around you. You were not put on this earth to be someone else’s duplicate! You were created with a purpose, a plan and a God given destiny.

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To God be the Glory

You will always have control over what you say or do. You will always be in charge of your reactions and feelings. Only you decide the outcome of your situations.

  • You do not control what another person says or does.
  • You are not responsible for another persons reactions.
  • You are only responsible for what you say, do or think.
  • You are only responsible for you.

You have a choice. Your personal rival can defeat you on their terms or you can fight them on yours. Ultimately, you can rise above the situation and fight with the Holy Spirit on your side. When you handle situations in your own strength, it only brings discouragement, depression, and defeat. Listening to your rival can take you out of your calling and pull you out of your destiny. But, there is good news, in that you ultimately can decide how their words and actions will affect you. Will they best you or bring out the best in you.

You are filled with the Holy Spirit! He is your greatest Ali. That same Spirit, who rose Jesus from the grave, lives in you! Your rival wants you to fight them on their terms with their weapons. We have a better weapon, The Holy Spirit! We can rise above our enemy and fight with truth and love. You must remember to respond to what you can control, rather than what you can’t. Let the Holy Spirit show you how to react in these difficult situations. He will stand with you at all times.

You are a child of the Most High God! Rise above your situations and fight with the Holy Spirit. Develop the Fruit of His Spirit. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Remember He is for you and not against you. He knew you before you were created and He numbered all your days. Trust in Him, pray, and allow Him to guide you.

Fight evil, stand with God.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “for I know the thoughts that I think towards you says the Lord. thoughts of peace and not evil to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you and you will seek Me and find Me. When you search for me with your heart. I will br found by you says the Lord and I will bring you back from your captivity.”

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Life filled with the Spirit

We were all made for that personal Spirit filled connection with our Heavenly Father. When the fall of man came through Adam and Eve the connection was torn. We were eternally separated from our maker, our Heavenly Father. There is a very large void, a whole in our lives that only He can fill. Only by His Holy Spirit, through the sacrifice of His only Son, He made a way for us. Without Him, we are merely surviving. It feels like we are on life support. We breathe minute by minute, unsure if we have another breath left in us. The Spirit of God hovers over us, with a purpose. He wants to quicken our spirits. 2 Cor 4:6 Separate us to light from darkness. 2 Cor. 6:4 Create a covering for our sins and forgives us. Rom. 4:4-7 He makes a way through the darkness. Pulling back the water and making a way to walk. Heb. 11:27 He releases the seeds within, to put on good soil that the sprout and bring forth fruit. Mark 4:20 Embrace the work of the Holy Spirit within your life. You are wonderfully made and loved.

Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

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A Willing Heart

Being willing to allow God’s Holy Spirit to direct and lead you is contrary to what we are taught. Growing up we are told we will need to take care of ourselves someday. That we need to take charge of what we do. No one else will if we don’t – but God. But God hovers close to us. He is only a whisper away. He waits for us to let Him gather us under His wings. He wants to comfort us, lead us, hold us close. Will you allow Him to do so or will you continue to hold Him at arms length. Repeating I got this Lord, continuing with your own attempts to do it yourself. Even as you help others. Will you be willing to listen to your Heavenly Father? Being intimate with Him is part of our need, our longing, yearning to be apart of something bigger than ourselves. Will you let the Holy Spirit in, let Him lead you?

We need to love and be loved. That’s what we were created for , we were created to love. We need to belong because we were created to belong. We were created for intimacy it is what we ultimately crave. With His fierce love He longs to satisfy our deepest longings.

2 Corinthians 6:18 I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.

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Fierceley Loved

You are loved and highly favored by God.

So many times we feel our self worth comes from what other people think of us. Especially the most important people in our lives. As children we look to our parents. As adults we look to our spouse, our bosses, a mentor, or even a good friend. Most of us are looking to people for approval and affirmation. What usually happens is that we get let down and end up disappointed. They say things that can bring us heart ache and pain.

The key to knowing and having a sense of self worth comes from trusting in our Heavenly Father. The bible tells us that we are His master piece, the work of His hands. We are individuals, a one of a kind creation. There is no one else like you. That is how He wants us to see ourselves. We are fiercely loved. There is nothing passive about the way our Heavenly Father sees us! His love is not just words, but life. His love is far more than an expression of love. Your Heavenly Father does not have to love us, He is love for us!! We are immersed in His love.

Once we have been touched by our Heavenly Father we will never be the same. His love for us is an all consuming fire and indivisible. Every day of our lives has been recorded, every moment laid out before any day has passed.

Ephesians 2:10 ” 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.”

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Grown Children

Having grown children is harder than raising them as young children. When they are young, you are called to mold them in the ways of the Lord. As they grow up, they make their own choices, their own decisions and their own mistakes. You watch and sometimes think why? That is not what you were taught, the way you were raised. Then they get married. They introduce a whole new set of ideas. These ideas and beliefs focus on raising children and building a family. We as parents must pull back and allow them to make their own choices. They must learn to meld together as a unit, joined by God, their Father. Navigate the waters of a Christian family. Navigating the waters of parents, raising their own children. Trying to be the best versions of themselves. Trying to remember all they have learned from you and adding their spouses ideas. Then you add in the in-loves (in-laws) to the mix with their own ideas changing once again the family dynamics. Pulling back from the situation sometimes is the hardest thing we as parents will ever have to do.

Once again we must turn to our Heavenly Father and pray. Trust in Him, for He will guide you. He will direct you to navigate. These are new waters that we have never passed this way before, but He has.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

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Well Done My Child

Take time to appreciate and notice the good things that those around you do. Not all people are raised in a family that takes notice of their special gifts and God given talents. I was one of those kids, trying always to please my mom and dad. Not always receiving praise for a job well done. Therefore I looked outside the family unit for my acceptance.

So I decided, when I became a mom I would make sure my children knew that I loved them and they were blesssed with special gifts. Telling them daily, that they had a purpose, a plan, and a destiny. That God had created them, each with a unique plan in mind. I also told them daily that I loved them. Hearing those three simple words “I Love You” can change the way they see themselves. Hearing “You are special ” can add a jump to their step. Did they always appreciate it. I would like to think so. Sometimes I would hear “Mom you say that all the time.” My response “Someone in the world today, has never heard those words.” Through my teaching career I knew this to be true. So I made the effort to tell my students ” “You have a purpose, a plan, and a destiny.” Getting a smile on their face they would thank me. I think that everyone needs a little love shared.

I would like to think that Jesus shares with our Heavenly Father some of the same “I Love You” and “Look at Our Kid down there!” Smiling and saying “Atta Boy! (or Girl) I knowHe is proud of us when we stand up for our kids, and others who have no one in their corner.

Next time someone you know needs a little extra boost’ share the love of Jesus! Applaud or compliment them. A little love goes along way!!

Matthew 25:23 “His lord said to him,’Well done good and faithful servent, you have been faithful over few things. I will make youruler over manythings. Enter into the joyof your lord.'”

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Spending Time with Jesus

When we seek Him, we will find Him. He waits for us to seek Him out. His Holy Spirit draws us into His presence. It is there in the still quiet that we will find Him waiting.

Spending time with Him in the early morning are the times I like best. In the quiet stillness of the morning I find peace. Sometimes He even wakes me before the dawn to spend time with Him or pray for someone specific. L:istening for the prompting of the Holy Spirirt, for prayer requests or for someone needing specific prayer coverage, is a skill we need to develop. I do not always know who or what to pray for, but He does. These are the times I will pray in the Spirit, trusting in Him, to know what is needed. Then there are other times when He gives me the words or sciptures that I should pray. I choose to rejoice in these times that He trust me to know. Through His divine wisdom and stength I stand.

Trust in the one who knows you best. Trust that He will always be there for you guiding, waiting and holding you.

Ps.27:8 When you said, “Seek My face. My heart said, Your face Lord, I will seek.”