Authenticity

The word for today is #Authenticity. It is the quality of being authentic; genuineness, bona fides; legitimacy, legality, validity, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness, credibility; accuracy, truth, veracity, fidelity.

It may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. ~Maya Angelou

31 days of prayer for my husband...

I feel like a Catholic going for confession... It's been over 30 days since my last blog post. Lol. 

So I started a challenge yesterday - 31 days of prayer for my husband. There is power in prayer!

Today I thanked my husband for being a good husband by being a good protector of our home.

Today I prayed Proverbs 3:5-6 for him. If you'd like some guidance, click here... They need our prayers and we need theirs!

Back To My First Love

I'd like to say I've been too 'busy' to consistently blog. However, the truth is I got distracted by life and the many things that come with just living it. Juggling my many functions and roles and responsibilities, feeling off kilter and out of balance, and even sometimes feeling a little depressed have all been factors in my long absence.

But this morning, after reading my devotions and a blog post from my sister in Christ, I realize what my problem is. I took my focus off my first love and focused on my circumstances instead. Focusing on my circumstances created a false and distorted view of myself and others. Focusing on what's going on around me got me off track and set me back months from the path I believe God had me on towards the Destiny and the plans He has for my life. Worrying about things I have no control over had me in a tailspin... But His word says...

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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NASB)

Thank God He doesn't let His children stray too far before reeling them back into His loving and protective arms. Thank God He is a loving shepherd who cares about every sheep that goes astray.  Thank God He is a loving Father whose unconditional love covers me even when I'm in doubt about who I am and when I get discouraged about daily life.

Thank God He's so good! He's so kind! I'm just so grateful that I belong to Him and He loves me for me, flaws and all. I'm grateful that I can always come back to my first love and He will never forsake me. He values me like fine china. He treasures me like a rare jewel... no matter what. He doesn't expect me to perfect. He accepts me with all my imperfections and loves me unconditionally.  No truer love is there than the love of The Lord!

Surrender and Impact for Destiny

When you take the time to reach out to others and invest in someone's life, you are impacting the world...yours and theirs. ~Joyce Meyers

During Bible study earlier this year, a young lady reminded me of this very thing. While giving her testimony, she mentioned that my loving on her and her daughter while I was a staff member at our church's school made an impact on her life. I never knew that until she said it. Can you say tears? That was nearly 10 years ago. It just goes to show you that you never know how much it may mean to someone when you take the time to smile, hug, or say an encouraging word. 

I try to encourage and love on everyone I meet because I want Christ's love to always shine through me. Now, I'm not perfect by any means. When it comes to people attempting to violate the peace in my home and my relationship with my family, I'm not a very nice person at all. But I'm working on even surrendering my attitude so I can make an impact on others even in this area of my life.

Throughout the destiny series, several things happened which has brought me to the point I'm at today. I had to take a break from everything to just sit still and hear what God was telling me. He made it very clear that He was weaving some things together that made room for my gift of encouragement and hospitality. All I had to do was surrender, say yes, and allow Him to continue to pull things together.  The urging was like "fire shut up in my bones".  I talked with two pastors and the doors literally flew open. So now, with the surrender, I'm finally doing what I feel God has called me to do in this season of my life to make an impact for His kingdom.

With the encouragement of our pastor, I've started a blog for encouraging single parents called Single Parenting in the Kingdom. Additionally, I've been given the privilege of working together with the Pastor of Fellowship and Singles Ministry Pastor to develop the Single Parent Family Ministry at our church. It is an honor to be able to serve in this capacity and I look forward to the lives that will be impacted as much as mine was when I was a participant so many years ago. 

Finishing Well

In John 17:4, Jesus says, "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." This is saying that following God means finishing what He's called us to do. ~Joyce Meyer

It's always amazing to me how The Lord works in our lives. You know how you never notice a particular type of car until you get it yourself? It's kind of like that for me. When I really start going deep in the word and my relationship with The Lord, it seems like everything I need is brought to my attention more than before. It's like POW! BOOM! Here I am, come and get me!

For instance, when I asked The Lord to show me my purpose, all of a sudden my plans seemed to start shifting and my life started moving in directions that were pointing me to places I'd been before but with a future focus, if that makes any sense.  He always gives me a choice in which path to take, but when I'm in this place of alignment, my choice is to be on the same page with Him - not my will but His. 

The thing is, God isn't surprised about where He's taking me. He's not confused about the plans He has for me. He doesn't have to ask what I should be doing. I believe He just waits for me to get out of the way so He can do what He does best - WITHOUT my help - and bring me to a place of purpose and destiny. When I'm completely surrendered to His will and His purpose, He can do His best work in me and through me. That's where I want to be for the rest of the days He's given me.

He's so amazing! 

As I prepare to share my single parent journey, I began reminiscing on the days when I was completely dependent upon Him for everything for me and the kids. All I can say is, had I not gone through what I went through, I wouldn't be prepared for this moment. And I keep going back to what Pastor Evans said yesterday...

Destiny is your customized life calling for which God has equipped or ordained you in order to bring Him the greatest glory and maximize the expansion of His kingdom.

Not only do I want to reach my destiny, I also want to finish what He's called me to do and I want to finish it well.  He's been preparing me. 

Wow... One of my favorite songs is playing as I write... Tears!

That song brings me to tears every time I hear it. Listen closely to the lyrics! If you've ever been through something and you were delivered... Look back and you'll cry, too!  Especially if you know that it was only the Lord that brought you through it. You can't help but praise Him and give Him thanks. I know I can't help myself. I couldn't see what He was preparing me for when I was in it but when I look back - oooooooh wee!!  

Anywho, I digress. LOL. My mom-in-law and I were talking about Sunday's sermon and what's been going on with me because she also wants to share with younger women about her journey. With over 45 years of marriage under her belt, she has a story to tell, too! She ministers to me regularly as a new wife.  We talked about Naomi's journey and her submission to her husband even when she wasn't in agreement with the direction he was going.  God has truly blessed me with a wonderful mother-in-law and I'm sure my husband would say the same about my mom. They are God-fearing women who have been through some 'THANGS'. 

I think we all want to finish well and make an impact on others in our generation.  We all want to hear the words - well done my good and faithful servant.

Finding My Destiny...

When you reach your limit, go to God, just like Moses did. He will help you find a saner, healthier lifestyle. ~Joyce Meyer

Have you ever felt all over the place, overwhelmed, or burnt out?  In Numbers 11, Moses was overwhelmed. The people he was leading from Egypt to the promise land were pulling at him from every which way. Has that ever happened to you?

Sometimes we need a break from outside influences and distractions so we can hear clearly from God about where He wants us to go. Sometimes it's okay to just say 'no' when you're being pulled at from every angle; just 'be still and know' that He's God (Psalm 46:10) and take time to meditate on His word about what's happening in Your life.  

To that end, I'm actually enjoying my break from social media this week. I don't miss trying to keep up with LIKING, SHARING, and RETWEETING posts to show I'm actively supporting all of my friends. I can show support in so many other ways! But mostly, I'm happy to refocus my energies on more important things like finding my destiny. It's amazing how much you get done when you're not being constantly distracted.

It's funny, because I wrote all of the above prior to attending church service today. After going through the month of September talking about Detours to Destiny using the life of Joseph, we're now entering a series on Destiny and I've been anxiously awaiting to begin. As Pastor Evans ministered to us, I jotted down some of his points taken from our main passage, Acts 13:36:

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep... (Acts 13:36 KJV) 

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. (Proverbs 21:5 KJV) 

Focus on where God wants to take you... your Destiny.

1. David served the purpose of God

Destiny = Your customized life calling for which God has equipped or ordained you in order to bring Him the greatest glory and maximize the expansion of His kingdom.

You are created for a divinely designed purpose.God is the 'manufacturer'. He does things because He's going somewhere.

If you want to know your destiny, God must be at the center, not the peripheral. God wants to be the centerpiece, the sun in the solar system when planning your activities.

You should be saying:  God I want to make YOUR name great in whatever my destiny is and I want to expand your rule in my world.

2. He did it in his own generation.

When you're serving God, people will be impacted. David made an impact for God while serving others. If you cannot see people benefiting from what you've done, then you've failed.

When you've been delivered, reach back. Whatever your destiny is, it's bigger than you so you'll need God to pull it off. If you can do it without God, it's not your destiny.

3. He fell asleep.

Your destiny will be shaped by your perspective. As Christians, we are in the land of the dying headed toward the land of the living, not the reverse.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalms 90:12 KJV)
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

To fail to reach your destiny is a wasted life.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24 KJV) 

Your heart = Gods heart. Not my will but thy will be done. 

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22 KJV)

Like a runner in a race, you can't go back to the starting block, pick up the pace where you are.

I'm ready to step into my destiny. My first step is to become aligned with God for His purpose and my prayer is as Pastor Evans said - "God I want to make your name great in whatever my destiny is and I want to expand your rule in my world"! Secondly, I want the things I've been delivered from to be my testimony to others and where ever the Lord takes me to do that, I want to be willing and available to do it for His glory. I want my words to be His words and impact others for the expansion of His kingdom.  Lastly, knowing that my days are numbered in this lifetime, I want to be like Paul and finish my course with joy and pick up the pace right where I am! I know I'm no spring chicken! LOL. So I need to get on it. I'm glad we're going to be hosting the bible study in our home for the next six weeks and God brought us four couples to share with on this journey.

To Him be all glory and honor and power!