Encouragement for Christians

Where do I even begin? I wrote that statement for "effect" because I know many of you are wondering "what can she say to me to encourage me for where I am in my life right now?"  I know exactly where I want to begin and You are exactly who I want to talk to. I want to Encourage you in your Stewardship. That's right, that thing God has given you to help advance the kingdom and you're thinking that you own it and have to make it grow and become all that God wants it to be.

Don't laugh, deep down and on some level you feel (or have felt) that way too. I surely felt that way about this Blog. Until the day God reminded me that I'm just a steward of this Blog.  The gift of writing God gave to me allows me to be able to post and hopefully minister to you, but He is the rightful owner. I was racking my brain wondering why no one was submitting their Guest Writer post to Encourage you even though they'd committed to do so.  I even went so far as to "suggest" what they should write about when someone told me that they could not or would not do it. How bad had I gotten? I saw this segment changing lives, softening hearts and gaining ground for the kingdom and no one wanted to help me.  But that was the problem and it wasn't mine to fix: they wouldn't only be helping me, they'd be helping God. 

When God reminded me I was a steward and that the people who wrote a Guest post would be partnering with Him and thereby ultimately be agreeable to submitting a post, it changed my whole outlook. I made a conscious decision to stop badgering people and allow God to speak to them to partner with me on this Journey. The first person I asked after getting this revelation was so excited about being able to submit a post.  My jaw just dropped at how awesome God really is and how faithful He is to His word. So you Christian, don't forget that you are a steward and God is the rightful owner of that gift, talent and ability He has given you.  You do your part and know that God has done His part and it will all work out in the end for your good and His glory.

               

Enjoy the Journey!

POE - Shauntell

#PATHSOFENCOURAGEMENT #POE

I was born to a mother and father that never wanted me. All of my baby pictures read "Grandmother's Baby". My grandparents raised me the best they could. My mother or father never tried to build a relationship with me. I have multiple stories about how it seems my parents didn't want me, but I will share the most recent story for both of them. 

I wrote my sperm donor (Dad) a letter giving him my address, telephone number, and a nice message that simply stated how I wanted to build a relationship that could possibly turn into a father daughter relationship. One year later and I haven't received a text, a call or a visit. I opened my heart to let my mother be there for my recent surgeries even though I didn't want to. She was not much of a help but I still appreciated the fact that she was there. One month later she sends me and my sister a text that reads:  "You two enjoy your sisterhood. Don't talk about me nor to me. I'm too old and have responsibilities to play these messy games y'all playing. Have a nice life. Mine will be just fine without y'all".

Yes I got upset. I was more upset with myself for opening my heart to her. I'm used to her not being in my life, but why did it hurt so bad? I prayed and asked God to take the hurt she caused and the hatred out of my heart that was towards my father and mother. The moral of my story is people hurt you and yes it may hurt, but My Heavenly Father never hurt me or disappointed me. All he does is love me and I'm so grateful he accepted me, flaws and all, and came into my heart. I end with saying thank you Jesus for your unconditional love.

Contributing Guest Writer: Shauntell Walker

No Truer Words

No truer words have been spoken than the words I've heard my Pastor say time and time again: "They weren't there when God gave you the vision".  So why would I think that they would support me when the vision is coming to pass? Mostly I would think that because we are friends and I've earned the support. But recently I've learned that that is not the case. Why? Because they weren't there when God gave me the vision!

Sure, it's disappointing to not have the support I thought I should have gotten from the people who have told me over the years what I should do: Write a book!  But I guess since this isn't a book, just a Blog, they don't see it as me doing what they thought I would do: Write a book! Better yet, I don't think they see God in what I do. That may be the real issue I'm writing about.

They see my Blog as me being me, which is a good thing because it fosters credibility and realness in my posts. But they weren't there when God spoke to me about this vision of teaching His children. I realize that people have different learning styles and I'm open to teach them in manners where they can learn. I will eventually get to write a book but where I am now is Blog posts. 

I've come to terms with the fact that people don't owe me their support just because we're friends or just because they know me: But I cherish those who just give it to me naturally. Why? Because with all the things I'm up against just trying to carry out God's directive, I don't need to harbor any ill-will towards those who have Encouraged me long before I even considered God's purpose for my life. They Encouraged me for the time and season they were meant too: It's time now to navigate down my own Path of Encouragement. 

POE - Lois

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

John 10: 1-5 New Living Translation Bible tells us Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” and we are His sheep!   

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice”.

#PATHSOFENCOURAGEMENT #POE

 My thoughts: Jesus enters thru the gateway or door of our hearts by invitation, we welcome him; HE then enters and calls us HIS sheep. HE knows HIS sheep and we (HIS sheep) recognize HIS voice and we come to HIM and HE calls us, HIS own sheep; by name, we are HIS. HE has chosen us to follow HIM!!

HE leads by HIS voice! We are HIS sheep; HIS sheep do not follow the voice of a stranger; they run from a strange voice because they do not know the voice of a stranger; only the voice of the Good Shepherd! And they follow HIS voice because they know the voice of the Good Shepherd and trust HIM to keep them safe from harm and danger; and to assist them to fulfill their purpose in life! HE is Not a Hireling! Who would abuse and abandon the sheep; He will protect and provide for the Sheep with his own life; He will get in harm’s way or contend with evil face to face for the sake of HIS sheep! 

He will protect HIS sheep from wolves, thieves, devils or anything that comes to steal, kill or destroy the sheep! He will gather the sheep, and lead them in and out of the gate; He goes before them; not just “with” them, but “ahead” of them; and lead them to green pastures and fresh, living waters; and give them abundant life; and meet all their needs, because he loves and cares for HIS sheep deeply!

Praise God! I love you Jesus! And I am so glad you chose me to be one of your sheep! So glad I am YOURS and YOU’RE mine; that I am covered by your precious blood that you shed for me; and you’ve empowered me by your Holy Spirit, who raised you from the dead to eternal life to live forever more; and for the awesome love of God, our Heavenly Father! THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE VICTORY! AMEN!

Meditation by Guest Writer -  Lois D. Reeves 

Servant and Handmaiden of the Most High God!

When the Flood Arose

I just have to write this... this morning my driveway actually flooded.  I could not (and would not) try to get my car out of my yard due to all the water.  I've been living in my house a long time and I've NEVER seen the water build up like it did today. Sure, we're under a flood advisory but it all happened so fast; I didn't have time to bring my car out of the garage. I kept thinking "when the rain lets up I can move my car so I can make it in to work". That never happened. When the rain slacked off some, the water didn't recede fast enough before the heavy rain started up again. So here I am telling you my story, my journey. 

These past 6 years have been years of flooding in my life. Today was a literal interpretation of that fact and I DID NOT "go off the deep end". Yes!!! In fact, I took the time out to Enjoy myself. I had "Taco Tuesdays", watermelon and played my favorite game. All while thanking and praising God for being with me along this Journey. Aside from the fact that there was nothing I could do to change the situation, there was no part in me that feared, dreaded or doubted that all would be well in the end. Add to the fact that Luke 6:48 kept repeating through my head, I knew God was allowing me to know that my foundation was sure and true: deeply rooted in Him. 

I don't know where you are right now in your life but I do know that when you purpose in your heart to get rooted in the Word of God, no Flood: downsize on your job, end of a relationship(s), financial troubles or health issues can stand against God's love, protection and provision in your life.  No matter your outward situation, as long as you walk in the inward peace in your heart, your foundation cannot be shaken. Trust God today with every area of your life and see him do exceeding, abundantly and above all you can ask or think. 

Scripture references: Luke 6:48  Ephesians 3:20

POE - KJ

Today's post is an interview I had with a coworker who suddenly found herself facing a health crisis. I was new on the job and she was in the process of training me when she had to leave work and focus solely on protecting her health. The longer she stayed off work, the more real the situation became to all of us to not take for granted the people who are in your life. Tell them you love them, Encourage them and most of all just be "present" when you are with them. 

Thanks in advance KJ for helping me to encourage others as we all... Enjoy the Journey!

#PathsofEncouragement  #POE

POE: Tell me a little about yourself?  
KJ: My name is KJ and I was born in Birmingham, AL.  I attended A.H. Parker High School and Jefferson State Community College. After college I worked various jobs until I finally settled in with the County. I have two children and one grandchild.  My hobbies include crocheting, crossword puzzles and helping others.  I like movies and going out to eat. I attend a local Baptist church.

POE: We only worked together for about a month before you left on medical leave which means I didn't know you well enough to know how this affected you mentally. Will you explain your thoughts/feelings and plan of action to handle this medical challenge? 
KJ: I was frightened of the unknown.  Before and after each procedure I prayed diligently. Prayer was most important especially while waiting for an answer to find out whether it was cancer or not. The only reason I ate differently was because of the lack of an appetite I had. But knowing that I did have to eat, I ate small portions every hour. It was ironic because I felt fine the day before my appointment and the day of the appointment I felt different. On the day of my appointment, I explained to the doctor how I felt. She ordered the blood work and my numbers were elevated. That alarmed her and she ordered other tests to be done.  She asked that I bring somebody with me to my follow up visit and that alarmed me. But she knew that I needed someone with me with a clear head that could take in what was being explained.  I went to the doctor one day and had surgery the next day.  This kept me from having to go back-and-forth with it in my mind.

POE: Now that you've been to the doctor, read all the reports and heard all the comments from friends, family and coworkers, what did you do to protect your heart, mind and health?
KJ: I’ve had more time to get in God’s word which has strengthened me in so many areas.  My faith has increased, my prayer life has increased, my witnessing has increased and my love for God has increased.  

POE: How has your faith and belief (positive or negative) changed (increased or decreased) in God?
KJ: My faith has increased in God. I had my plan but God had His plan in this issue.  My plan was to retire but God said to use this time to recover.  I thank God that I had favor in that area and that I was not sick a lot throughout the years that enabled me to have enough time to take off work.

POE: What's the One thing you wish people would stop asking you about this medical challenge? 
KJ: Stop asking me about my WEIGHT! My thing is, when someone is ill the weight just naturally comes off.  That vexes me when people ask.

POE: If you could encourage just one person today who's being physically challenged, what would you say?
KJ: I know we put our faith in doctors, but they don’t have all the answers: we have to truly rely and depend on God. 

Sleeping with the Enemy

As I write this, it's 1:30 am in the morning and I'm up. Why? Because the enemy to my sleep has waken me up to an almost full blown anxiety attack! I woke up with thoughts running through my mind about how "this was it". How I "wasn't gonna make it" this time.  Not only that but my body was reacting also.  I was itchy, hot and felt like something was really wrong this time.  Yeah, I said this time because I've been to this place before; only now I know better. I now know that this attack is truly the enemy trying to steal from me the peace that God has given me because I put my trust in Him. 

Last month, I talked about my Journey to Debt Freedom and how my faith in God is propelling me toward that freedom. Well, you better believe that since that avenue of testing was blocked, I was tested in another area - my health. Or the belief that my health was failing and I was gonna die. I'm not talking about getting sick and maybe one day recovering. No, those thoughts said, "die", "death" and "dead" and they all pointed toward me. When I woke up, I had to basically arrest those thoughts by first getting my body under control. I had to speak words of life over myself and know that God WILL NOT bombard you with evil thoughts when He deals with you. So I had to recognize where the thoughts were coming from and choose what I was going to believe.

I chose to believe that God was with me in that situation the same as He was with me when my finances ran out.  That just as there was a way of escape from the previous test, there was also an escape for this test.  But I had to calm myself enough to be able to hear from God and know that He was with me: no one else was there to pray for, lay hands on or help me. To understand that I would not die but live and be bold enough to share this process with others.  So, the next time you're in a "midnight hour" and the enemy comes in to steal from you, don't just lay there and accept it. No matter the time, get up, stay up and rise up in your authority as a believer in Jesus Christ.

Scripture reference: John 15:4-8