Quick Update

Just wanted to leave a quick post so you can check out a new segment called firsts. This blog gives readers a sneak peak into the first pages of a book so you can decide whether it is a book you would be interested in buying. My first book, The Job Experience is featured. Please take a moment to read the segment and comment. Click on the link below. Thanks again for all the support. My second book, Beyond the Veil will be available soon. Details to follow! Be blessed

http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com/

Progress Report 3

After months of prayer and meditating on God's word, I have completed my second book. I am proud to annouce that it is now available as an e-book on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. The name of the book is entitled: Beyond the Veil- A Meditation in Psalms. Through God's divine inspiration, I believe this book will give you key lessons to grow in your walk with God and obtain the road map you need to follow the path that God designed just for you.  The print version will be available soon so details will follow. Just wanted to give a short update to let you know the progress that has been made.

For all kindle and nook owners, the links are below. Thank you in advance for your support!

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Veil-Meditation-Psalms-ebook/dp/B004HZXT8Y/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1294339213&sr=1-9

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Beyond-the-Veil/MH-Wesley/e/2940011988226/?itm=5&USRI=beyond+the+veil

The Subtle Adversary

This morning I read the 3rd chapter of Genesis which depicts the fall of man. The very first verse really struck home with me when the writer calls the serpent subtle. From the beginning of time, the devil has wreaked havoc on so many lives. The writer however chooses to use the word subtle to describe him! If you continue reading that chapter, you will find that the adversary didn't make Eve eat of the forbidden fruit. He used subtle tactics to coerce her into sin. He only suggested that she eat of the fruit. There was not a moment where the devil had her in bonds where she had no choice. She could have easily walked away, but she decided to stay and listen to his speech.

When Adam and Eve had everything they could have ever wanted or needed, why do you think they threw it all away with the enticement of a piece of fruit? They weren't hungry or in the midst of a famine. There were other trees that had appetizing fruit. How could they let the enemy entice them into giving up everything that God had given them? Eve made the mistake of letting the devil plead his case. When she let him talk to her, she was blinded by his watered down offer of being just like God.

What are you letting the devil tell you today? Don't think the enemy is going to make you do anything. He doesn't have that type of power over you. He will only come with a subtle invitation. Don't let him tell you that God can't bring you out of what you are dealing with. Every time you entertain his suggestions, he strips away more and more of your faith. Stop listening to his lies. You take power over the enemy when you recognize his tactics. There is nothing the devil can do to you unless you let him. Stop letting the devil fool you into having a skewed mentality. The word of God says to obtain the mind of Christ. How do we do that? Recognize that the devil is only as strong as you think he is. Concentrate on what God is trying to tell you instead of the false suggestions of the adversary. Take back your authority over the enemy!

Be an Overcomer in 2011!

Well its another year! 2010 is gone and no matter how good or bad, there is no going back. We can't rewrite history. We can however, face this new year with a spirit of expectancy. I believe that God wants to do something extraordinary this year if we commit to trusting and believing in him. If we look at this year with a fresh perspective, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.

As a new year approaches, alot of us make resolutions. Many of us vow to shed a few pounds before summer or we commit to getting our finances in order. While those resolutions are good, what have you vowed to do about your relationship with God this year? In the middle of the night, I awoke and the word Overcomer was so strong in my mind. I began to ponder on that word, and I realized that being an overcomer is the key to success in this new year.

When you overcome something, you take control of it. You dominant it and rise above the person, place or situation. Sometimes we get complacent with the hand that life has dealt us. We don't have to settle for where we are right now. There is a way out. Let's say you run into a problem with finances in this new year. If you understand your God given authority, you can begin to look at your situation in the spiritual realm. God is the creator of all things. He has the power to change your existence. If you begin to study the word of God as it relates to finances, it will be easier to align your actions with what you believe. Then no matter how much money you have in the bank, you will not operate in worry. Even though your circumstance has not changed right now, you can be sure that you can overcome the attacks of the enemy. You will know that God is a provider and He will not withhold any good thing from you. Psalm 84:11

Always keep the world Overcomer present in your mind. No matter what this year brings, you can face it. If you delve into the word of God and build that relationship with him, you can overcome anything. When you make it through the storms of life, don't forget to share the experience with others. The word says that we overcome by the power of our testimony. When we tell others of how God brought us through adversity, we grow stronger, our light shines brighter and we become more effective witnesses. I will be an Overcomer in 2011. Who will join me?

Fasten Your Seatbelt

I grew up in a small rural town so needless to say, I’ve seen my share of unpaved, bumpy roads. Just like the paved roads, these unfinished ones will get you to your destination. The way, however, is not smooth sailing. I used to hate those dirt paths because by the time I reached my destination, I felt like I had been mixed in a blender. The constant up and down motion and shaky drive used to make me so dizzy. I wondered why no one bothered to pave those old dirt roads. The ride would have been so much easier.

We can use that same illustration in our lives today. All of us want to be successful and reach our ultimate destination but sometimes, we want to take the easy way out. We never take the opportunity to learn from and appreciate those bumps in the road. Those side streets and unpaved roads in life are designed to develop us into better people. If we allow them to, they will make us stronger. Each bump in the road of life should be evaluated. When we encounter trials and tribulations, we should ask God what he wants us to learn. We should try to discover what God is trying to tell us from the situations we find ourselves in. If you face trials with a defeatist attitude, you may miss your blessing. All of the difficulties we face in life are just a part of the journey. Every day is not going to be sunshine and roses, but we have to remember that God has given us everything we need to make it through those hardships.

Life can throw us some devastating blows if we are not equipped to handle them. That’s why we have to be certain that we are grounded in the word of God. When trials come and we can reflect on the promises of God, we have the extra push we need to keep moving forward. We’ve all heard the expression, “no pain, no gain.” If we don’t have to work hard to achieve success, oftentimes we will take that success for granted. When you can look at your life now and see all of the things that God has brought you through, you realize that every trial that you went through was worth it. Every tear you cried, every disappointment, every challenge has made you into the person you are today. 

When God chooses you to go through a difficult task, he knows that you have the strength to pass the test. All you have to do is put your trust in him and follow his instructions. Once you come out of the test, God will reward you for your obedience. I thank God for every time he sent me down an unpaved, bumpy road. I’ve learned and grown from each test and trial. All of  the adversity I have faced in life has made me into the woman I am today. You see if we follow the path that God has designed for us and not try to fight where God is trying to take us, we can look back and see that every pitfall in our life has been for our good. So, the next time you have to take a detour and you find yourself on one of those unpaved bumpy roads, just fasten your seatbelt. Let God guide your path and when you reach your destination, those bumps in the road will be worth it!


Scripture for today: I Peter 4:12-13

An Encounter With God

My first experiment with poetry...hope you enjoy it!

I looked up and found myself in a barren place

I cried out for a familiar voice but no one answered

There was no help in sight

I wondered to myself, how did I get here?

In the midst of my despair I heard a voice say

“You were never alone, I’ve been here always”

Who could it be? The voice I hear so clearly

A voice unfamiliar, but comforting in deed

Scared to ask who is behind the voice

To my surprise, I begin to speak

“Who are you? Where did you come from?”

The voice responds and I listened intently

“I am your sovereign King

The one who watches over you when you sleep

Your biggest supporter

Your very best friend”

Oh no! This cannot be

I’ve heard other tales of an encounter with God

I never thought the experience would be mine

How could God speak to me?

I’ve done so much wrong

Hurt so many

Ran so far away from his arms

God said, “I never gave up on you

I’ve always been speaking

But you chose not to hear

Now that you are listening

I can give you a life beyond your dreams”

In that moment it all made sense

I was meeting God for the very first time

All the darkness faded away

And I was experiencing the light

Never again will I run away

The joy I feel can’t be replaced

Today is the day my life has changed

The day I had an encounter with God

A Delay is not a Denial

The word of God is packed full of promises. When you read those promises, you cannot look at your current situation and get frustrated. If God speaks a word into your life or gives you a vision, you have to have confidence that it will come to pass. It doesn't matter where you may find yourself right now, you have to believe that God is able to do exactly what he says. The other morning I began my meditation time reading in the book of Genesis. I came upon the story of Abraham who was blessed and highly favored by God. When God came to Abraham and told him that he would be a father of many nations and he would have a seed, God did not say when it would happen. Abraham and Sarah, his wife, were old in age and in the natural it looked like it would be impossible for them to have children. Even though they believed what God said, they wondered how it would come to pass and eventually they figured they would help God out and Abraham slept with Hagar, their maid, and had a son. Even though they faltered away from where God was trying to take them, God did not go back on his promise. It took many years for them to bear a child, but they continued to believe that God would honor his promise. Sarah bore a son in her old age and Abraham's seed began to grow.

After reading this story, I heard God say that a delay is not a denial. It doesn't matter how long it takes for God's promises to be realized, they will come to pass. It is our responsibility not to try to handle things on our own or try to help God do his job. We have to remain faithful and trust that God knows what is best for us. Sometimes God needs to continue to work on us so that we will be ready to receive the blessing that He has for us. In the development stage, you get to grow closer to God and delve deeper into his word. Don't take that time for granted.

If you take the time to develop your faith walk, you will see that God wants to use you to show the world that He is still a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)  Don't get discouraged by what you see in front of you. Look beyond that and realize that God is just waiting for the right time to pour his abundant favor into your life. Don't quit when the going gets tough. This is the time to pray harder, trust in God more than you ever have, and wait to receive what He has for you. When God blesses you, the time you spent waiting will be worth it. He can do more for you than you can ever do on your own. Be encouraged!