April 2019 Blogs

 

                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 7, 2019

 

 

 

 

TRUST THE PROCESS!

 

 

 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

~ Joshua 1:9

 

 

Faith is simply confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ~Hebrews 11:1 

 

When you ask God to make changes in your life, most times its going to be difficult.  You are going to go through tests and trials in order to get the results that you really want.  Nothing in life is easy especially with a negative mindset and inconsistent behaviours.  You have to change, renew your mind, focus and start aligning your actions while expecting things to work out.  But it may not happen the way you want or expect.

 

The thing is there are steps to get anything you want.  If you want to become a doctor you have to go to school, take tests and exams to prove you know what you need to know in order to get the degree.  It is the same for whatever it is you are asking God for.  There are some things you will have to go through.  There is a process.  If you want to lose weight you are going to have to eat right, exercise and intentionally commit to a consistent diet and exercise program for a consistent period of time.  Inconsistency in your routine will not get you the results you desire.

 

If you want to be debt free you must adapt a new way of dealing with your money.  You cannot spend more than you earn and expect to get anywhere.  Make a plan and commit to being consistent.  The journey will not be easy because you will encounter obstacles, circumstances and even set backs that will challenge your goals.

 

The point of the process is it will prepare you for anything that comes your way, you will be prepared to overcome.  You cannot learn to drive and not expect to go through traffic, pass accidents or even experience detours.  God is testing your attitude, expectation and willingness to do whatever it takes to push through.  When you have mastered these obstacles, then God knows you are ready to receive the things you are asking for.  Because He will not set you up for failure.  He does not work that way.  He wants to ensure that you can manage and thrive through the things you desire.

 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

~ Proverbs 3:5-6

 

As long as you surrender it all to Him, He will direct you.  He will send help when you need it.  He will provide whatever you ask according to His will for you to serve you in every situation.

 

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

 

 

Sincerely Yours,

 

 

Tracey-Acadia Thomas

Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 14, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

HAVE A CLEAR PLAN!

 

 

 

Commit to the Lord whatever you do ,and he will establish your plans.~ Proverbs 15:3

 

 

Faith is simply confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ~Hebrews 11:1 

 

 

 

Life is full of so many various things that pull for your attention constantly that if you don't be intentional about pursing the things that you want -things will get lost among the list of so many things to do.

 

When you are a mother, wife, an entrepreneur, a leader, a sibling, a friend... the list goes on, there are many expectations and things vying for your attention all the time constantly.

 

 

I know that when I decided to get married, then have children, join the choir, start my first business, start a ministry, then start another business and another, then another -at times I felt myself saying SLOW DOWN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! WHERE ARE YOU GOING! And I'm sure some of you can relate to the hustle and bustle of life especially when you are raising a family, juggling a career or a job and trying to keep up with extra curricular activities.  But who can keep up with all of that? Surely you are setting yourself up to fail something somewhere or burn out, right?

 

 

The point is without a clear precise plan of your vision, dreams and goals with the map of how you plan to achieve anything, life can get very messy, stressed and overwhelming.

 

 

 “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it. For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end, and will not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and not delay.…" ~ Habakuk 2:2-3

 

You cannot make it without having an intentional plan.  Understand where you are going and prioritize your life.  It will make a world of difference when life starts throwing things at you.

 

 

Sincerely Yours,

 

 

Tracey-Acadia Thomas

Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 21, 2019

 

 

 

 

GOD WILL SUPPLY EVERY NEED!

 

 

 

" My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory!”

~ Philippians 4:19

 

 

Faith is simply confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ~Hebrews 11:1 

 

 

Many of us suffer from stress and anxiety towards the basic needs we have when we are going through times of drought or uncertainty.  It is so easy to live in a place of fear, worrying if you will receive the money, the opportunities, the expectations you have surrounding your life.  But the word of God says,

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Phillippians 4:6

 

Trust that God will supply your needs.  But truly meditate on this scripture because that is how you will find deeper meaning and insight.  The scripture says God SHALL.  It does not say He might.  It says He SHALL.  Then it says ALL YOUR NEEDS! Not some.  Not once in a while.  Not certain needs... ALL!!!  
And look what it says after that... according to HIS RICHES IN GLORY!  Not based off of what you have.  Or even based off of your performance.  God will supply according to His riches.  And we know that God is RICH! Everything belongs to Him and He has access to it all and gives us access to it all as well!

 

But how can you gain access to something that you do not have?  Good question.  You gain access through faith.  Because Faith is the confidence of your hope and it is assured about what you do not see.  You believe first in what you do not see until you see it.

 

The important thing here is that you have to know that what ever need you have, a place to live, food in your belly, the ability to pay your bills, put clothes on your back for you and your family... God will supply those needs.

 

 

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" ~ Matthew 6:26-27

 

God says you are valuable. So stop worrying and have faith that God will supply your needs. Start thanking Him for what He has already done!

 

 

 

Sincerely Yours,

 

 

Tracey-Acadia Thomas

Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief

 

 

 

 

 

April 29, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOU MAY FALL BUT YOU WILL ARISE!

 

 

 

" for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes!” ~ Proverbs 24:16

 

 

Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. But the bible says when trouble strikes the wicked (evil hearted people), that's the end of them. 

 

First you must understand what makes a person wicked or evil.  The bible describes evil as what God outlines is evil. Evil is anything contrary to God's nature, will or Word. Evil is very real and present in the world. The Bible tells us that we are all born with sin, and that even some of God's people are wolves in sheep's clothing. However, even as sinners we are still given a conscience that helps us not give into evil urges. Feelings of shame and guilt are right emotions that guide us. These Bible verses about evil will help you determine the difference between an evil heart and an ordinary sinful heart. 

 

"We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." ~ 1 John 5:19

 

"Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing." ~ 1 Peter 3:9

 

"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." ~ 2 Timothy 2:22

 

"Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” ~ 1 Samuel 15:23

 

"For fools speak foolishness and make evil plans. They practice ungodliness and spread false teachings about the LORD . They deprive the hungry of food and give no water to the thirsty." ~ Isaiah 32:6

 

"All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed." ~ John 3:20

 

"For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble" ~ Proverbs 4:16

 

"Your mouth is filled with wickedness, and your tongue is full of lies."

~ Psalm 50:19

 

"From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; their evil imaginations have no limits."

~ Psalm 73:7

 

"For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." ~ Mark 7:21-22

 

 

The bible says that no one is perfect.  We all have failed again and again.  We all make mistakes.  We all have lived in seasons of sin.  The most important thing is  do not stay there. We all have the ability to choose to submit ourselves to God and no matter how bad you have screwed things up, if you really want God's help He will help lead you down the right road. A heart that truly is in repentance, regret or remorse, will do what is necessary to get themselves back in good standing with God.  But it might not be easy.  Some people will make it difficult for you to renew your mind and make a fresh start.  It is in these times that you ignore what is happening around you, turn inward in prayer, and trust that God will restore you through the process. (see blog entitled Trust The Process)

 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!" ~ Romans 3:23

 

When we submit our outcome to God He gets the glory.  We cannot lead successful lives without the help of the Lord.  For many are weak to their desires, emotions, listening to the wrong people, to the wrong advice, to gossip, slander, and more.  Who are you to judge your brother? Based off of what? Gossip? Judgement? Someone else's experience. Or your own evil thoughts, motives and hearts.

 

"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" ~ James 4:11-12

 

It is easy to stand in these very evil things if you are not constantly renewing your mind to God's unconditional love, grace and peace. Do not let negative thoughts, emotions or outside influences cause you to stumble into sin.  And let's be clear.  God sees all sin as sin more or less the same offensiveness to him.  No one is perfect.  But when you are intentional to live a lifestyle of faith pleasing Him with everything you do, be quick to repent and be quick to turn away from evil doing.

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Phillippians 4:6

 

 

Sincerely Yours,

 

 

Tracey-Acadia Thomas

Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief