In Advance

Cheryl's Blog

2015-04-11T10:29:00.001-04:00

Super Saturday to ya!

Another lovely day the Lord has made and we rejoice and are glad in it! Yes...your girl is back. I have not blogged in a while and feel that the season is upon me once again. Stay tuned for some nuggets that will encourage you along the way. Life can be difficult, and sometimes it only take one word. That one word can unlock something that you have heard before and change your life. That's what this blog is all about. Not being preachy but maintaining a voice.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

1 Corinthians 14:10

More to come on that one. Have a fantastic Saturday and I will chat back at you later. Peace and Blessings.

Share the Love of God

2012-10-15T10:43:00.001-04:00

Good morning beautiful people,

Marvelous Monday to each of you. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. It was

a time of just pondering some things for me personally. I have so many

different things going on in my head, my heart, and my spirit-man. Yet

pressing to see what the end will be. It can be an overwhelming thing, but

God designed me/us to handle it. BLESS HIM!! I hope you are encouraged

today and pressing towards your goals and purpose. Life is indeed so short

and we must make the most and very best of it. There are certainly

reminders everyday all around us of the mercies and grace of God that keeps

us. We are not exempt from pain, distress, or sorrow. We just recognize that

it is the compassions of God that fails not and that he is faithful unto us.

Don't you just love Him?

The encouragement this morning for each of us is to just share the love of

God. I just spoke with a woman that allowed me a little leeway into her

life. You could tell she has hurts with the church community and things in

her life that have prevented her from truly surrendering to God. My job

there was just to show her the love of God and encourage her to look beyond

those things and press towards HIM!! It is so important for us NOT get on

that bandwagon with folks when negativisms arises regarding the church and

this walk. Listen, watch and pray! Then proceed forth as the Lord leads you

to minister. Some folk are set in their belief system and it will take God

to change their mindset. Our job is merely to be that light and show them

the CONTRARY (reverse) of their belief system. As God demonstrated His love

towards us; likewise, we do the same to our brothers and sisters, regardless

of where they are in their belief system. God IS love, and it is after all

His love that draws us.

1 John 5:1 (NKJV)

5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who

loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.

Seasons Change

2012-10-15T10:40:00.004-04:00

Good morning Beautiful people!

Hoping that each of you are encouraged this morning and had a great weekend. Wow what a beautiful beginning to this Fall season. I love it! Isn't it wonderful when seasons change. Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever! For wisdom and might are His! He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Dan 2:20-21). Hallelujah! Like HE changes seasons He changes those things in your life....those circumstances. HE is in control!

You cannot skip a season to get to the next season. You must go through it, but know that whatever the season you are experiencing it will change. Season are just that: a period of time or term, and most importantly God's timing for your life. Our prayer is that we are able to discern the season that we are in so that we are able to adjust accordingly. You are not going to wear a coat in the heat of a summer day? You adjust what you are wearing to line up with that summer day. Likewise, we must keep our minds opens and our spirit in a willing state to make the necessary adjustments. To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.

May peace and favor rest upon each of you.

Blessings

Don't get weary

2012-10-15T10:38:00.001-04:00

Beautiful people!

It is a fabulous day that the Lord has made. We rejoice and are glad in it. It has been a minute since we last connected. I was out of town the prior week and had a fabulous time. Here we are back at work and so very thankful. God has been so gracious to me, to us and I will forever give him praise. I hope each of you are encouraged and yet determined to run with patience the race that is set before you. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." HALLELUJAH!!!

I encourage you to not be weary in well doing: For in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Don't lose hope and don't give up. Just when you think you want to give up, give HIM some praise. It is at that appointed time and season that you reap. I am not telling you a bible story here. I am telling you from first-hand experience that GOD WILL bring you out and see you through. I believe we are in a season of reaping, but we must not lose hope and faint in our minds. Continue to press knowing that God is with you along the way. No, better yet; HE IS IN THE WAY. Just follow HIS lead.

Galatians 6:10 (AMP)

10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].

Blessing and love,

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

2012-10-15T10:34:00.002-04:00

Rejoice beautiful people,

I hope each of you had a wonderful weekend! I am just so grateful to be in the land of the living. I may say that a lot, but it's so real to me. I find myself in that mode of worship as I sit here and think of His goodness.....and all that He has done and do for me.....my soul gives a thankful cry of Hallelujah!!! Oh how I love Him, praise Him and thank Him! Have a fabulous week people and remember, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Be blessed by the word of the Lord: The entire chapter of 1 Chronicles 16: is awesome but I did not want to make this email too long, so I just chose a few verses that will bless you. Blessings, love and peace to each of you.

8 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

12 Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

23 Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.

25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

28 Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

29 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

34 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Remain Silent

2012-10-15T10:33:00.001-04:00

Lovely day beautiful people!

I hope all is well and that each of you had a wonderful weekend. I had a great one myself, but as you know they just go too fast! Whew! Great is the mercies of God toward us and His loving kindness. Don't you just love Him for keeping you when you can't even keep yourself. Thank you Lord! I am adamant in thanking Him every opportunity I get. As I often say it could have been me, in whatever situation....But for the grace of God. I dare/we dare take His mercy, His grace for granted. He is faithful!

This discourse of scripture below speaks volumes. I am learning to let the WORD of God do the work in my life. In those situations where you want to speak.....remain silent. Study to be quiet. "Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together." It is that space of time where you allow the word to work on your behalf. Don't compromise your values when your character or integrity is attacked, but stand fast, remain silent, and LET THE WORD WORK.

Psalm 27:1-5 (King James Version)

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!"

2012-10-15T10:31:00.002-04:00

Hello beautiful people,

I hope all is well with each of you and that you had a wonderful weekend. We are so thankful to see another day and week. I am constantly in awe of God and how He confirms and performs His word in our lives. Today I simply say, "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!" When I speak of "His might," I speak to His capacity (scope, amount) and His ability to handle everything we bring to Him. He knows and understands all that will fall upon us. He is an Omnipotent (all-powerful) God and again has the capacity to keep everyone of us.

We cannot be strong in our own capacity, because we simply cannot handle it. We must be strong in the Lord because we draw strength from Him. He gives us the power to stand in the midst of whatever fiery darts the enemy throws our way. So when we give our problems and concerns to Him, we must trust and know that He WILL take care of the matter. He will strengthen us even while we wait on Him......in those moments you want to quit. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart. If we remain strong in Him, we have true strength to make it through. Just a quick word of encouragement for somebody on today. Much to do, but wishing everyone a fabulous week.

Peace, blessings and love,

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand

You cannot determine your own value or worth, and neither can anyone else.

2012-10-15T10:29:00.000-04:00

Marvelous Day People

God is so wonderful and we honor Him with the fruit of our lips this morning, by merely saying thank You for another day's journey! Truly he is with us and we bless Him! I hope all is well with each of you this morning. I did not wake up feeling the best, but nevertheless I praise Him for life. Your value and worth can only be determined by the one that created you. -- Bishop Felton Hawkins. What a word and so very true! Value means your relative worth, significance, or importance.

We often listen to other people and what they think we are or should be. We also think we can determine in our own minds our value or worth! Stop it today! You cannot determine your own value or worth, and neither can anyone else. They did not create you.....YOU did not create yourself! So don’t allow naysayers or a defeated mindset stop you from achieving what God has destined. Remember.......while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us all! There are no big I's and little you's here. I have been save longer and have a title, verses someone that is new or coming into knowledge of who Christ is! We hold the same value in the eyes of God because he paid the ultimate price for us ALL through His son Jesus!

2 Peter 1:2-3

King James Version (KJV)

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Peace, blessings and love

Someone else will plant, water, and ONLY God will give the increase.

2012-10-15T10:27:00.000-04:00

Marvelous Monday to each of you,

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Had that verse on my mind this morning. I hope you all have a terrific weekend. Had a very busy weekend traveling to Delaware to say goodbye to a friend. It was a great send off with much love. This was a friend of our family, and my husband was asked to give the eulogy which went beautifully. The beauty of this celebration was, there were so many different walks of life represented. Everyone in attendance was not necessarily a believer. It is in these situations where God is able to showcase himself through you. It is our mandate to share and show the love of God wherever we go, and we did that. Someone else will plant, water, and ONLY God will give the increase.

This trip just reminded me of what our Lord instructs us to do. This thing is way bigger than maintaining our own importance within the walls of a church. It will require that we go out and compel them to come as the bible tells us to do. No, everybody is not going to come to your church but still plant the seed. Sorry to get on that tangent. When you lose people you wonder; did I do my part sharing the love of God with them? You certainly don't want to have any regret that you did not. I am just a little tired of how we in a general sense focus more on religious antics, and stuff that does not edify anybody but us, and less on souls. I MUST do better! We as a body of believers must do better. Peace, blessings and love.

Luke 14:23

King James Version (KJV)

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Change

2012-10-15T10:25:00.005-04:00

Good morning beautiful people,

We love and honor the Lord this morning for His goodness, His mercy, His loving-kindness, and His grace. If it were not for the grace of God, where would we be. I realize everyday that I need Him more and more!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We just ended out annual convocation at church (FGKC) and boy is my life being changed. We have been dealing with transformation, which is our theme for the year of 2012....Minding those things that matter. In other words getting our minds right so that we can be transformed and walk out the plan and purpose God has for us. This requires going through the process of change specifically in our minds, even if it painful....even through the struggle...so that we are truly changed. Yes, it is clique to say I have been changed, but have we really?

Every part of our being must be changed from our head to our hearts. This type of change requires surgery which in itself is a painful process as you go through the various stages; pre-surgery...post surgery...recovery ....and the healing process. It is a process over some time that requires your complete trust in God to bring you out. If your mind is right, your heart and overall being will follow. Our prayer is simply this: Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, for You are our strength and our redeemer. This speaks to the mind and the heart. Hold on...change is coming! Prayer request: Please pray for the Heatherman family. You may not know them or the situation but I ask that you please pray for them. Thank you.

God bless each of you and have a wonderful week.

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. ~Mark 12:30

PRAY!!!

2012-07-23T11:02:00.000-04:00

Good morning Beautiful people,

I hope everyone is rested and ready to begin another week! Certainly a lot has transpired over this past week. Our prayers go out to the families affected by the tragedy in Colorado. It was quite shocking especially for my husband and family who call Colorado home. We have so many friends and family still there so naturally this has been overwhelming to watch unfold. It is during these tragic events that the nation as a whole turn to God. The separation of church and state suddenly becomes a unified entity, as the nation begin to call on God. They seek Him for answers of why this happened. They pray to Him for comfort, healing, and strength. After the grieving process is over, we cease to pray anymore. We (the world in general) no longer acknowledge the God that brought us out. WHY??

He instructs us to pray without ceasing, and to give ourselves continually to prayer. This is a daily part of life that we cannot afford to live without. In other words we don't wait for calamity to strike the land before we acknowledge our Creator. We are to watch as well as pray continually. So the hope for us as believers is to do our part and keep prayer at the forefront of our lives. However you choose to do.....just do it...Pray! Pray for our nation, our leaders, our families daily.

"This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."

We must become unified in prayer because, it is only in our coming together that we will experience the fullness of our Lord. When he instructed us to pray collectively, he said, " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray ".......(people represent nation, community, citizens, population, etc.).

Peace and blessings

Strengthen and Restore Us

2012-06-25T08:44:00.004-04:00

Good morning beautiful people,

It is another day that the Lord has made and we rejoice in it. Praying this morning for strength and restoration in our spirits, minds, and bodies. Yes...we get a little weary in any or all of these areas. I am reminded of the scripture that says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. "I will revive, and refresh (energize, restore) your souls. Stay clear and run from people that feel you are suppose to be a walking superwoman/man and will always be on a spiritual high, never tired, or weary. There would otherwise be no need for the word of God if this were a fact. OH how I thank God for His word!

Check this out....he further tells us how to handle that tiredness or weariness. "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls." Hallelujah! No this is not merely for traumatic events that occur in our lives, but EVERYDAY living. Yes, walk out that tiredness, weariness, sadness or whatever state you are in. In the process of it all just learn of Him and He will give you rest in your spirit, your mind, and your body. Wow...I feel refresh already....how about you :o)

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Peace, blessings and love,

Our Prayer

2012-06-25T08:42:00.002-04:00

Good morning beautiful people,

Top of the morning to ya! It's a new day and new week! I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's day weekend! We are thankful for fathers and the role that God created them to endure. The burden and the load they carry is a great one. We will continually keep them lifted up, as they fulfilled than plan of God for their lives and the lives of their families. The ultimate honor goes to our heavenly Father God, who so love the world that HE gave His only begotten son for us. The message that I sent a few weeks ago about our ability to call him Abba Father is so appropriate. He is fully acquainted with our needs and struggles. He has a sovereign plan for our long-term well being. We are eternally grateful to Him for all that HE IS and all the HE does. Thank you Father God!

I hope that each of you are encouraged this morning. Our prayer is simply this: "Let the words of our mouths, and the meditation of my hearts, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, you are our strength, and our redeemer." This is my daily prayer as I represent Him. Not merely confessing that I am a Christian (which is used very loosely today), but living this life according to the word of God. Yes......there will be mistakes, but I choose to turn to the word of God to correct those mistakes.

(Make this personal)

Let the words that I speak edify (enlighten) and bless someone. Let the very intent of my heart be pure before you God....as I know you can see the depths of my soul. This is my prayer dear Father..........to be acceptable in thy sight.

Peace and blessing to each of you.

Father....I need thee

2012-06-11T08:26:00.006-04:00

Good morning beautiful people,

Great and marvelous are the works of our God! Blessings and peace to each of you this morning. There's a praise on the inside that I can't keep to myself. Hallelujah!! Truly feeling wonderful this morning and just thankful to still be in the land of the living. God is certainly a keeper, if you desire to be kept. I liken this to a child. You have those children that obey, are respectful, and do everything they are instructed or required to do. Then you have the rebellious child...that one that will give you heartache, does not listen, and simply do what they want to do. Can we imagine which category we fall into in the eyes of God? How does He see us?

The word of the Lord clearly states that we are children of God. He knows our every need and has every intention of protecting and providing for us. Paul tells us that we have "received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out Abba, Father. When we accept Christ into our lives, we are adopted into God's family. Yes...God loves all of humanity. It is not HIS will that any should perish, but that ALL come to repentance. When we accept Him.....Our relationship becomes more personal in that we can now call him daddy, or father. We have can now say.......*Daddy I need you*.....*Father please help me*! My God, my God!!!! This is powerful!! Think about how you express this to your natural father. As wonderful as that is....it does not compare to that intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. He is not going to prohibit us from rebelling, or force anything on any of us. We each have a choice....the ability to be able to truly call Him *Father*. That child that desires help seeks after help. Likewise...we ask of Him...we acknowledge Him...and He will keep us.

Psalm 121:4-6

Amplified Bible (AMP)

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield].

6 The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.

Have a great week! Much love,

Favor

2012-06-04T12:36:00.004-04:00

Good morning beautiful people!

Rise...shine....Give God The Glory! Yes, it is difficult coming back to work after a long weekend; nevertheless, we are So thankful. It was a wonderful weekend in which we honored all veterans who have serve this great country. We also remembered those who we've lost. Continual prayers to their families. I had some difficult trials on last week, that I will not re-live in this message. I bring it up to say I am an Qvercomer! Having the FAVOR of God upon your life is worth way more than any amount of money.

FAVOR is the love, care, and affection of God toward you. He prefers and esteems you in the presence of others. He places influence upon your life that will get you support and approval from people; get you to places you would not otherwise be able to go; get you things that money can buy, but also things money cannot buy. There is nothing greater than having the favor of God upon your life. Last week He reminded me that his favor was upon my life. It is not something that you can merely ask for just because you want it. Seek after the wisdom of God and you shall find favor with God.

Much love peace and joy to each of you. More to come...had to get a word in quickly this morning.

Psalm 30:5

Amplified Bible (AMP)

5 For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Fearfully and Wonderfully made

2012-05-22T09:18:00.001-04:00

Good morning beautiful people,

My apologies for yesterday, as I was out enjoying the day with my mother. I hope all is well with each of you. I had a fabulous graduation weekend, and I am so grateful for the love and support from everyone. God is SO AWESOME! Have lots to do this morning so I will be brief. Just wanted to encourage each of you to keep pressing forward. Remove every obstacle, hindrance, and barrier that might hinder your progress. Remember...We are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. Every one of us was formed in the womb and uniquely created.

We are distinct or set apart from everything else that was created, and given dominion over those things. Wow...don't you feel special! Really think about how something like clay is formed, and shaped into that beautiful piece of art; likewise, SO ARE WE! God did not rush and create us just to marvel at His creation. He intricately formed each of us. WOW!!!! I am trying really to explain this thing, but it would be too long. The next time you get down on yourself, or say you can't......YOU can! God DID NOT create junk, He created YOU! Man....if we really understood who we are and what we have in us! Just know that you are somebody special and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. JUST DO THAT THING!

Peace and blessings

Psalm 139:13-15

New King James Version (NKJV)

13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

The Blessings of God

2012-05-14T08:53:00.001-04:00

Good morning Beautiful people,

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother's day weekend. To all the Mothers...I hope your day was filled with much joy and love. I personally find it to be a difficult day because of my own desire to be a mother. Nevertheless, I am most grateful to have such awesome people in my life who encourage me and remind me of who I am as a mother. I am SO blessed and I truly love my mentors, confidants, and friends. Speaking of blessings....."The blessings of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. When you look a the word blessings you see good things, miracles, something promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being, or prosperity.

When God blesses you, HE blesses you with those good things. It is not the desire of the Lord that we be anything other than blessed. It is not his plan that we be sick, heart-broken, lonely, or just flat broke. It is His desire that we be Blessed in all facet of our lives; finances, health, and in our relationships. God said, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Hallelujah! So check those things that you call a blessing. If it does not promote or bring out the good in your life, it is not a blessing....at least from God. It is something that WE made a blessing in our minds, and in these cases that so-call blessing becomes a burden. People in general use the term blessing or blessed so loosely. The word of the Lord speaks to His true blessings and what it means to be blessed. Remember...the blessings of God add no sorrow.

James 1:17, New Life Version

17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God. He is the One Who made all light. He does not change. No shadow is made by His turning.

The Lord is Our Shepherd

2012-05-07T10:29:00.000-04:00

Good morning beautiful people,

It is a Marvelous Monday indeed! Hoping that each of you had a fabulous weekend. I certainly enjoyed it so much. SO thankful and SO grateful to be here! I woke up this morning with a very familiar passage of scripture on my mind. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Wouldn’t you know that this was the daily reading that came up on my phone in my daily devotion. God is always so mindful of us and sends his love through His word. THANK YOU SO MUCH FATHER!! When we think of a shepherd we think of sheep being led by the shepherd. The job of the shepherd consisted of leading the flock to food, to greener pastures, and to clean water to drink. If one of the sheep went astray it was the job of the Shepherd to go find the sheep. The shepherd also protected the sheep from harm. In essences I am simply bringing out the relationship of the sheep to the shepherd which is like our relationship to our God.

Surely we have read this passage of scripture before and even memorized it as a child. Really look at it verse by verse and study the content of it again. It is Powerful! He is our Shepherd! He will lead us and guide us. Like the shepherd he is so mindful of everything that concerns us. " All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way;" BUT GOD! He is with us when we walk through the various stages of life, so we have nothing to fear. He is our protector! He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. He is the goodness and the mercy that will follow us all the days of our lives, and he is our dwelling place. Hallelujah!! Just look at it again and feel the love of God through His word and in His presence. Oh how I love Him!

Peace and blessings to each of you,

Psalm 23 (KJV)

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I Choose.....You choose

2012-05-01T09:05:00.000-04:00

Good morning Everybody,

I hope you all had a great weekend. I quickly became so overwhelmed this morning because of the things going on in my life right now. Some very exciting like my graduation (YES!!) but others not. My car went on the fringe again which means more money, stressed about starting this MBA program, and just life concerns. Sometimes it seems like when it rains it pours....BUT God! I was quickly reminded of His word and His loving-kindness towards us. I choose to acknowledge Him through it all because I know that he will give me direction. "Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance....let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

The bottom-line is that we determine how quickly we will get through that test, trial, or stress of life. We are all going to have them. There is absolutely NO way around that. How you deal with it going in will determine how and when you come out of it. I choose to not wallow in it and have a bunch of woe is me parties. I choose to look toward the end of it, recognizing that I will reach the end of it. It is like going through a tunnel.....you go in on one side....go through the tunnel.....BUT you come out on the other side. Glory to His Holy Name!! Certainly there are those things that we go through that are not as easily overcome, but remember....."He has also assured us that no trial will test us beyond our ability to bear it, and “he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I choose to worship my way through it and out of it. Just saying I love you Lord is worship. Bless him!

Peace and blessings to a wonderful week,

Much love,

p.s. And they overcame him (the accuser of our brethren/satan) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony!

God's strenght made perfect in your weakness

2012-04-23T09:41:00.000-04:00

Good morning beautiful people,

God is GREAT, and greatly to be praised! Marvelous Monday to each of you. I hope all is well and that you are rested and ready to roll. Today is another beautiful day that the Lord has made, regardless of the rain and colder weather. What makes it most beautiful is that you can see God even in the midst of it all. So rejoice and be glad in it! Again we have so much to be thankful and grateful for. Things could really be way worse than our current conditions (war, economics pressures, weather conditions across this country, and just life issues). In all of this there is somebody experiencing something way worse than any of us can fathom.

I specifically think about and pray for people affected by tornados and weather conditions across the land. Having to bury family members and then rebuild their lives. The testimony in it all is to see and hear these very people give God honor even in the midst of their adversity. They share their sadness with the world regarding their losses, but they also share their hope, recognizing that they will bounce back and rebuild. In that moment of their weakness, God gives them power and strength. They display the strength of God in their testimony. I say all that to say that,**His grace is sufficient for thee: His strength is made perfect in weakness** His grace is enough and available to meet our needs. All he wants us to do is to acknowledge him during those moments of weakness, and wait on him to bring us out. "Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength." It is all in His timing, not ours!

p.s. I better end here because I could go on and on and on.

Peace and blessings to each of you.

Isaiah 40:31 Amplified Bible (AMP)

31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Truth-giving Spirit

2012-04-16T09:14:00.000-04:00

Marvelous Monday to each of you,

What a wonderful weekend once again. I hope each of you are rested and ready to make things happens. Perk it up! Yeah its Monday and it will be a great day. Surely we are grateful to see it, and certainly taking nothing for granted. We have so much to be grateful for! Merely because he thinks enough of us to grant us new mercies every morning. How dare we take that for granted. I read a quote that said, "Each new day is God's gift to you.....what you do with it is your gift to God. How profound and true is this? So make the very best of each day that He gives you and I.

I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately with various things going on in my life. Not a bad thing but needing direction kind of feeling. Just needing guidance. In this flesh we become overwhelmed, but it is the spirit of God that makes intercession on our behalf. I was convicted and reminded that the spirit of God that lives within me serves as my guide. We must acknowledge Him as such. My prayer this morning is that the Holy Spirit will overtake our lives. The Holy Spirit is that part of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy spirit) and these three are one.......GOD. The Holy Spirit alone is the spirit force of God. The bible says that it is the spirit of God that will lead you and guide you into all truths. Anything other than the Spirit of Truth is the spirit of deception. As we seek after God and get a clearer understanding of His ways, we recognize His Spirit. Just ask for guidance, and direction because He is there to assist you.

Peace, love and blessings to each of you.

John 16:13 (Amplified Bible)

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

Don't live life creating regrets! Finish!

2012-04-09T13:01:00.000-04:00

Good morning beautiful people!

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. I certainly did and hated to see it end! Guess it caught up with me this morning because I am running a little behind; nevertheless, so grateful! What a wonderful celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. He lives!!! And because He live we can face tomorrow! Again....no man took His life....He laid down His life so that we might have life and that life more abundantly. Oh how I love Him because He first loved me/us! Just the thought of His love towards me invigorates me, strengthens me and energizes me. WHEW! I get so much joy!!! Forgive me but I feel so good in my mind, body and spirit.

The encouragement this morning is to just keep it moving! Life is so precious and we must make the most it and make things happen. I recently received my Bachelors degree after years of struggle to get it. But the key thing is that I finished!! It is so easy to start things, quit, give up and never finish. We are such a capable people and God has blessed us with every necessary tool to finish what we start. "Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have." This discourse of scripture related to giving but also applies to finishing, giving of your substance, and giving of yourself. Don’t live life creating regrets. What you could have done or should have done. Just do it! Bring that thing to its concluded end. You can do it! We can do it!

Peace, blessings and much love.

God has your back

2012-04-09T12:58:00.001-04:00

Good morning Everyone,

Another beautiful day to still be here. We are thankful and grateful to our God. I hope each of you had a wonderful weekend. I certainly did, and it was capped off with communion in honor of our Lord. Many of you know how I feel about this occasion. This is THE most special and important aspect of my walk with the Lord. Please bare with me for a minute. This we do in remembrance of HIM. "Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me......This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."........................Selah! Oh how I love HIM because He first loved me.

This scripture has been ringing in my head this morning and I would like to share it with you. "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." In other words, he is our protector and he shields us on all sides. It is he that bestows beauty and splendor upon each of us......and He lifts our head high. Isn't it encouraging to know that HE(Our God) has our backs. You can go through anything knowing that God is your buffer or that barrier, and WILL not allow you to be defeated. Through every trial, every test, and every storm, we have this assurance. You cannot put that guarantee on any man.......BUT God!

I hope this makes sense to you all. Most of the time it is difficult to capture the essence of God and his greatness on paper. HE is truly beyond words!

Peace and love to each of you. Have a great week.

Opinions

2012-03-26T12:17:00.000-04:00

Good Day Everyone

I hope all is well and that you had a wonderful weekend. Truly God is a keeper and He is faithful unto us. Getting right to it this morning. Opinions are those views, beliefs, feelings and ideas that we all have about something or someone. We go wrong when we feel the need to voice those opinions even at the detriment of somebody else without thinking. I (Cheryl) am so guilty. What am I saying? We must be careful in our assumptions or opinions, that we fall not into a judgmental frame of mind. I don't think many people see an opinion as a form of judgment. The bible clearly says, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you."

Let us be mindful of the fact that we all have different walks of life. We have no idea what path another individual must walk. I am learning as should we all to keep our opinions to ourselves. Don't allow everything that hit our lips, ears, and eyes, to come out of our mouths. Think.......who does this edify, or what purpose does it serve? If it serves no purpose or does not enlighten or improve that situation shut it down! In other words keep it to yourself, and don't allow others to influence your view merely based on their opinion. As the bible said, "Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good."

Have a fabulous week!

Peace, blessings and love

Planting a Seed

2012-03-23T11:30:00.000-04:00

Good day beautiful people,

Allow me to apologize for my late posting this week. All is well and God is so AWESOME!! I am still here and still pressing forward with what God has enabled me to do. Sometimes you have to step back, re-group and re-focus. I am so honored to be able to share and recognize this as my reasonable service. We must all recognize the impact that we have on the lives of others in whatever capacity we operate in. This could be good and it could be negative.

It basically goes back to the principle of sowing and reaping. Remember some will plant, some will water, but only God will give the increase. Again, we are the image of God....our Creator. Because of this He has put a demand on each of us to touch somebody's life in word and in our actions. So let us not be selfish when He gives us a mandate that affects others. (Talking to me) That mandate can be grand or something so simple as a word, a hug, or just listening. Trust Me! You will know when God is leading you verses you leading you. When He is in control everything falls right into place, so it is up to us to act when He leads. Let us not allow our gifts and capacity to become a hindrance to somebody's growth, because we did not plant or water when God instructed us to do so. One more thing; this mandate is not just for leaders, those in positions, or those with titles, etc. It is for US ALL. Let the Lord use you right where you are.

Peace, blessings and love to each of you

1 Corinthians 3:9

9 For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God's garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God's building.