Believe In What's Within

Hi, everyone!  I want to begin by letting you know that I appreciate the support shown to me towards the blog.  It warms my heart to know that God's purpose for my life touches your life.  Every comment and compliment is greatly appreciated.  Please continue to pray for me as I humbly submit to God's plan for me.  It is only through Him that I am able to do this!

Now, I really hadn't planned on blogging today, but God dropped this in my spirit...so, I guess someone needs this. Here goes...

There are times in our lives when we believe in everything and everyone but ourselves. We constantly search for mentors and role models, when what we are searching for already exists within us. Too often we minimize our own abilities and tend to believe that we need the abilities of others to accomplish our goals or tasks in life; we count ourselves out long before the referee blows the whistle.

As children of God, we have been uniquely equipped with the wherewithal to achieve whatever we purpose in our heart. Through the Holy Ghost, we have been given special power - “But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power…” (Acts 1:8) This power dwells within you. You must believe that the power of the Holy Ghost can work in your life just as well as it works in the lives of those you look to for what you feel that you lack. Because you don’t believe in what’s within, not only do you tend to look for others to make things happen for you, but you are reluctant to branch out and do things on your own. You often convince yourself that you are incapable of doing great things because of things you've done, where you come from or things that have happened to you. This is exactly the mentality that Satan wants you to have. He knows that if he can handicap your belief in the power that dwells within you, he can steal, kill and destroy your purpose and eternal life...which is his ultimate goal.

What does it mean to believe? To believe means to have faith in, be certain of, have confidence in, accept as true or rely upon. You find yourself lacking confidence, which in turn causes you to doubt your own God-given abilities. Although everything we need to be successful already lies within us, we continually search for something or someone else for validation. We seem to have faith and confidence in everyone but ourselves; however, the main ingredient to accomplishing your goals in life is you. Yes, we often need support from others and of course, we need God, who is able to make all things happen; nevertheless, we must believe in the power that works in us in order to achieve our goals. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” You must learn to be confident in the power that dwells within you in order to make it work in your life; you must believe in yourself. You may wonder how can I learn to believe in myself? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Find out who you are – Get to know yourself through Christ.  Ask God to help you to see yourself the way He sees you.
2. Study who you are and get acquainted with yourself – Become familiar with yourself; be your own friend. I’m sure that may sound strange, but spending time getting to know who you are will help you become more confident.

Imagine yourself as a confident person, free from self-doubt. Hold this image in your mind everyday, until it sinks into your spirit. Whenever negative thoughts about yourself enter your mind, erase them immediately. Soon, confidence will become a way of life for you. God has already equipped you with every tool you need to become or achieve whatever you desire. It’s already within you, but you have to believe.

Til we meet again...

Live more...worry less...laugh often!!

Keisha

The Thirst Quencher

Happy Thursday, everyone! In my last post, I shared how I was feeling a bit out of sorts.  I'm happy to say that, after a few days of communing with God, I'm back on track and ready to go full speed ahead.  The enemy thought he was going to keep me down, but the devil is a liar! Nope...not gonna happen!!

Moving right along...

Monday morning, I walked into my office to find my plant had withered over the weekend.  The leaves were slumped over the pot and there were no signs of life.  Although I already knew what the problem was, I touched the soil and immediately noticed that it was completely dry. "I forgot to water my plant" I thought to myself.  So, before I got started on my things-to-do list, I scooped up my baby and ran to the water.  Within an hour or so, my plant was full of life.  It needed that water...badly!

This made me think about how so many Christians find themselves just like my plant...withered, lifeless and thirsting for living water.  Just like a plant's soil needs to be watered on a regular basis in order to maintain life, so does your soul require regular watering to maintain your spiritual life.  Even the human body needs water to stay hydrated.  Oftentimes, I find myself feeling a bit lethargic and all it takes is a tall glass, or two, of water to perk me up.  So, How do you water your soul? I'm glad you asked!

God is our fountain...the ultimate thirst-quencher.  It takes daily communication with Him through prayer, praise and worship to be sure that your spirit-man doesn't wither.  When you continuously pour out to God, He continuously pours in to you. 

One thing I have found to be true is that when I find myself feeling down in the dumps, I can always go to God in prayer and He, in turn, lifts my spirit...much like when I took my plant to the water hydrant and it's stems quickly sprung up.  God can replinish your thirsty soul.  He is the living well that never runs dry.

You should always thirst for Christ, because without His presence in your life, you shall surely wither.

There's a song that comes to mind:
Fill my cup, Lord
I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting in my soul
Bread of Heaven feed me til I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up, and make me whole

Til next time...

Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha

God's Perfect Peace

For the past 3 hours, I have started three different blog posts and haven't been able to complete any of them.  I can't quite seem to focus and gather my thoughts.  My mind is so occupied with what's going on around me that I'm having a hard time concentrating on what God has put within me.  God has given me Divine Words to share with you today, but my own worries have me so off course that I'm struggling to pull it together.

Why am I sharing this?

This is a prime example of how the enemy will come in and try to stifle your purpose.  He will cause the situations in your life to seem so big that it's the only thing you can focus on. 

In times like these, I find it vitally important to go to God in prayer.  These are the times when I, and you, need to find a quiet place and just pour out to God and allow His presence to encompass every space.  This is where you'll find the greatest solitude. 

So, today I'm going to take a moment to rest in God's bosom, cast all my cares upon Him and allow Him to be my perfect peace.

If you find yourself feeling a bit frazzled and unsettled, steal away to Jesus.  You'll be glad you did!

"Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee..." (Isaiah 26:3)

Til next time...

Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha

It's A Good Pain

A few weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to put my desire to drop about 20 lbs and become a bit healthier into action.  I joined a fitness studio!  I've been working out regulary for the past three weeks.  Now, for someone who hasn't exercised in years (I know, shame on me) you can imagine my plight.  A good ten minutes into cardio and I'm huffing, puffing, sweating and ready to quit.  After every  workout, I am bound to feel pain...my arms, legs, calves and abs are so sore that it hurts to even walk! Everytime a pain hits, I quietly tell myself "It's a good pain...it'll be worth it in the end."

This morning I woke up to a bit of soreness.  My muscles in every place are aching!  "Why do I have to be so sore?"  I thought to myself.  Then it dawned on me...though my muscles are a part of my body, I haven't really used them in years.  They've pretty much been asleep, but now they're being awakened, or coming alive, by the intense exercising. 

That got me thinking...I wonder what intense pain has God dropped in your life to wake up some things within you?

There are some things God placed within you that you have allowed to lie dormant and in order for Him to take you to your place of purpose, He's got to wake up the greatness inside of you.   There is some strength and courage inside of you that God needs you to discover. 

Perhaps you're experiencing a bit of spiritual or emtional pain.  Don't fret or throw in the towel because pain pushes you to purpose when it's orchestrated by God.  Your tears and sleepness nights are all for your good.  Yes, it hurts right now, but the outcome of it all is a better you and anything that serves to make you better is always a good thing.  Though the pain may feel unbearable at times, always remember that God will not put more on you than you can bear.  When you feel like giving up and calling it quits and find yourself spiritually exhausted, remind yourself that it's a good pain and it'll all be worth in the end.

If you need an extra boost of strength all you have to do is lift up your eyes to the hills from whence cometh your help; your help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:1)

Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha

Take It Back

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  Some of you expressed that you missed a new post yesterday...I'm new to this blogging thing, so bear with me while I get my scheduling together.  Please know that this is not just a hobby for me, but something I am very passionate about and divinely inspired by God to carry out.  My endeavor is to encourage, inspire and enlighten you along your walk with, or to, Christ...a task I do not take lightly.  I ask that you keep me lifted as I purpose to live out God's plan for my life.

Now, on to your Divine Words for the day...

Lately, I've found myself reflecting on my life over the past few years. The latter part of 2006 to the end of 2009 were the most trying times of my life.  It seemed like I couldn't win for losing and everything that could go wrong did.  There were days when I wanted to find a hole and crawl in it...deep down in it.  I suffered long periods of depression, hopelessness and despair.  Although I attended church and bible study faithfully, prayed regularly, participated in every fast called by the Pastor and read my Bible, I was in a place where I'd lost ALL hope.  I'd lost my will to fight and had given in to defeat. 

I remember during the last few weeks of 2009, I'd reached a very low point and was at the realm of self-destruction.  I'm such an introvert that I suppress things by keeping them to myself until I become as a ticking time bomb, ready to explode. One night, I realized that I could no longer go at this alone, so I poured my heart out to a friend, a fellow sister in Christ.  We often think that we don't need one another.  We have an "as long as I've got Jesus, I don't need nobody else" mentality, which is only true to a certain extent.  God often uses people to speak into our lives, encourage us, pick us up and help us along the way.

This friend spoke so prophetically into my life that I was in awe of how God had used her to help pull me out of my place of despair.  One thing she helped me to remember is that God has great purpose for my life and the enemy desires to steal it.  She reminded me that I had to TAKE my life back and at that point, that is exactly what I set in my mind to do.  Today, I am in a much better place spiritually and emotionally.  God has brought me from a mighty long way...

You have to make up in your own mind that enough is enough.  You've been in the valley long enough.  God is saying that it's time to come out; you've been depressed, suppressed and oppressed for far too long.  Satan knows that God has placed greatness within you, so he will stop at nothing to keep you from walking in your divine purpose.  You may be experiencing some tumultuous times in your life right now, but don't become a victim of defeat.  TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK!  "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12)  Ask God to restore the fight in you...I'm a witness that He will do it.
If the New Year hasn't started off quite right, choose today to start afresh.  You are not defeated, but you are victorious through Jesus Christ! Always remember this:  You are the head and not the tail. You are above and not beneath.  You are rich and not poor.  You are the lender and not the borrower.  You are blessed and highly favored because greater is He that is within you, than he that is in the world!


Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha

God Is Able

Yesterday morning, one of  my Facebook friends shared the lyrics and posted a video to a song that was stirring in her spirit.  Ever since her post, this same song has been stirring in my spirit. It's been blessing me since yesterday, so I would like to share the lyrics with you in hopes that you, too, will be blessed.  The song is entitled "He's Able" by Deitrick Haddon.

Exceedingly, abundantly
above all that we could ask or think
According to the power that worketh in you.
God is able to do just what he said he will do
He's gonna fulfill every promise to you
Don't give up on God 'cause He won't give up on you
He's Able!
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, He's Able!

God is able to do anything, but fail.  Our minds can't even begin to imagine all that God, in His infinite power, can do.  Somebody needs to know that God is able...more than able to do and be whatever you need!!

Trust Him to be God!!

Have a great weekend and thanks for your support!!  See ya Monday!

Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha

God Has Not Forgotten

This morning, I received a phone call from a friend.  She said "Where's Thursday?"  Totally oblivious to what she was talking about, I asked "Huh? What do you mean?"  "I see Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but no Thursday!" she responded.  "Ohhhhhhh", my light finally came on!  She was referring to my blog and wanted to know where her new post was.  She shared with me how God was speaking directly to her through me.  She said I was "on it"  and "can't start something and not keep it up!"

I really hadn't planned on blogging today, but when she told me that she'd be waiting on a new post, I said "OK God, what do you want me to say?"

Four words were immediately dropped in my spirit:  God has not forgotten

Every promise, every word spoken into your life, every vision God has given you...He has not forgotten.  Perhaps you're in a place where you feel as if God has forgotten all about you.  It seems your prayers aren't being answered...that job you applied for hasn't called you back, you can't seem to get ahead in your finances, the business you've been trying to start won't get off the ground, your husband won't act right...and you find yourself thinking Lord, you promised...what happened?

Two scriptures come to mind:
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 1:20)

"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"  (Numbers 23:19)

God is never short concerning His promises.  If he said that He will do it, it shall come to pass in His appointed time.  Don't become discouraged in the wait.  Hold on to your promises and keep believing.  Forget about what the enemy has put in your mind because GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU!  He's working it out and I just believe that if you keep holding on, keep praying, keep praising, keep trusting...He will come through!  Every promise He made in His word, He will do it for you!

Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha

Consistent Persistence

Ladies, do you remember when you first met your significant other?  You talked on the phone ALL the time...most times just listening to each other breath!  Remember how neither of you wanted to be the first to hang up? "You hang up first...no, you hang up. OK, on the count of three...1...2...3....I thought you were gonna hang up!"  (Ok, well maybe that was just me!!) You spent every available moment with one another...you just loved each other's company and your world seemed a little better when they were around.  Remember how he'd send you flowers and shower you with gifts and compliments just because?  Bring back any memories?  I bet you're smiling just thinking about it...it gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling on the inside, doesn't it?

When my husband and I first met 10 years ago, he worked overtime to capture my attention.  He called and came by and called and came by, took me out, bought me flowers and chocolates...did I mention he called and came by?!!  He made sure he did whatever he needed to do to make me notice him so that he could eventually capture my heart.  Ten years and two children later, I guess his persistence and consistency paid off! He sought after me until he found my heart. He was consistent with his persistence.

This is how God wants you to be with Him.  He wants you to be consistent in your persistence to draw nigh to Him.  God wants you to make Him feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  He longs to commune with you.    Just as you want your significant other to spend quality time with you, so does God.  It is absolutely impossible to get to know someone without spending time talking with them.  When is the last time you had a talk with God?  When is the last time you set everything else aside and focused all of your attention on Him?  Sometimes God wants some just because time; He doesn't only want you to come to Him when you need something.  He is moved by consistency in prayer time...consistency in worship...consistency in service to Him.  It makes Him feel good to know that He is loved.

You see, when you love on God, He, in turn, loves on you and no other love can compare to His.  There's a song down in my spirit as I type this that says "Take me back, take me back, dear Lord, to the place where I first received you. Take me back, take me back, dear Lord, where I first believed."  New relationships are full of passion and excitement but oftentimes, as the relationship goes on, that passion and excitement fades or isn't as strong.  Well, if you take your mind back to when you first came to know Christ, maybe, just maybe, that excitement of getting to know Him in all his splendor will once again ignite and you'll find yourself seeking after Him as if you're trying to capture His heart for the first time. 

It's time that we, as Christians, get back to the basics of seeking God with our whole heart, consistently.  I think that many of us have become to relaxed in our relationship with Christ and take it for granted.  We've allowed the flame to die, but we've got to keep the fire burning.  Just as we want to keep the fire ignited in our personal relationships, it is imperative that we do the same in our relationship with Christ. 

If things have gotten a bit dull between you and God, ask Him to re-ignite your fire for Him!

Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha

When God Intervenes

How often have you found yourself trying to solve or overcome the same problem over and over and over again? Every time you think you've conquered it, here it comes again. Just when you feel you can breath and rid yourself of this headache, it resurfaces and you're back at square one. Will it ever end?  Will this problem ever go away? Will I ever get over this hurdle?  You find yourself becoming frustrated, disappointed and disgusted that, once again, this issue is getting the best of you.  Why can't I just get over this already?  Sound familiar?!

Now, I don't know what your issue, problem or circumstance may be, but you know...all too well.  The problem we often find ourselves dealing with is that we tend to try to overcome according to our own merit.  There's a show I often like to watch called Intervention.  This series depicts individuals with various addictions, mainly drugs and alcohol.  In each episode the addict talks about their addiction, how long they've been addicted, how many times they've tried to quit and how many times they've relapsed.  Many of the people have tried to overcome their addiction on their own, only to find themselves yet bound by their problem.  The purpose of the show is to stage an intervention.  The purpose of the intervention is to give help to the addict by sending them to a treatment center where professional counseling and rehabilitation is readily available to them in an effort to help them overcome their addiction.  Once the person realizes that they absolutely cannot overcome on their own and accept help from a source that is equipped to solve their particular problem, their road to recovery begins.  As a result of the intervention, most people recover and go on to live healthly lives. 

Stick with me, I'm going somewhere with this...

Many of us find ourselves bound by addictions, bad relationships, financial struggle, anger, etc. because we haven't accepted God's intervention.  He is equipped to solve our EVERY problem.  You must realize that you absolutely, positively CANNOT overcome on your own.  You need God to intervene.  God is saying "I'm right here, with arms outstretched, waiting for you to allow me to step in and fix it."   Whatever it may be, I guarantee you, when God does the fixing, you'll be free.  When God does it, you'll never have to worry about it again.

Stop trying to rely on your own strength and give it to God.  His intervention services gets the job done every time.  Allow Him to be and do whatever you need.  When God intervenes, it doesn't matter how long you've had the problem or how many times you tried to drop it, only to pick it back up; He has the power to lift every heavy burden with just a word.  Try Him...your best, purpose-driven life depends on it!!

Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha

Don't Believe It

For many, many years I have believed every lie the enemy has placed in my head...I’m not good enough, I’ll never accomplish my goals, nobody cares about what I have to say, my life isn’t significant, God can’t use me…I may as well be real about it. Come on, somebody!

As far back as I can remember, depression, low self-esteem, self-consciousness and fear have been very prevalent in my life. Although I try not to let it show outwardly, inwardly I allowed it to poison my mind. The enemy has told me for so long that nothing about me matters, that I pretty much gave in to his lies. As a result, I always felt defeated before I even tried. I honestly didn’t wholeheartedly believe it before, but now I do…I am GREAT in the eyes of God and everything that Satan has told me is a lie.

You see, I was made in the image and likeness of God and everything God created is great. Scripture tells me that I was fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14) I am God’s greatest creation! God has gifted me, and you, in so many ways, but we have allowed the enemy to cause us to believe otherwise and keep us from walking in our divine purpose.

The enemy has told you that you are worthless…God says you are valuable.
The enemy has told you that no one loves you…God says He loves you so much that He gave His son to die, just so that you may live. (John 3:16)
The enemy has told you you’re all alone…God says He’s always with you. (Matthew 28:20)
The enemy has told you depression will never leave…God says for the spirit of heaviness, he gives a garment of praise. (Isaiah 61:3)
The enemy has convinced you that you’ve done so much wrong in your life that God will never forgive you…God says His mercy endures forever. (Hebrews 8:12, Psalm 86:5, 1 John 1:9)

Satan hates God’s people, so he is going to do everything in his power to hold us down so that we give up on ourselves, and eventually, God. He wants to destroy our purpose, steal our salvation and kill our love for Christ. Oh, but he is a liar and a defeated foe.

You see, God has given us the victory…”Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

Today, I admonish you to say “enough is enough…this is where it stops!” Do not believe the lies another day. You are everything that GOD says you are. You shall be everything HE says you shall be. You are precious in the sight of God. You are His beautiful creation…start believing it. He has placed greatness within you and there’s nothing the enemy can do about it. Sure, he’s going to try, but I dare you to stare him in the face and declare that you are the righteousness of Christ and greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world!


Live more...worry less...laugh often!

Keisha