Tag: bible

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Luke 12:53/BLOG

Strong, loving relationship between parents and children is ...

Growing up my parents always took me and my 3 siblings to Church. While my friends were outside playing, for some reason I enjoyed staying in the house. I loved to read books and magazines. But It was something about Jesus that made me want to know him better. Know him for myself. So, I started reading the Bible.

It was exciting getting to know the personality and Character of God. One day I came across the Scripture that read

Luke 12:53

“The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

I was HORRIFIED!

I had never heard anyone of my friends talk back to their parents or even get mad at them in this way of the bible. We sure didn’t do it in my house. So, when I read it, it took me back because if those days were coming……. it wasn’t looking good for us. In my 14 year old mind, I couldn’t see how those days would come to pass. I remember God speaking to me saying, keep on living, you’ll see. Even though I believed it with all my heart, I kept saying, I love my mother and my father, who in their right minds would go against them.

I’m 52 years old, and Father God in the NAME OF JESUS.  I have seen and heard it more times in my life than I care to mention. It saddens me. Don’t they know that their days on earth will be cut short? God gave us all parents or guardians for a reason, they are not to be disrespected. We are to love and cherish them. Even if we don’t agree with them all the time.  I remember getting smart a time or two growing up, but the back hand smack was on my lips before I can get the last word out. ** Laughing**. There have been times when I didn’t agree with my parents even as a grown woman, but that does not warrant disrespect.

My daughter saw how I talked to and treated my parents. My daughter is 33 years and and she has never talked back to me. I RESPECT her, and she RESPECTS ME. Thank you Lord for the teachings in the Bible.

wonderblend

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MY Dreams/BLOG

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Hey Family!!

Several times a week I like to sit and talk out loud to myself. Yes, I live alone so I talk out loud so that I can hear my own thoughts. Most times they’re about myself, or maybe something that happened and I want to go over it again. I do this to check myself. Sometimes, I can say something that someone heard differently than I meant, and I like to go over it a few days later, to see where I can better communicate. But mostly, I like to examine my heart.

I was talking to a male coworker of mines and I came to the conclusion that I need to study my bible more. I told someone today.. I’m half way through life… I’m 50, I’m almost to the “next level”. LOL I gotta laugh at my own thoughts. But it’s true.

I pray and talk to Jesus daily, but, I NEED TO STUDY MORE.  I love my closeness with God. I love how he speaks to me. I just feel that its always more to him. No matter how many times you read a Scripture it will always come back to you in a different light at another time. I hope you got that. But you have to put in the time. You have to make time (( I’m talking to myself as well)). You have to set aside time for God. Yes, yes, yes we get off track, not to say we don’t love and acknowledge him, but that study time, and time alone is EVERYTHING. Sometimes I get wrapped up in LIFE, and we lose sight of whats really important.

I remember Tyler Perry would write his fans these long uplifting, encouraging, and inspiring emails. He hasn’t written any in over a year!!! I would look forward to his messages. But again, we all get off track. Doesn’t mean we don’t love God, or have a relationship with him. Just means we have got to get back to what bought us here. For me….. more time with God and more studying!

I was thinking one day… Cree what is YOUR dream? I always felt that it had to be some huge thing that I bought or lived in. Whenever people asked, I never wanted to say, because I felt it may not live up to what others had dreams of. Maybe, to own a shop or something, but none of those things has been my dream. Mines is so simple (( don’t take the word simple lightly than how I’m using it)).

My dream is to sit at my own BOOK SIGNING, and see the lines out of the door. I want women and men to say how much I inspired them. I want them to say, that they thought they were the only ones to go through what I’ve written. I want them to say, how I helped them to express how they were feeling about a certain situation. I want to see their faces, talk to them, cry with them, connect with them. I want to look them in their eyes and feel everything that they carry.

My second dream is to marry someone I’m completely in LOVE with and he feels the very same way about me. I want to do MARRIAGE seminars. I want to help marriages stay alive. I first believe that husband and wife should have great chemistry and that’s what I LOVE. GREAT CHEMISTRY IS EVERYTHING. I want my husband to be full of GOD, and I want to be submissive to him.

I can go on and on about both of my DREAMS for myself in this LIFE…. but I’ll stop here.

Check out my FAVORITE MARRIAGE TO BE YOUTUBERS.. I LOOOOOOVE THIS YOUNG FAMILY..  I watch their videos FAITHFULLY. CHECK OUT THE CHEMISTRY! ALWAYS CONNECT TO THE  WHAT YOU WANT TO ATTRACT!

MY ACE FAMMMMMMMMMMMILAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Chopin Script Regular

 

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Special……./BLOG

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Hey Family!

So this morning, I was downstairs of my apartment building admiring our brand new fitness center, the business area, 24- hour security area, the new ” man cave” that is currently being built in our lobby. Not only that, but our convenience store is expanding, and its looking good.

I sat in awe as I watched the workers work, when a resident who was sitting next to me got my attention by asking did I remember him from the other day. I told him yes I did. I remember that day clearly because we were on the elevator just he and I, when he told me that I had the sweetest Spirit that he’s have ever felt on a woman, and told me that every time he sees me that I’m always smiling and for me to always stay that way. But this morning, he told me that after seeing me that day he went home and prayed. He told God that I was beautiful and lovely and asked him was I the one for him. God told him No. That the man for me is still out there, tall and perfect for me. That he will LOVE everything about me, he said that God told him that I was Special. Very special. And that I had to be handled as such. God told him that I loved him very much and it takes someone special to understand me. WOW.. WOW… WOW!!!

I just sat there like wow. I knew that it takes a special man to “get me”. And its so cute that he asked God was I the one for him. Awwww. Well, I’m glad that he obeyed God because people think just because folks are nice and friendly to them, they’re the one. No, no, no.. and yess its going to take someone SPECIAL to hook up with this SPECIAL woman. I do know this… when that man first lay eyes on me, HE will know.

LIFE LESSON:  16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Women wait on God. I know it may be hard sometimes with all the men that we meet daily and with all the sex that we feel our bodies are craving. Hold out. When a man (((total stranger))) can feel your Spirit, and have no idea what kind of relationship you have with God, and can tell you how Special you are. When  GOD HAS ALREADY SPOKEN THIS VERY SAME WORD to you…. you know its confirmation. Stay in the race…

Know your worth.

I AM La’Crease

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life point/Blog

atl6

Paul suffered greatly during his lifetime– shipwrecks, beatings that left him near death, abandonment of friends, imprisonment, and eventually, execution. Scripture teaches us that all of us face  various forms of suffering in our lives. How can you withstand suffering? One way is to ask God to help you have Paul’s attitude of confidence that earthly sufferings cannot come close to comparing to the glory you will one day see.

Joyce Meyers – putting the word to work

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First Chapter of Nehemiah …………..From the Desk of Cree

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Jul 16, 2003

Ladies of AIMSK,

 

I’m going to go and try to break this book down as best as I know how. Remember I wrote about giving a word on this book, Nehemiah. I thought this was a profound book on Leadership and Followship. I learned from Nehemiah in this book and gained knowledged and courage through his own actions. As I read this book in the New Translation Version, I couldn’t put it down. I read it like a novel chapter by chapter. Through each chapter, I broke each verse and scripture down to the core. I studied his every move, every character trait, and every action. Nehemiah has definitely set the standards of, “You won’t be able to lead unless you are willing to follow”. He did both to perfection!!! Let’s go through the chapters of this book. I will give you what the lord gives me to deliver.

 

Let’s pray…………

 

Father God I come to you as your humble servant, asking you to give me your word to translate to your people. Decrease me God and Increase you! Whatever is in this word lord Jesus, I’m asking you to open the heart of the woman sitting here reading this word so she can apply it to her own life when it comes to leadership and followship. Father speak to your daughters today and give them the courage to step out on faith and APPLY this word to their lives. It’s just not enough to read the word, but you said we must be doers of the word. Move expeditiously through them today father and bless them! In Jesus name, Amen.

 

 

 

We will explore only the First Chapter of Nehemiah this Morning. In every area God tells me to touch on, it will be highlighted in blue. Then God’s voice will speak through me and translate what God wants you to know concerning Character, Leadership, and Followship. Be blessed!

 

Background on Nehemiah……………

 

Purpose: Nehemiah is the last of the Old testament historical books. It tells how the walls were built and the people were renewed through their faith. This book takes place in Jeruselem.

Nehemiah was a Cup Bearer for the King Artaxerxes. A Cup bearer in those days were men/women who tasted the king/queen food or drank their drink before they did to make sure it was satisfactory.

 

Nehemiah 1 – New Living Translation
1 These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah.

Nehemiahs Concern for Jerusalem`

In late autumn of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign,[1] I was at the fortress of Susa. 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had survived the captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.

 

Let’s break down things down to the bone. Let’s review Nehemiah feelings, actions, and reactions. Nehemiah shows here to be a caring man. He asked about what was going on in Jerusalem. Nehemiah cared about Ministry. He cared about the people. He asked about what is going on and genuine was in concern for the people.

 

Question: Do you truly care about Ministry? Do you care about your church home Ministry and what they are actually doing in that Ministry? Do you ever inquire at your church home to see the projects and activities that is taking place and is genuinly concerned for the people the church is targeted in saving and WANT TO BE A PART OF IT?

 

Nehemiah cared about the people because he asked the question of what was going on in Jerusalem.

 

3They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been burned.”

 

Right here the men just delivered BAD NEWS about what was going on in Jerusalem. The temple was destroyed there in Jerusalem. People were not in a place of their faith where they needed to be. Men weren’t being Men of God they should have been. Women weren’t being the Women of God they should have been. They had lost all faith because of the ruins that had happened in Jerusalem. Men who had came there before to try to rebuild the wall was discouraged to do so and it never got done. However, God sends a prophet to restore…………………..

 

What trouble and disgrace are you at in your life?

 

4When I heard this, I sat down and wept.

 

Oh my…Oh my! How often do we as people sit and weep at the bad news that is happenening to the Saints around us? How often do we actually care about the surroundings of the saints and THEIR SPIRITUAL WARFARE? Is it all about us?  Is it all about what God is doing in OUR LIFE? Do we ever cry out to God about someone else and their spiritual warfare? When was the last time you sat down and cried over one of your sisters THAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW that was going over spiritual warfare?

 

Look at Nehemiah! He didnt’ know these people. All he knew was that they were saints and their ancestors before them had set them up foul for their living conditions they were in now. He knew that their faith was gone and they had absolutely no hope. Nehemiah wept before he heard anymore news about what was going on. He wept just because ! Just because!

 

 

In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

 

Nehemiah was a man of valor and honor. Here he was fasting and mourning for a people he didn’t know personally. He was praying on their behalf. He was alright in the world he was in as a cup bearer to the King, so why in the world would he disrupt his life by mourning over folks he didn’t even know. Matter, of fact, he didn’t even have a vision about these people before the news. OH, BUT WHEN HE PRAYED TO THE GOD IN HEAVEN.

 

When was the last time you fasted for someone YOU DIDN’T EVEN KNOW and their spiritual warfare?

 

5Then I said, “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands,

 

Nehemiah begins his prayer in Praise and Adoration for the Lord our God. He doesn’t start off his prayers, “Woe is me father. Help me jesus. I’m falling God. Help! Help! Even though his heart has been heavy. Even though he has been weeping. He still honors God by praising him and acknowledging who he is. He said, “YOU GREAT AND AWESOME GOD! YOU KEEP YOUR CONVENANT. YOUR LOVE IS UNFAILING TO THOSE WHO LOVE YOU AND OBEY YOUR COMMANDS. He begins to SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD TO GOD. What he just said was WORD! That was SCRIPTURE! God said that his love unfails those who keeps his commands. Nehemiah was giving scripture that Moses had given them.

 

This should tell us on how we should begin our prayers. We should begin our prayers in PRAISE AND ADORATION for the Lord Jesus. Forget all this, “Woe is me! Help me pay my rent! Help me pay my light bill!”. What kind of prayer is that to the God who created the sun and the sea. If God made the moon, you don’t think he can’t pay your rent. Your lord God also saved you from all the demons were attacking you in the world, surely he can save whatever circumstance you’re in now. So give him some credit. Don’t begin your prayers with some whack begging! Praise him! Acknowledge him for his wonders and works. Acknowledge how great he is.

 

Just like you boost up your husband or boyfriend by telling him how fine he is and how good he is to you, you suppose to be doing that 300% to God. If you can tell a HUMAN how good they are, then  you can tell the GOD who CREATED HUMANS how great and wonderful he is. Man fails us. God doesn’t! I rather tell the spirit that will never fail me of their wonderous works than boast to a man/woman who have every potential in heaven of letting me down.

Praise God for who he is! Let’s follow Nehemiah example in giving God his props when we go into prayer.

 

What did your last prayer sound like when you began?

 

6listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel.

 

Nehemiah KNEW HIS AUTHORITY! He knew his authority as a Christian. He knew where he stood as a man of God. He told God, “Listen to my prayer. Look down and see me praying night and day . See, we have authority when we are serving God. We dont’ have to come to God all low and wimpy. When we know who we are and who we serve, I can go to God and say, “Hey Lord, Listen to me. I’m your child. Look down on me and see me praying for your people”. He didn’t have some wimp prayer saying, “God, do you hear me? I know I cursed suzie out today and I’m sorry. I know I ain’t worthy Lord Jesus. I know I aint’ all that great father. Can you do me a favor father?

 

No Christians with Authority come to Christ like, “Hey, Dad! Listen to me for a minute. Hear me as I pray to you.” They come to our father knowing that he hears us. Knowing that we have all authority in heaven to repeat his word back to him. Nehemiah didn’t come to God all scared.

 

Do you have authority when you pray to God?

 

 

I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, laws, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.

 

Oh My Lord Jesus. Nehemiah confessed his sins to the Lord. Nehemiah was sooooooooo bad that he confessed the sins of his own family. Now how often do we go to God on behalf of our family wrong doings? How often do we go to God and say, “Forgive my brother for he is not walking in your way. Forgive my sister for she is not obeying your laws, regulations or comands?”. When do we ever do that? I know I don’t! I know I don’t. Even though Nehemiah knew that his prayer asking for forgivness of his family sins couldn’t save them, but he had enough passion for people to be concerned of where they stood in God’s eyes. Oohhh, how profound. Thank you Nehemiah. Thank you for revelation.

 

Nehemiah didn’t only go to God telling him what his family did wrong, he said WE HAVE SINNED. WE HAVE SINNED! He didn’t leave himself out. He was a man that admitted his own mistakes and faults. He came to God like that!
Even in that confession, he made God aware that he KNEW THE LAW. Because he said who God gave it to, which was Moses. Do you ever confess your sins to God and then make God aware that you know what the true law is?

 

Example: God forgive me for my foul mouth today. Forgive me of my tongue today father. You said in your word that a man who claim to be religious but doesn’t control their tongue is just fooling himself and their religion is worthless. (James 1:26).

 

Do you let God know that you know his law when you confess? Basically telling God, “I’m wrong! You’re right! I confess! Forgive me!

 

8“Please remember what you told your servant Moses: `If you sin, I will scatter you among the nations. 9But if you return to me and obey my commands, even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’1

 

Nehemiah was repeating the Word back to God. This shows that for Nehemiah to repeat the word of God, he had to know the word of God. This shows us that Nehemiah studied his word. He chose to follow God’s law. Despite the news Nehemiah just gotten about Jerusalem, he was a man about God’s business in his personal life. He studied the word. He prayed it so easily. He studied often.

 

Can you repeat scripture back to God?

 

10“We are your servants, the people you rescued by your great power and might. 11O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you.

 

Nehemiah was telling God, I HONOR YOU. FIND DELIGHT IN ME JESUS. YOU HAVE RESCUED YOUR PEOPLE BEFORE GOD. DO IT AGAIN! DO IT AGAIN!

 

Please grant me success now as I go to ask the king [2] for a great favor. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.”In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.

 

Nehemiah wasn’t a punk! He wasn’t no punk! He asked God for success. Nehemiah basically prayed in this chapter for God to help him help God’s people. Nehemiah felt bad for what the saints were going through in Jerusalem and he wanted to help. He wanted to be a part of helping the people of God come out of spiritual bondage. He wanted to be used by God to help the people of God get out of spiritual warfare.  He asked God, “PLEASE GRANT ME SUCCESS NOW! ”

 

That NOW sounds like Authority to me! That Now sounds like, “God, I serve you. I honor you. I love you. I pray to you. I’m faithful to you. You hear me when I call you. I’m asking NOW! He didn’t say, “Well, God if you feel like it. God if you want to. God if you can. Nehemiah said, GRANT ME FAVOR NOW!

 

See, Nehemiah also realized that in order for him to complete God’s mighty work, he would need other folks favor. Oh my! Oh my! Nehemiah knew that God would send him to do what he needed him to do, but Nehemiah knew that God would have to soften mens heart so he could get to the places God was going to send him.

 

That’s a word. That’s a word! Nehemiah didn’t start acting all crazy to the King. He didn’t go to the King after this and thought his stuff didn’t stink talking about, “HEY I’M ON A MISSION FROM GOD. I’M ABOUT TO DROP BEING CUP BEARER. SEE YA!”

 

No Nehemiah had enough sense to do things in DECENCY AND IN ORDER. He didn’t run out on a prayer. He followed proper protocal. He told HIS MASTER (GOD) to bless his eartly MASTER (the King)to give him (nehemiah) favor. Although our heavenly Master outweigh all authority here on earth, Nehemiah didn’t overstep the Kings authority because he was about to get a job from the real master, God.

 

Did yall just get that? Nehemiah told God, “Put it on his heart to be kind to me”. Wow!!! What also does this show you about God? Maybe before we begin doing things, we need to check with our master first. We need to tell God to prepare the hearts of folks that we have to deal with.

 

See MAN CONTROLS NOTHING. God controls EVERYTHING. So I rather pray to the GOD that controls everything, so it can work in all of my situations. I waste my time asking man to pray for me. I need to pray to God who controls what I’m going through! Oh my lord jesus. See, I knew I didn’t want to type this thing. I knew I didn’t.

 

Who hearts have you been asking God to prepare for you?

 

Are you getting a new job? Have you asked God to prepare the heart of the man who has to interview you?

 

Do you have to go to court for something? Have you asked God to prepare the heart of the Judge?

 

Anything that needs to be worked in your favor and you have to deal with man on that level, you need to learn how to pray to the Lord your God to prepare their hearts. If you believe that God is  in control of everything, then you must know that he controls the hearts of men.

 

He truly will make all things work in your favor if it is his will.

 

Thank you Nehemiah for just setting up a great example in only the first chapter. Let’s review. We established that Nehemiah is a caring man. He cared about God’s people. He cared about Ministry. He didn’t ask who was the leader. He didn’t inquire about who was heading up stuff. He wanted to know about God’s people and what was going on. He cared about God’s Ministry.  He cried. He was a man but he wasn’t afraid to cry. He wept for the wrong doings of saints and where they were in their faith. He cared! He was a man who studied his word. He believed in the word. He fasted and he prayed. He was a man who had faith enough to pray to the Lord God for answers. He believed in confessing his sins. He honored God. He honored him in his prayer. He had so much compassion for people that he even asked for forgivness for his family sins. Nehemiah was a man about Ministry and business. He saw a problem and wanted to be a part of the solution.

 

From the first chapter in this book, we can recognize that Nehemiah had all the great tools God needs a leader to be. He honored God! He had compassion! He cared! He prayed! He looked for vision from God! He had respect for the man he was working for, the king!

 

We can tell just by Nehemiah Characteristics in this first chapter, he was about to be the bomb leader for the Lord Jesus!

 

Hope I can make it through all 13 chapters. I pray God gives me the time to follow through on this study!

 

Be blessed ladies!!!!! Lets be on our way in being a NEHEMIAH of our day!

“A Gem that fell from Heaven”
Angela F. Armstrong
Proverbs 20:15
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel

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Lessons in Leadership ………….. From the Desk of Cree

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A.L.I.T.E

AIMSK Leadership In Training Extension

Lessons In Leadership

March 31, 2004

 

Read Genesis 37:1-36; 39:1-42; 47:13-26

 

It’s not the dream of a lifetime; it’s the dream that takes a lifetime

 

Many times as leaders we get really excited about the visions god has given us. We are very strong willed once we think we have a hold on what God has called us to do. But do you ever think that the vision God gives you will take a lifetime and will go past your existence on this earth? If God told us that it would take a lifetime, would we be so eager at first to accomplish that dream? I have to honestly say that I wouldn’t have been. During time in ministry, working with people, and many nights of being frustrated, a lifetime of fulfilling God’s destiny for my life became overwhelming and almost worth giving up. When you sit down and think about all the work you have to put into it and knowing that you are incompetent or unable, it is really mentally, physically, and spiritually draining. When we review great leaders of the bible, we can never look over Joseph life. Joseph story is one story that encourages me and somehow lives and proves; “It’s not the dream of a lifetime; it’s the dream that takes a lifetime”. Reading Joseph story is almost scary. Look how he was treated by his family. Look what hole he was placed in. Look at how his life went from Up to down. He was moving his way up and all of sudden he was thrown in a prison. However, even in prison, God didn’t take away his anointing. His gift was still present in his bones. He still interrupted dreams. He still heard the voice of God. He still was able to hear God in a hole. He still saw the visions of him ruling over a nation. How can you see such things in a terrible state in your life?  I am a firm believer that is just the way God does things. He allows us to squeeze out the best during our most horrible circumstances. The question to us is, Will we dig deep within our soul to squeeze out the best during our worst? Most leaders fall by the waist side when they stop seeing the vision, when they stop seeing the big picture, and when they give up hope. Thank God Joseph didn’t give up hope.

 

In many ways, Joseph was like other great leaders. First, all leaders have a dream, a vision of a better future. In Joseph’s case, he experienced literal visions. Second, the vision and the person who has the vision are inseparable. The leader’s heart beats for the vision, eat for the vision, walk for the vision, talk for the vision, and he won’t be content until it is fulfilled. Another person cannot fulfill that leaders’ dream. We can expect others to help us get to the vision, but no one can fulfill it for us. I can help Yolanda in every way possible, but I can’t sing for her. (Lord knows I’m not gifted in that area) I can help Ylandus all day long, however, Peach is inside of her belly and she can be the only Visionary walking in Peach Ministries shoes. God send us help, however, he doesn’t replace our shoes onto someone else. Third, no leader’s vision can be kept secret. When vision is shared in the right way (note:  the right way. There’s a wrong way too ladies), it can enhance a person’s leadership. But when it’s done in the wrong way, it creates problems. And that, of course, is what God Joseph in trouble. After reading this story, I can see how maybe Joseph could have gotten arrogant with his brothers.

 

A Vision that takes us through the Fire

 

Joseph had a vision long before he had the leadership ability to make it happen. He had a divine leadership destiny, but he didn’t start out as an effective leader. He held no kind of influence with his brothers or with anyone other than his father, for that matter. Now how many of us are in this situation? Before God could use him, Joseph had to be prepared, purified, and forged into the leader he had the potential to become. All great leaders need three things to prepare them:

 

1. Time to Mature

How many of us just jump into leadership positions without growing. No, let me say this, how many of mature leaders place people in leadership positions when their not ready? I can honestly say that I’ve done this before. This is the reason for the A.L.I.T.E program and its scriptural base of I Timothy 5:22- Never be in a hurry with appointing a leader. Leaders need time to grow. Joseph labored in obscurity (shrouded in or hidden by darkness c : not clearly seen or easily distinguished )for a season of his life before becoming qualified to lead. How many of us are broken before we begin leading? Joseph was sold into slavery at only seventeen (by research this is the age given), he finally stood before Pharaoh for the first time at the age of 30.  Look at this time span, 13 years! He required thirteen years to be prepared. By the time he interpreted the monarch’s dream, he was a changed man. He was equipped. He was humble. He was a great leader.

 

2. Trials to Strengthen

Gold is purified only after it passes repeatedly through the fire. We all should know this by heart with all the lessons Vanessa has given us on going through the fire. Diamonds are created only under extreme pressure. And great leaders are formed only through trials. Joseph would never have reached his potential if he had stayed at home. To become a great leader, he had to become a slave and prisoner. It’s amazing of what God will send us through to purify us. Typing this statement honestly just scared the mess out of me. I realize that I have some more fires to go through, trials to endure, and extreme pressure to go under. I’ve had it good and Lord Jesus I still have awhile to go. Lord have mercy!

 

3. God to Bless You and Your Anointing

Without God, a leader can do nothing of real value. Jesus declared, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). God blessed Joseph as he worked in Potiphar’s house as a slave. Then he blessed him as he worked in the prison. Four times in chapter 39 ( I placed the scriptures above so you can go read this story and the word for yourselves) of Genesis the bible expresses God’s favor. For example, Genesis 39:23 states, “The Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.” If you’re on God side, you can’t lose. Every leader needs Gods favor. Whether you’re in a hole, in hell, or in prison, God will show up there and make you strong.

 

It takes a lifetime to fulfill a dream. So the next time you feel as if you’re stagnate or in a place where you feel you shouldn’t be ( I often have these feelings and have to pray them off of me), ask God to give you patience with your own destiny and vision. I know it is times where we want all that God has promised us, but know that we must go through a few things before getting to the vision. We want to act as Joseph did. He was a humble servant and Great leader. Allow God to prepare you as a servant first!

Know that we are all here for each other and there will be times where you might feel like you don’t have the energy to go on. Its not the dream of the lifetime; it’s the dream that  takes a lifetime.

 

Love you all.

 

Appointed, Anointed, and Abiding,

 

Angela F. Armstrong

“You can have the title, I’ll take the Anointing”

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Women & Relationships *2* Crees Blog Entry

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I had to have been around 15 when I read this from the Bible.

 

2 Timothy 3:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

I was horrified that one day this could be me. I remember thinking…. God please don’t let me seem gullible to a man where he comes into my life/home and make this Scripture true for ME. Still till this day… I believe with all my heart this is the reason why I NEVER let a man move in with me. Not only that but I never lived with him either. Its bad enough I’ve had my share of “clowns” without living together. And I will say this, women in these types of relationships are breaking up with these men….. after having their babies. That’s when low self esteem comes in, and the woe as me syndromes. Women we’ve got to pay more attention.

This can’t keep working. When it comes to these types of conversations and my friends come to me for advice. IM BRUTAL….. with LOVE. I am Zero Tolerance for this type of relationship behavior. MY advice to this women is this

  • find something about YOURSELF that you LOVE and ADMIRE

  • find out what it is that you like to do , that brings out your personality

I love and enjoy quiet time near The River. I have to make that kind of time for myself. Being near water for me brings a peace and calm…. I’ve never known. Make sure that you PUT THIS TIME ASIDE. It helps me to see life clearer, and the people that’s in it. What brings out my personality is… making small talk with strangers. I enjoy talking to people who are different than myself. They interest me, and I can always learn something new.

The more you get to know YOURSELF…. when “The One” does come along, he will appreciate you more for being YOUR OWN PERSON, not someone who needs HIM to come and “complete” you.

I know its hard being single…. but be a WOMAN who refuse to deal with any and everything, for the sake of “having a man”. And I noticed the SAME WOMEN.. who chose these types of men, are the first ones who will say…. my momma aint trying to help me, my friends aint there for me, don’t nobody care about how I get from A to B. Wont nobody come and pick me up. And I’ll say to them… YOU’RE REALLY MAD AT YOUR BOYFRIEND…because he’s not doing his job by providing a way for you to do those things…… HOW DARE YOU TURN THIS ON YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!! These type of women will blame all the names in their cell phones, before they’ll ADMIT… they made a wrong choice in their relationship.

Its okay to live alone, or with your children. Date a man for dear life if you have too. Stop be so submissive to the first man who tells you….. your hair is pretty. Know your own hair is pretty FIRST…. then let him put his AMEN with it. Compliments you’re hearing for the first time from a man… YOU MUST HAVE NEVER TOLD YOURSELF FIRST. So yes… of course it sounds good and special. Get to know YOU. A person is willing to help a single mother faster than they would a woman who has a NO GOOD MAN , sitting on her couch…… PLANT MANAGING A REMOTE CONTROL

 

 

Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself. –Alice Walker

 

Be Blessed

 

Where works of the flesh exists, there is NO joy
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King Solomon….. TRUTH….. Crees Blog Entry

So, its late, and I’m sitting here reading the Bible. I figured my “wondering mind” would pay more attention if I listened to the audible version on Ecclesiates.
I’m sitting here CRACKING UP.. God knows how to make me laugh.. when really I feel like “can’t even put it into words” right now. Here Solomon is the WISEST man of us all. And after building, doing, and drinking everything he could…. he still felt like… THIS IS meaningless. He said no matter what…. its like chasing the wind. No one is ever satisfied. Try to imagine HIM as it is read to you. Set up  the scene in your head.. Enjoy
 
 
Read it in DRAMATIC FORM AS YOU HEAR IT.
 
 

Ecclesiastes 2

New International Version (NIV)

Pleasures Are Meaningless

2 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless

12 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom,
and also madness and folly.
What more can the king’s successor do
than what has already been done?
13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly,
just as light is better than darkness.
14 The wise have eyes in their heads,
while the fool walks in the darkness;
but I came to realize
that the same fate overtakes them both.

15 Then I said to myself,

“The fate of the fool will overtake me also.
What then do I gain by being wise?”
I said to myself,
“This too is meaningless.”
16 For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered;
the days have already come when both have been forgotten.
Like the fool, the wise too must die!

Toil Is Meaningless

17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.

24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Where works of the flesh exists, there is NO joy
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This too…….Crees Blog Entry

Whenever I’m going through my own personal thing… I go through many different emotions in a day. I have learned to use that time alone to cry, pray and just think. I do not like to share those emotions because I always go to bed hopeful. This too, shall pass.

 
Be Blessed

 
 
Where works of the flesh exists, there is NO joy