No Excuses

Ready, set, go! Welcome to 2016! Now is the time to do anything and everything that you have been putting off. Everything that you said “in January I am going to (you fill in the blank).”No excuses.

What is near and dear to your heart? What is the desire God has placed in you that just will not go away? You fall asleep thinking about it. You wake up in the morning thinking about it. During the day when your mind drifts you catch yourself thinking about it. What is it? Have you written it down? What is your vision or better yet, what is Gods vision for you? What are you doing about it?

I have always had a heart for those that are hurting. Sometimes the signs are obvious while at other times they are not. I yearn to see the broken restored.

As a female quite naturally I have a heart for women, but it doesn’t stop there. In my own quest for self-analysis, and during my own journey I have found that oftentimes my opportunities for growth also involved a male in my life. Male and female relationships involve a females understanding of a male as well as a males understanding of a female. Let’s be honest, if we want any relationship to work we must be willing to make an effort to make it work. If one person desires for a relationship to work more than the other person in the relationship the person that wants the relationship to work most is usually more willing to work on the relationship.

Our makeup is both spiritual and physical. Our spirit resides in a physical body that carries emotions. Our emotions often dictate how we react. We must learn how to balance the spiritual with the physical. We must recognize our battle is spiritual while at the same time recognizing the needs of the physical.

My focus for 2016 is prayer, salvation, healing, deliverance and restoration as you will see when you click on this link http://www.gretahillman.com/#!ssif/dork3  which takes you to a new page in my website or visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sisterssteadfastinfaith . Sisters Steadfast in Faith (SSiF) is geared towards women yet offers insight to both men and women. We encourage prayer and celebrate victory. Look for words of encouragement and a study of God’s word when you visit us.

What is your commitment? What is your focus? It doesn’t matter what has happened in the past. Now is the acceptable time. Today is a new day. Maybe you have been working on your vision for years, or perhaps it’s just come to you. It doesn’t matter. It’s up to you to do all you can by the grace of God. No excuses. Set realistic goals and move forward. The only one standing in your way is you. Let 2016 be your year!

Only God Knows

We have often heard perception is reality. I would like to take this a little further. Oftentimes a person’s perception, assumption or insinuation becomes their reality. This reality, or these beliefs may or may not be based on facts.

These thoughts, which may or may not be based on facts become harmful when they taint the mind or thoughts of the believer causing adverse behavior towards others.

We read in Romans14:4 who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

How easy it is to make an assumption based on things we see or hear. On the rare occasion that I am watching the local or national news and hear a reporter make an assumption that is obviously not based on facts it makes me chuckle. It’s merely journalistic sensationalism, an attempt to draw the attention of the viewer and cause speculation.

But what happens when false perceptions impact a person’s life or livelihood? A dear friend of mine worked diligently on a project. She spent countless hours on research, neglecting family and friends working towards a deadline. Proud of her presentation she believed everyone would be able to see the amount of time and effort that was dedicated to her project.

Contrary to her belief, one observer of her presentation said it was sloppy and called her lazy, stating more research should have been done and the presentation was poorly put together. My friend was hurt by these words. If this person knew the effort that had gone into this project perhaps they would have thought differently, or would they?

Many times our thoughts are guided by our own performance. We may judge others based on our abilities, our performance, or ideals, our beliefs, our character. We may have an unspoken expectation. Have you ever heard someone say “he could have done better than that”, “I don’t think she even tried”, maybe these words were spoken to you or about you. Maybe you were the person speaking these words.

I am by no means excusing intentional poor performance. What I am saying is that we should not judge nor condemn because it is not our place. We can offer constructive criticism and even when doing so it would benefit us to first know the facts.

Perhaps my friend’s project may have appeared to someone with savvy computer skills to be somewhat amateurish but my friend utilized her skills and resources to the best of her ability.

Knowing my friend as I do, when speaking with her I reminded her that no one knew everything that went into her project but God Almighty Himself. She may know the time and effort that she expended, but only God knows how she, her family and friends were impacted. I’m so thankful God is all knowing. He knows what we are thinking, what we are feeling and how we are impacted by others behaviors towards us. We can find comfort in knowing regardless of the storm around us He is always our peace.

Always put your best foot forward.  Do the best that you are capable of doing, and never let anyone steal your joy! Colossians3:23-24 and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

 

 

Don’t Allow Time To Defeat You

Sometimes as Christians we can become so focused on ensuring we are following God’s will we either exhaust ourselves trying, allow ourselves to think we are confused or think we may have missed God. Notice how each of these stem from our own self effort or perception.

Let’s face it. We all want to be in God’s will.  I know that I do. I believe God’s will for my life is to encourage others to seek and follow His will for their lives, to help others understand He loves them and has a plan that will bring them joy and fulfillment. As we read in 3John1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth. Sometimes I can become so focused on “getting God’s word out” that I may neglect other things which require my attention or become frustrated when I don’t think I am hearing from God.

 
As I’ve just stated I believe I know what God’s will is for my life But when things do not progress as quickly or in the manner that “I” would like for them to I may begin to question whether or not I am actually in the will of God.  My mind begins to wander, I wonder if there is something else I should be doing. I wonder if I am doing everything I should be doing. I wonder if I am on the right path.  I believe God gives us many gifts or talents. They all have a purpose. It is my opinion that He creates a desire in us when it is time to use a specific gift or talent. You may be a gifted writer, singer, dancer, speaker, artist, chef or motivator. You enjoy doing these things but they may or may not be your passion. They just come naturally, they are a gift from God.  God may have placed a desire in you to use one of your gifts. You think this is it. This is what God has called me to do. You begin to follow what you believe is your destiny. Doors open. After a while you feel there is no movement. You feel stagnant. You begin to wonder if it was God’s desire or your desire.

 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. I believe when we are seeking God our desires align with His desires. If there is a period of time where there is no movement that does not mean what you are doing is no longer what God wants you to do. You may be in a period of preparation. He may want to bring out another gift that He has placed in you.

Let’s take a look at the following description of David taken from 1Samuel16:18 it says he is skillful in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him. If we continue to read through this passage of scripture we find Saul calling for David based on the recommendation of one of his servants for his cunning playing of the harp. We also find He is later anointed as King.  David used his gift of playing the harp to drive the evil spirit out of Saul. As King he drew on his skills of being a mighty valiant man, a man of war and a prudent man. Did he still possess his harp playing skills? Of course he did but he was using his other gifts or talents.

It’s all a matter of Gods timing. God is always with you. His gifts are without repentance and they will make room for you. Whatever God has placed in you He has placed in you for a reason. Don’t allow time to defeat you. He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

 

 

An Expected End

How easy it is to return to what or who you know even if it’s not the best place for you. You know what to expect and you have learned to adapt or compensate for any adversity associated with it.

Years ago I took a motorcycle riding course. Perhaps you ride yourself or have noticed a rider changing lanes. To change lanes or move into a different direction the instructor stated you must look in the direction you want to go. If you want to go left you look left, if you want to go right you look right. If you want to go straight ahead you look straight ahead. The direction you look in will be the direction you will move in. I never quite conquered the skill of riding but I always remembered those words. Look in the direction you want to go.

Have you ever made a decision to go in a certain direction, take a certain path? Perhaps you have taken a few steps in that direction but for some reason didn’t continue. Maybe you were unsure about the path you were taking so you ventured into a different direction or returned to an old familiar path. A path where you knew what could be expected.

We read in the book of Exodus, after the death of Joseph came a new king. A king or Pharaoh who feared the children of Israel because they were mighty in number. He was concerned in the case of war the children of Israel would side with the enemy. So he devised a plan to burden them with heavy tasks thinking the population would diminish. Instead, they multiplied and grew stronger. An angry Pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill any son that was born to the women of Israel and only deliver daughters. But the women of Israel were strong. They were able to deliver their babies without the midwives. Finally Pharaoh ordered his people to throw every son that was born into the river and only leave the daughters to live. But a certain male child after his birth was hidden by his parents and later resided in the very home of Pharaoh.

Pharaoh tried everything he could to destroy the children of Israel. But unbeknownst to him God had another plan. God was raising up a savior, a certain male child born to deliver His people.

When God has a plan nothing can prevent it from going forward, and guess what my friend, if you are reading this God has a plan for you! He has a plan for all of His children. His plan just as His thoughts toward us are of peace, and not of evil, to give us an expected end as we read in Jeremiah 29:11. A good end, an end that will be greater than our past.

God wants each of us to be free from any bondage of our past. Free from anything and everything that prevents us from moving in the direction in which He wants us to move. Free from things and yes people that are not supportive of His vision and plan for us, the naysayers, the doubters, the people that may not be looking in and moving in the right direction themselves, so they want to keep you from looking in and moving in the right direction.

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:18-19).

God wants to do a new thing in your life. It may be easier to stay where you are, doing what you are doing even if it’s not the best place for you. If may be easier to stay in a relationship or on a job where you are unhappy, not growing, being stifled. You may remain because it’s the only thing you know. You are familiar with your surroundings, so you stay in that place rather than move in the direction you know God has for you.

Even though God placed a savior in the lives of the children of Israel to lead them into a better place there were still times when they wanted to return to Egypt. It was a familiar place. They knew what to expect.

God wants to deliver you today. He wants to move you towards His plan for your life. He does not want you to look back nor does He want you to turn back. He wants you to move forward. He wants to move you into His plan. The plan with an expected, victorious and prosperous end.

 

 

You Are Amazing

Oftentimes we say we are waiting on God, when He is actually waiting on us. He tells us to do all we can then stand. Are you doing all that you can do, or are you standing first and waiting for God to move?  

When you delve into the word of God you will find He has given us the power to get wealth. He tells us not to neglect the gift that is in us. If we meditate on His word and follow it we will make our way prosperous and have good success.

God requires us to take a proactive role and be an active participant in the wonderful life He has predestined for us. Faith without works is dead. You can believe until you are blue in the face, but if you truly believe you will take steps towards your belief. Are you sitting on the recipe for the best cheesecake anyone has ever tasted? How will anyone know about your cheesecake if you never share it? Do you have a clothing design that will revolutionize the fashion industry? Perhaps your life has changed by implementing an idea God has given you. Wouldn’t you like to see others benefit as you have?

No man, when he lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light (Luke 11:33). What is the light that is in you? Is it hidden in a secret place, stuck in your mind, your dreams, your vision board, or have you taken that light and exposed it for all to see? You have been given whatever gift(s) that is in you for a reason. It’s not just for your benefit but for the benefit of others.

God has so much in store for each of us. For as we read in 1Corinthians 2:9 eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Life happens. We have all had experiences that may have ended with not so favorable outcomes. Some of us have had more of these experiences than others. What each of us has in common is the option of how we choose to react to our experiences. We all have a choice. We can let life get the best of us, or we can make the best out of life.

I’m sure you have heard stories of people who have overcome unsurmountable odds to achieve greatness. Perhaps you yourself know someone that you thought had great potential that never appeared to have reached their full potential. Maybe you have not yet reached your full potential. It’s not too late.

What’s preventing you from reaching your full potential? Are you letting your past failures or someone else’s recent successes hinder you from moving forward? You are the only one that can prevent you from doing what only you can do. Don’t settle for less. You are amazing.

 

Because God Said So

I’m a believer, always have been. But let me clarify what I mean by being a believer. As I young child I believed whatever a person of authority would say to me especially my parents. I thought my parents could do no wrong and why on earth would I think anyone would purposely mislead me? If my parents had said the moon was made of cheese I would have believed them, because they said so.  I trusted them. To my dismay, as I matured I learned not everyone was always as truthful as my parents. Go figure! I learned to consider the source and weigh information prior to determining whether or not I should believe it.

Christians are considered believers, believers in the word of God. When I gave my life to Christ I had a renewed since of belief. This time my belief was in someone that could not lie. My belief was in God, for as we read in Hebrews 6:18 it is impossible for God to lie. I believe everything He says and rightly so. He is the undisputable authority.

In Matthew chapter 8 we read the account of the centurion who came before Jesus and told him his servant was at home sick from palsy. Jesus replied to the centurion saying He would go and heal him. The centurion responded to Jesus saying “but speak the word, only and my servant shall be healed.” He continued basically saying to Jesus that he too was a man of authority and as such understands the power of speaking a word with authority. For he would say to one man come and he would come, to another go and he would go and to his servant do this and he would do it. In essence he was saying to Jesus. It’s not necessary for you to go to my servant. Just speak your word and I know he will be healed. Jesus was marveled at the faith of the centurion and said to him in verse 18 go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

I think it’s important for us to recognize the faith of the centurion as did Jesus. The centurion believed his servant would be healed because Jesus said he would. God’s spoken word is written throughout the bible. Because His word has been spoken it is true and can come to pass, it is faith that causes the manifestation.

The woman with the issue of blood believed if she touched Jesus’ garment she would be made whole. Jesus recognizing He had been touched by someone with faith spoke to the woman saying to her thy faith had made thee whole.

Before slaying Goliath, David was advised by Saul he wasn’t able to fight the Philistine because he was just a youth and Goliath was a man from birth, in other words he was saying to him he’s huge, you’re small and you don’t have a chance. David confidently responded the Lord that delivered him out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear would deliver him out of the hand of this Philistine. He believed God would deliver him, and he did.

Healing, deliverance, peace. Blessings, prosperity and strength. Everything you need God has already provided and spoken into existence.

What do the centurion, the woman with the issue of blood and David all have in common? They all believed in the power of God’s promises.

Why am I a believer? Because I believe in God’s promises. His promises for your life and mine were spoken into existence over 2000 years ago and I believe what He said.

Find God’s promise for your life in His word today, trust in His word and believe that He will bring it to pass…why? It’s simple, because He said so.

 

Who’s Looking Out For You?

Sometimes we are so busy being busy we don’t take time for ourselves. You may have time allocated for work, shopping, spending time with family and friends. You may even have time allocated for exercise and a spa day. But with all of these scheduled activities are you really taking time out for yourself?

If you are a caregiver or a giver that cares you often put others before yourself. In Philippians 2:3 we are admonished to esteem others higher than ourselves, but we also read in Proverbs 11:1 a false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. Anything that we do disproportionately is a false balance even when it comes to caring for others.

It’s unfortunate, but many times when caring for others we neglect ourselves. We put the welfare of others before our own welfare, but what we must take into consideration is what if we were not there to care for this person or these people? Who would care for them? It’s important to take care of yourself while caring for others. Not only must you consider who will take care of those you are caring for but you must also consider who will take care of you if you are in a situation that requires care.

A false balance can occur when you overextend yourself in any area of your life. Are you devoting too many hours to work? Are you devoting too many hours to play? Are you devoting too many hours to sleeping? Are you spending too many hours on habits that are counterproductive?

Take a close look at how you allocate your time. How much time do you spend in prayer or just sitting quietly? Are you too busy to listen to what God is saying? Many times when we say we can’t hear God it’s because we are not listening. We are too busy being busy. You may be thinking well if I don’t do this it won’t get done. Perhaps it won’t, but just remember all you can do is what you can do and you can’t do everything by yourself. Solicit help. Don’t ever think you are alone. Share what you are going through. Sometimes all you need is a listening ear or encouraging word to motivate you or strengthen you. There may be other times however when you require assistance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Requesting help does not mean you are unable to complete a task. To the contrary, it means you are smart enough to realize when assistance is required.

Take time for yourself, set realistic goals, don’t place undue pressure on yourself. Remind yourself daily I can of mine own self do nothing, (John5:30; Philippians 4:13) but I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Cast all of your cares and rest in God. Casting your cares does not mean you are not concerned. It means you know your limits and you are leaving things in the hands of the only One that can handle them. You will be amazed at the amount of peace you will have when your trust is in God instead of in yourself.

Who’s looking out for you? God is looking out for you. Allow Him to do His job!

 

Are You Doing All You Can Do?

Before you start complaining that you are not where you would like to be, things are not going the way you would like for them to go or you just can’t get a break, ask yourself this question. Are you doing all you can do?  We read in Ephesians 6:15…and having done all, to stand. Are you waiting for something to happen that will propel you forward into your destiny when you have not done all that you can do?

As I have mentioned previously I am a dreamer and a believer. I believe Gods Word in its entirety. I believe He has great plans for me just as He has great plans for you as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 1: 5 before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.

What more do you need to be encouraged? What more do you need than the assurance that before you were even born God had plans for you that are greater than you can imagine. Isaiah 55:9 for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher that your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. What is that power that worketh in us? It is the Holy Spirit that was sent to provide us with everything we need to succeed. It is the measure of faith that He has given each of us.

You were born with everything you need to succeed, but first you must recognize that you are unique and God does have a plan for you. You must believe and trust in God’s promises. You have to be confident in Him and His ability to fulfill His plan for your life. You have to “act like it’s so.” You must put forth an effort and be an active participant in God’s plan. You must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. The emphasis here is not on reward, but on diligence. Think of a time when you accomplished a goal. If you can’t think of anything let me help you. You probably don’t remember when this occurred in your own life, but you may have witnessed a child learning to walk. A child learning to walk will take small guarded steps. S/he may hold on to someone or something nearby. S/he will fall a few times but continues to put forth an effort and eventually succeeds. Is the child afraid while trying, of course, but does not give up. Without even realizing it the child is exercising faith. God tells us to have childlike faith. Childlike faith believes nothing is impossible.

What effort are you putting forth? Are you taking small guarded steps, or are you taking any steps at all? Are you taking an active role in God’s plan for your life? Activity includes but is not limited to prayer. Seek God’s direction and move towards it. You will be amazed at what will happen when you do all that you can do.

 

It’s Time to get off the Sofa

Let’s face it, there are times when we may feel so weighed down by life that we just don’t want to do anything but curl up on the sofa, read a good book, watch a movie or eat our way out of our funk. But how many of you know that nothing I have just described has ever solved anything. To the contrary, because these behaviors have used up the one resource we can never get back we often regret wasting our time on such unprofitable acts…and let’s not talk about eating our way out of our funk. Although I’m not a stress eater I have watched a movie or two, or three, or four (and I’m stopping there), while indulging in a few snacks that I have yet to work off.

 

But enough, we may not be able to redeem the time we have lost, but we can put the error of our ways behind us and move forward. Unless we share our thoughts, bad habits and for lack of a better word, wastefulness, with others we are usually the only ones that know we are off our game, not doing what we know we should be doing or missing a step. And believe me we do know, but don’t let knowing cause you to beat yourself up, grab your favorite snack and get back on the sofa.

 

Recognize and acknowledge you are not doing what you know you should be doing. Maybe the year didn’t start of the way you expected. Perhaps you were expecting a new job or new relationship. Maybe you received disappointing news, or even something more devastating that has caused you to lie down on the sofa.

 

The sofa is just an analogy for the place you go to hide, sulk, rest, or remove yourself from your ‘real life’, the life God has predestined for you. The trials, tribulations; defeats that we face in this life are ‘world experiences’ but you my friend are a spirit living in a body. Your body, emotions; thoughts are impacted by the world, but your spirit is not. We read in Galatians 5:17 for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 

I think Paul says it best in Romans 7:15, for that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. How many times have you said just one more chapter when reading that book, or I just want to see how this ends while watching a movie?  Perhaps you are eating your favorite snack and make a decision to finish it all so it will no longer be a temptation, only to find yourself purchasing a replacement the next time you are shopping, then vow you will eat the replacement snack only in moderation.

Well it’s time to get off of the sofa, time to move away from whatever has immobilized you and is preventing you from doing what God has called you to do. How many times have you said tomorrow, next week, or next month I will…

 

Today is your tomorrow, your next week and your next month. There is no time like the present.  You may not be able to take the bull by the horns and move full force into what you need to do, depending on what it is you are working on, how long you have been away from it, or what it’s going to take to move you to the next level.  Take baby steps. Any step is better than no step at all.

 

Each of us has a purpose, and as I often say ‘no one can do what you can do exactly the way that you can do it.’

 

Learn from the past.  Your experience is your testimony. It should be used to encourage yourself as well as others, but it’s just that, the past. Forgive yourself for lying on the sofa, get up, get moving and don’t look back.