Believe and Execute

Before you were born, God equipped you with everything you would need to excel in His predestined plan for your life. Not only did God equip you with everything you would need to excel, He knew every thought you would think, every word you would speak. He knew every time you would skin your knee, fall in love, be hurt by love. He knew when you would be angry, sad and happy. He knew all about you. He cared and still cares about everything that touches your life. 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, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah was ordained a prophet unto the nations, but what has God ordained for your life? Jeremiah 29:1 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. Whatever God has ordained He has an expected end, a predestined plan, a plan filled with peace and good, not of evil. Let’s talk about believing and executing. Believing is having confidence in the truth, and we know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. In essence, we are saying we have confidence in Christ, or in Gods ability to carry out His plans for us through us. The word execute can be defined as to carry out, or accomplish. To perform or do, to produce in accordance with a plan or design. When we follow or execute Gods plan for our life, we are in fact producing, bringing forth, or giving birth to the plan or design that was created specifically for us.

Determination

Last week we talked about believing is doing, and how when we have faith or believe, we will do. We will place action behind our faith or what it is that we believe.

Several weeks ago we talked about the sower sowing the seed, and how when the seed is sown the thief comes immediately to steal it. As you hear the word each week and make a decision to act on what you are hearing don’t be surprised if the very thing you hear you will be tested on. For as we read in Mark 4:15 and these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Don’t let the words that you hear be taken away by Satan. Be a doer and not a hearer only.

How many times have you made a decision that you were going to do something, or that you were going to act on the word that you have head. You say to yourself or maybe even someone else, this time I’m serious, or this time I’m sticking with it.

As we talk about sharing what you are going to do with someone else I want to say two things. Oftentimes it helps to share what you are going to do with someone else. That person can help hold you accountable. It’s easy to disappoint yourself, but not quite as easy to disappoint someone else. We never want to hear I told you so, I thought you said, or when are you going to.

I’ve shared with you how I would tell my mother all of my great ideas, and how she would ask me are you going to finish it this time.

Her words are still with me today, and when I speak with her sisters they remind me of her words, and how proud of me she would be to know that I am pressing forward.

The second thing I want to say about sharing what you are doing is, be careful with whom you share. Everyone is not going to be as enthusiastic as you are about what you are doing. Some people may not even understand what you are doing or why you are doing it. They may even try to talk you out of doing whatever it is you are going to do. Never allow anyone to dissuade you.

Romans 8:30-31 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

For a guide on how to share and with whom you can share safely I recommend the Power to Speak Out Loud guide which can be found in my book, Secret Thoughts, Things We Are Afraid To Say Out Loud.

Determination is the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.

If we have made up our minds that we are going to act out on our faith or what we believe, that we are going to be doers and not hearer only, then we must be determined and hunker down and do so.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Determined

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The Backup Plan

A few weeks ago we talked about acting like it’s so, acting like we are already wherever it is that God wants us to be. I asked you what you would do differently if all obstacles had been removed. I asked you how your behavior would change.

The other piece of acting like it’s so is trusting that God will do what He says He will do. In order for us to act like it’s so, we have to believe that it’s so. In order for us to believe that it’s so we have to have faith in God’s ability to do what is required for whatever it is we are believing Him for. Notice our faith and belief must be in God’s ability, not in our own ability.

On our own we can do nothing, but with God all things all things are possible.

Most of us when asked if we trust God would say yes. When we truly trust God we do not have a problem acting like it’s so because we know that it is God that is making all things possible.

For example. Let’s choose a promise taken directly from God. A promise that applies to all of his children. One that we can readily read in his word.

We read in Proverbs 2:3-6 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

For those of you who say well that’s in the Old Testament, I want you to understand that the Old Testament foretells the New Testament. Turn with me to the book of James, chapter 1, verse 5. It reads If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

We’ve just read a promise directly from the word of God that applies to all of his children. God tells us if we lack wisdom, or cry after or search for knowledge and understanding He will give it to us.

Let’s simplify this even more and look at a promise that each of us as believers readily believe and have received. We are all familiar with John 3:16 for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior I’m willing to bet that you are convinced of your salvation, and rightly so. That’s exactly what God has promised us.

I believe God’s promise of everlasting, or eternal life is His greatest promise. It’s the reason He sent His son to earth. It’s the reason for our being If we can readily accept Gods promise of eternal life why is it so difficult for us, and maybe I’m just talking about myself here, but why is it so difficult for us to accept all of Gods promises? He is Almighty God. Nothing is impossible for Him. He can and will bring all of His promises to pass.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select The Backup Plan.

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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.

 

What Are You Speaking Into Existence?

In Genesis Chapter 1 we read the account of how God created the universe by speaking it into existence. We read in Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Luke 6:45 reads a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Jesus says in Matthew 6:31 take no thought saying. And finally in James 1:19 we read wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

I am a firm believer in the power of the spoken word. What greater evidence is there than the world around us that was spoken into existence. I try to be very careful with the words that I speak and am quick to correct people who talk about how this or that is “killing them”, reminding them to be mindful of the words they speak and their creative power..

We read in Ephesians to be angry, but sin not. We are human so of course we are going to become angry, but the sin occurs when we act on our anger. How many times have you been driving down the expressway and the car behind you is right on your tail? You may think I wish I was driving an army tank. I would stop suddenly causing no harm to my vehicle while causing damage to the vehicle that is right on my tail, without harming the driver of course. You’re angry, and you just want the person behind you to slow down. If you are suddenly forced to slow down or even stop the car behind you may plow right into you. You may not stop suddenly out of anger and cause an accident, but there are some people with road rage that may.

I was driving home one day approaching a stop sign. The cars in front of me were slowing down to stop. The man in the car behind me wasn’t paying attention. I have a habit of glancing into my rear view mirror whenever traffic ahead of me begins to slow down to see how far back and at what speed the person behind me is driving. When I noticed this guy wasn’t paying attention I moved as far as I could to the right side of the road. He still hit me, but thank God we were not on the highway and by me moving over, it caused him to hit only part of my rear bumper. He said he looked away from the road because he was reaching for his soda.

We all have thoughts from time to time that we should not have but speaking those thoughts give them power. A teacher may have a student that is not performing well. The teacher may think to him or herself, although he or she shouldn’t, what is wrong with this child? Is he stupid? If the teacher speaks these words to the child the child will begin to think he is stupid. If the same teacher has these same thoughts about the same child but rather than vocalize these thoughts he or she says to the student. I see you are trying really hard, good job, next time you will do even better. The child will be encouraged.

This same principal applies to our thoughts towards our children, friends, spouse, family members and ourselves. What are you thinking, and what are you saying, for out of the abundance of the heart the mind speak.

You can create your own world of depression, oppression, sickness, failure and even death. Or you can create life, peace, joy, strength, health and prosperity by your own words. Usually we speak what we believe whether consciously or subconsciously.

If you think you are going to fail you exhibit a failing attitude and behavior. You may not try as hard. Maybe someone has said to you that someone else tried doing what you are trying to do, they weren’t successful so you probably won’t be successful. You believe what you have heard and start thinking and saying well I’m not going to make it either. You may even quit instead of following through to the end to see if you will succeed.

I believe God has blessed me with numerous gifts. I seem to have a zillion ideas and think each one is the best thing since sliced bread. I also believe that each idea God has given me will come to fruition at His appointed time. My challenge is my excitement. I want to do all of them at the same time. So I have on an occasion, or two, or three, or maybe four started a project and not completed it. But I refuse to label myself as a failure. What I have come to realize is that I must stay focused and follow through to completion before starting a new project. If I was to listen to some people I would believe that I would never finish a project because that is what I have been told.

What about you what are you thinking and what are you saying? I confess my success daily and am working diligently to get there. Have you given up because someone has told you that you can’t make it? Have you given up because you have convinced yourself that you can’t make it? Only speak those things that you want to manifest.

We read in Philippians 4:8 finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Not only should we think on these things but these should also be the things that we speak

Let Your Passion Be Greater Than Your Fear

My favorite question, as I have mentioned previously, is to ask people, especially adults, what they want to be when they grow up.  Some people’s passions are obvious.  There is no need for me to ask them at all.  After spending just a few moments speaking with them they cannot help but mention with great enthusiasm what kindles their fire.  Their face glows.  They may share what they are doing, what motivates them, and/or their future plans.

There are others that speak of a dream, desire, vision or passion, but put very little effort behind bringing it to fruition.  They have ideas of grandeur.  They can even envision themselves where they want to be, but have no plan to get there.  We read in Proverbs 18:16 (KJV) a man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.  We also read in in James 2:28 (KJV) yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  We must have faith, but it is the work or belief and effort that we put behind the faith that actually shows that we have faith.

If we say we believe, but never make an effort towards what it is that we believe, do we really believe?  You may not always succeed immediately out of the gate, but you must open the gate and step on the other side.

Sometimes we say we have a dream or desire, but is it even ours?  Could it be the desire our parents or someone of influence over our lives has for us?  Perhaps we see people with dreams all around us and we want one just because they have one.  Never belittle, or allow anyone else to belittle your dream.  No dream is too big and no dream is too small.  If it’s your dream you own it.  Get excited about it!  You may be the only one who is, but that’s okay.  It’s yours, and you are the one that will feel fulfilled when it comes to fruition.

There are many things that may hold us back, some are real and some are excuses.  But even what is real may slow us down, but should not stop us.  Tragedy can prevent us from moving forward, but we should not let it stop us.  Sometimes it may have the reverse effect and drive us forward.  Budget may stop us, but if we are experiencing a financial deficit we should channel our energy and resources in a productive direction to keep us moving.  When our momentum stops, even briefly, it is difficult to restart our engine.

Procrastination may be one of the most powerful blocks that prevent us from moving forward.  We come up with excuse after excuse, one of which is “I work better under pressure.”  Do you really work better under pressure, or is it that you wait until the last minute and when you complete your task you feel relieved?  Do you realize procrastination is a form of fear?  You may be afraid of failure which is natural; no one wants to fail, but you may be more afraid of success.  What happens when you succeed? What is your next step?  What will be expected of you?

Whatever your desire, dream, vision or passion, in order for you to succeed you must Let Your Passion Be Greater than Your Fear, which is what I have done.  My website www.gretahillman.com is now live; please click on the link to view.  Follow me on Twitter, like my Facebook page and feel free to leave comments. Subscribe to my blog read, and submit questions and/or comments to my forum.  I accept public speaking invitations and I encourage you to watch for the release of my books and upcoming events by visiting my site often.

Thanks for your continued support.  May God bless you as I yield myself to Him and He continues to speak through me.

 

 

I’m Convinced

Last week I posed the question just how committed are you. I wrote about my peaks and valleys as far as commitment is concerned. As I pondered my commitment another thought came to mind. The more I thought about how committed I am to forging my way towards my destiny the more determined I became to move forward.

This determination has moved me to a new level of commitment which I refer to as being convinced. You can commit yourself to a task, or a plan. You can even commit yourself to an idea but being convinced brings on a certain drive.

When you are convinced of your destiny you settle within yourself that whatever it is that you are expecting to happen will happen and no one can convince you otherwise.

I have set certain goals for myself. My sister has told me I’m not a realist. If I was a realist why would I need faith? I’m an eternal optimist, always have been and always will be. I believe. I believe, yes I believe.

I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that everything that has been placed in my spirit will come to pass. Every idea, every project, every dream, vision or thought whether spoken out loud or heard through meditation is mine. I have taken hold of them all and will not let go. Just as Jacob stated in Genesis 32:26 I will l not let go until you bless me.

I will not give up, slow down, turn in another direction or quit. I am convinced that I am exactly where I am supposed to be doing exactly what God has predestined me to do.

What about your? Are you committed and or convinced? Are you determined to go all the way? Have you settled in your mind that this is it and there is no turning back? Are you ready to forge ahead or are you content to watch others move forward while you sit quietly in the background wishing it was you? Wishing won’t get you anywhere but making a commitment to move forward will give you the drive to be convinced.