Don't Neglect Your Gift

As children many of us were awakened each morning by a parent, a sibling, another family member or an alarm to get ready to go to school. Some of us may have wanted to go to school each day while others may not have wanted to go. Regardless, unless we were sick, we were told by our parents that we had to go to school, so we went to school. Of course when some of us were old enough to make our own decisions we did what we chose to do. The point I am making is that as children we did what we had to do whether we wanted to or not. Fast forward. Many of us are older now, we have jobs, families, and responsibilities, financial or otherwise. Most of us still do what we have to do whether we want to or not. We push ourselves. We don’t give up because we know the consequences of giving up.

We don’t quit our jobs because we have financial obligations, we don’t leave our spouse, family or loved ones because we feel a sense of responsibility, but what about the obligation we have to ourselves? Unfortunately some of us neglect or quit ourselves. We may neglect our health because we are busy tending to the needs of others. We work hard on our jobs even to the point of succumbing to fatigue, sickness or disease. We run ourselves ragged caring for those we love. And finally we put our passion, our hope for the things God has created us to do far away on a back shelf because we don’t have the time or energy to do them.

It’s only natural to put your best food forward, to shoulder your responsibilities, to ensure those that you care about and care for have their needs met, but who is looking out for you? Who is ensuring the things you are doing for everyone else is being done for you?

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth his beloved sleep.

God provides for us even when we sleep. He doesn’t want us getting up early in the morning and going to bed late at night because we are working long hours to have our needs met.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Our God will supply all of our needs.

I truly believe sometimes we tie Gods hands. We get so caught up in what we think, how we think people should behave, what someone else should do, how someone else’s behavior is adversely impacting us that we can’t get past our carnality. We can’t walk after the spirit and not fulfil the lust of the flesh, or the desire for the flesh to prevail, by not allowing anyone to take advantage of us. Sometimes I think God is looking at us thinking just let it go. If we would get our priorities right and keep our focus on Him, He will take care of everything for us.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Don’t Neglect Your Gift.

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Go Against the Grain

I’ve probably mentioned this before, so for those of you who have heard it before bear with me. When I was a young child I wanted to be a fashion designer. I made my own clothes. I made clothes for my Barbie doll. I fashioned jewelry out of wire. I did these things because I enjoyed doing them and no one told me that I couldn’t do them. No one told me I couldn’t pick up the wire they fell to the ground when the telephone company worked on the telephone lines and use it to make colorful jewelry. No one told me I couldn’t make my Barbie’s clothes.  Well my mother did tell me I couldn’t cut up my socks to make clothes for my doll unless they had a hole in them, but that’s a different story. No one told me I couldn’t make moccasins out of an old blanket, or create my own way of embroidering. No one told me I had to use a pattern when I wanted a maxi skirt because everyone else had one.

Have you ever watched a child play or listened to them tell a story? They have the wildest imaginations. They think they can do anything.

When do we lose that sense of imagination, that creativity; that drive to do whatever we believe we can do? For some of us it’s never. Some of us live with that childlike faith and belief throughout life. But for many of us reality hits us at an early age. Someone speaks words of discouragement that stifle our imagination. It may be a teacher that doesn’t understand our creativity, and rather than encourage it we may be labeled as disruptive in class or inattentive.

What is our role as parents or caregivers? When a child wants to spend more time exploring their creative genius than completing and turning in homework assignments, or studying it’s a parent or caregiver’s responsibility to ensure there is balance. An education is important and a gift should not be neglected.

1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Each of us have gifts as I’ve previously stated. I admire anyone that follows their passion, anyone that refuses to listen to no you can’t, anyone that perseveres in spite of the naysayers, anyone that perseveres against the odds, anyone that invests, time, money and effort to fulfill their destiny.

In my book Who Told You That You Were Naked, Reclaim Your God-given Birthright (due to be released later this year) I ask the question who told you that you cannot do or be whatever or whoever God has told you that you can do or be.

I think from time to time, we are all guilty of allowing others to dictate who we are and or what we should do, or what we should be. We may be influenced my well-meaning family, friends, coworkers, or even social media.

Have you ever thought about what you could do if you allowed yourself to let your imagination go free, if you allowed the Holy Spirit to truly take control, if you yielded your vessel completely to God?

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Go Against the Grain

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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.

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

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Gods's Plan, Your Plan, or someone Else's Plan

My plan after graduating from college was to get into someone’s management training program then move up the corporate ladder. Well things didn’t quite turn out the way I planned. Rather than getting into a management training program my first job was as a bank teller and my vocation has been in the financial industry.

I think what I’ve enjoyed most about working in the financial industry is interaction with people from all walks of life. I consider myself to be a people watcher. I observe people. I wonder what people are thinking, as well as why they behave in certain ways. I wonder what motivates people to do certain things. I think this comes from my desire for everyone to be okay as well as the gift of exhortation that God has placed in me.  

Outside of my 9-5 in the financial industry I have provided financial counseling based on my vast amount of experience in the financial industry. My passion however is for souls to be saved, healed, set free and delivered so people can live the exceeding abundant life God has prepared for them on earth as well as receive His promise of eternity with Him.

Recently I was sharing with someone the scope of my responsibilities and skill set for my 9-5, hearing this the person stated he would like for me to assist him with the financial aspect of his business. I politely declined. Although I could do some of what he was asking me to do, my heart would not have been in it. Now, if he would have said to me, I’d like for you to give a motivational speech to my employees, or if I’d sensed in some way that he was discouraged, I would have been all over it. I love, love, love, what I believe God has placed in my spirit to do. Sharing His word and using it to encourage others. Exactly what I am doing right now… did I say I love what I’m doing? Okay, enough of sharing my passion.

I’ve shared with you that people that know of my financial background assume that it’s my life plan. Many times well-meaning people may make career recommendations, or encourage you to set your goals based on things that you have done or are doing, me in the financial industry, or for you, things that you do well. I believe God gives us multiple gifts. My husband picks up many things easily and naturally, but God has called him to full time ministry. Now believe me, he’s tried his hand at different things utilizing the gifts God has given him and he has been successful, but his passion, as he has finally accepted his call, is ministry.

I say this to say, there is no limit to what you can do. I believe your greatest peace comes with following Gods plan for your life. I believe as you delight yourself in the Lord, and He gives you the desire of your heart, that your desire becomes the desire that He has for you.

Parents, grandparents, family and friends, pray over and for your children, grandchildren and those whom you love. Ask God to guide them and you in the direction that He has chosen. Ask Him to give you wisdom and understanding, to nurture and encourage them in growing the gifts He has placed in them.

Don’t try to force your desires for your children on them. Don’t allow anyone to force their desires on you. Always seek God prior to making any decisions. We read in Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We are advised when we make large purchases to get at least 3 estimates. We’re consulting someone that knows more about a certain product or service than we know. When making life decisions why wouldn’t you consult the Giver of Life before making any decision?

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Gods Plan, Your Plan, or Someone Else’s Plan

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Don't Let Your Thoughts Hold You Captive

How many times have you played a scenario out in your mind that never occurred? You waste time and energy. You may even lose sleep…over a thought. Recently I was involved in a challenging project. I’d exchanged emails and had conversations with someone but wasn’t getting anywhere. I received an email from the person with whom I was corresponding. I immediately jumped to the conclusion that the words in the email were going to be unpleasant and made a decision not to read the email until the following day. Well, all night I was imagining what was in the email and what my rebuttal would be. My mind was running rampant. When I read the email the next morning to my surprise it was pleasant.

What was I doing? I was allowing my mind, my thoughts to control me rather than me controlling them.

How often do we worry about things knowing that there is absolutely nothing worrying will accomplish?

We read in Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Many times when our minds are busy we are worried about, or thinking about things that we are concerned about. Things like our family, our finances, our health, or our future. We allow our thoughts to drive us, to control us, and even hold us hostage at times by preventing us from pressing toward our mark, or moving forward.

Romans 8:5-6 for they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

We live in a fleshly body and have carnal senses, but when we live our lives according to our flesh and our fleshly senses we put ourselves in a position where we are governed by our flesh rather than our spirit.

We’ve just read to be carnally minded is death; this death is a separation from where God wants us to be in Him. When we allow our flesh, our emotions, what we see, what we hear and what we think to influence our behaviors and our actions we separate ourselves, or prevent ourselves from yielding to the Spirit of God which will give us life and peace.

The thoughts in our mind can literally make us sick when they don’t align with the word of God.

When we are worried, or stressed our blood pressure can become elevated, we may experience insomnia, or we may overeat or not eat enough because we’ve lost our appetite. We may even experience panic or anxiety attacks or have that sinking feeling in our stomach.

That’s not where God wants us to be. God has called us to peace.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Don’t Let Your Thoughts Hold You Captive

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Which Way Are You Going?

Are you moving, or are you stagnant? If you are moving which way are you going? Are you pressing toward your mark, Gods plan for your life? Are you moving backward, or the opposite of Gods direction for your life? Are you at a standstill? Are you in relationship with people who are not moving with you, people who don’t understand or support God’s plan for your life.

Give some thought to the questions I’ve just asked.

While we are pressing toward our mark it may not always feel like we are moving forward. As a matter of fact it may sometimes feel as though we are moving backward or not moving at all.

Sometimes our movement may be stunted or hindered by what I refer to as noise. Noise is the chatter, the voices the distractions in our lives, the things that throw us off of our game plan. The unexpected things. Things like a change to our finances, or employment status, a change to our marital or family status, relocation.

How do we deal with unexpected noise? Well the first thing we do is pray. God is our strength and our peace. It may also be helpful to journal or write down what you are experiencing. In situations where you need counsel seek Godly counsel.

I myself experienced divorce, relocation, and a change in my finances all at the same time. There was a lot of noise in my life at that time. It was challenging and stressful. I prayed without ceasing. I did a lot of robbing Peter to pay Paul, or for those of you that are not familiar with that phrase I had to juggle my finances. But God’s grace and mercy kept me during that time as he continues to keep me.

Noise can also refer to those things that we willingly or unwillingly allow in our lives. It can refer to relationships. It can also refer to crippling behaviors such as doubt, unbelief, and gossip. These are all things that can prevent us from moving forward.

I posted an Instagram message a couple of weeks ago which read If your comments do not edify the body, or bring glory to God, you should probably keep them to yourself.

If there are certain things you know you shouldn’t do because they will prevent you from prospering wouldn’t you stop doing them?

As innocent as some comments may seem we must realize life and death are in the power of the tongue. Remember God spoke the world into existence.

What are you speaking into existence with your words? What are you hindering either with the words you are speaking or the words you are not speaking?

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Which Way Are You Going?

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You Can’t Succeed if You Don’t Try

How many of you have quit before trying? Perhaps you’d made a decision to try a new eating plan. I prefer not to use the word diet. Maybe you were going to start exercising. Or, had you finally decided to change a behavior, such as getting angry quickly, gossiping, or procrastinating. Then, before even getting started you stopped. You decided you would wait until a “better time”, yet that better time doesn’t ever seem to come.

Well how can you succeed if you don’t even try? Everything that we do begins with a thought in our mind. If you’re anything like me, you have a thought, then tell yourself that’s a great idea. You begin planning, in your mind of course. You tell yourself, I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that. You’re excited. Then what happens? Either you act on what you have thought about, taking action steps, or you let the thoughts remain in your mind.

Well, this year I’ve decided to act upon everything I believe God has placed in my spirit. I’ve told you I’m a believer. I believe everything God says. I trust Him and I want Him to trust me. I’m seeking Him. I’m praying for direction and guidance. I’ve asked God for the Wisdom of Solomon and the favor of Joseph. I am persevering. As I’ve shared with you on a previous call, quitting is not an option.

I pray after listening to the quitting is not an option conference call you too have decided quitting is not an option. Let’s face it life often gets in the way of our movement towards our destiny. What do I mean by life? I’m referring to the day to day activities that we’d rather not do, but for one reason or another we must do. In many cases it’s our job. You know the one. It’s the job that pays the bills even though it may not be our passion. For some of us it may be things like going to the grocery store, cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. It could be homework, a second job, and in extreme cases eating and sleeping. My husband gets so involved with his music that he practices for hours on end, then realizes the day is almost over and he hasn’t eaten. Now I definitely don’t condone this behavior, and I have spoken with him about ensuring he eats.

Sometimes we may become so involved and focused on our passion, or the desire God has placed in our hearts, that anything that takes time away from what we love doing feels likes it hindering us or taking up too much of our time.

That’s where balance comes in. Like it or not there are things in life other than our passion that require our attention. The key is to find time to do them all, while not allowing the things we are required to do to make us anxious, or consider them as a hindrance. Remember, they are part of our lives, and our journey.

We must remember that God will always sustain us and provide for us. He will enable us to use the gifts He has placed in us. He has a plan and will always bring it to fruition. Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Regardless of what is going on around you God will always make a way. 

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select You Can’t Succeed If You Don’t Try.

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

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