Perseverance

Joseph was a dreamer. At 17 years of age he was going about his business feeding the flock. Now Joseph was special in the eyes of his father Jacob, because he was born when Jacob was no longer in his prime. As a matter of fact Joseph was Jacobs’s favorite child. He loved him more than his other children. In fact, he loved him so much he made him a coat of many colors. Now how would that make you feel if you were one of Joseph’s brothers?

You’d probably be jealous and maybe a little envious, and Joseph’s brothers, well they hated him plain and simple. As a matter of fact they couldn’t even carry on a peaceable conversation with him. So Joseph, happy go lucky in his colorful coat has a dream and shares it with his brothers. He tells them we were binding sheaves, or bundles of wheat in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance, or bowed down to my sheaf, they responded to Joseph saying are you going to rein or rule over us and have dominion over us, so they hate him even more.

Then Joseph has another dream and shares it with his brothers and his father. He tells them how in his dream the sun, the moon and eleven stars made obeisance or bowed down to him. This time his fathered rebuked him saying are your mother and I along with your brothers going to bow down to you on earth?

His brothers grew angrier, but his father thought about the dream.

What had Joseph done to cause his brothers to be so angry? Absolutely nothing. He didn’t cause his own birth. He didn’t make his father love him, nor did he make his father make his coat of many colors. He wasn’t even responsible for his own dreams. All he did was share his dreams.

Did you cause your own birth? Are you responsible for the dreams or visions God has given you?

I will issue a word of caution here. Not everyone will understand, encourage or support you in your vision, goals, ideas, or Gods plan for your life. Be careful with whom you share your dreams.

Your only responsibility is to have that childlike faith, believing and trusting in God as you forgive those that trespass or conspire against you, or try to deter you from God’s plan for your life, and persevere, or persist in anything you have undertaken. Maintaining your purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles or discouragement, continuing steadfastly, that’s the definition of perseverance.  Believing God for whatever He has placed in your heart whether it’s healing, a job, a relationship, a spouse, the birth of a long awaited child, a business venture, deliverance, or salvation for those you love.

You must be resolved, or stand steadfastly in your faith as you persevere.

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Who Are You?

How many times have you asked yourself that question? Who am I? Why am I here? I know I have a purpose, but what is it?

Oftentimes people struggle with knowing who they are. They want to know their purpose. People want to know why they were put on this earth and what God has chosen for them to do. For each of us it’s a personal struggle or journey. Sure, people can throw ideas at you based on their observations, but who are you, really? That’s the question.

Do you know who you are? Do you know what God has purposed for your life? I think sometimes our struggle to find out who we are takes us down various paths. Those paths may include different jobs or relationships. Sometimes there may be a struggle on a job, or a particular relationship. Sometimes we may think we have missed God, especially when we are going through difficult times, but I believe every experience whether good, bad, or indifferent is part of our journey. It’s what makes us who we are. Nothing just happens.

I will tell you this, everyone is here for a reason, and there are no mistakes or accidental births. Birth in itself is a miracle. Several years ago during prayer God spoke to me in an audible voice “The miracle of Birth” I didn’t know then and still don’t know now why He spoke those words to me, but I am sharing them with you today because maybe His intent was for you to hear them.  So I say to you this day birth in itself is a miracle.  Each one of us is a miracle of God.

But who are you? You already know you are a miracle, but what else? You are a spirit that resides in a body and you have a soul. Your soul or heart encompasses your mind and emotions.

One thing that you must know is that before you were born, your destiny was already planned.

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.  Whether you were ordained as a prophet like Jeremiah or God has another plan for your life, He does indeed have a plan for you. His plans or His thoughts for you are great. Jeremiah 29:11-13 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. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

God is telling us to call upon Him, to pray unto Him. And when we do this, He tells us He will hearken, He will give heed or attention to what we are saying, He will listen to us. And, if we seek Him with all our heart, now remember this is being done within our soul, then we will find him, and when we find Him, we will find ourselves.

I often think of our purpose or God’s plan for our life as that thing that won’t go away. Sometimes it may lie dormant especially if the enemy is attacking and trying to pull you away from God’s purpose for your life, but rest assured, try as he may. Not even the devil himself nor his henchmen can stop God’s plans for you. He has anointed, appointed and equipped you to do everything that He has predestined for you to do.

Who are you? You are a child of the Most High God with a predestined plan to succeed in God’s will for your life.

Sisters Steadfast in Faith invite you to join us every Thursday at 9 pm EST for E2E, Empowered to Excel. During our weekly call we will share words of encouragement from the word of God which are meant to inspire and encourage you to be steadfast in faith while empowering you to excel. 

Dial in Number 641-715-3610 access code 215480; playback number 641-715-3609 access code 215480

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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.