Category Archives: Empowerment

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Endure for the sake of Purpose

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”   James 1:4 KJV

          For many years, things were working for my good, even when I couldn’t recognize it. I was complaining a little bit because things were right; I felt that I could endure the light afflictions.  When challenging times arise, we tend to retreat because we’re overwhelmed, or at least I did.  I kicked, screamed (silently), and even blamed others instead of embracing what was before me and being willing to endure the process like a good soldier.

The Word lets us know that as God has begun a good work in each of us, we must be willing to endure the process for His sake.  If you’re one who likes to bake, you know that to get the item you desire, you must have the proper ingredients, follow the recipe, and wait for it to bake under the right heat. That process reminds me of how we must endure as good soldiers.

God has placed on the inside of each of us all that we need to succeed; we must activate it with guidance from the Holy Spirit and endure until the end.  You have what it takes, stop discounting yourself.  Be emPOWERed by the Word today and make a difference.

“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.”     Philippians 1:6

from “emPOWERed By the Word”  by Valerie Burrell

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Emerging

So, he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.  

Psalm 78:72

I’m equipped to serve. I’ve accepted my purpose, gone through the process and overcome the challenges that have arisen in my path. The following is a word that the Spirit released to me in 2013 that I want to share it with you now:

To be a part of the will of God requires a new discipline. You’ve not given in to Me, and you so want to. Just one fleeting moment of feeling insecure drives you off the ramp. I’m not about to put up some indestructible guard rails. You can stay the course- I need you to focus on the path. I have surrounded you with spiritual parents to groom you as a daughter, to strengthen you. You can do this.

Don’t step back because of insecurities and indecision. You’ve got to know who you are. Do you understand? Take time and reflect and then come back to me. I need to know that you know. Stay on the path – I’m with you. You are emerging.

Be encouraged this week as God is establishing you as a Kingdom leader. Know Him, know your truth and keep moving forward.

Taken from, My Reality Revealed – A Journey of Empowerment by Valerie Burrell

 

 

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I’m Alive Again

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this, thy brother was dead, and is alive again, and was lost, and is found.  Luke 15:32 KJV

Society has programmed us to believe that when you reach a certain age, that you’re grown. You have all the answers, no one’s opinion is useful, and you stumble through life blindly. That’s who I was. I was preaching, prophesying, and traveling the world with my saved, and sanctified self, seeing myself more highly than I ought and looking a pure fool. I was serving the Lord based on my understanding of what was needed of me, and yet I was dead to those that needed me.

In Luke 15, the story of the prodigal son speaks to my journey this week. In this account, a young son, after receiving his inheritance, took to the streets to live his life, wasting all that had been given to him. I didn’t have that same experience, but I received of the Lord a gift, and because I thought that serving the “church” should be the priority – I committed all my time there. I took time away from my family and children to serve the church, and when I couldn’t give anymore, I was tossed aside to fend for myself.

This rejection from the “church” was not a rejection from God. This was me not understanding that the requirement was to serve God and not a man, and in building my relationship with the Father, I would be able to live an abundant life. I needed to come alive in Christ, and I did! I repented. I acknowledged the misalignment in my relationship with God was like a death sentence and asked for forgiveness of my ignorance. I could go to church every day, three times a day and still have no relationship.

Have you been in this place, where you were so focused on pleasing man that you neglected the right relationship with Christ? This week, become alive again in Christ. Allow God to be your focus and behind him, your family, and then your assignment!

Exert from My Reality Revealed

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God Is the Strength of My Heart

Today, I experienced some very typical behavior where an individual was more concerned with their flesh needs than fulfilling God’s assignment.  I understand that we are human, but the word declares that “our natural, earthly lives don’t in themselves lead us into the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 15:50 MSG)  We should not be driven by our flesh and heart needs but constantly yielding to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

When an opportunity presents itself that may serve as a distraction, utilize these tools:

  • Keep your flesh under subjection – “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want” (Galatians 5:16-17)
  • Resist the devil – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
  • Watch and Pray – “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”  (1 John 2:16)
  • Know who you are as a child of God – “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
    (Romans 8:13-14)
  • Accept that God is the Strength of your heart – “My flesh and my heart may fail,
        but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:6)

In this season, obedience to God must take precedence over any emotion or inclination to fulfill our flesh needs, as our flesh and heart may fail.  In this season, embrace the plan of God for your life and let Him be your strength and portion forever.

Be Empowered!

flesh will fail

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The Seeds I’ve Sown

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Do you ever wonder why your relationship feels challenging, no matter what you do?  This feeling was a constant for me for many years.  I would attempt to engage in a meaningful relationship only to sabotage it with my own thoughts and behavior.  I was reminded of the word that reads in Galatians 6:7, “A man reaps what he sows.”

What I’ve learned in life is that whatever you do to others will certainly come back to you in one form or another!  First, let me share with you that I am not an expert in relationships by societal norms, but I can attest to how bad relationships can affect you.  It is because of my experiences that I decided to pin this book as a reality check for someone who may think that they are slicker than the next person and has the relationship “game” on lock.

Relationships are a vital part of each of our lives, and without guidance from the Holy Spirit, we can do damage to ourselves and those connected to us.  I invite you to embrace these useful keys that I have realized during my journey that will benefit you in your current or next relationship.

As a way of empowering God’s people, be on the lookout for my next book release, The Seeds I’ve Sown in June 2018.

BE EMPOWERED!

 

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Are We Unified

 

 

 

 

 

As pre-marital/marriage counselors, we often have conversations with couples about the concept of being unified. Mark 10:6-8 reads, “6 But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. 7 For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. ONE flesh!  Even though this scripture is read and discussed in counseling and read again at the wedding, many couples don’t want to embrace this facet of marriage.

Unity is defined as the state of being united or joined as a whole, which is a foundation of marriage.  We operate with separate accounts, access, and mindsets that are far away from God’ plan and it is causing major turmoil in our society.  What has society done to change our minds about marriage?  What have we as individuals done to allow this infiltration of selfishness, so much so that we ignore His plan for marriage?

God wants a husband (male) and wife (female) to grow together in Him, fulling His plan for a unified marriage.  Are you willing to have a marriage that God would be pleased with?  Let’s have UNITY in our marriages starting today!

Valerie

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Don’t Be Afraid

A segment from my book, My Reality Revealed

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 KJV

An acronym for fear that has stuck with me through the years is False Evidence Appearing Real. I can’t tell you who coined it or when they did, but I can tell you that the false evidence that you’ve been looking at must be confronted. What made you fearful and afraid? Is it because you were comparing your life to others? Were you attempting to keep up with the high rollers, only portraying a role that wasn’t your truth? Do you believe in yourself?

Lack of self-worth or esteem has crippled many people; instilling fear to move forward in purpose. I dealt with not feeling thin enough, cute enough, smart enough and even loved enough. I also dealt with the fear of not being accepted by man; limiting my vision because it wasn’t like the status quo. The truth is that fear plagued me because of secrets. I was abused, abandoned and rejected and was too damaged, afraid to trust anyone.

I learned over time that none of those feelings should apply when you understand the love that God has for you. His affection is unchanging and everlasting. He desires to be a strength for you like none other; to protect you even in times of trouble. Today, take an inventory of the thoughts and feelings that are limiting you and causing fear and let’s cast those cares to the Father, knowing that He cares for us.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV