Tag Archives: Change

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Let’s Forgive

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 NIV

As a child, I can recall that if I had an issue with someone, or they had an issue with me, it was dealt with in a manner that we could still be amicable after the discussion.  Today, it’s a bit different.  When individuals, families or organizations have issues with an opposing mindset or belief system, rage is ignited.

Our prayer today has been, “Father, we desire to be one, operating in the bonds of love and forgiveness.”  When we consider that God has forgiven us, and some of us had MUCH to be forgiven, how then are we unable to forgive one who just doesn’t believe as you believe?  Today, I want to EMPOWER you with this thought  – Let’s Forgive!

Prayer:

Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus, asking that you would create in me a clean heart and renew the right spirit within me, that I am able to forgive others as you’ve forgiven me.  Father, I thank you.  Amen

 

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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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Help is Available

How long do you walk around feeling ill before seeking a solution? I’ve encountered a lot of people lately that are walking around poisoning people with their emotional turmoil – and seemingly refusing to acknowledge that they need help. Is it pride that keeps you in that place of bondage? Are you so afraid of your own truth and vulnerability that you can’t face it?

Lately, I’m taking a closer daily inventory of my life to ensure that if there is misalignment, I get it straight quickly! I empathize for those who can’t reflect but choose to deflect their stuff onto others. Don’t you realize that HELP IS AVAILABLE?

The longer you move about misguided and toxic, the harder things become. Misalignment brings with it the “afflictions” that we read about Psalm 34:19, concerning the righteous; and then there is the “but God”! That’s HELP!

Let me empower you today with these words of wisdom from my life experience:

  • Forgive yourself and forgive others; this is usually one of the greatest hindrances of life
  • Seek the Holy Spirit for your purpose and pursue it with everything you’ve got
  • Find yourself a circle of influence that is where you desire to be, not where you’ve been
  • Find a trusted counselor

Let’s begin a new journey today.  A journey towards wholeness, nothing missing and nothing lacking.  Let’s seek resolve for whatever challenges we’re facing – accepting the HELP that is available.

Be EMPOWERED!

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Your Sphere of Influence

When it comes to Kingdom work, we have to understand that it requires more than just what we do in church.  Listen to the teaching on Your Sphere of Influence and be EMPOWERED!

We are live each Sunday at 8 pm EST on Blogtalk radio.  Join us by dialing 323-927-3014.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/empowermentplace/2017/04/24/your-sphere-of-influence

 

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NECESSARY

So, the 2016 Presidential Election is over and the results have named Donald Trump as President-Elect of the United States of America.  This outcome has stirred all sorts of emotions from dread and fear to overjoy and peace.  I’ve been pretty quiet during this whole election, praying for guidance and understanding throughout the process and this morning the word I heard was – NECESSARY!  I admit, I chuckled at the sound of that initially – but God gave me clarity.

It’s several days later and I’m being strengthened in the midst of this election outcome and I will share with you why.  This election, as it has been revealed to me is a testimony of ones ability to succeed.  President-Elect Trump showed himself to be a rather obnoxious, racist, narcissistic, arrogant man. ( I was nice)  Yet, despite all of that, he communicated a message that intrigued and enticed many American people and was chosen as the next President of the United States.  So, what are you saying Valerie?  Glad you asked!

Have you ever been given instructions from God, whether it was starting something new or completing something old and you decided that because of who you are or what you’ve done in the past – you weren’t qualified?  I know I have. President- elect Trump had no experience, no political/legal knowledge, no character, no mental capacity, no real qualifications to be president of the United States, but he won!  An unqualified candidate in the eyes of many, overcame the odds and succeeded.

The necessity for this outcome was to show us that even with odds against you and you feeling unqualified, determination and support from the “right” people can get you to your place of purpose.  This election has fueled a fire in me to press into what God has called me to in a greater way.  No longer will I discredit myself! No longer will I allow the opinions of others to stifle my dreams!  No longer will I limit myself but I will embrace God has spoken concerning me and succeed! You get it? You can be what God has said you’d be.  You can do what God has asked you to do.  You are the world-changer that you are supposed to be! President-elect Trump was chosen by man and will have to face the conditions of man but what God does in and through you, as you trust Him for your destiny- no man can change!

I’m not a fan of the new president, but I will honor this process and continue to trust God in the midst of all things – as it clearly was a necessary  awakening for many of us. Today, be EMPOWERED; be REGENERATED by the renewing of your mind; and be ENCOURAGED to pursue what God has called you to.

Blessings!