Never Again! Again

This is a blog post I have had on Word Press for quite some time.  I have had so many women tell me how much this post resonates with them.  Even though it is four years later, I look back on the words I wrote to close out 2014 and refer back to this resource often in my day-to-day living.  But I also look back and think "Wow! God has done so much to take me from there to where I am today."   

Grab some coffee or some tea and pull up your chair and open your heart to my words from the past.  May they help just one person tonight..........

As 2014 comes to a final close tonight, I am reminded of all I have been through this year.  I have gone from being a single mom to having the love of my life back after 14 years of solitude.  Yes, I said solitude. I choose this word not because I was not other relationships but because I was in those relationships alone.   But today I end 2014 with a man who loves God and loves me like no other.

In order to get here, I had to let go of a lot of things and hand some things over to the Lord.  This website www.encouragingbiblequotes.com has been my go to place from 2012 through 2014 to make this transfer of control easier.  I want to share a poem Never Again because it changed me from the moment I read it in 2012 and every time I read it now. Hopefully, this poem impacts you to make the changes needed in your life to bring the fruits of the spirit into your life like it did to bring them into mine.

I firmly believe NEVER AGAIN helped shape my relationship with Christ.

As we close 2014 and begin 2015, remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season and our relationship with Christ can begin anew anytime we invite Him into our hearts.  So, as we write our resolution list let us resolve to say NEVER AGAIN and add these items to our lists.

My prayer tonight is that this reaches those who need it and  they say NEVER AGAIN in 2015 to live a blessed life like I have been given.

CHALLENGE:  Read through this list of Never Agains a couple of time and find 2-4 things to work on this month.  Then come back and do the same until you have addressed all the Never Agains in your life.  By the way, just know there may be some time that you need to address Never Agains, Again! 

JOURNAL STARTER:  God, today as I read through this list of Never Agains I realize I need to work on..........................

PRAYER PROMPT:  LORD, please open our hearts to the changes we need to make in our lives.  Whether it is a self-esteem issue, a finance issue, a fear issue, or just a simple lack of faith help us to discover that for every flaw we feel we have, You have told us how to overcome it.  Bring the women here tonight peace in knowing they are enough.  They are worthy.  They are precious in Your sight!  Give them the strength to close doors that are needed.  Help them break the strongholds of their lives.  Straighten the crowns of your precious princesses so they can walk in Your glory.  AMEN!

God Bless and Happy New Year!

NEVER AGAIN

A poem copyrighted and written by www.encouragingbiblequotes.com

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on “I can’t,” because the Word says: “I can do all things  through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on fear, because the Word says: “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on doubt and a lack of faith, because the Word says: “God has dealt to each one [every person] a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on weakness, because the Word says: “The Lord is the strength of My life” (Psalm 27:1) and “The people that know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on the supremacy of Satan over my life, because the Word says: “Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on defeat, because the Word says: “God always causes me to triumph in Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on a lack of wisdom, because the Word says: “Christ Jesus has become for me wisdom from God.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on sickness, because the Word says: “With His stripes I am healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) and Jesus “Himself took my infirmities and bore my sickness.” (Matthew 8:17)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on bondage, because the Word says: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) and “My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on worries and frustration, because the Word says: I am “Casting all my cares upon Him who cares for me.” (1 Peter 5:7)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on condemnation, because the Word says: “There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) I am in Christ, so therefore I am free from condemnation!

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on loneliness, because the Word says: Jesus said, “I am with you always, even till the end of the age [forever].” (Matthew 28:20) and “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on curses or bad luck, because the Word says: “Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for me: that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the gentiles [that’s me] through Jesus Christ: That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on discontent, because the Word says: “I have learned in whatever state (circumstances) I am, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on unworthiness, because the Word says: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on confusion, because the Word says: “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) and “We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on persecution, because the Word says: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on the domination of sin over my life, because the Word says: “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on insecurity, because the Word says: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:24-26)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on failure, because the Word says: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on frustration, because the Word says: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on fear of the future, because the Word says: “As it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” (1 Cor 2:9-10)

NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on troubles, because the Word says: Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Proverbs 31- A Different New Year’s Resolution

Reprinted from my original blog post on WordPress.....

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character [a]A wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies.Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm,all the days of her life.  She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.  She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

PROVERBS 31: 10-31

As 2014 comes to a close, I am very excited about what 2015 brings for our family. However, I must prepare for the road ahead of me. The only way I will survive what God has in store for me and my family is to live my life as Proverbs 31 directs in verses 10-31. That is not an easy feat! But my New Year’s resolution for 2015 is to be her………

We all feel as though we will never live up to God’s image for us as women, as wives, as mother’s and as the Christian women God asks us to be. The outline he gave us seems impossible. But we can! How? Because God tells us we can do anything through Him (Philippians 4:13).

A few months ago, I was struggling with this and voiced my concerns to some friends. It was then I received what I call the Proverbs 31 challenge. I was instructed to read this proverb daily from a wise woman in the community. As I read it, I am to pray for God’s guidance on what I need to work on that day (lately its been weekly). This has helped shape who I am as a Christian woman today.

The Proverbs 31 woman carries virtue, faithfulness, reverence, and goodness. She is a willing worker, good manager, and industrious. She has strength, endurance, and is well rounded. She is charitable, a provider and well dressed. She is the wife of a good husband, a good business woman as well as honorable, wise, and kind. She is a good mother who is busy, praiseworthy,and attains or excels in all she does or tries. But most of all she carries a fear of the Lord and is fruit bearing.

That’s a lot to live up to! I know I fall short most days. However, if I’m putting in the work to achieve these characteristics neither I nor God can be upset.  This is why it means the world to me when Lee tells me I’m being a Proverbs 31 woman.  Sounds silly, but when you look at what it really entails, it’s the best compliment you can give a Christian woman.

I am blessed to have a man who loves me enough to not only hold me to those standards but to give me recognition when I live up to them.

THE CHALLENGE: Read the passage below daily and find what you can work on to improve your journey of becoming more like a Proverbs 31 woman.

DIG DEEPER: Do a search on the traits listed above and find verses to help you pray through to help you become what God intended for you, your husband, your children, your family and your friends.

JOURNAL STARTER: God, I have burning desire to live as the woman You intended me to be. To do so I need to: _________________________

PRAYER: Father God, I ask that you guide us through this journey called life You have given to each of us. Tonight, I ask You bring your hand of grace and favor to all women. Place it upon our hearts to live for You as You have defined in our instruction manuals known as the Bible. Give us the burning desire to live as You have instructed for us. Guide us through this great challenge you have left with us to live as a Proverbs 31 woman. Help us find the 15 minutes we need to read the passage and meditate on Your word. It is in Your name and the name of Your son, Jesus Christ I pray. AMEN!

Have a blessed night!