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The Most Important P…

Well, other than prayer, that is.

Persistence.

I love that word.

It’s a friendly, little non-threatening reminder that tells you to keep going. Don’t stop. What you’re doing is important. And that your hard work is going to pay off.

We should not be tricked into, or let ourselves down by, believing that the Lord does not honor and bless the work of our hands.

Has the Lord not made a promise to you that He has not kept? I.E., every promise the Lord makes will be fulfilled.

31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Genesis 1:31

As sons and daughters created in the likeness of God our Father, when we create, we anticipate a completed, perfect work to reflect upon in all of its “goodness.”

So, here we are with a promise, and here we are with a body of work to be completed. And, so is a measure of time set before us with which we gauge our perfection against, when really, our perfect work is in the fulfillment of the promise received and the completion of it in God’s timing.

Too complicated?

So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.

Galatians 6:9

When time seems to have taken its toll; when the process seems longer than expected; when we continue to give our best through the work of our hands… remember, that your work is not in vain, and that God rewards your faithfulness.

Be encouraged to know that God honors your work in Him and that as you continue to press forward, God is with you.

– Kaye

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Listening to the voice of God…

…will lead you in all righteousness.

It will lead you to promises fulfilled.

It will give you new strength.

It will guide your understanding and will strengthen your trust in Him.

He will be your compass, a keeper in the #valley… a sense of clear direction amid a raging storm.

Whatever you need, whyever you’ve come, just know that He exists:

  • To love you,
  • To lead you,
  • To nurture you,
  • To grow you,
  • And to give you a safe place in His arms.

Trust in the King, and He will give you rest.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

-Galatians 6:9

Never give up. Never grow weary of listening to His instructions. For, in due time, you will reap a harvest – His harvest – and you will see and know that your time and efforts – and obedience to Him – has not failed.

Just believe… and keep listening to His voice that rings aloud – and ever so true.

Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst

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What I’m Thankful For

I’m thankful for the blessings of the Lord with my life – both spiritually and naturally so. I’m thankful for time and space necessary to complete God’s will. I’m thankful that He’s called for and allowed the work of my hands to fulfill His purpose.

I’m thankful in getting to share in new experiences while building memorable moments with others.

God gives us time and space to fulfill His will in our lives.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good. – Psalm 136a&b

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Remember…

As I sit here, my home is quiet, my atmosphere is one of peace. And I am reminded – that God is here with me. Rain is present.

What does rain mean to me? The voice of God and the promises He has made and shown to my husband and I.

It is in the quietest of moments, when perhaps our heart may be troubled and when our mind has a mind to speak, when the Lord gently reminds us that His promises are true and are dear.

But, amid a troubled heart and rousing thoughts, peace is still and rain is present.

Although things around us may sometimes get cloudy, cluttered and busy with anxiousness, we can look to the Lord for His affirmations to and within us.

“God, I need your help; Lord, please show me…”

Then the rain rustles, showering down in a powerful, yet gentle roar, in a manner that recalls His peace, His voice, and the way in which He has faithfully affirmed you and let you know that His presence is ever so near – and dear.

He reminds you of His words to you, over you and with you.

“I am here. Remember…”

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Reflections…

Over the past few days (well, week – from last Monday to today), I’ve had many day’s end thoughts, musings and final “take-aways” on what the days have meant to me. My hands got a bit busy, but it is still necessary that I share what the Lord has given me throughout this time. Here we go:

Monday – Nov. 19 – Our trust in the Lord gives us renewed daily strength – even in the face of presumed obstacles. Let joy remain in your heart. Let the peace of God continue to abide with you.

Tuesday, Nov.  20 – The Lord’s promises over you will be fulfilled. Do not fret, but allow the Lord’s handiwork to be made manifest in your life.

Wednesday, Nov. 21 – Sometimes the day doesn’t specifically turn out the way we have planned. But even when this occurs, you can still take delight in what the Lord has placed in your path. Open your eyes to experiences that are completely and wholly orchestrated by the Lord.

Thursday, Nov. 22 – It’s less about eating. It’s more in giving God thanks and giving to others with selflessness and with a joyful and thankful heart. While we (my husband and I) did get to enjoy time together reflecting over our Thanksgiving day meal, we pretty much spent all of Thanksgiving day in service to others – from start to finish. My husband served at one of the local community resource centers, helping to orchestrate meal deliveries to the homeless and shut in. We cooked a meal for family members who were shut in. We gave a portion of our Thanksgiving Day meal to a man in our community who was in need. When he received it, he was incredibly surprised that it was “hot!” Our take-away was that this is how we’d spend our Thanksgivings from now on.

Friday, Nov. 23  – Sometimes celebrating simply means taking it all in, consuming the peace that God plants around you, and sitting still in that state while allowing God to pour into and restore you. I’m loving the space that we’re in. I’m totally into you, and am thankful of God’s blessing of you in my life. You guys can read more about that here.

Saturday, Nov. 24 – Rest peacefully in the Lord’s presence as He pours into you, restores you and guides you to your next place in Him. Trust in Him, for He’ll never leave you nor forsake you.

Sunday, Nov. 25 – Listen for God. His answers are ever before us.

Monday, Nov. 26 – Take time to reflect. Reflections is where we recall those “things missed,” where we smile at the little moments that brought us joy, and where we thank God for His blessings of allowing us to experience it all.

Be blessed in Him.

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Listening for God

Time is not fleeting, and joy is not lost…

“Hear the sound of the wind; listen closely as He speaks. Let nothing steal your moment of happiness, joy, and rest. The Lord is painting a beautiful portrait.”

We often look for the completed story to play out before us…but if we listen closely, we will hear the sound of the Lord’s voice. Yes, even in the winds He paints a beautiful portrait and picture. Be still. Let nothing steal your moment of happiness, joy, and rest.

His answers are ever before us.

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Happy, healthy and hearty

They say, “What you look upon is what you become…birds of a feather flock together…two are better than one…a three-fold cord is not easily broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:12

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

We’ve been looking at each other, keeping our eyes upon the Lord, walking together with The King of kings.

Whether I look like a Howard, or whether you look like a Brown – whichever it is, I know that we look like God’s image of “Us.”

Happy Birthday, babe!

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An “indescribable” gift

So I gave myself yesterday (Saturday) off from writing on the blog – not because I was being a procrastinator – because yesterday was a full day of rest for my home, and, categorically, rest = rest. PERIOD.

Sunday, Nov. 18 – Today’s take-away: You have been given an indescribable gift. Be engaged where God has planted you, and be where He needs you to be.

Today was a day of service to others. We often think of service only in the aspects of helping those around us who may have close to nothing, those who may have nothing at all, or ones who may be in a very bitter situation.

But, in our service to others, God can use the gifts that He gave to us: a smiling face, the bread we eat, an avid conversationalist, a listening ear…all in order to especially touch and impact those who need it the most. Can God gain glory through your service, gifts and actions to others?

I was reminded of this in church today: giving of ourselves – but doing it cheerfully and as unto the Lord.

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”[a]

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

– II Corinthians 9:[6], 7-15

Sometimes, a gentle reminder is all we need in order to place things back into perspective – to remind us of God’s Word and call planted deeply within us. Reactivating it when we are presented with this reminder is how we can and will become effective – a results driver.

Can God get an R.O.G.I. (return on His gift investment) in you? What has He given to you to freely share in order to uplift and affect another?

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Today was a good day.

Today was a good day.

My husband and I spent the day together – we motivated each other, pursued and completed our daily and personal goals together, reflected and conversed, prepared for the current and coming season, and entered into a Godly period of rest together.

When it comes to husband and wife marital relationships, your best strength is in the value of each other. Learn to practice and encourage habits that give way to the reflection and praise of your best assets:

– Genesis 2:21-23

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

***

– I Corinthians 11:7-12

7 A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[c] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

***

Work together. Learn each other. Know one another intimately. It’s a trust.

“For, what you water will grow.” – quote by Seneca Howard

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Take a moment for yourself and enjoy.

It’s often the littlest things that count.

Take delight, and enjoy an occasion or two.

An early morning coffee ride and a short walk within my cul-de-sac were my two moments of joy – simple activities that both rested and rejuvenated my spirit today – a simple time away from the on-going churn of work.

While it’s very important to work hard to complete and maintain your obligations, it’s equally as important to remember to take a moment for yourself.

With the constant busyness of the everyday-isms – work, home, health, life as we know it – it’s all too easy to get caught amid the chaos, prioritize one thing over another, and put aside our best needs for our best self.

In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.

– Psalm 127:2

When we step aside, take a moment, and rest, we can find sweet relief knowing that our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ has taken the reigns and will ensure that we have all that we need.

Walk, take a deep breath, smell the flowers and enjoy the breeze  – have a ‘cuppa coffee, and drink your favorite beverage. Find some time for you, because time is constantly moving – and we are, too. Rest and personal time must be placed on our calendars and also on our daily lists of “to-dos.”

In your rest period, practice trusting in God, handing over those thoughts, worries, hustles and bustles as you allow Him to give you perfect peace…and He’ll take care of everything else.

Guest Blogged by Seneca Howard

Seneca Howard is the Pastor of Radical Faith Ministries, an author and motivational speaker who encourages individuals to pursue passionate purpose with undoubted faith towards God – even when facing incredible challenges. His mission and purpose is to help others grow in God.