Encouraging Women Today

Saturday, February 24, 2007

THE SECRET

If any of you have been following the informative programs on “THE SECRET”, you will have an opinion. What I loved about THE SECRET was that IT IS NOT A SECRET, NEVER HAS BEEN AND NEVER WILL BE. The founder believes they have come up with a new concept that will change the world and make it a better place.

They have taken concepts from God’s Word and are teaching them and selling them. The only thing they left out is The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are teaching that all energy comes from within you as a person. Throughout history, humans have tried to redeem themselves. But there is one problem, and that is sin. It is outside of the realm of what we can conquer. The only thing that can conquer sin is THE SACRIFICE OF THE PERFECT LAMB BEING JESUS CHRIST.

THE SECRET’S TEACHINGS: THE BIBLE’S TEACHINGS

FORGIVENESS “ FORGIVE AS THE FATHER HAS FORGIVEN YOU”

BE THANKFUL “IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS FOR THIS IS THE WILL OFGOD.

SERVE OTHERS “SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE” GAL. 5:13

BE JOYFUL “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH” NEH.8:10

WISDOM “IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM, ASK GOD” JAMES 1:5

BE POSITIVE –“THINK ON THINGS THAT ARE PURE, ADMIRABLE, GOOD REPORT”
PHIL.4:8
BE HAPPY FOR SUCCESS OF OTHERS. – “ DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD
HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.

BE CONTENT “I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT” PHIL 4:12

PEACE “A HEART AT PEACE GIVES LIFE TO THE BODY.” PROV. 14:30


LET’S START PUTTING THE WORD INTO PRACTICE IN OUR LIVES. The Word teaches us how to live a happy, fulfilled, successful life. And beyond that it teaches that God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are always there to give us instruction, guide and counsel. We have power and wisdom and we should use that to fulfill our PURPOSE on this earth. We are a team, working together to fulfill all that God has planned for us. When we are WEAK, He is STRONG, when we are BROKEN, He MENDS, when we are SICK, He HEALS. He has also prepared a place for us when our time is over on this earth and that place is called HEAVEN. Let us accept ALL that is in the Word of God, not just part.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

ENCOURAGEMENT NEEDED TODAY?

Maybe you’re at a place where you need a thought to lift your spirits.

There are about 3 major things in life that I have been praying for a long time. One in particular for years! Wow! Maybe I can give you some encouragement as I encourage myself! AND it’s not that we don’t know what to do, it’s just that we are so human, it’s hard to get to that place. I’ve noticed that our personalities determine 3 things:

1. How hard we take a hit.
2. How deep it goes.
3. How long it stays.
4. What actions we take.

There are several challenges that seem to knock us off our rocker more then any others;
Death of a loved one, job loss, relational challenges, financial strain, divorce, illness, wayward children.

Ask yourself these questions:
1. Is this a permanent situation?
2. Is there anything I can do?
3. Can I trust God for His answers, strength and wisdom?

My mother, Kate, was a living example to me as a child, teen and adult of how to walk through a hard journey. Not that I do it all the time, but I keep going back to the example of my Mentor. Kate was a woman of God who believed God was in control ALL the time of EVERY circumstance. She didn’t get there over night, but after walking through several severe challenges, she got to that point.
Kate lost my brother, her only son to cancer at the age of 21.
My father was a great man, but did not know God, so she stood alone in this department.
My brother and his wife had a son born 2 months after his death.
My parents raised their grandson until he was nine.
At this age, his mother went to court to get him back, and forbid grandparental visits.
My sister went through a divorce during these years.
Kate Taught Me:
1. Weeping is for a time, JOY comes in the morning.
2. Stay silent- keep in God’s Word for instruction and encouragement.
3. Always get up and start the day with a new hope.
4. Always attend church with other believers for strength, hope and encouragement.
5. Release God to do it His way.
6. Be thankful for what you have left.
7. Look for someone you can encourage.

If depression and oppression hit me, I am to blame, not God, nor anyone else.