Discernment!

I'm thankful for the gift of discernment and how God continues to grow me in His knowledge to discern. Because of discernment, I know I've kept myself and others safe from danger and false teachings. God has given me stronger discernment over the years, through much heartache, disappointments, hurts, sickness, broken friendships and relationships... through all of that I know error and evil when confronted with it. I call it becoming a “whistle-blower” against satan. Even when satan attacks my mind and spirit... yes, I may go down in the heat of the battle, but don't count me out of the fight. Those battle scars have become my healing scars. ● Philippians 1:9-10 'And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ'...

I Can!

As the saying goes, 'hurt people, hurt people'! But you have the choice to not allow them to keep hurting you. I have to continue to let go and release things that I can't control and be okay with that. I can't make anybody come to me if they have a problem with me, I can’t make anybody do their work, get help, or see something from my perspective. I can’t make anybody like me, love me, or accept me. What I can I do and what I am doing is becoming the vision I want to see. I can like, love, and accept myself. I can forgive myself for any wrongdoings I have done in my life. I can be my own best friend, and I can put my time into those people who also feel this way about me and accept me because of and in spite of myself. I thank God for helping me on this journey of learning to be real and true to myself; though it can be messy and painful, it ends up being a beautiful mess and I am okay with that. I am okay with me, and it is a great feeling this year!

Encourage Yourself... again!

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself in the Lord. You have to speak victory during the test and trials. You have to speak a word of encouragement over yourself. Depression is all around, but God is a very present help in our time of need. The enemy creates walls but remember giants they do fall, so speak over yourself, encourage yourself in the Lord. Life can have you so discouraged, until you feel there's nothing left. No matter how you feel, speak a word over yourself: I'm encouraged.

Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and tell yourself, I can make it. You have to remember that life and death lies in the power of your own tongue. You have to remember that you are more than a conqueror. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, where my help comes from, and all of my help comes from the Lord. Be encouraged. Speak it.

Leave No Cracks in the Doors!

As someone who is extremely sensitive and tender hearted and a huge people pleaser who wants to fix and help people... this has been one of my hardest lessons to learn and I'm still learning at almost 35, to close the door completely on certain friendships. But I am finally getting it, everyone cannot be in my inner circle, and I cannot help people the way Jesus can. Guilt and condemnation comes from the enemy, even when we have to close the door completely/permanently on a relationship or friendship, he (the enemy) will pour condemning feelings on us saying that we are unforgiving and cold hearted. But the truth is you can completely forgive someone while not allowing him/her back in your life. If that person is effecting your emotional, physical, spiritual, or mental wellbeing then I encourage you to take a stand for yourself no matter how much it may hurt, because if you keep going down that road it will hurt you more in the end. I have left that crack open on doors before and got hurt again, with no one to blame but myself. Now, I realize what it truly means to shut that door completely and I am headed into 2019 already on the right track. Let me encourage you to take care of yourself and be true to yourself. Not being real with someone about how you feel about them is not only lying to yourself but to them and God is not pleased with that. We get so caught up in pleasing and or listening to others that we forget who we are as a person. We have to let go of letting others take advantage of or use us, we have to learn what it truly means to listen to ourselves. We have to learn when something does not feel quite right to let it go and quit holding on to it. As someone who continually fights to overcome anxiety and depression, and have come leaps and bounds this year, it is helping me more than anything to learn to take a stand for myself and truly learn that what I say and do be pleasing to the Lord and no one else. I pray that if the Lord continues to tarry and I see 2019, that I work on drawing closer to Him this coming year, and praying for an even greater discernment. He has been so good to me this year, despite my shortcomings!

2019: Please be true with others and to yourself!!

A Praise Report!

Though New Year's day 2019 has come and gone, I just want to give God praise for allowing me to go through 2018 without needing surgery. Most know my history with health problems, but up until December 2002, I had had 3 surgeries, from 2002-2010 I had 24 surgeries, 2011, I went all year without needing surgery. 2012-2017 I had  one or more surgeries every year that now totals 34. But God... 2018, though I still had some sickness to go though and overcome, God's healing virtues flowed and no surgeries were needed! I praise Him for that!

2016 changed me. 2017 broke me. 2018 opened my eyes up. 2019 I'm coming back.

Knitting in God's Promises!

In love with the scarf of many colors I loom knitted for myself and Psalm 94 right now. Psalm 94:18-19, When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.19 When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy." ❤️💚💜💛💙 I'm standing on God's word this past Sunday at church, and the days to come!! Press on, the Lord's pushing us foward! GOD IS WITH US!

And He Walks With Me!

I am so thankful I had an opportunity to do this! I had been praying about something special I could do to put in my MoMo's (my last grandmother who passed away in December 2016) bedroom, in memory of her, possibly pertaining to the song I would hold her hand and sing to her, the week that she was passing, "In The Garden"! Then this painting event came across my facebook newsfeed, with that very song as an example painting!! Oh, my MoMo would be so proud! It is now hanging on the wall in her bedroom, and I thought about her the whole time I was putting my all into finishing this priceless painting! 💚 #inmemory #partyart #andHewalkswithme #inthegarden #meaningful2me #mixedmedia #churchpainting

Walking On Scripture!

I'm standing on God's word! Thanks for a dear friend for reminding this week, to get those shoes out and walk on His Scripture! It works! Walk & stand on His word daily!!! Write scripture on the bottom of your shoes! When I.did this, it helped me greatly to be able to push through those spiritual battles, and I always found myself encouraging others to the same and they would share their testimonies with me! Then, somewhere along the way I begin to lose sight of things and how important this truly is in my life and things started to crumble, oh but God.... I'm back; ready to fight for His Glory!!!

Sunsets are Special!

After admiring a sunset and how no two are alike. Sunsets are special. We can only imitate them with artistic tools, creativity, and a sharp attention to detail. Still, all the paintings, stencils, and photographs cannot do them justice. Sunsets are so enrapturing because they're God's signature on the sky, His awe-inspiring message of love. No wonder we keep trying to re-create them. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork." Psalm 19:1 * The most incredible part of all, though, is that the same God who hand-crafts each sunset decided long ago that the world would be incomplete without you in it. He sees the same beauty in you that is in every sunset. The greatest artist I have ever known chose to give you life because His plan includes you. I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty amazing. "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Just Wait!

We may want something to change before God is ready for that particular thing to change. There are many things that God knows of which we have no understanding at all, that's why His word tell us to lean not on our own understanding. We have to accept that our little corner of the world is not the only corner that exists. God works all things together for good, not just our things. We may be frustrated because God is not doing something that we think needs to be done, but He is working on someone or something else that has to be in place before He does the thing we are asking Him to do. God has a perfect way, a perfect plan, and a perfect time. He will not be rushed. All things work together for good in due time. Think of buying a 5000 piece puzzle. You buy it because you like the picture on the box, but when you dump the box out, you feel overwhelmed. All the things going on in our lives are a bit like that puzzle before it is completed.

Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

A Need for Repentance!

Today, the Lord is speaking to His church about the need for repentance. I believe the opportunity to respond to God's calling, repent, and be ready for the Lord's return is getting less and less. "Why does thou not repent? Why does thou not hear my word? Why does thou not humble thyself before me and call upon my name says Jehovah God?" Oh, what a grieving in my spirit today for those who refuse to repent!