Shake Us Again

Shake Us Again
“I am blessed to be a blessing”
Neh 5:1-13

Are you a person who believes that your money is just for you and to pay your bills? Do you give to the poor? Is there someone in need around you? Or do you feel that times are just so incredibly tough it is difficult to give? Maybe you pay your tithes or even give an offering to the church but do you look for opportunities to be a blessing to someone else.

In Nehemiah’s day, the people who had money or were considered wealthy were actually taking advantage of their brothers and sisters. They were charging very high interest rates. When the people could no longer afford to pay, the wealthy took their land and vineyards. When the people could no longer support themselves they eventually had to sell their children to try and survive. Nehemiah eventually told the people they were doing was not right. Ultimately, the wealthy people agreed with Nehemiah and gave back the land and the vineyards and the interest they took. Now there is a thought, what if the credit card companies gave back all the interest they have charged, some of the credit cards would be paid off. Nehemiah asked the Lord to shake them out if they did not keep their promise.

In our economy today, we might not find ourselves selling our children. However, it is my understanding that human trafficing is still a problem in our world. Some of us like the children of Isreal have taken multiple mortgages out on our homes. According to a consumer report the average American has at least 7 credit cards, a mortgage, car loan and other unsecured debts. I am not here to stand and judge. I am simply stating when you take a look at this picture, it is hard to see yourself as being blessed to be a blessing. But that is who God created us to be. We are to be lenders and not borrowers. We are the head and not the tail. We are blessed going out and coming in. It is not God’s will for you to be consumed by debt or that every dollar you earn goes into things (debts) that are not a blessing to anyone, especially you. Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay your treasures up in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt or where thieves can break through and steal. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. So where are our hearts today? Are you any happier because you have a really big house, a nice car, and nice clothes? Or would you exchange some of these luxuries for a peace of mind and to be able to bless someone else.

God told us in his word, my ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts. And the way to get out of debt is to GIVE. St. Luke 6:38 states “Give and it shall be given unto you, a good measure pressed down shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosoms.” There are countless testimonies of people who were hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and God brought them out. They are now blessed to be a blessing. Do you know that if you could save $1,000 a month that in 7 years you could afford to pay cash for a $120,000 home? If you could sacrifice 7 years, you could live debt free in a home. It may not be the biggest or the fanciest house, but it would be a home that you own debt free. And the best part about it; you will be blessed to be a blessing to someone else, because all your income is not going into debts. Over the next few days, think about where you are, where you would like to be. Pray About It! Ask God to give you a vision how to get from where you are to where he desires you to be and how you can become a blessing to someone else” I am blessed to be a blessing.……..A divine blessing from a divine Diva. God loves you and so do I.

Comparing ourselves to Others

“Free to Be Me”

1 Cor 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am


You are unique. You are special. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God took his time when he created you. He placed within you all the things he wanted to be there. He chose your hair color, eye color, the shape of your nose, the shape of your lips and the curve of your hips. You are so special your fingerprints are specific only to you. Your gifts and talents are specific to you. There is no one else like you in the entire universe. By the Grace of God I am what I am. So why are so many people unhappy with things about themselves and wanting what someone else has or possesses. Short people want to be tall. Tall people want to be short, skinny people want a little more meat on their bones, those who have the extra weight want to take it off. We constantly comparing ourselves one to another.

It is human nature to want to see how we measure up in comparison to others; especially if we think that they are better than us or have more of something that we desire. We should not compare ourselves with others because there is no one like us and this makes us incomparable. It is sometimes almost easier to look outside of ourselves and feel like we are lacking in comparison to other people rather than taking responsibility for our own progress in relation to the fulfillment of the purpose for our life.

It actually takes more courage to look at ourselves to see whether we are measuring up to our standards or meeting our full potential. Each of us has very special gifts. And we are here for very specific reasons. We each have a life purpose to fulfill; lessons that we must learn and circumstances that we must go through in order to develop as spiritual beings. To compare our lives to other people's lives when we have no idea of what they are here to learn or fulfill doesn't benefit anyone, especially you. You have no idea of the plan God has for someone else’s life.

Each of us live under a unique set of circumstances, everybody’s life is not on the same track. We are working on different problems, growing at various rates on varied character traits. We experience different trials and have been influenced by our environment in distinctive ways. A true and accurate comparison is impossible by another human being. It misses the mark of perfection according to the truth of God. So if you want to compare yourself to something or someone compare yourself to the standards of God’s Word. How are you developing and progressing into the person God called you to be. By the Grace of God I am what I am. I am Free to be me.

Life Lessons:
1. I am unique, fearfully and wonderfully made by God
2. Don’t measure your self by yourself (inward)
3. Don’t compare yourself with others (outward)
4. Accept that God has a specific purpose and plan for your life, so you cannot live your life thru another (upward)
5. Don’t let pride set in
6. Do the best you can
7. Do not glory in the flesh
8. Walk in the spirit and do not fulfill the lust of the flesh
9. Strive to become all God has desired and purposed for your life.
10. Remember by the Grace of God, I am what I am. I am free to be me.

A divine blessing from a Divine Diva. God Loves you and so do I.

What are you waiting for?

Lamentations 3:26 -It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Why is it that we find waiting tough? Most twenty-first century people do. We don’t want to wait in traffic, wait in line, or wait for a table. We don’t want to wait until we can afford to pay cash for a purchase and not be in debt so we put the purchase on a credit card and incur the debt.

The Lord will reward you for waiting upon Him. You can remain calm when it appears that nothing is happening when you think it should. Waiting is a response contrary to the ways of the world. And God already told us in his word, our ways are not his ways, our thoughts are not his thoughts.

We don’t want things to be hard or difficult. All of us are waiting on something that the Father has promised us. In Hebrews 6:12 it states that through faith and patience we inherit the promises of God. While you are waiting on the Lord, know that everything and every situation is working together for your Good because you are called according to his purpose. It’s not always about you but its about the King and his purpose.

Waiting helps us realize
1. Things may be bad, but it because of the mercy of God they are not worse.
2. Whatever hardships we meet, we will not be consumed.
3. Great is God’s faithfulness to each of us.
4. If we submit to God’s timing he will honor us.
5. As we wait on the Lord, he will renew our strength
6. We can walk and not faint, run and not be weary.
7. Allow God to choose the best time to change your circumstances.

Wait on the Lord and be of good courage and he will strengthen our heart. A Divine blessing from a Divine diva. Together yes, we can. God Loves You and so do I.