Sunday, February 22, 2009

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.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

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.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

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.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Rejoice in the Lord always

Phil 4:4- Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

The word rejoice means to be glad or have joy or take delight. It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice.

The condition in Philipi was not the best, so when Paul makes this request, it almost seems unreasonable. But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson; our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no mater what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter, Paul urged the Phillipians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this.

It is easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If you haven’t been joyful lately, you may not be looking at life from the right perspective.

The joy of the Lord is your strength. It is our responsibility and a privilege to rejoice in the Lord. We do not rejoice because things are bad. We rejoice because of who God is. He Said I AM. That means he is whatever we need him to be for us.
A Divine Blessing from a Divine Diva. God Loves You and so do I

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Dealing with Disappointment & Discouragement

“When your life is not at it’s best”

Disappointments are a common occurrence in life; but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating or painful. Especially after a series of near-misses, it’s easy to get depressed or anxious; to wonder if things are ever going to work out right; and to want to give up. Don’t give in and don’t give up.

We all have goals, wishes, and desires. Sometimes those things come to fruition and sometimes they don't. Sometimes the result is the direct consequence of what we have either done or not done. On the other hand, the result is often due to circumstances we either don't understand or over which we have little control. We often perceive the disappointments as personal failures. We internalize those feelings and end up feeling frustrated, angry, and depressed. But everyone at one time or another will have to deal with disappointment & discouragement. It is a part of life. A not so pleasant part, but yes a part of life.
What causes disappointments?
Disappointment results from thoughts and expectations being out of line with reality. Your expectations and hopes for others may be too high for the situation at hand. Even if you think your expectations are appropriate and realistic, they may not be realistic at all. One solution is to change your expectations to more realistic levels.
Some disappointments are actually predictable and preventable. Others are totally unavoidable. It is important to differentiate between the two so that you can respond appropriately.

Repeated disappointment may be the result of a pattern of faulty or irrational thinking. If you are frequently disappointed, evaluate what you are thinking and try to change faulty thinking patterns.
Things you can do to help with your disappointments!

1. Shift your expectations: Make sure your expectations are fair and reasonable
2. Put things into perspective: A mole hill is a mole hill.
3. Redirect your thinking: Stop dwelling on your disappointments
4. Communicate more effectively: Listen to what others have to say.
5. Build a network of caring people: Find a mentor. Listen to Older people.
6. Practice being an optimist: As a man thinketh so is he
7. Develop a sense of humor: a merry heart doeth good like a medicine
8. Cut other people some slack: love your neighbor as your self
9. Embrace Change: We are changing from glory to glory. From faith to faith.
10. Don’t Quit: The race is not to the strong; but those who endure to the end

For more on this life lesson, visit our podcast site at sistertosister.mypodcast.com or divinedivas.podbean.com. Divine Blessings from a Divine Diva; God Loves you and so do I –

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Seeking God's Face and His Heart

Psalm 27:4,8

Ps 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.


This is one of my favorite Psalms. The definition of the word seeks means to go in search of. Many of us do not seek God at all. We may seek after money, houses, relationships, cars, or what the bible calls temporal things. These are things that have no lasting value. But I would encourage you today to seek God. Don’t just seek God’s hand, but seek his face and his heart. This is the one thing that made David special, God tells us in his word that David was a man after his own heart. His greatest desire was to live in God’s presence each day of his life. Sadly this is not the greatest desire of many believer’s. What about you today? What is your greatest desire? The psalmist said one thing have I desired and one thing will I seek after. He was not divided in what he would give his undivided attention to. But those who desire to live in God’s presence each day will be able to enjoy that relationship forever.

Here we find David in a most profitable venture: he is seeking God's face. Seeking is a active pursuit. It requires patience; diligence; integrity; sincerity; and desire. It seems that we seek Him most when we have the greatest needs.

There is no higher honor than that we should be invited, commanded, to seek the face of God; to seek his presence and fellowship while we wait for the coming of Christ, when that friendship and fellowship will be deepened and completed because we shall see him as he is.

Ps 105:4 “Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.”

If God seems far away persist in your search for him. Seek the Lord and his strength. Seek his face forever more. God rewards them who diligently search for him. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. A Divine Blessing from a Divine Diva!!! God loves you and so do I
Please contact me with any comments regarding this blogor if you have a prayer request you can reach me via my website http://sistertosister.name/ or my email address is sistertosister@live.com

Friday, January 9, 2009

Trust In God

TRUST IN GOD
January 10, 2009

Prov 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The word for this week is trusting in God. We must believe that he is able to do what he will, wise to do what is best, and good, according to his promise, to do what is best for us, if we love him, and serve him. We must, with an entire submission and satisfaction, depend upon him to perform all things for us, and not lean to our own understanding. When we have an important decision to make, sometimes we feel that we cannot trust anyone including God. But God knows what is best for us.

In all thy ways acknowledge God. We must not be wise in our own eyes. We should always be willing to listen to God and to be directed by him in his word. Bring your decisions to God in prayer. Our eyes must always be towards God and in everything, we make our requests known. He shall direct thy paths. What is important to you? Are you making God a vital part of your everyday decisions? Is there any area in your life you have not entrusted to God?. Why not start today! Do not let fear stop you. God says to cast all our cares upon him for he cares for us.
To listen to the entire message of Trusting in God, I would invite you to visit our podcast page at sistertosister.mypodcast.com or divinedivas.podbean.com If you have a prayer request or wish to contact me please do so at sistertosister@live.com

Divine Blessings From A Divine Diva ---God Loves You and So do I