Where did that thought come from!

Our thoughts are very important to God.  God does care what we ponder on in our minds and what we mediate on throughout our day.

Many of us desire to be happy, healthy and productive in our lives and this is most assuredly is God’s will for us.  However, even in the mist of Walking in Faith, we are not exempt from the realities of the world.

We do have an opponent and oppositions that come up against us when we least expect it.

For instance, we could be sitting in a gathering of people, e.g. church and all of a sudden here comes a negative thought, giving no concern to the fact that were in the Assembly of God, praising the Lord.

No, there are no restraints to the oppositions that the deceiver would have us to believe.

This is the reason the Bible teaches us to write the “Word of God” on our hearts and our minds so that it will not depart from us.  We can “RECALL” just what God says about us in His Word, when adversity comes

So, the next time the enemy comes with distractions, nay sayings, doubts and attempts to flood our minds with negativity, let us always stand firm on God’s Word.  We are the Righteous of God in Christ Jesus, we can cast down all thoughts and imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself up against the Knowledge of God. We put on the mind of Christ.

Blessings to all and always Stay Encouraged.

Shira Garnett: Contributing WriterShira

                        www.nicecolumnbyshira.com

Hold on...I'm on my way!

Growing up, I would sit on the floor of our elementary school classroom, very attentive, as stories were being read by my English teacher.  The excitement of putting myself in the place of the characters gave me an outlet, from all the things I personally was facing and dealing with at home. 

Whether fiction or non-fiction, a fairytale with a happy ending or an adventurous story with “villain’s vs hero’s, the anticipation of hearing how the story ended gave me a glimpse of hope and sunshine, in the mist of all my darkness.

Later, approaching graduation from high school, I began considering what I would do for the rest of my life, however, it wasn’t until my early thirties when my inner voice began to speak purpose and destiny.

Studying the Bible, praying and searching for answers from God, wanting to be completely sure I wasn’t experiencing some sort of emotional reenactment of a character I had previously read in a book, I definitely knew I couldn’t allow childhood intrigue and curiosity resurface its way into my actual reality as an adult, I needed to be reasonable and responsible.

Ministry!  Is what I heard.

I was very reluctant to heed the call of my inner voice at first, beckoning me to minister to those who were in need of hope in the mist of their darkness.  Like I, at a young age, as I did, so now do others, was the repeating echo I heard inside. 

Over and over again, the inner cry for help drew me to the call.

Yes, I had always enjoyed encouraging people and knew that would be something I would most likely do, however, when the word “Ministry” echoed over and over in my spirit man and I couldn’t shake it, extreme fear and denial begin to plaque my mind…..but not for very long.

I surrendered to the call and followed the necessary steps that were advised me; schooling and ordination came sometime after and I cordially began to accept speaking engagements, administrative positions within non-profit and faith based organizations and headed up bible studies at the church I attended.

It wasn’t until I actually went into the mission field that I truly began to witness one of the greatest needs for humanity, Servitude in the highways and byways! 

Visiting the sick in the hospitals, speaking at halfway houses to people with chronic illnesses, feeding the homeless, praying with every fiber of my being to be strong even when I witnessed the very people I ministered to slowly begin to give up hope. 

“This can take a toll on anyone, especially, after seeing sickness, distress, hopelessness and despair, continuously!” 

Putting my complete faith and dependence in God has been a ‘Must Do’ for me!  I hear, read and see others get burned out, depressed and personally spiritually anorexic in the work of ministry, ‘A healthy balance we MUST have.’  Ministry work can be quite difficult on a lot of days, nevertheless, I wouldn’t trade this new found love for anything in this world.  

Keeping myself spiritually in shape is a priority.  I have come to a proper and serene knowledge of doing all that I can and allowing others to do what I can’t and above all, giving every care and concern to the Lord.

“Someone plants, someone waters, God gets the increase.  Thank you Lord for calling me into Your Grace.  What a Mighty God we serve! 

If you too have a call to Minister, as all of us do on some level or another, I encourage you to keep the faith, stay prayed up and give your best effort to do what you can and allow others to do their part as well.  God can and will handle the rest. Only God can do the impossible and with our help, we can make a difference.

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2 Peter 1:10

Blessings to all and Always Stay Encouraged!

Contributing Writer: Shira Garnett, Spreading Inspiration, making hearts smile.

                                http://www.nicecolumnbyshira.com/#!welcome/c1emm

                                

Things to consider when writing your vision

So you got the vision and now you’re writing it down to make it plain!  The excitement of your new found passion is bubbling up inside you like a volcano ready to erupt. 

You rush to tell your loved ones and friends only to have your “forever dream” shot down, one by one, all your trusted confidants began to speak of all the negative aspects of accomplishing such greatness! 

Hardly any of the people you chose to share with give you any positive feedback or kudos, nothing more than reactions of “consider this…what about that…how do you expect?!

Now your excitement has gone from joy to being unsure, second guessing and contemplating whether or not this is what you actually should be pursuing.  Sound familiar!

So many people have prematurely abandoned many great plans and visions that have been truly given to them through their constant diligence in prayer, mediation and wise counsel but through the negativity of others who haven’t been given the same vision or for whatever reason, find it necessary to discourage others.  This had been the case for me.

Until one day I decided that I would do what Mary, Jesus’ mother did. I held what was purposed in my heart until I saw the manifestation of my vision come to pass, entirely and completely through my trust and faith in God who purposed me for all things pertaining to Life and Godliness. Ref. (Luke 2:19) (2 Peter 1:3).

Sometimes it is wise to keep a matter to yourself until the day of revealing comes.  This way only God, your spouse (if you’re married) and you will be “In the Know,” no distractions, naysaying or discouragement to hinder you.

The process of accomplishing your purpose is pressure enough!  Until next time. 

Blessing to all and always Stay Encouraged!

Contributing Writer:     Shira Garnett

                                    www.nicecolumnbyshira.com Spreading Inspiration, making hearts smile.