GOD's Word Is Trustworthy

GOD's word is trustworthy! it's at the framework and foundation of the world and the universe.

If nothing else stands, GOD's word stands. Be encouraged to communicate with the creator today. The Lord has your best in mind, now and forevermore.

Peace,

April D. Byrd
@BOLDJournal

Microsoft Authors In Business Event (Recap)

Atlanta, GA. -- on November 5th 2016 Best-Selling Author and Business Owner Desiree Lee hosted the first ever "Authors In Business Microsoft Book Signing" at Microsoft Store in Lenox Mall.

The event featured 15 Dynamic Authors from the around the country who are apart of the “Authors In Business Self-Publishing Community".  

A few featured Authors from the event from (left to right): Melissa Ruth, Mark A. Jackson, Myra J, Stepter, and Khalilah Wilbourn.

Featured Authors Included: 

Tonia Quarterman

Tongela Curry

Synetta Crispin

Subira Folami

Rob Gegner

Myra J. Stepter

Melissa Ruth

Mark A. Jackson

Tyesha Peak

Debra D. Jones

Annah Lewis

Andrea Stickland

Rick Stickland

Lisa Halls

Khalilah Wilbourn 

Glendora Dvine

The Microsoft Store was packed with fans and onlookers, those who attended gained powerful insight from the Authors. Prizes were given away to audience members. The event was very engaging, from the ranging topics to the energy of the crowd, it was one book signing that did not disappoint. 

The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the Authors shared their wisdom and expertise.

VOW-Inspire Network was on hand to cover the event and got to feature some Great pictures on the fan page.

Pictured from (Left to Right): Hostess Desiree Lee, Event Attendee, and Featured AIB Author Lisa Halls.

If you would like to know more about the Microsoft Authors In Business Self-Publishing Community, the book signing, Authors, or get wisdom on Self-Publishing you can visit Desiree Lee's website: dleeinspires.com/publishnow and contact her directly through the webpage.

Dream Bigger: See Your Dreams Fulfilled!

By: Ruthann Mckenzie

As I have started to live out my dreams and what I truly want for my life, I have began realizing there are many expenses attached to my dream I did not once realize.  Living out my personhood, my dream, my vision... it is costly, yet I continue to do it daily.  

I am here to inform you that your dream will be costly, too. This is not a negative thing, but it will require you to give more than a hundred percent daily. It will consume much of your waking hours. There will be sleepless nights creating goals and meeting deadlines.  Once you begin to pursue your dream it will be all you think about continuously, almost 24/7.  I have heard that I am border line obsessed with my purpose.  You know what that is okay with me!  The reason why I rather put in the handwork to pursue the dream is how much it will cost if I don't. 

The most costly part of having a dream is if you leave that dream unfulfilled. Unfulfilled dreams will come back to haunt you, because that longing -- that desire placed deep within you -- is not coincidental. The dream deep within your heart is not there to let it slip away.  Your dream will be costly, but the cost to be great far exceeds mediocre. 

So stick with the sleepless nights and people telling you how saggy your eyes look some days. The goal is not to impress or show off, especially not in the short term. Do not worry about the investment you will have to make and the failures you will endure. Endure the failures and learn lessons from them.  Be creative enough to find more solutions after failures rather than excuses to remain the same. Keep pushing to develop into who God designed you to be. Know that fear is temporary.  We perceive fear to be permanent because we sit there so long, never realizing we can push past it. Failure is not a permanent condition, and neither is fear. 

The greatest injustice we do to ourselves is to talk ourselves out of our dreams because of what it will cost us short term. In all reality, we do not stop and think of how our hard work may pay off. Think to yourself, "what will it look like if I accomplish my dream?"  Your dream may be to lose weight, it may be to open a business, it may be to play an instrument...whatever it is, your dream is valid for you, never discount it.  Pay into your future investments and make the dream a reality. Do what it takes today so you will not pay for your excuses of putting off your dreams tomorrow. 

It Is worth it!

How To Recognize Your Good Opportunities

By: Ruthann Mckenzie

Sometimes we are born into a great opportunity and other times we must work our way towards opportunity. Either way, we all have equal chances towards any given opportunity that comes our way. It is up to us to accept an opportunity or reject it.

After reading a great book, Think and Grow Rich, there was a story illustrated about a worker, Edwin Barnes, who had a dream to work with Thomas Edison. Barnes did not know how he would work with Edison, he was not within the same social group as him and did not know him personally. Nonetheless, Barnes was relentless in chasing his dream, passion, and purpose. For the sake of time, in summary, after much work and dedication in pursuit of his dream, Barnes was given the opportunity to become business partners with Edison. His very dream was coming true because he took the chance and grasped an opportunity. The opportunity he took was actually disguised in rejection. The invention that Edison wanted to sell all his other business partners rejected, but because Barnes was so adamant and did not see it as a rejection but opportunity, he is now known as one of Edison's greatest business partners.

Opportunities may not always be wrapped up pretty with a bow. Most times they are born in adversity, they are taken by those who dare to dream bigger than their situation, such as Edwin Barnes who wanted to be business partners with Edison. To make this personal, I think of this for my own life and how opportunities can spread. I am a first born Jamaican American because one aunt thought to come over to the United States from the island.  She worked diligently to make that opportunity a reality for herself. Then she afforded that opportunity to my father who helped my mother who in return helped a multitude of us gain an opportunity we may have never had before. It all started with one person, one thought, one courageous dream, and one leap toward an opportunity. I'm sure my aunt had no clue how it would all work out. I'm sure she was fearful of failure, but it never stopped her. For that I am grateful for her one choice.

Praise Break!!!

There are a variety of ways opportunities can present themselves to us. Not all of us must be born into great opportunities handed to us, but that is no excuse to not go out and make opportunities happen. Opportunities can be any of the following:

• Taken by chance. To take the chance to move from the only home you may ever know to have something you have always dreamed of is a major chance. If that dream is big enough and your excuses are nonexistent, then weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Opportunities are usually once in a lifetime, so take chances while you can.

• Some opportunities are born through adversity and rejection. If you are always looking for something good as an open door for opportunity, then you may be missing some big chances to take in life. The opportunity of a lifetime may be presented in disappointment. However, you must always keep your eyes on your prize and remain encouraged in order to see past the rejection to get to the opportunity.

• Then there are some opportunities that are standing at your doorstep. Do not always look so hard for things to be broken to miss the clear and easy opportunity in your face. Seize the moment confidently when it presents itself.

• Opportunities should never compromise your core values. Never. If it does, then carefully evaluate what it is your dream is and consider that there will be more chances to achieve the success you desire.

• Lastly, and possibly most important, opportunity is usually on the other side of fear.  You usually have to step out of your comfort zone in some way in order to pursue the opportunity.  Your dreams depend on opportunities, so how well can you overcome your fears? Your opportunity you take today may not only change your future, but the future of those around you. That small decision may ripple into something large and lasting worth a legacy.

Opportunities are great chances that are waiting only if we accept it. You can always take an opportunity, but once it is missed they do not come back. Be wise with the opportunity you may let slip you by. Had Barnes let go of his thought and dreams to work with Edison he would not have known what would come about that rare chance. Had my aunt missed the chance to come over to the US, perhaps it wouldn't come up again and that would in return affect each of us who are now here as a result of her thought, dream and opportunity.

Do not miss out on your opportunity and do not shrink back your dream. Go out today and confidently make the most of each day and opportunity!
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Ruthann McKenzie is the creator of justbeconfident.com where she blogs and coaches others to be confident and live victoriously. Follow her updates on Facebook and Instagram: @theconfidentyou 

5 Ways To Start Living Above Your Circumstances

by: Carla Marcelle
    

In light of Robin Williams death, I have been wondering what reason on earth could this wealthy man possibly have to commit suicide? I too often think, "Man only if I had my finances in order, how all my problems would be solved". Then this man's death hit me with some truth, what is money?

Money, in this sense is my situation, along with a bunch of other circumstantial situations. I can't say for certain what plagued Mr. Williams mind that caused him to feel he had no way out, but what I can say is that I don't want to hear another story as such. It honestly and truly breaks my heart. As a person who believes that everyone is made with purpose, I don't believe that people really understand what that truly encompasses. As I surfed the web, I found this definition of purpose:

The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.

    Too often, we tend to lose focus of what our purpose in life is, because we get caught up in day-to-day stresses of everyday living. Our very purpose and our peace of mind can easily get lost if we do not make a conscious effort to keep it at the forefront of our minds. 

    So the question becomes how do we keep from getting ourselves overwhelmed from the essence of our situations and circumstances. Well I have compiled a list of tips to help sustain our minds from the deceit the enemy attacks us with. It is absolutely imperative that we learn to live above our situations. We have to choose to live in the promises of God because this world will chop you up, and spit you out, if you allow it. Then you find yourself down in the dumps, with no way of escape. However, be assured God did not place us here without tools to combat the enemy's schemes and tricks. 

 The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10, NIV)

    The "thief is the enemy, but I declare for you today that if you utilize these tips for the next 30 days, you will see all the tricks and schemes of the enemy begin to lose power in your life, and you will begin to live a more abundant life. The awesome thing about it is the abundant life full of peace that is already yours, and I will show you how to claim it and walk in it. 

1. Free Your Mind Daily 

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

    It is important that we not get caught up in the pleasures of this world. Our focus is not to obtain as much worldly possessions as possible because it is all trivial. Everything on this earth is temporary, so we are not to be consumed with the status quo, but consume ourselves with the spirit of God that we may be lead into the path for our lives.

2. Worship 

Worship ushers in the presence of God. It is not only something we do, but something we are to become. Worship can be incorporated into every aspect of our lives. Worship is how we spend time with God. As the same with any relationship, in order for us to know someone we have to spend time with them. Spending time God allows us to keep him at the forefront of our minds. Being in a spirit worship allows us to be an open vessel for use of the spirit of God, keeping us at the peace he promises us with.

3. Speak Positivity

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

The tongue has the power of life and death.

Do not start a situation with bad information that you have told yourself. Learn to be optimistic, looking at every situation with a "glass half full" perspective. When you speak negativity, you contaminate your atmosphere with your very words. Do not create unnecessary obstacles for yourself to overcome by speaking negative influence over your life. 

4. Care About People 

    Learn to care to genuinely care about people. No matter what the situation is, care about people. Always show love, and encourage people you come in contact with. Learn to forgive people who wrong you daily. It will create a strong heart for you, and allow you not harbor any negative feelings, and you will feel good about yourself. 

5. Trust God

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. 

    As a friend of mine told me, faith and doubt cannot coexist. If you have faith you cannot have doubt. If  you have doubt, then you do not have faith. We have to consciously chose if we are going to trust God, and if you do, then that's it. Allow the spirit to guide your works, and know that God has got your back!!!

Following these tips will allow you to grow into different levels of faith. In just 30 days of implementing these tips into your life you will notice drastic progression in your thought process, and your life. You will start to go from just believing in God-to trusting God-to operating in God. When you start operating in God, it gives you more courage and a greater belief. You will start to walk in your purpose, and God will open doors to provide opportunities for you. You begin to look different, walk straighter, and speak better. You become BOLD, and your life becomes full of the purpose your creator your created you for. 

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Carla Marcelle is a regular Breath Of Life Daily contributor. She is a Life and Purpose Coach, and recent University graduate receiving her Master's degree. For more inspirational posts from Coach Carla Stay tuned to her "Wake Up Wednesdays" segment here on BOLD Journal every Wednesday.  Follow @BOLDJournal on Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates.

Waitress Khadijah Muhammad Receives a $1,075 Financial Miracle

Khadijah Muhammad, a Knoxville, Tenn., Waitress saw that her guest's check was turned upside down and she thought the worse. She turned the bill over, and found a $1,075 gratuity for a $29.30 check, WBIR reported the story.

Wow! this is amazing! God can use anything and anyone to bless you!... and the fact that they used a biblical format to determine the amount was even more stunning. I learned this working as a waitress myself. Don't underestimate the power of God to work in your favor at any given moment. There truly are some kind people in the world. Khadijah Muhammad needed a miracle and she got one! This gives me so much hope that God can do the same for us. All things are possible to them that believe.

~April D. Byrd